Graduation

Grade 8 is here!  This is the most exciting year of a student's elementary school career, with achievements to celebrate and big changes looming.  Questions often arise throughout the year about the various events associated with graduation.  Information will be passed on to you via this blog as details are finalized.  There are usually a number of costs associated with graduation.  Here is some general information that may help with planning:

High School Application and Orientation

We will be assisting the students throughout the year as they prepare to make the transition into high school.  As we are a feeder school for W.F. Herman Academy, the transition activities will be facilitated by the student success and guidance team from the school.  These activities will provide a solid foundation of information and experience for Grade 8 students, even if they plan to attend a different secondary school.

Option sheets and registration packages for Herman will be distributed to the students at school and brought home from discussion and completion with you.  Recommendations for course selections will be made by teachers in advance of option sheet completion.

If a student is planning to attend a high school other than Herman, additional paperwork must be completed.  Registration packages are usually picked up at the high school.  Information on when to do so will be forthcoming.  Registration at any public high school will be easily facilitated.

Application to specific programs, such as the Arts program at Walkerville's WCCA program, or the Enriched program at Riverside or Massey will also require additional paperwork.  Students must meet certain criteria to qualify for these programs.

Graduation Ceremony

The ceremony traditionally occurs within the last week or two of school and commences about 6:00 pm.  In the past few years, we have moved towards the practice of having the dinner after the ceremony, for the graduating students only.  In this way, we have been able to keep the cost for each graduate for the ceremony to a minimum.

The graduation is paid for, in part, by the fundraising efforts of the Grade 8 students throughout the school year.

Planning for the ceremony usually begins in January and is undertaken by a committee of parents and educators.  Topics such as location, food, theme, and decorations are discussed by this committee.  If you are interested in helping us out and serving as a member of this committee, please let me know.

Graduation Photos

Graduation photos are usually taken at school in the Winter.  The date will be communicated to you as soon as we know it.  If you wish to purchase a class composite (all of the graduates' head shots, in a decorative folder), you will need to provide payment for this on the day of the photos.  The cost is usually in the neighbourhood of $25.  As with regular school photos, proofs will be sent home several weeks after the photos have been taken, with an option to purchase picture packages.  While this can be somewhat expensive, it is usually cheaper than you would pay going to a photographer outside of school.

Graduation Trip

The location and date of the trip will be determined early on in the school year, in order to ensure that a bus can be booked.  Discussions about possible destinations will occur with the Grade 8 students.  We have selected Niagara Falls as our destination for the past three years, due to its proximity to Windsor and the large number of activities available in the city within walking distance.  The trip usually occurs a few days prior to the graduation ceremony.

This is traditionally the greatest expense of the school year.  A small deposit of $10 - $20 is usually requested up front, once the trip has been booked.  Full or partial payments can be made towards the cost of the trip at any time during the school year.  Final payment is usually due about a month before the trip takes place.

The cost of the trip can be reduced or covered entirely by students' fundraising efforts.  During our first catalogue fundraiser, all profits from the sales of individual Grade 8 students will be directed towards paying off his or her graduation trip.  Participation in this fundraiser can save you a lot of money down the road, so we strongly encourage all Grade 8 students to participate to the best of their ability.

It is important to note that the graduation trip is a privilege and is a reward for a student's successful school year.