Rockdale County High School
1174 Bulldog Circle
Conyers, Georgia 30012
(770) 483-8754
Mary Ann Suddeth, Principal
April 1, 2015
Dear Seniors and Parents:
Graduation is only a few short weeks away! This is an important event in the lives of all seniors. It is a time
when the faculty, administrators, and Board of Education recognize the hard work that these young men and
women have put into earning a diploma. The graduation ceremony is a very dignified event. To maintain the
dignity of this occasion, it is important for the graduates, as well as their families and guests, to carefully
observe proper rules of dress and behavior. This letter provides information that will help you make YOUR
graduation, beautiful and a coordinated event.
SENIOR EXAMS AND EXEMPTIONS
Senior exams will take place starting Monday, May 11, 2015 and end Friday, May 15, 2015. At the
teachers’ discretion, seniors may be able to exempt their exams. Seniors are allowed to exempt exams if
they have an 80 or higher average and have missed no more than 5 class days. For block classes, each day
counts as two classes so block classes may only have 2.5 absences. Be aware that at the end of the day
Friday, May 15th (at the conclusion of exams), seniors have completed their work at Rockdale County High
School. They are considered visitors. Seniors may only enter the building to pay outstanding debts Monday,
May 18th and Tuesday, May 19th.
BACCALAUREATE SERVICE
The Baccalaureate Service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Conyers, located at 2100 Hwy 138 NE
in Conyers, Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 3pm. The Baccalaureate Service is a voluntary part of your graduation
activities. However, all graduates, their families and guests are invited. Graduates should assemble in the
church gym at 2:00 p.m. for practice and seating assignments. Ample parking is available in the church
parking lot.
SENIORS: DON’T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR CAP AND GOWN for this service. Seniors are to wear
proper attire. Please see the “dress attire section” for the Baccalaureate Service and the Graduation Ceremony.
•DO NOT bring purses, cameras, or other valuables to the church. There will NOT be a place to secure
them during the service. Let your parents or a friend keep them for you.
GRADUATION PRACTICE
Graduation practice will be held on the following schedule:
Practice is mandatory for all three days – report to the gym each day!!
Tuesday, May 19, 8:00-12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 20, 8:00-12:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 21, 8:00-12:00 p.m.
Georgia School of Excellence 1988, 1993, and 2000
Practice for graduation is MANDATORY. Graduates must (1) be at all practices, (2) arrive on time, and (3)
remain for the entire practice session. Since it is essential that everyone’s part in the graduation exercises be
well rehearsed, anyone who misses a practice will not be allowed to participate in the graduation
exercise. Parents and seniors have a responsibility to make the necessary arrangements for being at
graduation practice.
GRADUATION EXERCISES
The graduation exercises will be held Friday, May 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Georgia International Horse Park.
Tickets are not required for entrance in to the Georgia International Horse Park.
The graduation ceremony is the most distinguished academic event in our community each year. The
exercises will leave a lasting impression on all those who attend. Our students, their parents and guests, and
the school itself will be judged on how well the ceremony is conducted. It is essential that everyone work
together to maintain the dignity and respect that our seniors deserve. Appropriate behavior by our graduates
and their families and guests during all parts of the graduation exercises is necessary. Failure to abide by
these guidelines will result in removal from the premises. Although this is an outside event, it is still
considered a school function and all rules still apply. Anyone who appears to be under the influence of
alcohol or drugs will be denied admittance to the graduation exercises.
THE AUDIENCE
We expect our graduates to exhibit appropriate behavior during the graduation exercises. We also expect the
audience to do the same. Small children are to sit with their parents. The exercises will begin promptly at
6:00 p.m. Parents please be prompt on your arrival. Once the exercises begin, there should be no movement
in the audience. Members of the audience must remain seated to make sure that everyone will be able to see
all graduates presented with their diplomas. Police officers will remove anyone who becomes noisy,
boisterous, or disruptive during the ceremony.
CONDUCT OF GRADUATES
Graduation is a ceremony to honor an entire class of graduates. No individual, adult or student, has the right
or will be permitted to spoil or disrupt a ceremony that honors other people. Inappropriate behavior prior to
or during the graduation exercises will result in the graduate’s removal from the ceremony by police officers.
Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to, improper attire, possession of disruptive objects,
substances, materials, or misbehavior.
DRESS FOR GRADUATES
Proper attire will be worn under the graduation gowns. Any student improperly dressed will not be allowed
to participate in the graduation exercises.
Female graduates
Black shoes (comfortable)
Dress or blouse & skirt (shorter than gown)
Male Graduates
Dark shoes with dark socks
Dark slacks
* NO FLIP FLOPS or TENNIS SHOES ARE PERMITTED. Please be mindful that graduation will take
place on the field. High heels (stilettos) are not recommended.
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ARRIVAL TIME FOR GRADUATES
Graduates MUST arrive by 4:00p.m. on Friday, May 22nd at the Georgia International Horse Park (specifics
as to where to report will be given at graduation practice). You should not bring a camera, ipod, cell phone,
or any other electronic device in with you. Please leave with a parent or a friend. There will NOT be a
place to secure such items during the graduation ceremony. Officer Sands and administrators will search for
any illegal items and action will be taken if any are found. Graduates will line up 30 minutes prior to
marching into the arena.
IN CASE OF RAIN FOR GRADUATION - ARMBANDS
Every effort will be made to have the graduation ceremony at the Georgia International Horse Park.
However, rain or the threat of rain may make it necessary to move the ceremony into the RCHS gymnasium,
where seating will be limited. Therefore, each graduate will be given two (2) armbands, which will admit
guests to the gym. Armbands will be received the week of graduation.
The armbands must be securely fastened on your arm and visible BEFORE entering the doors of the gym.
Please be advised that handicapped parking is limited on campus.
Important Notice:
No armbands will be replaced once they have been issued to the graduates, and the
school will not be responsible for lost or stolen armbands. Graduates and parents must
assume responsibility for their armbands once they are received.
HONOR GRADUATES
Honor graduates are listed in the program. Honor graduates will be identified (after all grades have been
calculated) as students with a cumulative weighted grade point average of the following:
o Cum Laude (Honors): minimum 3.5 GPA through 3.69, unrounded;
o Magna Cum Laude (High Honors): minimum 3.7 GPA, unrounded ;
o Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors): overall GPA of at least 3.9, unrounded.
In recognition of these honors, students will wear a stole designated to each honor level. Each honor graduate
will be given their stole the second day of graduation practice (May 20nd).
LOST AND DAMAGED
Each senior will receive a notice if they are on the lost and damaged list. This list includes any outstanding
debts owed to any RCHS and RCA affiliated venue (such as sports, clubs, media center, lost books and
materials, cafeteria fees etc…). All fees must be paid in cash or money order prior to graduation practice.
Please know that students WILL NOT be allowed to participate in the graduation practice or ceremony if
these fees have not been resolved.
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FAILED CLASSES
We would like to see every senior graduate and participate in the graduation ceremony, however please
understand that in order to participate in the graduation practice and ceremony; you must pass ALL of your
course requirements. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule. If you pass all your required courses, but
have not passed the Georgia High School Graduation Writing Test, you may participate in the graduation
ceremony, but you will NOT receive a high school diploma until the test requirement is completed as
stated by the Georgia Department of Education. The next opportunity to take the GHSWT will be during
summer school.
GRADUATION FEES (SENIOR DUES)
Senior dues cover the cost of cap and gowns, tassels, programs, flowers, diplomas, diploma covers, chair
rental, staging, sound system, honorees and other expenses of graduation, senior activities, and the yearbook.
Graduates will not be allowed to participate in graduation activities, including practice, until this fee is paid.
The graduation dues are now $185.00/$205.00
**After April 30th you must go to the Balfour office in Suwanee to pay**
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