MILLER COMPREHENSIVE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

2018

GRADUATION MASS & EXERCISE INFORMATION

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STATEMENTS OF POLICY AND PROTOCOL

Regina Roman Catholic Separate School Division No. 81

Graduation Exercises The Board favours high school graduation exercises for all students who are in a position to complete the provincial and school division high school requirements at the end of the current school year. Graduation exercises are to reflect the spiritual and the academic aspects of Catholic education. Graduation Exercises - Administrative Protocol 1. The principal shall assure that each Grade 12 student is made aware of the requirements for

graduation eligibility at the beginning of his/her graduating year. 2. To be eligible to participate in graduation exercises, the student must be able to complete

the provincial requirements for Grade 12 standing at the end of the current school year and must have completed Christian Ethics 30 or be currently enrolled in the class and, in the opinion of the principal, doing satisfactory work in classes in order to participate in graduation exercises.

3. Each high school shall inform graduands and parents/guardians about the policy and

protocol regarding high school graduation exercise participation prior to April 1. 4. Each high school shall provide graduands and parents/guardians all necessary information

regarding graduation activities that are part of the school's planned program. 5. Parents shall also be advised that any other activities related to graduation do not have the

approval of the school or the School Board. A letter from the Board to parents of graduands about graduation activities addresses this.

6. Schools should attempt to hold graduation exercises at a time outside the regular school

day. If they are held during a school day, they may not begin before 1:00 p.m. 7. Graduation exercises should be self-sustaining. Graduation fees should pay for all related

costs. Principals are to alert graduation organizers about issues of student and family poverty.

8. The celebration of Mass is to be held in close proximity to graduation. 9. Each high school shall develop and conduct a program emphasizing safety and due

diligence in all activities related to graduation. 10. High school principals should provide guidance and advice to parent committees planning

after graduation activities for graduands and their guests.

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SYSTEM PRACTICE

1. Students must acquire a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits overall at the Secondary Level.

These requirements are detailed in the student handbook. 2. Graduation eligibility lists will be updated and posted shortly after the beginning of Semester

II. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure his/her name is on the list, and to verify the spelling of his/her name.

3. In keeping with school division policy, we at Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School

believe that a student's academic achievement should be recognized in a Catholic atmosphere. This belief will be manifested at the graduation mass and the graduation exercises.

4. We strive to keep costs reasonable and affordable for all grade 12 students.

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WEDNESDAY DAY JUNE 27th

Graduation Mass Resurrection Parish 7:00 pm Mass will begin at 7:00 pm. Students dress in their graduation gowns and v-stoles. We ask that the graduands wear appropriate clothing under the gowns. This means no shorts, blue jeans or flip flop shoes. All graduands sit with their family for the mass. Please note: Seating at the Graduation Mass is limited.

THURSDAY JUNE 28TH

Graduation Exercises Conexus Arts Centre 2:00 pm Graduands must return their gowns to the designated area following the ceremonies. If

the gowns are not returned to our staff on this day, all responsibility for shipping costs will be assumed by the student.

DRESS REQUIREMENTS (Mass/Exercises) The academic dress worn to the mass/exercises by the graduand consists of a black gown; a red, white and navy v-stole and a black cap with red, white and navy tassels. The gowns are rented and the caps are purchased as a memento. The cost is included in the graduation fee. We ask that all graduands wear appropriate clothing under the gowns (boys may wear a shirt and tie, dress pants and dress shoes, but NOT shorts of any kind. Girls may wear either a dress, or a top and dress pants and dress shoes – no flip flops for anyone please). Caps and gowns will be required for the graduation mass and exercises, and MUST be picked up at the school on Monday June 25th in Room A145 (Conference Room) between 11:30 am & 1:30 pm. Rehearsal- All graduands MUST attend the rehearsal assembly. This rehearsal is absolutely essential and its importance cannot be overemphasized. We will assume that students who do not attend the rehearsal will not be attending the graduation ceremonies. Any absence from this rehearsal must be cleared in advance with the vice-principal and graduation committee. The rehearsal will take place on Thursday June 21st at 11:30 in the Theatre (this is after period 2 Course Finalization). The rehearsal will take approximately one hour.

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Fee Collection Fees for graduation will be collected at noon on June 7th and 8th during the lunch hour (12:13 to 1:04 pm) in the Conference Room. Payment may be made by cash or cheque made payable to Miller High School. * Please note – All outstanding school fees must be paid before acceptance of graduation fee.

FEES A Graduation fee of $100.00 includes:

Cap and gown rental, auditorium rental, printing of programs, printing of invitations, printing of certificates, graduation exercise tickets, art legacy and miscellaneous/guests/liturgy

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FEE AND INVITATION ORDER FORM (RETURN WITH PAYMENT)

Name of Student _________________________________________________

(Please print – first and last name) Graduation Fee $100.00 ($100.00 cash or $100.00 cheque made out to Miller High School) Please circle method of payment CASH CHEQUE

Each student will be given 8 invitations to our Graduation Exercises. Students may invite additional guests but will receive no more than 8 printed invitations.

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SPEECHES

VALEDICTORIAN (given at Exercises)

The role of the VALEDICTORIAN is to serve as the representative voice of the entire graduating class. This position should be looked upon as an honour. This student acts as a representative on behalf of the graduands. Each year, eligible graduands choose a student to be their valedictorian. The valedictorian is a student with good academic standing who has contributed to the life of the school in many ways. The student that is chosen as the second choice for Valedictorian will be invited to welcome guests and deliver the invocation/prayer.

Procedure for selecting a Valedictorian Eligible Candidates Any student who is graduating and who has a minimum average of 80% in the following subject areas: CHRISTIAN ETHICS 30, ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS A30, ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS B30, SOCIAL STUDIES 30 and the next best THREE taken in the Grade XII year. Nomination and Election Any student who is eligible to graduate in June may nominate candidates for the position of

valedictorian. As well, only graduating students are eligible to participate in the voting procedures for these positions. The student receiving the most votes will be the valedictorian, whereas the student who receives the second highest number of votes will give the invocation. The nomination and voting processes for these positions will run during April/May. Nomination forms will be available in Student Services or from a Student Graduation Committee Member.

The selected students must have their speeches approved by the school administration and presented to the speech committee by the agreed upon specified date. In the event that the speeches are not completed to present to the committee someone else may be selected. All speeches must be rehearsed with the appointed teacher(s).

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TIMELINE

January Graduation Eligibility List posted Feb 6th Parent Meeting 7:00 pm Miller North Cafeteria

Graduation Photos – January 30th to February 2nd (Contact Lifetouch at 949-8448 for additional information or for order assistance)

April Valedictorian Speech selection and nomination process begins Updated Graduation Eligibility list posted April Updated Graduation Eligibility list posted May Updated Graduation Eligibility list posted June June 7th and 8th - Graduation Fee Collection and Mass/Exercise Ticket Distribution in

the Conference Room during the noon hour June Wednesday June 21st - Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal – 11:30 in the Theatre. This is

the second day of course finalizations. Immediately following the final, graduands will meet in the theatre.

June Monday June 25th - Graduation Gown Pick Up 11:30am to 1:30pm – Conference

Room (A145)

June 27 Graduation Mass 7:00 pm - Resurrection Parish June 28 Graduation Exercises 2 :00 pm – Conexus Arts Centre :

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Graduation Awards

Top Academic Awards:

Chancellery of Canadian Order & Decoration, Rideau Hall – Governor General’s

Academic Medal (presented at Fall Academic Awards)

Regina Catholic Schools Academic Proficiency Award

Grads of 1988 – Top Academic Student (Modified Courses)

Grade 12 Subject Awards:

These are determined by subject specific criteria and are presented at Fall Academic Awards. See complete list below.

Leadership Awards: (Award specific criteria, voted on by the Miller Staff)

Regina Catholic Schools: Catholic Leadership Award Joseph McIntyre Award of Merit The Sisters Legacy Award Indigenous Award Aboriginal Student Leadership Award Circle of Voices first Nations Inuit & Metis Award – “Inspiring Success”

Archbishop Donald Bolen - Archbishop’s Award Mrs. L. Selinger - Gary J. Selinger Humanitarian Award Reverend Monsignor Kenneth E. Miller, P.H. - J.P. Miller Award Knights of Columbus Council #1247 Achievement Award Miller Staff Award The Cronin Family - Shannon Cronin Memorial Award Pearl Shymko / Darlene Solie - Student Achievement Award (Alternative Program) Regina Catholic Schools Teachers’ Association (RCSTA) School Spirit Award

The faculty of Miller Comprehensive High School votes on these awards. Students have the opportunity to submit a written profile outlining their involvement in extracurricular, school, leadership and parish related activities so they can be considered for these awards. Priest or parish worker references are required for awards that consider parish involvement. Guidance counsellors will visit Grade 12 classes in early March to inform students about the leadership awards and the written profile.

The Allan and Darlene Exner Scholarships

Four $1250 scholarships are awarded annually to graduating Miller students who: Are in good academic standing Are enrolled in a post-secondary program for the fall after graduation Have significant school based extra-curricular involvement and community volunteer

activity outside of Christian Service hours. Applicants must submit a 250-300 word essay on the value of education and their reason(s) for their post-secondary program of choice. Applicants must provide references as well as proof of enrolment at the post-secondary institution they are attending. A minimum of two of the four Scholarships shall be awarded to graduates enrolled in a trade or apprenticeship program. Preference will be given to students who have attended Miller Grades 9 through 12. Application forms are available in Miller Student Services as of December 1st each

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year. The Application Deadline is April 30th (or the previous Friday if April 30th lands on a weekend).

Honour Roll: The Honour Roll consists of Major Honour Awards and Honour Awards. A Major Honour Award is presented to a student who has achieved an academic average of 90.00% or higher. An Honour Award is presented to a student who has achieved an academic average between 80.00% and 89.99%. Grade 12 Honour Roll Criteria is listed below. Credits earned at Miller, through on-line courses, or at a high school from which a student transfers can be used in the calculations. Honour Roll for Graduating students is calculated after the May long weekend. Grade 12 Grade 12 (Modified Courses) Grade 12 (Alternate Program) ELA A30 ELA A31 ELA A38 ELA B30 ELA B31 ELA B38 Christian Ethics 30 Christian Ethics 30 Christian Ethics 38 Social/Native Studies 30 Social 31/Native Studies 30 2 highest remaining C.Y. Marks* 3 highest remaining C.Y. Marks* Highest remaining C.Y. Mark* *Current Year Mark(s)

Subject Awards: Band Musicianship Award Mrs. Joyce Ray. Biology Mr. Brian Selinger Advanced Placement Calculus Catholic School Community Council Calculus Catholic School Community Council Chemistry Mr. Richard Flegel Ken Danylczuk Choral Award Mrs. Lorna Klein Choral Musicianship Award Mrs. Corinne Pirot Vocal Jazz Musicianship Award Mrs. Corinne Pirot Christian Ethics Family of Frank X. Rink Commercial Cooking Award Russell Foods Equipment Ltd. Advanced Baking Russell Foods Equipment Ltd. Communication Media Catholic School Community Council Computer Science Mr. Scott Gherasim Construction Mr. Dean Kuz Cosmetology Ms. Sandra Mann Senior Esthetics Best Buy Esthetics Senior Drama Mrs. Alice Parkinson English Language Arts Mrs. Brenda Schuett English Language Arts (Modified Courses) Regina Catholic Schools Advanced Placement English Language Arts Mrs. Maura Thompson Marjorie Gunn English Award Family of Mrs. Marjorie Gunn Mechanics Auto Electric Service Law Howard Knight Insurance Math Foundations Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Pre-Calculus Mr. Brant Hubic Math Workplace & Apprenticeship Kramer Ltd Music Fine Arts Department Year 2000 Native Studies Regina Catholic Schools Physical Education Mr. Wayne Kartusch Physics Mr. Emil Lulik Psychology Miller Student Services Advanced Placement Psychology Mrs. Patrice Krueger Social Studies Mr. Bernie Ripplinger Visual Art Mr. Wilf Perreault Welding Mr. Blair Bachelu