This letter was originally sent out to all graduating seniors. If you did not receive the letter in the mail, please see below the same letter. The revised section (s) are in “red”….
March 2018
Dear Parents/Guardians of Seniors,
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of activities planned during the next few weeks for the Class of 2018 and to answer questions that are most often asked by parents. We are confident that our seniors and their parents want to understand and appreciate Theodore Roosevelt High School’s expectations concerning end of the senior year activities.
As the end of the school year approaches, many different activities take place that require students to behave in a reasonable and responsible manner. The faculty and staff of Theodore Roosevelt High School wish to take this early opportunity to thank you for your anticipated support and cooperation during these important days.
None for Under 21
On Tuesday, April 17, all Theodore Roosevelt High School SENIORS will be taking one of their last field trips together as a whole class! Seniors will be bussed to Hiram College in order to attend the annual None for Under 21 and Choices Beyond Rally. All Senior students need to begin arriving at 8:00 a.m. and report directly to the auditorium for the introduction of the program. Please be seated and ready for the program to begin promptly at 8:10 a.m. Students will be bussed from Roosevelt at 8:30 a.m. and will return approximately at 12:45 p.m. The students are to report to the cafeteria when they return to have a pizza lunch, sponsored by the senior class. If a student chooses to opt out of pizza, they can pack their lunch to eat in the cafeteria. ALL SENIOR students should remain in the cafeteria until the ending of the 9th period and then attend their 10th period class. This is a long day so students should get a good night sleep. The time scheduled for lunch will be later than usual, therefore, students should eat a good breakfast. This field trip is required and we expect ALL SENIORS to attend this informative event.
Prom
The Junior–Senior Prom will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 7:30 P.M. – 12:00 A.M. in the Theodore Roosevelt High School gymnasium and cafeteria. All Roosevelt juniors and seniors and their guests are invited to attend. Invitations are mailed home in April. Any senior who does not receive an invitation should contact Mrs. Carmella DeLeone in the Activities Office.
Also, there is an expectation that students should refrain from wearing clothing that is excessively revealing, or not in good taste for a high school activity. Theodore Roosevelt High School reserves the right to refuse admittance to any student or guest that is not appropriately dressed.
As is the case at all school dances, chaperones at the Prom will enforce Board of Education policy throughout the evening since the school is responsible for this activity. This includes dancing and behaviors that are considered inappropriate for a high school event. All school rules will be in effect. Anyone attending Prom after having consumed alcohol, marijuana, or any other chemical, or anyone being in possession of these substances will be removed from the Prom. This includes Theodore Roosevelt students and their guests. Such students will be suspended from school, and seniors may be excluded from the privilege of participating in Baccalaureate and Commencement.
The Final Senior Guidance Assembly
A Final Senior Guidance Assembly will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018, beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the Richard Roberts Auditorium. Immediately following the assembly, seniors will be honored by a short reception. The reception will take place in the auditorium atrium and will consist of pastries and juice.
PURPOSE: This final Senior Guidance Assembly is a working assembly with Mrs. Evanson, senior class counselor, to gather important information so that seniors can be properly recognized for their accomplishments at the Senior Honors Assembly, Graduation, and the closing of their school year.
Information collected includes:
indicating where a student would like their final transcript mailed
establishing a student’s eligibility for the Honors Diploma
completing the Senior Recognition Form to indicate all university/college/technical school scholarships awarded, all private scholarships awarded, and special honors and awards earned during their senior year
Seniors should bring a pen or pencil to the working assembly and any scholarship award notice(s) they have earned to aid in completing this information (dollar amount of award and whether award is renewable). The information provided at this assembly is vital to enabling Theodore Roosevelt High School to give our seniors and their families recognition at our Senior Honors Assembly and Graduation.
Scholar & Achievement Awards Program
The annual Theodore Roosevelt Scholar & Achievement Awards Program will be held on Tuesday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the Richard Roberts Auditorium.
PURPOSE: The Scholar & Achievement Awards Program seeks to recognize:
all students in grades 9-12 who have demonstrated outstanding academic excellence in their coursework throughout the school year. The award qualifications are: the first three grading periods must equate to a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average or an overall cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher for the school year.
- seniors who are recipients of scholarships offered by local civic organizations and private donors
- underclassmen who have received academic honors and/or service awards
Senior Honors Assembly
The annual Senior Honors Assembly is planned for Friday, May 18, at 7:50 a.m. in the Richard Roberts Auditorium.
PURPOSE: This all-school Senior Honors Assembly seeks to recognize the many accomplishments of our seniors throughout the year including:
college/university/technical school scholarships accepted at the school a senior will be attending
- all private and athletic scholarships accepted
- national, state, local academic achievement awards
- national, state, local service awards
- class of 2018: top two students recognition of the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian
- class officers (all grade levels)
- athletic awards
- activities awards
All parents of seniors are invited to attend this event. Seniors receiving awards will be notified by letter prior to the assembly and will be seated on stage. All remaining seniors will be called to the front of the auditorium at 7:40 a.m. Immediately following the awards assembly, the senior class will present the senior slide show.
Senior Picnic
Following the Senior Honors Assembly on Friday, May 18, all seniors are invited to the Senior Class Picnic, at a location yet to be determined. Details regarding the picnic will also be announced at the final Senior Class Guidance Working Assembly on Monday, April 16 .
Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns will be distributed on Friday, May 18, from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the cafeteria concession stand. A payment of $50.00 must be made when gowns are picked up. Checks and cash are the acceptable form of payment and checks should be made out to Herff Jones. The cap, gown, medallion and tassel are “keepsakes” for the student. Each student will receive the medallion the day of graduation during the lineup before processing into the MAC gymnasium.
Because commencement is a formal ceremony, all senior participants must wear proper attire as follows:
Girls: Black cap and gown
Dress, suit, or skirt
Dark dress shoes
No flip flops or tennis shoes of any kind
Boys: Black cap and gown
Light colored dress shirt (with collar), solid color
Long, dark tie (no bow tie
Dark, solid colored dress slacks (NO jeans of any type)
Dark dress shoes. No tennis shoes of any kind.
Uniform attire is essential if the dignity of graduation is to be maintained. Therefore, no additional items of dress or decoration are permitted. Students not dressed properly will not be permitted to participate in the Baccalaureate or Commencement ceremonies on May 20, 2018.
Caps are always worn flat on top of the head with the point of the cap centered in the middle of the forehead. Caps are never worn at the back of the head. Set tassel on the right side of the cap until Commencement honors are bestowed upon all graduates.
PASSING GRADES: According to Kent City School board policy, seniors must pass all graduation requirements to receive their diploma and participate in the Commencement ceremony. Theodore Roosevelt High School has already sent home with each student three grade cards for the 2017-2018 school year and will be sending letters notifying parents of possible failures. Mrs. Jessica Evanson, senior counselor, and Mrs. Mary Lynn Bush, unit principal for the senior class, have been meeting regularly with seniors in danger of not satisfying their graduation requirements in time for the May 20, 2018 graduation. If your senior has been earning low grades in their courses or if you received a possible senior failure letter, please take it seriously! Contact the respective teacher(s) and request a conference. Please keep in mind that the administration and guidance department do not issue grades, teachers do! If you have reason to be concerned regarding your student’s graduation status, now is the time to stress the importance of study and attention to homework. Questions regarding your student’s graduation requirements and his/her current status in fulfilling these requirements should be directed to Mrs. Evanson, senior counselor at 330-676-8725.
Rehearsal for Commencement and Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises are conducted in a formal, ceremonial fashion. All seniors who plan to participate in these ceremonies must attend the required rehearsal on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at the MAC Center at 11:00 a.m. Seniors will be bussed from Roosevelt to the MAC Center and then will be bussed back to the high school at approximately 2:15.
Baccalaureate Service
Baccalaureate is an optional ceremony that takes place on Sunday, May 20, at 1:00 p.m., at the Kent State University MAC Center. Tickets are not necessary for this event. Seniors who participate in this service should report to the MAC Center at 12:30 p.m. Caps and gowns must be worn. Although this service is not required, we encourage graduates to attend for the purpose of reflecting upon their school years.
Commencement
Commencement takes place on Sunday, May 20, at 2:30 p.m. at the Kent State University MAC Center. If you need more information, contact Mrs. Becky Thomas at 330-676-8711.
Parents always express concern about the decorum of the Commencement ceremony. Theodore Roosevelt High School and the Class of 2018, desire that Commencement be dignified and orderly. This goal requires the cooperation of graduates, parents and spectators. One of the most disruptive aspects of Commencement can occur when audience members clap and make loud noises when a familiar graduate’s name is read. When this takes place, the parents and family of the next student have difficulty hearing the announcement of their graduate’s name. Your cooperation in respecting this request is appreciated. The audience has several opportunities throughout the program to show its appreciation for the entire class. Please be considerate of all members of this outstanding senior class.
Commencement Tickets
Tickets are not necessary; seating is unlimited. Please feel free to bring an unlimited number of family and guests. If you are in need of special seating arrangements for graduation, please contact Becky Thomas at 330-676-8711 between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. prior to May 18.
Pictures
As a courtesy to the graduates and other audience members, we ask that spectators only take pictures from their seats. No one is permitted on the floor of the MAC Center.
Fees and Fines
Because all students are expected to meet their responsibilities and obligations as members of our school, seniors are reminded that all fees/fines are to be paid by Friday, May 18, 2018 if the student plans on receiving their diploma at the commencement ceremony. Contact Mrs. Pifer, cashier, in the Main Office at 330-676-8703 if you have any questions.
Last Day of Classes for Seniors
The official last day of classes for seniors is Friday, May 18, 2018.