WATKINS MILL HIGH SCHOOL
Montgomery County Public Schools
10301 Apple Ridge Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
(301) 284-4400 FAX (301) 840-3980
Office of the Principal
March 7, 2016
Dear Parents/Guardians of Graduating Seniors of the Class of 2016:
The purpose of this packet is to provide you with critical information about graduation and other important senior events. As you
know, the Class of 2016 commencement will take place on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall. This
packet was originally distributed to all parents in attendance at the senior parent/guardian meeting held on March 7, 2016, and will
be mailed to those parents not in attendance. Please take the time to carefully review the enclosed information:
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Expectations for graduating seniors and
families/guests
Dress expectations for graduating seniors
Expectations for the graduation ceremony
Diploma distribution
Important dates
Senior final exam schedule
Student Graduation Rehearsal
Charter bus reservation form
Commencement ceremony video order form
Directions to DAR Constitution Hall
Financial Obligations: If your child had a financial obligation as of March 4, 2016 you will receive a letter reflecting the
obligation owed at the senior parent meeting. Any obligations incurred or paid after March 4 are not reflected in the letter.
In addition, the obligation report does not include any textbooks or other items that were issued for this semester.
Obligations must be cleared in order to participate in all senior events, including prom and graduation.
All financial obligations, including payment of the senior cap and gown fee, must be resolved by May 26, 2016 in order to receive
their cap and gown on time. Cap and Gown fee is $40.00. On Tuesday, May 3, the fee will increase to $50.00. Payment can be
made between 7:20 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. in the financial office located across from the main office. Please make your check payable
to Watkins Mill High School. For students who have larger obligations or financial hardship, please contact Ms. Julie Broyles,
business administrator, as soon as possible regarding the scheduling of a payment plan.
Graduation Tickets: A letter was sent to you on February 1, 2016 regarding graduation tickets, including an order form.
Every senior will receive eight (8) tickets to graduation. The ticket order form to request additional tickets is due by
March 11, 2016. Tickets will be distributed to graduates at the graduation rehearsal on June 8 at 12:00 p .m., h e l d i n
t h e m a i n g y m a t W M H S . A ll graduates are required to attend. Notification of additional ticket requests will be made by
April 15. Please keep your tickets in a safe location, as tickets are not replaceable if lost or stolen.
I am looking forward to celebrating the Class of 2016 with you and your family. If you have any questions or concerns, please
contact the main office at 301-284-4400. Important contacts are: Ms. Sandy Young, senior class sponsor,
([email protected]); Lauren Squier, graduation class advisor, ([email protected]); and Ms. Kiera
Butler, senior class administrator, ([email protected]). Thank you for your assistance in making this a positive, joyous,
and memorable occasion for all.
Sincerely,
Carol L. Goddard
Principal
CLG/sb
Enclosures/Attachments
2016 Senior Class Administrator:
Ms. Kiera Butler
(301) 284-4400
[email protected]
Class of 2016 Sponsor:
Ms. Sandy Young
(301) 284-4400
[email protected]
2016 Graduation Advisor:
Ms. Lauren Squier
(301) 284-4400
[email protected]
EXPECTATIONS FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
FAMILIES, & GUESTS
Graduation, June 9, 2016 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
DAR Constitution Hall
Please assist us by reviewing these expectations with your graduating senior. We want
graduation to be a memorable event for all.
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Graduation Rehearsal on June 8, 2016 is mandatory.
We expect all participants and guests at graduation to conduct themselves in a dignified manner and
display the high expectations that are traditional at our commencement exercise.
Any student who is disruptive or demonstrates inappropriate behavior will not be permitted to
participate in graduation.
Any student found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be removed from graduation.
Graduates are required to be at Constitution Hall by 1:30 p.m. and are to enter by the D Street
entrance. Parents and guests may enter at 1:30 p.m. on the 18th Street side.
We are encouraging families to ride the PTSA buses or take Metro to avoid unforeseen traffic issues.
We advise leaving the Gaithersburg area no later than 12:00 pm.
The closest METRO stop to Constitution Hall is the Farragut West Station.
The PTSA provides air conditioned buses leaving from WMHS. A bus order form is enclosed. There
is a $20.00 fee for the bus and reservations MUST be made in advance.
Anyone who enters DAR Constitution Hall must have a ticket, with the exception of the graduates. If
you leave the hall for any reason, you may NOT re-enter.
Family and guests are asked to be seated by 2:15 p.m. Please respect any seating that has been
reserved. Reserved seats will be clearly marked.
The ceremony will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. and should conclude by 4:30 p.m.. The doors to
the hall are closed and LOCKED promptly at 2:30 p.m.
Students are not permitted to have keys, gum, cigarettes or lighters. DAR Security will spot check and
confiscate contraband. All bags are subject to be checked by DAR security.
Students must stay in alphabetical order as practiced during rehearsal.
Family and friends who would like to take still pictures of their children will be permitted to stand in a
designated area set aside for that purpose. Please leave the photo box area immediately and allow
another parent to take your place.
Tripods are prohibited, as is filming from the aisle, in front of, or on the stage. WMHS staff will
monitor the photo boxes to make sure there is prompt and fair turnover of picture-takers.
Lifetouch will be taking a picture of each graduate receiving his/her diploma. Information regarding
these photographs will be available at a later date. The Watkins Mill High School Media Department
will make a videotape of the ceremony. An order form is enclosed.
Parents will not be able to visit with their children until after the entire ceremony is complete,
including the recessional. Do not plan to meet inside the building. Designate a place outside and
away from the hall to meet. Those who are taking buses back to Watkins Mill should report to their
buses immediately.
Handicapped accommodations: Please contact Ms. Susan Brown if anyone in your party requires
handicapped accommodations or a sign interpreter for the hearing-impaired. Handicapped seating is
available for those in wheelchairs. If you have any family members attending the commencement
ceremony who are hearing impaired, please contact Ms. Susan Brown, [email protected]
in main office. All requests or special accommodations are due no later than March 11.
DRESS EXPECTATIONS FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
Boys
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Blue cap and gown as ordered (tassels on the left)
Cap should be worn parallel to the floor. Lettering or decorations on top of the cap is prohibited
Dress shoes (preferably black) with socks. No sandals, no flip-flops, no athletic shoes
White shirts with collar and tie
Jewelry should not be worn outside the gown
No cell phone on graduate and no gum
Girls
 Blue cap and gown as ordered (tassels on the left)
 Cap should be worn parallel to the floor, secured with pins if necessary. Lettering or decorations on top of
the cap is prohibited
 Dress, skirt and blouse, or dress slacks
 Dress shoes (preferably black). No sandals, no flip-flops, no athletic shoes (Attention – excessively
high heels can be quite dangerous; no one wants to fall at graduation! The stairs coming off the stage
are marble and can be very slippery. Also, there is no hand railing for these stairs)
 Jewelry and accessories should not be visible on the outside of the gown
 Please avoid large dangling earrings
 Bags and purses are not permitted
 No cell phone on graduate and no gum
Note: During the ceremony and through the awarding of diplomas, tassels should be worn on the left side of the cap.
Together as a class, the tassels will be shifted to the right.
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE GRADUATION CEREMONY
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Make sure all cell phones or other electronic devices are turned off before the ceremony begins. It is
strongly advised not to bring electronic devices into DAR.
Appropriate behavior is essential at graduation, for graduates, parents, and guests. Yelling or screaming out
a graduate’s name is NOT appropriate and may interfere with another parent’s right to hear a graduates’ name
called.
Students who disrupt the graduation ceremony in any way, or do not follow our expectations will not receive
their diploma at Constitution Hall. Instead, parents and students will need to schedule an appointment with
Ms. Goddard after the last day of school (June 17, 2016) in order to receive the diploma.
Remain seated as not to block the view.
Please refrain from clapping or cheering until ALL of the graduates have been announced. We are making a
concerted effort to make our graduation ceremony a pleasant and dignified experience for all; we will stop the
ceremony and wait for a dignified silence to return to the hall if necessary. We know how proud you are of
your graduate; the graduates know this, too. Loud and demonstrative displays have no place at a formal
ceremony.
In addition to the security provided by the Constitution Hall, WMHS provides its own security team and
faculty members who help to supervise conduct at graduation. Please treat them with the same respect that
our students are expected to show them. If asked at any time by a WMHS staff member to comply with a
direction, please do so. Again, our security team and staff have been instructed to ensure that the ceremony is
dignified and respectful.
DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION
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Students will receive their diploma COVER on stage. Diplomas will be
distributed at tables (alphabetically identified) as the graduates exit the main
hall. Students that behave inappropriately during the ceremony, or as they cross
the stage, will not receive their diploma at the conclusion of graduation. Those
students’ diplomas will be withheld and those students will need to see Ms. Goddard
in order to receive their diploma.
Students that do not attend the graduation ceremony may contact their counselor at
301-284-4420, to pick up their diplomas.
IMPORTANT DATES
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Graduation tickets and additional ticket requests will be distributed at graduation rehearsal. Each student
will receive 8 tickets. Any senior with an outstanding obligation will NOT receive any graduation tickets until the
obligation is paid. WMHS Financial Office staff will be available at the meeting if you wish to pay obligations at
this time and still receive tickets. Additional ticket requests must be completed by March 11, 2016. There are only
so many extra tickets we are able to give out to each family. It is based on the size of the venue and the size of the
graduating class.
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Prom will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016, from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Glen Echo Park.
Tickets will go on sale March 1 for 50.00 each. An installment plan is available. After May 1 tickets are $55.00
each. All obligations, including the CAP & GOWN FEE, must be paid before purchasing any tickets. If you have
any question, please contact Ms. Sofya Shpilyuk, [email protected], junior class sponsor.
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The Senior Picnic will be held on Monday, June 8, 2016 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Location TBD. Activities
and menu TBD.
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Cap and Gowns will be distributed to seniors on May 26 after period 5 exam and May 22 on the senior exam
make-up day from the auditorium. Any cap and gown not picked up on May 22 can be picked up at the
Financial Office during regular business hours, 7:20 am to 3:20 pm. Cap and Gown fee is $40.00. On
Tuesday, May 3, the fee will increase to $50.00.
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Senior Announcements: If you have not ordered you will need to contact Jostens directly at (410) 561-1403.
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Senior Award Night is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2016, 7pm
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Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. in the gymnasium.
Any senior who does not attend cannot walk the stage at graduation. The rehearsal takes approximately
three hours. Seniors may not participate in the graduation ceremony without a cap and gown or without
attending the mandatory graduation rehearsal. All financial obligations must be paid in order to receive a
graduation ticket, by May 31, 2016.
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Pre-paid PTSA buses will leave promptly from WMHS at 12:00 p.m. to DAR Constitution Hall on June 9,
2016.
CHARTER BUS RESERVATION FORM
SENIORS AND FAMILIES
Chartered buses will be available again this year to take you and your family to and from
the graduation ceremony, Thursday, June 9, 2016 at DAR Constitution Hall in
Washington D.C. The buses will depart Watkins Mill H.S at 12:30 p.m. and return to the
school soon after the ceremony. Reservations are required.
(The school does not provide transportation for seniors to the ceremony.)
All passengers, including senior students, must have paid reservations. It's important to
anticipate your needs now. Additional buses will not be available the day of departure.
If your needs change, cancellations will be accepted no later than May 13.
Bus assignments and tickets will be mailed to you in mid-May.
Complete the reservation form below, and return it, along with a payment by check
to WMHS PTSA, c/o 9800 Hallowell Place, Montgomery Village, MD 20886. Make
check payable to WMHS PTSA. Include the senior's name on the check.
RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED WITH PAYMENT BY MAY 13, 2016.
Questions? Call Susan Young at (240) 793-8572, or email her at: [email protected]
--------------------- Detach for reservation -------Retain upper portion-------------------------RESERVATION FORM
Family name ________________
Senior student name __________________
Phone (Home) _______________
Phone (Day) ________________________
Address with zip code _____________________________________________________
___ Person(s) requiring handicapped access
Please reserve ____ seats on chartered bus @$20.00 each
Total $ _________ enclosed
RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED WITH PAYMENT BY MAY 13, 2016.
SENIOR GRADUATION Thursday, June 9, 2016, 2:30 pm,
DAR CONSTITUTION HALL
BUSES DEPART FROM WMHS PROMPTLY AT 12:30 PM
2016 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY DVD ORDER FORM
The Watkins Mill HS TV Production Group is offering the Class of 2016 commencement
ceremony DVD’s.
2016 Commencement DVD includes the complete commencement
ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall.
The order form below lists the cost of the DVD. Only cash or money orders will be accepted and
payment is due at time of order. Orders should be submitted to Ms. Holderman in the Financial
Office.
Orders will be available for pickup from the Finance Office, approximately two-three weeks
after the commencement ceremony. As soon as they are ready, you will be notified by phone
and/or email. All DVD orders are final. Any damaged DVD will be replaced with a corrected
copy.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Holderman at [email protected]
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ORDER FORM
2016 Commencement Ceremony @ $20.00 ea.
$ _______________
Additional Copies of 2016 Commencement Ceremony
_______ copies at @ $20.00 each
$ _______________
TOTAL DUE
$ _______________
(Please complete information and return to Ms. Holderman)
Student Name: _________________________________________________________________
Parent or Guardian: _____________________________________________________________
Mailing address: ________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: __________________ Zip Code: _________
Daytime Phone: (
) ____________________ Evening Phone: (
) ________________
Email: ________________________________________________________________________
Directions to DAR Constitution Hall
(Phone # 202-628-1776)
Below are suggested routes to DAR Constitution Hall, located at 1776 D St., NW, Washington, DC 20006.
You may also visit their Web site at http://www.dar.org/omni/directions.cfm
Wisconsin Avenue
Take Wisconsin Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Go one block south of Massachusetts (because you
cannot make a left turn at the Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue intersection), which will bring
you back on to Massachusetts Avenue. Bear right on to Massachusetts Avenue and proceed to 23rd Street.
Turn right on 23rd Street and follow direction to M Street. Make a right turn on M Street and proceed to 17th
Street. Make a left turn on 17th Street proceed directly to DAR Constitution Hall.
Connecticut Avenue
Take Route 495 to the Connecticut Avenue exit. Stay on Connecticut Avenue (which becomes 17th Street) all
the way to 17th Street. Take 17th Street to D or C Street. DAR Constitution Hall is located on that block.
Glen Echo Parkway
Take Route 495 exit to River Road / Glen Echo parkway. Follow Glen Echo Parkway to Canal Road and M
Street. Keep straight on M Street to the Whitehurst Freeway. Take the Whitehurst Freeway to the E Street
expressway. Follow expressway to the Constitution Avenue exit (well marked).
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Take Route 495 across the American Legion Bridges and exit right on to George Washington Parkway
immediately after crossing the bridge. Follow the parkway for approximately 8 miles to the Memorial Bridge
and exit to Constitution Avenue.
OR
Take George Washington Parkway to Key Bridge. Make right turn on Key Bridge and then turn right on
Whitehurst Freeway. Follow the freeway to the E Street expressway or take the K Street exit or take K Street
exit (whichever you prefer) to 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Make a right turn on to 17th Street to
DAR Constitution Hall.
Using Metro:
From the Orange and Blue lines (A 10-15 minute walk):
Take the Farragut West metro stop.
Exit the station on 17th Street, and walk south on 17th Street towards Constitution. Turn right on D Street.
On Sundays, you must use the 18th Street exit; walk south on 18th Street and turn left on D Street.
The main entrance is in the middle of the block.
From the Red Line (A 10-15 minute walk):
Take the Farragut North metro stop.
Exit the station on 17th Street, and walk south on 17th Street towards Constitution. Turn
right on D Street.
The main entrance is in the middle of the block.