March 23, 2018 Dear Seniors and Parents, The final days for the Class of 2018 at Churchill High School are coming to a close. You are to be congratulated for your years of hard work and your many achievements. As we approach graduation, I want to review with you the upcoming schedule of events and the expectations we have for you during your remaining Senior activities. The enclosed GRADUATION COUNTDOWN is intended to answer the many questions you might have regarding final grades, Senior obligations, breakfast, banquet, prom, graduation tickets, and rehearsal. If you have additional questions, please contact Mr. Evan Rosenthal, Senior Class Sponsor, or Dr. La Faye Burris, Senior Class Administrator, at 301-469-1200. I want you to be fully informed regarding expected behavior. If during one of the Senior activities a student's behavior is inappropriate or reflects the use of alcohol or drugs, that student will be detained and the parents or guardians will be called to take their student home. It is always unfortunate when inappropriate behavior negatively impacts our Seniors graduation activities. We hope the members of the Class of 2018 will conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the high expectations of the parents, the staff of Churchill, and members of the Class of 2018. Please note: If students are planning to use a limousine, we are requesting that they rent one from one of the companies that has agreed to the "no drug/no alcohol use pledge." Students are solely responsible for all personal properties at all events. Attendees release MCPS, WCHS, its agents, and assignees from any and all liabilities related to lost and/or stolen properties. Your graduation ceremony is a very special event. Again, I expect mature and responsible behavior reflective of young men and women about to take their next steps into the world. Each of you has a responsibility to your family, your school, and your classmates to act in a dignified and mature manner during this last activity you will share together. Remember, when you choose to participate in a formal graduation ceremony, you are making a commitment to appropriate behavior. Any Senior who cannot make this commitment should choose not to attend the ceremony and, instead, pick up her/his diploma in the school office on June 7th. Those who act inappropriately during the graduation exercises will be removed from the ceremony. This graduation ceremony should be the ultimate representation of Churchill's proud tradition. You have been an exceptional class and you leave a proud legacy here. I appreciate all the efforts that parents will make to help assure that the highest standards are maintained through May 25, 2018. Sincerely, Joan C. Benz Dr. Joan C. Benz Principal 1
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER April 11 th Senior Parent Meeting Auditorium April 12 th Senior Breakfast*/Cafeteria Class Meeting*/Auditorium Panoramic Class Picture*/Stadium 7:00 p.m. 7:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. May 3 rd May 18 th May 19 th Senior Prom Bethesda North Marriott and Conference Center 5701 Marinelli Road Rockville, MD 20852 Senior Banquet * Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center 9751 Washingtonian Blvd Gaithersburg, MD 20878 Post Prom Winston Churchill Cafeteria and Gym 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. 12:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. May 24 th May 25 th June 6 th LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR SENIORS Graduation Rehearsal * Main Gym 12:20 pm At rehearsal graduation tickets and caps/gowns will be distributed only to **Seniors who have cleared Attendance required to participate in graduation ceremony 12:20 p.m. Graduation DAR Constitution Hall 18 th St. between C and D http://www.dar.org for directions 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Students must arrive by 1:30 p.m. *Seniors CLEARANCE PROCEDURES ** Seniors must have earned all SSL hours (student service learning hours) AND paid all obligations) To clear obligations, see Mrs. Besch, Financial Specialist, in the Business Office Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students Must Clear All Obligations in Order to Graduate and Prior to Picking Up Graduation Tickets. 2
Clearance Form Last Name First Name ID # PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY Graduation tickets will be withheld until clearance form has been completed and processed. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE Media Center and Registrar clearance can be completed TODAY. Start returning materials and collecting signatures EARLY. Completed form is due to the Business Office (Room 115) by Wednesday, MAY 23rd at 3:00PM. Book returns should be made to your classroom teacher by May 23rd. Payments for lost materials should be brought to the Business Office by May 23rd. Checks can be made payable to Winston Churchill HS or paid online on OSP. Obligations can be cleared in the Business Office, Monday through Friday 7am to 3pm. Graduation Rehearsal on Thursday, May 24th in the Main Gym at 12:20pm. Period Subject Teacher NO OBLIGATIONS Teacher Signature ONLY SIGN IF NO OBLIGATION EXISTS ENTER THIS OBLIGATION Provide Obligation Info to SFS. (ISBN#, Book Title, Book #) Media Center Registrar Materials returned Bring $3.00 with completed final transcript request form Pagley/Burton/ Bottiglieri Before school, during lunch and afterschool only Lantos Before school, during lunch and afterschool only 1 2 3 4 5 LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH 6 7 8 3
Prom Guest Approval Request Winston Churchill High School 11300 Gainsborough Road Potomac, Maryland 20854 Name of WCHS Student: ID Number: Individuals who desire to attend the WCHS Homecoming/Prom who are not students of WCHS must adhere to expectations of standards for behavior according to the MCPS Student Code of Conduct. Guests must: Conform to dress and decorum standards of MCPS and WCHS. May not be a middle school student and must not be older than 20 years of age. Present photo ID in order to be admitted to the dance Present this completed application as it must be approved prior to ticket purchase Printed Name of Guest: Name of Guest s High School: Signature of Guest: To: School Administrator and Parent/Guardian of Guest From: Principal Dr. Joan Benz The identified student above wishes to attend the WCHS Homecoming/Prom. Please complete the request form indicating that the individual is in good academic and behavioral standing, and that the individual exhibits positive citizenship qualities. Please do not sign the form if you feel the individual does not possess the aforementioned attributes that are required for attendance to our event. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. GUEST Administrator s Printed Name Parent/Guardian s Printed Name GUEST Administrator s Signature Phone Number Parent/Guardian s Signature and Phone Number 4
GRADUATION 2018 COUNTDOWN Listed below are important dates and information needed to make graduation a successful event. Listed here is updated information on the exam schedule, graduation rehearsal, the prom, graduation ticket distribution, and graduation. GRADUATION REHEARSAL Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 12:20 pm., Main Gym. ALL SENIORS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND. Caps, gowns and graduation tickets* will be distributed at this rehearsal. GRADUATION Wednesday, June 6, 2018 2:30 p.m. DAR Constitution Hall, 18th & D Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) 628-1776 For more information on directions (pg. 9-10), Metro stops, handicapped access and parking, please refer to http://www.dar.org/conthall and then Visitor Information. Graduates must arrive at Constitution Hall no later than 1:30 p.m. Staff members will be on hand to aid in lining up students for the procession. Students with the last name beginning with A- K should report to the D Street entrance. Students with the last name ending with L-Z should report to the C Street entrance. If you are driving to DAR, plan on an hour for travel time. Please give yourself plenty of time. Constitution Hall will open for parents and family at 1:30 p.m. Doors close at 2:15 p.m. and will not open again until after the processional is completed. The handicapped entrance is at the D Street entrance and handicapped seating is available. (See enclosed request form.) To be admitted to Constitution Hall, graduates must be wearing their gowns. Please leave any hangers, garment bags, etc. in your car or at home. Girls: Do Not Bring Handbags. Graduates and parents should remain standing throughout the processional and the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. You will be instructed when to sit. Graduation is an event which commands respect and dignity. The graduates behavior at graduation is a symbol of respect for classmates. This is a time to show courtesy and thoughtfulness to other students, parents, and guests. At Churchill, students have enjoyed many freedoms and have accepted the responsibilities that come with them. We anticipate graduates will act accordingly. Parking is extremely limited. We encourage you to use Metro. See page on driving directions and Metro information or go to the website above. PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS After the Board Member's presentation, faculty members will direct graduates to the stage. After your name is read, cross the stage and receive your diploma case. 5
Walk down the steps at the center of the stage and return to your chair. Remain standing until your entire row has returned. PARENTS ARE REQUESTED TO REMAIN SEATED DURING THE PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS AND TO REFRAIN FROM BLOCKING THE AISLES TO TAKE PICTURES. A professional photographer will be available to photograph all Seniors as they receive diplomas. DVDs of the graduation may be ordered (see Page 8 for details). The cost of the DVD is $25.00. Blu Ray DVDs are available for $30.00. DAR requests that you refrain from throwing your cap at the end of the ceremony. There is too great a possibility that someone may be injured by one of the points. Additionally, cap throwing disrupts the recessional. For the recessional, staff will direct the graduates to the side exits. REQUIRED DRESS Boys: Girls: NOTE: White shirt and tie, dress slacks, dark socks and dark shoes. Dresses, dress pants and dress shoes. Purses should be left with parents. Bring bobby pins for caps. By a Board of Education directive, no writing is permitted on graduation caps or gowns. If a student is not in compliance, he/she will not participate in graduation. DIPLOMAS WILL BE ISSUED BY COUNSELORS AFTER THE RECESSIONAL IN C AND D SIDE HALLS. STUDENTS WITH THE LAST NAME BEGINNING WITH A-K EXIT TO THE D STREET HALL. STUDENTS WITH THE LAST NAME BEGINNING WITH L-Z EXIT TO THE C STREET HALL. GENTLE REMINDER - REQUEST FOR YOUR COOPERATION High school graduation is a very special, once in a lifetime event. Families and friends have come to see their loved ones graduate and to listen to the program. They have the right to expect respectful attention during the ceremony. In this regard: Please arrange to leave infants (children age 3 and younger) with sitters. Please turn off cell phones and pagers Please do not chew gum or bring any food or beverages into the Hall. 6
REQUEST FOR RESERVED SEATING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES This form is also available electronically on the Churchill High School website, under students Name of Graduating Senior ID# Name of individual(s) Disability(ies) Wheelchair Seating Space 1. Yes No 2. Yes No 3. Yes No 4. Yes No Contact Person: Phone Contact Email Address: PLEASE NOTE: Individuals with handicaps should enter DAR at the D Street entrance. Per DAR regulations, each individual requesting reserved seating in the handicapped section MUST be accompanied by one non-handicapped person. Each person must present a ticket to enter. Restrooms that are reserved for individuals with handicaps are located behind the roped section where graduates line up on the D Street side of the hall. Please arrive early (no later than 1:30 p.m.) to be seated prior to the beginning of the ceremony. Duplicate this form as needed and return a completed copy by April 27, 2018 to Mr. Evan Rosenthal, Winston Churchill High School, 11300 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854. 7
ATTENTION: CLASS OF 2018 GRADUATE AND PARENTS Put Away That Video Camera! You don't have to bother with the hassle of videotaping the graduation ceremony yourself. The BulldogTV Department will produce a professionally mixed-multi camera DVD of the event. Order extra copies for your loved ones who may not be able to attend the ceremony in person. For $25.00 each, you can purchase a high-quality DVD. Your purchase will support the Bulldog Television Production Department with the maintenance of the studio equipment, new purchases and supplies used throughout the year. Currently enrolled TV Production Students will serve as the technical crew. For $30.00 each, Blu-Ray (HD Quality) is available. You can reserve your copy now by filling out the form below and mailing it to: Mr. Ben Schnapp Winston Churchill High School 11300 Gainsborough Road Potomac, Maryland 20854 Please make checks payable to Winston Churchill High School. Deadline: Please submit request by Friday, June 8, 2018. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018 CHURCHILL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION DVD ORDER FORM Name: E-Mail: Cell Phone: Home phone or alternative phone: Number of DVDs: Number BLU-RAYs: $25.00 each: $30.00 each: Total Amount Remitted: 8
Suggested Routes to DAR Constitution Hall & Metro Information From Points North (95 South or 295/Baltimore-Washington Parkway) Take both routes south to the Capital Beltway, Route 495 Take 495 west, towards Northern Virginia. From the B-W Parkway, the Beltway will be called 95 North/495 West. Take exit 30, Georgia Avenue/29 South, the 3rd exit after the intersection with 95. Go approximately 2 miles to 16th Street south. This is a large intersection with 16th Street veering off to the right. Go approximately 10 miles to I Street, turn right. At the 2nd light, turn left onto 17th Street. Turn right on C or D Streets. DAR Constitution Hall is on 18th Street between C and D Streets. From Western Maryland: 270 South to 495 West, towards Northern Virginia. Cross American Legion Bridge, then take next exit to the George Washington Parkway. The Parkway will take you across the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge across the river towards Washington. Stay in left lane and follow signs for E Street. Take E Street to 17th Street. Take a right on 17th Street. Turn right on C or D Streets. DAR Constitution Hall is on 18th Street between C and D Streets. From Northern Virginia: Take 66 East towards Washington. Route 66 will take you across the bridge and onto Constitution Avenue. Turn left on 18th Street, go three blocks. DAR Constitution Hall will be on your right between C and D Streets. From Points South: Take 395 North to Washington Boulevard - Memorial Bridge, Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery. Get in far left lane. This will take you across Memorial Bridge. Cross the bridge in the center lane. At the Lincoln Memorial bear left and follow the road to the left on Henry Bacon Avenue until it ends at Constitution Avenue; make right on Constitution. Turn left onto 18th Street, go three blocks. DAR Constitution Hall will be on your right between C and D Streets. METRO From the Orange and Blue lines (A 10-15 minute walk): Take the Farragut West metro stop. Exit the station on 17th Street, and walk south on 17th Street towards Constitution. Turn right on D Street. The main entrance is in the middle of the block between C and D Streets. 9
From the Red Line (A 10-15 minute walk): Take the Farragut North metro stop. Exit the station on 17th Street, and walk south on 17th Street towards Constitution. Turn right on D Street. The main entrance is in the middle of the block between C and D Streets. PARKING Metered street parking is available, but limited. There are parking garages located in the area on New York and Pennsylvania Avenues, and 17th and 18th Streets. 10
WCHS Class of 2018 Graduation Tickets Tickets to Graduation are extremely limited. We are requesting that families who do not need all five tickets or would like to request one extra ticket per family, fill in and return this form by Friday, April 27, 2018 to Mr. Evan Rosenthal, Senior Class Sponsor. Mailing address: Mr. Evan Rosenthal Winston Churchill High School 11300 Gainsborough Road Potomac, MD 20854 Senior s Name: (Please PRINT neatly) ID I request one additional ticket. I will not need all five tickets. I hereby release tickets. Parent/Guardian signature **: Contact Email Address: ** Unsigned forms will not be accepted. We sincerely appreciate your assistance in ensuring that as many of our graduates family members as possible can attend Graduation! INTERPRETER REQUEST Individuals who need sign language interpretation or any other special assistance to participate in the graduation exercises should contact Mr. Rosenthal at Evan_H_Rosenthal@mcpsmd.org, or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at 301-603- 0115. April 27, 2018 is the deadline for this notice to enable staff to provide the accommodation requested. Sign Language Interpreter requested Non-English Language Interpreter requested Language Language 11
CONTACT INFORMATION Thank you for your support. Our work together has been both productive and enjoyable. If you have any questions or concerns, you or your child can contact Mr. Evan Rosenthal, at Evan_H_Rosenthal@mcpsmd.org, or the school at (301) 469-1200. 12