GRAD 2016 UPDATE GRAD EXERCISES SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2016 JUBILEE AUDITORIUM 11455-87 AVENUE EDMONTON, ALBERTA Cap & Gown Distribution... 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Line up for Exercises... 12:30 p.m. Doors open for Auditorium seating... 12:30 p.m. Exercises Program... 1:00 p.m. BANQUET AND DANCE Leduc Recreation Center 4330 Black Gold Drive Leduc, AB Ballroom Doors open... 5:30 p.m. Guest seating... 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Dinner - Buffet... 6:15 p.m. Grad Processional... 8:45 p.m. Dance... 9:00 p.m. 10:30p.m PHOTOS Photo Booth... 5:00 10:00 p.m. Important Information for Exercise Tickets All tickets this year will be sold through online ticket sales through the Powerschool Parent portal. Payment may be made by Visa, MasterCard, Debit (only some banks will allow for this), a prepaid Visa or MasterCard or by coming into the accounting office and depositing cash into your child s account. The Jubilee Auditorium has required that seating must be assigned. When you purchase your Commencement tickets online, the system will assign the date and time of the purchase. Tickets for the ceremony will be assigned in that same order. This means that the seats on the main floor will be assigned first, then the first balcony and then to the second balcony. There is handicapped seating available for those needing it and this can be indicated on the online order form. One guest will be seated with the guest with the handicap and all other guests in the group will be seated elsewhere in the auditorium. Do not purchase a ticket for the graduate. For ticketing the Jubilee policy does require that each individual, including children and infants in arms, must have a ticket for each performance.
There will be a total of 8 tickets available to the family and friends of each graduate. Online ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 12:00 a.m. After all graduates have had an opportunity to purchase tickets to commencement we will put any additional tickets for commencement on sale through the online system on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 12:00 a.m. Tickets for both Commencement and the Banquet will be placed in envelopes with the graduate s name on the envelope and will be distributed out of the main office any time after Friday, May 13, 2016. Additional Commencement tickets that were sold after Tuesday, May 17, 2016, can be picked up in the main office any time after Thursday May 19, 2016. Seating at the Jubilee Auditorium is reserved. The doors will open at 12:30 p.m. Any questions in regards to ticket sales through Powerschool Parent portal can be directed through the main office. GRAD ASSEMBLY A Grad Assembly was held on March 22 nd 2016 in period 3. The agenda for the meeting has been posted online on the LCHS webpage (http://lchs.gshare.blackgold.ca). At that time, the Grad Council presented a report to the Grade 12 students, who then voted on a number of issues. The following decisions have been made: Grad Colours Red, and white with silver accents at the ceremonies Grad Song Don t You (Forget About Me) Simple Minds Grad Theme And this is the part where you find out who you are. Speakers for Grad Ceremonies Master of Ceremonies (Exercises) Mr. Jeff McLellan Class Historians Kim Turner and Ceara Jamieson Tribute to Parents Madison Pittman Reply from the Parents Mr. Chris Brunker Tribute to Staff Alyssa Schatz Reply from the Staff Valedictorian Graduates Prayer Grace (Banquet) Hosts for the Banquet Mr. Chris Stiles, Mrs. Kerry Thiessen, Mrs. Shelley Hamilton GRAD COUNCIL 2015-2016 Grad Advisors: Mr. Smallbrook Committee Chairs: Mrs. Villetard Mr. Gilmour Mrs. Thiessen Mrs. Orlick Mrs. McConnan-Wiltshire Mrs. Chamberland Mr. Stiles Mr. May Mr. Kruse Mrs. Hamilton Public Relations: Shaylee Fillenberg Becca Schmautz Layne Dalke Music: Kennedy Horvath Kennedy Neustaeter Kennedy Hunker Kendell Artokivi Golda Parry Haley Rodermond
Banquet Chairperson: Mr. Stiles/Mrs. Hamilton Decorations: President: Kennedy Neustaeter Kennedy Horvath Haley Rondermond Callie Wilbur Kendell Artokivi Vice-Presidents: Bernice Meja Fundraising: Rebecca Smyth Maria Shahid Pavreet Gill Amrit Sandha Ceara Jamieson Kennedy Neustaeter Golda Parry If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Smallbrook (dave.smallbrook@gshare.blackgold.ca) or Mr. Stiles (chris.stiles@gshare.blackgold.ca) at Leduc Composite High School. GRADUATION CRITERIA In order to participate in the graduation program, students must meet specific graduation criteria. Meeting these criteria will make them eligible to receive a diploma or certificate in their high school program. The detailed criteria can be found on the Grad link on the school website. Students who meet the criteria will have their ID numbers posted on the graduation list by April 21 th, 2016. Only those students on this graduation list are eligible to participate in the 2016 Graduation Ceremonies. Prior to this, parents of students who were in danger of not graduating were contacted by administration to potentially satisfy school graduation requirements. Students who are re-writing a Diploma Exam in June to remain eligible for participation in the Grad Ceremonies must submit their registration form to Mr. May as soon as possible. A fee of $26.50 must be paid to Alberta Education as well. In order to participate in the graduation ceremonies, students must maintain satisfactory marks, that is, no marks should be below 50%, and a student should not have a failing grade in any course they need to complete their program. These criteria are published on the school website, were included in the newsletter, and were discussed with students at both Grad Assemblies. Students must be in good standing with the school including all grad and school fees paid in full by April 28, 2016 or a payment program established with the principal before purchasing tickets to the banquet. STUDENT CONDUCT DURING GRADUATION We encourage all parents to talk with their graduands concerning proper conduct during the graduation ceremonies. Because this is a formal program and we are presenting it to honour those students who are about to reach this initial milestone in their lives, we want to take steps that will ensure that the conduct is consistent with the event. When you are organizing transportation to and from the event, please take steps to ensure that students arrive at the ceremonies and banquet without being under the influence of any kind of intoxicants. Prior to the ceremonies we will have chaperones to help with grad line-ups. If we feel a student has consumed alcohol or drugs, we will ask his/her parents to come and have the student sit with them in the audience. Further disciplinary action will be taken at the school and may include suspension. In 1996 the Board of Trustees of Black Gold Regional Division adopted the following policy concerning alcohol at graduations: Guidelines 1. The board will not support any legal claim against an employee and/or volunteer who has authorized alcohol at a student activity. 2. No alcohol is to be served or sold at school graduation banquets or events. 3. Student activities, whether or not they take place on school grounds, are to be alcohol free. This policy indicates that the minimum penalty for a student who attends a school function under the influence of alcohol or drugs would be suspension from school for a set period and if the infraction is deemed serious, it could result in suspension from school with recommendation to the Board for expulsion.
It is our sincere hope that all participants at the 2016 graduation will extend their full cooperation with both the letter and the spirit of the Board policy. Through this cooperation we will take every precaution to ensure that the graduation will be a safe, orderly event, and can continue to be an occasion that graduands, parents, staff and guests can look back on with pride. We would like to ask all parents of graduates to discuss the matter of alcohol with their son or daughter and any guests prior to graduation. If there are any questions or concerns that come out of these discussions, please contact Dr.Wozny at 780-986-2248. Please Note: The Jubilee Auditorium and the Leduc Recreation Center have been designated a non-smoking facilities during this event. We ask the cooperation of all participants and their guests to smoke outside the buildings at both venues. FUNDING GRADUATION The cost of graduation is supported through ticket sales and grad fees. These costs are as follows: Graduation Fee - $30.00 (Covers gown and V stole rental, souvenir cap, music, printing costs, part of the decorations, individual professional photo, and the grad s exercise ticket). Graduation Exercises - $10.00 (Covers hall rental, electrical and technical costs, and part of the decorations). Graduation Banquet and Dance - $55.00 (adult) and $27.50 (children 5 12 years of age), 4 and under is free. This year s catering will be provided by A-1 Catering. Note: The basic participation fee or graduation fee of $30.00 is charged to every grade 12. The cost of the grad's exercise ticket at the Jubilee Auditorium is included in this fee. However, he/she must still purchase a banquet ticket if he/she wishes to go to the banquet. If students are not attending the banquet but wish to participate in the processional and dance, a ticket of $20 is required. If any grad is experiencing financial difficulty with the payment of fees, please see Mrs. Wig as soon as possible. Specific information on the purchase of banquet and exercise tickets is given on pages 5 and 6 of this newsletter. GOWN SIZING Gown sizing takes place during grad photos in January and retakes in March. The gowns will be ordered according to the graduate s height. Each grad will be allowed to keep his/her cap as a memento of Grad 2016. If your son/daughter has not ordered a gown, please contact Mrs. Orlick as soon as possible. Only students who have ordered gowns through the school will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies. AUDITION FOR MUSICAL TRIBUTES Auditions took place on March 17 and 18 for talented people who would like to sing or play an instrument during the commencement ceremonies or banquet. Auditions were open to all grads. Musical tributes must relate to the themes of graduation. A copy of the lyrics for songs needed to be provided prior to auditions. *) Please note that anyone who will be performing at the ceremonies must attend a sound check and rehearsal by 10:30am at the Jubilee Auditorium during the morning of the ceremonies. (May 28 th ) FAMILY/FRIENDSHIP PHOTOS MAY 28, 2005 PROGRAM COVER ART AND POEM Each year we try to feature the creative talents of our senior class in the banquet program. We will once again be accepting submissions for artwork and poetry. Students wishing to make submissions for this year's program can drop them off at Mr. Smallbrook s classroom (127) or with Mrs. Mahowich at the front office. Rehearsal: Thursday, May 26 A grad rehearsal will take place Thursday, May 26 at 3:20 p.m. in the LCHS Gym. It is imperative that all grad participants attend. (Plan for time off work!) We will practice until we get it right. A class picture will also be taken at this time.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS Coats, purses, or other personal items are not to be left with the hostesses or the staff volunteers helping with the grad gowns. Please leave any of your personal items with your parents or a trusted friend. Further, the grad gowns are quite heavy and warm so we encourage all those wearing suit/tux jackets to remove those jackets and to leave them with their families. The jackets do look similar and so we prefer to not have those jackets hung up in the area where grad gowns are distributed. GRAD SEATING AND RECEIPT OF CERTIFICATES Grads will enter the auditorium in a processional march at 1:00 and be seated in the audience. Later in the program, students, beginning with Grad Council members, performers and speakers, and then the rest of the grad class arranged alphabetically, will proceed across the stage to receive individual recognition and their graduation certificates. We have arranged for a wide screen closed-circuit TV set up so that members of the audience will be better able to view the program. Grads will exit the auditorium in a recessional through the audience at the end of the program. PHOTOGRAPHY AT EXERCISES All guests at the Exercises are asked to please remain in their seats during the program, unless participating in the program or called up onto the stage. Having parents collecting in front of the stage area to take pictures when the grads are on stage is distracting to the grads and parents seated at the front. A professional photographer will be taking a picture of each graduand receiving his or her certificate. A copy of the handshake photo will be provided (at no cost) to each grad. FAMILY AND FRIENDSHIP PHOTOS Family and friendship photos can be taken in the photo booth area set up in the banquet hall at the LRC. The photo booth will be available when the doors open at 5:00 and will be available throughout the night for any students and their families who wish to use it. You will need to bring your own camera, but a tripod will be available in front of an area set up for photos. Fun accessories will be available, as well. PURCHASING BANQUET TICKETS TICKETS FOR BANQUET Cost: $55.00 per person $27.50 per child (5-12) 4 and under free BANQUET TICKETS Banquet tickets will go on sale at the same time as the Commencement tickets on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 12:00 a.m. There will be three separate forms on the Powerschool Parent portal. The first form will allow you to purchase tickets to the Commencement Ceremony, the second form will allow you to purchase tickets to the Graduation Banquet and the third form will allow you to purchase tickets to the Grad Processional and Dance. Please ensure you are filling out the appropriate forms based on which events you want to attend. Payment will happen in one transaction after all the forms are filled out. A detailed explanation of the online order forms will be included in this newsletter. Every graduate will have the opportunity to purchase as many banquet tickets as their family desires. All tickets are sold in advance and all seats are reserved. There are no banquet ticket sales at the door. If a family is choosing to attend the banquet, the graduate must purchase a ticket to the banquet. A banquet ticket includes the Grad Processional and the Dance. All tickets this year will be sold through online ticket sales through the Powerschool Parent portal. Payment may be made by Visa, MasterCard, Debit (only some banks will allow for this), a prepaid Visa or MasterCard or by coming into the accounting office and depositing cash into your child s account. Banquet seating is 8 people to a table. The online order form will allow you to choose your banquet seating. If you have a group of 9, please contact Mrs. Kerry Thiessen at the school prior to purchasing your tickets. The last day to purchase banquet tickets is Thursday, May 12, 2016. Only graduates who have paid all the school and grad fees will be permitted to purchase tickets to the Grad Banquet. *If any grad is experiencing financial difficulty with the payment of fees, please see Mrs. Wig as soon as possible. Any questions in regards to ticket sales through the Powerschool Parent portal can be directed through the main office.
Grad Processional and Dance Tickets Graduating students that do not attend the Banquet may attend the Grad Processional and Dance which begins at 8:45. We recommend being at the LRC by 8:30 to prepare for the Grad Processional. Graduates may purchase a ticket for themselves and/or guest/guests to the Grad Processional and Dance. TICKETS FOR PROCESSIONAL AND DANCE Cost: $20.00 per person There will be a separate form on the Powerschool Parent portal to purchase Processional and Dance tickets. THE GRADUATES BANQUET AND DANCE - SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2016 LOCATION This year s banquet is being held in the field house at the Leduc Recreation Center. The field house is spacious with a large dance floor and can accommodate 1000 persons seated for dinner. In the ballroom, all the tables are numbered, with up to 8 persons seated at each table. All seats are reserved, so no one will be scrambling at the last minute to find a place to be seated. DOORS OPEN 5:30 P.M. Upon arrival at the banquet reception area, graduands and guests will be greeted by a hostess who will direct you to your table and provide you with information regarding the evening s program. PROGRAM 6:00 P.M. Graduands and all guests should be seated by 6:00 for a brief program (welcome, introductions, grace, review of table line up). BUFFET DINNER 6:15 8:00 P.M. There will be three buffet tables set up. Please follow the MC's order of tables for the buffet lineup. The hostesses will direct the tables to the buffet tables. GRAD PROCESSIONAL 8:45 P.M. From 8:30-8:45 p.m., all graduands are to meet to line up for the graduands processional into the ballroom. (Any graduands who do not attend the banquet but wish to participate in the grad processional are welcome to be part of this and should be at the LRC at 8:30 p.m.) At 8:45, the grads will proceed into the field house single file, will walk across the stage at the banquet hall and will walk single file down the middle of the hall. Parents can take pictures while students walk across the stage in the banquet hall. DANCE 9:00 P.M. TO 10:30 The dance is open to all graduands and guests, regardless of attendance at the banquet. Tickets for the dance are available for purchase through Powerschool Parent portal. MEAL This year s meal will be served buffet style, and the menu is listed below. Our caterer this year is A-1 Catering. Four six buffet tables will be set up with two lines at each buffet. The hope is to have all guests through the buffet line within 45 minutes 1 hour. Please follow instructions from the hosts as to when to you can go and get your food from the buffet line.
GOURMET BUFFET Cold Selections Ceasar Salad Spring Mix Cranberry & Feta Salad Greek Salad Raw Vegetables and dip Pickles Buns and Rye Bread Hot Selections Carved AB Roast Beef Parmesan Chicken Pieces Perogies Oven Roast Potatoes Gravy Carrots and Corn Desserts Buffet Selection of Desserts and Fruit Platters Coffee & Tea Punch Specific Meal Needs: For those requiring special meals for specific needs, there will be a space on the online Banquet ticket sales order form to fill out this information. All special meal requests are the same cost as for the buffet. If there are questions in regards to special meal requests or if you need to provide additional information, please contact Kerry Thiessen at the school by phone or email kerry.thiessen@gshare.blackgold.ca. ALCOHOL FREE EVENING Punch, tea and coffee will be served throughout the evening. No other drinks, alcoholic or otherwise will be allowed into the banquet hall during the dinner or the dance. Questions or Concerns regarding the banquet or ticket sales may be directed to the Banquet Chairperson: Mr. Chris Stiles at 780-986-2248 or chris.stiles@gshare.blackgold.ca.