Grad News---May 2008

1. Grad Photos

•Grad Retakes have arrived at the school---pick up from Ms. Hall
•any further Grad Photo questions should be directed to Right Photography at 1-877-582-8424 (toll free)

2. Grad Cap and Gown

•deadline for Cap & Gown registration has already passed
•must be worn in order to take part in the School Leaving Ceremony
•$25 includes purchase of Grad cap & tassel, rental of Grad gown and stole
•cap, gown etc. can be picked up on May 20 and 21 from the Library Seminar Room and must be returned immediately following the Ceremony---ALL OUTSTANDING SCHOOL FEES, FINES AND IOUs MUST BE SETTLED BEFORE PICK UP

3. Night to Remember

•Friday, May 9---6 PM to 4 AM @ WJM
•grads only
•tickets are on sale at the Main Office only starting April 10 for $40
•deadline for sales is Monday, April 28
•if you have already paid, pick up your ticket at the Office after April 10

4. School Leaving Ceremony

•Thursday, May 22 6 PM to 9:00 PM @ 7Oaks Alliance Church
•grads must be there by 5:30 PM
•grads must attend rehearsal same day at 9 AM (appx. 2 hours)
•includes ceremony and reception for grad and a maximum of 4 guests
•guests must show numbered ticket at door for entry
•when Grad package is purchased (starting April 23rd), students may tentatively request a maximum of 2 extra guest tickets @ $5 each---requests will be added to a Waiting List and grads will be advised on May 16th whether their request can be met

5. Grad Hawk Walk

•Friday, May 23, 5:30 PM @ WJM
•maximum of 2 guests per grad to view the Walk (ticketed and included in Pkg. #1---see below)

6. Grad Dinner/Dance (Prom) and Dry Grad

•Friday, May 23, 7:30 PM at Aston Pacific Resort in White Rock
•grads and guests MUST take transportation provided---absolutely no exceptions
•return to WJM at appx. 1 AM for refreshments and the premiere showing of the “Class of 2008: Memories” DVD
•Grad Prom Guest Approval forms are available now from the Counselling Center---required for any non-grade 12 WJM guest---due back to the Main Office by April 30th.

7. $$$Final Grad Package Costs$$$

PKG #1 ($100) includes:
•School Leaving Ceremony and Reception for Grad and 4 guests
•Diploma in embossed holder
•individual 5 x 7 photo of grad receiving diploma
•long stemmed flower
•Hawk Walk for Grad and 2 guests
•return bus transportation to Prom
•formal Dinner/Dance (Prom) for one grad (guest is extra---see below)
•Dry Grad refreshments after the Prom at WJM
•11 x 14 grad class composite photo
•original “Class of 2008: Memories” DVD
OR....

PKG #2 ($20) includes:
•School Leaving Ceremony and Reception for grad and 4 guests
•individual 5 x 7 photo of grad receiving diploma
•long stemmed flower
•Diploma in embossed holder
•11 x 14 grad class photo composite
OR....

PKG #3 ($35) includes:
•everything in PKG #2 plus the “Class of 2008: Memories” DVD

AND (OPTIONAL)....

PKG #4 ($75) includes:
•one guest to the Formal Dinner/Dance (Prom)
•return mandatory bus transportation to Prom
•Prom Guest Approval form must also be submitted

Grad Package sales start on April 23rd.---deadline for sales is Friday, May 9th. PLEASE purchase your package directly from Ms. Merrick in the Counselling Center every day after school during this period from 2:30 to 2:45 PM. If you are using a Debit Card, pay in the Main Office and then bring your receipt to Ms. Merrick for tickets.

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The “Class of 2008: Memories” DVD is currently in production---if you have digital photo files of current Grade 12 students/activities that you are willing to share, please tell Ms. Merrick; she will provide you with a CD or email address---your assistance will be appreciated!
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Please note that any student requiring financial assistance in order to take part in any school-based Graduation activities should contact Ms. Merrick or Mr. Davies to discuss privately.

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GRADS ARE REMINDED THAT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY TO TAKE PART IN ANY
SCHOOL-SPONSORED GRADUATION ACTIVITY YOU MUST MAINTAIN YOUR GRADE 12 STATUS (see attached W.J. Mouat Grad Policy).

SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR PARENTS TODAY.
1. In order to qualify to take part in the W. J. Mouat School Leaving Ceremony and/or the school-sponsored year-end grad activities (eg.: Grad Prom, Night to Remember,  etc.), a student must meet at least one of the following criteria:

a. as of mid-February of the current school year, the student must be eligible to meet all Ministry of Education Graduation Requirements by June 30th. of the same year, based on courses already successfully completed and/or courses currently enrolled in at W. J. Mouat. A student who provides documented proof of successful course completion from an approved educational institution other than W. J. Mouat (eg.: distance ed, night school etc.) may have their graduation status re-evaluated at that time.

and/or

b. the student must be 19 years of age before June 30 of the current school year

and/or

c. in special circumstances, students designated in a Ministry of Education Special Needs program who would not otherwise qualify may be considered. These students, and their parent/guardian(s), must discuss this option with the case manager in September of the intended year of inclusion and submit the application to the School Based Team for approval; final decision will be made by the Principal. Students who take advantage of this option will not be eligible to return to WJ Mouat for further studies in future years.

2. A student who completes graduation requirements at the end of Semester One will be eligible to take part in the activities noted above in the Semester Two immediately following.

3. The school administration reserves the right to deny a student inclusion in any or all of the events noted above for disciplinary infractions (eg.: grad-related activities causing property damage or reflecting negatively on the reputation of the school).
4. Students and parents have the right to appeal all decisions resulting from this policy to the Principal. The appeal must be in writing.

N.B. The activities noted above are school-sponsored and are celebrations only. They do not indicate that B.C. Ministry of Education Graduation Requirements have been completed.