Frederick High School Class of 2016
Class Song: “How Far We Have Come” by Cold Play

Class Flower: White Rose

Class Motto: “It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re seventeen and planning for someday. And then quietly and without you ever really noticing someday is today. And that someday is yesterday. And this is your life.” –Nathan Scott

Important Dates for Seniors and Families

Graduation practice and cap/gown deliveryWednesday, May 25, 1:00 p.m.
Students who have not paid fees and fines will not receive caps and gowns. *Attendance is required for all seniors intending to walk at graduation.  Local Scholarship BanquetWednesday, May 25, 6:00 p.m. FHS Auditorium 
This scholarship event is by invitation only. Class of 2016 GraduationSaturday, May 28, 10:00 a.m. FHS Athletic Stadium Seniors should report no later than 9:00 a.m.  Gates will be open at 8:00am for first come first serve seating on the field. No personal chairs are allowed on the field.

Important Details

• Caps and gowns will be distributed after our graduation practice. Seniors need to pay all fees and fines before caps and gowns are distributed. Please pay fees online or in the main office by Monday, May 2.

• Graduation practice and graduation will begin on time. If you are absent from practice, you may not participate unless you have prior approval from Mr. Vargas. Graduation practice will be held Wednesday, May 25 at 1:00 p.m.

• Parents, family members or guests in need of handicap seating should contact Ernie Derrera by May 15 to arrange seating.

• Air horns, beach balls, noise makers, cow bells, whistles, etc. are not allowed during the graduation ceremony. Please respect the decorum of the event and allow all families the opportunity to hear their student’s name announced. During the graduation ceremony, students will receive a blue diploma cover. The diploma will not be inside the cover at that time. Diplomas will be distributed as seniors leave the field immediately following the graduation ceremony. Seniors who do not pick up their diploma at this time, may do so by going to the counseling office during business hours.

• Seniors should leave coats, purses, and backpacks at home or in their car during the graduation ceremony. No purses, bags, or backpacks are allowed into the gym or field.

• Seniors who violate the St. Vrain Valley Schools Code of Conduct may, in certain circumstances, be denied participation in end of the year activities, including graduation.

Graduation Dress and Apparel Guidelines

Only district approved caps, gowns and cords may be worn at graduation. Seniors are required to dress formally for graduation. Clothing under the gown should be full length dress pants/casual dress pants. Females often wear a dress. T-shirts, shorts, and casual footwear – including flip flops and slippers are inappropriate attire for graduates. Students dressed inappropriately may be denied the opportunity to participate in the graduation ceremony.  Graduation Dress

• Graduation robes for students will be ordered through the school.

• Robes must be worn as issued. They will be zipped up the front for the ceremony and may not be modified in any way.

• Ropes, cords, stoles, pins and medals worn over the gown will be school-issued only, and tied to academic achievement.

• Student dress under the gowns will follow the guidelines of at least business casual. Students will wear comfortable dress shoes (casual shoes such as tennis shoes and flip-flops are discouraged).

Caps Decorated Caps: Districtwide, students will be allowed to decorate their graduation caps for the graduation ceremony. The following parameters related to cap-decorating will closely align with Board Policy JICA, and will be communicated to students and parents. Caps may not:

• Contain any advertisement, symbols, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that: Refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons.

• be of sexual nature.

• By virtue of color, arrangement, trademark, or other attribute denote affiliation with gangs or which advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior which is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students.

• Be obscene, profane, vulgar, lewd, or legally libelous.

• Threaten the safety and welfare of any person.

• Only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from any of the sides of the cap.

• Decorations must be flat on the surface of the cap. 3-D creations are prohibited.

• Graduation caps will be reviewed and approved in advance of the ceremony. If a cap is deemed inappropriate, a new cap will be issued to the student for the ceremony.

Gowns

• Graduation gowns are blue, along with a gold stole. Gowns will be delivered, folded up in a plastic bag along with the cap and tassel and stole. There will be noticeable wrinkles and creases in the gowns when they are received. Hanging the gown in a steaming room (the bathroom when the shower is running) often removes small wrinkles. You can also steam the gowns, but we do not suggest using an iron on them.

• Gowns will be worn zipped up the front. No individual modifications may be made to the gowns, and students will only wear stoles and cords issued by the school only.

• Maintaining the look and standardization of gowns, stoles, and cords maintains the pride and dignity of the graduation.

Tassels

• The tassel is to be worn over the right temple. Tassels should never be pinned or sewn; they should be permitted to hang naturally.

• After the closing remarks seniors will be instructed to move their tassel from the right to left. Wait for the announcement so that everyone is moving their tassel at the same time.

Honor Cords

• The Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be recognized with a medallion and cord over their gowns.

• Students with a 4.0 or Higher GPA will be honored with a Navy/White/Old Gold cord.

• Students who have been inducted into our Chapter of National Honor Society will wear cords that are blue and gold.

• Students who have attended SVVSD schools since kindergarten are recognized with grey cords to be worn over gowns and stole.

• No other cords will be allowed, subject to dismissal from the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Practice – May 25Under extreme circumstances, a senior may be excused from graduation practice. Absences must be pre-arranged by Thursday, May 12. If you do not show up for graduation practice, it is assumed that you do not plan to participate in the graduation ceremony. If this is the case, please be courteous and let your counselor know in advance so that we can adjust our seat count on the field.  Inclement Weather PlanIndoor Graduation In the event of inclement weather, graduation will be moved to the main gym. Due to limited space in our main gym, all attendees will be required to have a wristband for admittance to the main gym. Seniors will receive eight wristbands with their caps and gowns to be used for an indoor graduation. Graduation will also be broadcast in the auditorium in the event of an indoor graduation. Wristbands will not be required for seating in the auditorium, but it will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. In case of inclement weather, we will make a decision by 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning for alternate plans. The message will be sent using Infinite Campus and social media. If your phone has a block on it, you will not receive this automated call.  Graduation Photographs As a special service for seniors and parents, a professional photographer will be available for seniors as they graduate. Proofs of graduates are typically online within a few days after graduation. FHS is not responsible for the quality of the photos. Lifetouch Photography is Frederick High School’s official photographer for the 2016 graduation ceremony. After graduation you may order online at www.lifetouch.com To make the most of your photo, pause and smile as you receive your diploma. Keep your tassel to the side of your cap. No unauthorized persons may be on the field with cameras during the ceremony.