With graduation rapidly approaching, Senior Class Adviser Mitchell Pace recently emailed seniors a list of important events to keep in mind.

“We are getting very close,” Pace wrote to seniors. “Stay focused, complete all of your required tasks, and keep working hard until the very end,” he added.

Friday, April 19 ~ Interim grade reports. This date will be used to determine class rank for honors grads at graduation. If your grade changes after this it will be noted in your final GPA, but not change your honor status for graduation. Also, exam exemptions will not be determined by the April 19 grade.

Friday, May 3 ~ Decision Day from 2:00-4:00 pm on the FCHS football field. Contact counselor Haden Parrish at [email protected] with questions about Decision Day and direct questions about post-high school plans to your designated school counselor. Look for an email from Parrish regarding tie-dye t-shirts and handprints in the senior lounge.

Wednesday, May 8 ~ Senior Awards & Scholarships Ceremony at 6:00-8:00 pm in the FCHS Auditorium. If you are receiving an award, your parents/guardians will be notified by a letter mailed home and an email approximately two-weeks prior. All seniors are allowed to attend.

Friday, May 10 ~ Senior trip to Baltimore if you signed up and paid for it. See Coach Jason Davis or Coach Pace for specific trip questions. If you are going on the trip, and have a balance due, see Davis or Pace as soon as possible. An itinerary will be provided around May 1 to those who are going.

Friday, May 10 ~ SGA will host “Our Prom” in the Auxiliary Gym from 2:30-3:30 pm. Our Prom is an event dedicated to celebrating special needs students.

Week of May 13 – 16 ~ Week of SOLs and Final Exams. Make-up dates are May 17 and 20-22.

Saturday, May 18 ~ Senior Parade around Lake Monticello at 2:00 pm. Details are still being developed for this optional event, so check Facebook for more information. The lineup will likely begin near the main beach and pool around 1:30 pm. TEXT Shelly Farley (434) 426-9558 for details closer to the event.

Monday, May 20 ~ Senior Walk from 9:00-10:30 am at Central, Carysbrook, and the middle school. Buses will leave FCHS for the walk at 9 am sharp. Walk the halls of the other school buildings in Fluvanna to say goodbye to old teachers and classrooms. Gowns are mandatory, but caps and tassels are optional. You must ride a school bus, you cannot drive yourself. Students can sign up here.

Wednesday, May 22 ~ Last day of school. Make sure everything is completed that is required to graduate. This will be an early dismissal day.

Thursday, May 23 ~ Mandatory graduation practice on the FCHS football field at 9:00 am. Be on time and be ready to follow instructions in order to end practice on time (approximately 11 am).
Bring your cap, gown, and tassel. You do not need to dress up for practice.

If you have not ordered your cap and gown, you must do so immediately by calling 1-800-Jostens or online at Jostens.com. If you have financial reasons for not having your cap and gown, see Pace in Room #4502 individually as soon as possible.

Thursday, May 23 ~ After graduation practice there will be a Senior Picnic at the pavilions near the Pleasant Grove Dog Park. If you paid for the Baltimore trip, you get in the picnic for free. If you just want to attend the picnic, pay $5 to Coach Davis, Coach Jason Barnett, or Coach Pace. Bring chairs, picnic blankets, frisbees, soccer balls, speakers, etc., and a suit and towel to get in the river if you choose. The school will provide EW’s chicken, mac & cheese, and drinks. Students can sign up here. The deadline is May 20.

Friday, May 24 ~ Graduation Day
Graduation begins at 6:00 pm on the FCHS Football Field and ends at approximately 8pm. Graduates must arrive by 4:30 pm. Dress nicely. Ladies should not wear heels with a sharp or narrow heel, only wedges. Seniors may not decorate caps. If you decorate your cap, you will not be allowed to wear it during the ceremony.

Graduation Parking: Anyone riding in the same car as a graduate, and anyone displaying a handicap placard or handicap license plate, can park in the student parking lot behind FCHS. All other vehicles will be directed to Pleasant Grove. From Pleasant Grove, spectators can walk or ride the school bus shuttles to the stadium. There will be a couple of golf carts assisting those who need it from the parking lot to the stadium.

Graduation Guests and Rain Plan: There are no limits to the number of spectators at Graduation if the ceremony remains outside as planned. If the ceremony is moved inside, rain tickets will be given to graduates at practice and limited based on the number of graduates and occupancy rules set by the fire marshal. If needed based on weather forecasts, the school will make a decision to reschedule Graduation no later than May 23 at 2:00 pm. Graduation make-up date and time are Saturday, May 25 at 10:00 am rain (inside) or shine (outside).

In addition to these dates, Coach Pace also shared some additional reminders for seniors, including the following:

• You must pay all outstanding fees, fine, and debts in order to participate in Graduation. Angela Brown in the front office if you have questions or to pay any balance you may owe ([email protected]).
• You must return all Chromebooks and charging cords to the library when you are 100% finished with school work and tests.
• All textbooks, calculators, etc. from all current and previous classes should be returned to the correct teacher or students will be charged and not allowed to walk at Graduation.
• School Counseling will send out the Senior Survey soon. It is a requirement for graduation.