May 2021

Dear Parents and/or Guardians of the Class of 2021:

We are quickly approaching graduation day, Thursday, June 10, for the class of 2021.  To assist us, please review the enclosed information carefully and discuss it with your student.  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.

Graduation Requirements and “THE LIST” – A student must earn 43 credits by June 10, 2021.  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.  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.

Students and parents are reminded that all third quarter work must be completed now (no incompletes) and all fourth quarter work must be current by May 14.  On May 14, THE LIST of students whose graduation status is in question will be generated and shared with students via Schoology.  Students who owe fines, are currently failing a class, or are in jeopardy of not earning the required credits will have their names placed on THE LIST.  If your student receives a Schoology message, he/she will need to resolve the issue(s) that caused his/her name to be placed on THE LIST in order to be eligible to graduate and participate in the commencement ceremony.  Students will not be allowed to pick up their cap/gown/tassel/stole until they are cleared.  All questions about THE LIST can be directed to your student’s guidance counselor or assigned assistant principal.

Graduation Rehearsal, June 10 -  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.  Ready room locations will be posted online and in the building the morning of rehearsal.  Rehearsal should take about seventy-five minutes and includes the announcement of Highest and High Honors, as well as other announcements and presentations. After rehearsal all graduates will receive an envelope with 4 admission tickets and 2 programs.  Students who do not attend the graduation rehearsal will be ineligible to participate in the graduation ceremony. 

Arrival for Graduation - Plan to be in your “Ready Room” by 6:45 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 – Graduation is Thursday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m.  We are planning an outdoor ceremony, weather permitting, in the stadium at Armstrong.   There is limited seating in the stadium.  Plan to arrive early to get a seat on the bleachers.  Spectator admission by ticket only, limit 4 tickets per graduate.  The ceremony should last approximately one and one-half hours.  Please do not bring any balloons to the ceremony as they interfere with the visibility of the ceremony.  You must walk from the student parking lot to the stadium to get to the graduation area.  Only graduating students will be allowed in the building. 

The purpose of our ceremony is to publicly recognize students’ academic achievements and culmination of a four-year comprehensive high school program.  This occasion is for the graduate, recognizing the graduate’s academic accomplishments.  In keeping with this goal, only the graduate is allowed to cross the stage to receive his/her diploma cover.  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 Processional:  The senior class will line up by advisory in a predetermined order.  Your advisory teacher will line you up alphabetically, lead you in the procession, and will read your name at the ceremony.
   

• The Program:  The program will take approximately 90 minutes.  At rehearsal, we will explain when to stand and sit and will also explain how to cross the stage to accept your diploma cover.  Diplomas will be distributed in the community gym to students who have completed 43 credits after the graduation ceremony. 
   

• The Recessional:  Students will leave the graduation area immediately following the ceremony.  Students must go directly into the building to the community gym.  Stay in line until you reach your assigned table in the community gym.   

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 Monday, June 7. Preferential seating will be provided for those individuals needing access to sign language interpretation.

Parking – General parking will be in the front parking lots while the back lot will be used only for graduating seniors, choir and staff parking.  Only cars with a state-issued handicapped parking permit or a handicapped parking permit issued from Armstrong will be admitted to the reserved parking area in the front lot.  Please do not park in blocked or cordoned off areas.  Remember that both lots require you to walk quite a distance to get to the stadium, so allow plenty of time.  If you need special parking arrangements for physically challenged family members or other accommodations for disabled audience members (such as a sign language interpreter), please contact Assistant Principal Rob Ware, at 763-504-8802 by May 28. 

After the ceremony, advisory teachers will distribute diplomas in the community gym.  Students who have less than 43 credits or have not cleared their fines will not receive their diplomas until the last credit is completed or fines and obligations have been met.  If you did not receive your diploma and believe you should have, you will need to contact the school office (763-504-8800) after 9:00 a.m. the next business day. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Again, we want to emphasize that the only individuals allowed in the building before, during, or after the commencement ceremony are student graduates, staff members, and senior party chaperones.

Senior Party - All seniors are invited to attend the Senior Party June 9.  Prior registration and payment is required.

Cap/Gown/Tassel/Stole/Honor Cords and Medals – Cap/gown/tassel/stole will be distributed between 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, and Thursday, May 27 in the auditorium foyer to seniors who are cleared for graduation and have signed the dress and behavior form (available at pickup).  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.  

OPTIONAL - If you do not want to keep your cap and gown we offer a partial refund for one or both items.  Items will need to be turned in to receive the refund the week after graduation.  Refunds will be available for PICK UP only from our bookkeeper from Monday, June 14 to Thursday, June 17 from 8 a.m. to noon. Refunds ARE NOT MAILED and will NOT be available after June 17.  If you wish to receive a refund for these items the amount of refund will be: Cap: $ 10.00   Gown:  $ 15.00             

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 4th, 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 10, 2021. 

Sincerely,

Erick D. Norby
Principal

The Armstrong High School graduation ceremony will be recorded and can be viewed here.  Select watch School Board Meeting Webcasts, Scroll down to Upcoming Events and select AHS Commencement 7:30 pm. Click on watch event after 7 pm on June 10th.

Summary of Important Dates

April 27  Senior Prom Tickets go on sale Bookkeeper window 10:30-12:30

April 30 Senior Signing day

May 5 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 Teachers of seniors report student progress and “THE LIST” of possible non-graduating seniors is compiled and posted.

May 6 Last Day to purchase Prom Tickets

May 14 (Senior Teachers Only) 2021 Class - AT-RISK for Credit in YOUR Class Deadline May 14th

May 22 Prom @ AHS 7:30-11:00pm

May 26 Graduation cap/gown/tassel/stole, etc., may be picked up during lunch (10:30 a.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.

May 27 Graduation cap/gown/tassel/stole, etc., may be picked up during lunch (10:30 a.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.

May 28 Call Rob Ware at 763-504-8802 for special accommodations (parking, sign language interpreter)

 June 2-3 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.

June 4 A Day Last Day for Seniors

 June  7 Make-up day for seniors who must complete missing work or tests

 June 8 Drive up Graduation  5pm-7:30pm

 June 9 Senior Party 

 June 10 Graduation rehearsal 9:30 am Attendance is mandatory.

Arrive and line up 6:45 p.m.

Ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. 

         June 14 – June 17 Cap/Gown Refund* 8:00 a.m. – Noon  – Bookkeeper 

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

 

Dear Parents and Families of Seniors, 

As we approach a huge milestone for our senior class on June 10th, we are well aware that many of you are facing new and difficult challenges. Families are being presented with the need to make choices about how to protect their seniors from COVID-19 or being considered a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19. With this being our new reality, schools and parents are trying to navigate through the unknown. We know the topic of discussion is: Should I have my senior return to school or go to DL to close out the school year? This is a discussion that we encourage your family to have as you look to make the best choice for your senior.  We want to inform you that there is a chance they would have to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19 and would result in being unable to participate in their graduation ceremony on June 10th.  If this scenario were to happen to your family, we are holding a Distance Learning Drive Up Graduation option for seniors who choose to opt out of the June 10th graduation in the stadium.  

Here are some preventative COVID-19 recommendations for seniors that would like to take part in the June 10th in person graduation ceremony helping to eliminate scenarios that would require you to quarantine.  

Distance Learning:

The schools have put many COVID-19 precautions in place to keep Prom as safe as possible such as: pods of six students, QR codes at prom, tables set up with six chairs, etc.  Even with the safety precautions, there is still a chance your senior could be exposed to COVID-19. Prom is being held on May 22nd, and as a family you may want to consider DL as an option if that is the best decision for your senior. This limits your seniors exposure to being a close contact or testing positive for COVID-19. There is still a chance that you could be positive for COVID or be considered a close contact.

Below you will find some helpful tips to keep your senior safe as they prepare for graduation.  One thing to realize, by opting into DL this helps limit the amount of contact your seniors are exposed to within any given day.  Even with being on DL, seniors and parents will want to watch their daily activity outside of the house as you could come into contact with someone with covid at any event, work, gas station, etc. 

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it’s available to you.  https://vaccineconnector.mn.gov/en-US/ 

• Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.

• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you.

• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.

• Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.

• Monitor your health daily.

• Avoid/limit going to restaurants, stores etc. as we near graduation.

• Avoid sleepovers

• Avoid car sharing/carpooling

If you wish to have your senior switched to Distance Learning, have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your high school office. 

• Dr. Herman
• Principal, Cooper High School
• 763-504-8500

• Mr. Norby
• Principal, Armstrong High School
• 763-504-8800

• Ms. Boyden
• Principal, Robbinsdale Academy and Robbinsdale Virtual Academy
• 763-504-8700

 

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.

 

__________________________________    ______________________________

              Student name (printed)                                       Signature                                                      

SENIOR ADVISOR INSTRUCTIONS:   JUNE 10, 2021

GRADUATION Rehearsal 9:30 AM

Graduation rehearsal will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.  Seniors planning to take part in the commencement ceremony, including post-secondary, and DL students, MUST be at the rehearsal.  Students will report to the room assigned as their Senior Room Assignments and wait for rehearsal instructions.  Rehearsal should take about seventy-five minutes and includes announcements and presentations.  Tickets for the ceremony will also be given at this time. 

AGENDA

9:30 a.m.

1.  Students report to “ready rooms.”  Room lists will be posted in the senior hallway on the windows cafeteria and by the media center.

2. Students who still owe media and other obligations MUST return materials and take care of fines before the graduation ceremony. Make sure everything is taken care of so they can close out their senior year.

3. Each senior will receive a senior packet with the following: 

   1. 4 tickets

   2. 2 Graduation Programs

   3. A 2021 Mask

   4. Honor Cords & Medals (Highest, High, Honors Students)

   5. Academic Awards/Certificate

   6. Students fill out their card that will be given to the teacher with the phonetic pronunciation.

9:45 a.m.

The processional will begin by walking down the stairs to the main level, staying on the same AHS Stage List (see table below) side of the hallway as you will be seated during graduation. 

10:00 a.m.  

1. Rehearsal ceremony (processional/recessional tips/receiving diplomas/caps/etc.)

2.  Graduation Expectations (see Grad/Dress Behavior Panel above)

3. Student Address 

4. Address to graduates/special awards/final details – Mr. Norby

5. Recessional directions

Armstrong Stadium 2021 Graduation Ceremony Seating Chart

STAGE LEFT SIDE (Visitor Side)	STAGE RIGHT SIDE (Home Side)
Rondestvedt	Hollerud
Colson	Trump
Fuller	Archibald
Bighia	Block
Claire	Fischer
Graft	Hendrickson
Johnson, Cari	Jones, Lisa
Mcleod	Mertens
Mohr	Olson, B
Opel, K	Quinn
Rashid	Starks
Stewart	Weisjahn, T