February 21, 2019


Dear Parents and Seniors:

Although it may seem that the end of the year and graduation are a long time off, it is now the time to solidify our plans for all the upcoming important events and ceremonies that honor our graduates. To accomplish this, a great deal of planning must be done by the school and you, and good communication needs to occur throughout the next few months. It is my hope that this letter and subsequent optional meeting will help provide some of the answers to questions you may have.

Below is a list of important dates, times, and facts that I encourage you to review and place near your calendar. DOWNLOAD Important Dates.

Attention to School: As the end of school looms, it is important that seniors remember to continue to give their school work the appropriate attention it deserves. Colleges and universities are interested and require second semester grades in order to ensure the acceptance of a new freshman student.

April 4 – Graduation Announcements: Announcements ordered through Jostens will be distributed during Community Period and lunch on April 4, 2019 on Senior Lawn, or you may pick up your order after April 4, 2019, from Mr. B. Bailey.

April 30 – Accounts Payable: Prior to Tuesday, April 30, 2019, all financial obligations, including tuition, must be paid in full (excluding pre arranged payments). Seniors will not be allowed to participate in finals or any of the ceremonies unless all accounts payable have been reconciled. If you have any questions about your account, please contact Ms. Eileen Simmons at ext. 608.

May 21 – Community-Based College Scholarship Presentation: All of the community-based college scholarships will be presented on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at 6:30 pm, in the Dining Hall. Invitations will be sent to the selected scholarship recipients and their parents. Invited students are required to attend (community members present these awards, so it is mandatory for the recipient to attend and receive the scholarship). Student dress for the occasion is liturgy dress as outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook.
  
May 20 - 21 – Senior Class Trip: Senior Class Trip to Disneyland. They will depart really early (3:30 am) Monday, May 20, 2019 and return in the morning (approx. 8:00 am) Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Important Notes: Final payment is due April 1, 2019 to Ms. Simmons. Any senior who is not signed up for the trip will be expected to be in class on Monday, May 20, 2019 and Tuesday, May 21, 2019.

May 22 – Caps and Gowns: Caps and gowns will be distributed May 22, 2019, during advisory and lunch on the Senior Lawn, or you may pick them up from Mr. B. Bailey after May 22, 2019, during normal business hours. It is recommended that students try on the gown to ensure they have the correct size. The gowns will also have creases from the packaging and should be hung or pressed with a cool iron, before the ceremonies. Caps are not to be decorated or modified unless this is earned as a senior privilege for the class.

May 28 – Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Practice: Both practices will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Baccalaureate practice will begin at 4:00 pm in Patrons Plaza followed by a student dinner provided by the school in the Dining Hall with student speech and slideshow. At 6:00 pm we will have Graduation Practice on the North Lawn. After the practice we will have dessert and our Senior Sunset ceremony at 8:19 pm. These are mandatory events , so please do not make any appointments that will interfere with this time. Also, employers, coaches, and others should be notified now that this is a time when seniors will need relief from their commitments.

May 29 – Baccalaureate Mass: This is a mandatory event for the graduates held at 6:30 pm, Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Patrons Plaza. The seniors are required to be on the walkway by the 400 wing by 6:00 pm. The appropriate dress for the occasion will be the academic robes which they will also wear during graduation. The only exception for this event will be that their caps are not worn.

May 30 – Graduation: The commencement ceremony will take place on the North Lawn, Thursday, May 30, 2019, at 6:30 pm. Seniors are to be present, dressed appropriately, in their cap and gown by the 300 wing of the school at 6:00 pm.

June 6 – Grad Nite 2019: Grad Nite 2019 will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019, from 9:00 pm until 5:00 am. For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/gradnite This is an optional Napa community event attended by students from Napa County high schools.

Please note:

Graduation Seating: To provide everyone with the best view of the graduates possible, each family will be given a group of four seats in the priority seating area within the first few rows and another group of four seats in the secondary seating will be reserved behind those. The seats are chosen randomly by senior students. General seating will be provided behind the secondary seats. Families may choose whom they wish to have seated in either location. These seating assignments will be emailed to you in early May and a seating chart will be on our website www.justin-siena.org . General seats may not be saved for the ceremony. There is enough space for all of our guests. If one of your guests has any special seating needs such as a wheelchair, please contact Mr. Robert Bailey by email rbailey@justin-siena.org  by April 29, 2019 so we can make appropriate arrangements.

Student Dress for Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation: For all the ceremonies the graduates should be dressed in their gowns; they should wear their caps only for the actual graduation. If they have received a gold tassel or cord, they are to wear these at graduation as well. Leis are not appropriate at the Mass, nor are money leis at graduation. However flowered leis may be worn at graduation; no other paraphernalia is allowed. The tops of the graduation caps are not to be decorated. Under the gown all students should follow the liturgy dress code. Male students may wear slacks, shirt and tie, dress shoes and must be clean shaven. Hair should be well-groomed. Dresses do not extend below the gown. Students should remember that when selecting their shoes, they will be walking on grass and up and down stairs during the graduation ceremony; therefore, they are strongly discouraged from wearing heels higher than 2 inches. Students who are not well groomed or properly dressed will not be able to participate in the ceremonies.

Conduct: All of these events are serious in nature, and the conduct of those participating should reflect the dignity of the occasion. Especially during our time at Mass, but also at the graduation ceremony, whistling, cheering, or other boisterous behavior is inappropriate. Our aim is to make these exercises as dignified as possible for both the families and our guests. No noisemakers are allowed at either ceremony; please communicate this expectation clearly to all of your guests. Balloons are not appropriate at the Mass and are discouraged at the graduation ceremony as they obstruct the view of those behind you. The use of any drug, including alcohol, is strictly forbidden. Anybody found to be under the influence at the Baccalaureate Mass will be sent home and may not be able to participate in the Graduation Ceremony. Anybody found to be under the influence at the Graduation Ceremony will be sent home.

Diplomas: The actual diplomas will be mailed home following a review of academic credits. Students who will not receive a diploma because of lack of academic credit, failing grades, or for disciplinary reasons will be notified.

This is a long and involved list which I hope you find useful. I also invite you to an informal gathering on Monday, March 4, 2019, at 6:30 pm, in the Gasser Center for an opportunity to ask me questions directly. If you have any pressing thoughts or questions prior to that time or you are not able to come to our meeting, please contact me at rbailey@justin-siena.org .

Sincerely,

Robert Bailey
Chief Operations Officer