Welcome
Welcome to the JFHS Class of 2024 Graduation Activities Newsletter. The purpose of this newsletter is to inform parents and students of important dates and details, as well as the requirements necessary to participate in the graduation activities for 2024. In addition to reading this newsletter, students should listen for announcements in the daily student bulletins, look for information posted on bulletin boards throughout the school, attend TA regularly, and connect to our school website and Instagram.
Requirements
In order to participate in any Graduation Activities, students must qualify for the Graduand List. To be on the Graduand List, students must be in a program that will lead them to the full graduation requirements for their program by the end of June of their grade twelve year. The initial grad list, consisting of students who are currently on track to fulfill their graduation requirements, will be posted Friday, December 15, 2023. Any student whose name does not appear on this initial list needs to meet with their guidance counsellor immediately. The information used to create the first draft of the list may not include (1) previous courses taken outside of Alberta, and (2) courses students are currently taking away from Fowler [e.g. CBe-learn]. All students are asked to be sure that they check all lists as they are posted.
At the beginning of second semester, any students who have a grade below 50% in a course required for graduation at the reporting period of March 8, 2023 will be removed from the graduation list that will be posted on Wednesday, March 13th. Please refer to the documents highlighting the requirements needed to obtain an Alberta High School Diploma or an Alberta Certificate of High School Acheivement.
An updated draft of the Graduand List will be posted on Thursday, April 4th. It is important to note that students whose names are still not on the Graduand List have the opportunity to show that they meet the requirements of the graduand list by Tuesday, April 16th. The final Graduand List will be posted on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Students, who are intending on including a CBe-learn online course toward their graduation requirements, will need to register in the course no later than Friday, February 23rd. Once registered, they will need to make an appointment with their guidance counsellor and show their progress in the course in order to be included on the Graduand List.
Graduation Ceremony
The Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Jubilee Auditorium on Friday, May 24, 2024 from
10:00 am until 12:30 pm. Students must be on the Graduand List to participate. The graduating students will not need a ticket to participate. All guests (including infants and small children) must have a ticket. Tickets will be available for purchase online through Ticketmaster, Thursday, April 25th (more information to follow). Students should now begin considering whom they will invite and anticipate being able to obtain tickets for approximately six guests in the first round. A second round will occur for additional ticket purchase, if needed, on Monday, May 6th.
The Graduation Ceremony is a formal event and students will be expected to act in a way that aligns with the student code of conduct, AR 6005. This includes, but is not limited to, choosing clothing that does not distract from the formality of the ceremony, and engaging in behaviours while crossing the stage that would also be deemed disruptive/distractive.
A mandatory Graduation Rehearsal will take place on Tuesday, May 21st, in the main gym at school. This will provide students with important information prior to both events and give them an opportunity to ask any last minute questions.
Graduation Banquet and Dance
The Graduation Banquet and Dance will be held at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park on Friday, May 24, 2024 from 6:00 until 11:30 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm). The BMO Centre is where most high schools have their banquets, and will provide our students and their families with a special and memorable formal experience.
Students on the Graduand List will need to purchase a ticket for themselves and their guests. The tickets will cost $105 per person. Ticket sales will begin on Monday, April 22nd.
It is important to note that along with the requirement of being on the final Graduand List in order to purchase tickets for both Graduation Ceremony and Banquet, it is also necessary that all school fees be paid in full. This needs to be completed prior to the purchase dates listed above. Use link here to pay online, fees may also be paid at the business office during school hours.
Graduation Portraits
Graduation portraits are scheduled for James Fowler students February 12 - 16, 2024. Students will be able to book times for a portrait sitting by visiting prestigeportraits.ca. More information will be available for students in January.
Valedictorian
Each year a Valedictorian is selected from the graduating class who will present an address to all the students, teachers, and guests during the Closing Exercises at the Jubilee Auditorium. A Valedictorian must be a leader of the school community, a strong student in his or her program, and a good public speaker. Students interested in seeking the position of Valedictorian must submit an application form to Ms. Rickards no later than Friday, March 8th.
Important Dates
December 15 First Graduand List Posted
March 8 Valedictorian Applications are due
March 13 Second Graduand List Posted
April 4 Third Graduand List Posted
April 5 Deadline for Banquet Speakers
April 16 Deadline for meeting requirements
April 18 Final Graduand List Posted
April 22 Banquet Ticket Sales Begins
April 25 Ceremony Ticket Purchase Begins - Ticketmaster
May 6 Second Round for Ceremony Tickets
May 21 Graduation Rehearsal
May 24 Closing Exercises [10:00 am – 12:30pm]
May 24 Banquet and Dance [6:00 pm – 11:30 pm]
Questions
Students or parents should address their questions to the following staff:
Budgeting and Other Planning: Student’s Counsellor [Surnames A-F Mr. Bliss; G-N Ms. Hajar, O-Z Ms. Whiteley]
Grad Banquet and Dance: Ms Archibald
Grad Ceremony: Ms. Element
General Concerns: Ms. Chippure, Mr. Brash or Mr. Zarkovic
