Redwood High School Home of the Giants

REDWOOD IMPORTANT SENIOR CLASS NEWS

Dear Senior Families, 

Senior year is a busy one filled with a lot of events (and information to process) for both parents and students. This will help make the list of “senior things” a little more manageable for everyone! Keep an eye on the Redwood Senior Information page for more updates. 

Senior's Freshmen Letters

Seniors - remember those probably embarrassing but surely entertaining letters that you wrote to yourself in your freshmen year Social Issues classes? It's time to pick them up! Head to your Social Issues teacher's rooms to get them at the time listed below.

2023 Graduation Ceremony 

The graduation ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 8 at 3:00 pm in the Kreitzberg Amphitheatre on the Redwood campus. Students will need to report to the Phil Roark Gymnasium at 2:00 pm to line up for the ceremony that will start at 3:00. The ceremony lasts approximately 1½ hours and getting out of the parking lot will take some time so please plan accordingly. There are no tickets necessary and there is plenty of seating for all who attend. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats may not be reserved or saved, except for special guests of the district; items placed on the chairs ahead of time will be removed and can be claimed in the office after the ceremony. Umbrellas for shade must be closed during the ceremony. NO DOGS ALLOWED except service dogs.

Graduation Leis and Flowers

The Junior class has organized a booth at graduation this year for leis, bouquets, and other graduation items for the graduating seniors. In addition to providing fun items for the senior class, this will also serve as a fundraising opportunity for the junior class. All families can purchase items on campus the day of graduation, but the option to pre-order is also available (and a larger percentage will go to the junior class this way).

Check out all pre-order options here: 

https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/redwoodhs/

Appropriate Dress for Graduation 
Any senior participating in the ceremony must wear a cap and gown. All students are to be dressed in appropriate, comfortable, but nice clothing suitable for summer weather.  Flat or low heeled shoes or sandals are recommended since the graduates will be walking through a steep, soft, grassy area.

Smoking and Alcohol on Campus

As is standard policy, Redwood is a smoke and alcohol free zone. There will continue to be a zero tolerance for either activity on campus for graduation. Any attendees who violate this policy may be asked to leave the campus. Central Marin Police will be on hand to help keep the crowd safe.

Graduation Caps and Gowns 
All caps and gowns are ordered and paid for by the school. Caps, gowns, and tassels will be distributed on Wednesday, June 7 after the graduation rehearsal.  Clearance forms must have all the required signatures and all bills paid before gowns will be issued.  All graduates must wear the proper cap and gown in order to participate in the commencement.  Place your cap forward on your head with the point almost between your eyebrows.  Wear your tassel over your right eye.  You will be instructed to move the tassel to the left as a class after all the diplomas have been awarded.  If you choose to decorate your cap and gown note these guidelines:

• The silhouette of the cap and gown must not be altered.
• Only messages that are appropriate and tasteful may appear on only the top of the cap. 
• Students whose caps and gowns do not meet these guidelines will be issued new gowns before the ceremony.

Senior Clearance 
Any student not meeting graduation requirements, not cleared for participation in the ceremony, or owing fees will not be issued a cap and gown. Senior clearance forms will be available in the counseling office beginning Tuesday, May 30 before school.  Signatures from teachers, your counselor, the library, records secretary and budget secretary indicate that you have passed classes, returned books, and paid any outstanding fees.  Your counselor certifies you have met all graduation requirements.  Signatures on the form must be completed by Wednesday, June 7th.  Students may submit their Senior clearance forms in room 114 beginning after graduation rehearsal (no sooner.)

Diplomas 
Empty diploma jackets will be handed out during the ceremony.  Actual diplomas may be picked up outside of the gym immediately following the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Rehearsal 
There will be only ONE graduation practice on Wednesday, June 7 at 11:15 a.m. in the amphitheater.  Seniors must be prompt and attend the entire practice in order to participate in the ceremony.  If the practice goes well, seniors will be dismissed around 1:00 p.m.  Students who are performing at graduation should plan to stay longer for sound checks.

Graduation Parking 
There are no tickets or limits on the number of guests that may attend graduation, so a large crowd is anticipated.  Parking and traffic congestion are a severe problem, so we suggest walking, riding or carpooling to graduation.  Central Marin Police and volunteers will be directing traffic. Marked disabled parking is located both in the east and west parking lots. Any signs in the parking lot are district property and should not be moved or altered.

First Aid 
During graduation a first aid station will be located near the main building.

Senior Brunch 
The Senior Brunch will be Wednesday, June 7 at10:30 a.m. following the 3^rd period final, prior to graduation practice.  This event is free to all seniors.

Transcripts   
How to order your final transcripts:

Transcripts 

For any Senior currently taking a course outside of Redwood, please make sure to have an official transcript sent via email to rhsrecords@tamdistrict.org by May 15^th or mailed to:

Redwood High School  
Attention: Records
395 Doherty Dr. 
Larkspur, CA. 94939

Ordering your final transcripts:

All Seniors will receive a Google Form on May 30^th the form must be completed no later than June 8^th.  Every Senior must fill out this form. Even if you don’t need your transcript. All transcripts will be sent electronically. If your transcript needs to be mailed through the USPS please drop off a stamped addressed envelope to Simone Davis in Room 103.

Senior in Good Standing Information 

Remember all seniors are expected to maintain appropriate behavior and pass all classes through the end of the semester in order to earn their diploma and participate in the graduation ceremony and other senior activities. Participation in the graduation ceremony is voluntary and considered a privilege.  In order to maintain your Senior in Good Standing status you must:

• Earn passing grades in all courses. Grades of “F” or Incomplete in any course may prevent students from participating in the graduation ceremony;
• Students with five (5) or more unexcused absences in a single class for the spring semester, including SMART, may be restricted from the graduation ceremony.
• Behave appropriately. Any senior suspended spring semester may be restricted from the graduation ceremony.
• Pay ALL outstanding bills (for textbooks, library books, athletic uniforms, etc.).

A student wishing to appeal a decision to deny participation in the graduation ceremony may do so by written letter to their Assistant Principal.  The appeal committee will determine whether or not extenuating circumstances exist and make a recommendation to the Principal.  The Principal’s decision shall be considered final.  

All appeal requests must be submitted, in writing, to the Assistant Principal’s office by Monday, May 22.  Please contact your Assistant Principal BEFORE Friday, May 19^th if you are intending to submit an appeal letter. Any student in violation of Student in Good Standing policy will place their ability to participate in senior activities in jeopardy

Senior Athletic Banquet 
The Senior Awards Banquet will be honoring all Senior Varsity Athletes on Monday, May 22nd from 6:00 – 9:00pm at the Embassy Suites at 101 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael.  Please RSVP by Saturday, May 13th via this Google Form.  Athletes are free and each parent is $50.  Send checks payable to: Redwood High School Benchwarmers at 395 Doherty Dr, Larkspur, CA  94939 (include the athlete’s name on the check) OR you can visit our PayPal site at https://paypal.me/RedwoodBenchwarmers?locale.x=en_US

PTSA Safe & Sober Grad Night - Thursday June 8, 2023

Since 1988 there has been a Grad Night party for the Redwood High school graduates organized by a PTSA committee.  The party is a perfect way to celebrate their graduation together.  The aim is to give the seniors a safe place to be together, participate in fun activities in a sober environment and stay off the roads the night of their graduation. On June 8, 2023 the Mt. Tam Racquet Club will host the party beginning at 8:30pm until the big finale performance with dismissal immediately following at 3:00am. More information at http://www.redwoodgradnight.org/

Thank you to all of the families that have supported our graduates’ journeys!!

Questions? Please email Tanya Jaspering (tjaspering@tamdistrict.org)