T.E.A.C.H. GRADUATION 2015
Tidewater Educators Association for Christian Homeschooling
P.O. Box 64516
Virginia Beach, VA 23467-4516
Dear Homeschool Graduate of the Class of 2015,
CONGRATULATIONS!
To commemorate your achievement, this year’s graduation will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015, 10:00am-1pm. at Christian
Community Chapel 2751 Salem Road Va. Beach Va.23452.
THE CEREMONY:
If you are not familiar with T.E.A.C.H.’s Graduation Ceremony, it can be quite emotional and entertaining. Families are given the
opportunity to present the diploma to their graduates, offer a charge, a prayer or congratulations, in two minutes or less! Or the
student may wish to use that time to express appreciation to his/her parents. The time per family must be limited to 2 minutes out of
consideration for others. We ask you to please stay for the entire ceremony and share the joy of the day with all those present.
We need 2 fathers to volunteer for the opening and closing prayers
RECEPTION:
This year’s reception theme is: Cookies and Fruit. T.E.A.C.H will supply the décor, sheet cake, punch fountain, and all paper products.
Graduates simply supply and drop off un-plated cookies or fruit at rehearsal. T.E.A.C.H. will plate and serve the food. Please let your
volunteer parent coordinator know what item and quantity of what you will be bringing.
MANDATORY MEETINGS:
There are three MANDATORY MEETINGS that all graduates and parent(s) must attend prior to graduation:
1) Monday, February 9, or March 9 2015 7-9:00 pm - Orientation at Christian Community Chapel.
All Payments is required at this time. Graduation affidavits, applications and order forms must be submitted at this mandatory
meeting.
2) Monday, May 11th - Final Detail Wrap Up. At Christian Community Chapel.
3) Friday, May 29, 2015, 7-8:00 pm, Rehearsal at Christian Community Chapel.
This is the graduation rehearsal. Please bring caps/gowns/tassels.
FEES:
All fees will be collected at one of the attended orientation meetings, and should be made payable to T.E.A.C.H. This fee includes the
purchase of one of the 2 packages, the ceremony and the reception after the ceremony, and a memorable ceremony program including
a biography of each graduate.
Package 1 = $199.00
Cap, tassel and gown unit
Official Class ring
5 Graduation Announcements
Economy name cards
Diploma Cover and Diploma
Package 2 = $125.00
Cap, tassel and gown unit
Diploma Cover and Diploma
AFFIDAVIT:
Parents are required to turn in a notarized affidavit verifying their student(s) are indeed homeschooled, and are neither enrolled in any
form of school (other than TCC) nor are participating in any other graduation ceremony. This affidavit has to be signed and notarized
and turned in with the completed application at one of the attended orientation meetings. . Please note that the affidavit requires
the signature of a notary public – have this done prior to attending the meeting. We will try to provide a notary at the meeting, but
this is not always possible.
REGALIA:
Orders will be taken at one of the attended orientation meetings for caps, gowns and tassels. Extra tassels may be ordered if
graduates wish to use one in their displays or for some other purpose. Caps and gowns are royal blue, tassels are blue and white, and
no other regalia (such as gold cords) will be permitted. If you do not order extra tassels initially, PLEASE do not ask us to provide them
at a later date. Distributions of caps/gowns/tassels will be picked up at the May 11th meeting.
DRESS CODE:
Modest attire must be worn under the graduation gown. Ladies should wear dresses no shorter than two inches above the knee and
with a modest neckline. Men must wear socks, shoes (no sandals), dark dress pants, white dress shirt and black tie. Jeans are not
acceptable. We will not be using the white collars that come with the gowns
RING:
In package 1 you will receive a Jostens Basic style TEACH class ring. If you would like to upgrade your class ring you may do so by
checking the upgrade box. A Jostens representative will contact you and set up an appointment to upgrade your ring. The class ring
ceremony will be held at this year’s prom on May 8th! Please turn your form in at one of the attended orientation meetings. Also, if
your child is not able to attend the meeting please check their right hand ring finger ring size at a local jewelry store or if they can
attend the meeting a Jostens representative will size their finger when you turn in your order.
DIPLOMAS:
The new Diplomas and padded diploma covers will be supplied by T.E.A.C.H. and will be signed by the T.E.A.C.H. President. There is
also a line provided on the diploma for a parent signature.
BIOGRAPHY:
Please write a short paragraph about yourself (10 Sentences maximum) for inclusion in the graduation program. The volunteer parent
coordinator will contact you stating where to email your bio by April 1, 2015
Some suggested info to include in your biography:
Favorite Scripture
Birthplace
Age
Years of homeschooling
Places of residence
Blessings from the Lord
Anyone you want to thank
Achievements
Awards
Special recognition
Family
Work
Important Life Lessons Learned
Future plans
Involvement in:
music, sports, contests, missions,
community volunteer, service
organizations.
PHOTOS:
For Slide show:
We plan to display on screen a slide show that includes three of each graduate- baby, youth, and current - The volunteer parent
coordinator will contact you stating where to email the pictures by April 1, 2015
Cap & Gown or group Portraits: (optional)
There are many photographers who do senior packets, for example Life Touch/Prestige. Contact: Blair Tompson 420-9417 (handouts
available) At the end of the ceremony there will be an opportunity for parents to take a group photo of the graduates.
Video: (optional)
We are in the process of looking for someone to help us develop videotaping of ceremony.
DISPLAY TABLES:
Each graduate will be given 1/3 of an 8ft. table or ½ of a 6ft. table to display pictures, awards, mementos, academic work or other
interests and activities.
INVITATIONS: (optional)
In the Basic package invitations are the responsibility of the families of the graduates. These may be ordered from Jostens or designed
yourself and printed on special paper available in stationery stores. If you selected the Plus package you will receive 5 announcements
and name cards. Extra may be ordered through Jostens.
DEADLINES:
Please help us by abiding by all required deadlines, so that we will have time to have everything ready.
It is an honor for us to be able to help you culminate your homeschool career on May 30, 2015.
Initial questions? Please contact the T.E.A.C.H. Board Graduation Coordinators. Martha Blau- mmsecretary51@yahoo.com
April Improta- mychangingworld@juno.com