2022 Graduation Ceremony – Thursday, May 26

Students must have paid the grad fee ($70 + GST) as well as all overdue school fees to receive their grad gown and participate in the graduation ceremony. Please contact either Ms. Gupta (business manager) or Mr. Sagriotis (principal) in confidence if you are unable to pay these fees prior to Wednesday, May 25.

When: Thursday, May 26, 2022
(there is no school for grade 10, 11, or 12 students on this day)

 Where: Jack Simpson Gymnasium, University of Calgary

(see “2022_STUDENT_Map to U of C & where to go once there” on D2L or school website)

 What should I bring to the ceremony?

·        Grad gown and stole. If you forget these, you can’t walk the stage!

o   Any gowns that were not picked up from Connect will be available at the U of C. Let a teacher know that you didn’t pick up your gown and they will direct you to the appropriate room.

·        Cell phones should be turned off during the ceremony.

·        Don’t bring large bags. Leave valuables with your parents/guests. You will have nowhere to store them during the ceremony.

How should I get to the University of Calgary?

·        You can take the C-Train (take the red line going north to University Station), however it is a fairly long walk across campus to the ceremony location (approx. 20 minutes)

·        You can park in lots 10 & 11. The university charges $9 for parking.
(see “2022_STUDENT_Map to U of C & where to go once there” on D2L or school website, OR click here to access Google Maps and get directions for your starting address)

What time should I arrive?

·        Graduating students must arrive at 1:15 pm sharp.

·        Seating for parents and guests will open at approximately 1:15 pm (student and parents can arrive at the same time).

·        The ceremony itself begins at 2:00 pm sharp. It will end around 5 pm.

Where do I go when I arrive?

·        Enter through the doors to the Olympic Oval (by the red paperclip statue)

·        Parents and guests will go up the stairs in the Oval to the seating area

·        Students will be directed to the Olympic Oval lower level. Once downstairs, follow the instructions of staff to get your vee stole pinned in place, then look for your connect teacher.

Are tickets required to enter the ceremony? Is there a limit to the number of guests I can bring to the ceremony?

·        No tickets are required, and there is no gust limit. The Jack Simpson Gymnasium is a large venue; there are more than enough seats for everyone’s family/guests.

What should I wear?

·        Grad gowns are worn over clothing. Don’t wear a ballroom dress – it will look strange underneath the gown.

·        Comfortable dress shoes. Don’t wear heels - remember that you’ll be walking up/downstairs and across a stage!

·        Suggested attire includes a shirt and tie, dress pants, a blouse, or a medium-length skirt. Don’t wear a suit jacket or blazer because the gowns are warm.

What else do I need to know?

·        Students must arrive with their grad gown and vee stole. Students cannot cross the stage without their gown/stole, and we do not have extras!

·        Lifetouch Photography will take a photo of each graduate crossing the stage. You will receive one complimentary copy of the photo. Parents and guests are not allowed to enter the student seating area to take photos during the ceremony.
(see “2022_Life Touch_Commencement Portrait Information” under Resources on the right side of this page)

·        Guests with limited mobility may reserve seating in a press box. Please note that we have a limited number of press boxes.

o   The deadline to reserve press boxes has passed. However, we may still be able to accommodate your guests. Please email Mr. Haustein afhaustein@cbe.ab.ca before 12:00 pm on Wednesday, May 25.

Grad Updates – Monday, April 18^th, 2022

Final 2022 Grad List

The final version of the 2022 Grad List will be posted online through the Gr. 12 & Grad 2022 D2L shell on Tuesday, April 19^th, 2022.

• Due to organizational requirements for grad gowns and ceremony programs, students cannot be added to the list after this date, however they can still be removed if there is a significant decline in attendance and/or achievement.
• This year’s grad list will be published digitally though our Gr. 12 & Grad 2022 D2L shell. Students will be listed by ID number to respect privacy, and no other identifying information will be included.
• Students are ultimately responsible for ensuring their name appears on the Graduand List. Students have worked with their Connect Teacher and Success Advisor around meeting graduation requirements. If you have questions about your students’ graduation status, please contact their Connect teacher.
• For more details, see the “2022 Grad List FAQ” under “Resources” on the right side of the page
• The $70 Grad Fee is now visible on PowerSchool (through a parent account).
• Any student who is a yes on the final Grad List, should pay this fee as soon as possible. Students who are a "no" on the final Grad List, should not pay this fee. 
• The final deadline to pay Grad fees is Friday, May 6th.

Graduation Banquet & Dance – Ticket Sales

Tickets for the Nelson Mandela 2022 Graduation Banquet & Dance are now on sale!

Ticket sales run from 10:00 AM on Monday, April 18^th to 11:55 PM on Monday, May 2^nd. Tickets will be sold online through the Invite Right website.

Detailed purchase instructions are available in the “INSTRUCTIONS_Invite Right Step-by-Step_2022” document under “Resources” on the right side of this page.

A few important details to note:

• Only students who are listed as a “yes” on the final version of the grad list may purchase banquet tickets. Gr. 12 students who are not on the grad list may attend as the guest of another graduating student with the approval of their assistant principal (i.e. they must be registered as a guest of the student who is purchasing tickets on their behalf).
• All guests must have been pre-approved through the “NMHS 2022 Grad Banquet Guests Application.” If you did not receive approval for your guests to attend, DO NOT purchase tickets for them! Tickets purchased for unapproved guests will not be honored at the event. Refunds will not be provided for tickets purchased for unapproved guests.
• Guests have the option of a Dinner & Dance ticket ($100) OR a Dance-only ticket ($50).
• Students must have paid all school fees to purchase banquet tickets. Any unpaid fees can be paid online through a parent PowerSchool account OR in-person at the school Business Office (debit/credit). Students will be able to purchase banquet/dance tickets within 48 hours of fee payment.
• A summary of information about the banquet is available in the “2022_NMHS Banquet one-page info sheet” document under “Resources” on the right side of this page.

 2022 NMHS Graduation Events

Please note that these are the only school-sponsored graduation events. Other grad activities are neither sponsored nor sanctioned by Nelson Mandela High School or the Calgary Board of Education.

Participation in grad events (banquet and/or ceremony) is a privilege, not a right.

• If a student is suspended during the dates of the banquet or ceremony, they (and their guests) will not be able to attend (even if tickets were already purchased)
• All attendees must be in good standing and ensure that they are contributing to a safe and caring graduation event

   2022 Yearbooks

• The 2022 yearbook is now available to order. The cost is $35.
• See the “2022 Yearbook Ordering Information” document on the Graduation page of the NMHS website for more details

Grad in Gr. 12 Connect

• Connect class is your students’ best source for information related to graduation.
• Connect teachers are in the process of confirming preferred names and spellings for graduation certificates, and sizing students for grad gowns. It is important that students attend Connect regularly to ensure that they are up-to-date on all grad processes and information.

 Grad Parent Info Night

Important Links from Gr. 12 Information Night #1:

 Alberta Education Graduation Requirements:

• High School Diploma
• Certificate of High School Achievement
• Certificate of High School Completion

Alberta Education’s MyPass

• LookUp ASN

School Messenger: Opt-in to Email Communications