Senior Information

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    Welcome seniors and families of graduating students! 

    UPATED MAY 21, 2023:

     

    Dear Families of Aragon’s Class of 2023:

    (You can also see this post on our website.)

    We are very much looking forward to celebrating our Graduates this Thursday!  Please review this information thoroughly regarding this week and the Commencement Ceremony on May 25, 2023.

     

    PRACTICE THIS WEEK

    Graduating Seniors are required to attend the Commencement Ceremony Practice this Tuesday, May 23rd and Wednesday, May 24th, from 1:30pm - 3:30pm

    Students must arrive on time and may not be absent if they would like to participate in the Ceremony on Thursday - NO exceptions. 



    CAP DECORATING IS OPTIONAL

    Mrs. Kardosh has been distributing caps and gowns to Graduating Seniors.  Cap Decorating Guidelines here (decorating the cap is optional; it is required you follow these rules when decorating).



    TICKETS FOR GUEST SEATS

    Students will receive their FOUR guest seat tickets once they turn in their “Golden Checkout Passport” to Mrs. Kardosh.  These seat tickets are for the designated folding chairs seating area in the center of the stadium field.  

     

    If you requested an extra seat ticket through our lottery, you will be notified by May 22nd.  We had over 30% of families request 1-2 extra seat tickets, and we regretfully cannot offer an extra seat ticket to everyone in our folding chair seating area.  These extra seat tickets have been selected through a lottery only. Thank you for your understanding.  If you no longer need an extra seat ticket, kindly let Ms. Elenz-Martin know so another guest can use it.



    GUESTS WELCOME WITHOUT A SEATING TICKET!

    Families, friends, and guests are still welcome to attend and watch  the Commencement Cermony even without a seat ticket!  They can bring a blanket to sit on the turf field, and/or they may bring their own chairs as long as they are “U-BEND” chairs and not individual chairs with individual “pokey” feet.  See these linked examples of acceptable chairs. 



    THE GRADUATION CEREMONY   

    On Thursday, May 25, 2023, the AHS graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.  

     

    To ensure that all of our guests are able to see the event, we will open the North Gate of the Stadium to guests at 4:30 p.m. and close at 5:25 p.m. as we prepare for the graduates to enter the stadium.  

     

    Guests arriving after the gates have closed will be able to enter the stadium after the graduates have been seated.  Guests ONLY need a ticket if they are planning to sit in the designated folding chair seating area.  Guests without a ticket again may bring their own approved chairs or blanket. 


    NOTE:  Graduates must arrive at their designated "line up" spot at 4:30pm.  They will learn more at practice this week.  They can leave a bag with a change of clothes in the gym at this time should they want to change after the ceremony.  More information below.

    PARKING

    Please allow plenty of time for parking so that you do not miss this special event.  Parking is limited in the area surrounding the school – carpooling is strongly encouraged, and we recommend that graduates drive with their families and not in their own cars due to the limited space.

     

    There will be accessible parking DROP-OFF at the South end driveway and Stadium entrance.  Only ADA/Accessible entry necessary happens at the South gate.  

     

    All other guests must arrive at the North Gate.  There will be a VERY limited number of accessible parking spots on the South Side for those requiring parking, so drop-off will be likely.

     

    Cars are NOT allowed on the Stadium track/field.  We will have staff driving a golf cart in order to transport guests that need support in getting to their seating area.



    RESTROOM PLANNING

    Please plan to use the restroom before you arrive at the stadium.  We have very limited restrooms at the stadium and it will be difficult/crowded.



    EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL GRADUATES AND GUESTS

     

    Appropriate behavior is expected of all students, family members, friends, and guests during the Graduation ceremony.

     

    Please do not bring noisemakers, balloons, umbrellas, confetti poppers, or any other items that may distract from or block a view of the graduation ceremony.

     

    Videotaping and photography is permitted only from the seats in the audience.  Guests are not allowed in the stage area during the ceremony.

     

    A professional photographer will take your graduate’s photograph when receiving their diploma and you will receive information on purchasing these photographs.  The photography company will be reaching out to families separately with this info:

     

    PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE LINK:
     
    QR CODE:
    image.png
     
    Approximately 2 weeks after graduation we will send a direct link to the parents/guardians to view their student's images.  If they do not receive the direct link, for any reason, they can use the same link above to locate their student's images. 



    AFTER THE CEREMONY

    The ceremony should end between 7:00-7:30pm.  Immediately following the ceremony, graduates will be able to exit the stadium and collect their actual diploma at the tables on the outdoor basketball courts.  (During the ceremony, they receive their diploma cover for pictures on stage, but please make sure to collect the actual diploma afterwards!).  

     

    Guests, family members, and friends should remain seated until all graduates have completed their procession out of the ceremony area.  Thank you for your patience with this so they can collect their diplomas and then take pictures, change for Grad Night, etc.!

     

    NEED TO CHANGE CLOTHING BEFORE GRAD NIGHT?

    Because many of our graduates are leaving on the buses at 8pm for Grad Night, they may return briefly to the gym/locker rooms to change after picking up their diploma.  Graduates may leave a backpack in the Large Gym prior to the ceremony, and they can bring that to the locker room to change after the ceremony is over.


    They will not have access to the gym/locker rooms the day after Grad Night, so all items must be returned to families on Thursday evening before getting on the bus.  Grad Night is not a school sponsored event: Please email aragondons2023@gmail.com with any questions.

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  • Senior Activities Information!

    April 17, 2023

     

    Dear Aragon Senior Students and Families:

     

    The end of the year is approaching and we would like to take this opportunity to inform all senior students and families of the many events that will take place over the next six weeks.

     

    The graduation ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 25th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Aragon High School stadium. The graduation ceremony is a cherished and memorable event in which families, faculty, friends and students honor the achievements of the graduates.  Participation in the ceremony is contingent upon the student meeting all of the San Mateo Union High School District graduation requirements and maintaining appropriate behavior for the remainder of the school year.  

     

    The staff at Aragon High School is working hard to make the end of the school year as memorable as possible.  Please discuss the importance of appropriate behavior, consistent attendance, and completion of all academic coursework during the last weeks of the school year so that your student can enjoy the many activities that we have planned for them!

     

    The remainder of this letter contains valuable information about upcoming events and the graduation ceremony.  Be sure to mark your calendars for the MANDATORY graduation practice schedule and other important dates!

     

    We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Class of 2023 for their accomplishments as Aragon High School graduates - and all of their families and friends for supporting their students throughout their formative years.  We look forward to seeing you all at the graduation ceremony!

     

    Sincerely,

     

    Valerie Arbizu Dounia Kardosh

    Principal Graduation Support Lead

     

    Nicole Elenz-Martin Steve Sell

    Assistant Principal & Graduation Lead Graduation Practice & Ceremony Director

     

    IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION

    Wed April 5

    Mandatory Morning Assembly for Seniors:  8:30am - Theater

    Wed April 12

    Mandatory CAST Testing:  8:30 in assigned classroom

    If you did not do the CAST test, please make sure you connect with AP Mr. Moore about the make-up date/opportunity.

    Mon April 24

    Deadline to submit audition video/script speech to be a speaker at the Graduation Ceremony

    Tue May 2

    AVID Awards Night @ 5:30pm in the MPR

    Fri May 12

    Mandatory Senior Check-out Meeting - @ FlexTime - Theater

    Fri May 12

    Last day for extra Graduation ceremony ticket requests. (See below for details)

    Mon May 15

    Senior Activity Day!  Seniors do not go to class this day, but rather eat and enjoy  

     games/fun company on the football field and receive/sign yearbooks!

    Mon May 15

    Last day for Seniors to upload their pronunciation notes of their name to be read at graduation.  Please use your “stu” email address to sign into this form!

    Mon May 15

    The Donnies Awards Night @ 6:00pm in the Theater

    Tue May 16

    Senior Awards Program @ 6pm in the AHS Theater

    Senior Check-out materials distributed in English Classes

    Wed May 17

    Athletic Awards Program @ 6pm in the AHS Theater

    Senior Check-out materials distributed in English Classes

    Deadline to notify Ms. Elenz-Martin if student will NOT participate in the ceremony

    Fri May 19

    Senior Sunset @ 5:30-sundown in Center Court

    Tue May 23

    Graduation Practice (Mandatory): 1:30-3:30 p.m. (cafe has lunch at 12:50pm)

    Wed May 24

    Graduation Practice (Mandatory): 1:30-3:30 p.m. (cafe has lunch at 12:50pm)

    Thu May 25

    Senior Golden Ticket Checkout Passports - Due by 1:30pm!

    Graduation Ceremony - Senior Line-up @ 4:00pm in the Gym

    Doors Open for Guests of Graduation @ 4:30pm - Aragon High School Stadium

    Graduation Ceremony @ 5:30pm - Aragon High School Stadium

     

    GRADUATION CEREMONY ELIGIBILITY

    • Student must pass the necessary coursework.  

    • Student must be in good disciplinary standing – any student who has been suspended (for any violation) within 10 days of the graduation ceremony will not be allowed to participate in the event. 

    • Student must complete the Senior Check-Out process on time! Return all books, pay all books bills, library fines, and parking tickets, return all athletic equipment, and complete the CAST test. This is due by 1:30pm on Thursday, May 25th. 

    • Students must attend all graduation practices and arrive on time at 1:30p both days in order to participate in the ceremony!  Please cancel all other commitments during the practice dates and times, as on-time arrival and attendance at EACH FULL PRACTICE SESSION IS MANDATORY.

     

    SENIOR CHECKOUT

    All students are required to complete their “Golden Ticket Checkout Passport” and turn it into Mrs. Kardosh by 1:30pm on Thursday, May 25th.  Students will get information about the check-out process at their mandatory meeting (at Flex Time on April 5th and again May 12th); paperwork will be distributed in English classes on May 16-17.  Students who do NOT complete the check-out process will not participate in the graduation ceremony.

     

    GRADUATION TICKETS

    Each graduating senior will receive FOUR tickets when they complete their check-out process with Ms. Kardosh and turn in their Golden Passport.  Parents may request additional tickets for the Graduation ceremony by completing the bid request form located here and on the main Aragon website by Friday, May 12th. We will attempt to accommodate your request, but cannot guarantee more than four tickets per family.  Thank you for your understanding.

     

    If we are not able to fill your request for extra tickets, additional guests will be able to stand in marked sections on the field.  Chairs with ‘u’ bends are allowed on the field and track; chairs that have pointed or pokey ‘feet are NOT ALLOWED as they will damage the turf and track surfaces.  Thank you for your attention to this!

     

    CAP DECORATING

    Students are welcome to decorate their caps, and should follow the instructions included in the Senior Assembly slides, linked here. Please be advised that decorated caps that do not follow these guidelines will be removed from the ceremony and replaced with a new cap.

     

    THE GRADUATION CEREMONY

    On Thursday, May 25, 2023, the AHS graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.  To ensure that all of our guests are able to see the event, we will open the North Gate to guests at 4:30 p.m. and close at 5:25 p.m. as we prepare for the graduates to enter the stadium.  Guests arriving after the gates have closed will be able to enter the stadium after the graduates have been seated. 

     

    Please allow plenty of time for parking so that you do not miss this special event.  Parking is limited in the area surrounding the school – carpooling is strongly encouraged.  

     

    If a student is not able to participate in the graduation ceremony, a parent must notify Ms. Elenz-Martin in writing (nelenzmartin@smuhsd.org) as soon as possible – we need to know by Wednesday, May 17. 

     

    Please review the following items prior to the event:

    • Appropriate behavior is expected of all students and family members during the Graduation ceremony.

    • Students may leave a backpack with a change of clothes in the gym/locker rooms before the ceremony in case they need to change after the ceremony before Grad Night*. (see below)

    • Please do not bring noisemakers, balloons, umbrellas, confetti poppers, or any other items that may distract from or block a view of the graduation ceremony.

    • Videotaping and photography is permitted only from the seats in the audience.  Guests are not allowed in the stage area during the ceremony.

    • A professional photographer will take your child’s photograph when receiving their diploma and you will receive information on purchasing these photographs.  The photography company will be reaching out to families separately!

     

    AFTER THE CEREMONY

    The ceremony should end between 7:00-7:30pm.  Immediately following the ceremony, graduates will be able to exit the stadium and collect their actual diploma at the tables on the outdoor basketball courts.  (During the ceremony, they receive their diploma cover for pictures on stage, but please make sure to collect the actual diploma afterwards!).  

     

    *Because many of our graduates are leaving on the buses at 8pm for Grad Night, they may return briefly to the gym/locker rooms to change after picking up their diploma.  They will not have access to the gym/locker rooms the day after Grad Night, so all items must be returned to families on Thursday evening before getting on the bus.  Grad Night is not a school sponsored event: Please email aragondons2023@gmail.com with any questions.

     

    Thank you so much, and we’ll see you at the Commencement Ceremony!



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Class of 2023

  • Senior Sunrise 

    Friday, August 19th

    7am to 8:30am

     

    Senior Sunset

    Friday, May 19th

    6pm to 8pm

     

    Senior Activities Day

    Monday, May 15th

    8:30am to 1:30pm

     

    Graduation

    Thursday, May 25th

    5:30pm

    Aragon Stadium Field

    Please see the "Graduation Information" page, linked to the left, for up-to-date information on our graduation.

     

    Grad Night

    Thursday, May 25th

    Grad Night is a parent, not school, sponsored event.