T.E.A.C.H. GRADUATION 2014
Tidewater Educators Association for Christian Homeschooling
P.O. Box 64516
Virginia Beach, VA 23467-4516
Dear Homeschool Graduate of the Class of 2014,
CONGRATULATIONS!
To commemorate your achievement, this year’s graduation will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2014, 10:00am-1pm. at Redemption
Church, 2101 Iowa St., Chesapeake, Va. 23323. From Greenbrier Parkway North, turn left onto Military Highway. Turn left onto Canal
Street and an immediate right onto Iowa St. Reception will follow.
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
MANDATORY MEETINGS:
There are two MANDATORY MEETINGS that all graduates and parent(s) must attend prior to graduation:
1) Monday, March 3, 2014 7-8:00 pm at Redemption Church,
All Payments is required at this time. Graduation affidavits, applications and order forms must be submitted at this mandatory
meeting.
2) Friday, May 30, 2014, 12:00-2pm, at Redemption Church.
This is the graduation rehearsal. Please bring caps/gowns/tassels.
FEES:
All fees will be collected at the March 3, 2014 meeting, 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 = $150.00
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 the March 3rd meeting. . 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 the March 3rd meeting 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 pick up date TBA
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 9! . Please turn your form in at the March 3, 2014 meeting. Also, if your child is not
able to attend the meeting on the 3rd 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 Graduation
coordinator will send you an email stating where to email your bio by April 1, 2014
Some suggested info to include in your biography:
Favorite Scripture
Awards
Birthplace
Special recognition
Age
Family
Years of homeschooling
Work
Places of residence
Important Life Lessons Learned
Blessings from the Lord
Future plans
Anyone you want to thank
Involvement in music, sports, contests, missions,
Achievements
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 coordinator will email
you where to email the pictures by April 1, 2014
Cap & Gown or group Portraits: (optional)
If there is interest to have a simple formal cap and gown or group portrait done at rehearsal or during the ceremony we will obtain a
photographer. There are many photographers who do senior packets, for example Life Touch/Prestige. Contact: Blair Tompson 4209417 (handouts available)
Video: (optional)
It is a possibility that we will be videotaping the ceremony this year. If you are interested in purchasing a simple copy please sign up
for one.
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. Please indicate on the application if you plan to use this space.
INVITATIONS: (optional)
All invitations are the responsibility of the families of the graduates These may be ordered or designed yourself and printed on special
paper available in stationery stores. If you selected package 1 you will receive 5 complementary announcements and name cards.
However; Party City has many books with Graduation invitations at very reasonable prices and offers a group discount. (If a parent
wants to organize this please sign up at the organizational meeting.) If you elect to send a picture postcard invitation (1/2 picture and
1/2 invitation) that does not come with envelopes, any size envelope can be ordered by Norfolk Stationery Co., 103 Granby St., 6252511.
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 31, 2014.
Initial questions? please contact the T.E.A.C.H. Board Graduation Coordinators. April Improta- mychangingworld@juno.com
Martha Blau- mmsecretary51@yahoo.com