Commencement (Graduation)

Commencement 2021

Hello Parents/Guardians and Grads of 2021

Please enjoy the Class of 2021 Virtual Grad Ceremony!

Here are some final reminders about our Drive-By and Virtual Graduation on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. 

Where: St. Mary, back parking lot drive through. 
When: Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 
Time(s):

  • 9:00-10:30 A - E 
  • 10:30-12:00 F - L 
  • 12:00-1:30 M - R 
  • 1:30-3:00 S - Z 

IMPORTANT: Health and Safety continues to be at the forefront of all that we do, so please read the following instructions carefully! 

  • Please adhere to your Grad’s assigned timeslot. We have done this to minimize traffic congestion and efficiency of the Drive-By. 
  • Parents and any other family members are asked NOT to get out of their vehicle at any time during the Drive-By, with the exception of the Photo Stop (see below). 

Arrival – Upon arrival at the South Entrance (back parking lot), Grads will be asked if there was an order for Flowers placed and/or if they will be taking a picture at the Photo Stop.  At this point you will also be able to donate your Uniform.  Please have uniforms in a bag. 

  • Station 1 – Graduation Package pick up  
  • Station 2 – Parting Gift 
  • Station 3 – Grad Signs 
    After receiving your Grad Sign, if you haven’t ordered flowers or are not taking a photo, you will exit the Grad Drive-By onto Whites Road. 
  • Station 4 – Photo Stop/Flowers As you make your way to the front of the school, you will have the opportunity to have a Parent/Guardian take a photo of you in front of the school. We are budgeting approximately 2 minutes in order to avoid congestion.  This is the only time that anyone can exit their vehicle. 

 

Participation Requirements

In order to participate in the June 29th, 2021 commencement ceremony, students must have fulfilled the requirements of the following policies:

  • Achieved a minimum of 28 credits (in order to earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma, you must earn 30 credits)
  • Cleared all debts with administration
  • Completed 20 hours of community service
  • Paid the graduation fee of $50, School Cash Online or cash only paid directly at the Main Office (this fee includes: diploma, program, cap and gown, St Mary 2021 lawn sign)

Caps and Gowns

Students must complete the Grade 12 Graduation Exit Plan Survey to indicate their Commencement gown size and post-secondary plan. The cap size is not required as one size fits all (elastic headband). You will need to provide your Grad fee receipt to pick up your cap and gown in Guidance (date to be determined). Contact Ms. Leduc in Guidance if you have not submitted your grad gown size.

Cap and Gown pick-up will take place this Wednesday and Thursday (June 9 and 10) between 12:30 and 2:30 pm at the front of the school. In order to receive a Cap and Gown you must have paid your Grad Fee. The Cash on line Grad fee notice expired on June 4 at midnight. Any student who has not paid (and wants to), will have to bring cash to the main office (no cheques accepted).
The deadline for the grad fee and cap/gown pickup is June 25. After that date, any cap/gowns or diploma packages can be picked up June 30. Cap/gowns will not be distributed during the drive through event.   

Graduation Award/Bursary Reference Forms

Graduates are encouraged to complete a “Graduation Award/Bursary Reference Form” in order to be considered for various awards/bursaries. This form will be made available after March Break here and Edbsy "Potential Grads 2020-2021" group. Students are encouraged to complete the form by Thursday April 29th to be considered for various Graduation awards.

This is a voluntary submission, not mandatory or expected of any student. Students who submit the profile will be considered for various in-school awards which are quite modest in their monetary value. Some awards are recognition only. For any student interested in considering sizable scholarships/bursaries, please contact the college and university websites directly. 

If you have questions about your profile please contact Mrs. Stanesic in Guidance.

Important Dates (2020-2021)

  • Graduation photos: Make your appointment at bookmygrad.ca using the school code KTM
    • Original dates April 12 - 23 (POSTPONED)
    • UPDATE April 16: As per Public Health order and the fact that we have moved to Remote Learning for the near future, Graduation photos have now been postponed until the week of May 31 - June 4.  If you have a time booked, you will receive an email from Edge Imaging of the change.  It is our sincere hope that we are back in school soon and all our Graduates can have their photos done.
    • It is still our hope that we will be back in the school for Grad photos, but it is still imperative that if you want to see your photo during the Virtual Grad and in the Yearbook that you get your self-portrait in by May 14. Please use Gr 12 Yearbook Photo Submission for more information and to submit.
    • UPDATE May 28: Hello Grads, those of you that have Grad photos booked have already received a message from Edge Imaging stating that photo dates are being pushed yet again due to the school closures. As things stand right now, Grad photos are now scheduled from June 21-25. In the event that we don’t return to school at all, Edge Imaging has said they will have pop-up locations open during the summer so Grads and their families can still have photos done. 
    • UPDATE June 10: We are a go for Grad Photos from June 21-25! Any students who have photos booked through Edge Imaging will be receiving word from Edge outlining Public Health guidelines and what to expect during your photo session. If you haven’t booked there are still slots available! Note: Grad Photos done through Edge Imaging are not Yearbook photos.  
  • Commencement fee collection of $50 via School Cash Online: June 4
  • Valedictorian Nominations: February 8 - 19
  • Valedictorian Election: March 1 - 12
  • Community Service Hours submitted to Guidance: April 1
  • Completion of "Graduation Award/Bursary Profile Form": April 29
  • Grad Decoration Signs: You have a chance to be a part of decorating for your graduation! Signs for students to decorate available to order until Friday, May 14. Please use Grad Decoration Signs for more information and to order.
  • Cap & Gown pickup: June 9 & 10 (12:30-2:30pm). Take photos at home with friends and family and wear it during the Grad drive-by! In order to receive a Cap and Gown students must have paid their Grad Fee. The Cash on line Grad fee notice expired on June 4 at midnight. Any student who has not paid (and wants to), will have to bring cash to the main office (no cheques accepted). The deadline for the grad fee and cap/gown pickup is June 25. After that date, any cap/gowns or diploma packages can be picked up June 30. Cap/gowns will not be distributed during the drive through event.   

  • Commencement Flowers: This year Commencement Flowers will be back at our graduation ceremony but just a little different than normal. You will be able to pre-order only flowers, to be picked up at the drive through event, provided government restrictions allow. The deadline for orders is June 13. There will absolutely be no ordering after this date and there will be no ordering at the event. Please visit www.thecommencementgroup.com/stmarycss to place your order.

  • Commencement: Tuesday, June 29 

Contact Us

If you require accessibility related accommodations for attendance at this event, please notify the organizer in advance of the date so that arrangements can be made.

If you or your parent/guardian have any questions regarding commencement, please contact Mr. John Neundorf at ext. 56007 or John.Neundorf@dcdsb.ca

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