Seniors

*PLANS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO COVID-19 OR WEATHER*

2022 Graduation Day | Bad Weather | Conduct | Parking | Photos | Reminders 

Graduation on Sunday, June 5

• East Ridge will have ONE ceremony on Sunday, June 5th at TBD.
• Each senior receives 6 tickets.
• All tickets will be General Admission.
• Seats will be available in the home bleachers, visitor bleachers, a limited number of seats will be available on the football field, and if necessary, there will be some standing room only areas on the track surrounding the field.
• Handicap or Limited Mobility seating will be available for anyone who needs it.
• Seniors MUST report to the GYM an hour before their ceremony, dressed in their cap & gowns. Please leave all valuables at home or in your vehicles.
• Guests enter through the Football Field Entrance. Doors will open one hour before the ceremony.
• Guests should arrive early for parking and seating.
• The main gates to the Football Field will close at the start of the ceremony with no entry following.
• Families will not be granted any extra tickets.
• 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. 

Our Commencement Ceremony will be held in the Raptors Nest (Football Field) at East Ridge High School on June 5th at TBD. Each graduate will be allotted six (6) general admission tickets for family seating in the Nest. Students on hold will not have tickets assigned until they are released from the hold list. Tickets will be distributed directly to students at the REQUIRED graduation rehearsal on June 3rd at 9 am. Children attending the graduation ceremony MUST also have a ticket. Children are not allowed on laps.

Bad Weather Plans

Our sincere hope and current plan is to hold the ceremony outside on the football field. However, trying to plan for an outdoor event in June, in Minnesota, can be tricky. If we need to make the decision to shift to an indoor ceremony, the time would remain the same on Sunday, June 5th inside the gym at ERHS. To plan for this, each student will receive four (4) tickets for a potential indoor ceremony at the same time they get their tickets to the outdoor ceremony. Our hope is to make a determination on outdoor/indoor by Friday, June 3rd.

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 in the Nest and the Perch. Please, no other food or drink at the ceremony.
• Children are to remain seated with an adult (not on laps) and are not allowed to walk the track at any time.
• 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 the gym by 9:00 am 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:

  • Males: Collared shirt, dress slacks, dress socks, dress shoes (no recreational shoes such as sneakers, flip-flops, etc.)
  • Females: Dress skirt, dress slacks or dresses, dress shoes, (no recreational shoes; flats 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 22: REQUIRED Senior Student Meeting - 10:20-10:50 am - LOFT Stage
• September 23: Senior Parent & Financial Aid Night
• November 1: Deadline to submit Senior Portrait (see Yearbook page for details)
  • TBD: Senior Panoramic Picture, TBD, Gym
• December 6: Deadline to submit Senior Recognition Baby Ad (see Yearbook page for details)
• April 11: REQUIRED - Senior Student Meeting -10:20-10:50 am - LOFT Stage
• April 12: Senior class speaker applications open - send to Mr. Boothe
• April 23: Senior class speaker applications closed
• May 2: REQUIRED - Senior Student Meeting - 10:20-10:50 am - LOFT Stage
• April 29-May 2: Seniors will vote on class speaker and staff speaker for graduation
• May 2:
  • GRADUATION FEES ($30) OPEN
  • Honor Stole notifications sent to student Google Apps emails 
• May 16:
  • GRADUATION FEES ARE DUE
  • Outstanding Fees due
  • $25 Honor Stole deposit due
    • Students will only have the option to keep Stoles.  We will not collect them or reimburse after graduation.
• May 17: Senior Survey Due in Naviance
• May 18: Senior Awards Night, 7:00 pm
• May 25-27: Yearbook Distribution - could be moved due to deliver date
  • Academic Holds Implemented - more information to come.
• June 2: Cap and Gown pick up & chromebook collection - Lunch - students are asked to come to the Activities Entrance.  The total process should take approximately an hour.
• June 2: Last full day of classes for Seniors
• June 3: Graduation Rehearsal - 9 am - meet on the football field.
• June 5: Commencement Ceremony - 10:00 am
• June 5: Senior Party 

Cap & Gown Distribution will take place on Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 during lunch - 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 May 2. 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. 20 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.

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: International Thespian Society, National Art Honors Society, National Honors Society, National Speech & Debate Society and Tri-M Honors Society.

• 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 - June 3 at 9 a.m.

• All seniors participating in the Commencement Ceremony MUST report for commencement practice at 9 am on the football field.
• Be on time!
• Graduation practice is mandatory. 
• Practice takes approximately 2 hours.
• You will receive your tickets for graduation at commencement practice.

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. More information will be shared as the event approaches. 

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 Thursday, September 23, 2021 

Senior Student Meetings will take place during Raptor Time for the 2021-22 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.

• Wednesday, September 22, 2021 - During Raptor Time (10:20-10:50 am)
  • Cap & gown sizing information will be presented at this meeting. Seniors are asked to go to www.gradsmn.org to submit their Cap and Gown sizes. Questions, please see Mr. Boothe in the main office.
• Monday, April 11, 2022
• Monday, 2, 2022

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.

East Ridge High School (ERHS)  6 p.m. | Friday, June 12, 2020 ERHS Graduation Recording