Grad

 JL Jackson Graduation – Fall Updates

Grade 12 students, parents and guardians,

As a school community, we are extremely excited to be planning for the first graduating class from JL Jackson Secondary School. There is a lot of work that has been done already, however, there is still a lot of work ahead. The good news is that we have an amazing team of staff, student and parents who are committed to making grad a positive and memorable experience for all involved. 

Below is some important information that we would like to pass on at this time. 

Please note that we also post information for grads outside the gym on our JLJ Grad Bulletin Board, as well as on our website:   https://jlj.sd83.bc.ca/grad

Grad Events – School Sanctioned

Creating a memorable grad experience is about more than just one event. It is about a series of events that build community through safe, positive, fun, and inclusive activities. To help build community within our graduating class, we kicked off the year with a Grad Breakfast and Grad Retreat in September. We have also arranged for our Grads to attend the Spooktacular event at RJ Haney Heritage Village on Sunday Oct 25 @ 7:00pm. Tickets are currently on sale at lunch in front of the office for $5. 

Students only have the opportunity to graduate from high school once, so please encourage your grad to participate in as many school planned events as possible this year. In November, grads can look forward to a Grad Movie Night and a Grad vs. Staff Dodgeball game. 

Grad Student Committee Meetings

Last spring we began hosting monthly Grad Student Committee Meetings at lunch in the library. During these meetings we gathered feedback from students on what they wanted their grad year to look like. These lunchtime meetings are open to all 2027 Grads and will continue throughout the school year. Please encourage your grad to attend these meetings if they want to provide input on future grad events. 

Grad Seminars

During the first week of Oct our counsellors and career teachers hosted Grad Seminars to share information about the Post Secondary application process and scholarships coming available. At the end of the Grad Seminars, student were provided with Transcript Verification/Grad Status Checks documents. Students were asked to review these documents carefully and see a counsellor ASAP if they noticed anything of concern. We will be holding another round of Grad Seminars in February to help students prepare for the spring bursary and scholarship application process. 

Grad Fees

The Graduation Fees of $200 (due May 1) is applied to the following expenses: the Graduation Ceremony, Grad Events, Grad Photo Sitting Fee, Yearbook, Grad Gown Rentals, Keepsake Cap & Tassel, Lanyard, and Composite Folder with the Grad Class Group Photo. Grad fees can be paid by cash, cheque or e-transfer to jlj@sd83.bc.ca. Please ensure “Student Name - Grad Fees” is written in the memo. 

Grad Fees do not go toward the Dry-Grad Celebration.  The Dry-Grad Celebration is 100% fundraised.

Grad Photos

Grad photos will be taking place from December 11-16. Each student will be able to book a 20min slot with the photographers from Mountain West. The cost of the 20min sitting fee is included as part of the grad fees. Information on how to sign up for a time slot will be available on the Grad Bulletin Board and Grad website in November. 

Grad Clothing

Abundant Specialty Advertising (ASA) will be supplying our grad clothing this year. Students can choose to purchase a hoodie, sweatpants, t-shirt, or one of the fun extra items. The estimated price point for a hoodie is $75 (tax included). An online store will be available soon to place your orders. Orders will most likely be due in mid-November. Any students with an eye for design, art, fashion that want to contribute to the logo design on grad wear should come see Ms Sholinder ASAP!

Fundraisers

As the Dry Grad event is completely paid for by fundraising, it is critical that we support the Dry Grad fundraising activities planned throughout the year. I huge thank you to Ravonne Roulger (Fundraising Lead) and all of the volunteers who came out last weekend to help with the Grad Bottle drive. Volunteers are essential to ensuring that fundraisers run smoothly and are successful.  Please consider supporting our Winter Plant Fundraiser which began this week. Orders are due on Nov 10. There is also plans for a 50/50 Fundraiser in Nov/Dec. 

Grad Assemblies

Our first Grad Assembly was on Thursday Oct 22 at 1:00pm. Below are some of the items covered during this assembly.  

·       graduation ceremony

·       dry grad celebration

·       fees

·       grad photos

·       grad events

·       grad clothing

·       grad fundraisers

·       reminder about the transcript verifications/graduation status checks

·       reminder that now is the time for post-secondary admissions

Grad Assemblies will occur periodically throughout the year to help ensure Grads are informed about important events,  dates, and deadlines.  

Grad Ceremony

Jackson staff will be looking after the Graduation Ceremony and various Graduation Events throughout the year.  After several meetings with students and staff in the spring of last year, the decision was made to hold one large ceremony outside on the field at Jackson. The graduation ceremony will be on Tuesday June 22 at 1:00pm. Below is our proposed year end schedule which shows when the grad events are planned during the last two weeks of the school year. 

JLJ Dry Grad Celebration

The Dry Grad Parent Committee works with our Grad Teacher Sponsors and School Administration to plan, organize and run our Dry Grad Celebration.  The JLJ Dry Grad Celebration is being planned for the evening of Friday June 18. There are also plans for a Grad Walk to take place prior to the Dry Grad celebration. This would provide the community with an opportunity to come out and see our grads all dressed up. As we know some of our grads are still quite connected with peers at SAS it has been decided that students from SAS and Jackson will be welcome to attend each other’s dry grad events this year as a guest. Students should watch for a Dry Grad Guest Form in the spring that will need to be completed if they would like to take advantage of this option. 

Dry Grad Parent Committee

While supported by school staff, the Dry Grad event is planned primarily by our Dry Grad Parent Executive and Committee members. A huge thank you to the individuals below who have already volunteered and agreed to be a Dry Grad Parent Executive member or Committee Lead. 

Parent volunteers are essential to running a memorable Dry Grad event. Please indicate on the form below if you are able to help either during our Dry Grad Event and/or during the planning process on one of the Dry Grad Parent Committees listed above. There will be an important meeting on Wednesday Oct 28 @ 6:00pm in the Library, for parents wishing to participate on a Dry Grad Parent Committee. 

Parent Volunteer Survey Link:

JL Jackson Dry Grad 2027 – Parent Volunteer Form

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the JL Jackson Dry Grad event, please

Email: JLJDryGrad2027@gmail.com

To stay informed and get involved, please join the JL Jackson Dry Grad 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HUuwB6Z6s/

Thank you for your continued support and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Gord Ritchie

Principal