Our senior students will be graduating at the very beginning of June!

Wed, 04/13/2016 - 6:54am

Dear Parents of the Class of 2016,

Can you believe our senior students will be graduating at the very beginning of June!  This news message details the plans for graduation and year-end senior celebrations.  Please mark your calendars and pay close attention to the important information shared here.

We are pleased to confirm that our commencement ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 1st at 4:00 pm.  The last day of exams for RHHS seniors is Thursday, May 26th.  Additionally, RHHS has scheduled many events that will lead up to graduation; attendance is required at any mandatory events. Regular bell schedules will be in place for senior exams and senior rehearsals. Please make sure students arrive in plenty of time to be ready to begin rehearsals and special events on time.

Other common questions about graduation are addressed below:

  • Request for Additional Tickets- All seniors are provided eight (8) tickets to the graduation ceremony.  Seniors may request up to six (6) additional tickets.  All requests are due no later than Friday, May 6th to Mrs. McQueeney.  General admission and additional tickets will be distributed on Wednesday, May 25th during the mandatory rehearsal.   Tickets will not be distributed to students with outstanding obligations. Click here for form.

Please ensure your senior and guests are aware of the following guidelines for a successful commencement:

  • Seniors are expected to change work schedules and other obligations to attend the mandatory practices and events.  We believe that high-school graduation deserves the highest priority. Attendance at the activities listed on the Senior Calendar are REQUIRED for seniors in order to participate in the graduation ceremony:  All Graduation Rehearsals, Senior Awards Program and Senior Farewell Assembly
  • The May 26th Senior Farewell Assembly is designed to bid a Hawk farewell to our seniors and to invite our juniors to move up.  We will present a few awards from the faculty; parents of those recipients will be invited to attend.  Unfortunately, we will not have space in the auditorium for additional guests.
  • Please monitor your senior’s attendance, grades and obligations from now until the end of the school year.  Seniors must complete all required courses in order to qualify for a diploma. 
  • Note the revised grading calendar provides a limited number of days of instruction in the final marking period for seniors.  Therefore, this final marking period may have extreme implications for any student earning an “E” or “D” in a course required for graduation.  A student with an “E” in the 3rd and 4th quarter in any course automatically fails that course (even if he/she had “A’s” for the first two quarters). 
  • Please do not allow your child to disappoint you and not qualify for graduation by failing or having credit denied in a class for excessive absence or lateness. Seniors participate in the graduation ceremony ONLY if they have completed ALL requirements for graduation.
  • Contact Mrs. Allen in the front office to determine if your student has any outstanding obligations for fees, lost textbooks, etc. at Diettra_Allen@hcpss.org.
  • Seniors are reminded that all school rules and HCPSS policies are in effect at all senior events, both at school and at school-sponsored events.  In the past, we have experienced some students making serious errors in judgment relating to “senior pranks” which have led to suspension and exclusion from graduation ceremonies.  I would ask all parents to caution their students in this regard.
  • Be aware that air horns are not permitted at the graduation ceremony, and guests bringing balloons must sit in the back rows to avoid obstructing the view of others.  We want to maintain a dignified tone at the graduation ceremony and hope to avoid "cheering sections." 
  • Graduation Attire:  All graduation gowns are dark blue.  Students who have earned academic honors (i.e. honor societies) may wear graduation stoles.  Graduates should wear solid colors since the robes are somewhat transparent and prints may show through the robe.  Our seniors are asked not to wear sneakers, tennis shoes, flip-flops, deck shoes, or other similar types of casual footwear. The young ladies, especially, will want to consider low-heeled shoes due to the distance they process and the steps they navigate. For Ladies: solid colors; dress, skirt, or dress pants, low-heel shoes, no jeans. For Gentlemen: collared dress shirt with a tie; dress slacks; hard-soled shoes; no jeans.
  • Diplomas are not awarded on stage. Diplomas/certificates and final report cards will be distributed immediately following the ceremony.  Students who do not pick up these items will have the opportunity to collect them from Mrs. St. George the next school day in the Guidance Office.
  • Special access for handicapped guests is available at Merriweather Post Pavilion.  Wheelchairs are NOT provided by RHHS or Merriweather Post Pavilion.  One additional guest may sit with the guest requiring accommodations.  The remainder of the family’s party should plan to take general seating.  To make arrangements for handicapped accommodations, please contact Mrs. McQueeney at jennifer_mcqueeney@hcpss.org by Friday, May 6, to reserve a space on first-come, first-served basis.  
  • Interpreters for guests and graduates are available.  Please contact Mrs. Coe, Assistant Principal at Betsy_Coe@hcpss.org by Friday, May 6.
  • Lost & Found items will be collected and brought back to RHHS.  Feel free to call or stop by the main office to pick up any items you may have left behind.
  • Commencement ceremonies are public events and may be photographed or videotaped.  Lifetouch is the official event photographer.  The company will send proofs of the diploma photos to families electronically and in the mail.  Families may wish to preregister using the website below, but preregistration is not required in order to receive the proofs. The website will also allow families to view and purchase candid shots. More information will follow regarding the broadcasting, streaming, and purchasing of graduation DVDs.  http://events.lifetouch.com

Please click here to view the graduation letter distributed to senior parents via email including various graduation details.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call.  We look forward to sharing this special time with all seniors and their families. If you are available to volunteer for the senior breakfast, picnic, or class night, please contact the Senior Class Sponsor Sybil Modispacher at Sybil_Modispacher@hcpss.org.

Sincerely,

Kathryn S. McKinley

Principal