Dear Seniors, Parents & Guardians

April 2017

Dear Seniors, Parents & Guardians,

As the end of the year approaches, this letter will serve as a summary and reminder of the upcoming dates and events, which will impact your last days at Bonner & Prendergast. Enclosed is information regarding dates and times for Baccalaureate, Graduation, and the Senior Awards Ceremony. Please be conscious of the enclosed dress code as well. We look forward to enjoying these days with you. We ask that you please share this information with all members of the family and guests.

The scholarships and grants awarded to our graduates are printed in their graduation booklet. In order for this information to be included all award letters must be received in the Guidance Office prior to May 5th. Any letters received after this date will not be included in the booklet.

On Tuesday, May 23, 2017 each eligible senior will receive their cap, gown, and graduation announcements in homeroom. An eligible senior is one:

1. whose name does not appear on the list of possible academic failures for the year. Please contact Mrs. Fitti in Academic Affairs with questions regarding this matter. 2. who is in good disciplinary standing. Please contact Mr. Stewart in Student Services regarding this matter. 3. who does not have excessive absences. Please contact Mr. Stewart regarding this matter. 4. who has settled all financial obligations to the school, including tuition and fees. As of now, all financial obligations must be paid by certified check, money order, or cash. No personal checks will be accepted. Please contact Mrs. Bracken in the Tuition Office regarding this matter.

If the cap and gown is not received in homeroom because the above conditions have not been met, the packet will be held in the Student Affairs Office until the student is eligible. It is then the student’s responsibility to pick up their packet.

Please also be aware that if you do not return your textbooks, iPad, sports equipment/jersey or pay the equivalent, you will not receive your diploma at graduation. Your graduation cover will be empty and you will need to make arrangements to pick up your diploma at a later date.

On Monday, June 5th, boys should report in uniform to the auditorium at 9:00 AM for Baccalaureate practice. Girls should report for practice in uniform at 10:15 AM. On Tuesday, June 6th , all students report to the auditorium at 9:00 AM for graduation practice in uniform. Attendance is mandatory. Everyone must be present. Do not make any appointments until later in the afternoon on these dates. Dismissal will be determined by your attention and cooperation. The more we have to stop due to inattentiveness, the longer the rehearsal. It depends upon you when the rehearsal is completed.

Sincerely,

Anne Marie Hayden Assistant Principal for Student Affairs Senior Awards Night Monday, June 5, 2017 7:00 PM - Gymnasium

Award recipients will be specifically invited and there is no limit in the number of guests. All students are encouraged to attend the awards night and congratulate their classmates. This is a formal event –please dress appropriately: Girls - no jeans, shorts or sneakers. Boys – shirt & tie, no earrings, no facial hair.

Girls Baccalaureate Mass Wednesday, June 7, 2017 7:00 PM – St. Laurence Church

Students should report to Pastor’s Memorial Hall(lower Church) by 6:15 PM. There is no limit on the number of guests. Guests should report directly to the upper Church. Gowns are to be worn and students who received medals at Awards Night are encouraged to display their medals on the left side of their gown. No caps are worn for Baccalaureate.

If your mother is a Prendie grad, she may walk with you in the entrance procession for Baccalaureate. This tradition is for mothers /daughters only. Seniors are asked to submit the names of their graduate mothers in homeroom. If you did not submit your name, and your mom graduated from Prendie, please come to the Student Affairs Office or have your mother contact Mrs. Armentano at 610-259-0280 ext. 1221 as soon as possible.

Girls Dress Code for Baccalaureate and Graduation, A white or pastel dress should be worn under the gown. White shoes (no sneakers) are to be worn. Be mindful of your choice of shoes - you will be walking a distance. Students should not bring bags or purses to either Baccalaureate or Graduation. There is no place to store and no one to hold bags or phones. For graduation, the tassel on the cap should be worn on the right until the student graduates. The cap is worn so the top is flat, not tilted. Nothing is to be written on the caps. No piercings other than earrings are permitted.

Boys Baccalaureate Mass Thursday, June 8, 2017 7:00 PM – St. Laurence Church

Students should report to Pastor’s Memorial Hall(lower Church) by 6:15 PM. There is no limit on the number of guests. Guests should report directly to the upper Church. Gowns are to be worn and seniors who received medals at Senior Awards Night are encouraged to display their medals on their gown. No caps are worn for Baccalaureate. Students must be cleanly shaven or will have to shave prior to Mass.

If your father is a Bonner grad, he may walk with you in the entrance procession for Baccalaureate. This tradition is for fathers/sons only. Seniors are asked to submit the names of their graduate fathers in homeroom. If you did not submit your name, and your father graduated from Bonner, please come to the Student Affairs Office or have your father contact Mrs. Armentano at 610-259-0280 ext. 1221.

Boys Dress Code for Baccalaureate and Graduation, students must wear a white shirt and tie with Khaki or dress pants with dress shoes. No jeans, sweats or shorts, sneakers or work boots are permitted. Students should have no facial hair and no exaggerated hairstyles. No earrings. Mr. Stewart will make the final determination regarding a student’s appearance. For graduation, the tassel on the cap should be worn on the right until the student graduates. Nothing is to be written on the caps.

If your student does not attend the Baccalaureate Mass, he/she will not be permitted to walk at graduation – no exceptions or excuses. Commencement Friday, June 9, 2017 10:00 AM – The Michael J. Hagan Arena at St. Joseph’s University

Graduates and parents are asked to be conscious of promptness and protocol at all times. The Hagan Arena is located on 54th Street off City Avenue. The entrance to the parking garage is on 54th Street. There is no charge to use this facility on graduation day. There is limited handicapped parking in front of the Hagan Arena. Please request handicapped parking permits in the Student Affairs Office by June 1, 2017. We must submit a list of all vehicles requesting handicapped parking. St. Joseph’s security will not allow access to the handicapped parking area if your vehicle is not on the list. The number on the handicapped license or on the hang tag must be given to the Student Affairs Office BEFORE we will issue a permit. Guests with special needs should arrive early as seating is limited. Handicapped seating is on the second level and accessible by elevator.

Each graduate should report to their homeroom teacher inside the Casciato Basketball Practice Gymnasium. Graduates will be admitted through the Athletic Center Entrance located to the left of the main entrance of the Hagan Arena. Graduates should arrive by 9:00 AM with his/her cap, gown and stole. There will be staff available to help students put on their academic attire.

Parents enter the Hagan Arena through the main doors and should pick up their graduate’s diploma in the main lobby. Parents sit with their graduate on the floor for the ceremony and should be seated by 9:30 AM. Each graduate will have an assigned seat with their parents on either side. Each graduate is allotted two seats. There will be ushers in the center aisle to help you find your seats. While the term parent is used, we understand that our graduates have other significant people in their lives who are not their biological parents. Whatever the case, each graduate is given only two seats: one on either side. We ask that you please respect this. If you have special needs for seating, such as a wheelchair, please inform the Student Affairs Office. In addition, please do not bring others on to the floor with you. Please have someone watch younger siblings in the stands.

Graduates will be going to the stage during the ceremony. In order for this process to be successful, full cooperation is necessary. Please instruct your guests to hold their applause until all the graduates have been called. Calling out and cheering are inappropriate. Every parent wishes to hear their son/daughter’s name and you would not want to miss hearing your graduate’s name because someone else is rude. Remind your guests to be courteous. Inappropriate behavior can cause a guest to be removed from the area by security. Guests must remain in his/her seat and no one may be in the aisles taking pictures. No outside professional photography is permitted. We will have a photographer on hand taking pictures of your son/daughter going on stage. Please see the information enclosed with the cap and gown. We ask your cooperation in helping to make this ceremony a dignified one.

You do not need a ticket to enter the graduation; however each family is asked to limit guests to six (6). The academic procession will begin at 9:45 AM. Late guests will not be permitted to enter the Hagan Arena until the procession is completed. Any graduate who arrives after the procession has started will be seated at the back of the Arena and will not be able to sit with their classmates for the ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests are asked to remain in their places until the procession has exited.

Mature and appropriate behavior is expected from you and your guests at all times. St. Joseph’s is very strict regarding security. For safety sake, do NOT toss your caps during the ceremony.

Cell phones are to be turned off prior to Mass and Graduation and stored in your pocket