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February 2008
Dear Senior Parents,
It is with both a sense of joy and sadness that we write you today. As we celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2008, we are also aware that their time at Archbishop Spalding High School is limited. On behalf of the administrators, faculty, and staff, we thank you for the trust you have placed in us during the last four years. It has been a privilege to provide your children with the challenges and opportunities that will enable them to attain their highest potential.
This letter contains important information about events of the second semester of Senior year. Please read carefully and retain it for future reference.
SENIOR ACADEMICS
During the last days of Senior year, it is imperative that the Seniors remain focused on academics. Third quarter report cards will be distributed on April 9th. Fourth quarter senior deficiencies will be mailed home on April 17th. If your Senior receives a deficiency, please contact the teacher immediately.
A STUDENT WHO FAILS TO EARN THE REQUIRED TWENTY-SEVEN (27) CREDITS AND/OR HAS NOT COMPLETED THE SERVICE REQUIREMENT MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AND WILL NOT RECEIVE A DIPLOMA UNTIL ALL FAILURES HAVE BEEN MADE UP IN AN APPROVED SUMMER PROGRAM AND/OR ALL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
SENIOR EXAMINATIONS
Senior examinations will be administered only to those students who earn less than a “B” average for the 3rd and 4th quarters. Please see the attached letter from Mrs. Mahar regarding Senior Examinations. For those Seniors taking exams, the examinations will be administered on Monday, May 12th through Thursday, May 15th. The schedule is:
- Monday, May 12 Classes meeting periods 1 and 2 (A Schedule)
- Tuesday, May 13 Classes meeting periods 3 and 4
- Wednesday, May 14 Classes meeting periods 5 and 6
- Thursday, May 15 Classes meeting periods 7 and 8 (A Schedule)
Seniors are required to be present in school only for their examinations, at the regular class meeting times. Please see attached letter for more information.
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
In order to recognize the accomplishments of our Seniors and to create an accurate listing of acceptances and scholarships, Seniors should submit written verification of acceptances and scholarships to the Guidance Office by Thursday, April 17, 2008. Attached to this letter is a form and return envelope for your convenience.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Archbishop Spalding maintains medical records for each student. These records include important information, including immunization records, which students will need in later life. These student medical records will be returned to seniors on May 23rd after mandatory graduation practice. If you wish to pick up medical records personally, please contact Mrs. Kathy Sanders at 410 969-9105, extension 231. Medical records not picked up will be destroyed. For questions concerning student records please contact Mrs. Kathy Sanders.
SENIOR BREAKFAST
The Senior Breakfast will be held April 3, 2008, Periods 1 through homeroom in the Spalding Café. The parents are looking for volunteers to help with Senior breakfast. If interested please email Jo Ann Eyler at reyler@verizon.net An evening meeting is scheduled, immediately following the Parents’ Association Meeting, for Tuesday, February 12th at 7:00pm. The meeting will be located in the Trinity Room. Please join us in making this annual event a success for our Seniors.
SENIOR PROM
The Senior Prom will be held on Saturday, May 17th 8:00 – 11:30 p.m. The prom is a dinner/dance at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Inner Harbor, Baltimore. The cost will be $40 per person . Tickets can be purchased from Mrs. Shaffer-Curry or Mr. Hondrum, May 5th– May 7th. Dinner is included in the price of the ticket. A professional photographer will be available if a student wishes to purchase formal pictures.
All school rules regarding the possession or use of alcohol or controlled substances are in force. In addition, it is the policy of Archbishop Spalding High School and the Hyatt Regency Hotel to refer any violations to the Baltimore City Police.
The attire for the evening is formal. Students and their guests are expected to be well groomed, neat, and dressed in an appropriate manner. Inappropriate or revealing dress are unacceptable.
SENIOR DINNER
To celebrate our Seniors we are having a dinner and awards ceremony. The event will be held at Michael’s Eighth Avenue, in Glen Burnie, on Thursday, May 15th at 6:00 p.m. A complete three course dinner will be served. Awards will be given out at the conclusion of the dinner. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased from Mrs. Shaffer-Curry or Mr. Hondrum April 28th- April 30th.
The attire for the evening is semi-formal. Students are expected to be well groomed, neat, and dressed in an appropriate manner. Revealing clothing items are unacceptable.
- For Boys – Shirt, tie, dress slacks and dress shoes. Jacket is optional.
- For Girls – Skirt or dress of appropriate length or dress slacks. Ladies blouses/top should not be revealing.
GRADUATION REHEARSAL
Graduation rehearsal is MANDATORY. Rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, May 21st at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Seniors should report to the school auditorium by 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21st and will return to Spalding by 3:30 p.m. The day will include a brief meeting, a bag lunch and rehearsal. Busses will transport the Seniors to and from the Cathedral.
The dress code for Graduation rehearsal is:
- For Boys – shirt, tie, dress slacks and dress shoes.
- For Girls – skirt, dress, or dress slacks (NO MINI SKIRTS, BARE SHOULDERS, MIDRIFTS, HALTER TOPS, SUN DRESSES OR CAPRI PANTS.) It is strongly recommended that girls wear or bring the dress shoes they will wear for graduation. This will allow the girls an opportunity to practice walking in these shoes on the Cathedral floors, which are marble and can be slippery. ANY STUDENT NOT DRESSED APPROPRIATELY WILL BE SENT HOME.
An attitude of cooperation and reverence is essential at the graduation rehearsal.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
It is an Archbishop Spalding High School tradition to include the Commencement Exercises within the Roman Catholic Liturgy, our central form of worship. The Commencement Exercises will take place on Thursday, May 22nd at 7:00 p.m. As a Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, we are honored to celebrate this Mass and the Commencement Exercises at the Cathedral of Mary our Queen.
Each Senior will receive four (4) tickets to the Commencement Exercises. In addition, each Senior’s sibling who is a current Spalding student will receive one ticket to the Commencement Exercises. Tickets will be distributed to Seniors at the graduation practice on Wednesday, May 21st. All tickets are open seating. Seats are available on a first come first seated basis. Saving seats for expected guests is unacceptable with the exception of an anticipated elderly guest. The Cathedral celebrates an evening Liturgy. Therefore, no one is admitted until 6:00 p.m. Handicap accessibility is available on the left side of the Cathedral. Please notify Kathy Mayer, Campus Minister (410) 969-9105 ext. 236 or e-mail mayerk@archbishopspalding.org for seating instructions pertinent to any guest who may remain in their wheel chair.
As we celebrate this special occasion in the lives of our children, we ask for your cooperation in maintaining an atmosphere of joyful solemnity. Mindful of the respect that is deserved in this holy place, please no chewing of gum, no balloons or beach balls, and kindly remove all papers and programs when you leave your seat.
ADDITIONAL GRADUATION TICKETS
There is no guarantee that additional tickets will be available. However, if you are interested in being wait-listed for any available graduation tickets you must submit a written request or e-mail to Mrs. Shaffer-Curry at shafferk@archbishopspalding.org by Friday, April 18, 2008. The request should include the graduating Senior’s name and the number of extra tickets desired. Additional tickets will be distributed according to the number of tickets available. You will be notified by May 7th as to the number of extra tickets your family has been allocated. All tickets will be distributed during graduation rehearsal.
DRESS FOR GRADUATION
The graduates will wear caps and gowns – red for boys and white for girls. These will be distributed to seniors on Wednesday, May 23rd. Seniors must follow this dress code for graduation:
- Boys – white shirt, tie, long dark slacks and dress shoes.
- Girls – white dress and white dress shoes
The gowns will require a light pressing prior to wearing.
ARRIVAL AT THE CATHEDRAL FOR GRADUATION
All seniors must be at the Cathedral on Thursday, May 22nd by 6:00 p.m. Please take into account rush hour traffic at that time of the day.
PARKING AT THE CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral has an established traffic pattern. This pattern facilitates the flow of traffic entering and especially exiting the Cathedral grounds. Please park only in the designated areas and follow all parking signs. More detailed directions will be distributed to students with their graduation tickets. Please discourage any reckless driving after graduation.
PHOTOGRAPHS AT THE CATHEDRAL
Cameras are welcome at the Cathedral. However, those wishing to take photographs must follow the directions of the ushers. A professional photographer will take pictures during the distribution of diplomas. Proofs of these pictures will be mailed to your home after graduation.
GRADUATION VIDEO/DVD
A graduation video will be available for purchase. Please see the attached sheet regarding the purchase of a Graduation video/DVD.
GRADUATION TIMELINE
A timeline of Senior events is included in this mailing. Please post it in a prominent place for future reference.
We hope this letter provides you with the information you need during the last hectic weeks of Senior year and thank you in advance for your cooperation. May God continue to hold you and your family in the palm of His hand as we journey together towards graduation.
Sincerely yours,
Kathleen Mahar, Principal
Katie Shaffer-Curry, Senior Class Moderator
Nick Hondrum, Senior Class Moderator
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