Forest
Park
High
School
Senior Scene
March 2015
Message from Mr. Martinez
Inside this Issue:
Graduation
Information
Page 2
Commencement Info
Page 3
Graduation Attire
Page 4
Graduation Checklist
Page 5
Senior Calendar
Page 6
Congratulations
Class of 2015!!
Important Link:
Graduation DVD Order Form
Upcoming Events

Junior-Senior Prom
Friday, April 24, The
Waterford in
Springfield, VA
 Senior Picnic-Friday,
May 29th, 2:00-4:30
pm, Driver’s Ed Parking
Lot
 Graduation Rehearsal
June 4th, 1:30—3:30
pm & June 5th, 10:0011:30 am in the Gymnasium, Forest Park
High School
Congratulations to graduating seniors and parents! Though it hardly seems possible, we have made it through the cold and snow of 2015 and senior year for the
Class of 2015 is rapidly coming to an end. High school graduation recognizes the
end of a thirteen-year involvement in education for both students and parents. It
also symbolizes the students’ passage from adolescence into young adulthood. The
graduation ceremony planned for the class of 2015 will acknowledge student accomplishments and celebrate this milestone. The preparation for life after high
school continues and academic achievement must be the major focus.
Forest Park High School recognizes that our students have worked hard to
achieve this milestone. As has been shared with the senior class, there are not
many ceremonies which occur in one’s life and graduation from high school is one
of these ceremonies. Graduation is an opportunity for family, friends and staff to
honor the students for their achievements with respect and decorum appropriate
for such a noteworthy event. The graduates are honored by your presence.
Before graduating, we kindly ask you to read the enclosed information to ensure
graduation is a special experience and to make certain everyone understands the
expectations of this special event. Should you have questions, please contact Assistant Principal, Regina Nash, 703.583.3263, e-mail: [email protected] or the
Graduation Coordinator, Elizabeth Pitts; at 703.583.3200.
We are proud of each graduating senior and look forward to sharing the upcoming
activities and graduation day with you.
Richard Martinez
Principal
Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, June 6, 2015
2:30 p.m.
George Mason University Patriot Center
Page 2
Graduation Information
Seniors must have completed all requirements for graduation in order to participate in the
graduation ceremony. If you have any questions about credits please contact the appropriate school counselor at 703-583-3209.
John Basta
A - Cas
Kimberly Bryson Cat—Fun
Judy Flores
Fuo-Hai
Jessica Wood
Haj—Liu
Anna Phalan
Liv-Orz
Elizabeth Neace Osa-Smh
Dara Markenson Smi-Z
Seniors who do not plan to participate in the graduation ceremony must present written verification from their parents/guardians to Kathy Scowcroft (703.583.3273) in the Guidance
Office no later than May 22, 2015.
Financial Obligations
All financial obligations (lost library books or textbooks, unreturned choir attire, sports
equipment/uniforms, musical instruments, etc.) must be reconciled by 12:00 p.m. on May 22,
2015. Failure to do so may forfeit a student’s opportunity to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Cap & Gown
If you have not ordered your cap and gown, please do so immediately. Visit the Herff
Jones website at: www.herffjonesonline.com to place order.
“There is good reason
they call these
ceremonies
commencement
exercises. Graduation
Attendance & Good Standing
All seniors are to be reminded that attending school on a regular basis is important. Improper attendance patterns may negatively affect grades and could result in students not
meeting the course requirements necessary for graduation. In addition, it is essential that
all seniors adhere to county/school rules and regulations for the remainder of the year.
is not the end; it’s the
beginning.”
~Orrin Hatch
Honor Graduates
All National Honor Society members in good standing and advanced studies graduates will
be recognized in the commencement program. Grade point averages of these students will
be determined at the end of the second semester. The following honors will be recognized:
Summa Cum Laude 4.0+
GPA
Magna Cum Laude 3.8 - 3.99 GPA
Cum Laude
3.5 - 3.79 GPA
National Honor Society members will wear stoles and tassels. Members in good standing
will be contacted by the NHS advisor. Other honor society or distinguished graduates will
wear cords or pins provided by their sponsors.
Page 3
Guests and Ceremony Conduct
It is the goal of the Forest Park Senior Class of 2015 to make this year’s Commencement
Exercise one of the most dignified graduations in the history of FPHS. The Seniors have
worked diligently to make this a memorable occasion. We ask that all persons attending
the ceremony conduct themselves in a proper manner. The members of the Class of 2015
have devoted much time in preparing this commencement ceremony. We ask those attending to be appropriately-dressed in business casual or other appropriate attire. So that
every family may hear the name of their graduate when called, please ask your friends and
family members not to yell, ring bells or blow air horns. We appreciate your cooperation in
this matter.
**Should celebrations become disorderly the commencement WILL STOP until
order is restored and inappropriate guests will be asked to leave.
Accessible Seating
Patriot Center provides ample accessible seating for patrons in wheelchairs as well as
those who may have difficulty with steps. Please ask venue employees for seating location.
Any guests requiring ASL services should contact Mrs. Nash ASAP, so that we may acquire
interpreters for that day and reserve special seating.
“Be who you are and say
what you feel, because
those who mind don’t
matter and those who
matter don’t mind.”
~ Dr. Seuss
All other seating is on a first come, first serve basis at the Patriot Center.
No admittance tickets are required.
Commencement Ceremony
Punctuality is mandatory. The Ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. on June 6, 2015. All
students must arrive by 1:00 pm and report to the loading dock area (service entrance
outside the south entrance). Be prepared for possible warm temperatures. Parking attendants will provide directions to ensure graduates gather in the designated area.
The academic procession will begin promptly at 2:30 pm. Faculty
members will usher graduates to the reserved seating on the arena
floor. The graduation order will be arranged alphabetically. The
actual diploma is presented at the ceremony. As graduates receive
the diploma, a professional photographer from Victor O’Neill Studios will take pictures of the graduates with the principal. Photos will
also be taken as they exit the stage. All photos will be available at
www.victoroneillstudios.com. No one from the audience will be
allowed to approach the podium with a camera. The use of video
cameras and digital cameras are allowed. However, attendees may only film from their
seats. Standing in aisles/portals and the use of electrical cords or tripods is prohibited.
To ensure a smooth transition between recognition of each student, please hold your
applause until all students have received their diplomas.
Senior Recognition Ceremony
The class of 2015 Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 9:30 am in
the Forest Park High School Auditorium. Invites will be mailed to award receipients and
their families. Please contact Ms. Judy Flores, school counselor, with any questions.
Page 4
What do I wear to Graduation ?
Attire for Female Graduates:







White dress made of cool fabric (dress should not be longer than your gown)
Spaghetti straps or strapless dresses are allowed under gown
White shoes
(shoes you plan to wear should be worn to practice)
Open-toe shoes are allowed
Any wedge heel shoe should be white
No flip flops, rubber material or athletic shoes
No accessories (purses, corsages, jewelry on robe, etc….)
Attire for Male Graduates:



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
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Dark dress trousers (black, navy)
Light-colored dress shirt with collar
Dark tie
Dark dress shoes and socks
No sandals, flip flops or athletic shoes
Tie and dress shirt MUST be worn
Tassels:

“An investment in
knowledge
always pays the best
interest."
~Benjamin Franklin
Worn on the right side at all times. Wind the tassel around the button on the cap
two times to secure it. Males are to wear blue tassels and females are to wear
white tassels. DO NOT WEAR BLUE/GREEN TASSEL!! This is a souvenir. Sorry, we will not provide extra tassels.
Caps:

The point of the cap should be centered on the forehead (tuck the fabric under if
you cannot get the cap to sit flat). Remember males should remove their caps during the presentation of colors, during the singing of the National Anthem, and the
Alma Mater. Females may need to secure their caps with bobby pins.
All personal belongings should be left with a friend or relative (cameras, purses, flowers, CELL PHONES, etc….) These items will be CONFISCATED and you will have to
pick them up from the school on Monday. School officials will not be held accountable
for lost/stolen items. PLEASE DO NOT BRING THEM !!!
Senior Class Picnic
The Senior Class Picnic will be held at FPHS on May 29, 2015 from 2:15—4:30. PTSO
will co-host. Please visit the PTSO website to see how you can help or contact Dee Dee
Smallwood, PTSO President, at [email protected].
Page 5
Graduation Checklist
BE PROACTIVE
- Order your announcements, thank you notes, appreciation gifts,
graduation accessories and your cap and gown.
MAKE A LIST
– Complete your graduation announcement list. Address and mail your
announcements to arrive two weeks before graduation.
PAY UP AND CHECK OUT- Make sure all your records (transcripts, library books, school
fees, etc.) are current with no outstanding fees.
PLAN YOUR PARTY – Plan your graduation celebration! Write out a guest list. Send
celebration cards. Arrange for food, decorations and music.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS – Select the clothes and shoes you will wear with your cap and
gown according to the graduation dress code.
TRY IT ON – Try on your cap and gown. Remove wrinkles according to instructions and
hang the gown up until graduation.
FIND A GATHERING SPOT – Agree on a place to meet your family and friends after the
ceremony.
LIGHTS…CAMERA…ACTION – Be sure to charge your camera battery so you are ready
for pictures.
FLOWERS – you can bring flowers for your graduate to give to them after the graduation
ceremony.
GIVE THANKS – Present your appreciation gifts and send handwritten Thank You Notes.
Page 6
2015 Senior Class
Calendar
DATE
TIME
March 2015
March 11 & 12
EVENT
LOCATION
Senior Class
Newsletter mailed
All lunches
Cap and Gown
orders delivered
March 30April 3
Spring Break
April 8, 9, 10
Prom Ticket
Sales
PROM
April 24
8:00 pm midnight
Friday, May 29
2:00 pm –
4:30 pm
May 29—June 3 All Classes
Thursday,
June 4
9:30 am
Thursday, June
4
1:30 pm—
3:30 pm
Friday, June 5
10:00 am –
11:30 am
Saturday, June 6 2:30 pm
Senior Picnic
Senior Exams
Commons
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Newsletter sent home
regarding senior class
calendar for
remainder of year
Students pick up
orders
Commons
Cost—$60 cash per
person(pre-sales only)
Waterford 6715 Commerce St
at
Springfield, VA
Springfield 21250
Driver’s Ed Rain Location Lot
Gymnasium
Classrooms STUDY HARD!!!
Senior
Recognition
Program
Graduation
Practice #1
Auditorium
Graduation
Practice #2 and
senior panoramic
Gym
GRADUATION
Patriot
Center
Gym
All financial
obligations must be
resolved
Ordering information
will be provided;
graduates wear cap
and gown
George Mason
University