VSS GRAD 2015 *Reminder to all parents and students that the $125.00 Grad fee is to be paid in full by Monday, April 13th if you wish to be a part of the Graduation Ceremony February 2015 Enjoy the Journey! G raduation marks the transition of our young emerging adults from public school into society. For this reason, this ceremony is also called commencement, or beginning. This rite of passage comes with a great deal of pride on behalf of the school staff, the parents and families, and of course, grads in style in front of our community. As this date draws near, it is important for us to outline all the activities and our expectations around this event so that you can be well prepared to make this a memorable day and not miss anything. Thanks in advance to all parents, grads, and staff who have, and will, contribute to Grad 2015! The school takes on the task of organizing the formal grad ceremony and looks to the parents and grads to lead decorating, fundraisers, and dry grad initiatives. We need all of you to contribute to make this a successful event. As you read through this newsletter consider where you can fit in. Become part of the Grad 2015 team! Commencement Ceremony W e believe that the symbolism and ceremony of accepting a diploma is based on the meaningful achievement of completing high school. All grads have already been notified that they must be in a position to actually graduate by year end to be part of the formal ceremony. Our Counselors, Ms. Glinsbockel & Mrs. Smith will be happy to meet with all grads to review their status with them. They are available to discuss this with parents or grads if you have questions. We will review all grads programs and make final decisions by April 13th, 2015, at the latest. We realize the social aspect of being with classmates is important and we encourage grade 12 non-grads to stay involved in all other aspects of grad, such as prom and dry grad. Inside this issue: Calendar of Events 2-3 The Big Day Graduation 2015 4 Decorating Committee 5 Get Involved 5-6 Grad Fashion Show 6 Talent and Dessert Night 6 Fundraising News 6 Grad Fees 7 Dry Grad 7 Non-Sanctioned Grad Events 7 Scholarships and Bursaries 8 Prizes 8
Page 2 Grad 2015 Feb - Apr Calendar of Events February 2 rd Applications for early entrance to BC Post Secondary Institutions are due 2 rd Monthly Grad Parent Meeting 7:00 p.m. Library 17 th Report Cards issued 17 th Grad picture re-takes 25 th Grade 12 recognition assembly for Semester 1 26 th Fashion Show 7:00 p.m. in the Theatre 27 th Grads meet with Ms. Glinsbockel at 11:30 am in room 177 to discuss process for local and community Scholarships. All parents are welcome March 2 rd Monthly Grad Parent Meeting 7:00 p.m. Library 2 nd Applications open on line for local and community scholarships (9:00am) 11 th Applications CLOSE for local and community Scholarship (3:00pm) *Please note that this deadline cannot be extended for any circumstance April 1 st Parent Teacher Interviews 13 th Monthly Grad Parent Meeting 7:00 p.m. Library 20 th Mothers Day Flowers Fundraiser order forms due 13 th Grad list confirmed (All fees now due) 23rd Drive Thru Breakfast 6:30-9:30 am - Wholesale Club 22 th Talent & Dessert Night 29th/30th District Scholarship at the Vernon Rec Centre
Page 3 Grad 2015 May - June Calendar of Events May 4 th Report Cards issued 4 th Grad Meeting 7:00 p.m. in the Library. 11 th Dry Grad guest tickets go on sale 25 th Last day to sign up dry grad guest (tickets $10.00) in the Office Grad Assembly at 10:45 am. in the Theatre for last minute instructions! 28 th GRADS ATTEND CLASSES IN THE A.M. Kal Tire Place set-up all day Please be early...we can t wait for you. All students must take the bus 12:10 p.m. - Grads report to Theatre for gown distribution & load buses 12:45 p.m. - Rehearsal at Kal Tire Place 2:00 p.m. - Court House Photos (approximate time) with caps & gowns 2:30 p.m. - Bus back to VSS Theatre 3:30-11:00 p.m. - Decorating for Dry Grad at VSS 29 th GRADUATION DAY!! No school for grads. See page 4 for the list of graduation day events The Cinderella Program Grads in need of financial assistance or support should contact Ms. Glinsbockel or Mrs. Smith for further information. Grads not wishing or able to purchase grad attire should contact the counsellors to see the numerous new and gently used dresses that have been donated. June 15 th Student loans available at www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentservices 18 th/ 19 th Class exams 19 th English 12 provincial 22 th Com 12 provincial 24 th Awards Ceremony at VSS
Page 4 May 29, 2015 - The Big Day Here 12:00 is a p.m. brief overview - Students of Graduation change Day into and casual events clothing leading in up change to this room gala event. - Registration We must for remind Dry you Grad that District and School Policies regarding - After behaviour Grad begins and - use Games, of drugs entertainment, and alcohol govern food, music. all activities. Change Enjoy rooms a safe, locked. dry grad celebration. You 3:00 owe a.m. it to yourself, - Hypnotist your family and your community. Our venue for grad will include the following locations: 4:30 a.m. - Major Draw Prizes - clean Grad up Photos crew - Court arrives House & VSS 5:00 a.m. - Dry After Grad is over!! Grads take all personal belongings with them from the Grad Ceremony - Kal Tire Place After Grad - VSS change rooms Here is the schedule...be early, we can t wait for you!! 8:00 a.m. Last minute set up & decorating (VSS) 8:30 a.m. Ceremony Set up @ Kal Tire Place 12:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Informal Family Photo Time @ Polson Park 1:45 p.m. Grads meet @ VSS in Formal Dress 2:00 p.m. Grad Class Photo in Front of School 2:15 p.m. Grad Promenade throughout School and Recognized by Student body 3:00 p.m. Doors open to Ceremony Grads meet in Kal Tire Place change rooms and put on robes Formal dress only - pants, dress shoes, shirts, dresses Caps need not be worn, but can be kept as a souvenir (No other hats) 4:00 p.m. Ceremony begins - staff, presenters seated on arena floor Procession of grads! Speakers from School, District and City of Vernon Introduction of grads - short biography, diploma, presentation of awards Photo of grads on big screen Opportunity for parents to take photos Mountain West Studios to take grad photo (Complimentary) Grad 2015 Awards Valedictorian Speech Recessional - Grad Theme Song Grads return robes to change rooms 6:30 p.m. - Grads and Families are on their own for Dinner 9:00 p.m. - Doors open TO VSS 9:15 p.m. - Presentations of Grads in Gym 9:30 p.m. - GRADS First Dance with Parents - Prom begins 10:00 p.m. - Speeches 11:30 p.m. - Dry Grad Check-in & Security Check in theatre 4:30 p.m. - Dry Grad Ends
Page 5 Dry Grad 2015 Committee School/Parent Contact Phone Committee E-mail Malcolm Reid 250-545-0701 Administrator mhreid@sd22.bc.a Kulwinder Smith 250-545-0701 Counsellor ksmith@sd22.bc.ca Conni Damini-Hayword 250-306-3528 Chair- Dry Grad tendyof5@gmail.com Elcita Young 250-260-8980 Entertainment elcita@telus.net Kim O Neill 778-932-0852 Fashion Show Kima-kimo@hotmail.com Rene Kadach 250-542-5655 Food Monique Kampman 250-260-4064 Decorating gkampmam@telus.net Conni /Kulwinder 250-306-3528 Prizes ksmith@sd22.bc.ca Jeff Reeves 250-540-1850 Security jeffreev@telus.net Louisa Cochrane 250-550-6561 Talent Dessert rodlou@telus.net Debbie Willock 250-503-1540 Fundraising dwillock@awinfosys.com Food Committee The Dry Grad Food Committee is looking for volunteers to serve food and beverages. We are looking for donations of food and drinks or grocery certificates. Please contact Rene Kadach 250-542 -5655 Security Committee Entertainment Committee Graduation night will have variety of entertainment. We will be doing an email for 22 volunteers for 2 hours each for Grad night from 11:00-4:30 AM. May 9 there will be a VSS Dry Grad garage sale fundraiser. If you have any items (no clothes) drop off will be the afternoon of May 8 from 3:00-6:00 PM at the school. Contact Elcita Young if you wish to volunteer for any of these activities. Decorating Committee The Security Committee is looking for parents (particularly Grade 12 parents) to volunteer to help out on the evening of Friday May 29 h for Dry Grad. Grade 11 parents have already volunteered to pay it forward and are covering the early shifts until 10:30 so Grad parents can be at the ceremonies. Groups of parents will be needed to rotate through the different zones and it is hoped to have a fairly event split between males and females to cover off washrooms and dressing rooms. This is a fun and easy way for Grad parents to be involved and help out at Grad. To volunteer, please contact Jeff Reeves 250-540-1850. The Theme of this year s grad ceremony is Survivor The planning continues and we would invite anyone interested in helping, to join us at the next grad meeting on March 2 at 7:00 pm in the school library. If you are not able to attend the Grad Meeting but would like to help in some way, we will need extra hands after school and evening of May 28 to decorate at VSS. We would also appreciate any help in providing decorating materials. If you are able to lend or donate decorations, here are some items we can use: hammocks, tiki torches, drift wood, thick rope, logs, stumps, rocks, urns, tall planters, large bamboo pieces, burlap dowels, spears, skulls, fake snakes, stuffed, tropical animals, tropical plants (real or artificial). All items can be dropped off at the school office or call to arrange to have them picked up.
Page 6 Fundraising News Our Fundraising committee has several fundraisers planned to help offset the cost of the dry grad. Everyone is encouraged to participate in our upcoming fundraising events! To date we have successfully participated in the Halloween Fear Factor at the Science Center.. Here is what is in store for future fundraisers: We will be hosting a Drive-thru breakfast on April,23 at the Wholesale Club parking lot from 6:00-9:00 am. We will be needing a lot of help for this event so please watch for the sign up sheet. Mother s Day Flowers - Once again Bloom Thyme is supplying our school with beautiful hanging baskets and plants. Order forms will be available in the office in the near future. May 9th Dry Grad Garage Sale at VSS. Drop of donations at VSS on May 8th. For these fundraisers to be a success we need the support of all Grads. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Conni Damini-Hayword tendyof5@gmail.com or Kulwinder Smith ksmith@sd22.bc.ca 2015 VSS Grad Fashion Show Fundraiser Thursday Feb. 26 7:00-9:00 pm. at the VSS Theatre This year 2015 is an important year for the students of Vernon Secondary. The funds raised from the Fashion Show, as well as other fundraising activities, will go towards providing fun, safe activities for our grads including events such as Dry Grad. The Fashion Show will be about having fun. Volunteer Graduates will be modeling. Refreshments supplied by parent volunteers. Tickets are on sale at the VSS office for $10 per person or $12.00 at the door. Seats are limited in the Theatre and this event sells out FAST, so get your tickets early! We invite everyone to join us in taking a break from winter and celebrating the creativeness and talents of our grads. TALENT & DESSERT NIGHT SIGN UP DEADLINE: FEB 27, 2015 AUDITIONS: April 13-14 All grades are welcome to audition! Please sign up for an audition time in the office. The sign up sheets will be available at the office. Ticket Sales will begin April 14th for this sweet event! The cost is $10 per person and tickets will be available from the VSS office or at the door. Purchase early as there will only be 160 tickets available to attend this event in the VSS Theatre. Your ticket includes entertainment, and dessert and refreshments at intermission.
Page 7 What does your fee include? Grad Fees ~KAL Tire Place Rental ~Rental of gown and keeper cap with tassel ~Grad diploma ~8 X 10 Courthouse Photo & Front of School Photo ~Decorations & printing costs ~Audio Visual Services. ~Grad Gift Dry Grad Fundraising pays for the following ~All dry grad activities, including casino, dance, karaoke, entertainment, etc. ~Food, drinks and prizes *Please remember the final date to pay grad fees is Monday, April 13, 2014 otherwise you will not be part of the official grad list. If you have not paid your $30.00 Student Fee, it is now due. If you are in need of financial assistance, please speak to Ms. Glinsbockel or Mrs. Smith about the Cinderella Program. I would like to take this opportunity to remind Grade 12 parents of the meaning behind Dry Grad. It was created to prevent drinking and driving injuries and deaths during graduation festivities. This year s grade 12 s are no different from past years and our support is needed to provide a safe place for celebration of their accomplishments. Merchants in our area are asked to contribute prizes as an enticement to get everyone to attend. If the community supports us and parents organize this event then we should all encourage our grads to attend wholeheartedly. This is the last opportunity to get together as the 2015 Grads of VSS. Please feel free to bring a guest. If not a fellow VSS Grad, your guest will have to be signed-up, must be Dry Grad Non-Sanctioned Grad Events at least 16 years of age and currently enrolled in Secondary school. This should be done by May 25, at the office. You are limited to one guest only and guest tickets are $10.00 each. To register a guest you must fill out a form now in the school office. You will need your guest s full name, home phone number, school name and phone number as all schools will be called as a reference. Guests must be in good standing with their schools. It is also important to note that all prizes are for VSS Grads only. Guests can not win prizes, but can enjoy the activities and entertainment A great deal for 10 bucks! Please plan to stay for the whole evening. Grads require a parent contact (note or phone call) to Mr. Reid if they wish to leave early. In the Vernon area, grad traditions have included things like kidnapping of students, bush parties, and vandalism. Each of these activities, while sounding relatively harmless, has resulted in serious harm to grads in the past. Grad kidnapping which originally started as a 7:00 a.m. breakfast session has become a midnight event with an all night party, usually with drinking involved. Bush parties involve drinking and driving, vandalism, fighting and even confrontations with the police. Pranks have caused thousands of dollars in damage to schools and some community businesses. It is also known that these events involve young adults who have graduated already or who are not attending school. Most of our grade 12 students are responsible and mature young adults. However, they are kids and as kids are subject to peer pressure. As educators and parents we need to help them make responsible and safe decisions. The aforementioned activities can be very unsafe and are not condoned by the school. These events can cast a shadow on all of the grade 12 grads and most importantly put our students in danger. Please help the school and our grads by discouraging your sons and daughters from partaking in unsafe activities in the name of graduation.
Page 8 Dry Grad Prizes The Dry Grad Prizes Committee is looking for prize donations. Suggestions? Convert some of your AIRMILES OR SAVE-0N MORE points into gift cards for electronics for our grads...boston Pizza ($50) = 440 miles; itunes ($25) = 220 miles; Shell Gas ($20) = 175 miles; Cineplex Night Out (for 2) = 190 miles; Xbox/Kinect bundle = 4150 miles. There are many more electronics and gift cards. This option is easier on the wallet and even relatives could donate. To donate prizes for dry grad, please drop them off at the school office to Kulwinder Smith. Local Bursaries - March 2-11 Scholarships and Bursaries The Local Bursary program for 2015 will open on March 2st. Ms. Glinsbockel and Mrs. Smith will meet with grade 12 students at lunch on Feb 27 in room 177 to go over the application process. The application and all information as to available scholarships will be posted electronically on the school district website - www.sd22.bc.ca. From the home page select the FORMS tab found on the left hand side under DISTRICT. The form is located under the SCHOLARSHIP category. The application must be filled out on the computer and printed off. Students will need to go over this with their parents, as many scholarships are affiliation scholarships based on community connections of parents and/or grandparents. Completed applications MUST BE TURNED IN TO MS. GLINSBOCKEL 3:00 pm ON MARCH 11th. This deadline is set by the School District and cannot be altered. Post Secondary Institutions In order to have your transcripts available for any Post Secondary Institution next year (college, university or technical school) you MUST complete a PSI form. This form is available electronically at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/ exams. Please complete this form regardless of your Post Secondary intentions. *select student secure web and create an account (if you have not done so previously) or sign in with your password *select Post Secondary Institution Selections *read the information and go to Select PSI s *you will now be able to indicate which institutions you want to receive your final grades in August *check your selections and make sure you check the box giving permission to release grades. *before you leave the site you will see which institutions you have selected and you should print a copy of that information