LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT HIGH SCHOOL
5461 WINNETKA AVENUE , WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA 91364
TELEPHONE: (818) 227-3600 FAX: (818) 592-0877
JOHN DEASY
Superintendent of Schools
Linda Del Cueto
District 1 Superintendent
Delia Estrada
Principal
May 7, 2012
Dear Parents and Graduation Candidates of the Class of 2012:
As we approach the final weeks of your high school experience, we wish to communicate some information
regarding upcoming events. We ask that both students and their parents review this notice and abide by what
is expected to ensure a dignified and joyful graduation ceremony.
Senior Clearance: Before the end of the week of May 14th, all debts such as athletic equipment, textbooks, library, student
store, detention, and class materials must be cleared. This will aid the graduate in more quickly receiving their Caps and Gowns
and being cleared to participate in Graduation Rehearsal, which, in turn, is the time they receive their guest tickets for the actual
ceremony. Graduation candidates will be given a clearance sheet to circulate during the week of May 14th; it must be completed
before picking up cap and gown.
Behavior: Seniors have been and continue to be a model for the behavioral expectations at Taft. As such, they must continue
to uphold the Taft Code of Conduct at all times. Failure to do so can result in withdrawing the privilege of participating in the
Graduation Ceremony. Please take note, the senior class is also financially liable for any repair, loss or clean-up cost incurred
from a “Senior Prank.” If so, it could cause the loss of some part of the Graduation Ceremony i.e., (Fireworks display, number of
tickets distributed, etc) Individual students, who participate in any misbehavior including pranks, will be subject to disciplinary
action by the school and potential prosecution by the district.
Parking for Graduation: Parking will be available in the school parking lot in front of the school and in the student parking lot
at the corner of Winnetka and Santa Rita. Once all available marked Parking Spaces have been filled, a School Staff member will
lock the gates and any remaining vehicles will have to find parking in the community. There will be pedestrian access left in the
two lots, but the lots will remain locked until the conclusion of the ceremony for vehicle traffic. They will be reopened at the
conclusion of the ceremony. Please observe posted parking restrictions. The small parking lot on the south side of the campus
and adjacent to the gymnasium will be for staff parking only. Those without Taft Parking permits will be cited and possibly
towed away at owner’s expense. There will be no school personnel in the parking lots once the gates are closed until the
conclusion of the ceremony. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Guest Seating/Tickets:
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Each participating graduate will receive guest tickets for eight (8) guests. This will allow the guests to sit on either the
home or visitor’s side of the football stadium according to which section their participating graduate is sitting. At the
time of this notice, we have an anticipated graduating class of 630 students and we have accounted for every seat
available. No “extra” tickets are available to adhere to Los Angeles City Fire Department regulations. Please plan
accordingly.
The graduate sections are laid out requires most guests to be sitting between the midfield and the east end zone area
for best viewing. There are no standing areas in front of the stands or in the aisles. All guests must remain seated for
the entirety of the ceremony per Los Angeles City Fire Department regulations. Graduation would have to be halted if
there were any violations of these regulations.
Guests will be allowed entrance to the seating at approximately 6:15 p.m. The gates will close five minutes before the
ceremony begins, to honor the dignity of the occasion.
Guests may not leave once they have entered the stadium and expect to return. No “in and outs”.
This is a school event and you may be searched by district personnel as part of maintaining school security.
Smoking is not allowed on L.A.U.S.D. sites or parking lots.
Wheelchairs, Walkers, and other Assistive Devices: Individuals who have mobility restrictions and use a wheelchair,
walker, or other assistive device (cane, crutches, etc.) will have access to limited seating on the visitors side of the track. One
other person can accompany the guest to assist. Each person needs to have a ticket and a handicapped pass. The tickets will be
part of the allotment of eight each graduate will receive. Handicapped pass are available through the Deans Office.
Forms will be available before the ceremony to identify the guest and the one person to assist them. Graduates
will need to pick up and complete the form before tickets are distributed.
DHH: Special seating for DHH guests is also available. Please follow the same procedures for handicapped passes. Again,
DHH guests will be allowed to sit in this section with one person to assist. Please plan accordingly.
Guest Behavior: Graduation is a dignified and solemn ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2012. Guests
are asked to stay seated until the ceremony has concluded, stay out of the aisles, and not obstruct the view of other guests.
Horns, balloons, flowers, banners/signs, and other distractions will not be allowed into the ceremony, you will be directed to
place them in your car. Disruption such as excessive applause, whistling, standing up and blocking the view of people around
you takes away the rights of the each guest to hear and see their graduate’s moment in the ceremony. Graduation will last
about 1 ½ hours, please plan accordingly. If you wish to videotape or photograph the ceremony, please move to the open areas
behind the bleachers on either side. Nobody will be allowed onto the field area in order to ensure graduate and guest safety.
Conclusion of Graduation: At the conclusion of Graduation there will be a brief fireworks display. Guests, who are sensitive to
bright lights or explosions, please be aware. The graduates will be directed to exit the stadium through gates at the east end of
the field to join their families outside and then proceed to “B” building to pick up their diplomas. The parking lots will be
reopened at the beginning of the fireworks display.
Diplomas: Will be passed out to graduates in the lobby of the “B” building for about one hour after the conclusion of
graduation, graduates and their families are strongly urged to pick up diplomas immediately after the ceremony.
A Few Reminders for the Class of 2012
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Graduation Rehearsal will be on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. Rehearsal attendance is
mandatory. You must attend graduation rehearsal to participate in the ceremony.
You may receive an invitation to a “Early Clearance.” Please honor the time for your appointment, it
will streamline your final check-out prior to graduation. Otherwise……….
You will pick up your cap and gowns and your 8 graduation tickets after rehearsal.
Report to the gym area by 5:30 p.m. for line-up and preparation. Late arrival
may compromise your participation in the ceremony. Please arrive with your
cap and gown over your arm.
Each and every graduate will be searched by school staff before
they are allowed to line up to enter the final staging area.
Leave your phones, IPods, purses, hats, cameras, flowers, leis, candy,
gum, perfume, hairspray/mousse, or jackets with your families.
Do not decorate your caps and gowns. Only approved pins, medals, cords, and other
items will be allowed on or around your Cap and Gown.
This is your special day! Any behavior that detracts or interrupts the dignity of the
ceremony may require removal from the ceremony by security staff.
You should wear clothing that you will be comfortable in for several hours.
Footwear for walking on asphalt in the gym area and then for walking across the grass
of the football field is highly recommended.
Confiscated items will be placed in a box for pick-up on Wednesday, May 30, 2012.
Calendar of Events
Monday, May 21
Tuesday, May 22
to
Thursday, May 24
Thursday, May 24
Friday, May 25
May 24
Friday, May 25
Senior Clearance Forms Distributed
3rd Period
Senior Textbook Return : By Last Name
Returned on assigned day: Before or after school, nutrition/lunch and “Home” periods. May also
return during the day with a signed permission pass from Teacher.
May 18, 2012
May 21, 2012
May 22, 2012
May 23, 2012
A–F
G–L
M–R
S -Z
Handicapped Request Forms available
Deans Office
May 22: Period 3 and 4
Minimum Day Schedule:
May 23: Period 2 and 5
Dismissal at 12:
May 24: Period 1 and 6
Finals
Early Clearance: By Invitation Only
with Counselor
Annex
Locker Clean Out
Senior Breakfast
Early Clearance: By Invitation Only
Graduation Rehearsal - Mandatory
1: 30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.: GYM
AREA
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Annex
7:00 p.m.
Following ceremony- Lobby of
“B” building.
Tuesday, May 29
Final Clearance- with Counselor
Graduation Ceremony
Diploma Distribution
This is a once in your lifetime event!
Let make sure your graduation ceremony has the
dignity and respect the
CLASS OF 2012 so richly deserves!
CONGRATULATIONS!