Senior News

 

Last Chance!!

If you still have not paid your senior dues, you have one more opportunity to pay.  On Thursday, December 3, senior dues will be collected in the Cafeteria during all four lunches.  If you are on the payment plan, this is also the date to make your last payment. The Balfour representative will also be here if you would still like to order any graduation items.  Mark that date on your calendars!  If you have any questions, contact Cindy Hook at cindyhook17@msn.com, or Bonnie Vining @ Bonnie.Vining@fcps.edu.

                         

SENIOR GRADUATION CALENDAR FOR CLASS OF 2010

*Details of these events can be found on Page 2 & Page 3

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• Wednesday/Thursday, October 7/8—Seniors will pay $62 dues through English classes, order their cap and gown (fee included in dues) and may order announcements and other senior items from Balfour.  Info packet given out in English class Oct 1/2nd.

All graduating seniors Must check the spelling of their names to be printed on their diploma—lists are displayed on the wall in the cafeteria.  Report any errors or changes to Mrs. McCourt in Student Services no later than October 15.

• Wednesday, October 28—Dues make-up day—all four lunches in the cafeteria.  Balfour will also be taking orders for announcements and selling senior items.

• Thursday, December 3--FINAL dues make up day- all four lunches in the cafeteria.  Balfour will also be taking orders for announcements and selling senior items.

• Thursday, April 22 —-Pick up graduation announcements and other graduation-related items that were ordered from Balfour during Flex in the Main Gym. Students must have a photo ID to pick up their order.

• Tuesday, April 27—Seniors who missed the May 2nd pickup must pickup their announcements, etc. in the cafeteria during all 4 lunches.  Extra graduation announcements will also be available for purchase.

 

                       OUR GRADUATION CEREMONY IS A VOLUNTARY ACTIVITY. IF YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE, YOU MUST ATTEND REHEARSAL AND PAY ALL DUES AND OBLIGATIONS.

• *WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16-Graduation Rehearsal-see page 2 for important information:  
  • 8:00am--Seniors whose last names begin with (A-?)  report to auditorium for rehearsal.
  • 11:45am--Seniors whose last names begin with (?-Z) report to auditorium for rehearsal. 
  • ? will be changed to letters once we know the number of grads Cap and gowns and graduation tickets (4*) will be distributed.  See page 2.
• *Wednesday, JUNE 16—Baccalaureate--Auditorium.  This ceremony is being organized and sponsored by parents and is not sponsored or endorsed by Fairfax County Public Schools—it is NOT connected with the IB program.See page 2 for information.

• *THURSDAY, JUNE 17--Graduation at DAR Constitution Hall. 7:00 p.m.   Graduates arrive by 6:00pm wearing cap and gown (no ticket needed).  Parents and guests (all ages) of the graduates will need an admission ticket and should arrive by 6:45.  Doors close at 6:50pm and reopen after the graduates have processed into the Hall. Only those people with a ticket will be allowed into Constitution Hall.  See page 3 for more important information.

*All Night Graduation Celebration, Thursday, June 17th 11pm-5am Audrey Moore Rec Center at Wakefield Park.   more information soon!

 

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MORE DETAILED INFORMATION                      

 

• *REHEARSAL -WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16 All senior obligations must be paid before rehearsal! Every senior who wishes to participate in the Graduation Ceremony at Constitution Hall MUST attend all of rehearsal—make sure you arrive at the auditorium 15 minutes early for your rehearsal.  The first half of the alphabet will begin at 8am sharp and the second half will begin at 11:45 sharp.  We will practice for all parts of the ceremony during which we will distribute caps, gowns, and graduation tickets.  
• *TICKETS FOR GRADUATION AT CONSTITUTION HALL--Each senior participating in graduation will receive 4 tickets for family and guests (the graduate will NOT need a ticket to enter Constitution Hall).  Additional tickets may be available depending on the number of graduating seniors who choose to participate in the ceremony. We will not know the final number until June 16—if there are enough tickets to give every participating graduating senior an additional ticket, we will do so at rehearsal.  Any remaining tickets will be distributed to participating graduating seniors (with student ID) at 6am(place TBA) on June 17.  Details will be posted here when available and in our May newsletter. 
• *BACCALAUREATE – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16—Auditorium.  This ceremony is being organized and sponsored by parents and is not sponsored or endorsed by Fairfax County Public Schools—it is NOT connected with the IB program. The Baccalaureate will be held in Annandale High School's Auditorium, with a reception afterwards in the Cafeteria.  The ceremony celebrates the gifts of the Class of 2010, and gives all of the graduating seniors a final event in their high school before graduation in Washington, DC, on Thursday evening.  They wear their caps and gowns, sit as a group (but next to whomever they wish, rather than alphabetically!), hear a speaker, and enjoy a program of instrumental music, choral music, dance, and readings, all selected for the occasion by classmates who volunteer to perform. The event is not related to the International Baccalaureate diploma.  Tickets are not needed to attend this ceremony.  The evening provides an excellent opportunity for candid cap and gown photos with family and friends.  If you have questions or wish to volunteer or help with planning, you may call Georgi Barker at 703-978-1796 or e-mail her at jybarker@aol.com.
• The Baccalaureate planning committee is made of faculty and parent volunteers (representing freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors) willing to complete the logistics needed to produce the ceremony and the reception.  The committee designs and mails invitations to all seniors and their families, designs and prints the leaflet distributed to the audience, encourages the seniors who perform, invites the speaker, and plans the reception in the cafeteria.  The Baccalaureate Ceremony is not sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools; it is produced by volunteers.
• *GRADUATION - THURSDAY, JUNE 17 

 

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The graduation ceremony marks the culmination of many hours of hard work and study.  Many families will expect guests and relatives to join them in the celebration of this very special occasion.  Because we recognize the importance of this event, we want to insure that it will be a success for all who choose to participate.  Graduation is a formal event and we request that loud outbursts be minimized. Air-horns and other noisemakers may not be used. Parents and guests of the graduates must remain seated until the recessional has ended.  Passageways to the lobby will be closed until the recessional is over. When the recessional has ended, please exit Constitution Hall immediately and meet your graduate outside of the auditorium at either the C or D Street entrance areas.  This will allow handicapped members of the audience to have less difficulty exiting the auditorium. Your help and assistance in these matters will ensure that your graduate receives the dignified ceremony he/she has earned. 

 

Dress and Behavior for Graduation - Girls are to wear dresses and appropriate shoes. Boys are to wear white or light colored dress shirts with a collar, a dark necktie, dark trousers, and dark shoes with dark socks.  No flip-flops, sandals, athletic shoes, hiking boots or similar footwear are to be worn by anyone.  The tassel is the only thing to be worn on the cap, and nothing is to be attached to the gown (e.g. flowers, messages, etc.).  No objects should be carried onto the stage.  In order that the dignified atmosphere of this event may be preserved, anyone who is not appropriately dressed will not be allowed to participate in the graduation exercises.  Inappropriate behavior anytime during the ceremony, such as flips or "clowning around", will result in the immediate removal of the student from the auditorium.  The diploma would then be issued at a later date (pending an appointment with Mr. Ponton).

 

DUE TO CONTINUED CONCERNS ABOUT SECURITY AND SAFETY IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA, WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE MAY BE STRICT SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE AT CONSTITUTION HALL FOR ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL’S GRADUATION CEREMONIES ON MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2009.  THESE SECURITY MEASURES MAY INCLUDE THE USE OF METAL DETECTORS AND SEARCHES OF PERSONAL BAGS AND PURSES FOR ALL PARENTS AND GUESTS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE MEASURES MAY BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE - STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND GUESTS – AND TO GUARANTEE THAT GRADUATION IS A CELEBRATION FOR ALL.

 

NOTE: There will be no designated areas available for videotaping and only graduates and teachers will be allowed on the main floor. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.Space limitations make it mandatory that cameras be used only from your seat. You will not be allowed to stand at your seat, in the aisles or on the steps to take pictures or to videotape.

*If any guests require handicapped seating, they and 1 companion may sit in one of several designated handicapped areas on the floor level of Constitution Hall. See an usher for locations.

 

Graduates and their families and guests must provide their own transportation to Constitution Hall.  Make sure you arrive early enough to find parking or to walk the distance from the Metro.  (You may purchase seats on an air conditioned Charter Bus to/from Constitution Hall-details TBA in April)

DIRECTIONS TO:  GRADUATION – DAR CONSTITUTION HALL From Route 50: Take Route 50 cross over Theodore Roosevelt Bridge to Constitution Avenue. Turn left on 17th Street.  Constitution Hall is on 17th Street between C and D Streets.

 

From I-395 North: Take Interstate 395 North. Cross the 14th Street Bridge. Turn left on Constitution Avenue, then turn right onto 17th Street. Constitution Hall is on 17th between C and D Streets.

 

Questions?  Email graduation coordinators:

Cindyhook17@msn.com

Bonnie.Vining@fcps.edu

 

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