2017 Commencement Information
May 2017
Dear Senior Student & Parent/Guardian:
This letter provides you with important details about Edina High School commencement
for 2017. A great deal of planning has been conducted to ensure that this will be a
memorable evening. Please review all information below carefully. Parents may wish
to save this information as a reference guide.
We are excited that this year’s commencement exercises will be held at Mariucci
Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota at 7:00pm on Monday, June
5, 2017.
Message from the Principal Dr. Bruce Locklear
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017!
Time has flown by so quickly and graduation is upon us! I want to share a heartfelt
thank you to the students and parents of the Class of 2017. As I look to my retirement
from public education, I am honored to have served our high school for the past ten
years and am equally honored to “graduate” with the Class of 2017. While I am excited
to pursue the next phase of life, leaving is difficult. It is a special place with so many
wonderful people, who work together to maintain a Legacy of Excellence. So, again
thank you and Congratulations Class of 2017!
As I reflect on the accomplishments of this Class of young men and women, I am struck
with what I define as their Legacy of grit, tenacity, and doing the right thing. It is a Class
where acceptance is the norm and concern for all is the key to their success. As the
year concludes and we prepare to bid farewell to the Class of 2017 I wish to say thank
you for an exceptional year!
When you entered the high school as sophomores, you engaged in academic
discovery, fine arts and athletic exploration and eventually landed on a path that guided
you into your senior year. Excitement for the future rises before you; a future filled with
many opportunities and adventures. As we prepare to bid farewell to the Class of 2017,
I would like wish you the best in all of your endeavors and hope that you look back on
your experiences at Edina High School with positive and fond memories.
Parents and guardians of the Class of 2017, thank you! Your commitment to our school
and your willingness to help with whatever emerges is deeply appreciated! You are the
difference makers that define Edina High School as a wonderful, caring, highperforming high school for all learners.
Class of 2017, I can honestly say that I am a better person and leader because of
you. This became evident as I was a part of the Commencement Speaker tryouts. So
many of the messages were premised on the differences you have made and you have
allowed me to be a part of many of these organizational changing and career changing
experiences. You will leave an indelible mark on our high school; a mark that signifies
your hard work and commitment to make our school the very best. Thank you!
Enough waxing and waning on the moments of reminiscence and on to the purpose of
this communication, before I start getting emotional. We want to help define how the
conclusion to our year will shape up. To that end, I have provided the following bullet
points that define my expectations for you as we conclude the year. Below are key
points to ensure a successful and fitting graduation celebration for the Class of 2017.
EXPECTATIONS
Remain on your best behavior through the last day of school. It matters more
that you finish well than if you start well.
Vandalism is unacceptable.
The evening of commencement, look good and be first class. This is your night
to shine. If you are engaged in actions that embarrass our school or your family,
you will be required to return following graduation to complete community service
for 40 hours and be removed from the ceremony. Remember that your parents and
other family members have prepared for weeks (or years) for this formal
occasion. Many of you have grandparents and/or other special friends and
relatives who have been making plans to attend commencement and honor your
special achievements. Do Edina proud this evening!
Commencement is in recognition of you, however the ceremony is for your
family. Please remember this and as you go through the evening do so in a
manner that represents the class of this group of people.
We are very proud of our Class of 2017 and want you to finish in a manner that reflects
your career at EHS. Please do so. Congratulations and finish the year with the same
spirit you started it, as a “Class Act.”
Parents/Guardians, on behalf of our staff, please join us to celebrate and honor the
Class of 2017 as they prepare to enter the next phase in life. May the road ahead be
filled with many wonderful events and opportunities that propel our graduates
successfully into adulthood!
The Class of 2017 Edina Senior High School Senior Exit Survey was to be completed
via the Survey Monkey link, which was sent to each senior student's school email on
April 19th. The survey should have been completed on April 19th. If the student has not
completed the survey, the student will need to find the email in their school email and
complete the survey before May 17th in order to receive their cap and gown on May
19th.
Essentials
What:
Where:
Edina High School Commencement
MARIUCCI ARENA
University of Minnesota Campus
1901 4th Street SE; Minneapolis, MN 55455
When:
Monday, June 5, 2017
Student Arrival Time:
6:15 PM
Start Time:
7:00 PM
End Time:
9:00 PM (Approximate)
Commencement Protocol
Respect for others and following ceremony protocol is important.
The celebration for students comes after the commencement exercise. Parents and
other guests should not use blow horns or other noise making devices at
commencement. They serve as a distraction to others. Applause should be held until
all class members have crossed the stage.
Commencement Practice Cap and Gown Distribution Yearbook Distribution
All seniors must attend commencement practice, cap & gown and yearbook distribution,
and senior celebrity awards on Friday, May 19th. A special schedule will run that day
with seniors receiving their cap and gown in the afternoon. If there are any questions
about caps and gowns, please contact Nancy Knutson,
[email protected]. If you are unable to attend on Friday, May 19th, caps
and gowns will be distributed to any students/parent designees in the main office, but
must be picked up by Friday, May 26th. Please stop in the counseling department prior
to picking up your cap and gown and plan for time to do a brief “check out” to make sure
all obligations (fines, credits, etc.) have been met in order to graduate. Students
awarded their honor cord at the Edina Scholar’s Banquet should be sure to bring and
wear the honor cord at commencement. We do not supply extra honor cords for
students who forget to bring them. At the conclusion of the commencement exercise,
students will leave their gowns at Mariucci Arena in a designated place. The company
we rent from will be on site to pick them up. The graduation cap, tassel, stole, and
honor cord belong to the student.
Clothing Recommendations/Considerations
Graduation caps should be worn so they are parallel with the floor. The tassel should
hang over the right side. It is recommended that you pin the tassel in place. The tassel
will NOT be moved from one side to the other during the ceremony. Students are
encouraged to wear dress clothes under the gown. Please do not wear shorts or jeans.
Wear dress shoes, preferably black. Students should not wear corsages or other
adornments on the gown. No messages are allowed on caps. The cap and gown
speak for themselves.
Commencement Tickets/Seating
One of the benefits to holding commencement at Mariucci Arena is seating. Mariucci
Arena can hold ALL relatives and friends who plan to attend. Due to ample seating, no
tickets will be issued for spectators. There is no reserved seating. It is first come, first
served. Doors will open at 6:15pm and Mariucci Arena personnel will be on site to
assist with seating.
There is no need to make pre-arrangements for handicap accessible seating. Seats of
this nature can be found throughout Mariucci Arena. Please ask an usher at Mariucci to
direct you to this seating. There is no reserved seating. It is first come, first served.
One final note, there will be sign language interpretation. For those interested in this
service, please contact Allison Du Chateau at [email protected] or
952-848-3146 by Friday, May 26th for a reserved seat in section 6. An interpreter will be
in front of section 6. An usher will direct you to the appropriate area.
Transportation to and from Mariucci Arena for Commencement
Members of the Class of 2017 are to find their own way to Mariucci Arena. Students
should arrive at Mariucci no later than 6:15pm. It is important to allow plenty of time to
accommodate for possible heavy traffic and to find a parking place. It will be easiest if
students enter Mariucci Arena through the main lobby entrance off Oak Street. Once
inside Mariucci, signs will be posted instructing students where to assemble. Feel free
to drop graduates at the main lobby entrance and then continue to parking ramps/lots.
Directions, Parking and Disability Access
Directions:
From I-35W (Northbound): Take the University Avenue/4th Street SE exit and turn a
right on University Avenue. Follow that until Oak Street SE. Turn left on Oak Street.
Oak Street will curve to the left and you will need to take a right to stay on Oak Street.
Mariucci Arena will be on your left.
From I-35W (Southbound): Take the University Avenue/4th Street SE exit. Go past 4th
Street and turn left on University Avenue. Follow that until Oak Street SE. Turn left on
Oak Street. Oak Street will curve to the left and you need to take a right to stay on Oak
Street. Mariucci Arena will be on your left.
From I-94 (Eastbound and Westbound): Take the Huron Boulevard exit. Follow Huron
until you reach University Avenue SE. Turn left. Take a slight right at Oak Street SE
and then turn right onto Oak Street. Mariucci Arena will be on your left.
From Highway 280 (Northbound): Exit at University Avenue SE. Turn left (west) and
follow University Avenue to campus. Take a slight right at Oak Street SE and then turn
right onto Oak Street. Mariucci Arena will be on your left.
More information regarding directions can be found on the following website:
http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/maps/MarA/
Parking:
Public parking for Mariucci Arena is available for a fee on a first come, first serve basis.
Recommended parking lots are lots 37 and the Maroon lot. For more parking
information and to view maps, please use the following website:
https://www.mygophersports.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=L
oad&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=FEB153A7-8766-4208-93D3CC772CAFED3F .
Access for individuals with disabilities:
Accessible entry can be found via the east and southwest power assisted entrances.
For your convenience, Mariucci Arena ushers will be available at the lobby for those
needing special assistance getting to their seat.
What to expect when you arrive at Mariucci Arena
As noted above, allow for plenty of time before the commencement exercise. Arrive by
6:15pm. It will be easiest if students enter Mariucci via the main lobby off Oak St. Once
inside Mariucci, signs will be posted instructing students to various dressing rooms to
put on their cap and gowns. Students are encouraged to leave valuable possessions or
any amount of cash at home. Student IDs are required for entry into the Senior Party.
If you are attending the Senior Party bring your student ID as it will be scanned for entry
to the party. There will be no need for cash and while the dressing rooms will be
supervised during the commencement, all students are encouraged to travel light.
Immediately BEFORE commencement starts
It is our plan to assemble students in the Mariucci staging areas in the appropriate
arrangement to ensure they are seated correctly. Teachers will be there to help
students assemble. This process is essential to ensure that the name read coincides
with the student walking across the stage. Students and participating teachers will enter
Mariucci in ordered lines and will be seated in the designated sections on the main floor
of Mariucci.
Immediately AFTER commencement ends
Typically, the commencement exercise will last about two hours. After commencement,
students will precede back stage to be bused to EHS. Parents will not have an
opportunity to see students after the ceremony. School buses will take the Class of
2017 from Mariucci directly to the overnight party at Valley View Middle School.
Students not attending the overnight party should meet parents in an area designated
by the parent after the student deposits their gown in the designated boxes.
Students should refer to information mailed by the parents planning the overnight party.
These mailings will include pertinent details about the senior party. You must bring your
student ID if you are attending the senior party as it will be scanned to enter. If you are
interested in finding out more information, please visit http://www.edinaseniorparty.org/.
Diplomas
Diplomas are not handed out at commencement. Students will receive only their
diploma cover at commencement. The actual diploma will be sent in June once it is
determined that all final graduation requirements have been met that entitle a student to
an EHS diploma.
Pictures/Video
Photos:
Families are encouraged to take pictures of their graduate before arriving at Mariucci
Arena as there is NO opportunity prior to or following commencement. We suggest
meeting with friends at Centennial Lakes, an area country club or church, or a family
home. We have arranged with Life Touch photography to take a photo of each
graduate after they have crossed the stage. An email notice will go out to inform you of
when the proofs of photos will be available at online.
Video: Bloomington Education Cable Television will be broadcasting commencement
and selling DVD’s of the ceremony. For more information, please go to their website at
www.bectv.org/
Yearbooks
Yearbooks:
All yearbooks must be picked up before May 30th. Edina High School will be closed
during the summer and yearbooks will not be available to be picked up until September
5th.
Thank you for reviewing this information carefully. It will prove helpful to you. We are
looking forward to the commencement exercise, and we wish to congratulate you on
your many fine achievements.