Dear Families of the Class of 2012,
Happy spring! Let us celebrate all the hard work that seniors have put in to get them to this moment. Here are the last minute logistics for this week:
- This coming week may be the last week for your senior, depending on his/her/their course load and agreements with individual teachers. While Friday, June 1st is booked as Last Day for Seniors, many graduates will have class work to complete beyond this date, possibly until the last day of school on June 13th. Please be sure that your student is clear on his/her/their specific expectations.
- Commencement will be held at the Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building at Portland Community College Cascade Campus on Saturday, June 2nd. Exercises begin at 2 o’clock. Seniors should arrive at 12:00. Families are admitted beginning at 1:35. Seating at the venue is limited. Students are encouraged to bring a a maximum of ten guests, unless they arrange with another senior to use his/her/their unused seats.
- Graduation announcements were beautifully designed and printed by Dawn Liljenquist and comrades. There are still a few left to pick up in Ken’s room if your student needs an extra (or has not gotten any at all!)
- Caps and gowns are cleaned and pressed and ready to go. A few students elected to take them home already, but the majority remain safely at school from where I will personally transport them to commencement on Saturday, along with tassels and caps. Please make sure your student returns the gown and cap after commencement; students may keep the tassels. In the event that your student has not already done so, the $25 payment for cap and gown rental may be made at the front desk.
- A photo slide show will run as commencement begins of childhood and baby photos of seniors. Students should supply Jess Brooks (Jess@Trilliumcharterschool.org) with 3 or fewer photos to include in the presentation; emailing digital versions of photos is strongly preferred.
- Students should be preparing their 2½-minute commencement speeches. Each student will be spoken about by an adult they have already selected, and will then deliver their own speech. Students generally choose to speak about their educational experiences, plans for the future, important people/moments in the their lives, or choose to reflect personally on the significance of the moment. Please remind/encourage your student to put some thought and effort into their 2½ minutes. It is the centerpiece of our graduation exercise, and is a powerful and moving experience when the time is used wisely.
- Class of 2012 parent Errol Cox generously donated his amazing photography skills in photographing Senior Portraits. If you have not yet seen your student’s portrait, would like more copies, or just want to thank Errol, let Ken know and he’ll be happy to pass along his contact information.
This is an exciting time of year and of life. I would be happy to help with any questions you might have around your graduates’ experience.
Best,
Ken Gadbow
Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org
503-348-9849
