DeKalb School of the Arts
1192 Clarendon Avenue
Avondale Estates, GA 30002
678-676-2502
Spring 2015
Dear DSA Senior Parent,
With the school year winding down and seniors ready to go, it is essential that we work together to make the last few weeks of school productive and safe for all students. Here are some reminders for senior students and parents:
•All students are expected to follow all school and district policies: promptness to school and class, dress code, following directions of any adult in the building, use of cell phones, etc.
•If students choose to participate in any activities which disrupt the school day, whether on the bus or school grounds, there will be consequences.
•All financial obligations must be cleared before diploma will be released (cash or money order only after April 30, 2014).
•Students will not participate in commencement events if they have outstanding financial obligations.
• EOC – Economics May 4, AP exams May 4 - 15
• Senior Locker Decorating May 13 4-7:30 pm (see reverse for locker decorating guidelines)
• DSA Honors Night: May 14 7:00 pm DSA Theater
• DSA Pre-Commencement May 15, DSA Theater: 7 pm
• SPA Banquet May 16, Doubletree Hotel (near Northlake Mall), 5:00 pm Tickets $35 – cash only
• Senior Breakfast May 18 8:30 DSA Cafeteria
• Senior Finals: Day 2: May 19, Day 1: May 20, Day 2
o Note: Exemption criteria will be set by each teacher for students with 5 or fewer absences and a grade of A.
• Last day for Seniors: May 20
• Senior Clearance Form: Issued May 18, due end of day May 20 to Ms. Crittle
• Graduation Practice: May 21, 9 a.m. – Schwartz Performing Arts Center, Emory University
• Formal dress for Pre-commencement and Commencement:
§ Ladies: black dress, black dress shoes, natural stockings
§ Gentlemen: White dress shirt, dark tie, black pants, black socks, black shoes
§ Cap and Gown
The Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2015 will be held on Thursday, May 21, 6:30 p.m. at Schwartz Performing Arts Center on the campus of Emory University. Parking is free.
I want to take this opportunity to review some guidelines that will make this a wonderful, memorable and safe event for all families involved.
• Graduates should arrive by 5:00 pm and guests should arrive well before the 6:30 pm start time.
• The graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30 pm. Late arriving guests will have to wait until after the processional to be seated.
• All guests must have a ticket. Each senior will be issued 12 tickets. Due to the seating capacity of the venue, non-ticketetd persons will not be allowed to enter. Ushers will not allow guests into the theater without a ticket.
• All ticketed guests should keep their ticket stub with them in case they need to leave the seating area and return.
• Cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off as to not interfere with the sound system (sound familiar ?).
• Cameras on tripod or other supporting devices which block aisles or lines of sight are prohibited.
• Please be prepared to remove crying babies or toddlers from the hall to lobby.
• For the safety of all attendees and per venue request, balloons, banners, signs, horns, streamers, etc. are not permitted.
• In order for EACH graduate’s name to be clearly heard, screaming, yelling or extended applause is inappropriate. It is suggested that as your graduate crosses the stage, the family as a whole stands and applauds.
• A professional photographer will be on-site to catch that special “diploma moment.” Ordering of photographs will be available through a web-site.
• Students will receive their actual paper diploma after the ceremony. Any student not conducting themselves appropriately before or during the ceremonies will have their diploma withheld.
As stated before, this is a special event for EACH family. While DSA “Does school a different way,” the graduation ceremony is one filled with rich traditions and meaning for those involved. Let’s continue to make the DSA graduation the best event of all!!!!!
Sincerely,
Susan M. McCauley