ATTENTION SENIORS! Senior Exam Schedule:
5/16 Thurs B Regular Periods 1-4
PERIOD 5 & 6 EXAMS
AP Testing- A.M. Comparative Government & Politics and World History
P.M.- World History & Statistics
5/17 Fri A ½ day for Articulation- NO EXAMS for Seniors
AP Testing- A.M.- Microeconomics & Music Theory
P.M.- Computer Science A & Latin
5/20 Mon B PERIOD 4B SENIOR EXAM
MANDATORY SENIOR MEETING 12:20 - 2:10
*Seniors who missed exams for AP Testing should make up exams first, then report to the Auditorium
5/21 Tues A Regular Periods 1 & 2
PERIODS 3 & 4A SENIOR EXAMS
MANDATORY SENIOR MEETING 12:20 – 2:10
*Seniors who missed exams for AP Testing should make up exams first, then report to the Auditorium
5/22 Wed B PERIODS 1 & 2 EXAMS
MANDATORY SENIOR MEETING 9:15 – Noon
*Students need a dismissal note to leave at 12:00
*All graduation speakers need to stay until 12:30 for a rehearsal
5/23 Thurs A Senior Picture 7:30 a.m. in the Gym
Senior Awards (full dress for graduation) 8-11 Auditorium *This is a mandatory
Senior meeting/dress rehearsal for graduation
Senior Picnic 12-3
5/28 Tues A SCHOOL DISMISSES at 9:30 a.m.
Graduation at Merriweather Post Pavilion 11 a.m.
*Expectation is that everyone attends! If you are NOT GOING, you need take a
half day with Mrs. Jaksec.
*Google form coming soon to sign up for assistance!
§ We are excited to be able to continue the tradition of streaming all high school commencement ceremonies live on the HCPSS website at www.hcpss.org. On-demand viewing also will be available following each ceremony.
§ All graduation-related information, including parking details and maps, how to view, and video/photo guidelines is in one place at https://www.hcpss.org/commencements/. Please note that parking maps are found by selecting the box for a school.
1. When is Graduation Day?
Long Reach High School’s commencement ceremony will be on Tuesday, May 28th at Merriweather Post Pavillion at 11 a.m. School will dismiss at 9:30. Senior should arrive by 10:15 a.m.
2. When is the last day of school for seniors?
Seniors last day of school is Thursday, May 23rd .
3. How are we notified of important dates/events and graduation date?
Students will be receiving a booklet (“The Strike”) with all Senior information. This should be passed out at the Senior Meeting on Monday 4/29 during period 3. This website will also be updated regularly to reflect the latest information.
4. When are caps and gowns ordered?
The first order was placed in November, the second in January. If you still have not ordered a cap and gown, please go to http://highschool.herffjones.com/ as soon as possible and place the order. Failure to order before the end of April might jeopardize the student’s ability to participate in commencement activities.
5. When and where will caps and gowns be given to the graduates?
Caps and gowns will be distributed during one of the graduation rehearsals the week
before graduation. All students that are clear of obligations will receive their cap and gown on May 22nd during the mandatory graduation rehearsal.
6. Can my child decorate their cap and or gown for graduation?
Graduates CAN NOT decorate their caps with signs, colors, emblems, etc.
7. What are the graduates allowed to wear on their gowns?
The only regalia that graduates are allowed to wear are from approved clubs and
organizations and honor societies (NHS, top 5%, etc.) Students are not allowed to wear
flowers, leis, pins or anything unless approved by HCPSS. Students will be asked to
remove anything not approved.
8. Can my child use their siblings cap and gown from previous years?
If you have a purple cap and gown from a sibling or friend from last year only, they can be worn instead of purchasing a new one, however student will need to purchase a 2019 tassel to wear on the cap. Please let the graduation coordinator know that you are planning to borrow a cap and gown.
9. How do I order other accessories?
Other accessories such as frames, graduation announcements etc. can be ordered from
Herff Jones (http://highschool.herffjones.com/). That information is in the packet that was sent home in the October Senior meeting.
10. Why are graduation rehearsals mandatory?
We have prided ourselves in having a smooth, professional, and timely ceremony and
that tradition can only continue if students are at rehearsals. Sometimes seats change or lineups change, so it is imperative that graduates know where they should be. These days are also mandatory school days per HCPSS and students are expected to be present.
11. What should my child do if they need to miss a rehearsal?
These are mandatory school days, so all HCPSS policies are in effect. If your student needs to miss school, please submit a note to the attendance secretary. Once the timeline schedule has been released, students should make any changes to their schedule to accommodate rehearsals (work, internships, doctors appts, etc.).
12. Who should I contact if my child is not participating in the graduation ceremony?
If your child will not be participating in graduation ceremony, please write a letter to
Mr. Wasilewski informing him of the reason for the absence. These will be local discretion days for absence since they are HCPSS school days. Missing excessive rehearsals may jeopardize your student’s participation in the commencement ceremony. These requests need to be made no later than Friday, May 3rd.
13. How long is the graduation ceremony?
The actual graduation ceremony should take about an hour and half, no longer
than two hours.
14. Who do I notify if I want to hand my child their diploma covers during graduation?
HCPSS allows for any employee to physically hand their child their diploma cover on
stage during graduation. Please email the graduation coordinator, Mrs. Heather Johnston at Heather_Johnston@hcpss.org to ensure that you are included in the program.
15. When do we receive the graduation tickets and how many does each student
receive?
Tickets for graduation are handed out at the May 22nd graduation rehearsal. Each graduate receives 10 tickets. All obligations need to be clear before tickets are issued. It is imperative that seniors stay on top of any obligations to Long Reach High School.
16. How do I order more graduation tickets?
If you need more than 10 tickets, the best way to get extra tickets is to trade among students. You may request additional tickets by sending an email or letter to Mrs. Heather Johnston (Heather_Johnston@hcpss.org). Make sure you include how many additional tickets you need and who will be using the tickets. There is a limited number of additional tickets available.
17. What do I do if I need handicap parking?
Handicap parking spaces are on a first come, first serve basis. No pre-registration or
tickets are required. There is also a drop off area if you would like to drop off a handicap
person and then proceed to the general parking spaces. This is highly advised! The handicap spaces are quite a distance from the seating area at Merriweather.
18. Is there handicap seating?
There is a limited amount of handicap seating. Again, these are on a first come, first serve basis. In some instances whole families will not be able to sit together in that area to accommodate the needs of all those who needs the seats.
19. Who should I contact if I need sign language services for the graduation/awards
ceremony?
If you require a sign language interpreter, please contact Ms. Eileen Sevison, and she will submit a request to the Interpreter Services office. If no request is made there will be no sign language interpreters at the ceremony or the awards ceremony.
20. Is it mandatory for my child to attend the Awards Ceremony?
We would like the entire class to attend the Awards Ceremony, whether they are
receiving an award or not. There have been many instances where students and/or
family did not attend the ceremony and that senior received an award they were
unaware of receiving. This is a final dress rehearsal for Merriweather’s commencement activity, and a mandatory school day for HCPSS.
21. What is the dress code for graduation for my child?
Graduation is a time honored celebration of accomplishment. Seniors will wear
professional, appropriate clothing. Men should wear a collared shirt with a tie, dress
pants with a belt and closed toe dress shoes. Ladies can wear either dress pants or
dresses, but restrain from wearing very high heels or shoes that are difficult to walk in.
Please do not allow your child to come to the graduation in jeans, tee shirts, shorts,
leggings, midriffs with stomach exposed, flip flop sandals, cut up pants, or very revealing clothes. This is a very dignified ceremony and graduates should dress accordingly. This dress requirement is the same for the Awards Ceremony.
22. Who do I contact for more information?
Mrs. Borleis (Alexandra_Borleis@hcpss.org) and Mrs. Skinner (Sara_Skinner@hcpss.org) are the Senior Class Advisors. They are the ones planning the Senior Class Night (Cruise), Senior Picnic, and collect Senior Dues for these events and the Senior Tee Shirt.
Mrs. Johnston (Heather_Johnston@hcpss.org) is the Graduation Coordinator. She is in charge of the ceremony at Merriweather.
The front office secretaries at Long Reach, Mrs. Sevison, Mrs. Mauser, and Mrs. Curry can also direct parents/students with questions to the correct party. Call Long Reach (410) 313-7117 during school hours for assistance.