1. Graduation Rehearsal
May 26, 2017

2. Agenda: Greeting by Administration Graduation Venue Details
Graduation Day Procedures
After rehearsal today…
PRACTICE Directions
Practice
Dismissal

3. Announcements:
1. You must provide your own transportation to Xfinity Center. No buses will be provided. 2. Seniors Do need a ticket. You are NOT admitted by your cap & gown. 3. Arrive at Xfinity Center no later than 12:30pm via the lower level entrance and report to The Pavilion gym 3.

4. Guests Entrance
4. Parents/Guests – Entrances (on upper level) open at 12:30pm. *If you are coming with your parents and they park in the garage, you will have to walk around to the lower level entrance. Parents will not be allowed to enter Lot 4B to drop you off.

5. Xfinity Regulations
• Everyone will be wanded by security • No blow horns allowed • NO balloons / beach balls allowed • NO book bags or back packs will be allowed in the building • All bags/purses will be searched

6. MCPS Guidelines
No purses, cosmetics, hairbrushes, etc., can be taken into the graduation ceremony. Wear clothing with a pocket if necessary. There is no security for items left in the staging area (gym).
Graduates’ dress should be kept simple and not detract from the cap and gown, ceremony, or celebration.
No one is required to participate in the ceremony in order to receive a diploma; those who choose to participate are expected to be conforming members of the senior class. This is the last time the class will be together as one group.

7. Graduate Attire: (Men)
A wrinkle-free royal blue robe
Mortarboard with tassel on the left
Long dress pants
Dress shoes with socks
White shirt with collar and tie
Jewelry should not be worn on
outside of academic robe
NO “flip-flops” allowed

8. Graduate Attire: (Women)
A wrinkle-free blue academic robe
Mortarboard with tassel on the left
Dress or Dress pants
Skirt/blouse
Dress shoes (warning – high heels)
Clothing, jewelry, and accessories should not be visible on outside of robes
Avoid large drop earrings
Wear clothing with a pocket if necessary or leave these items with family / friends.
NO “flip-flops” allowed

9. Fit of Gown
Do not decorate your cap – if you do so it will be replaced with another one.
Try on your cap and gown to ensure it fits
as soon as you get home today
Check the zipper
Apply a light iron for wrinkles
Contact Ms. Johnson if there are problems

10. ENTRANCE:
Guest entrance from the parking lots. Those with disabilities will enter the lower level and be escorted to the elevator, then up to the concourse level. Graduates will not use this entrance – walk around to the back and enter from the Pavilion Entrance, then into the Pavilion Gym.

11. Day of Ceremony Details
Enter from your designated doorway
Give personal belongings to guest member / arrange a meeting place for after ceremony
NO parents will be allowed into The Pavilion (staging area, gym)
Find your counselor to retrieve your name card
Line up for the processional line when instructed.

12. Order of Processional Stage Guests ‘End Seat’ Staff
Students (A thru L1)
Students (L2 thru Z)
Chorus
Staff

13. Day of Ceremony Cont’d
Dr. Belton and Ms. Leonard will lead you into the arena and direct you where to sit
Once you begin your descent down the stairs to the entrance tunnels, you are on camera – for all parents, VIPs, & guests to see (recording starts at this point)
Remain standing until Mr. Gregory tells you to be seated

14. Processional A-L1 L2-Z, Chorus
Graduates enter from the tunnels, walk towards the back of the area then turn inward. Walk down center aisle with your partner.
L2-Z, Chorus
A-L1

15. Band
Chorus
Sample graduation and placement of graduates, band, & chorus.

16. Stage / Diploma Procedures
The entire row will be asked to stand by your end seat staff person
Walk to the stage via ramp
Hand your name card to counselor
Accept diploma cover (left hand) and shake hands (firmly) with principal (short pause for photo)
Shake hands with stage guests
Exit stage from opposite side, down the steps
Receive flower from counselor
Upon returning to your seat, remain standing until directed to sit by your end seat staff person

17. Tassel Ceremony and Closing
After all graduates have received their diploma covers, your class officers will proceed to the podium and request that:
Graduates stand through tassel ceremony, closing, and recessional
Graduates move their tassels from left to right. Please do not throw your caps to prevent injury to others.

18. RECESSIONAL
Stage Guests will exit first (down side ramps to the tunnels.
Graduates will follow (led by a staff member) to the tunnels - one row at a time in a single file.

19. Reminder
This special graduation ceremony is designed to provide you, your family, and your friends with a wonderful memory.

20. Graduate Exit:

21. After rehearsal today:
Proceed back to your counselor’s table, return the name card, receive your gown bag w/tickets (10 tickets + 1 for graduate = 11 tickets)
If there is no cap and gown for you at your counselor’s table it means:
You have an obligation/owe dues and need to see Ms. Saul in K-101(school bank) to clear it.
After you clear, report to K-171 (the downstairs conference room). You must have a copy of your receipt to retrieve your gown

22. NOW WE PRACTICE!! Line up outside the Ertzman doors in ABC order
Chorus/M thru Z – down the Ertzman hallway, up the steps and outside
A thru L – down into the Ertzman lobby through to the outside
REMAIN QUIET AS CLASSES ARE GOING ON!
If your name is mispronounced, make sure this is corrected today. At graduation, do not shake Mr. Gregory’s hand until the pronunciation is correct!