APRIL 2011
SENIORS AND SENIOR PARENTS: A signed, returned contract is required for participation in graduation ceremonies by April 15 . Please read all of the following information carefully. Many important events are planned for Washington seniors. Because timelines and deadlines are important, we are asking that seniors and their parents read and discuss the calendar of events, the policies and the contract; then make a plan together for taking care of responsibilities. The only school sanctioned graduation events are listed below.
CALENDAR OF SENIOR EVENTS
DATE EVENT
APRIL 4 -
JUNE 14
APRIL 4 –
Students suspended during the 4 th quarter may jeopardize their participation in graduation ceremonies, senior ball and/or other senior activities such as
Powder Puff.
Bids for Senior Ball on sale at Student Center ticket window; all debts must be cleared prior to the purchase of a Senior Ball bid .
MAY 6
APRIL 15 Graduation contracts due at the appropriate Attendance window. Parent signature is required regardless of student’s age. Contract is attached.
APRIL 16 Ewaste Senior Grad Night Flea Market Garage Sale
MAY 2 - 13 AP Tests
MAY 4 40 Service hours are required for graduation and must be turned in by
3:00 p.m. to Mrs. Paris in the Student Center. Don’t wait for this deadline!
Turn in your completed Community Service form early. For questions, please see details included in this newsletter.
MAY 7
MAY 10
MAY 16 -
MAY 20
MAY 19
Powder Puff Game: Juniors vs. Seniors at Tak Fudenna Stadium at 7 p.m.
Deadline for all completed guest passes for Senior Ball to be turned in at the Attendance windows.
Senior Week
May 16, Mon:
May 17, Tues:
May 18, Wed:
May 19, Thur:
May 20, Fri:
Sober Grad/Reunion info
Senior Breakfast/Senior Awards/Talent Show
Surprise! – in the GYM
Panoramic Picture (order forms will be distributed
the week before in Gov/Econ classes)/Cap &
Gown, Announcements distributed
Slideshow/Free BBQ
Caps and gowns will be distributed. The cap and gown should be opened and checked immediately. The girls will be in orange and boys will be in black.
Seniors who have not ordered their cap & gown must order with a late registration form in the student center. All late orders will be mailed to your home.

MAY 19 SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT – 7:00 PM in the GYM - All seniors and their families are invited to attend. Seniors who are receiving awards will receive an invitation explaining when to arrive and where to sit.
MAY 21 Senior Ball: CA Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr., Golden Gate
Park, San Francisco 7:00 – 11:30 p.m. Pictures are taken on site. Hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dessert and dancing included. Dress is formal. Dresses must be no shorter than mid-thigh and have a respectable neckline. Bids will be between $90 - $110 per person. Parties occurring after Senior Ball are not school sponsored. Maps are available in the Student Center.
MAY 27
JUNE 3
JUNE 6
JUNE 8 - 13
Eco Faire
Last blood drive of the year in the cafeteria.
End of the year slideshow in the GYM.
SENIOR FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, June 8
Thursday, June 9
Friday, June 10
Monday, June 13
Periods 5 and 6: first half of final exam
Periods 5 and 6: second half of final exam
Periods 1 and 2: first half of final exam
Periods 3 and 4: second half of final exam
Students suspended from school during the finals period will not be permitted to take finals and may not participate in graduation ceremonies.
JUNE 14 CHECKOUT IS MANDATORY: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. starting at the MPR. Once you’ve received your Clear Slip you go to the cafeteria to meet with your counselor. Graduation status will be confirmed at this time. Any remaining debts must be settled in order to participate in the Graduation ceremony and to receive your diploma.
Once students check out, they are to leave campus immediately and return promptly at 12:30 for graduation practice starting in the GYM.
PLEASE NOTE YOUR TIME
Counselor meeting times with last names:
Time Brahmst Stewart Merfeld
9:00 A - D Gr - K O - S
9:30 E- Go L - N T - Z
JUNE 14 GRADUATION PRACTICE from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM in the GYM . YOU
MUST BE ON TIME IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PRACTICE AND
THE GRADUATION CEREMONY.
If students do not attend practice, we will assume that they do not wish to participate in the ceremony. Students with jobs should arrange with their employers to take the afternoon off.
JUNE 15 GRADUATION – All graduates must report to the WHS cafeteria no later than
3:00 p.m. for final preparation for the ceremonies.
It’s not too late to sign-up for Grad Nite! Pick up a form at your attendance window!

SENIOR BALL: INFORMATION AND POLICIES
1) ALL STATE, DISTRICT, AND SCHOOL POLICIES apply to student behavior at the Senior
Ball. Regulations pertaining to smoking, alcohol, and drugs – including both use and possession will be strictly enforced as with all student activities. Infraction to the dress code and freak dancing will not be tolerated.
2) Students who have invited guests who are not Washington High students – including those over 21 years of age
– are responsible for discussing all school policies including those regarding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Guest passes are required with a copy of the guest’s driver’s license attached upon entrance to the dance . Any non-student who does not comply with these rules may jeopardize the graduation status of their date.
3) A student under the influence of any substance will be turned over to the local police for his or her own safety. IN KEEPING WITH STATE LAW AND DISTRICT POLICY, ANY STUDENT IN
POSSESSION OF, OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WILL
BE SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL FOR FIVE DAYS.
4) Students leaving items in the coat check do so at their own risk. The class is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
GRADUATION DRESS CODE
The graduation gown is to be worn over semi formal day dress attire. Jeans, shorts, t-shirts or athletic shoes are not acceptable regardless of color, style or cost. Suggested acceptable attire:

Women: dresses, dress pants or skirt and blouses, appropriate shoes (high heeled shoes may stick in the turf)

Men: dress shirt with tie and dress slacks, appropriate shoes
Any questions about appropriate dress are to be directed to the senior’s administrator. ATTIRE WILL
BE CHECKED AS SENIORS ENTER THE CAFETERIA ON THE DAY OF GRADUATION. Bring your cap & gown with you to the cafeteria and once y ou’ve been checked you will put your cap & gown on.
A WORD TO PARENTS
Driving under the influence is always a major concern at Senior Ball and graduation. We do everything in our power to prevent drinking, but a safe senior ball and graduation require parent support. Students who never drink sometimes feel pressure to drink during this event that represents passage into adulthood. PLEASE HELP US keep your students safe.
1) Do not provide alcohol to your student or his or her date.
2) Above all, let your student know it is possible to have fun without drinking.
3) If your son or daughter has a guest who is of drinking age, discuss your expectations and the school policy in a very straightforward manner.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: SERVICE HOURS
All students are required to complete 40 Service Hours to graduate from high school with a FUSD diploma. This includes students who graduate after Summer School ‘ 11 . Students may earn these hours in several ways:
 Volunteering at non-profit agencies
 Volunteering in service opportunities at Washington High School
 Volunteering in the community through the use of curriculum based instruction
 Students must complete 10 hours of service for every year enrolled in a FUSD school (One day in FUSD = One year)
Service Hours Procedures:
1.
Pick up a Service Hours verification form in the Student Center or download from WHS website.
2.
For ideas check bulletin board outside Student Center, the school website, or visit volunteermatch.com
3.
Complete hours of service outside of school day.
4.
Turn in completed form to the Community Service Hours box in the Student Center.
5.
Check list posted in the Student Center to verify completion.
6.
Service hours exceeding 10 hours on one service form must have an attached letter from the agency verifying hours.
7.
Hours are updated bi-monthly on the school website.
Many seniors have not completed this 40 hour requirement. In order to graduate, all Service Hour forms are due in the “Community Service Hours” box located in the Student Center by 3:00 p.m. on April 29, 2011.
Letters will be sent to all seniors who are deficient in these hours, but if you are not sure about current status, contact your student’s counselor. If you have additional questions, contact the Service Learning Coordinator, Mrs. Paris.

THIS CONTRACT MUST BE SIGNED AND HANDED IN TO THE
ATTENDANCE OFFICE BY APRIL 15th
Participation in graduation ceremonies is not required for graduation from high school; however, all students who complete the Board of Education requirements for graduation are invited to participate in the 2011 graduation. Students who choose not to participate may pick up their diplomas in the Registrar’s Office on
Thursday, June 16 th .
The graduation ceremony will provide a program of both reflective moments and celebratory moments – all focused on the class of 2011 and its accomplishments. Graduates and their guests are expected to take seriously EACH senior’s moment on stage and to be attentive to student speakers and performers. In order to maintain decorum and to allow each family to enjoy their own student as he/she receives a diploma, student and parent/guardian agree to the following:
******************************************************************************************************************************
Your initials constitute understanding and consent to the conditions described below:
_____ Underneath the graduation gown, students must wear semi formal dress attire; i.e. dresses, dress pants or slacks, dress shirt, comfortable/appropriate shoes.
_____ For graduation 2011, caps and gowns will be orange for women and black for men. Participants must wear the 2011 color caps and gowns. Nothing may be attached to the caps other than the tassel and nothing may be attached to the gown other than flowers, and/or cultural regalia in recognition of graduation ceremony.
_____ Participants may not bring any objects on the field. Leave all valuables at home - there is no place to secure any items. Participants may not bring balls, toys, bubbles, blow-up objects, signs, or any other such item that might disrupt the ceremony. Students will be searched by a professional security team prior to the ceremony.
_____ All school, district, and state regulations regarding alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and fireworks will be strictly enforced in order to insure the safety of graduates and their guests.
_____ Guests will not be allowed on the field until the end of the ceremony. A professional photographer will take individual pictures after graduates receive their diplomas as they exit the stage. These pictures are available for purchase @ www.lcsp.net
go to the online store and enter Washington10WA for the password.
_____ All Seniors must abide by school rules or you will jeopardize your participation in any and all school events.
NAME OF GRADUATING SENIOR
* * * * * PLEASE PRINT * * * * *
SIGNATURE OF STUDENT ______________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF PARENT/GUARDIAN
THIS CONTRACT IS DUE APRIL 1 st IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONY.
Please turn this contract in at your attendance window.