Senior Letter

It's time for the grand finale! We will honor and recognize you, our seniors, with a Graduation Processional on Friday, May 26, 2023. The Graduation Processional will start at the fairgrounds and end at Chi-Hi. Please take the time to read this Senior Letter as it will answer many questions you may have pertaining to graduation.

The graduation will be livestreamed on the high school's YouTube Channel.

Congratulations Class of 2023!

Graduating seniors are invited to ARRIVE at their respective grade schools at 1:45 PM on Friday, May 26. The farewell walk will start promptly at 2:00! You are asked to please CARRY your cap and gown into the building and put it on AFTER you check in at their office.

(5/2/23) Special Request for Southview Students: Please plan to arrive at 2:10 and you'll start walking the halls at 2:20. Parents are invited to join in as well!

This year, we decided to print vinyl stickers with the assigned student numbers on them instead of marking the vehicles using glass markers.

This is the process we’re going to use for the distribution/placement of those numbered stickers on processional vehicles:

• If you are able to on Friday, May 26 during the school day (7:30 AM to 3:15 PM), please come up to the FRONT STAFF PARKING LOT (changed from the front loop) of the high school in the vehicle you will be using for the processional, and staff will be there to affix the sticker to your windshield. We will verify the name of the student and the assigned number for accuracy.

• If you are unable to come up to the high school, we will have staff up at the fairgrounds (starting at 4:00 PM) who will place the sticker on your vehicle.

• We’ve done a few sample tests in advance and some have left a minimal amount of residue that has come off easily with rubbing alcohol and Goo-gone. This was after they were left on the vehicle windshield for a couple of days/overnight. The stickers should be on your vehicle for less than 12 hours.

• These are the numbers that have been assigned and printed for our seniors!

• Maximum of TWO graduates per vehicle. If there are plans for TWO GRADUATES in a vehicle, we will affix ONE of the stickers at the high school and the second one up at the fairgrounds (or both at the fairgrounds). We will avoid putting both numbers on at the high school in case plans to ride together change during the day.

• Remember…you DO NOT line up in numerical order at the fairgrounds! Your assigned number is specific to you and Mr. Thompson will announce the name and WOGO will read the information that matches the number on the vehicle as it comes through the loop!

There will be no in-person classes at Chi-Hi on Friday, May 26. Students in grades 9-11 will be asynchronous that day to allow for graduation set-up at the high school. The last day for seniors is Thursday, May 25.

• Entry to the Fairgrounds begins at 4:00 PM outside the EAST ENTRANCE (by the cattle barns/cemetery). If you arrive early, please park on PAVED surfaces only. Do NOT park in the grassy areas outside the east entrance. As you enter the fairgrounds, you will be directed to where you need to park/line up. Valedictorians will enter through the main gate to line up.

• See the "Car Numbering Plan for 2023" section above for details about how the cars are being numbered.

• There will be a staging area for graduates to have their photograph taken with Principal Goodman handing them their "diploma" up at the fairgrounds beginning at approximately 5:00 PM.

• WOGO Broadcast - starts at 5:15 PM. Be sure to tune your car radio to FM103.1 or WOGO.com to listen live prior to the start of the processional and as you make your way to the high school! Graduates and their parents/loved ones will want to hear what they say about each of our graduates as they drive through the loop.

• Procession Begins - cars will depart the fairgrounds at 6:00 PM.

• Seniors are invited to return to the fairgrounds for the graduation party from 8:45 PM to 12:15 AM!

• Drone Footage of 2020 Processional, which will give you a visual as to how the cars are lined up at the fairgrounds.

• WOGO Broadcast from 2022, which will show you how things flow when you get up to the high school.

• Do's and Don'ts Photos

• Use common sense and be safe

• This is NOT a parade...it’s a processional

• Maintain a speed of 10-20 mph

• ONE vehicle per family

• IF there's more than one graduate (maximum of TWO graduates allowed per vehicle), both numbers must be clearly displayed on the front windshield

• You can SIT in the bed of a pick-up truck or SIT on a chair in the bed of the truck

• Convertibles work well

• Motorcycles are permissible

• No trailers to transport extra people

• Decorating is fine, but maintain good visibility and be sure the decorations are secure so they don’t litter the route

• Local law enforcement will have assistance from outside police agencies along the route, including the Wisconsin State Patrol

• Anyone violating the moving vehicle laws will be removed from the processional per the CFPD.

There will be food trucks up at the fairgrounds from approximately 4:00-5:45 on the night of the graduation processional! Tasty Trolley and BubblesBBQ will be up at the fairgrounds while you line up for the processional so you can grab a bite to eat!

• Fairgrounds (staging area for lining up vehicles) to Edward Street (left on Edward)
• Edward Street to Jefferson Avenue (left on Jefferson)
• Jefferson Avenue to E. Elm Street (right on E. Elm)
• E. Elm Street to N. Bridge Street (left on N. Bridge)
• N. Bridge Street to W. Central Street (right on W. Central)
• W. Central Street to Governor Street (right on Governor w/slight jog onto Wheaton)
• Governor (Wheaton) Street to Coleman Street (left on Coleman)
• Coleman to the back parking lot, with vehicles then being routed out to Terrill
• Terrill Street to the front loop of Chi-Hi

Extended family members are encouraged to sit along the processional route. The sidewalks along Terrill (west side of the street) and Coleman (north side of the street) are also acceptable, although parking can be an issue in this congested area. Also, a reminder to please take your belongings and trash with you when you leave your spectating area...that's so appreciated!

The grassy area on the west side of the front loop at the high school is for school board seating only. Due to the live broadcast taking place, we ask that spectators DO NOT sit in that area OR walk up to the vehicles to take photos while processional vehicles are stopped in the loop.

To ensure safety, a reminder that there will be local and state law enforcement presence throughout the processional route. Unsafe behavior has the potential to result in a significant fine and immediate removal from the processional.

• The event is only open to the graduates of the Class of 2023
• Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds
• Friday, May 26 (following the graduation processional)
• 8:45 PM to 12:15 AM
• DJ, games, interactive activities, and raffles
• Local businesses have donated subs, pizza, meat and cheeses, chicken, ice cream, and more
• Tickets: Advanced ticket sales have ended, although they can be purchased at the door for $25.00.
• Video with additional information

Seniors MUST return their Chromebooks and chargers BEFORE graduating. You can drop your Chromebook AND charger off in room B101 the week of May 22-26. The fine for NOT returning a Chromebook is $250.00 and the charger fine is $15.00.

Diplomas are NOT distributed at graduation. You will only receive the diploma cover during the processional. Diplomas are mailed approximately two weeks after graduation.

Students are reminded to check Infinite Campus regularly for outstanding school-related fees and fines. Be sure to select "All Years" to view an accurate list. All textbooks, Chromebooks, and library items must be returned before graduation.

Fees and fines can be paid online using a credit/debit card. For questions regarding an unpaid fee or fine, please contact Nancy in our accounting office at roshelnj@chipfalls.org or call her at 715-726-2406, ext. 1184.

Students who wish to have their final transcripts sent to a college should make their requests through Xello. Students who are unable to log into Xello or whose college is not listed in Xello should use the Alternate Final Transcript Request Form (linked below).

Final transcripts will be updated no later than one (1) week following graduation. If you have a question regarding final transcripts, please email Ms. Hatfield at hatfiedn@chipfalls.org.

Xello Log In: https://auth.xello.world/Google/Student/1f1ae66a-46de-459c-8dd1-35aa4b968bdf

Alternate Final Transcript Request Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMMpkrRgX8jImTKNeV1fnXbpWwvpFkMFaAyLFh7RyyBkKrwQ/viewform

All graduates are expected to wear the official graduation clothing...cap, gown, and tassel for the processional. You may wear the cap and gown from a past Chi-Hi grad. If you did not place your order yet for these items, you may still be able to get them from Jostens. Please reach out to Jostens at 715-832-0762 or via email at ted.annis@jostens.com if you're still looking to purchase these items.

After graduation, if you are interested in donating your cap and/or gown (not the tassel), please feel free to drop it off at the high school office over the summer months.

Beginning on Monday, June 12, the high school office will be open daily from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Mon-Thurs). The office will be closed on Fridays.

If you'd like to order a picture frame for your graduating senior, please click here to view the form. If you are unable to print the form off, simply send the information (words to be engraved, quantity, and balance due) through the mail to Ms. Turner along with your payment and she will process the order for you!

The deadline to order is May 15. (Update 5/16/23: This deadline has now passed)

We have two programs specific to seniors.

• The SENIOR RECOGNITION AWARDS PROGRAM focuses on academic, departmental, and athletics/activities awards. This awards program is for all grade levels and staff in the front gym. The seniors will sit on chairs set up on the floor of the gym and grades 9-11 will sit in the bleachers on Wednesday, May 17 in the morning. The program will also be broadcast live on the CFHS Media YouTube page.

• The SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM is focused on scholarship recipients. The program will take place in person in the Chi-Hi auditorium at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 17, and will also be live-streamed on the CFHS Media YouTube page. Students who have been notified that they are receiving a scholarship must report the award to Student Services by Friday, May 5, 2023, for the scholarship(s) to be included in the program. Please submit a separate entry and attach a copy of the scholarship award letter using this link Scholarship Award Reporting Form for each scholarship award. Students selected as scholarship winners will be invited to the program by Friday, May 12, 2023.

• Scholarship applications are updated online regularly through May.

• Please contact Tiffany Michaud at scholarships@chipfalls.org with questions or concerns. Students receiving scholarship awards will receive invitations in advance and will then be excused from their classes to attend the program.

• Bell Schedule for May 17, 2023

Yearbooks will be distributed in Gym C on Monday, May 22, and Tuesday, May 23 during both TA's and lunch periods. Students must have a photo ID to pick up their yearbook.

Email: bowesl@chipfalls.org
Website: cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/high/
Location: 735 Terrill Street, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: 715-726-2406