To:      Seniors and Families of the Graduating Class of 2008
From:  Keith Hickman, Principal
Re:      Information for Graduates and Families
Date:  April 10, 2008 

1.                    Graduation Meetings:  All graduating students are invited to attend Mr. Hickman’s graduation meetings on Wednesday, April 16th, and Thursday, May 1st, both beginning at 7:30 a.m., in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).  Mr. Hickman, Mrs. Lutz, and Mrs. Buten will discuss graduation issues and answer students’ questions.  All information will be posted to the graduation link on the AHS web site, www.westcler.org/ah .  Also, if any student or parent would like to meet with Mr. Hickman or counselors, please call Mrs. Wurschmidt at 947-7401 to set up an appointment.  Mrs. Lutz and Dr. Leibold will visit the Oaks and Genesis to deliver information to students who cannot attend. 

2.                    Amelia HS Senior Exams:  Senior exams will take place during the regularly scheduled class time. 

May 16                   Friday                                    Bells 1 + 7

May 19                   Monday                                  Bells 2 + 6

May 20                   Tuesday                                 Bells 3 + 4/5

May 21                   Wednesday                           All make-up exams begin at 7:15 AM 

3.                    FEESAll student fees must be paid in order to participate in this year’s graduation ceremony.  The deadline to pay student fees is 7:30 AM, Thursday, May 22, 2008.  Student fees include any school fee, class fee, athletic fee, and/or library fee.  For all questions concerning fees, please contact Mrs. Thorpe in the Treasurer’s office (947-7412).  

4.                    Graduation Practice:  We will have two practices for graduation.  The first will be on Thursday, May 22nd, at 7:30 AM, in the Amelia High School PAC.  The final graduation practice will take place at The Cintas Center, Xavier University, on the day of graduation, Friday, May 23rd.  Students will be required to meet on Friday, May 23rd, at 8:00 AM, in the AHS PAC.  We will then take school buses to The Cintas Center.  In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, a senior must attend and complete both graduation practices.  Guests will not be permitted at either graduation practice.  Any student who does not wish to participate in the graduation ceremony must inform his/her guidance counselor in writing by Friday, May 16, 2008. 

During graduation practices each senior is expected to dress appropriately according to the AHS dress code.  Any senior whom we suspect of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be removed from practice and his/her parents will be notified immediately.  Any student removed from practice for any reason will not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.  Deputy Patton and assistant principals will be on hand to check in students prior to each graduation practice. 

5.                    Senior Picnic:  Senior Picnic will be Thursday, May 22nd, immediately following graduation practice, approximately 10:30 AM.  Senior picnic will take place at the AHS football stadium. 

6.                    Senior Academic Awards:  Senior Academic Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 15th.  The Senior Awards ceremony will be held in our PAC beginning at 7:00 PM.  

7.                    Graduation Ceremony:  Graduation will be held on Friday, May 23rd, at 7:00 PM, at The Cintas Center, Xavier University.  There will be no reserve seating.  Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  Each person attending must have his/her own ticket, regardless of age.  House doors will open at 6:00 PM.  Any guest with handicap needs should see an usher inside the front entrance for assistance.  Please turn off/mute all cell phones prior to the ceremony. 

8.                    Graduation Tickets:  Tickets will be distributed to students at graduation practice on Thursday, May 22nd.  Due to the large capacity of The Cintas Center, tickets are unlimited for this year’s graduation.  Each senior will receive approximately 15 tickets in his/her packet.  If you then need additional tickets, please call Mrs. Hollabaugh at 947-7413 or stop by the Amelia High School front office on Thursday, May 22nd

9.                    Graduation Arrival:  All graduating Seniors should report to The Cintas Center’s West Auxiliary Gym entrance (R-1 parking lot) no later than 5:30 PM to prepare for lineup.  Commencement will begin promptly at 7:00 PM.  Maps directing you to the The Cintas Center are included on the back of each ticket.  Guests must park in C-2 parking and enter through the south plaza entrance. 

10.                 Graduation:  Graduates should NOT bring valuables, purses, cell phones, keys, etc., to the Auxiliary Gym lineup area.  Please leave valuables with parents/family/friends. 

11.                 Graduation Exit:  After the ceremony graduates will return to the Auxiliary Gym to pick-up diplomas.  Graduates will then exit the West entrance to meet parents in the lobby or plaza areas.  Upon completion of the graduation ceremony, photographs may be taken in the lobby or plaza areas.  Only graduation participants will be permitted on the main floor and in the auxiliary gym areas. 

12.                 Graduation Dress:  Graduation attire is as follows:

Ladies                    White dress shoes (no gym shoes)

                                White dress or skirt and white blouse

                                No shorts or dark colored dresses

                                No lettering, stickers, or emblems on caps and gowns

                                No sun glasses

Gentlemen            Solid dark shoes and socks (no gym shoes)

                                Long, full-length dark pants.

                                No shorts or jeans.

                                White shirt with tie

                                No lettering, stickers, or emblems on caps and gowns

                                No sun glasses 

13.                 Caps and Gowns:  Caps and gowns will be distributed to students at our graduation meeting on May 1st.  Caps and gowns are still available for order at Graduate Services in Newtown, OH (272-5890). 

14.                 Student Behavior:  In order to ensure proper behavior of all students and to ensure a professional and formal atmosphere, diplomas will NOT be in the covers distributed during the actual ceremony.  Pending acceptable behavior, students will be permitted to pick-up their diplomas immediately after the ceremony in the The Cintas Center’s Auxiliary Gym.  Tables will be set up for diploma distribution. 

15.                 Diplomas:  Any student who does not participate in the graduation ceremony may pick up his/her diploma beginning Tuesday, May 27th, in the main office.  To pick up a diploma after June 1st, a graduate must call to set up an appointment with Mrs. Hollabaugh (947-7413). 

16.                 Scholarships:  If you have received a scholarship, please give a copy of the written notification to Mrs. Hollabaugh, Guidance Secretary, no later than Friday, May 2nd

17.                 Photography:  Robert Glutz Photography will be taking individual photos as each graduate receives his/her diploma.  Flyers will be available at a later date.  Flash photography and videotaping are permitted; however, you must remain in your seat.

Important Dates to remember:

April 16                          Graduation Meeting (attendance not required)              7:30 AM                                 PAC                       

April 18                          SEAP Performance Fair                                                       All Day                                  AHS                      

May 1                             Graduation Meeting (attendance not required)              7:30 AM                                 PAC                       

May 1                             Senior Academic Signing                                                   12:30 PM                                PAC                       

May 3                             Prom 2008                                                                              8:00–11:30 PM                      Syndicate             

May 12                           Spring Sports Awards                                                         7:00 PM                                  PAC       

May 14                           SEAP Judging                                                                      All Day                                  AHS                      

May 15                           Senior Academic Awards                                                   7:00 PM                                  PAC

May 15                           Senior’s Last Regular School Day                   

May 16-19-20                Senior Finals (Schedule on previous page)

May 21                           Senior Finals Make-Ups                                                       7:30 AM                

May 22                           Graduation Practice (Required for ceremony) 7:30 AM                                                 PAC

May 22                           Senior Picnic                                                                          10:30 AM                              AHS Stadium

May 23                           Graduation Practice (Required for ceremony) 8:00 AM (Bus – PAC)                         PAC – Cintas

May 23                           Graduation 2008                                                                     7:00 PM                             Cintas