Seniors and Graduation
Dear Parents of the Class of 2012,
I hope you all are enjoying a restful holiday. I know that for many of our seniors, the winter break is anything but restful—college applications, extended essays, work, and more! It may seem hard to believe right now, but in a few short months, all of this will be behind you as your student begins the next exciting chapter in his/her life. We wanted to let you know a little bit about what to expect over these next few important months before graduation.
There will be an important senior meeting on Wednesday, January 11 at 10:30 am (during seminar time). At this meeting, the seniors will be fitted for a cap and gown. They will also begin discussing some important choices for their graduation, including their class song, class gift, and the location of their class photograph.
Desert Academy has a tradition of creating graduation announcements unique to each class, featuring a class photograph. The seniors will choose their “secret” location and we will set aside time for the entire class to be bussed to that location for the photo shoot. You will receive the invitations during the first part of April.
Soon after we return from the break, you will receive an email request for your student’s name as it should appear on his/her diploma. In addition, you have received information from the yearbook staff about senior pages and placing a congratulatory ad for your senior.
Of course, May is when the real fun begins. Prom is set for Saturday, May 12th. Details will be provided soon.
Traditionally, seniors finish up their classes earlier than the rest of Desert Academy students. The seniors will be given a special, school day send-off by their school mates and teachers at our High School Closing Assembly on Monday, May 14. Senior exams will take place Tuesday, May 15 and Wednesday, May 16; these exams are arranged at the discretion of each individual teacher, and are usually given during the normal class period. Wednesday, May 16 is also the last day of classes for seniors.
Please note that Seniors taking IB exams for Diploma or Certificate will not be taking regular finals for those classes. Instead, they will be taking their IB Exams between the 1st and 22th of May as designated by the IB Programme. A schedule of these exams will be published by Isabelle Thiebaut, Diploma Programme Coordinator, as soon as it becomes available to us.
On the evening of Wednesday, May 16, we will gather together for our Senior Celebration Night. This evening, which is always my favorite event of the senior year, is a time for the faculty and staff to recognize each senior individually, and it is always filled with much laughter and tears. You will receive a formal invitation to this evening as it approaches.
Traditionally, the family of one of the seniors volunteers to host the Senior Toast. If you would like to host this event, please email me and let me know. This event takes place in the early evening on Tuesday, May 22 and it is an opportunity for parents or guardians to acknowledge their students’ accomplishments and wish them well in their future. Again, bring the tissue! Invitations for this event will also go out as we get closer to May.
Finally, our Desert Academy Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2011 at 4:30 pm at the St. Francis Auditorium on Palace Avenue. The entire event will last approximately 2 hours, and it will include a reception with light refreshments in the courtyard following the ceremony.
The cost per family for all of the senior events is $250.00. This includes caps and gowns, catering, site rental, diplomas, music, programs, invitations, decorations and a yearbook. You will be billed for this amount in the spring. If you have any questions regarding this fee, please contact Jud Osborn in the business office.
In all of the excitement surrounding our end of the year events, please consider that any student who falls more than 1 credit short of the school’s graduation requirements MAY NOT participate in any graduation events or receive an official transcript or diploma of graduation. Any student who falls one credit or less short of the graduation requirements or whose account is not current MAY participate in the ceremony, but WILL NOT receive a diploma or official transcript until all obligations have been met.
This is such an exciting time for your family. Enjoy these last moments of high school—the good, bad, happy and sad. I don’t have to tell you that your life, and your student’s life, will never be the same again. The journey ahead awaits.
Fondly,
Amy Miller
Assistant Head of School
Desert Academy
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