Parent and Guardian Grad Handbook 2019-2020
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Parent and Guardian
Grad Handbook
2019-2020Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the ceremonies a student must:
i. Have all school fees paid by April 30th.
ii. Have the potential to meet credit requirements for Alberta High School Diploma,
Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Completion by the end of the school year.
iii. Be in good standing (abide by all rules and behavior expectations).
Grad Fee
The Grad Fee is a charge for each student who participates in grad-related activities to offset
the costs. These include the arena rental and decorating, grad ceremony photos, a class
composite photo, grad gown rental, diploma cover, etc.
Grad fee for the 2019-2020 year is $175 per student.
Grad Student Committee
The Grad Student Committee is a group of students who volunteer throughout the year to take
on a leadership role in planning their graduation ceremonies. They organize and coordinate all
aspects of the commencement ceremonies in conjunction with other interested students and
some staff members, called grad advisors. There are bi-weekly meetings for any interested
students.
Grad Photos
Grad photos are to be booked directly with Watson’s Foto Source and will take place at their
studio only. The Composite High School will be covering the $35 session fee for all graduation
pictures booked with Watson’s Foto Source within the booking dates set for GPCHS.
Two sets of dates have been reserved for GPCHS graduates at Watson’s. Bookings are
available now for photos taken November 1st - November 30th. Bookings will begin on February
1st for photos to be taken March 1st - April 15th. Although students may book at any time outside
of these dates, if they want the session fee covered by GPCHS they are required to book during
these dates. If your appointment is booked during these dates and a purchase made within a
week from their session date, you will receive a credit of half of your session fee to go towards
their package price and 8 designer wallets.
There are two different grad sessions to choose from:
1. The Basic Session is 20 minutes and the grad will be able to purchase from 5 different
images for $35, all in their grad cap and gown.
2. The Signature Session is $50 for 40 minutes with the option of up to 3 outfits and one
friend or pet. The grad can purchase from 10 different images.
Package prices are the same price regardless of what type of session you choose. Pricing
pamphlets are available in the Main Office.
There is no fee if you are just wanting a portrait for the yearbook. Please be sure to specify that
when you book your appointment. The last day for photo’s to be taken is April 15th. This will
allow enough time to get a CD to the school for use in your grad day ceremony and yearbook.
www.gppsd.ab.ca/school/gpcomposite/CompGradGrad Baby Photos
Please email your baby photos for the slideshow that will be played at the commencement
ceremonies to Ms. Jackson jennifer.jackson@gppsd.ab.ca.
Grad Rings
Jostens will be on campus again early in Semester 2 for students to order graduation rings, as
well as a wide assortment of Graduation Jewelry. Grad Rings and Jewelry can be ordered at
any time online or over the phone through Jostens. Please visit
http://www.jostens.com/jewelry/high-school-jewelry.html to explore their selection.
Grad Spirit Days
November 21st – Fashion Disaster Day
December 5th – Canadian Tuxedo Day
December 19th – Ugly Sweater Day
January 16th – Pyjama Day
February 13th – Formal Day
February 27th – Wacky Hair Day
March 12th – Kindergarten Day
March 19th – “Senior” Day
April 9th – Wacky Hawaiian Tourist Day
May 21st – Wacky/Crazy Sock Day
June 4th – Decades Day
Grad Comp Clothing
Grad Comp clothing is available now! Orders can be placed in the main office and is payable by
Cash, Cheque, Debit, Visa or Mastercard. Orders are submitted on the 15th and 30th of every
month.
2020 Grad Comp Clothing - Limited Edition
2020 Grad Comp Clothing
Tickets
Due to the maximum capacity permitted at the Revolution Place, guests of both the
Commencement and Grand March ceremonies must have tickets. We recognize that this is an
exciting time for students and their families but we want to ensure that every student has an
opportunity to experience this day with people who are important to them. Tickets will be
available for purchase starting on April 20th to May 14th between 8am-4pm through the main
office of the Composite High School. Tickets are $5 each.
www.gppsd.ab.ca/school/gpcomposite/CompGradGrad Breakfast
During the morning of Thursday, May 14th there will be a celebratory breakfast prepared by the
Composite High food service staff and served in the cafeteria. Parents are welcome to help
decorate and serve if they wish to get involved.
Decorating
After breakfast, grads will head over to Revolution Place to help decorate the arena. Bussing
will be provided. Volunteers are needed and more information will be discussed in upcoming
parent meetings.
Rehearsal
There will be a mandatory rehearsal for all participating students on Thursday, May 14th at
Revolution Place starting at 1:00 pm and will be approx.1 hour. Please be prompt. Escorts and
parents do not need to attend.
Commencement Gowns, Stoles, Caps and Honour Cords
Participating students wear a black grad gown, stole and cap to the commencement
ceremonies. These are rented (the cost is included in the grad fees) and students are
measured for the proper length of a gown during the school year at a graduation interview with a
member of Student Services. The outfit is distributed Thursday, May 14th at Revolution Place
in the afternoon, following decorating of the Revolution Place arena.
Gowns and stoles must be returned prior to leaving the arena once the commencement
ceremony has concluded. We recommend that students take pictures with their families before
the ceremony begins. Students are not permitted to leave the facility with the gown or stole.
Students may, however, keep the cap and tassel as a souvenir.
Honour Cords will be awarded to students who have achieved an exceptional level of academia.
At the end of quarter 3, the school will calculate students’ averages in four academic courses
based on the criteria below. Students who have an average of 80% or greater in these courses
will wear honour cords.
Honour Cord Criteria
One of:
• English 30-1 or 30-2
• Social Studies 30-1 or 30-2
Plus any three of:
• Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2
• Biology 30
• Chemistry 30
• Physics 30
• Science 30
www.gppsd.ab.ca/school/gpcomposite/CompGradCommencement
Commencement 2020 is a ceremony held on Friday, May 15th, 2020 at 1 pm to recognize and
celebrate the accomplishments of the students who will be graduating from the Composite High
School (a list of students who are eligible to graduate will be posted throughout the school in the
spring). The afternoon start time will allow all staff at the Composite High School to attend and
be part of this joyous event.
Students will assemble at Revolution Place in the Bowes Family Gardens room no later than
12:30 pm wearing their grad gowns and caps. Doors will open at 12:00 pm so that guests can
be seated before 1 pm. At 1 pm the grads will parade into the arena and be seated in chairs on
the ice surface (don’t worry, the ice will be removed).
There will be various speeches, student performances and awards. Students will then cross the
stage one at a time to receive recognition for their secondary school efforts. The program
should take about 2.5 hours. As they receive their certificate, a picture will be taken by a
professional photographer who will ensure that each grad will have a quality photo taken of this
important moment. Each student will receive a copy of their picture in the following weeks.
Grand March
The Grand March is held at 7 pm on Friday, May 15th. Students generally wear formal attire
(e.g. dresses or suits) for this part of the day. Doors open at 6 pm and students assemble in the
Bowes Family Gardens room at the Revolution Place by 6:30 pm. The grads will be escorted by
a Composite High staff member to the back of the stage so that, as their name is announced,
they can cross the stage and pause for a moment to reflect on their accomplishment.
A group photo will be taken of the grads and their escorts about 10 minutes before the event
begins. There will also be an area in the lobby for families to take their own photos.
The Grand March is a great time to get together with family and friends and have fun. Students
do not have to purchase an expensive gown or rent a tuxedo – it is the time together that is
important. There is also a service offered through Finishing Touch Society to assist students
and families for whom cost of formal wear is restrictive. Please see Mrs. Thiemann in Student
Services for more information.
There will be student performances during the Grand March. Afterward there will be a brief
dance and time for photos. Family and friends are welcome to join in at this point.
Safe Grad and Fun Grad
Neither the Grande Prairie Public School Division nor Grande Prairie Composite High
School endorse either of these activities; they are organized and executed completely by
a parent group.
www.gppsd.ab.ca/school/gpcomposite/CompGradContact Info
If you wish to receive more information, please check out our Graduation tab on our website,
www.gppsd.ab.ca/school/gpcomposite/CompGrad
Composite High Main Line: Email: gpcomp@gppsd.ab.ca Phone: 780-532-7721
Ticket Purchase: 780-532-7721 (or in person at the Comp main office)
Graduation Requirements (Academic): travis.duncan@gppsd.ab.ca
Finishing Touch Grad Society: tracey.thiemann@gppsd.ab.ca
Commencement-related Dates
October 23rd: Student Grad Committee meets every other Wednesday in the band room at
lunch (all grade 12 students welcome)
November 1st - 30th : Bookings available for GPCHS Grad photos @ Watson’s
February 1st : Booking starts for March 1st-31st GPCHS Grad photos @ Watson’s
April 20th: Tickets for commencement go on sale (school fees must be paid)
April 30th: School fees payment deadline
May 14th:
• 8:30 am - Grad breakfast
• 10:00 am - Decorating at Revolution Place
• 1:00 pm - Rehearsal and gown pickup at Revolution Place
May 15th
• 1:00 pm - Commencement at Revolution Place
• 7:00 pm - Grand March at Revolution Place
www.gppsd.ab.ca/school/gpcomposite/CompGradYou can also read
