We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2022! Below you will find key details for June 9th. 
Graduation Rehearsal June 9th at 9:30am at Armstrong High School
Mandatory graduation rehearsal June 9th at 9:30am for all seniors to attend on time to walk at graduation that evening.  This will begin promptly at 9:30am for ALL seniors planning to take part in the commencement ceremony. The rehearsal will last around an hour. 
Graduation at Armstrong Stadium.
Graduation will take place at Armstrong High School outside at our stadium. June 9th 6:00pm. This will be an outside graduation.  We will continue with the graduation even if it is raining, plan accordingly for the weather.  If there is lighting/severe weather we will move the graduation indoors in the main gym. 
Senior Arrival
Seniors will arrive back in their ready rooms by 4:45pm to get ready for graduation. 5:40pm students will start lining up alphabetically in their ready rooms.  5:55pm seniors will start walking out as one to the side field gates. 6:00pm seniors will start the ceremony.  
Guest Arrival
Gates will open at 5:00pm for seating through the main gates. No big umbrellas, nothing that can block others' views.  No signs.  As seniors' names are being called to receive their diplomas please save cheers until the end as we want to make sure every senior hears their name being called and their guests hear this as well. 
Tickets
Each senior will be given 6 tickets at graduation rehearsal to give to their guests. Please bring your ticket to enter graduation. Each guest must present a AHS issued ticket at the check in to enter graduation. We have limited seating inside the stadium, and the possibility of weather change and using the gym as a backup plan for each senior is limited to 6 tickets for graduation.  If seniors would like extra tickets they can check with other seniors if they are using all 6 of their tickets. 
After the Graduation
Right after the graduation graduates are expected to report back to their ready room to collect their diplomas and collect any personal belongings that they left in the ready room before graduation.  Teachers in the ready room will only be in the room for 15min max after the graduation ceremony.  At that point they will lock up the ready rooms.  Seniors will need to report to the ready room asap to collect their diploma.  Guests not waiting for a senior should exit the stadium immediately after the graduation ceremony. 
Graduation Online
The graduation will be live streamed on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/BIfk17aRJWg
We are very excited to celebrate the Class of 2022 as we close out the senior class.  We can’t wait to see everyone on June 9th!

Armstrong's graduation will be recorded and posted on the school board's web page.  It will be posted after the ceremony is over. Click on "Watch Schoolboard Meeting Webcasts"  you will see Armstrong's graduation ceremony when it becomes available.

Recorded ceremony

Graduation will also be live streamed.  It will begin at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 9th, 2022

Livestream of ceremony

 

 

March 2022

Dear Parents and/or Guardians of the Class of 2022:

We are quickly approaching graduation day, Thursday, June 9, 6:00pm for the class of 2022.  To assist us, please review the enclosed information carefully and discuss it with your senior.  We want to ensure that students are eligible to graduate and complete the semester successfully. We also want students to clearly understand their responsibilities and our expectations of students on commencement night when we celebrate their graduation from high school.

A student must earn 43 credits by June 9, 2022.  Students with 42 credits earned may participate in the commencement ceremony, and must have a plan for completing the last credit.  High school diplomas will not be awarded until all 43 credits have been earned, and all student fines have been paid. (media center, activities/athletics, lunchroom & computer fees) Students who fail to pass any of the classes they are currently taking may not be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony or earn a diploma depending on their credit status.  If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s credit status, please contact your student’s counselor immediately.

Mandatory Student Graduation Rehearsal, June 9 -  Graduation rehearsal will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.  Seniors planning to take part in the commencement ceremony, including post-secondary students, must be at the rehearsal.  Rehearsal should take about an hour. After rehearsal all graduates will receive an envelope with 6 admission tickets.  Students who do not attend the graduation rehearsal will be ineligible to participate in the graduation ceremony. 

Student Arrival for Graduation - Plan to be in your “Ready Room” by 4:45 p.m.  Do not bring unnecessary items with you since they cannot be carried in the ceremony.  Lavatories will be open for last minute grooming.  Please bring hairpins for securing your mortarboards to your head.

Your family and friends are not permitted in the building before, during, or after graduation.  Please share this information with all family members in attendance.  

We will not allow any individual to embarrass the senior class.  Any graduate who is improperly attired, under the influence of alcohol or chemicals, or in possession of items intended to disrupt the ceremony, will be referred to an administrator, who will remove him/her from the ceremony.  Plan your day so there is no chance of a misunderstanding.

The Commencement Ceremony – We are planning an outdoor ceremony, weather permitting, in the stadium at Armstrong.   There is limited seating in the stadium.  The gate will open at 5pm,  seating on the bleachers is first come first serve.  Spectator admission by ticket only, limit 6 tickets per graduate.  Please do not bring any balloons to the ceremony as they interfere with the visibility of the ceremony.

Pictures of each graduate will be taken by a professional photographer as they cross the stage.  Students will receive picture ordering information at graduation rehearsal.

The Program:  The program will take approximately 90 minutes. Diplomas will be distributed in the advisory ready room to students who have completed 43 credits after the graduation ceremony. Graduates are supposed to report back to their ready room as soon as the ceremony is complete as teachers will only be in the ready room for 25 mins after the ceremony. 

Accommodations:  Parking/Handicap Access/Handicap Seating/Sign Language Interpreter- If you or a family member have handicap parking needs or need sign language interpretation, please contact Rob Ware, assistant principal, at 763-504-8802 or via email at rob_ware@rdale.org, for assistance.  The Handicap Seating Area will be reserved for those with physical challenges.  Due to limited space, only the handicapped visitor plus one guest will be admitted to the Handicap Seating Area.  Visitors will need a ticket to access this area.  Please contact Rob Ware if you need to reserve a ticket to access this space.  The deadline for requesting handicap parking permits and seating area tickets is Friday, June 3. Preferential seating will be provided for those individuals needing access to sign language interpretation.

It is our intention that all seniors will be able to complete the requirements for their diploma on time and fulfill all responsibilities in a timely manner.  Seniors, remember that attendance is required through senior finals on Friday, June 3, and that there is no senior skip day. Parents, I know you will continue to encourage your student to keep on target for graduation, June 9, 2022. 

Sincerely,

Erick D. Norby
Principal

Summary of Important Dates

April 25  Senior Prom Tickets go on sale Bookkeeper window 10:30-12:30 (Last Day to purchase tickets May 10th)

April 29 Senior Decision Day 

May 6 Last day to pay fines/fees or your name is added to “THE LIST.”   Fines/fees are to be paid with cash or money order made payable to Armstrong High School.

May 6 Guidance office runs an NC list for mid-quarters to ensure seniors are on track to graduate. Teachers will notify counselors if any grade drops to an NC after mid-quarter. 

May 10 Last Day to purchase Prom Tickets

May 14 Prom @ Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens 8:00-11:00pm

June 3 Last Day for Seniors

June 3 Call Rob Ware at 763-504-8802 for special accommodations (parking, sign language interpreter)

June 1-3 Graduation cap/gown/tassel/stole, etc., may be picked up during lunch (10:30a.m.-12:30 p.m.) in the auditorium foyer by seniors who are academically eligible and do not owe fines or have other obligations.  The Graduation Dress and Behavior Expectations Contract, must be turned in at this time.

Cap/Gown/Tassel/Stole/Honor Cords and Medals – Will be distributed with the cap and gown. We will have another pickup day for seniors, if needed, Wednesday June 2 and Thursday June 3.  Seniors must be current in course work, have no outstanding fines or equipment fees, and must turn in their dress and behavior contract in order to be cleared to obtain their cap/gown/tassel/stole and, if eligible, honor cord.  Honor cords will be awarded to students who have achieved highest honors (1%), high honors (10%) or honors (top 20%) at the completion of the first semester (January 18, 2021).  Honor medals with a blue ribbon (Highest Honors) or a red ribbon (High Honors) are awarded at the graduation rehearsal.  

June  6 Make-up day for seniors who must complete missing work or tests

 June 8 Senior Party 6-Midnight

 June 9 Graduation rehearsal 9:30 am Attendance is mandatory.

Arrive and line up at 4:45 p.m.

Ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m. 

June 13 – June 14 Cap/Gown Refund* 8:00 a.m. – Noon  – Bookkeeper 

        *OPTIONAL - Bring items to be turned in for a partial refund.

Please review the information on cap and gown pickup day.

GRADUATION DRESS AND BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS Dress If you iron your gown and stole, use a cool setting. The mortarboard (academic cap) is to be worn flat on the top of the head.  DO NOT DECORATE. The stole is worn around the neck so it is hanging in front of the gown. Wear comfortable, nice-looking shoes.  Remember that you will be walking across the turf and spiked heels or loose fitting shoes make it difficult to walk long distances. Students should wear school appropriate attire to graduation. Highest and High Honor medals and honor cords are worn around the neck.  No other ornamentation is to be worn on the gown (e.g., corsage, jewelry, etc.). Wear your mortarboard tassel on the right side until you receive your diploma case.  After receiving the diploma case, move the tassel to the left. Do not plan to carry anything in your hands during the ceremony.  Your hands need to be free to receive your diploma case.   Behavior Students will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony if they have consumed alcohol or other chemicals. In keeping with the dignity of the ceremony, toys (e.g., beach balls, bubbles, etc.) will not be allowed. Students must comply with all school rules. The commencement ceremony is a formal, dignified occasion.  We ask that students remain quiet and respectful during the entire ceremony.  Each student deserves to have his or her name heard, so we ask that students and family members save their cheers until the end of the ceremony when students toss their mortarboards in the air.  The last student in line deserves the same consideration as the first.

I have read the graduation expectations above and agree to abide by them.  I understand that participation in the commencement ceremony is not mandatory, and that if my dress or behavior does not meet the expectations and/or detracts from the ceremony, I could be asked to leave the premises.

 

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