Senior Meeting Information
4/18/23
It's a great day to be a Jag!
April 18, 2023
Dear Rock Canyon Parents and Senior Students:
It is exciting to send this letter to you with information about Rock Canyon’s 2023 Graduation! This ceremony is a special time for family and friends to celebrate the success and achievements of the graduating senior. I hope that the following schedule of events and activities will help your family plan for this important time.
Senior Meeting
We held a Senior Class Meeting in the gym on April 18, at which seniors received a handout detailing many upcoming important dates. Please ask your student to see the handout if you haven't, and if your student was not in attendance at the meeting they can pick up the handout in the main office.
Graduation Ceremony
The Graduation Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, 9:00 a.m. at the University of Denver Magness Arena at the Ritchie Center (2201 E. Asbury Avenue in Denver). The arena will open at 8:00 a.m. Seating is general admission and tickets will not be required.
Graduating Seniors must arrive in the Hamilton Gym on the north end of the Ritchie Center by 8:00 a.m., dressed in cap and gown.
After the ceremony, families will meet their graduates just north of the bell tower on the west side of the Ritchie Center. Families will be asked to exit Magness out the west Concourse and use the North set of stairs to meet their students by the Lacrosse field.
Graduation Rehearsal
Seniors must attend graduation rehearsal. Attendance is mandatory for the duration of the practice in order for seniors to participate in graduation. Working students must make arrangements with their employers if this practice is in conflict with working hours.
Seniors are to meet at Rock Canyon High School’s main gym no later than 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17. Students should plan on a one hour practice. Please note: this is a normal school day and the parking lot may not clear out until 3:10pm. Do not bring or wear your cap/gown for this rehearsal.
Caps, Gowns and Diplomas
Caps and gowns should have been ordered by now from Jostens (303-470-5136). The caps and gowns will be issued by the theater box office after seniors have finished their check-out on Friday, May 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. Gowns, caps and tassels are purchased and are for students to keep. The bag containing the cap and gown will also contain all cords, stoles and pins awarded to the student and should be worn on Senior Honors NIght.
Senior Transportation to the Ritchie Center
Students will need to provide their own transportation to and from graduation.
Students need to arrive by 8:00 a.m., dressed in their cap & gown.
Students will enter on the North Side of Magness Arena, off Buchtel Blvd, and go directly into the Hamilton Gym.
As parking will be limited, we suggest families drop their graduate off and then go park your car.
Required Attire for Graduation
Graduation is a formal ceremony and celebration. Please be sure gowns are zipped up. The following attire will be expected of your student for the graduation ceremony:
A dress or skirt - (The length of the dress or skirt should not extend below the graduation gown.)
Light colored blouse.
Khaki or black long pants.
Long-sleeved white or light colored dress shirt with a collar and tie.
Dress shoes or dress sandals, no flip-flops or tennis shoes.
Per School Board policy, only school issued stoles and cords can be worn during the ceremony. Any item other than the school issued stoles and cords will be confiscated and the student will need to pick them up after the ceremony. Also, please note in the Board Policy that caps and gowns cannot be altered or decorated in any way, nor will students be allowed to bring objects (such as balloons, streamers, noise makers, etc.) into the ceremony. The University of Denver prohibits confetti, helium balloons and noise-makers, as well.
Graduation Pictures and Video
We are contracted with LifeTouch Photography to take pictures of seniors after they are presented with their diplomas. The University of Denver will coordinate a video of the graduation exercises that parents may purchase. The link to buy senior pictures through Life Touch will be available in the senior newsletter as well as on the RCHS homepage. All graduates will be filmed and visible on the Jumbotron directly above the stage and visible from all four sides.
Senior Diploma Packet
Directions on how to print your graduate’s immunization record and an unofficial transcript will be included on the outside of the diploma or certificate. These records might be needed for scholarship, employment and fraternity or sorority applications. An official transcript will automatically be sent to the college they indicated in their graduation survey. Students can still print a copy of their unofficial transcript from Infinite Campus through the month of June only. Beginning July 1, 2023 graduates must request their transcripts from the DCSD website.
Guest Parking
Guest parking will be available at the Ritchie Center for a $10.00 fee (cash only). You may also take the lightrail which has a drop-off station next to the Ritchie Center. Handicapped parking is available for those who have a handicap parking permit. Please note if you need handicap seating or are unable to use the stairs, then you must access the building on the north side. That is the only entrance with an elevator that will take you to the handicap seating area. *University of Denver Parking Map.
Other End of Year Events
Senior Finals and Last Day of School
Senior Final exams will take place on Monday and Tuesday, May 8th and 9th. Seniors' last day of school will be Tuesday, May 9th. Seniors will have the 11th and 12th off, and then return to school on the 12th for check out, the Moving Up Assembly and the Senior Sunset Celebration.
Senior Checkout and Fees
Seniors will finalize checkout on Friday, May 12.
The checkout form and all directions will be given to seniors in the upper hallway on Tuesday, May 2nd from 11-3pm.
A quick meeting with the student's counselor is the last step, at which the student will receive the ticket they will need to pick up their cap and gown bag.
All fees and fines must be paid on or before May 12 before senior checkout can be completed. Payments are to be made online through MySchoolBucks. Also on May 12, Seniors will leave their mark (hand prints) on the Senior Wall from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by the all-school Moving Up Assembly.
Senior Sunset Celebration
The Senior Class of 2023 is invited to attend the Senior Sunset Celebration on Friday, May 12 from 6-9 p.m. in the RCHS student parking lot for a Class of 2023, we will have free food and music. The celebration will conclude with a bonfire at approximately 8:30 pm. No RSVP is necessary, follow RCStuco on Instagram and Twitter for information.
Senior Honors Night
Senior Honors will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Southeast Christian Church in Parker, located at 9650 Jordan Rd, Parker, CO 80134. Invitations to attend the ceremony will be emailed to the seniors and their parents who are receiving an award. In addition to honoring students, there will be student and faculty speakers.
Generally speaking, all students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher should expect to receive an invitation. All cords, stoles and pins contained in the cap and gown bag should be worn.
No ticket is required and family members are welcome to attend. There is ample seating and parking, and it is wheelchair accessible.
Students will receive their Honors Certificate (if they were invited to Honors Night) in their Diploma Packet which will be given to them at graduation.
RCHS Feeder Elementary Clap Out Ceremonies
Buffalo Ridge, Redstone, Timber Trail and Wildcat Elementary schools are inviting seniors who attended their schools to show up in their graduation caps, gowns and regalia on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 9:00am.
Students will meet at the main entrance of their respective schools and they will have their opportunity to walk down memory lane, inspire future Jags and share gratitude with their prior educators.
Yearbook Distribution
Yearbooks will be distributed Tuesday May 9th and Thursday May 11th, during Access, in the Commons/Cafeteria and during Lunches and Periods 5 and 7 in Room 4113. If your senior has not yet purchased a yearbook, books for purchase will be $100 cash and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. No checks will be accepted for purchases.
Please take the time to review and discuss the DCSD Graduation Policy with your graduate. I am looking forward to seeing you at Rock Canyon’s Graduation. I extend my sincere thanks to seniors and parents for helping to make this graduation ceremony a pleasant, dignified, and memorable occasion for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Andy Abner
Principal
Rock Canyon High School