Cheney Tech - Letter from the Principal

With seven (7) weeks of school remaining until graduation, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on (the anticipated) successful conclusion to your child’s education at Cheney Tech, and to thank you for your support of our school.

Graduation rehearsals will be held on Thursday, June 19th and Friday, June 20th, in the morning. Seniors are to report to school at the regular time both days. Thursday is a full-day of school, but Friday is a half-day of school. The senior class is planning an activity for both days following rehearsal.

Any senior who does not report for graduation rehearsals (absent unexcused) will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.

Seniors must wear Cheney Tech caps and gowns. Seniors who have not paid for their cap and gown must do so immediately in the Business Office.

Graduation ceremony will be held on the athletic field at Cheney Technical High School, weather permitting. The ceremony will be held in the East Catholic High School auditorium if the forecast is for stormy weather. The ceremony will begin at 6:30. Seniors need to report to the Cheney Tech gymnasium between 5:30 and 5:45.

There is no limit placed on the number of guests each graduate can bring to the outside ceremony. However, a limit of five guests per graduate must be imposed for an inside ceremony due to space restrictions. Each senior will be given five invitations at rehearsal on June 19. Guests must present an invitation at the door to be admitted to the inside ceremony. If the weather forecast is questionable for June 20, I will make the decision the morning of June 20 and will notify the graduates at rehearsal.

Parking will be in both the Cheney Tech and East Catholic lots for both an outside and inside ceremony.

I am requesting all family and friends attending the graduation to adhere to the following protocol:

Do not bring signs or balloons. These block the view of people seated around you
A photography area will be roped off for picture taking. Please use this area when your child accepts his/her diploma, and then return to your seat so other parents will have room to take pictures
Camera tripods cannot obstruct the aisles or the view of others.

Cheney Tech is proud to have your son/daughter as a member of our senior class. In order to insure proper decorum and to maintain the dignity associated with the graduation ceremony, the following guidelines have been developed for those students who will be participating in the ceremony:

Graduates are expected to wear appropriate dress clothing and shoes with their graduation cap and gown
Graduates are prohibited from having anything that could be disruptive to the ceremony (i.e. silly string, balloons, beach balls, fireworks, noise-makers, etc.)
Graduates must adhere to all rules and regulations that govern Cheney Tech activities.

Any student found in violation of the above guidelines will be subject to removal from the ceremony and denial of his/her diploma until all disciplinary action issued by the school has been completed. Hopefully, with your cooperation and the cooperation of the students, none of these consequences will need to be implemented.

I encourage all graduates to attend this year’s Project Graduation sponsored by the Project Graduation parent committee. This substance-free party will be held at the Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury following graduation ceremonies. Please read the enclosed flyer from the Project Graduation Committee for all the details on this once-in-a-lifetime event.

I look forward to sharing a safe and enjoyable graduation with you and your family.

May 5, 2008