GRADUATION INFORMATION EVENING Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Most Important Date Graduation is Wednesday, June 1 at Merriweather. The ceremony will commence promptly at Noon. Students must arrive at 11:00 a.m. to get into their positions.

From the Finance Office… All debts must be paid in full before students receive graduation tickets or caps/gowns. Debts should be paid to Ms. Loschiavo in the front office. Postings of student debts are available on a bulletin board outside Student Services.

From the Administration… All seniors are required to attend a full day of school through Thursday, May 26, Final examinations will be given during the class periods and are mandatory. Students cannot receive course credit if they do not take their final exams. Students must attend all classes unless they provide a written early dismissal or late arrival request from their parents/guardians.

Rehearsals are Mandatory  All practices are mandatory.  Rehearsals are on Tuesday, May 24; Wednesday, May 25; and Thursday, May 26.  All students must make arrangements to be in school until 2:10 p.m.  Work release students will need to make arrangements to be in school during practice on rehearsal days.

Required Attire  Male Students (maroon gown)  Students must wear BLACK pants, BLACK shoes, dark tie, WHITE collared shirt.  Dark bowties are acceptable  Female Students (maroon gown)  Students may wear any color dress or BLACK slacks.  Students must wear BLACK shoes—no flip flops.  Avoid high heels.  No showy jewelry; no large earrings

Cap and Gowns  Do NOT iron the gowns.  Write your student’s name on the inside of the cap and gown.  All caps and gowns will be distributed at the end of the second rehearsal as long as all debts are paid to the school. 

Therefore…  Students will be wearing their cap and gown attire on two occasions:  First—At the dress rehearsal/ daytime awards ceremony on Thursday, May 26  Second—At the graduation ceremony

Tickets  All graduating seniors will receive 10 tickets to the graduation ceremony at the second graduation rehearsal.  All seniors may request up to 6 extra tickets. Please fill out the proper request form and turn it into Ms. Blossom in the front office no later than Wednesday, May 11,  All persons attending who need a seat MUST have a ticket regardless of age.  Form available on the Hammond Website

Handicapped Parking  Handicapped parking is available only for those with Maryland state handicapped parking tags or placard.  Handicapped drop-off will be available.  Directions to handicapped parking and drop-off are available in the senior packet, on line and will be distributed during the graduation rehearsals.

Sign Language Interpreter If anyone needs to have a sign language interpreter present at the ceremony, please contact April Lerner at no later than May

Seating…  Be certain to ask your graduate if he/she is processing in on the right or left side of the pavilion so that you know where to sit for the best view of your graduate.  Graduates who are speakers, chorus members, performers, ASL signers are all seated in the front row and do NOT graduate in alphabetical order. The graduate FIRST.  Graduates receiving diplomas from parents do NOT graduate in alphabetical order. They graduate LAST.

Thank you for…  …refraining from bringing noise-makers to the graduation ceremony. This is a formal event, and in order for all families to hear their student’s name called, we ask all persons attending to respect the next student’s moment in addition to enjoying their student’s moment.  …keeping the aisles clear as the graduates exit the pavilion, loop around to the side aisles and descend to the back stage area to retrieve their diplomas.

Event Timing…FYI  The ceremony will begin promptly at Noon with the processional of faculty and seniors. Aisles will be cleared at that time.  Because of the amount of graduations that need to be conducted within a short amount of time, all schools are mandated by Central Office to complete their ceremony within two hours. All attendees should be driving out of Merriweather with their graduate no later than 2:00 p.m.

Daytime Awards Ceremony  Thursday, May 26—processional will begin at 10:30 a.m.  Mandatory attendance for all graduating seniors; it is their dress rehearsal.  Parents/guardians will be notified by mail if their student is receiving recognition.

Evening Awards Ceremony  Tuesday, May 24 at 7p.m. in the auditorium  The only seniors required to attend are those who receive notification in the mail.  Seniors attending must dress for success (cap and gown not required) and may sit with their parents/guardians/guests.  It is imperative that students who are notified attend; members of the community will be attending to present their organization’s award to the student.

PICTURES AND VIDEOS  On Thursday, May 26 all seniors will have their panoramic picture taken in their cap/gown prior to entering for the awards ceremony. Order forms will be distributed at the first rehearsal.  The graduation ceremony will be live-streamed, and a link to purchase copies will be made available after graduation on the school system’s website.  Lifetouch will be sending home proofs of your student receiving his/her diploma. Purchase is optional, and information is sent directly from the photography company. Hammond does NOT have forms.

Prom Date  Date: Saturday, April 30, 2016  Time: 7:30-11:30 p.m.  Ticket includes buffet dinner  Location: Martin’s West (6817 Dogwood Road Baltimore, MD 21244)  Tickets will be sold on April 18-22, before and after school at the school store in the media hallway.  Completed prom pledge and guest forms are due at time of purchase. All guest requests are pending administrative approval.

PROM NECESSITIES  All students and guests must present a PICTURE ID to enter the Prom.  No students will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. Dinner is served at 8:30 p.m.  Hammond’s Dress Code is in effect for the event.  Lifetouch will be taking pictures. Picture package price sheets will be available in Ms. Goff’s or Mr. Osborne’s room; additional forms will be available in the front office.

“After Prom Party”  Where: AMC Theaters at Columbia Mall (10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia 21044)  When: Immediately after the Prom, 12 a.m. – 5 a.m. (The event is NOT a lock-in.)  Who: Hammond juniors and seniors and their dates-- Juniors and seniors who do NOT attend the Prom may still attend the “After Prom Party” but may NOT bring a guest.  Tickets are on sale April 25-April 28 during lunches. The cost is$10.

Class Night  Date: Wednesday, May 25  Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m.  Where: Hammond’s cafeteria  Cost: Undetermined at this date, but they probably will cost around $15. Cost includes Crab Feast and Picnic Items  Evening events: Field day games, senior slide show

Yearbook  Please visit to purchase a 2016 yearbook.  Students may also see Ms. Leslie O’Connor in room 210 to purchase a copy.  Cost: $80  If you are interested in purchasing an ad, space is still available; please contact Ms. Leslie O’Connor at

Hammondhs.org  Handicapped parking and drop off directions  Extra tickets request form  Senior packet  FAQ  Please follow Hammond High School on Twitter and subscribe to e-school news to receive up to date information on graduation and surrounding activities directly on your smart

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