GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET FOR GRADUATES 2016
OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL May 5, 2016 Dear Graduate, On behalf of the entire Upper Merion Area staff I want to congratulate you on reaching this point in your academic career and being a member of our newest graduating class. Upper Merion has a long tradition of dignified Commencement ceremonies that reflect the quality of our school district. It is now your responsibility to uphold this tradition. Commencement ceremonies are a time for celebration but also require proper respect and decorum. We want your ceremony to properly reflect the pride that you have in yourself and your school. Throughout this school year, you have proven to be a class of respectful and responsible students. Please continue to conduct yourself in this fashion as we come to the final weeks and days of your high school career. Please read the attached guidelines setting forth our expectations for your behavior in regard to the Commencement ceremony. I am proud of all that you have accomplished and look forward to celebrating with you in the upcoming weeks. Sincerely, Jonathan Bauer Principal 2
SENIOR CALENDAR Friday, May 20 th Tuesday, May 24 th Thursday, May 26 th Friday, June 3 rd Tuesday, June 7 th Wednesday, June 8 th Thursday, 9 th Friday, June 10 th Monday, June 13 th Tuesday, June 14 th Senior Prom Drexelbrook 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm Sup and Sign Senior Yearbook Signing HS Cafeteria 5:00 pm Central Montco Technical HS Senior Recognition Colonial Middle School - 7:00 pm Seniors return all materials to the Library. All senior obligations must be satisfied before this date. Those seniors who continue to have outstanding obligations will not be allowed to participate in endof-year activities nor will they be issued Commencement tickets or the cap and gown. Last full day of classes for seniors Senior Final Exams 7:35-9:05 Math 9:10-10:40 Social Studies Senior Final Exams 7:35-9:05 Science 9:10-10:40 English Ivy Day/Commencement Practice and Laptop Collection Report to HS Auditorium 8:30 am Graduation Practice Report to HS Gym 8:30 am Ivy Day HS Auditorium 10:00 am Graduation Practice Villanova, The Pavilion 10:00 am Graduation Villanova, The Pavilion 6:30 pm Doors Open at 5:30 pm Post Graduation Party Arnold s Family Fun Center 10:00 pm to 1:00 am Bus leaves UM at 10:00 pm, returns 1:30 am 3
Practices/Rehearsals After final exams, seniors are not permitted in school, except for rehearsals. Students must report directly to the following rehearsal areas so that they are not disturbing other areas of the building still holding classes and exams for other students. o 6/10 Friday Report directly to the Auditorium o 6/13 Monday o 6/14 Tuesday Report directly to the Gym Report directly to Villanova or to bus transportation provided outside the Auditorium All practices are mandatory in order to participate in Ivy Day and the Graduation Ceremony. Students will receive cap and gowns during rehearsal sessions. All obligations must have been cleared in order for students to receive these items. Optional bus transportation will be available from the high school for practice at Villanova on Tuesday morning. The bus will depart at 9:00 am. Total cooperation is required throughout the rehearsals. Seniors will be expected to conduct themselves as young ladies and gentlemen at all times. Failure to observe this standard my result in removal from the ceremony. Laptop Collection Laptops will be collected on Friday, 6/10, during rehearsal. Students will not receive their cap and gown unless the laptop is returned in good working condition or appropriate fees are paid for lost or damaged items. Students will receive a receipt when they turn in their laptops. It is important to keep this receipt because it must be shown in order to receive a cap and gown. Ivy Day Ivy Day is the annual ceremony for recognition of senior awards and scholarships. Students receiving awards or recognition at the Ivy Day ceremony will be sent notification that they will be recognized in some way during the ceremony. All graduating seniors are welcome to attend but attendance is voluntary. All parents of seniors are invited to attend Ivy Day. Proper attire for students is required for participation in Ivy Day. o Girls wear dress white outfits o Boys wear white dress shirts and ties, dress pants, dress shoes (no jeans, no sneakers,). There is a small reception in the high school immediately following the ceremony. Graduation Commencement Ceremony Commencement is an important and memorable ceremony. It represents the achievement of a goal that students, their families and their teachers have worked long and hard to reach. Proper decorum and respect for this tradition is required. According to UMASD School Board policy, only students who have met the requirements for graduation will be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony. 4
Each student will receive 10 tickets to the ceremony during graduation rehearsal. If there is a need to request more than 10 tickets, please contact Mrs. Harvey in the Activities Office, lharvey@umasd.org or (610)205-3868. Guests are expected to wear proper attire: no shorts, t-shirts. Doors will be open for arrival at 5:30 pm. Students must arrive at the Pavilion at Villanova by 5:45 pm. Please be sure to allow for enough travel time to get to Villanova on time. Traffic in that area is heavy at this time of the day. Parking is available in the East and West Main lots. Villanova staff will be on hand to direct cars. There is a walk from the parking lots to the Pavilion, so if you have special needs please contact Mrs. Harvey in the Activities Office, lharvey@umasd.org or (610)205-3868. Any action that demeans, disrupts, or interferes with the dignity of the ceremony will result in removal and all available legal/disciplinary actions will be pursued. No foreign objects (balloons, balls, etc.) may be brought to the ceremony. No air horns are permitted at the ceremony. Due to safety concerns of Villanova University, no caps are to be thrown inside the arena. Caps and gowns may not be written on or altered in any way. Proper attire for students is required for participation in the Commencement Ceremony. o Girls: Appropriate dress outfit, dress shoes, no flowers/corsages o Boys: Long pants (No jeans), dress shirt, dress shoes Students should refrain from bringing purses/bags or any personal items to the staging area. There will be no secure place to keep belongings during the ceremony. These items should be left at home or given to parents/guests in the audience Post Graduation Party The Post Graduation Party is an annual parent-run event that gives graduating seniors an opportunity to celebrate with their peers. More than a social occasion, this event provides a safe alternative to outside party-going and provides our seniors with lasting memories. Only Upper Merion Area High School Seniors are allowed to attend. No outside guests. The party will be held after the Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 from 10:00 pm to 1 am. Buses will leave the front lot of UMAHS at 10:00 pm sharp. Doors will open at Arnold's at 10:00 pm. Students will not be allowed in after 11:00 pm. Buses will return to UMAHS by 1:30 am. Must wear close-toed shoes to ride go-carts or play laser tag (no flip flops or sandals). Must wear socks for bowling shoe rentals. Cost is $25. Tickets can be purchased using the attached sheet. 5
Dear Senior Parents: As many of you may already know, the UMAHS Senior Class looks forward to their post-graduation party each year. This has been a tradition at Upper Merion for over 20 years! The Post-Graduation Party always has a surprise theme and most importantly, they are in a safe and well supervised environment. The party will be held at Arnold s Go Carts after the commencement ceremony on June 14, 2016 from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM. There will be transportation from the high school at 10:00 PM for any student who does not have transportation and returning to the high school at 1:30 AM. The funding for this huge event is through the generosity of our community, and most of all, from the parents of our senior class. We are collecting a donation of $25.00 per child to help with the cost of this affair. Your prepaid donation will provide your child an evening of fun, games activities, photos, food and drinks. Most importantly it will provide memories of the last time your senior will gather with their friends as a group. Please complete the form at the bottom of this letter to help us provide a wonderful final memory for our Seniors. Payment must be received no later than May 27, 2016. Checks should be made payable to the POST GRAD Class of 2016 and dropped off or mailed to: POST GRAD PARTY Robin Stutzman Liz Ghanayem 348 Allendale Rd. 455 Kerrwood Rd. King of Prussia, PA 19406 Wayne, PA 19087 We look forward to giving the seniors a wonderful final memory of their years at Upper Merion!! Please note: Prepaying will ensure that your graduate receives their senior gift! Thank You, 2016 POST-GRAD PARTY COMMITTEE Graduate s Name Parent Name Phone number E-mail Amount of donation Needs transportation Yes or No Also if you know of anyone who may own a business, family or friends who would like to donate all is appreciated!! 6