From The Office of the Assistant Principal of Academics
It is certainly an exciting time of the year with college acceptances rolling in for our seniors, students preparing for final exams, and students looking forward to their schedules for the 2016-2017 school year. Listed below are the important academic events for May.
AP EXAMS - May 2nd - May 11th: All students that have signed up to take the AP Exams must report to the Heritage Room (B4) at 7:50am for their exam. Please make sure you have the required material for your exam. Check with your AP teachers and Ms. Green if you any questions regarding the format and timing of your particular test.
AP tests allow our students the possibility to earn college credit. The exam schedule is as follows:
Monday, May 2nd - AP Chemistry and AP Psychology
Tuesday, May 3th - AP Spanish Language
Wednesday, May 4th - AP English Literature
Thursday, May 5th - AP Calculus AB
Friday, May 6th - AP US History
Monday, May 9th - AP Biology
Tuesday, May 10th – AP Government
Wednesday, May 11th - AP English Language
FINAL TRANSCRIPT REQUEST - Thursday, May 12th
Each senior is reminded to request that a final transcript be sent to the institution he/she will be attending in Fall 2016. These request are to be filed with Ms. Nereida Madrigal in the front office, using the required form. The transcript will be sent after second semester grades have been posted. There is no charge for this final transcript request.
CAPS, GOWNS, AND GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Each family was responsible for ordering a graduation cap and gown for each senior. These items will be arriving and distributed to seniors in May. Seniors are reminded that no modifications to their graduation attire is permitted. Graduation announcements have already arrived and are currently being distributed to seniors.
AWARDS ASSEMBLY - Friday, May 20th at 1:15 PM, Borina Athletic Center
On the final Friday of classes, we set aside time to recognize and celebrate the academic achievements of our students. Academic departments in conjunction with the St. Francis Administration will identify and celebrate the top student in each academic section offered at St. Francis. While grades certainly play a factor in these awards, they are not the only determining criteria. Students are also chosen based on their contributions to the classroom and their overall exemplification of the spirit of St. John Bosco.
We will also announce the Senior Career Achievement awards, Valedictorian, the Sr. Laura Goedken Award, the Dominic Savio Award, and other scholarships and honors during this assembly.
Parents of award recipients will be notified prior to the event. All parents are welcome to attend. Seating will be somewhat limited for this event and we ask parents and other family members to sit in the bleacher section closest to the doors of the BAC.
On this day, seniors are to dress up in “dress casual” (i.e., slacks and collared shirts for men; corresponding attire for women; no shorts or jeans).
SENIOR DINNER - Friday, May 20th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Watsonville
Members of the Class of 2016 are treated to an evening of fine dining, with the faculty and staff as their hosts! All seniors should plan to attend this fun evening, highlighted by the senior slide show prepared by Ms. Alonzo and the yearbook staff.
Dress for the evening is “dress casual” (i.e., slacks and collared shirts for men; corresponding attire for women; no shorts or jeans). The Knights of Columbus Hall is located at 230 East Lake Avenue in Watsonville. Please carpool to this event as parking is limited.
This event is for seniors only. Please no guests or family members.
STUDY DAY - Saturday, May 21st from 9:00 - Noon on campus
All students are encouraged to attend study day! Students will have the opportunity to work with teachers and fellow classmates to prepare for final exams. The students of the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation are hosting this event. Bagels and hot chocolate are provided along with hourly raffles for students in attendance.
SEMESTER EXAMS - May 24th - May 26th
The semester exam schedule can be found here: Spring 2016 Final Exam Schedule, is posted around campus, and is also available on the St. Francis website. Please note that the first exam of the day begins at 8:25 AM. Students should be on campus at least 15 minutes prior to their first exam.
Students only need to be present when their exams are occurring, however they may not leave campus and return. Students on campus that do not have exams occurring must report to the LRC for study hall.
Van riders should check with their driver for departure and arrival times on these days. Students that are ill or otherwise absent must make up their final exams on Friday, May 27th. Seniors must complete all semester exams prior to graduation.
SENIOR LUNCH - Thursday, May 26th at Noon in room E-1 (Art Room)
Seniors come together for lunch after their last semester exam and prior to graduation rehearsal. Seniors, bring your yearbooks and enjoy a meal hosted by St. Francis. Following the senior lunch, graduation rehearsal will occur. These events are mandatory for all seniors.
GRADUATION REHEARSAL - Thursday, May 26th at 1:00 PM in the Borina Athletic Center
Seniors are required to attend this practice so as to be prepared for Saturday’s graduation. If all seniors are on time and the rehearsal goes well, seniors will be dismissed by 2:15 PM.
BACCALAUREATE MASS - Friday, May 27th, 6:30 PM at Our Lady Help of Christians Church
The St. Francis community comes together to worship and give thanks for the Class of 2016. The Mass begins at 6:30 PM. Seniors are to arrive and assemble in the Kennedy Center no later than 6:00 PM.
The graduates will process in together to Mass and sit in designated seats in the front of the church.
Graduates are to wear their graduation robes, but they are not to wear mortarboards, stoles, or cords. No additions to the robes will be allowed. Male graduates must wear a shirt and tie under their robes, as well as slacks and dress shoes. Women should wear a dress under their gowns. No sneakers, flip-flops, boots, or casual sandals are allowed. Men must be clean-shaven, and grooming for men and women must be kept in accordance with the school’s normal dress requirements.
All those attending Baccalaureate Mass are asked to refrain from taking pictures during the Mass. Pictures may be taken after Mass in front of Our Lady Help of Christians Church. Seating within the church for family and guests is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
GRADUATION - Saturday, May 28th, 10:00 AM in the Borina Athletic Center
Seniors are required to attend graduation.
All members of the St. Francis community are welcome to attend this event. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors will open at 9:30 AM, with no reserve seating allowed prior to 9:30 AM.
Graduates are to wear their graduation robes, mortarboards, tassels, and additional academic stoles provided by the school. No additions or modifications to graduation attire are permitted. Male graduates must wear a shirt and tie under their robes, as well as slacks and dress shoes. Women should wear a dress under their gowns. No sneakers, flip-flops, boots, or casual sandals are allowed. Men must be clean-shaven, and grooming for men and women must be kept in accordance with the school’s normal dress requirements.
Graduates are to arrive on campus no later than 9:00 AM and are to assemble in room E-1 (Art Room).
Thank your for taking the time to read these lengthy, but important academic announcements! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding these events or any other academic issues. I can be reached by email at [email protected], or by phone at (831) 724-5933 x203.
Sincerely,
David M. Cmaylo
Assistant Principal of Academics