Grad 2012
NorKam Grad Newsletter #1
**UPDATED** October 17, 2011
Introduction
Please take the time to read this overview with your parents. The purpose of this initial newsletter is to
outline the major Grad events this year. If you have any questions about this year’s Grad activities
please contact Mr. MacDonald or Mr. Collins at NorKam Secondary (250-376-1272). This will be the
only grad newsletter that is mailed out so please check the school website for further grad information or
join the email group (more information is available on the last page of this newsletter).
Important Dates
January 31- February 7 – Grad Photos
February 22-23 – Grad Photo Re-takes
March 16 – Grad Fees Due
April 2-4 – Academic Review of grads in jeopardy
May 10 – Grad Social from 2:00-6:00 pm in the NK Gym
June 6 – Grad Commencement Ceremony @ 7:00 pm at the Sports Centre
June 23 – Grad Dance (Banquet?) – TRU
Dry Grad (TBA) once parent committee determines date and location
Bursaries and Scholarships Information
Unfortunately, many Grads do not take the time to apply for the thousands of dollars that are awarded as
scholarships and bursaries. Application dates vary, and you do not have to be a “straight A” student to
get many of them. Some of these awards take a bit of work such as filling out an application, writing an
essay or compiling a resume. Though most scholarships/award applications are due May 1, 2012, please
be aware that deadlines do vary. See your counsellor in the Student Services Office to check out the
scholarship information throughout the year. Make sure you are on the Scholarship e-mail list to keep up
to date with scholarships and bursaries. You can do this by contacting Mr. Williams via email at
mfwilliams@sd73.bc.ca . Additional information about scholarships and bursaries can be found on our
school website – www.nkss.sd73.bc.ca – or at School District 73 website at www.sd73.bc.ca/amas/ . A
comprehensive national website for scholarships and bursaries can be found at
www.studentawards.com/ .
Grad Social
NorKam will continue with our newest tradition, the Grad Social. This event will be held on May 10,
2012 from 2:00-6:00 pm. It will be hosted by the school and staff and is an open house type event for
Grads, parents and staff. This event will be held at the school. Further details will be made available as
we get closer to the date.
Commencement Information
NorKam’s Commencement is the formal academic cap and gown ceremony put on by the school to
celebrate the successful completion of Grade 12. NorKam’s Commencement Ceremony is scheduled
for Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at the Sports Centre. The Commencement Ceremony will start at 7:00
pm promptly. The doors will open at about 6:15. Seating is based on a first come first served basis.
Seating is limited and is based on the number of eligible grads. Each grad will be provided with six
tickets for the commencement ceremony. We compile a wait list to accommodate everyone’s
reasonable requests for additional tickets and we usually do quite well. A sign-up sheet will be
established in the office at the start of the second semester. Tickets will be distributed to students who
have paid up all of their fees starting the third week of May.
- The day of the commencement ceremony there will be a rehearsal in the afternoon.
Everyone must attend! Further, students need to be in classes all day on June 6th in order to
participate in the ceremony.
- After the rehearsal, the grads will be issued their gowns. Please note that the grad fee must
be paid before a gown will be issued.
- The gown (and stole) MUST be returned on the night of commencement after the ceremony.
However, you do get to keep the cap and the tassel (BE SURE TO WRITE YOUR NAME
INSIDE YOUR CAP and ATTACH YOUR TASSLE SECURELY).
- More information will come out about commencement as the year progresses.
Dance
The dance is a formal social event put on by the parents. The venue and date for this event is yet to be
determined. There is a Grand March preceding the dance (usually around 7:00 pm). The Grand March
is an opportunity for family and friends to arrive, take photos, and dance with their grad.
Grad Parents’ Committee
This committee will be responsible for organizing both the grad dance/banquet and the dry grad
activities.
The grad parents’ committee 2012 chairs are:
Carmela Downer
250-554-3747 (h) 250-318-6241 (c)
Dayna Osborne
250-554-0898 (h)
Dallas Laxton
250-376-9498 (h) 250-371-2126 (c)
Sarina Woodland
250-578-7345 (h) 250-819-2943 (c)
email:
email:
email:
email:
carmela_downer@hotmail.com
close2dayna@hotmail.com
dallaslaxton@hotmail.com
sarinao@telus.net
Dry Grad is a parent-sponsored event, which celebrates grad without drugs or alcohol. Dry Grad differs
from year to year, depending on parents’ ideas and student interest.
The Dry Grad Committee Chair is:
Leah Skotnicki
250-376-2165 (h) 250-320-2067 (c) email: skotnicki@shaw.ca
The next Grad Parent meeting will be Monday, October 24 in the NorKam Library
at 7:00 pm.
Academic Eligibility:
Students who have not yet completed their Planning 10 course will not be included in any of the grad
activities. Further, students who do not meet the requirements for graduation (or will not meet them by
June 2012) will not be permitted to participate in the grad commencement ceremonies. Academic
progress will be reviewed during the first week of April and students who are in jeopardy of not
completing their graduation requirements may not be included in the graduation ceremonies. In
addition, any student who has significant attendance issues may not be permitted to participate in the
grad commencement ceremonies.
School Grad Committees
This is an opportunity for members of the Grad class to have input and help with this year’s event.
There is one Student Grad Committee and all students are welcome to participate on the committee.
Some of the planning that the student grad committee will be responsible for is: developing a short list
of grad theme songs, developing a short list of grad themes and selecting teachers to lead the student
processional/recessional. Listen to the announcements for the dates, times and locations of meetings.
Any grads interested in being involved are welcome to attend the meetings.
Fees
There are two main types of fees for Grad: the NorKam School Grad Fee and the Parent Sponsored
Dance/Dry Grad Fee.
The NorKam School Grad Fee is $85 and covers:
 all commencement costs (facility rental, sound technician, programs, decorations, your gown
rental, a keeper cap and tassel, your diploma, and a photo of you receiving the diploma)
The Parent Sponsored Dance/Dry Grad Fee is as yet to be determined and will cover:
 all banquet/dance costs
 all dry grad costs
Yearbook and Grad Photos
The yearbook will once again be delivered in September this year in order to include Grad activities in
the yearbook. The cost for the yearbook is $45.00. Yearbooks are available for purchase in the office.
All monies owing the school must be paid before a yearbook will be issued to a student.
Due to the large size of the Graduating class, the space for Grad write-ups in the yearbook has
diminished. Therefore, this year the length of Grad write-ups will be substantially shorter. In addition,
a two-page spread of baby pictures will be included in the yearbook. The school photographer will be
collecting baby pictures at student grad photo sessions. Grad write-ups will be collected during second
semester. There will be no charge for write-ups and the inclusion of baby pictures. Listen to
announcements and watch the website for more information.
ALL GRADS MUST GET THEIR GRAD PHOTO TAKEN BY THE SCHOOL
PHOTOGRAPHER WHETHER THEY PURCHASE A PACKAGE FROM RIGHT
PHOTOGRAPHY OR NOT. There is no charge for the school grad photo as this will be used for the
composite and the yearbook. Grad photos will be taken from January 31-February 7 by appointment
only. The sign-up schedule will be posted in the office in January and all grads need to sign up to have
their picture taken.
Early Grads
It is important that any early grads do three things:
1. inform the school as to whether or not you intend to participate in grad
2. provide the school with contact information (and insure it is updated if changed)
3. keep informed about grad activities by checking the school web page at www.nkss.sd73.bc.ca
and/or being part of the email contact group (see below).
Parent/Grad Contact Information
In order to facilitate better communication about grad activities, we would like to develop a grad email
group. In an effort to accomplish this we require email contact information from parents (and students).
Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page and drop it off at the school and we will add your
name to the email group.
Grad Parties
The Commencement Ceremony is a school-sponsored event. As such, School District 73 Drug and
Alcohol Policies apply at this event. Please do not jeopardize your education and your future by coming
to this event in possession of, or under the influence of, drugs or alcohol. Similarly, you can also face
serious consequences coming to school “hung over” from unsanctioned private “grad” parties. An issue
has developed in the past with regards to students wearing “stag gear” to school. “Stag gear” is not
permitted at school and any student who shows up in this attire will be dealt with by the administration.
When you are at school we expect you to be ready to learn. Please ensure that your grad class earns a
“classy” and honourable reputation by not participating in inappropriate, illegal, or unsafe activities.
Final Thoughts
Please do not let the excitement and fun of Grad events lead you into making poor choices. We hope
that you have a great year and a wonderful graduation.
Mr. D. MacDonald, Vice Principal and Grad Sponsor at NorKam
Mr. R. Collins, Vice Principal at NorKam
Name of Grad: ___________________________________________________________
Parent email address: ______________________________________________________
Student email address: _____________________________________________________