Welcome
Welcome to the JFHS Graduation Activities Page. The purpose of this webpage is to inform parents and students of important dates and details, as well as the requirements necessary to participate in the graduation activities. Up to date information for students about graduation is can found on the following platforms:
- listening to the daily announcements
- following the school Instagram (@fowlerfalconfeed) or access the link here
- attending TA regularly on TA Fridays
- visiting the Graduation Information D2L Shell (grade 12 students are added to the shell their graduating year)
- looking for information posted on bulletin boards throughout the school
- checking the school's website for graduation newsletters
Requirements
In order to participate in any Graduation Activities, students must qualify for the Graduand List. To be on the Graduand List, students must be in a program that will lead them to the full graduation requirements for their program by the end of June of their grade twelve year, and be a full time student at James Fowler High School.
The initial grad list, consisting of students who are currently on track to fulfill their graduation requirements, will be posted in December of Semester 1. Any student whose name does not appear on this initial list needs to meet with their guidance counsellor immediately. The information used to create the first draft of the list may not include (1) previous courses taken outside of Alberta, and (2) courses students are currently taking away from Fowler [e.g. CBe-learn]. All students are asked to be sure that they check all grad lists as they are posted.
The grad list will be updated again in March of Semester 2. Any students who have a grade below 50% in a course required for graduation during this time will be removed from the graduation list. Please refer to the documents highlighting the requirements needed to obtain an Alberta High School Diploma or an Alberta Certificate of High School Acheivement.
The final grad list will be posted at the start of April of Semester 2. It is important to note that students whose names are still not on the Graduand List have the opportunity to show that they meet the requirements of the graduand list by the second week of April. The final grad list will be posted by the start of the third week of April.
Students, who are intending on including a CBe-learn online course toward their graduation requirements, will need to register in the course no later than the end of February. Once registered, they will need to make an appointment with their guidance counsellor and show their progress in the course in order to be included on the Graduand List. Please note that students may only take one online course per semester to be considered a full-time student. Only full time students are allowed to walk the stage for the graduation ceremony.
Graduation Ceremony
The Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Jubilee Auditorium in May (date and time to be determined - please check the updated newsletters). Students must be on the Graduand List to participate. The graduating students will not need a ticket to participate. All guests (including infants and small children) must have a ticket. Tickets will be available for purchase online through Ticketmaster in mid-April (more information to follow). Students should now begin considering whom they will invite and anticipate being able to obtain tickets for approximately four guests in the first round. A second round will occur for additional ticket purchase, if space is available. Please note that a Ticketmaster account must be created to purchase the tickets. Tickets are digital and located in your Ticketmaster account. The tickets must also be available on an electronic device for scanning at the doors on the day of the Ceremony.
The Graduation Ceremony is a formal event and students will be expected to act in a way that aligns with the student code of conduct, AR 6005. This includes, but is not limited to, choosing clothing that does not distract from the formality of the ceremony, and engaging in behaviours while crossing the stage that would also be deemed disruptive/distractive.
A reminder to guests, please no noise makers! As this is a formal event, please be respectful. Please refrain from being on your phone, taking phone calls, and leaving the ceremony. There will be no re-entry.
A mandatory Graduation Ceremony Rehearsal will take place before the Ceremony date in the main gym at school. This will provide students with important information prior to both events and give them an opportunity to ask any last minute questions.
Graduation Banquet and Dance
The Graduation Banquet and Dance will be held at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park in May (date and time to be determined - please check the updated newsletters). The Banquet will be held from 6:00 until 11:30 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm). The BMO Centre is where most high schools have their banquets, and will provide our students and their families with a special and memorable formal experience.
Any grade twelve student is welcome to attend Banquet. Tickets will need to be purchased for the student and their guests. The ticket cost is $110 per person. Please check the grad newsletters for when tickets go on sale. Tickets will be available for purchase through your myCBE account portal (here). Tickets must be picked up in person by the student when they become available at school. Tickets must be presented at the doors on the day of Banquet.
Graduation Fees
It is important to note that along with the requirement of being on the final Graduand List in order to purchase tickets for both Graduation Ceremony and Banquet, it is also necessary that all school fees be paid in full. This needs to be completed prior to the purchase dates listed above. Fees can be paid online through the myCBE account (here) or at the business office during school hours. A fee of $75.00 will be added to grade twelve students who are participating in the ceremony. This fee includes the grad gown rental, grad book and grad certificate for students to keep, as well as facilities rental fee.
Graduation Portraits
Lifetouch will be visiting the school to take graduation portraits. Students will be able to book times for a portrait sitting by visiting their website (here). More information will be available for students in January.
Valedictorian & Graduand Speakers
Each year a Valedictorian is selected from the graduating class who will present an address to all the students, teachers, and guests during the Closing Exercises at the Graduation Ceremony. A Valedictorian must be a leader of the school community, a strong student in his or her program, and a good public speaker. Students interested in seeking the position of Valedictorian must submit an application form to Ms. Rickards.
Aside from Valedictorian, there are other student speaker roles. At Ceremony, there is also the Acknowledgement of the Land. At Banquet, roles include: Emcees, Acknowledgement of the Land, Toast to the Parents, Toast to the Teachers, and Class Historian. A digital application form must be filled out (here) and the selected students will be notified.
Applications will open at a later date, please check all platforms regularly for dates to apply for Valedictorian and Speakers.
Grad Apparel
Please check all platforms for when grad hoodies will be available. Hoodies are $36. A grad hoodie order form must be filled out online (here). For purchase, please see the business office during school hours. Please bring the receipt to Ms.Tam to complete the order.
Important Dates (please note that dates are subject to change)
December
First Graduand List Posted
March
Valedictorian Applications due
Second Graduand List Posted
Grad Speakers Application
Grade Twelve Fees Due
Grad Apparel for Purchase
Grad Banquet Tickets for Purchase - myCBE account
April
Third Graduand List Posted
Valedictorian & Grad Speakers Announced
Deadline for meeting Grad Requirements
Final Graduand List Posted
Ceremony Ticket for Purchase - Ticketmaster
May
Second Round for Ceremony Tickets (subject to availability)
Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal - at school
Graduation Ceremony - Jubilee Auditorium
Graduation Banquet - BMO Center
Questions
Students or parents should address their questions to the following staff:
Budgeting and Other Planning: Student’s Counsellor [Surnames A-F Ms. Hajar; G-N Mr. Nickerson; O-Z Ms. Whiteley]
Grad Banquet and Dance: Ms. Tam
Grad Ceremony: Ms. Spare
General Concerns: Student's Assistant Principal