FROM: Mr. Franks & Mrs. Barnett

TO: Parents or Guardians of Graduates

FROM: Mr. Franks & Mrs. Barnett

DATE: March 31, 2017

As we are looking at the last days of March, we realize this school year is quickly coming to an end. Before long, you will be watching your son or daughter walk across the field and receive recognition for 13 years of hard work. There are several dates and responsibilities that we would like for you to be aware of before that wonderful day. Please refer to the information below and help us make this graduation as smooth as possible.

GRADUATION
Ceremony:
Commencement exercises for the Class of 2017 will be held Friday, May 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Billy Joe Young Stadium (weather permitting). Gates will open at 6:00 p.m.
The Administrators will monitor the weather during the week of graduation. In the case of inclement weather on the night of graduation, we will hold the graduation ceremony in the BHS Competition gym at 7:00 p.m. Communication of the change in graduation location will occur through the school phone messaging system and posting on the school website. If this occurs, tickets will be required for admission to the Graduation Ceremony. On the day of graduation, each senior will receive an allotted amount of tickets. Tickets will ONLY be required if graduation must be held in the gym.
On Friday, May 12, 2017, at 9:00, seniors will participate in the senior breakfast in the BHS cafeteria.
On Friday, May 12, 2017, seniors will participate in graduation practice at 10:30 a.m. in either the stadium or gym. This practice is mandatory and failure to attend will prevent a senior from participating in the graduation ceremony.
Attire:
Females:
·  Dresses or skirts/tops that do not extend above the collar nor below the hem of the graduation gown
·  Black dress shoes must be worn. Black shoes must not have glitter, sequins, or any other decorative jewels
·  No tennis shoes or flip flops
·  Please remember, your daughter will be walking on the football field, so make sure she allows for the type of surface on which she will be walking
·  No large earrings are to be worn
Males:
·  Black dress pants (no khaki pants or blue jeans)
·  A white dress shirt
·  Dark tie
·  Black dress shoes must be worn by all students.
·  No boots, tennis shoes, or flip flops
If you feel your child may have trouble getting the appropriate graduation attire,
please call Mrs. Barnett, Senior Guidance Counselor, as soon as possible.
Behavior: Senior students must report to the designated meeting location no later than 6:00 p.m. to prepare for the ceremony. Students should not enter the ceremony with chewing gum. Cell phones will not be permitted. The use of tobacco, alcohol or intoxicating substances will not be allowed. Participation in graduation is a privilege. Students in violation of the dress or behavior requirements will be pulled from the graduation line. This is to protect the dignity of the ceremony for all other students and parents.
Please be aware that we will ensure that every family will hear the name of their child called during the presentation of the diplomas. We will show respect to each family by waiting until all celebration has ended before we call the next student’s name. We ask that you show the same respect for each other and limit your celebration.
DIPLOMAS
This year Balfour has decided to change the way they distribute diplomas. All diplomas will be mailed directly to the student’s address in the weeks after the graduation ceremony. Senior students will complete a form indicating the address that they want their diploma mailed to prior to the last day of school. It is imperative that this information be accurate so that your student receives his/her diploma. Students will only receive a diploma cover on the night of graduation.
FINAL TRANSCRIPTS
All final transcripts will be sent after the seniors have graduated. The seniors will complete a form on the day of graduation letting us know where to send their final transcript. We will gladly send one final transcript free of charge. Additional transcripts may be sent for a fee of $6.00.
FEES
A fee list for your senior has been enclosed. All fees must be paid prior to graduation for your senior to participate in the graduation ceremony. Cap and gowns will be distributed when they arrive on campus to all seniors who have cleared all of their fees. Other seniors will receive their cap and gown once fees have been paid. If you have any questions about a fee listed, please call our bookkeeper, Mrs. Nicholson, at 342-2777 ext. 2. Lost or damaged textbooks, library fines, as well as fees for missing sports equipment, band equipment, and JROTC uniforms will not be added until the end of the semester. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOUR CHILD WILL NOT RECEIVE HIS OR HER CAP AND GOWN UNTIL ALL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN MET.
HONORS PROGRAMS
Honors Day
We will hold Honors Day at BHS on Friday, May 5, 2017. All seniors will participate in a school-wide senior recognition program that will be held in the BHS Gym beginning at 9:00 a.m. Participation in this event is a part of the graduation requirement. At this time, seniors will be recognized for participation in clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities. Parents are invited to attend.
Honors Night
A presentation program for seniors receiving scholarships will be held Monday, May 1st in the BHS Competition Gym at 6:30 p.m. Graduation attire as indicated above must be worn. Cap and gowns will not be worn at this event. Only seniors receiving invitations (and receiving scholarships) are required to attend this event. Other seniors are welcome to attend to support their classmates. In addition to recognizing scholarship recipients, we will announce the valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2017 senior class. Refreshments will be provided after the program.
GRADUATION WALKS
All seniors will participate in a new tradition this year. On Friday, May 5, 2017 we will be visiting Brookwood Elementary and Lake View Elementary Schools to allow the seniors to walk through the halls of each of these schools wearing their graduation caps and gowns. We will go to Brookwood Elementary School before the Honors Day Program and we will take a bus of seniors to Lake View Elementary after lunch on Honors Day.
SENIOR EXAMS
Senior exams will be given Tuesday, May 2nd and Wednesday, May 3rd. On Tuesday, May 2nd we will administer exams in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th periods to seniors. On Wednesday, May 3rd we will administer exams in 2nd, 4th, and 6th periods to seniors.

Again, we congratulate you! We hope that you enjoy these special ceremonies.

Sincerely,

Mark Franks

Summary of Important Dates

Date / Event / Requirements
Monday, May 1, 2017 / Honors Night @ 6:30 in BHS Competition Gym / Seniors who are receiving scholarships and awards will attend.
Monday, May 1, 2017 / Seniors Last Day (Exempt) / Last day for seniors who are exempt from final exams.
Monday, May 1, 2017 / AP Environmental Test @ 8:00 / Seniors taking AP Environmental
Monday, May 1, 2017 / AP Psychology Test @ 12:00 / Seniors taking AP Psychology
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 / Exams in Periods 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th / All seniors must take exams except for those who are eligible for exemptions.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 / Exams in Periods 2nd, 4th, and 6th / All seniors must take exams except for those who are eligible for exemptions.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 / Seniors Last Day / Last day for seniors not exempt from final exams
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 / AP English Literature Test @ 8:00 / Seniors taking AP English Lit
Thursday, May 4, 2017 / AP Government Test @ 8:00 / Seniors taking AP Government
Friday, May 5, 2017 / Honors Day Program @ 9:00 in BHS Competition Gym / All seniors must attend.
Parents are invited to attend.
Friday, May 5, 2017 / Graduation Parade at Elementary Schools / All seniors will participate in a graduation parade through the halls of Brookwood Elementary School or Lake View Elementary School.
Monday, May 8, 2017 / Seniors will not attend school.
Monday, May 8, 2017 / AP Biology Test @ 8:00 / Seniors taking AP Biology
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / Seniors will not attend school.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / AP Calculus Test @ 8:00 / Seniors taking AP Calculus
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 / Seniors will not attend school.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 / AP English Language Test @ 8:00 / Seniors taking AP English Language
Thursday, May 11, 2017 / Seniors will not attend school.
Friday, May 12, 2017 / Senior Breakfast @ 9:00 in the BHS cafeteria
Graduation Practice in the stadium or gym @ 10:30 a.m.
Report to gym by 6:00 p.m.
Graduation begins at 7:00 p.m. / All seniors will attend.
All seniors MUST attend to participate in the graduation ceremony.
All seniors must be present and dressed at this time.
All graduating seniors must attend.