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Palmer Ridge High School
Graduation Handbook
GRADUATION DAY
Friday, May 22, 2015
4:00 p.m.
Clune Arena
United States Air Force Academy
Visit our website for the most up-to-date information at:
www.prhs.lewispalmer.org
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Tickets will not be required for admittance
to graduation.
All requirements for graduation must be met by
Monday, May 18 at 8:00 a.m. before a student may
participate or “walk” in the commencement ceremony.
Doors will open no later than 3:00 p.m.
Seating is first come, first serve!
Clune Arena is not air conditioned!
There are NO Exceptions!
Students who are unsure whether they have fulfilled
all requirements should contact their counselor immediately!
GRADUATE LIST AND SEATING CHART
The graduate list and graduate seating chart will be posted on our PRHS website under the Announcements
tab the week of graduation. Each graduate will be given a number and this number corresponds to the seat on
the seating chart. This will help families of graduates to sit on the side where their graduate will be seated for
graduation. Maps of Clune Arena are available in this handbook and also on our website under Announcements tab and under Class of 2015
CONDUCT
Graduation ceremonies and exercises are school sponsored activities and benefit all students, their families,
friends and the faculty. Graduation is considered a school day for purposes of student discipline and is also
considered a part of the school year.
Any senior who, during the last month of the final semester of school for seniors, including that period of
time between the last day of classes for seniors and the graduation ceremony for his/her school, commits any
offense for which suspension or expulsion is an appropriate penalty, including but not limited to damage,
destruction, or vandalism of district property, injury to fellow students, faculty members or administrators,
or disruption of the academic process of the school shall be excluded from participation in the graduation
ceremonies and exercises.
In addition to exclusion from participation in graduation ceremonies and exercises and possible suspension
or expulsion, students and their parents will be held liable for damages, destruction or bodily injury caused
by the student as set forth in Colorado law. Any student who is excluded from the graduation ceremonies
and exercises, but has met all requirements for graduation, may pick up his or her diploma from the registrar
after graduation.
Inappropriate conduct during the ceremony, such as the use of alcohol, drugs, fireworks, or tobacco
(including chew and snuff) is unacceptable behavior. Any device which would disrupt the dignity of the
ceremony is unacceptable.
TRANSCRIPTS
SENIOR SURVEYS
Students get one final free transcript at the end of their
senior year. As part of senior checkout, students will
log into Naviance and complete a survey on after high
school plans. Students should indicate on this survey
which college to send their final transcript to (out-ofstate addresses are requested). Final transcripts will
be mailed by June 5th. If you have questions about this
process, please see Mrs. McKee, School Registrar,
located in the front office.
Senior surveys will be available beginning May
11th. Your 2015 Senior Exit Interview and Senior
ICAP Checklist MUST be complete prior to senior
checkout, May 18th.
To complete the surveys, go to the Naviance tab
on the PRHS website and login.
ATTIRE EXPECTATIONS
Family and friends will be taking pictures of you so you want to look classy!!!
Please adhere to these standards for Senior Awards Night and Graduation!
WHAT NOT TO WEAR!
FEMALE GRADUATES

Nice slacks and dressy blouse

Shorts

Dress

Tank Tops

Nice skirt with dressy blouse

Tennis Shoes or Flip Flops

Comfortable dress shoes

Jeans

Clothing with holes

Clothing that is revealing
MALE GRADUATES

Nice slacks

Collared dress shirt

Dress shoes
GRADUATION DRESS REQUIREMENTS
The graduation ceremony is a formal school event. However, participation in the ceremony is a privilege and
not a right. Students whose behavior or dress does not meet school district expectations may be denied participation or removed from the ceremony.
All graduation attire shall conform to these requirements and be reflective of school-sanctioned academic honors. Students should dress and groom themselves for the graduation exercise in a way that reflects the formal
nature of the event. Inappropriate or offensive dress will not be tolerated. Students may not display names or
decorations on their cap or gown. Appropriate footwear should be worn. No flip-flops, boots or athletic shoes
are permitted. No jeans are permitted.
Awards by national academic oriented organizations with nationally recognized criteria may be approved by
the principal in advance. Academic awards by these organizations must meet the school’s minimum G.P.A.
requirements. Principals must approve these no later than the end of first semester. The only visible item permitted to be worn outside the graduation gown are awards, honors and medals that have been received through
and approved by the District.
YEARBOOK DISTRIBUTION
Yearbooks will be distributed to seniors at the
Senior BBQ scheduled for Friday night, May 8th
across from the main gym doors. You MUST
have your student ID to receive your book! You
may pick-up only the yearbook you purchased.
Please bring sharpie-type pens for signing and
don’t forget to immediately write your own name
in your yearbook! There will be sharpies available for purchase for only $2. If you have not yet
purchased your yearbook, we will have them
available for $85 cash or money order payable to
PRHS. We will also have autograph supplements
available for $3. Do miss out on the memories!
SENIOR SHOWCASE
What is the Senior Showcase? Every year we collect
information from our seniors who have been offered
scholarships from colleges, universities, academy appointments, etc. and we display the information we
receive right outside the front office. Any senior who
receives an offer should complete the form which is
included in this packet and return to Mrs. Feil in
Neighborhood C no later than April 24, 2015.
When you return this form you will be included in the
Senior Showcase in the front office and will be invited to the Senior Awards Night on May 18, 2015.
Along with this form, please include a wallet sized
photo for the Senior Showcase.
SENIOR OFFICIAL CHECKOUT DAY
Monday, May 18, 2015
Seniors may pick-up their checkout forms beginning Monday, May 12th
in neighborhood C.
NO EARLY CHECKOUT WILL BE ALLOWED!
Any outstanding obligations/fees MUST be paid by cash PRIOR to checkout.
Checks for obligations/fees WILL NOT be accepted after May 1st!
All seniors are to report promptly to the Distance Learning Lab
at these assigned checkout times on Monday, May 18th.
8:30 a.m. Last names A-F
9:00 a.m. Last names G-K
9:30 a.m. Last names L-R
10:00 a.m. Last names S-Z
SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT
Monday, May 18, 2015
7:00 p.m. in the PRHS Auditorium
This is a by invitation only event. Seniors will receive a postcard in the mail inviting them to the awards
night.
CAP AND GOWN DISTRIBUTION
Caps and gowns will be distributed to students who have completed checkout forms, have all the required
signatures and have paid all obligations.
SENIOR SLIDESHOW
This year we would like to provide a slideshow featuring our seniors, and this slideshow would play prior to
the graduation ceremony. Once we have a parent volunteer who is willing to put together the slideshow, we
will notify parents on where to submit the photos, and we will be requesting photos of:

Anything school related from the class of 2015 from all four HIGH SCHOOL years. No baby photos
please. If you do not have any available high school photos of your student, one senior photo of your
student will be accepted.

Only submit photos with members of PR class of 2015. Photos of students from other grades will not be
allowed.
PLEASE NOTE: Not all pictures submitted for the slideshow will be included in the senior slideshow as
time of the slideshow needs to be kept to a minimum time limit. Thank you.
WHAT WILL GRADUATION DAY LOOK LIKE AT PRHS?
12:30 p.m.
Seniors will report to the lower commons for senior breakfast.
1:00 p.m.
Seniors will board buses to head over to the AFA for graduation rehearsal.
Mandatory for all seniors to ride the bus to the AFA. No bus return to school after graduation.
1:45 p.m.
Graduation rehearsal begins. REHEARSAL IS NOT OPTIONAL!
2:45 p.m.
Seniors will be photographed by Lifetouch
4:00 p.m.
Graduation program begins
DIPLOMAS
Graduates are expected to pick up their diplomas directly after the graduation on the south side of the ice rink.
Graduates will exit the Field House through the doors leading to the front of the building.
PROPER WEARING OF CAP AND GOWN
THE CAP
The cap should be worn so that the mortarboard
is level. It should not be tilted to the back or
side of the head. The crown should be approximately one inch above the eyebrow. The front
of the cap is indicated on the inside of the
crown.
NO embellishments shall be worn on the cap!
THE GOWN
The gown should be removed from the package
and placed on a hanger to let the folds fall out.
Should you wish to press it, turn the garment
wrong side out and press with a cool iron.
Lightweight formal clothing should be worn beneath the gown. It is considered bad manners to
be in casual clothing before and during the graduation ceremony.
NO embellishments shall be worn on the
gown!
THE TASSEL
Tassels are worn over the right temple. Your
class will switch the tassel from right to left - in
unison - after all diplomas are received.
PLEASE NOTE: Seniors, bring your graduation regalia to the senior brunch. After the brunch and prior to
boarding the bus, you will be asked to put your gowns on. When you arrive for practice at the AFA, you
should already be wearing your cap, gown, stole and ready for practice. Lifetouch photos will follow practice.
HANDICAPPED ACCESS
There are handicapped parking spaces and wheelchair accessible seating spots at the stadium. They
are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Please refer to the map on the next page to review
all the available handicapped parking and seating
options.
Wheelchairs are not provided.
DIRECTIONS TO CLUNE ARENA
All visitors need to access the Air Force Academy at
the north gate, Exit 156B off of I-25. Proceed west
through security checkpoint on Northgate Boulevard.
Take a left at Parade Loop. See map in this handbook
or on the PRHS website under Announcement tab.
PLEASE NOTE: In consideration of the
next graduation group, please exit the
building and parking lot as quickly as
possible.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What do the students do after the ceremony?
A. Student will recess from the ceremony to pick-up their diplomas on the south side of the ice rink before
meeting their families. Family members and guests will not be allowed in the diploma pick-up area directly after the ceremony.
Q. What time will graduation be over?
A. If the ceremony goes as scheduled, it will end at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Q. What can a graduate bring with them during the graduation ceremony?
A. NOTHING! The graduation robes do not have pockets. Graduates should leave ALL valuables, money,
cell phones, purses, wallets, etc. with family or friends.
Q. Who should I contact if I have additional questions regarding graduation that are not answered in
this brochure or on the “Class of 2015” website?
A. Please contact Mrs. Gillette by email at egillette@lewispalmer.org or call 719-867-8600.
Q. What can I bring into the Air Force Academy?
A. See the next page for a list of items NOT allowed in Clune Arena.
We hope this handbook will be helpful to you and your graduate. This Graduation Handbook along with other helpful information regarding graduation will
be posted on the PRHS website as we approach graduation day. Continue to
monitor our website under Announcements tab, Class of 2015, for the most up-to
-date information.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2015!
2015 CADET FIELD HOUSE ENTRANCE POLICIES
Special Event

All persons and personal belongings entering the Cadet Field House are subject to search.

The following items are NOT permitted in the Cadet Field House:

Alcoholic beverages

Artificial noisemakers of any kind

Bags larger than 8” x 11”. Hard-sided containers


Banners or large signs (No signs larger than 18” x 24”)

Food or drink


Factory-sealed transparent soft plastic water bottles, 24 oz. or less are permitted

Exceptions will be made for medical conditions and infants
Glass containers or cans



Diaper bags are permitted if infant is present
Empty transparent soft plastic bottles 24 oz. or less are permitted
Items that cannot be readily inspected

Backpacks to include bota bags, wine-skins, and camelbacks

Infant carrier packs permitted if infant is present

Items deemed dangerous or unsafe by security personnel

Laser pointers

Pets (other than working service dogs)

Sticks, poles or umbrellas

Weapons, Firearms, Fireworks

Tripods, monopods, etc.

Balloons
Storage of prohibited items or any other items is not provided.
Wheelchairs are not provided
The Air Force Academy Department of Athletics would like to thank everyone for their cooperation
with these policies that ensure a safe and secure experience.
CLASS OF 2015 EVENTS
MAY 8th – Senior BBQ(Lower commons) and Yearbook
Distribution/Sunset/Dance on the Bridge
5:30–9:00 pm.
MAY 11th – Checkout Slips may be picked up from Mrs. Feil
in Neighborhood C
MAY 11th –15th – Turn in books to Textbook Room 2211,
Anytime between 7:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
MAY 15th – Seniors Last ACADEMIC Day
MAY 17th – Baccalaureate – 4:00-5:30 p.m. ,
Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church/Monument
(Parent sponsored and attendance optional)
MAY 18th – Mandatory Check Out Day/NO Early Checkouts!
All fees/fines MUST be paid and textbooks
turned in by 5/15/15, 3:00 p.m.
Final transcript request in Naviance MUST be
filled out prior to May 18th
MAY 18th – Senior Awards Ceremony – 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium
(By invitation only)
MAY 22nd – Mandatory Events
Senior Brunch – 12:30-1:00 p.m.
Board the bus at 1:00 p.m. for Clune Arena
(ALL seniors MUST ride the bus to practice/graduation.)
Graduation Practice 1:45-2:45 p.m.
(Wear your cap and gown. NO purses or backpacks allowed. Ladies wear
pants or dress w/pockets to store your small make-up items. No bus return to school after graduation.)
Lifetouch Photos 2:45-3:45 p.m.
GRADUATION – 4:00 p.m. at Clune Arena
College/Organization
Awarding Scholarship
Note: Dollar Amounts will not be reported. They are for counseling information only.
If you need additional space, please use the back of this sheet.
Name of
Scholarship
Years
Valid
Dollar Amount Per Year
Please complete this form and return to Mrs. Feil in Neighborhood C no later than April 24, 2015. When you return this form you will
be included in the Senior Showcase in the front office and will be invited to the Senior Awards Night on May 18, 2015. Along with this
form, please include a wallet sized photo for the Senior Showcase.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
STUDENT NAME: _________________________________________________