VSS GRAD 2018 NEWSLETTER Principal s MESSAGE G raduation marks a significant milestone in the lives of our Grade 12 students as they transition from thirteen years of formal education to their next step in life. This rite of passage evokes a great deal of pride from parents, families, School Staff and of course, the grads themselves. To help celebrate and honour our grads we would like to recognize their accomplishments within the greater community in our commencement ceremony on June 23. As this date draws near, we would like to outline all the activities We encourage you to please join us in becoming a and our expectations around this event in this newsletter so that you are aware and can be well prepared to part of the Grad 2018 team! It is our hope that with the combined contributions of all, Grad 2018 will be a make this a safe and memorable day. The VSS Staff extra ordinarily successful event. I would like to take takes on the responsibility of organizing the formal this opportunity to sincerely thank all parents, grads, grad ceremony and looks to the parents and grads to and staff who have, and will, contribute to Grad 2018! lead decorating, fundraising, and dry grad initiatives. Mr. Ken Gatzke ~VSS Principal Message from Grad 2018 Parent ChairS - Kalynda Hampshire & elicita young The VSS Dry Grad Parent Committee has been hard at work the past few months working together with staff, the Dry Grad Student Committee and many Grad 2018 students to host our Dry Grad on June 23rd. We have continued the tradition of supporting our VSS Grads in celebrating their graduation and mark the end of their school years, and the beginning of the next chapter in their lives with a Drug & Alcohol Free Event! Our Parent Committee has been collaborating, planning and fundraising and have organized various committees to help put together a Fantastic evening!! We are very excited as this year's theme is Viva Las Vegas! We understand that not everyone can make it to the Grad Committee meeting on the first Monday of each month, however we still need your help with the following: Provide a donation/prize for the evening, volunteer with our decoration committee or help with the construction/painting of our Vegas sets We also need many volunteers the night of! We will need help with casino dealers, security, setup, cleanup, etc We are always looking for parents to join our group, and it is never too late to be apart of our team! For more information, please contact Kalynda at hampshire@shaw.ca We welcome your input and help! Message from Grad 2018 Chairperson - Maddy Smith Graduation is fast approaching and the anticipation continues to build. On behalf of the grad executive committee I would like to thank all parents, staff members and students who have taken the time to help plan and fundraise for this exciting weekend. Please know that your commitment and contributions are greatly appreciated. Our fundraising events have included the Christmas Greenery sales, Elf Auction, Valentine s Day candy grams, as well as a Superstore grocery bagging fundraiser. Fundraisers to look forward to in the future include a pie throwing activity during Chimo Days as well as duct taping Mr. Gatzke to the gym wall. Graduates, to ensure the success of our fast approaching graduation and dry-grad celebrations we must continue to participate in fundraising. Get Involved! To stay in the loop, keep an eye on your emails, listen to the announcements, and attend the Grad Executive meetings. Also, keep a look out for grad hoodie order forms as they will be released in the next couple of weeks. We are almost at the end of our time in high school, enjoy your last few months!
The Three components of the Graduation celebration Graduation Achievement There are three parts to a VSS Graduation; the Graduation Achievement, the Graduation Ceremony, and the After Grad Social. The Graduation Achievement is the completion of all Ministry of Education requirements for a Dogwood Diploma or if the student s individualized education plan dictates an Evergreen Certificate. This achievement is the most critical piece as this is the accomplishment each student has been working towards for 13 years. The ceremony and social are in honour of this achievement. All grade 12 s must be in good standing for graduation to be part of the Commencement Ceremony. Our counsellors, Ms. Glinsbockel & Mr. Parmar are happy to meet with grads to review their status. Counsellors are also available to review this with parents as well to answer any questions you may have. Mr. Gatzke will review all grads progress and a final decision regarding their participation in the ceremony will be made by April 20th, 2018 at the very latest. We recognize that there is a significant social aspect of being with classmates so we encourage all of our grade 12 non-grads to stay equally involved in the remaining graduation celebrations such as the Dry Grad. Commencement Ceremony The Graduation Ceremony is the most formal and traditional part of graduation. At VSS we have used KAL Tire Place for many years to host this comprehensive event. We welcome staff, community members, family, and friends to come out and support the graduates as they receive their symbolic recognition diplomas while wearing their traditional graduation cap and gown. This event is organized by the school staff and we take great pride in hosting a first class event that honours our graduates in the most deserving fashion. Official Ministry of Education diplomas will be available in August once final grades and graduation status are confirmed. After Grad Social After some family time n Friday June 22 VSS welcomes back Grads and their Families to the VSS gym to take in the promenade of their graduates in their formal suits and dresses. The promenade will then be followed by speeches and a short prom dance. On Saturday, June 23 following the Grad Ceremony at KTP there will be time for families to have dinner on their own. And then it is expected that all of our grads will join us for Dry Grad at 10:00p. This national movement began in the very early 1990 s to create and prevent excessive parties and injuries/deaths too often common found in conjunction to the grad festivities. This year s grade 12 s are no different from past years and support is needed to provide a safe place for celebration of their achievement. Merchants and business owners in our area are asked to contribute outstanding prizes to help encourage all Grads to attend this safe and supervised event. The community supports us and parents spend a great deal of time organizing this evening, therefore we asking for your support in collectively endorsing this event in promoting all of our grads to attend. This will be the last opportunity to get together as the 2018 Grads of VSS. Although this event is primarily for the VSS Grad class, we do recognize that some Grads may want to bring a non Grad guest. Guests will have to be signed-up ahead of time, be at least 16 years of age and currently enrolled in secondary school. Grads are limited to one guest only. Guest tickets are $10 each. Registering guests begins at the beginning of June through the school office. Guests must be in good standing with their schools. It is also important to note that all prizes are for VSS Grads only. All Dry Grad attendees should plan to stay for the whole evening. Parent are to contact Mr. Gatzke in advance if early departures are necessary.
Page 3 $135.00 Grad Fees pays for the following - Grad Fees ~ KAL Tire Place Rental ~ Rental of gown and keeper cap with tassel ~ Grad diploma ~ 8 X 10 Courthouse & Front of School Photos ~ Decorations & printing costs ~ Audio Visual Services ~ Grad Gift $50.00 Dry Grad Fundraising pays for the following - ~ All Dry Grad activities, ~ Food, drinks and prizes At the October Grad Parent Meeting October the Grad parents overwhelmingly voted in favour of a Dry Grad fee of $50.00 to help offset fundraising for Dry Grad. Both the $135.00 Grad Fee and the $50.00 Dry Grad Fee are due by Friday, April 20 2018. Grads who have not paid their Grad Fee by this time will not be part of the official grad list and will not participate in the Grad Ceremony. If you have not paid your $30.00 Student Fee, it is now due. The Cinderella Program Grads in need of financial assistance or support should contact Ms. Glinsbockel or Mr. Parmar for further information on the district Cinderella program. Grads not wishing or able to purchase grad attire should contact the counsellors to see the numerous new and gently used dresses and suits that have been donated.
Page 4 IMPORTANT REMINDER: Due dates for application and entrance to PSI vary. It is Students Responsibility to ensure that they do not miss deadlines. February It is the Students Responsibility TBD to make Applications sure they for have early entrance ALL required to BC Post courses for PSI It is the Students Responsibility to ensure Secondary they Institutions submit Transcripts are due It is the Students Responsibility 1 that they Monthly accept Grad on Parent offer Meeting from PSI 7:00 by pm the Library deadline March 5 11 Semester 1 Report Cards Released Upcoming Calendar of Events 16 Grade 12 recognition assembly for Semester 1 23 Grad Photo Re-Takes 25 Fashion Show 7:00 pm in the Theatre 25 Grads meet with Ms. Glinsbockel at 11:30 am in room 177 to discuss process for local and community Scholarships. All parents are welcome 7:00 pm Monthly Grad Parent Meeting in Library March 7 7:00 pm Mission Impossible March 12 March 12th March 17 *3:00 pm Applications CLOSE for Local and Community Scholarships *Please note that this deadline cannot be extended for any circumstance Grad Fundraiser ( At Chimo Days) Spring Break March April April 3 April 6th April 9 April 10 April 12 April 16 April 19 April 20th April 20th April 26-27 School reopens after Spring Break Deadline for Grad 2018 Yearbook Write ups Mr. Sawka 7:00 pm Monthly Grad Parent Meeting in Library 11:30 am Student Grad Executive Meeting Parent Teacher Interviews Non Instructional Day Term 3 Ends Confirm Grad List All Grad Fees Now Due District Scholarship at the Vernon Rec Centre
Page 5 Grad 2018 May - June Calendar of Events May May 1 Term 3 Report Cards Released May 3 Mothers Day Flowers Fundraiser May 7 7:00 pm Monthly Grad Parent Meeting in Library May 8 11:30 am Student Grad Executive Meeting May 11 Grade 12 Academic Awards May 14 Grad Parent Meeting in Library May 18 Professional Development Day No School May 21 Victoria Day ~ No School May 28 Grad Parent Meeting in Library June June 4 June 11 June 13 June 15 June 18 June 18 7:00 pm Grad Parent Meeting 7:00 pm Grad Parent Meeting Final Grad Transition Day ~ Exit Interviews Student Loans Available at www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentservices 10:45 am Grad Assembly 7:00 pm Grad Parent Meeting June 21st Grad Rehearsal Day June 22nd Grad March, Pictures, Prom Day June 23rd Grad Commencement Ceremony June 25 9:00 am English 12 Provincial Exam June 27 9:00 am Communications 12 Provincial Exam June 27 7:00 pm Awards Night
Page 6 June 22/23 2018 - Grad Recognition Here is a brief overview of the VSS Grad Recognition celebrations and events leading up to this gala event. Please be reminded that SD#22 and School Policies regarding behaviour and use of drugs and alcohol govern all of these activities. As we would like all Grads to enjoy a safe and dry grad celebrations there will be absolutely ZERO tolerance for students who make the choice to partake in Drugs/Alcohol at any time during or prior to these events. Grad 2018 Rehearsal Day Thursday, June 21, 2018 Meeting with Grads Gowns to Grads Load Bus Rehearsal at Kal Tire Place Courthouse Picture 2:00 pm 2:30 pm 2:45 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm Grad Prom Day Friday, June 22, 2018 Picture on the Front Steps of VSS 2:30 pm Grad March through the school 2:45 pm Family pictures (at chosen location) 3:00 pm Family time 3:00 8:00 pm Grads return to VSS 8:00 pm Grad walk in Gym 8:30 pm Program/Speeches 9:00 9:30 pm Prom Dance 9:30 10:30 pm Graduation Day Saturday, June 23, 2018 Commencement Ceremony Family time Dry Grad Celebration 3:00 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 9:30 pm 10:00 3:00 am
Page 7 Dry Grad Committee School/Parent Contact Phone Committee E-mail Ken Gatzke 250-545-0701 Principal kgatzke@sd22.bc.a Kulwinder Smith 250-545-0701 Dry Grad Staff Rep kulwindersmith@sd22.bc.ca Elicita Young 250-260-8980 Dry Grad Parent Co-Chair elcita@telus.net Kalynda Hampshire 250-306-2766 Hampshire@shaw.ca Michelle Skillnik 250-309-7272 Entertainment katter45@hotmail.com Khrishna Rose 250-938-3297 Fundraising khrishnan@live.ca Tanya Barnard 250-306-1268 Food fullhouseof5@shaw.ca Christine Hatfield 250-307-3994 Decorating charfield@me.com Jennifer Webber 250-307-4299 Prizes jmac_webber@hotmali.com Tracy Danbrook 250-260-0453 Security tdanbrook@gmail.com Food Entertainment The Dry Grad Food Committee is looking for volunteers to serve food and beverages at Dry Grad. We are also looking for donations of food and drinks or grocery certificates. If you can help in any capacity please contact Tanya Barnard at 250-306-1268. At Dry Grad we will be hosting a variety of entertainment. We have several volunteers but could use about 10 more people to work at the stations. For questions or to sign up to volunteer, please contact Michelle Skillnik at 250-309-7272 Thank you in advance for all the support. Security Decorating Committee The Security Committee is looking for grade 12 parents to volunteer with supervision on the evening of Saturday, June 23, at the Dry Grad celebration. These parents will be covering shifts from 11:00pm until 3:00am.Grade 11 parents will be asked to pay it forward by covering the earlier shifts until 11:00 pm so parents of grads can participate in the Prom with their Grads. Groups of Grad parents will rotate through different zones. We are looking to have an equal number of males and females to help cover off washrooms and dressing rooms. Also, we are hoping that some parents who will be picking up their Grads will come early (3am) to help with the cleanup. This is a fun and easy way for Grad parents to be involved. To volunteer, please contact Tracy Danbrook at 250 260 0453 and she will get back to you with an information sheet detailing everything you need to know. See you there!! The Theme of this year s grad ceremony is Viva Las Vegas The planning continues and we invite anyone interested in helping to join us at the next grad meeting on April 9rd at 7:00 pm in the school library. We also would appreciate any help in providing decorations and materials. If you are able to lend or donate items related to our theme for this year, please contact the decorating committee chairperson Christine Hattfield at 250 307 3994 We could use many extra hands after school on Thursday June 21 and into the evening of Dry Grad to decorate the commons area.
Page 8 Fundraising Our Fundraising committee has held several fundraisers to help offset the cost of the dry grad. Everyone is encouraged to participate in our upcoming fundraising events! Here is what is in store for future fundraisers: May 1st May 3 Mother s Day Flowers - Once again Bloom Thyme is supplying our school with beautiful hanging baskets and plants. Order forms will be available in the office and through email after Spring Break. Forms and money due Monday April 16th to the main office or Mrs. Smith Flower pick up from the Commons from 1-6pm TBD Garage Sale and Bottle Drive. Items for the Garage Sale can be dropped off by the entrance from the student parking lot. If you do not wish to keep your bottle until the Garage Sale, you can drop them off at Chasers and let them know it is for VSS Grad. For these fundraisers to be a success we need the support of all Grads. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kulwinder Smith at kulwindersmith@sd22.bc.ca Our VSS GRAD 2018 Valedictorians Colton Schaper-Kotter Versailles ZaYshley
Page 9 Parent Advisory of Non-Sanctioned Grad Events In the Vernon area Grad traditions have unfortunately included non-school sponsored or sanctioned events like kidnapping of other students and bush parties. These activities, while sounding relatively harmless, have resulted in serious harm to Grads in the past. Grad kidnapping originally started as an early morning breakfast session and now has become a midnight event with an all night party, usually with drinking involved. Bush parties regularly involve drinking and driving, vandalism, Assaults and confrontations with the police. Pranks at these parties have caused thousands of dollars in damage to schools and some community businesses. It is also known that these events involve young adults who have graduated already or who are not attending school who may have ulterior motives in attending. Most of our grade 12 students are responsible and mature young adults. However, they are still teens and thus may make decisions that could result in harm to self or others. As educators and parents we need to help them make responsible and safe decisions. The aforementioned activities can be very unsafe and are not condoned by the school. These events can cast a shadow on the entire Grad class and most importantly put our students in danger. Please help the school and our Grads by discouraging your sons and daughters from partaking in unsafe activities in the name of graduation. Theme of Grad 2018
Page 10 Scholarships and Bursaries Local Bursaries - February 26 March 12 The Local Bursary program for will open on February 26. Ms. Glinsbockel met with grade 12 students at lunch on Feb 26 to go over the application process. The application and all information as to available scholarships ware posted electronically on the school district website - www.sd22.bc.ca. On the home page click on the icon labelled Locally Awarded Scholarship Application is NOW open This application must be filled out on a school computer and printed off. Students will need to go over the application with their parents. Many scholarships are affiliation scholarships based on community connections of parents and/or grandparents so it is mandatory for Parents to sign the application. Completed applications MUST BE PRINTED AND TURNED IN TO MS. GLINSBOCKEL By 3:00 pm ON MARCH 12th. There will be no extension for this deadline. Three Tiered Process for Local Scholarship Selection 1. Organizations/Donor Select the recipient that they determine to be the best suited applicant 2. District Scholarship committee selects the student in SD#22 that they deem the most qualified applicant 3. VSS Scholarship committee (team of 12 staff) meet to select the winner of VSS specific scholarships Post Secondary Institutions In order to have your transcripts available for any Post Secondary Institution next year (college, university or technical school) you MUST complete a PSI form. This form is available electronically at www.studenttranscripts.gov.bc.ca. It is VERY important that you complete this form regardless of your Post Secondary intentions. *select student secure web and create an account for BCeID (if you have not done so previously) or sign in with your password *select Post Secondary Institution Selections *read the information and go to Select PSI s *you will now be able to indicate which institutions you want to receive your final grades in August *check your selections and make sure you check the box giving permission to release grades. *before you leave the site you will see which institutions you have selected and you should print a copy of that information If you have any problems with doing this you can see Ms. Glinsbockel or Mr Parmar or more detailed instructions and assistance BC Achievement Scholarships For the 2017/18 school year, the top 8000 B.C. graduates with the highest cumulative average based on courses required for graduation (both required and elective) are eligible to receive a $1250 scholarship voucher to use towards their post-secondary tuition. The Ministry will determine recipients based on students achievement in Grades 10, 11, and 12 courses that satisfy the Graduation Program requirements (including elective courses). Grad Transitions will not be included. A cumulative average percentage will be calculated and form the basis for awarding the BC Achievement Scholarship.