May 8, 2008

Dear Parents and Graduates of the Class of 2008:

Graduation from high school is a significant milestone in the lives of the members of the Class of 2008 and is rapidly approaching.  It is my sincere hope that the past four years have been a successful and beneficial experience.  It is now time to make certain that all remaining assignments, projects, and preparation for exams are taken care of in a responsible manner so success can be obtained and graduation will in fact take place for every senior on the afternoon of Sunday, June 1, 2008, at 12 Noon.

As the semester comes to a conclusion, there are always some seniors who are on the verge of not passing a particular class that is required for graduation.  Students in that situation and their families will be informed by counselors beginning May 13, 2008, that they are in danger of not passing a course required for graduation.  Senior examinations will be given on Thursday, May 22, 2008, and Friday, May 23, 2008.  On May 28 counselors will notify parents regarding students who are not graduating.  Any student who fails a course required for graduation will be unable to participate in the commencement ceremonies on Sunday, June 1, 2008.  The school board policy is quite clear on this matter.  The principal must certify that every student participating in the ceremony has met all graduation requirements for District 214.  If a student has failed to meet any graduation requirement, that student will, by board policy, not be allowed to be a part of the graduation ceremony.

In order for the graduates, parents, and the school administration to be involved in a dignified and happy occasion on that afternoon, there are important instructions that are available on the RMHS website.  Please take the time to read this material very carefully.  If there are questions that are not answered in the enclosed material, please contact the graduation sponsor, Ms. Cheryl Henderson, (847) 718-5664.  Please realize that the inappropriate behavior of some can ruin an important moment for others.  I ask you to ensure that your child refrains from activities that will impair the dignity of the ceremony.

The entire graduation ceremony will be videotaped and will be televised on dates and times to be announced.  This avoids the necessity of parents videotaping and the taking of pictures during the commencement exercise.  You will be able to videotape the commencement exercise in your own home on those dates.  This procedure helps make for a more dignified ceremony.

I urge all graduates to make certain they have paid all of their debts, returned all uniforms, textbooks and library books, etc., before the day of graduation rehearsal, May 30.   We will hold graduation tickets until those obligations are met.

If you have been awarded and will be accepting an academic scholarship, would you please give written confirmation to Ms. Arvia in the College/Career Center no later than May 9, 2008, so we can give special recognition to these award winners.

Let's make the afternoon of June 1, 2008, a most memorable occasion.  Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

Yours very truly,

Charles W. Johns, Ph.D.
Principal