VSS GRAD 2017 NEWSLETTER March 2017 Principal s Message G raduation marks the transition of our young emerging adults from public school into society. For this reason, this ceremony is also called commencement, or beginning. This rite of passage comes with a great deal of pride on behalf of the school staff, the parents, families, and of course, the grads themselves. We plan to honour our grads in style in front of our community. As this date draws near, it is important for us to outline all the activities and our expectations around this event in this newsletter so that you can be well prepared to make this a memorable day and not miss anything. Thanks in advance to all parents, grads, and staff who have, and will, contribute to Grad 2017! The school takes on the task of organizing the formal grad ceremony and looks to the parents and grads to lead decorating, fundraisers, and dry grad initiatives. We need all of you to contribute to make this a successful event. As you read through this newsletter consider where you can fit in. Become part of the Grad 2017 team! ~ Message from Grad 2017 Parent Chair Pauline Kereluk Again this year, The VSS Dry Grad Parent Committee is working together with volunteer staff, the Dry Grad Student Committee and many 2017 students to host our Dry Grad on June 02. We have continued the tradition of supporting our VSS Grads in celebrating their graduating year with a safe, fun-filled drug & alcohol free celebration that marks the end of their school years, and the beginning of the next chapter in their lives. Our Parent Committee has now met for six consecutive Monday night meetings, to collaborate and plan events prior to and for this big evening! Many parents, staff and students have already put in many fun filled and gruelling hours being involved in fundraising events and working behind the scenes to get ready for June 02. This year's theme is The Great Gatsby! We are always looking for new parents to join our group, as it is never too late! For more information, please contact Pauline @ pkereluk@sd22.bc.ca. We welcome your input and help! Message from Grad 2017 President Ava Cornell Graduation is only three months away and the excitement continues to build. Thank you to all the parents, staff members and students who have taken time out of their busy lives to help plan and fundraise for the big day. Your contributions are appreciated greatly. We ve already raised money through the Christmas Greenery sales, Cherry Hill Coffee fundraising and fabulous 2017 Grad Fashion Show. In addition, the Dry Grad Garage Sale and Bottle Drive is on Saturday, May 13th, so start collecting. Graduates, this is our big day and we can ensure it is a success by participating in fundraising, so please get involved. Keep an eye on your email, listen to the announcements, check the Facebook page, and come to the monthly Grad Committee meetings. Lastly, enjoy your last few months as a high school student!
Page 2 Inside this issue: VSS Graduation 2 Cinderella Program 3 Fees 3 Calendar of Events 4-5 The Big Day Graduation 2017 6 Dry Grad Committees 7 Fundraising News 8 Non-Sanctioned Grad Events 9 Scholarships and Bursaries 10 Aboriginal Grad Luncheon 10 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 an honouring of this achievement. All grads have already been notified that they must be in a position to actually achieve graduation by year end to be part of the Commencement Ceremony. Our counselors, Ms. Glinsbockel & Mrs. Smith, will be happy to meet with all grads to review their status with them. They are available to discuss this with parents or grads if you have questions. Mr. Balcombe will review all grads programs and make final decisions by end of term 3 on April 20th, 2017 at the latest. We realize the social aspect of being with classmates is important and we encourage grade 12 non-grads to stay involved in the other graduation celebrations. 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 large event that welcomes all staff, community members, family, and friends come to support the graduates as they receive their symbolic diplomas from the principal while wearing traditional graduation robes. This event is organized by the school staff. We take pride in hosting a first class event that sees our graduates honoured in the appropriate fashion. Official Ministry of Education diplomas will be available in August once final grades and graduation status are confirmed. After Grad Social Immediately following the Grad Ceremony at KTP there will be time for families to have dinner on their own. After family time everyone is welcome back to VSS for a promenade of the graduates in their formal suits and dresses. The promenade is followed by speeches and a short dance. The dance is followed by Dry Grad. Dry Grad is a national movement that began in the very early 1990 s created to prevent excessive parties and injuries/deaths too often common during 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 in our area are asked to contribute outstanding prizes to help encourage all to attend. The community supports us and parents spend a great deal of time organizing this event, therefore we should collectively endorse this event and promote all of our grads to attend. This will be the last opportunity to get together as the 2017 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 in May 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 night whole evening. Parent contact to Mr. Balcombe in advance is necessary for early departures.
Page 3 Grad Fees $135 Grad Fees pays for the following - ~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 Dry Grad Fundraising pays for the following - ~All Dry Grad activities, ~Food, drinks and prizes A reminder that at the October Grad Parent Meeting October parents overwhelmingly voted in favour of a Dry Grad fee of $25 to help offset fundraising for Dry Grad. Both the $135 Grad Fee and the $25 Dry Grad Fee are due by Friday, April 21 2017. 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 Mrs. Smith 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. PROM MC s: Jackson Ponipal and Maddie James PARENT RESPONSE: Michael Cornell CLASS HISTORIAN: Kailee Moreira SPEECH TO STAFF: Meredith Levorson SPEECH TO PARENTS: Katya Viskari STAFF RESPONSE: Mike Allen
Page 4 Grad 2017 March - April Calendar of Events February TBD Applications for early entrance to BC Post Due dates for application and entrance Secondary to BC Post Institutions Secondary are Institutions due vary. It is Students Responsibility to ensure that they do not miss deadlines. 1 Monthly Grad Parent Meeting 7:00 pm Library 11 Semester 1 Report Cards Released 16 Grade 12 recognition assembly for Semester 1 March 1 BC Excellence Scholarship 23 Applications Grad Photo Ms. Re-Takes Glinsbockel 2 9:00 am Applications 25 OPEN on Fashion line for Local Show and 7:00 Community pm in the Theatre Scholarships 6 7:00 pm Monthly Grad 25 Parent Grads Meeting meet in Library with Ms. Glinsbockel at 11:30 am in 7 11:30 am Student Grad Executive room Meeting 177 to discuss process for local and community Scholarships. All parents are welcome 10 *3:00 pm Applications CLOSE for Local and Community Scholarships *Please note that this deadline cannot be extended for any circumstance 20-31 Spring Break April 3 7:00 pm Monthly Grad Parent Meeting in Library 6 Parent Teacher Interviews 11 11:30 am Student Grad Executive Meeting 20 Grad List Confirmed (All fees now due) 1-17 Mothers Day Flowers Fundraiser 26/27 District Scholarship at the Vernon Rec Centre
Page 5 Grad 2017 May - June Calendar of Events May 1 7:00 pm Monthly Grad Parent Meeting in Library 2 Term 3 Report Cards Released 7 Mothers Day Flower Fundraiser Pick up day 1-6pm in the commons 8 Grad Parent Meeting in Library 15 Dry Grad Guest Tickets on go on sale for $10 at the Office 9 11:30 am Student Grad Executive Meeting 15 Grad Parent Meeting in Library 29 10:45am Grad Assembly and Dry Grad Guest Tickets Sale ends and Grad Parent Meeting June 1 REHEARSAL DAY Block Order CCBB All Day Set Up at KAL Tire Place DO NOT BE LATE! ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE BUSES! 12:10 pm Grads meet in Theatre for instructions, gown distribution, and loading of buses 12:45 pm Rehearsal at KAL Tire Place 2:00 pm Court House Picture 2:30 pm Bussed Back to VSS 3:30 pm Dry Grad Decorating at VSS 2 GRADUATION DAY NO SCHOOOL FOR GRADS See Page 6 for complete details of Grad Day 6 Final Grad Executive Meeting 9 Aboriginal Student Graduation 15 Student Loans Available at www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentservices 14 Final Grad Transition Day 23 English 12 Provincial Exam 26 Communications 12 Provincial Exam 29 7:00 pm Awards Night 29 Report Card Pick Up Day
Page 6 June 2, 2017 - Grad Recognition Day Here is a brief overview of Graduation Day and events leading up to this gala event. We must remind you that District and School Policies regarding behaviour and use of drugs and alcohol govern all activities. Enjoy a safe, dry grad celebration. You owe it to yourself, your family and your community. Here is the schedule...be early, we can t wait for you! 8:00 am Last minute Set Up & decorating at VSS 8:30 am Ceremony Set up @ Kal Tire Place 12:00 Noon Grads meet @ VSS in Formal Attire 12:15 pm Formal Grad Picture in Front of School 12:30 pm Grad Promenade throughout VSS and recognized by student body 12:30 pm 2:30 pm Informal Family Photo Time (site at Family s discretion) 3:00 pm Doors Open to KAL Tire Place Grads meet in Kal Tire Place change rooms and put on robes Formal Attire Only - pants, Dress shirts, dresses, shoes, NO FLIP FLOPS or Shorts! Grad Caps on stage optional (no other hats) Ceremonial Sash Permitted 4:00 pm Ceremony begins - staff, presenters seated on arena floor Procession of Grads! Speakers from School, District and City of Vernon Introduction of Grads - short autobiography, diploma, presentation of awards Mountain West Studios will take a Complimentary Photo of You on Stage Grad Awards Valedictorian Speech Only exit stage for bathroom break if Absolutely necessary Recessional - Grad Theme Song Grads return robes to Staff at Kal Tire Place (Alphabetical Groupings) 6:30 pm - Grads and Families are on their own for Dinner 9:00 pm - Doors open to VSS 9:15 pm - Grads meet in Theatre 9:30pm - Presentation of Grads in Gym 9:45 pm - Speeches 10:30 pm - First Dance with Parents - Dance and mingle in the Commons 11:00 pm - Dry Grad Check-in & Security Check in Theatre
Page 7 Dry Grad Committee School/Parent Contact Phone Committee E-mail Don Balcombe 250-545-0701 Principal dbalcombe@sd22.bc.a Kulwinder Smith 250-545-0701 Dry Grad Staff Rep kulwindersmith@sd22.bc.ca Pauline Kereluk 250-306-2346 Dry Grad Parent Chair pkereluk@sd22.bc.ca Beckie Mertion 250-545-3529 Entertainment beck-klaymertion@shaw.ca Kim Aeichele 250-309-2309 Fundraising kimda@shaw.ca Andrew Moreira 250-309-1485 Food aamore555@gmail.com Darcy Villeneuve 250-306-7243 Decorating saltydog@telus.net Vicky Pythagora-Kontos 250-309-5746 Prizes vickyandsteve@telus.net Shelley Cornell 250-545-0701 Security scornell@sd22.bc.ca Food Committee Entertainment Committee The Dry Grad Food Committee is looking for volunteers to serve food and beverages. We are looking for donations of food and drinks or grocery certificates. Please contact Andrew Moreira at 250-309-1485. Security Committee The Security Committee is looking for grade 12 parents to volunteer with supervision on the evening of Friday, June 2, at the Dry Grad celebration. These parents will be covering shifts from 11:00pm until 4:00am. (Grade 11 parents will be asked to pay it forward by covering the earlier shifts until 11:00 pm so parents of grads can be with their Grads.) Groups of Grad parents will rotate through the different zones and we are looking to have a fairly even split between males and females to cover off washrooms and dressing rooms. Also, we are hoping that some parents who will be picking up their Grads will come early (4am) to help with the cleanup. This is a fun and easy way for Grad parents to be involved. To volunteer, please contact Shelley Cornell at scornell@sd22.bc.ca and she will get back to you with an information sheet that covers off everything you need to know. See you there!! Graduation night will have 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 Beckie Mertion at 250-545-3529 or email at beck-klaymertion @shaw.ca. Thank you in advance for all the support. Decorating Committee The Theme of this year s grad ceremony is The Great Gatsby. The planning continues and we invite anyone interested in helping to join us at the next grad meeting on April 3rd at 7:00 pm in the school library. We also would appreciate any help in providing decorating materials. If you are able to lend or donate items related to our theme for this year, please contact the decorating committee chairperson, Darcy Villeneuve at saltydog@telus.net or the co-chair, Kari Reid, at kreid@hotmail.com. We are looking for lamps, vases, sofas, gold & silver paint, and black paint. We could also use extra hands after school and into the evening of Dry Grad to actually decorate the commons area.
Page 8 Fundraising News Our Fundraising committee has several fundraisers planned 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: April 1-17th 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 17th to the main office or Mrs. Smith May 4th May 13th Flower pick up from the Commons from 1-6pm Garage Sale and Bottle Drive. Items for the Garage Sale can be dropped off on Friday May 12th after 3pm by the entrance from the student parking lot. If you do not wish to keep your bottle until the Gar age 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 2017 Valedictorians Mathew Hanna Emma Nesbitt
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 2017 Great Gatsby
Page 10 Local Bursaries - March 2-10 Scholarships and Bursaries The Local Bursary program for will open on March 2nd. Ms. Glinsbockel met with grade 12 students at lunch on Feb 25 to go over the application process. The application and all information as to available scholarships will be posted electronically on the school district website - www.sd22.bc.ca. From the home page select the FORMS tab found on the left hand side under DISTRICT. The form is located under the SCHOLARSHIP category. The application must be filled out on the computer and printed off. Students will need to go over this with their parents, as many scholarships are affiliation scholarships based on community connections of parents and/ or grandparents. Completed applications MUST BE PRINTED AND TURNED IN TO MS. GLINSBOCKEL By 3:00 pm ON MARCH 10th. This deadline is set by School District 22 and cannot be altered. 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.bced.gov.bc.ca/ exams. Please complete this form regardless of your Post Secondary intentions. *select student secure web and create an account (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 Mrs. Smith for more detailed instructions and assistance BC Achievement Scholarships For the 2015/16 school year, 3000 top 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 postsecondary tuition. The Ministry will determine recipients based on students achievement in Grades 10, 11, and 12 courses that satisfy 2004 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. BC Excellence Scholarships There are 55 BC Excellence Scholarships available to recognize well-rounded B.C. graduates. Winners will have demonstrated community/school service and shows aptitude and commitment to their chosen career paths. Students will receive a $5000 scholarship voucher to use for post-secondary tuition. Students must be nominated for this scholarship by VSS. If nominated, the student must submit the application (PDF) to Ms Glinsbockel, who will forward it to their school district. Students must have their request for nomination complete and turned into Ms Glinsbockel by March 1, 2016 Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarships (PTES) The Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarship (PTES) is awarded to 20 outstanding high school graduates who have demonstrated a commitment and aptitude for a career path in K-12 teaching. Each recipient will receive a $5000 scholarship voucher to use towards tuition in their teaching program at a designated BC post-secondary institution. Applications and all required documents are due to the Ministry by March 31, 2016. For More information on the application process for these scholarships please speak to Ms Glinsbockel or Mrs Smith or go to http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/provincial-scholarships
SD 22 Vernon Aboriginal Education Vernon Secondary School Aboriginal Students Grad Ceremony *Tenta ve Schedule* Friday, June 9, 2017 4:00~ 6:00 Room 150 We will confirm at a later date. Please feel free to contact me for more informa on. Respec ully, Kudagan Anderson Aboriginal Support Worker ~ VSS 250 545 0701 kanderson@sd22.bc.ca