To: Parents of the Class of 2018 From. Mr. Steve Tortorello and Mr. John Kozojed Marian Catholic High School Class of 2018 Graduation Information Re: Class Mass, Graduation Practice, and Graduation Ceremony Date: March, 2018 While graduation is only two months away, we know it may seem like an eternity for the graduates as they complete their studies. The Marian Catholic High School faculty would like to extend our appreciation to you as parents for allowing us to work with these fine young people. Your support of their education and collaboration with Marian is deeply appreciated. On Monday, May 21, 2018, at 7:30 p.m., a formal graduation ceremony will be held for the Class of 2018. Each graduate has the option to participate in this ceremony. If as graduate and family there is a willingness to cooperate with the policies of the school and a desire to participate in the ceremony, please read on... For any large gathering to function in a positive, respectful spirit, some policies have to be established in the best interest of all. Adherence to these policies is essential because the atmosphere is usually one of excitement, confusion, and nervousness. Unfortunately, it takes only one person who believes that the rules do not apply to all to spoil this important time. Many thanks in advance for your attention to these policies. Again this year the graduation ceremony will be held at the Tinley Park Holiday Inn Convention Center (18501 South Harlem, Tinley Park). Space allows for eight guests per student. The graduates are seated in a designated front and center section of the Convention Center. Admission to the ceremony will be by ticket only. Exam Policy Students who take their required semester exams will be allowed to participate in or be present at the graduation ceremony. Final exam dates for seniors are Monday, May 14, and Tuesday, May 15. All senior incompletes (coursework), financial, and other obligations must be met by Friday, May 11, 2018.
Baccalaureate Mass All students and their parents are invited to share Eucharist together. The Mass is planned by members of the Senior Class and their Officers. Our chaplain, Rev. William O'Mara, will be the main celebrant. When: Saturday, May 19, at 4:00 p.m. Where: Marian Catholic West Gymnasium What to Wear: The members of the Class of 2018 are asked to attend the Baccalaureate Mass in their Cap and Gown. The school will be open after Mass for pictures if families so desire; using the Convention Center for pictures after graduation is feasible but awkward because of lighting and the crowd. Cap and Gown Distribution Caps and gowns will be distributed on Monday, May 14, during the lunch hour through the Student Activities Office. However, please be aware that before the student receives the cap and gown, s/he must clear all delinquencies - tuition, fees, MealTime balances, school/state textbooks and fines, library fines, detentions, etc., and other obligations. The caps and gowns of those who still need to fulfill any obligation will be held in the Activities Office/Room 213 and may be claimed there before or after school and during the lunch period once the obligation is cleared. The seniors will keep their caps and gowns after graduation, making it easier for family photos. Graduation Practice When: 1. We will conduct a practice at the Tinley Park Holiday Inn Convention Center on Monday, May 21, at 1:00 p.m. Practice will take approximately 90 minutes. 2. Students must be present and on time for practice if they want to be in the ceremony. Please do not ask for exceptions. 3. Graduates are to sit in their assigned seats according to the list sent to their Marian Catholic email. Each graduate is expected to have memorized his/her seat assignment. What happens: Each student is expected to listen very attentively to the directives for the entrance procession, the traditional observances during the ceremony, the distribution of diplomas, and the recessional. What to wear: 1. All are to be in clothing acceptable for Marian's "dress down day" guidelines. No exceptions! 2. Anyone in violation of this dress code will be sent home and will lose his/her assigned place in the graduation line-up. Where to get tickets: 1. Each graduate will receive eight (8) admit tickets when caps and gowns are distributed. Extra tickets should be obtained from another student not using his/her full number. After May 14, a very limited number of tickets may be available through Student Activities at parental written request if extra tickets are returned by other families not needing all eight.
2. Guests should plan on arriving early to be assured of their choice of seats. The doors of the Tinley Park Convention Center open at 6:00 p.m. 3. The Convention Center does not have wheelchairs available for our use. However, it is wheelchair accessible and we will have a designated accessible seating section. Please contact Mr. Kozojed at ext. 1422 to reserve seats in this area. 4. High school students who have withdrawn from Marian Catholic are not to attend the graduation ceremony, even as guests. Graduation Ceremony Marian Catholic's graduation calls for two members of the Senior Class to deliver addresses. As is tradition, the Senior Class President and the Class Valedictorian will each deliver an address to the members of the class and their guests at this 56th Commencement. When: Graduation for the Class of 2018 is on Monday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. Before the Ceremony: 1. Each graduate is to be in his/her assigned place at the Tinley Park Convention Center (as told at practice) NO LATER THAN 7:10 p.m. The line-up check is made at this time. 2. If a student is not present, adjustments are made in the line-up. What to wear: 1. Girls: Since gowns are white and thin, choose white or pastel colored dresses of appropriate length and cut. Traditionally, girls wear light colored shoes which should be medium or low heeled so that it is easier to walk up and down the stairs and across the stage. No flip-flops/no gym shoes. 2. Guys: Since gowns are black, gentlemen wear dark dress pants, a dress shirt, and a tie. Traditionally, guys wear dark dress shoes with dark socks. Gentlemen must be clean shaven and hair style must conform to dress code requirements. No earrings/no flip-flops/no gym shoes. General Requirements: 1. Seniors arriving for the ceremony in violation of dress or hair code will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. Parents, please be sure of what your graduate is wearing and the condition of his/her grooming. 2. Graduating seniors all wear the traditional cap (which is worn parallel to the floor) and gown as supplied by the school. Graduates can wear any academic, sport, or band medals and/or pins received from Marian or from competitions, presentations, or accolades received as a representative of Marian Catholic through a school sponsored event. Members of the Marian Chapter of the National Honor Society wear gold honor cords supplied by the school.seniors already actively serving our country through ROTC, early entry, or reserves may wear the branch's dress uniform instead of the cap and gown. However, flowers, jewelry, etc. may not be worn, carried, or presented to the graduate until AFTER the Recessional. Please note that the Tinley Park Convention Center does not permit balloons in the building. 3. Sunglasses may not be worn by the graduates. 4. No writing/drawing on the graduation caps is tolerated.
During the Ceremony To ensure that all parents will hear the names of the graduates as they are read, please withhold applause until all students have received their diplomas. Too often parents have complained, "I did not hear my child's name" because of someone else's discourtesy or lack of concern. It has been our experience that inappropriate conduct is often generated by the guests, not the graduates. As stated earlier, no one should exempt him/herself from having consideration for others. Making loud noises, clapping, whistling, etc., at inappropriate times are embarrassing to the person on stage and encourages misconduct by others. Please join us in recognizing each person, praying with the graduate and for his/her future as s/he receives a diploma. We are proud of these graduates. Our pride will be expressed to the Class of 2018 in an ovation at the conclusion of the ceremony, not during individual distribution of diplomas. Diplomas will be withheld until a later date at the discretion of the administrators if this policy is violated. Please inform all of your guests of this policy! After the Ceremony 1. Because it is difficult to keep diplomas in order for the presentation on stage (as noted earlier, a last minute change in line-up may be necessary), only the diploma covers will be given during the ceremony. Graduates may pick up the diplomas immediately following the ceremony in the area where we will line-up for procession at the Tinley Park Convention Center. 2. Any student whose conduct is considered inappropriate will not receive his/her diploma. Proper student conduct will be discussed during graduation practice. Students Not Fulfilling Graduation Requirements Students who will still have credits to earn in order to complete requirements will not be able to participate in the ceremony. Because final test results may not be available until just prior to graduation, students who have deficiencies may not be notified until just prior to graduation weekend. We will make every effort, however, to inform students of this by Friday, May 18. Gowns are withheld (see earlier clause) for students who have not fulfilled their obligation by May 11. If they are not cleared by the morning of May 19, the student will not be allowed to practice or to graduate. Special Photographer and Videographer GradImages will photograph close-ups of the graduates as they receive their diplomas. This company will send you a proof. If you would like to purchase a 5x7 finished picture, you will have to notify them. Marian Catholic High School will not handle the order and will receive no benefit for this service. This is being arranged for your convenience as the Tinley Park Convention Center ushers do not permit access to the front of the stage. Other photo opportunities will be at school following the Class Mass on May 19 and following the graduation ceremony. We have also contracted an alumnus from the Class of 1997 to videotape the ceremony this year. Ordering information for this service can be obtained by clicking here and is also posted on the Marian website. Again, Marian Catholic High School will not handle the order and will receive no benefit for this service. Yearbooks In mid-september when the yearbooks arrive, the Class of 2018 may come to the Marian Catholic Main Office to pick up a yearbook.
Parents and members of the Class of 2018 have been supportive of Marian's policies during these four years. We are confident you would like graduation to be special for these students. Please help us to maintain the dignity of this event. It should be one of which we and you can be proud. If you and the graduate choose not to participate in the ceremony, please have the student notify Mr. Kozojed in writing before May 1. Any student who chooses not to participate in the graduation ceremony makes arrangement to pick up the diploma in the office the morning after graduation day and does not attend the event. Again, thank you for your cooperation! Marian Catholic High School 700 Ashland Ave., Chicago Heights, IL 60411 p:(708)755-7565 f:(708)756-9758 www.marianchs.com