April 2017
Dear Parents/Guardians of Sunrise Mountain High School Seniors:
We know that spring is a very exciting time for everyone involved with the upcoming graduation. Adding to the excitement is that the ceremony for the Class of 2017 will be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium on May 25, 2017 @ 3:00 p.m. It is essential that all of us keep focused on what is important at school, which is attendance and effort. We believe that parental support is vital to the success of your senior and the activities that take place in May.
With that, you will find enclosed a Senior Calendar listing all the important dates for which you need to be aware. Also included is a two page summary detailing every aspect of senior checkout, final exams, The Senior Awards Ceremony, and the guidelines and expectations of the graduation ceremony itself.
Please note that this packet serves as information only and does not guarantee participation in the graduation ceremony. Final confirmation for participating in the ceremony on May 25, 2017, will be determined by your student’s final grades, including exams, which will be administered on May 19th and 22nd.
In the past, our students have shown tremendous respect for the campus and their peers by acting responsibly and positively during the final weeks of school. Please read carefully numbers 13, 14 and 15 on the final page of the packet where Peoria Unified School District’s stand on Senior Ditch Day, Senior Pranks and Senior Trips are clearly defined. If you would, please discuss with your son/daughter the seriousness of any actions resulting in damage to the school or disruption of the educational process. We are confident that the respectful behavior exhibited by the Class of 2017 will continue.
In closing, we appreciate your support and want you to know what a pleasure it has been for us to get to know and work with the Class of 2017.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dave Svorinic
Mrs. Christine Gutierrez
Mr. Clay Carpenter
Mr. Mark Faust
SUNRISE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL
Senior Calendar - Class of 2017
April 3April 7
April 8
April 10
April 14
April 18
April 26
May 4
May 6
May 8
May 8
May 12
May 12
May 18
May 19
May 22
May 23
May 25 / Monday
Friday
Saturday
Monday
Friday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Saturday
Monday
Monday
Friday
Friday
Thursday
Friday
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday / Senior orders from Balfour/Elite Southwest will be given out during both lunches.
Prom Assembly- Gym
Arizona Science Center. Cost $55.00 per person (3/27-31 $60.00) (4/3-6 $ 70.00)
Verify name on diploma list that is posted in all senior classrooms, Guidance Office or Library.
No School – April Break
Senior Class Photo – Main Gym -9:00am
Deadline for submitting awards/scholarship information to Guidance Secretary
Mandatory Senior Graduation Mtg. with Principal and Guidance Counselors, 8:30 a.m., Auditorium
Senior Breakfast, Cafeteria, 9:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Yearbook signing party for seniors.
Student past debt clearance (Bookstore & Library)
Senior Awards Ceremony, Auditorium, 7:45 a.m.
Deadline for Community Service paperwork to counselor by 2:30 p.m.
Transcripts from Online Courses Submitted to SMHS Records office
Senior Check-out Sheets distributed 2nd period. (Lost check out sheet replacement fee $5.00)
Senior exams and book check-in: 3rd and 5th period (REGULAR SCHOOL DAY)
Senior exams and book check-in: 1st and 2nd period (REGULAR SCHOOL DAY)
(Seniors return Books and Calculators)
Seniors failing to meet requirements for graduation will be notified by phone on May 23rd by the classroom teachers. Per District Policy 9.17.8., parents have the right to appeal the decision of the teacher. All appeals must be received in writing on the Promotion/Graduation Appeal Form and presented to the principal. The principal will forward the request with supporting documentation at least three (3) calendar days prior to the graduation ceremony to the Superintendent who will forward the appeal to the Governing Board.
Senior Checkout - 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ONLY (In the Gymnasium)
Please get all of your signatures: teachers, Bookstore Library (Media Center) BEFORE May 17th, or you will not be able to checkout with your counselor in the gym. Caps and gowns will be handed out after you have handed in your check out form. Order caps and gowns through Balfour at: www.esbalfour.com. Seniors must leave campus after they have completed check-out.
· Graduation - University of Phoenix Stadium, 3:00 p.m., 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, Arizona, 85305. DIPLOMAS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE STUDENTS AFTER THE CEREMONY, IF THEIR DEBTS HAVE BEEN PAID AND THEIR BEHAVIOR WAS APPROPRIATE DURING THE GRADUATION CEREMONY.
· Arrive promptly at 1:30pm – May 25th
· Proceed to the entrance by the BIG 1.
SUNRISE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL
Senior End of Year
2016-2017
Bookstore Information
1. Seniors will be notified by Monday, May 8th, regarding books they have checked out to them and any debts owed. Any books or calculators the student is not currently using may be turned in to the Bookstore at any time.
2. All outstanding debts to the school must be paid to the Bookstore before Friday, May 12th (loans, lost locks, lost athletic equipment, damaged and lost textbooks, fees, summer school fees, etc.) No personal checks will be accepted after May 12th. All payments after May 12th must be cash, credit card or cashier’s check.
3. Book collection for seniors will be on Monday, May 22nd. Senior students are responsible for turning in their books to their teachers. If a book has been lost, a bookstore receipt for full payment of the book is necessary to clear the debt.
Senior checkout will be Tuesday, May 23rd, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ONLY. (cap and gown can be purchased at senior check-out for $55.00)
Guidance/Counseling Information
1. If you anticipate needing a particular counseling/guidance service (letters of recommendation, forms filled out, etc.) you should make an appointment to see your counselor. DO IT NOW!! THINK AT LEAST ONE WEEK AHEAD!!
2. You should know where you stand as far as credits are concerned. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU STAND. If you don't know - ASK!! If there are any doubts - ASK!! You can and must continuously be in contact with your counselor and your teachers if you have concerns about your grades.
3. REQUESTS FOR TRANSCRIPTS can be made through Docufide by Parchment at www.parchment.com. There is a fee for an official transcript. REMEMBER: Colleges require that an official transcript be sent to their admission’s office after graduation (your 8th semester). If you have further questions, please contact:
Sunrise Mountain High School, Records Office, at 623-487-5171 (Mrs. Olsen).
The deadline for transcripts for classes taken elsewhere are due to the records office by Friday, May 12th (Primavera, etc.) unofficial transcripts will be accepted temporarily as long as official transcripts will follow.
4. Please provide a photocopy of notification letters for any scholarships or awards you have received to the Guidance Secretary in the Guidance Office prior to April 26th, so we may honor you at the Senior Awards Ceremony. Please contact Mrs. Moriarty at (623) 487-5133.
5. Primavera and other online courses require that a PUSD proficiency exam be taken (and passed) in order for credit to be awarded. The test date for these courses will be May 12th.
Completing Graduation Requirements
1. Progress reports (which ends April 28th) are extremely important. Progress reports will be available for viewing on May 5th. Please take care of any make-up work immediately.
2. Final exam schedule for seniors: Friday, May 19th Periods 3 and 5
Monday, May 22nd Periods 1 and 2
3. Seniors last full day of school will be Monday, May 22nd.
4. Seniors are not to be on campus after Senior Check out on May 23rd.
5. Parents of seniors that are failing to meet the requirements for graduation will be notified on Tuesday, May 23rd, by the student’s teacher or Principal.
6. DIPLOMAS WILL BE HANDED OUT TO THE STUDENTS AFTER THE GRADUATION CEREMONY, IF ALL OUTSTANDING DEBTS HAVE BEEN PAID AND THEIR BEHAVIOR WAS APPROPRIATE DURING THE GRADUATION CEREMONY.
Senior Awards Ceremony
The ceremony will take place on Monday, May 8th, 7:45 a.m. in the Auditorium with refreshments following in the Cafeteria. Parent parking will be available at the parking lot near the pool. The parking lot is accessible from Lone Cactus Road.
Graduation
1. No graduation tickets will be needed for admittance to the ceremony. There is no parking fee. No Tickets required for seating.
2. Graduation is Thursday, May 25th, at 3:00 p.m. at the University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, Arizona, 85305. Please see the attached map for directions. Seniors will arrive at 1:30 p.m. Caps and gowns are to be hand carried into the stadium and you will put them on after checking with stadium security and teachers. Graduates must provide their own transportation to the graduation. Parking information for graduates and parent parking will be given out at a later date.
3. GRAD’S PHOTOGRAPHY www.gradsphotography.com , If you would like to order photos from Grads
Photography, please go to this website and order online. Online images will be available3 business days
after graduation at gradsphotography.com. Go to the Online store and use the students 'first name and last name'
together with no spaces or caps as a password to access the unique gallery for the student. You may also call Grads
Photography at (623) 580-4723 to order by phone.
Guidelines and Expectations
1. Participation in the graduation ceremony is not mandatory. However, in order to be excused, you must make arrangements in advance with the principal, by May 5th. If you choose not to participate, please contact the front office to make arrangements for your diploma (623-487-5126).
2. Dress Code - The PUSD District dress code policy will be enforced at graduation. Please make sure you follow the school dress code.
3. Girls may wear long dresses or regular length dresses, or dress pants and dress shoes. A regular length dress looks best and is more comfortable under the gown. Girls should keep their hairstyles simple so that the graduation cap will fit properly. You may want to bring bobby pins to secure your cap (spike heels are not recommended).
4. Boys should wear dress slacks, a collared shirt, a tie, and dress shoes.
5. Students arriving for graduation in casual attire (jeans, T-shirts, flip-flops, or tennis shoes, for example) WILL NOT be permitted to participate. Nothing can be put on your mortarboards (hats) or tassels.
6. Students still owing fees at this time will not be receiving diplomas after the graduation ceremony on May 21st.
7. The following items are prohibited at the stadium – helium balloons, air horns and posters. For additional items please see the University of Phoenix website: http://www.universityofphoenixstadium.com/
http://f1-cps01.adhost.com/~universi/upFiles/a-z%20guide%20August%202007.pdf
8. All students’ electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones and personal music players are to be left at home or in their vehicle.
9. Guests will not be allowed onto the stadium floor at any time. A professional photographer will take pictures of the ceremony which will be available for you to order by mail and/or online www.gradsphotography.com.
10. Parking information for the University of Phoenix Stadium is provided on the map, which will be given out at a later date.
11. It is very important that each of you remember the seriousness of the occasion. Graduation is a CEREMONY. Graduating seniors are expected to conduct themselves in a mature manner. Disruptive behavior (any behavior which detracts from the ceremony) WILL NOT be tolerated. Violators may be removed from the stadium, and their diploma will be held pending a meeting with the Principal.
12. During the ceremony, you will be presented your diploma cover. If your fees have been paid and you have conducted yourself appropriately during graduation, your diploma will be given to you after the graduation ceremony. The actual ceremony will last approximately sixty-five minutes.
13. Senior Ditch Day: The Peoria Unified School District DOES NOT sponsor or support a senior ditch day. Any student participating in this type of activity will be considered truant and subject to disciplinary measures.
14. Senior Pranks: The Peoria Unified School District DOES NOT tolerate negative and irresponsible behavior which disrupts the educational process and/or defaces the campus. Any student participating in such an activity will lose the privilege of participating in the graduation ceremony.
15. Senior Trips/Parties: The Peoria Unified School District DOES NOT sanction, support or insure any senior trips or after graduation parties. The district and the school do not assume responsibility for any negligent or injurious acts that may occur.
Things to remember for Graduation
· Arrive promptly at 1:30 p.m. – May 25th
· Graduates and spectators are not allowed to take drinks in the stadium.
· No balloons, air horns or posters are permitted in the stadium.
· Park only in the designated area.
· Student’s Park in the EAST preferred area near Gate 2
· Parent’s Park near Gate 3 (see map)
· Decide in advance where you will meet your family after the ceremony. Gates 1 or 3. The concourse area outside of the stadium by the red parking area will be the best place because graduates for the next ceremony will be entering at the BIG 1.
· You will only be allowed to take your keys and driver’s license into the graduation staging area. Other items will be held until after graduation or you will be sent back to your vehicle to put them there. We strongly suggest that you don’t bring other items to the ceremony.
· Proceed to the entrance by the BIG 2.
· Go down the ramp to the lower level to the graduation staging room.
· Find your seat with your name card on it. Do Not Remove the name card.
· Remind parents that they will not be able to come down to the field or stand by rails at the stadium. They may take pictures from their seats.