by Chloe Jordan | Editor-In-Chief
As graduation approaches, seniors have a list of expectations, due dates, and days to mark on their calendar.
“All the deadlines are on the emails I’m sending seniors and parents,” Principal Gary Comalander said. “I sent one right before spring break.”
March 24 is the deadline for scholarships to be sent to [email protected] for recognition in senior awards, while April 25 is the deadline for scholarships to be in the graduation program. April 21 is when senior slideshow pictures need to be sent in to [email protected].
“Really, all the information [Ms. Cobb] puts on the senior page, on our webpage, is in the emails that I send out,” Comalander said. “If you keep up with those two spots, you’ll see it.”
The requirements to graduate are having the minimum number of credits, passing all EOCs, and being in good standing with the school. This means not going to alternative school.
“This is why we talk about making good decisions and not getting in trouble, because we’re down to about 43, 44 days until we’re done, and a bad decision could cost being able to walk the stage,” Comalander said.
Seniors with a GPA of over 100 will be honored at the summa cum laude ceremony on April 3. Students with other achievements will be recognized at the senior award ceremony on April 24.
Honor cords will be handed out to grads, and scholarships will be announced at the senior awards. Students will be sent invitations to be a part of the ceremony.
For graduation, seniors will be handed out caps and gowns April 11 during all three lunches, as long as they’ve paid already or are paying that day.
“If your stuff is not available because you haven’t paid at that time, then a student would have to go to Josten’s to pick it up,” Comalander said. “And, we’ll be sending out the address for those who need it, but that’s the only time they deliver to school.”
Since COVID, the school moved cap and gown delivery to an earlier date. Three years ago, they used to be delivered just before rehearsal.
“It helps, in case there is an issue with sizing and having a little more time to fix it,” Comalander said. “It also gives parents and students about a month and a half there if they want to get pictures taken in their cap and gown before the end of school.”
The senior field trip will be at the San Antonio Zoo on April 18. Seniors must have their dues paid and a signed permission slip turned in to Ms. Cobb by March 31.
“Just to be able to get out and go away, instead of being inside, hopefully on a pretty day,” Comalander said. “Usually good weather at that time of year.”
Seniors should also watch their attendance. After ten absences, Saturday school is required for each absence after. There are only seven Saturday schools available for the end of the year, which excludes the Easter and Fiesta weekends.
“If you don’t have it all completed before graduation, then you won’t get to walk the stage, and you would have to complete the hours the first week of summer,” Comalander said. “And then, you’d get your diploma, but you’d miss out on graduation, so we always keep a close eye on the seniors, attendance-wise.”
If a senior has the maximum absences allowed for an exemption on a final, and they are absent the day of that exempted final, they will have to make it up.
“If that’s the absence that puts you over, it still counts,” Comalander said. “We will approve semester exams about a week and a half before they start, but you can still, if you get more absences, including the day of the test, have to take it.”
For more information about senior events and deadlines, students can contact Ms. Cobb, Mr. Comalander, Mr. Berg, or Ms. Tarbox or visit the senior page at JHS senior page.
“Hopefully, seniors do [check their emails], because in real life, when you’re going to college, everything is through email,” Comalander said. “So, getting in that habit right now, if you’re not already in the habit, you need to, because that’s how everything is done as you move on.”
