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    Forest Lake Area High School
    Graduation Commencement
    June 7, 2012

    IMPORTANT DATES:
    June 4 - Academic Awards Night - 7:00 PM.
    June 6 - Senior’s Last Day & Final Testing.
    June 7 - Graduation Meeting/Practice/Cap/Gown/Ticket pick up - 8:00 AM in auditorium.
    June 7 - Meet at Southwest Jr. High for shuttle bus to High School – 6:00 PM.
    June 7 - Commencement at FLHS Football Stadium – 7:30 PM (In gymnasium in case of weather).
    June 7 - All Night Party – following Commencement at Southwest Jr. High.

    GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMENCEMENT:
    Participation in the Commencement is optional. To participate, senior students must complete 26 credits, pass MCA Reading, Writing & Math tests, return all class and library materials, pay all fines and comply with the guidelines of Commencement.

    HOLD LIST:
    Students who are not passing required classes, have not earned enough credits, have not passed MCA Tests, or are failing a class that fulfills a requirement for graduation will be placed on the Hold List. Students will be cleared from the Hold List by their teachers when they have completed course requirements and earned enough points to pass the class(es). If the student is not cleared from the list they will not graduate, receive a cap, gown or tickets, nor participate in Commencement.

    CAPS, GOWNS AND TASSELS:
    Caps, gowns, and tassels will be picked up in the fieldhouse foyer after graduation practice on June 7th. Students are required to pay a deposit of $30.00 to receive cap, gown, and tassel. This deposit will be collected during lunches from ALL senior students (on April 26th & 27th). These items may be returned on Friday, June 8th only from noon – 4:00 pm for a refund of $10.00 for the gown, $10.00 for the cap, and $10.00 for the tassel, however, many students choose to keep these items as keepsakes.

    ACADEMIC HONORS & SCHOLAR PROGRAM:
    Students may graduate as an Academic Scholar or with Honors according to the requirements listed:

    - Highest Academic Scholar: 5 AP/CIS Classes in 3 or More Areas
    - High Academic Scholar: 4 AP/CIS Classes in 2 or More Areas
    - Academic Scholar: 3 AP/CIS Classes
    Students with a Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will graduate with honors
    *Students must earn a minimum grade of a B- in the AP/CIS course for the course to qualify.

    TICKETS:
    Tickets will be distributed after practice with the caps and gowns on June 7th. Students will be issued a total of 5 tickets that can be used if the weather permits an outdoor ceremony at the High School Football Stadium. If poor weather prohibits an outdoor Commencement, the event will be moved indoors to the High School Gymnasium. If graduation is held indoors, ONLY 2 of the 5 tickets can be used to be seated in the Gymnasium due to limited seating. Students having co-parents may request two additional tickets in the Student Services office after they receive their cap & gown package. (Tickets turned in by students not needing their allotted number of ticket will be made available beginning at 1:00 pm). Due to fire code, only a limited number of people are allowed in the gymnasium, however, there are alternative spots in the building such as the auditorium, cafeteria and media center to view the ceremony on closed-circuit broadcasting. The decision will be made by 1:00 pm whether to hold the ceremony indoors or outdoors on June 7th. The gates at the outdoor stadium will open at 5:30 pm.

    GRADUATION PRACTICE: THURSDAY, JUNE 7th at 8:00 AM SHARP!
    Seniors will meet in the auditorium at 8:00 AM. After a short presentation they will move to the field house. Graduates will then walk through a rehearsal for the ceremony. Seniors are not allowed to enter any other portion of the school building on June 7th.

    AUDIENCE BEHAVIOR:
    Students are asked to remind their families and friends that extended applause or shouting interferes with the reading and understanding of a graduate’s name. Please consider the significance of the moment for other families. This cooperation is greatly appreciated.

    STUDENT CONDUCT:
    Commencement is a dignified ceremony that honors the graduates. Students are expected to demonstrate respect for the occasion and their classmates. Students that fail to comply and choose to participate in ANY undignified or disrespectful behavior during practice or the ceremony will not be able to participate.

    CLOTHING:
    Students participating in Commencement are required to wear the maroon cap and gown. If circumstances dictate that a student must deviate from this practice, they should confer with school administration. In addition, students must dress appropriately. For males, this includes dress slacks, dress shirt and dress shoes. For females, this includes a dress, or slacks and dress shirt, and dress shoes. Students cannot decorate their caps and gowns or carry/wear flowers.

    PICTURES:
    A professional photographer will take an individual photo of each graduate during the Commencement ceremony. Graduates may purchase the pictures from Herff Jones Photography/Jolesch, www.hjgrads.com (763-536-8588). Herff Jones/Jolesch will mail students an order form with picture proofs after the ceremony to purchase photos.

    DIPLOMAS:
    Students will receive their diploma cover on the night of Commencement. The official diploma will be sent in the mail over the summer, after all credits, grades and other records have been processed.

    RAIN/INCLEMENT WEATHER:
    Graduation exercises will be held outdoors in the stadium. In the event that poor weather prevents an outdoor ceremony, Commencement will be moved indoors into the gymnasium. Please be aware that this will reduce the seating capacity and will require an “Indoor Ticket” to gain admission. A closed circuit TV broadcast of the ceremony will be available in the auditorium, media center, and cafeteria. If there is threatening weather, the decision about the location will be made by 1:00 PM on graduation day. This information will be posted on our high school website: http://hs.forestlake.k12.mn.us or you may call 982-8501 to get the information by phone.

    COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY:
    6:00-6:50 PM Arrive at Southwest Jr. High for shuttle bus to High School
    7:00-7:10 PM Meet your Advisory teacher in the field house to line up and receive your name card.
    7:10-7:25 PM Proceed to assembly area west of outdoor track with your Advisory teacher and class.
    7:25-7:30 PM Enter track and march to staging area.
    * No pets or coolers are allowed at the ceremony. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the school event.

    ACADEMIC AWARDS NIGHT: Monday June 4th, 2011 at 7:00 PM in HS Auditorium
    Please report scholarship awards received from colleges or outside organizations to the Student Services office. The Academic Awards Night is a ceremony recognizing seniors who have received scholarships and other academic achievements. Students to be recognized will receive an invitation in the mail. Students are expected to dress appropriately for this dignified occasion.

    SENIOR ALL NIGHT PARTY: WHEN: June 7th, after Graduation Commencement, until 5:00 AM (must stay unless pre-arranged) WHERE: Southwest Junior High, 943 SW 9th Ave, Forest Lake COST: $40 advance tickets ($50 at the door)


    Days until graduation:

    Date Countdown: 20 days