T.E.A.C.H. GRADUATION 2016 Tidewater Educators Association for Christian Homeschooling P.O. Box Virginia Beach, VA

If you are not familiar with T.E.A.C.H.’s Graduation Ceremony, it can be quite emotional and entertaining. Families are given the opportunity to present the diploma to their graduates, offer a charge, a prayer or congratulations, in two minutes or less! Or the student may wish to use that time to express appreciation to his/her parents. The time per family must be limited to 2 minutes out of consideration for others. We ask you to please stay for the entire ceremony and share the joy of the day with all those present. We need 2 fathers to volunteer for the opening and closing prayers.

Announcing This year’s reception theme is: Cookies and Fruit. T.E.A.C.H will supply the décor, sheet cake, punch fountain, and all paper products. Graduates simply supply and drop off unplated cookies or fruit at rehearsal. T.E.A.C.H. will plate and serve the food. Please us with what item and quantity of what you will be bringing.

There are three MANDATORY MEETINGS that all graduates and parent(s) must attend prior to graduation: Monday, January 25, or Febuary :00 pm – Orientation River Oak Baptist Church. All Payments are required at this time. Graduation affidavits, applications and order forms must be submitted at this mandatory meeting. Monday, May 16 th - Final Detail Wrap Up. River Oak Baptist Church. Friday, June3, 2016, 7-8:00 pm, Rehearsal River Oak Baptist Church. This is the graduation rehearsal. Please bring caps/gowns/tassels.

All fees will be collected at one of the attended orientation meetings, and should be made payable to T.E.A.C.H. This fee includes the purchase of one of the 2 packages, the ceremony and the reception after the ceremony, and a memorable ceremony program including a biography of each graduate. Package 1 = $ Cap, tassel and gown unit Official Class ring 5 Graduation Announcements Economy name cards Diploma Cover and Diploma Package 2 = $ Cap, tassel and gown unit Diploma Cover and Diploma

Parents are required to turn in a notarized affidavit verifying their student(s) are indeed homeschooled, and are neither enrolled in any form of school (other than TCC) nor are participating in any other graduation ceremony. This affidavit has to be signed and notarized and turned in with the completed application at one of the attended orientation meetings. Please note that the affidavit requires the signature of a notary public – have this done prior to attending the meeting. We will try to provide a notary at the meeting, but this is not always possible.

Orders will be taken at one of the attended orientation meetings for caps, gowns and tassels. Extra tassels may be ordered if graduates wish to use one in their displays or for some other purpose. Caps and gowns are royal blue, tassels are blue and white, and no other regalia (such as gold cords) will be permitted. If you do not order extra tassels initially, PLEASE do not ask us to provide them at a later date. Distribution of caps/gowns/tassels will be picked up date on May 16 th, meeting from 7-9pm at River Oak Baptist Church.

Modest attire must be worn under the graduation gown. We will not be using the white collars that come with the gowns. Ladies should wear dresses no shorter than two inches above the knee and with a modest neckline. Men must wear socks, shoes (no sandals),dark dress pants, white dress shirt and black tie. Jeans are not acceptable.

In package 1 you will receive a Jostens Basic style TEACH class ring. If you would like to upgrade your class ring you may do so by checking the upgrade box. A Jostens representative will contact you and set up an appointment to upgrade your ring. The class ring ceremony will be held at this year’s prom on May 6! Please turn your form in in at one of the attended orientation meetings. Deadline for orders to be back by Prom is April 1 st. Also, if your child is not able to attend one of the orientation meetings please check their right hand ring finger ring size at a local jewelry store or if they can attend the meeting where a Jostens representative will size their finger when you turn in your order.

T.E.A.C.H. School Name School Mascot Symbol

The new Diplomas and padded diploma covers will be supplied by T.E.A.C.H. and will be signed by the T.E.A.C.H. President. There is also a line provided on the diploma for a parent signature.

Please write a short paragraph about yourself (10 Sentences maximum) for inclusion in the graduation program. The volunteer parent coordinator will contact you stating where to your bio by April 1, 2016 Some suggested info to include in your biography: Favorite Scripture Birthplace Age Years of homeschooling Places of residence Blessings from the Lord Anyone you want to thank Achievements Awards Special recognition Family Work Important Life Lessons Learned Future plans Involvement in music, sports, contests, missions, community volunteer, service organizations.

For Slide show: We plan to display on screen a slide show that includes three of each graduate- baby, youth, and current - The volunteer parent coordinator will contact you stating where to the pictures by April 1, 2016 Cap & Gown or group Portraits: (optional) There are many photographers who do senior packets, for example Life Touch/Prestige. Contact: Blair Tompson (handouts available) At the end of the ceremony there will be an opportunity for parents to take a group photo of the graduates. Video: (optional) We are in the process of looking for someone to help us develop videotaping of ceremony.

Each graduate will be given 1/3 of an 8ft. table or ½ of a 6ft. table to display pictures, awards, mementos, academic work or other interests and activities. The display tables will be available for setting up at rehearsal.

In the Basic package invitations are the responsibility of the families of the graduates. These may be ordered from Jostens or designed yourself and printed on special paper available in stationery stores. If you selected the Plus package you will receive 5 announcements and name cards. Extra may be ordered through Jostens.

Please help us by abiding by all required deadlines, so that we will have time to have everything ready. Monday, January 25 th or Febuary 29 th :00 pm –Orientation Affidavits, Applications and Order Forms Friday, April 1 st - Photos & Bio’s Monday, May 16 th - Final Detail Wrap Up. Friday, June 4 th 2016, 7-8:00 pm, - Rehearsal

Tickets will be on sale at the following locations starting March 1st: March 1 st _ 31 st ==$55 April 1 st – May 3 th ==$65 May 1 st – Door ==$70 Moore Expressions Bookstore, 6070 Indian River Rd., Va. Beach Homeschool Plus, Ingleside Baptist Church, 925 Ingleside Rd., Norfolk K.E.Y.S., Community Church of Chesapeake, 253 St. Lukes Church Rd. Chesapeake 23320, P.A.G.E, Ivy Memorial Baptist Church, 2200 Coliseum Drive, Hampton S.A.G.E, Western Branch Baptist Church, 4710 High Street,Portsmouth contact: Leslie Maese - (757) / ( ) Young Musicians of Virginia (YMV), New Song Fellowship, 865 Woodstock Rd., Va. Beach May 8th 7pm.-11pm. Vista Point T.E.A.C.H. Prom Massey Hugh Drive Bldg.Q-88 Naval Station Norfolk, Va

This year we are fortunate to have reps from each co-op. We are always looking for help on the day of the prom for decorating. Please contact one of the Prom coordinators and let us know if you can help.

Now accepting Formal Dress Donations for tax deductions or by consignment. Dress and Accessories Sale - Dress Check –Ticket Sales Date: Saturday, April 11 th and 25 th, from 1-3pm at KRT Express Tailor’s Willis Wayside 4216 Va Bch Blvd Ste 150 Virginia Beach, VA Contact: Donna Kuzio / If dresses are still available, you will be able to purchase these by contacting: Martha Blau or April Improta For more information go to the TEACH Prom web site or Facebook.

It is an honor for us to be able to help you culminate your homeschool career on June 4 th, Initial questions? Please contact the T.E.A.C.H. Board Graduation Coordinators. Martha Blau / April Improta For the latest information check out the T.E.A.C.H. Prom & Graduation Facebook page. Contact us to be invited