April 11, 2018 Dear North Cobb High School Senior: We are excited to soon be sharing a day with you and your family that will remain etched in your mind for many years to come Graduation Day! The graduation ceremony is shared with many people. For it to be the dignified event that you and your classmates deserve, we must ask that all participants conduct themselves in a manner which brings credit to their fellow students, their parents, and to North Cobb High School. To help ensure that we all have a common set of expectations, guidelines detailing events leading to and including the 2018 Commencement are outlined below: North Cobb High School Class of 2018 Commencement Information and Schedule of Activities Commencement: Friday, May 25, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Convocation Center Kennesaw State University Graduates will report to the Carmichael Student Center at Kennesaw State University by 5:30 p.m. for line-up. Doors will open for family and friends at 6:15 p.m. Tickets Tickets are required for all persons entering (even infants and small children). Each senior will be allotted FIVE (5) tickets for family members and guests. Tickets will be distributed to each senior at rehearsal. The school does not have extra tickets, but a ticket exchange will be set up at the end of rehearsal so that students not needing their full allotment may turn in their extra tickets. Mrs. Goodwin will collect the extra tickets. Tickets will not be provided to students who do not participate in the ceremony. Parking & Entry Parking is available on the Kennesaw State University campus in the Central Parking Deck (#42 on the campus map) for the graduates. The East Deck (#9 on the campus map) and the East Parking Lot (across Frey Road from the East Parking Deck), and other lots are available for guests of graduates. Parking on the day of graduation will cost $10 per car. A campus map displaying parking areas and the location of the Convocation Center is included in this packet. The Convocation Center is building #2 on the Campus Map. Guests will enter the Convocation Center through the Atrium doors facing Kennesaw Hall (Admissions Office, building #1). In accordance with KSU requirements, all persons entering the Convocation Center MUST submit all bags and packages for inspection by public safety personnel. Please do not bring any packages that cannot be opened or inspected. Also, please allow extra time for entry as there may be delays.
Conduct of Graduates and Guests Seniors and their parents should read all information in this packet carefully. Seniors are responsible for knowing and following all directions and schedules in this packet. Commencement is an optional, dignified, solemn ceremony designed to honor all graduates in the Class of 2018 and no individual has the right to disrupt an event that honors so many people. As such, possession of any disruptive objects (noise makers, beach balls, etc.), or disruptive behavior may lead to immediate removal from the ceremony. We ask the cooperation of all who attend commencement to help make it the dignified event it is meant to be. Please refrain from any inappropriate noises that might detract from the dignity of the ceremony. Since commencement is an official function of North Cobb High School, all Cobb County School District and North Cobb High School policies, rules and regulations are in effect. General Information All required courses must be successfully completed by Friday, May 18 th, or the student will not graduate with this class. All financial obligations, including payment for lost textbooks, parking fines, etc., must be cleared before final grades can be given and before the senior will be allowed to participate in Commencement practice on Thursday, May 24th, Please see Mrs. Cindy Turner, bookkeeper in Admin I, prior to May 23 rd to take care of such matters. PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY IS OPTIONAL AND A PRIVILEGE. STUDENTS MUST MEET ALL EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE. Honor graduates (minimum of 3.500 cumulative GPA not rounded off) will receive their honor cords at the Thursday Commencement practice. Students with perfect attendance will receive a medallion to honor them at graduation. If you think you have perfect attendance for your four years of high school or for your entire school career, please let Mr. Horton know. Also, honor cords and medallions to be worn at graduation for several clubs/societies will be distributed by those organizations. Senior Exams The School Counseling Office will be closed on Monday, May 21 st, so that our Counselors can verify graduation status for all seniors. Please do not go by the Office of School Counseling to check on your grades. You will be contacted by one of the counselors if there are any problems with your grades. Final report cards will be delivered with the diploma after Commencement. You will need to request a final transcript for your college. Final transcripts are NOT mailed automatically you must request that one be sent. This may be done any time between May 1 st and May 16 th. Thursday, May 17 Periods 3, 4 Friday, May 18 Periods 1, 2 These are regular school days and exams will be given in the regularly scheduled 90 minute period. Seniors are expected to be at school all day on Thursday. Seniors may leave after exams on Friday. If a permission form has been properly submitted. Rehearsal and Ceremony Behavior All policies, rules and regulations of Cobb County School District and North Cobb High School will be enforced. Students must remain properly dressed throughout the ceremony and are expected to follow directions explained during rehearsal or they will be excluded from the ceremony. Possession of any disruptive objects may lead to immediate removal from the ceremony. Students must arrive on time, follow directions and cooperate fully during the rehearsal and the ceremony. Disruptive students will be removed and not allowed to participate in the ceremony.
Commencement Practices & Ceremony ATTENDANCE AT ALL COMMENCEMENT PRACTICES IS MANDATORY AND A PREREQUISITE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY. Students must be on time for practices and will not be admitted late. Thursday, May 24, 2018, 9:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. PRACTICE AT NORTH COBB HIGH SCHOOL (NEW GYM) Seniors should park in regular assigned spaces. Seniors with no assigned space should park in the bus port. Seniors must be inside the gym and seated by 9:00 a.m. We will not admit or wait for students who are late. The dress code will be in effect for practice. THIS PRACTICE IS MANDATORY. Graduates are on their own for an off campus lunch break from 12:00 1:30. All Seniors must be seated and ready to begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. We will not admit or wait for students who are late. Friday, May 25, 2018, 9:00 a.m. Noon PRACTICE AT NORTH COBB HIGH SCHOOL (NEW GYM) Seniors should park in regular assigned spaces. Seniors with no assigned space should park in the bus port. Seniors must be inside the gym and seated by 9:00 a.m. We will not admit or wait for students who are late. The dress code will be in effect for practice. THIS PRACTICE IS MANDATORY. Guest tickets to the Commencement Ceremony will be distributed at the conclusion of practice and a ticket exchange will be set up in the bleachers. We will also be taking a group photo of the Senior class to be distributed the day of graduation. Friday, May 25, 2018, 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. CLASS OF 2018 COMMENCEMENT AT KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY 5:30 p.m. All graduates are to meet in the Carmichael Student Center (building #5 on KSU campus map) dressed appropriately and in cap and gown. Please remember to bring all items, including tassel and any approved honor cords, etc. you may be wearing. LEAVE PURSES/BAGS in car or with Family. We are not responsible if left behind. 6:15 p.m. Doors open to ticket holders for North Cobb Commencement 7:00 p.m. Commencement Ceremony in Convocation Center 9:00 p.m. Diploma pick-up in Spec Landrum Student Recreation & Wellness Center (building #3 on KSU campus map). 9:30 p.m. Following the ceremony & diploma pick-up, family and friends may meet the graduates at the Campus Green (refer to campus map). Caps and Gowns Senior Dress Distribution of graduation products by Herff-Jones will occur on March 30 th during all lunches. This date will be announced as time grows closer. If you are absent on the delivery day, go by Administration 2 to collect your products. To participate in the ceremony, each student must have a gown with a matching mortar board and tassel. These items should have been ordered already. If you have questions concerning these items you have ordered, please call the Herff-Jones office directly at (770) 795-1626. Caps and gowns must be worn by graduating seniors. Please press your gown before Commencement. Please do not hem Commencement gowns. Dress for Females: Dark shoes (no sequins or other embellishments) with strap, small jewelry, and a dress or dark dress pants (no capris or shorts). Note dress should be shorter than the graduation gown. For your safety on the steps/stage avoid wearing spike heels and no flip flops, house shoes, or slippers will be permitted. Dress for Males: Dark dress shoes and socks, dark dress pants, dark tie with a white collared shirt. No bow ties or string ties.
Only those in proper attire will be allowed in the processional. Flowers and large pieces of jewelry are not appropriate with Commencement gowns. There should also be no ornamentation (other than honor cords/stoles provided by the school) added to the cap and gown. Mortarboards are to be placed on the top of the head so that the mortarboard is flat on top. Bobby pins are suggested to hold the hat in place. Tassels are to be worn on the RIGHT side of the mortarboard during the ceremony. Commencement Photos To maintain the dignity of the ceremony, guests must remain in their seats throughout the Commencement ceremony. Only hand-held cameras that do not block the view of other guests may be used and guests may not walk into the aisles to take photographs. We have arranged for Cady Studios to take an individual photograph of each graduate. Cady Studios will mail each graduate a proof of this diploma photo and ordering information. DVDs will be offered for sale through the Graduation Information page on the district website. Please check www.cobbk12.org/graduation for more details. North Cobb High School has made these opportunities available to you so you may have a picture and video, but parents and seniors must order directly from Cady Studios for pictures and/or the Cobb County School District website for DVDs. The faculty and staff of North Cobb High School are excited for you and have planned down to the last detail to make this one of the most special days of your life. Please make sure that you hold on to this information and share it with your family. Be sure to make all the necessary preparations so that you may be included on graduation day. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Goodwin or Dr. Shealy (in the school Counseling Office) at North Cobb or e-mail us at Mary.Goodwin@cobbk12.org or Linda.Shealy@cobbk12.org. We have included a table of important dates that will be useful as you go take care of the aforementioned responsibilities. Congratulations and enjoy the remainder of your senior year. With warmest regards, Joseph Bucky Horton Principal
NORTH COBB HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2018 COMMENCEMENT IMPORTANT DATES DAY DATE EVENT Wednesday April 18 Distribution of Cap, Gown, and other graduation materials from Herff-Jones during lunch. Call (770)795-1626 if you have questions pertaining to your order or try www.herffatlanta.com Sunday May 20 Baccalaureate Service at NorthStar Church at 3:00 p.m. This is a religious service sponsored by the PTSA and is not mandatory. All graduates interested in participating should meet in the church lobby at 2:30 p.m., dressed in their cap and gown. Thursday May 17 Senior Exams 3 rd and 4 th Periods Friday May 18 Senior Exams 1 st and 2 nd Periods and Early Release Monday May 21 School Counseling Office closed Wednesday May 23 Deadline for clearing up any fines -- textbooks, outstanding fees, parking tickets, and Media Center with bookkeeper. Thursday May 24 Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal from 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Graduates report to New Gym Be in assigned seat no later than 9:00 a.m. Graduates are on their own for an off campus lunch break from 12:00 1:30. All Seniors must be seated are ready to begin promptly at 1:30. We will not admit or wait for students who are late. Thursday May 24 Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal from 1:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Graduates are on their own for an off campus lunch break from 12:00 1:30 p.m. All Seniors must be seated and ready to begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. We will not admit or wait for students who are late. Friday May 25 Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal from 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Be in assigned seat no later than 9:00 a.m. Guest Tickets presented to graduates at rehearsal. Ticket Exchange will be set up. Friday May 25 Mandatory Line-Up- Carmichael Student Center promptly at 5:30 p.m. Come dressed for the Ceremony there will be no time to change. Friday May 25 Commencement at 7:00 p.m. at Kennesaw State University Convocation Center IMPORTANT REMINDERS: 1) All fees/fines must be cleared in order to participate in rehearsal. 2) You must attend BOTH rehearsals to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. For additional information and updates, please check our graduation link on the school website: http://www.cobbk12.org/northcobb