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Dear Parents:

 

We proudly take this opportunity to welcome you to our 2009 graduation
ceremony at Aliso Niguel High School.  The ceremony will take place in
our football stadium on Thursday, June 18, 2009, beginning promptly at 5
p.m. and will last approximately one hour.  The Aliso Niguel staff is
excited about this event and would like to send our graduates on their
way with a spirited yet dignified graduation ceremony.  Our goal is to
provide an outstanding commencement ceremony that will stay as a
positive memory in the hearts of each graduating senior and his or her
family.  

 

The production of an outstanding event requires precise organization and
the total support of students, parents, and guests.  As a family, please
review the following guidelines and responsibilities.

 

Schedule:  Students must be on time for both the graduation rehearsal
and the final ceremony.  

The graduation rehearsal will be held on the stadium field and will
begin promptly at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 18.  Seniors must be present
at the rehearsal in order to walk in the afternoon ceremony.  Seniors
are asked to bring their caps and gowns to the rehearsal, as Simonson
Photography will take a panoramic picture of the senior class
immediately following the rehearsal.  

 

For the graduation ceremony, graduates must report to the baseball field
by 4 p.m. for the processional lineup.  No cell phones, cameras,
flowers/leis, purses, or other items are permitted on the field.
Students are to park at the Chet Holifield Building. The Holifield
Building is located at 24000 Avila in Laguna Niguel. The ANHS parking
lot will be closed to all students.  Shuttle busses will transport
graduates to the high school from 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.  

 

Appropriate Attire/Behavior:  Seniors participating in the ceremony must
wear a cap and gown.  Seniors who have already ordered their cap and
gown may pick them up on Wednesday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in
the food court.  Valedictorians will exchange their black gown for a
white one at this time.  Caps and gowns will be available for $60 (cash
only).  Caps will be available for $10 and medallions for $10 for
students who are borrowing a gown from a previous graduate. We would
like to see men dressed in shirts, ties, and slacks; and the ladies
dressed in appropriate attire.  Jeans, shorts, hats and flip-flop
sandals are inappropriate and unacceptable for a dignified ceremony.
Flat or wedged shoes MUST be worn, since graduates will walk through a
grassy area with relatively soft ground.  Students violating graduation
policies will be removed to a restricted area and released to a parent
following the ceremony.  In such situations, the diploma will be
withheld pending a parent/administrator conference.  Noise-makers,
signs, fireworks, beach balls, or other distractions are not allowed in
the stadium.  Graduates will enter the stadium in an orderly manner and
will remain seated during most of the ceremony.  It is expected that
graduates refrain from talking to other classmates during the
presentation of diplomas.  Our goal is to allow each and every graduate
his or her moment in the spotlight as he or she crosses the stage.
Noisy or visual distractions can obviously detract from any such
spotlight.  

 

Parent/Visitor Field Access: Parents/Visitors are not allowed on the
field at anytime before, during, or after the ceremony. Graduates will
proceed to the softball field to pick up their diplomas following the
ceremony. Parents/Visitors will meet graduates at the softball field
following the ceremony.  

 

Student Footwear: Students CANNOT wear high-heeled shoes during the
ceremony. Security will check student footwear before all students enter
the field. Students wearing high healed shoes will be asked to remove
their shoes and pick them up after the ceremony. Please wear comfortable
flat shoes during the ceremony and change into your footwear of choice
following the ceremony. 

 

Diplomas:  As each senior's name is called, he or she will receive a
diploma cover.  Following the ceremony, the actual diploma inserts will
be distributed at the softball field.  Graduates not participating in
the ceremony may pick-up their diplomas from their academic advisor
beginning Friday, June 19 and ending June 26. The guidance office is
open from 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Please call the office first to verify
they will be available during the time you wish to come.  

 

Parking:  Since there will be no tickets or limit on the number of
guests, an extremely large crowd is expected.  Parking and traffic
congestion is always a problem; therefore, an early arrival is
recommended.  Students are REQUIRED to park at the Chet Holifield
Building.  It is located at 24000 Avila, Laguna Niguel.  Parents are
also encouraged to park at the Chet Holifield Building.  Shuttle busses
from the Chet Holifield Building will run from 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m for
guests. 

 

The shuttle busses will make one return trip to the Holifield Building
immediately following the graduation ceremony at approximately 6 p.m.
There is an easy foot trail that can be taken back to the Holifield
Building.  The cement trail runs between campus and the N/W corner of
Alicia and Aliso Creek. The foot trail begins behind the portables,
located at the southern end of campus. Limited parent parking is also
available behind the portables or in the staff parking lot.

 

The stadium parking lot entrance is reserved for handicapped or special
needs parking.  For people with special needs who do not have
handicapped placards, please park in the stadium parking lot, as golf
carts and a shuttle will be available.  If others would like to drop off
elderly people, they may do so at the parking gate next to the stadium.
Limousine drop off will be located in front of the main gym.  

 

Please note that those parked in the stadium lot will ONLY be allowed to
exit onto northbound Deerhurst. Those parked in the teachers' lot will
use the Wolverine Way gate at the bottom of the cul-de-sac.  

 

There will be no traffic access to Wolverine Way from Aliso Creek or
Aliso Viejo Parkway from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.  There will be no right
hand turns from Wolverine Way onto Aliso Creek, in order to accommodate
pedestrian traffic.  These changes will impact those who want to pick up
family members after the ceremony.  Entrance back into the area can be
accessed from westbound Pacific Park onto southbound Deerhurst.   

 

Remember to please be patient as you are exiting the school!  

      

Spectator Seating:  Seating is available on a first-come, first-served
basis in the bleachers.  The stadium will open at 4 p.m. for all guests.
*Guests are welcome to line-up at the stadium entrance before the gates
open.  

 

Handicap Seating: Only one caretaker is permitted to remain with each
handicapped guest in the handicapped area.  Please respect the roped-off
handicapped and VIP sections. 

 

Outstanding Fines:  Any student with outstanding fines (library,
athletic, or activities) will not be allowed to participate in the
graduation exercise.

We know that as parents of graduating seniors, you appreciate the need
for a serious approach to conducting this very special celebration.
Graduation ceremonies are not a given right; they are a privilege.  It
is truly a special time to recognize our high school graduates.