Dear Senior Parents:
It is an exciting time for you and your senior to look forward to all of the senior activities and graduation. We have the highest expectations for all of our seniors and we ask that the parents of our seniors take an active role in helping them make wise choices. With this in mind, it is extremely important for all seniors to remember our behavioral expectations and that participating in the Graduation Ceremony and receiving their diploma on the stage is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to continue to adhere to school and behavioral expectations as we head into the final months of school. This also applies to acting in an appropriate manner throughout senior activities and the Graduation Ceremony.
Graduation Requirements
Important: All seniors must meet all SVUSD graduation requirements in order to participate in the Graduation Ceremony. I encourage you to monitor your senior’s grades carefully during this important part of the school year. Any failure in a required course will automatically prevent a student from participating in the Graduation Ceremony.
Seniors must follow all school policies up through and including graduation. All financial and disciplinary obligations, as well as attendance at all mandatory graduation practices, must be fulfilled or participation in senior activities including the Graduation Ceremony, will be jeopardized.
Demerit Recovery and Graduation
In order to avoid jeopardizing participation in senior activities and the Graduation Ceremony, all senior students must have resolved all discipline consequences. If there are any questions regarding behavior contracts or any outstanding discipline consequences, students should follow up with an Assistant Principal of Supervision. Each hour of discipline consequences equals one demerit. Any senior student with demerits on their record must serve all assigned hours until their demerits equal ZERO (0) before they will be allowed to attend Prom, participate in any Senior Activities, or Graduation Ceremony. A schedule of assigned hours of discipline consequences along with the intended days to serve must be arranged with the Supervision Office immediately. No exceptions will be made.
Senior Pranks
Please note this word of caution about “senior pranks.” Some of our students in the past without any disciplinary history have participated in a senior prank that resulted in lost opportunities and privileges. There is no such thing as a safe senior prank. Even a plan to “toilet paper” can end up causing damage leading to restitution and/or arrest. Consequences will include loss of senior activities and may jeopardize participation in the Graduation Ceremony. If you become aware of such a plan, please inform the school and do not allow your senior to participate. Students should never be on school grounds outside of school hours for any reason other than official school business or activities.
Please help your senior make good choices to ensure their participation in all senior activities and the Graduation Ceremony.
Suspensions and Expulsions
Be advised that the Saddleback Valley Unified School District has a strict policy against the use or possession of drugs, alcohol, and weapons, and any other expellable offenses outlined by the California Education Code. Please note that if a student commits ANY expellable offense and is recommended for expulsion, they will be excluded from Prom, ALL Senior Activities, Extra-curricular Activities, and the Graduation Ceremony during the expulsion. Any student that is suspended and is placed on a behavior contract within the last 45 days of school WILL NOT have the opportunity to earn back 45 days by completing the BIC Program/Quick Class and therefore will not be able to attend Prom, Senior Activities, and may be excluded from the Graduation Ceremony.
Behavior Expectations for the Graduation Ceremony
Students attempting to disrupt the integrity and grace of the Graduation Ceremony will be removed during the ceremony immediately.
Your support in discussing the importance of maintaining appropriate behavior through the end of the year as well as the severity of consequences for violating our behavior expectations is greatly appreciated and can ensure a positive experience for this exciting time for your family.
I look forward to seeing you at graduation on June 5, 2025
Thank you,
Jay Chadwick
Assistant Principal
