January 2018 Dear Parents/Guardians and Members of the Class of 2018: The graduation ceremony for the Winton Woods High School Class of 2018 will be held Thursday evening, May 24, 2018, at 7:30 P.M. at the Cintas Center at Xavier University. This is a special time in the lives of our graduates, their families, as well as the school faculty and staff. The annual commencement ceremony is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and commitment. As such, this ceremony should be treated with dignity and respect. The graduates deserve the best ceremony possible in honor of their hard work. We need your help in making this occasion memorable. It is critical all Seniors take care of their responsibilities in a timely manner. Please read the information enclosed in this packet carefully. Ask questions if you need clarification. There are important deadlines identified; failure to meet established deadlines may jeopardize your participation in various commencement-related activities. We want this event to be special for everyone involved. Candidates for graduation must complete all academic requirements and meet one of Ohio s Pathways to Graduation in order to participate in commencement on May 24 th. The last day of classes for seniors is Monday, May 14 th. Senior exams run from Tuesday, May 15 th Friday, May 18 th. We will make every effort to keep you informed of your senior s academic progress. We ask that you, in turn, make every effort to be informed and to help ensure your senior successfully completes all academic requirements for graduation in the State of Ohio. If you have any questions or concerns about graduation requirements, please contact your student s high school counselor. This booklet should be helpful as you plan for what is certain to be a busy time for your family. Please feel free to contact the high school if you have any questions. Eric L. Martin, Principal Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 1
ADMINISTRATORS WINTON WOODS HIGH SCHOOL Princess Crenshaw Academics Grades 11-12 Amber Strawser- Academics Grades 11-12 Kym Harrison-Fowler - Academics Grades 9-10 Tim Martin- Academics Grades 9-10 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION All seniors must have completed all academic and other requirements including, but not limited to, the Ohio Pathways for Graduation, in order to participate in the Winton Woods High School Commencement. Spring End of Course Scores will not be released until the summer and will not make a student eligible for graduation in May. A student who fails a second-semester class that is needed to fulfill a graduation requirement will not be permitted to participate in commencement, even if the credit can be made up in summer school. Commencement is reserved only for those students who have successfully completed all course work and met their Ohio Pathways for Graduation. Any senior having any obligations, books to return, or any other financial or material obligation, must have it cleared by 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 17 th, in order to participate in commencement. Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 2
REMINDER! Don t forget to check with the Guidance Department to make certain the school has updated scholarship and award information. This is a way to make certain you are included in the Senior Honors Night on May 15 th. Seniors should confirm this information with their counselor no later than May 9, 2018. Any Senior who disrupts, or contributes in any way to the disruption of the normal school operation during the final days of the school year will be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, being denied participation in commencement on May 24 th. Any graduate participating in or contributing to inappropriate behavior during commencement will be promptly removed from the arena, and his/her diploma will be withheld until there is a meeting with the student, the student s parents, and the high school administration. Any graduate choosing not to participate in commencement should let his/her counselor know by May 10 th so the seating arrangements for commencement can be finalized. Diplomas for students not attending commencement may be picked up beginning Friday, May 25 th, at the high school office, between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 3
IMPORTANT DATES Tuesday, February 13 th High School Art Show/ 5:00 P.M. Superintendent s Art Gallery Tuesday, April 24 th Senior Choir Recognition Concert 7:00 P.M. Auditorium Thursday, April 26 th Senior Orchestra Recognition 7:00 P.M. Concert Auditorium Monday, May 1st Senior Band Recognition Concert 7:00 P.M. Auditorium Friday, May 4 th Senior Academic Signing 9:00 A.M. Library Friday, May 4 th WWHS Prom Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 8:00 P.M. 11:45 P.M. (Early release @12:00 P.M. for those attending Prom) Thursday, May 10 th Varsity Ensemble/Jazz Band 7:00 P.M. Show Auditorium Tuesday, May 15 th Senior Academic Awards/Honors 7:00 P.M. Night - Auditorium Thursday, May 17 th Senior AGS Capstone 5:30 P.M Gallery Walk Senior Exams May15-17 th Makeup Exams May 18th Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 4
Senior Academic Awards/Honors Night Information This program is designed to recognize and honor graduating seniors for their academic accomplishments. Awards given on this night will include, but will not be limited to: Honor Cords, Highest Honors, National Honor Society, Subject Area Achievements, Community and School Scholarships, Military Awards, and University Awards. Parents and friends are invited and encouraged to attend. Seniors should check with the Guidance Department at least ten days prior to the program to make sure the school is aware of respective scholarships, awards, etc. that have been awarded so they can be listed in the event program. Some scholarships and awards will be presented this evening. All will be listed in the Honors Night Program. Seniors recognized this evening will receive an invitation to the event. Notes: This awards program is a formal occasion, although not as formal as the actual graduation ceremony. Graduation gowns are to be worn to this ceremony (caps are not worn at this ceremony). A dress shirt, tie, slacks, and shoes are recommended for gentlemen; dress, skirts, and blouse, or dress slacks and blouse, and dress shoes are recommended for ladies. Sandals and tennis shoes are not appropriate. Monday, May 21st @ 9:00 A.M. or Monday, May 21st @ 6:00 P.M. Senior Parent Graduation Meeting - Auditorium This is a mandatory parent meeting where graduation etiquette and behavior will be discussed. Two meetings have been scheduled; PARENTS ONLY NEED TO ATTEND ONE MEETING. Meetings will take no longer than 20 minutes, and commencement tickets will be distributed afterward. Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 5
Tuesday, May 22 nd Senior Reflections 7:00 P.M. Forest Chapel United Methodist Church Seniors and their families are invited to attend Senior Reflections. This program presents a time for graduating seniors to reflect on their relationships with their classmates. Students may also recognize and thank their parents. Senior Reflections will last approximately 1 ½ hours. Even though attendance is voluntary, seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend. Dress is Sunday s best. No tickets are required. This program is intended for seniors and their parents only. Wednesday, May 23rd Senior Panoramic Photo 7:45 A.M. Gymnasium Prior to the Senior Breakfast, senior vocational students and senior high school students should report to the gym at 7:15 a.m. Pricing information will be given directly to the students at a future date. Wednesday, May 23rd (Immediately following photo) Mandatory Commencement Practice - Gymnasium Wednesday, May 23rd Senior Breakfast (immediately following practice) Cafeteria All graduating seniors will be honored with a special breakfast. The program will begin in the cafeteria with breakfast served by senior parents and staff. At the completion of breakfast, there will be a special program for students. After the program, prepaid caps and gowns may be picked up in the school office for those students who missed prior pick-up dates or ordered late. Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 6
Thursday, May 24 th Mandatory Practice for Commencement 12:00 P.M. Kohlhepp Family Auxiliary Gymnasium Cintas Center, Xavier University Students should report to the Kohlhepp Family Auxiliary Gym at the Cintas Center at 12:00 p.m. Those students not in attendance will not be permitted to participate in the commencement ceremonies. The ceremony will be practiced in its entirety. Thursday, May 24 th Class of 2018 Commencement 7:30 P.M. Cintas Center, Xavier University Commencement Information COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE This year there will be two mandatory rehearsals for commencement. The first rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd, in the WWHS gym, after the senior picture. During this rehearsal, line-order will be practiced, and student names will be pronounced and practiced. The second rehearsal for commencement will be held on Thursday, May 24 th at 12:00 noon at the Kohlhepp Family Auxiliary Gym at Xavier University Cintas Center. The rehearsal will last approximately one hour. Bus transportation will be provided to students during the afternoon practice at the Cintas Center at 12:00 PM. Please contact Alicia Johnson to secure a seat on the bus for your child by Friday, May 18 th. Xavier University dictates our official rehearsal time. Because of our late rehearsal time on graduation day, Wednesday s rehearsal will allow us to practice part of the ceremony so that Thursday s rehearsal does not run more than one hour. This will allow graduates time to return home and properly prepare for that evening s ceremony. Seniors wishing to participate in commencement must attend both rehearsals in their entirety. Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 7
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY The Winton Woods High School commencement will be conducted with dignity and respect. Graduates, parents, and guests are reminded that commencement is a solemn ceremony. 1. Commencement for the Class of 2018 will be held on Thursday, May 24 th, at Xavier University Cintas Center. 2. Commencement will begin promptly at 7:30 P.M. Doors will open to family and guests at 7:00 P.M. 3. Graduates should arrive no later than 6:45 P.M. and report directly to the staging area in the Kohlhepp Family Auxiliary Gym. Only graduates and staff are allowed in the staging area prior to commencement. 4. Special seating will be available for handicapped guests. Any family requiring special seating should call Alicia Johnson at 513-619-2325 to get your name on the handicapped seating list. 5. Commencement is a ticketed affair. Tickets for commencement are required. Each graduate will receive ten tickets; extras to accommodate family and guests should be requested at the parent meeting. All tickets will be distributed at a mandatory parent meeting where graduation etiquette and behavior will be discussed. Two meetings have been scheduled for your convenience: May 21 st @ 9:00 A.M. and May 21st@ 6:00 P.M. Parents only need to attend one meeting. Meetings will take no longer than 20 minutes and commencement tickets will be distributed afterward. 6. Participation in the commencement ceremony is optional; however, graduates wishing to participate in the ceremony MUST adhere to the following guidelines. Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 8
7. Males will wear green caps and gowns and females will wear blue caps and gowns. Caps and gowns have been ordered and will be distributed at the high school during lunch bells. Students will be notified in advance of the specific date. Vocational students at the Oaks campuses will receive their cap and gown at the campus they attend. If for any reason pick-up is missed, caps and gowns already paid for may be picked up in the school office after the Senior Breakfast on May 23rd. All late orders will also be held until that time. Any cap and gown order not paid in full will be returned to Graduate Service, Inc. Seniors will need to contact Graduate Service (513-272-5890) to make payment. 8. If a cap or gown does not fit, seniors should contact Graduate Service (513-272-5890) as soon as possible. Any senior who has not yet ordered a cap and gown should do so no later than April 15 th. PLEASE NOTE: Caps and gowns from prior years may not be used because we have a different cap and gown for this year s commencement. Only honor cords, honor society sashes, and medallions (distributed through our high school programs) may be worn on or around graduation attire. The cap and gown may not be altered (except for fitting) in any manner. Commencement is a formal ceremony and appropriate dress is required. If, in the opinion of school administration, a student is not properly attired for the ceremony, they will be excluded from participation. Required student dress: i. Males: Dress shirt, dress trousers, socks, and shoes. Ties are required. Jeans, shorts, sandals, flip-flops, and tennis shoes are not permitted. ii. Females: Dress or dress skirt, and blouse are required. Dress shoes are required. Dress sandals are not recommended because of the need to go up and down stairs during the ceremony. Jeans, shorts, casual sandals, flip-flops, and tennis shoes are not permitted Graduates will be seated and diplomas distributed in approximate alphabetical order. Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 9
Pictures may be taken from the designated photo areas only. No one but graduates and school and district personnel will be permitted on the floor. Our photographer will take a picture of each graduate on the stage. Lifetouch, our official commencement photographer, will have portraits available online at Events.Lifetouch.com approximately ten days after the ceremony. Celebrate your achievement with these professional portraits. Purchasing commencement photos are optional. Graduates may not carry anything with them into the commencement ceremony including cell phones and cameras. It is strongly recommended that graduates do not bring purses to the ceremony. There is no place in the staging area where they can be secured. Expect heavy traffic and plan to leave early in order to arrive to graduation on time. DIRECTIONS TO XAVIER UNIVERSITY Cintas Center address: 1624 Herald Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45207 Traveling to Xavier going North on I-71 1. Take I-71 North to Dana Avenue/Montgomery Road Exit #5 2. Turn left onto Duck Creek Road 3. At the second stop light, turn left onto Dana Avenue 4. Turn right at the third stop light onto Montgomery Road 5. Turn left at the first stoplight onto Cleneay Avenue. Entrance to parking lot is approximately.3 miles on the right immediately after the railroad tracks. Traveling to Xavier going South on I-71 1. Take I-71 south to Dana Avenue Exit #5 2. Turn right off the exit 3. At the second stop light turn right onto Montgomery Road 4. Turn left at the first stop light onto Cleneay Avenue. Entrance to parking lot is approximately.3 mile on the right immediately after the railroad tracks. Traveling to Xavier going North or South on I-75 1. Take I-75 North/South to Norwood Rt. 562 (Exit #7) going East 2. Take second exit, Rt. 42, Reading Road 3. Turn right off exit 4. Turn left at the third light onto Victory Parkway 5. Turn left at the third light onto Dana Avenue 6. Follow Dana Avenue up the hill to the first light at Ledgewood Drive 7. Turn left on Ledgewood Drive 8. Turn right on Herald Avenue. Entrance to parking lot is approximately.2 miles on the left immediately before the railroad tracks. Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 10
Class of 2018 Information Booklet Page 11