Seniors

Graduation Day | Inclement Weather | Conduct | Parking | Photos | Reminders 

Graduation on Monday, June 9

• East Ridge will hold their commencement ceremony on Monday, June 9th @ 4pm at 3M Arena at Mariucci; University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Campus.
• Handicap or Limited Mobility seating will be available for anyone who needs it.
• Seniors MUST report 45 minutes before the ceremony, dressed in their cap & gowns. Please leave all valuables at home or in your vehicles.
• Guests should arrive early for parking and seating.
• We also will be showcasing our live video feed of the commencement ceremony through YouTube Live.
• A professional photographer will be present at the graduation ceremony to take formal pictures of the ceremony and of each graduate as they receive their diploma. Photos will be online 7-10 days after the ceremony. No obligation to purchase. 

Questions about the ceremony reach out to Assistant Principal, Brian Boothe, @ bboothe@sowashco.org OR 651-425-2309.

Conduct at Commencement

Commencement is considered the most formal and public of our educational ceremonies. Our seniors are celebrating the successful completion of 13 years of education. Friends and relatives are invited to honor and celebrate this achievement. We ask all who attend commencement to abide by the following guidelines:

• The Commencement ceremony will be conducted with appropriate dignity and decorum. Do not bring air horns, whistles or any loud noise makers to the ceremony. Balloons are also not allowed. The use of these items distracts from the dignity of the ceremony.
• We discourage large purses or bags in order to ensure comfortable seating for all attendees. Bottled water is allowed at Aldrich. Please, no other food or drink at the ceremony.
• Children are to remain seated with an adult (not on laps).
• ERHS is a tobacco-free campus. Students and spectators are not permitted to smoke on the premises.

• Students/Graduates: All seniors who are eligible to take part in the commencement ceremony are encouraged to participate. It should be noted that participation in the commencement ceremony is not mandatory nor a condition for the completion of graduation requirements. On graduation day, seniors should report to TBD by TBD to check-in. Seniors are to arrive in ceremony attire, and in cap and gown. All students will be asked to open their gown to check for appropriate attire and appearance before the lineup and processional begins. Commencement is a formal activity and serves as the school district's public acknowledgement of high school completion. The cap and gown are formal educational attire and are not to be altered for the ceremony. In addition, it is encouraged that all seniors participating in the commencement activity dress appropriately, with recommended attire to be worn as follows:

  • Dress Code: Collared shirt, dress slacks, slacks, dresses, dress socks, dress shoes (no recreational shoes such as sneakers, flip-flops, etc., flats are recommended over high-heels).

Parking

To avoid potential problems, we want to remind you that students, parents and school staff should try to carpool as much as possible as parking is limited.

Photos

Commencement attendees are asked to REMAIN SEATED during the ceremony. Parents and families may take photographs from your seat while sitting, and before or after the ceremony. We have contracted with a photographer to take professional photographs of each graduate during the commencement ceremony.

All graduates are photographed as they cross the stage at commencement. Photos are normally available for viewing within 7-10 days following the ceremony.  Information on how to access photos will be sent to seniors and their families directly when they are available.

Reminders

• Seniors should not bring purses, cameras, bags, etc., to the ceremony. We will have a secure place to store car keys and cell phones. Beverages, beach balls, signs, or any other items that may distract from the formal ceremony are not allowed.
• Chemical Use - Students who arrive with any indication that they have used alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to participate. The student will be detailed by ERHS administration and Woodbury Police.
• Smoking - ERHS is a tobacco-free campus. Students and spectators are not permitted to smoke on the premises.
• Disruptive Behavior - Disruptive behavior is defined as including but not limited to, loud and abusive verbal language or the unwillingness to respond directly or appropriately to administrative directions. These actions will be considered evidence of unruly behavior. Such conduct will be the basis for removal from the ceremony.

• September 24: REQUIRED Senior Student Meeting - 2:21-3:06 pm - LOFT Stage
• September 26: Senior Parent & Financial Aid Night - 6:30-8:00 pm - LOFT Stage
• November 14: Senior Panoramic Picture, 8:30 am, Gym
• November 19: Deadline to submit Senior Portrait. Directions to upload portraits found here.
• December 13: Deadline to order Caps and Gowns. Order link here
• January 8: Deadline to submit Senior Baby Recognition Ad 
• March 27: REQUIRED - Senior Student Meeting - 2:21-3:06 pm - LOFT Stage
• April 9: Senior class speaker applications open - send to Mr. Boothe
• April 17: Senior class speaker applications closed
• April 23-April 25: Seniors will vote on class speaker and staff speaker for graduation
• April 29: REQUIRED - Senior Student Meeting - 2:21-3:06 pm - LOFT Stage 
  • GRADUATION FEES ($30) OPEN
  • Honor Stole notifications sent to student Google Apps emails 
• May 13: Senior Awards Night, 7:00 pm - LOFT Stage
• May 15:
  • GRADUATION FEES ARE DUE- Link to Pay Fees
  • Outstanding Fees due
  • Honor Stole deposit due
    • Students will only have the option to keep Stoles.  We will not collect them or reimburse after graduation.
  • Senior Survey Due
• May 29-31: Yearbook Distribution - could be moved due to deliver date
• May 30: Academic Holds Implemented 
• June 4: Last Day for Seniors to turn in coursework
• DATE TBD:
  • Graduation Practice (Gymnasium) ​​​​
  • Picnic/Cap and Gown Distribution (Students will also return Chromebooks and textbooks, pay any late fees,                                               and then pick up their Cap and Gown)                
• June 9: Commencement Ceremony at 3M Arena at Mariucci, 1901 4th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (Time TBD)
• Senior Party -TBD More info to come

Cap & Gown Distribution time and date is TBD - seniors should enter the building through the Activities Entrance.  **NOTE: Seniors must be cleared from all academic holds, outstanding fines, senior survey, etc. prior to receiving their caps and gowns!

• Graduation Fee: $30

• Honors Stole Fee (for selected students): $25 
  • Students will be notified if they have earned an honor stole on April 29th Students must check their SoWashCo Google Apps email for their notification. If a student has the option of accepting the Honor Stole, and must pay a fee of $25.  
    • Students will keep the honor stole as a keepsake this year, no refunds will be given.  We will not collect stoles and/or reimburse students for them.

Cap & gown measurements will be taken/submitted by students during the Sept. 24 senior meeting.

Students who have received an Academic Letter (GPA of 3.5 or above through Trimester 2) all four years of high school will receive a Golden Raptor pin that can be worn during the commencement ceremony.

*A reminder that grades from Trimester 3 of the 2019-2020 school year do NOT count towards a student's overall GPA, per the School Board. 

Students who are active members of the following Honors Societies will be allowed to wear an additional tassel during the ceremony. Recognized honor societies include: Health Occupation Students of America, International Thespian Society, National Art Honors Society, National Honors Society, National Speech & Debate Society and Tri-M Honors Society.

In order to wear a specific stole or cords during the graduation ceremony, Clubs/Activities must:

1. Be a Nationally Recognized Club/Activity
2. Set an acceptable attendance %
3. Meet event participation/volunteer requirements
4. Request approval from the graduation committee by March 1 of the current school year 

**Once approved criteria will be posted on the club/activity website**

• Seniors can pick up their student ID cards from the ERHS main office, once they are printed and ready for pick up.
• More will be shared once they are ready.

Mandatory Commencement Practice - TBD

• All seniors participating in the Commencement Ceremony MUST report for commencement practice at 9 am in the gym.
• Be on time!
• Graduation practice is mandatory. 
• Practice takes approximately 2.5 hours.

Optional graduation items can be purchased here through Jostens.

• Announcements: Students have the option to order graduation announcements through Jostens. These announcements feature our school crest on custom paper. It will also include specific information regarding the date, time and place of your ceremony. Ordering announcements is not required.
• Class Rings & Tags: Proudly display your graduation in timeless fashion with Jostens class rings. Seniors have the opportunity to purchase a customized, commemorative class ring or tag from Jostens.
• Apparel: Show your senior pride with quality senior apparel designed to match your style. Product availability varies by school.
• Photo Cards: Photo cards are used to add personality to announce your graduation. Photo cards add a personal touch to your announcement package.

The Senior All-Night Party is an independent event that is organized and run the parents of ERHS students. Staff or Administration are not responsible for this event. 

The Senior All Night Party is Saturday, June 7th from 10:30 PM - 5:00 AM. Check out our website for more details and to order your tickets!

Once you gradate, in August graduated seniors will no longer have access to their school provided Googles Apps account. Make sure you download/copy the files you want to keep onto another device not owned by the District. After August, there will be no means of retrieving them. Follow the steps below:

1. Using the device you want to download them to, log onto your Google Drive.
2. Click on the file you want to save and download. (To download multiple files, press Shift or Control ("Command" on a Mac) while clicking other files.)
3. Right-click and select Download.

Note: Dragging a file from Google Drive to your desktop will NOT download it. Be sure to follow the steps above. 

Parents must review their senior's meal account balance to determine what to do with any funds that remain in their student's account after graduation. Be sure to remove any automatic payments made to your student's account. More information can be found here.

Senior Parents -- Please plan to attend the Senior Parent/Financial Aid & FAFSA Information Night! Important information regarding senior year deadlines, review of graduation requirements, graduation logistics, and college application overview will be presented. There will be guest speakers presenting timely and valuable information about financial aid and the FAFSA.

• Senior Parent/Financial Aid & FAFSA Information Night will be held on September 26th, from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Senior Student Meetings will take place during R&R Time for the 2024-25 school year (in the Loft Stage). The presentations will be posted below shortly after each meeting date listed below. If students have questions regarding the information presented, they should contact their counselor or administration.

• Tuesday, September 24, 2024 - During R&R Time (2:21-3:06 pm)
  • Cap & gown sizing information will be presented at this meeting. Seniors are asked to go here to submit their Cap and Gown sizes. Questions, please see Mr. Boothe in the main office.
• Thursday, March 27, 2025 - During R&R Time (2:21-3:06 pm)
• Tuesday, April 29, 2025 - During R&R Time (2:21-3:06 pm)

Student Council class president(s) and class-elected student speaker will speak during the commencement ceremony. Additionally, the senior class will also elect a staff member to address their class.

• Order a yearbook here!
• Senior Portrait Upload Link: https://images.jostens.com/447305965

Senior Portraits – due November 19^th:

Direct Link to Upload Senior Portrait: https://images.jostens.com/447305965

User ID number is: 447305965

Requirements: Senior portraits that do not meet yearbook specifications or are submitted after deadline date will not be published. We have a set policy regarding the submission of senior pictures:

• JPEG (.jpg) digital image format is required. Please do NOT submit PNG or TIFF files. This is very important!
•  300 DPI or higher for “actual size” of photo—approximately 2.5 horizontal X 3.5 vertical inches. We need high resolution image files for printing purposes. Photos that do not meet this quality may not be printed in the book.
•  Photo file must be labeled in the format LastName_FirstName
• Photo must be in portrait or vertical orientation--not horizontal.
• All pictures must be submitted in full color. No sepia or black-and-white photos.
• Pictures need to be head and shoulders only. No hands and no full- or partial-body poses.
• Have your photographer leave enough space around your face to allow for the yearbook staff to feature you at your best within the design. Please sit straight—no dramatic angles.
• Please avoid pictures with “soft focus” as they appear blurred upon reproduction.
• Appropriate attire only will be accepted. No hats, hoods, pets, musical instruments, or props.
• The yearbook staff has the right to request a different photograph if the above guidelines are not met.

Seniors may select the photographer of their choice provided the yearbook portrait photograph conforms to the above standards and the photograph is received on/or before November 19, 2024.

We suggest that you contact a photographer as early as possible to set up an appointment to ensure that you meet the November 19th deadline. Students who do not submit a senior portrait will have their JostensPix school portrait included by default. Please get your JostensPix portrait taken in case you do not submit a different senior picture in time – otherwise we may not have a photo of you in the book.

Senior Portrait Upload Directions:

1. Visit https://images.jostens.com/447305965
2. Choose the photo to be uploaded. Each student may only submit ONE photo.
3. Provide parent or photographer contact information. (Person uploading the photo should enter their information.)
4. Provide IMAGE information:
5.  *It is extremely important to type the student’s first and last name correctly.* 
6. Select grade 12 from the drop-down menu
7. In the description field, type: Senior Portrait
8. Click the box to agree to terms and conditions
9. Click on “upload chosen images” in gray box to complete the process
10. You will see a confirmation page and should receive a confirmation email shortly after your submission of the photo. 

All questions should be addressed to ERHS Yearbook Adviser, Andrew Nagahashi anagahas@sowashco.org

Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Senior Recognition Ads – due by January 7th: 
 Direct Link to Purchase Senior Ads: https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=1763180

EAST RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL (ERHS)

2 p.m. | Sunday, June 4, 2023
Aldrich Arena
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EAST RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL (ERHS)

2 p.m. | Sunday, June 5, 2022
East Ridge High School Stadium
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