Natick Redhawks

I am so proud of all that the Class of 2024 has accomplished and am looking forward to celebrating with you in these weeks leading up to graduation. Students, as you experience the next few weeks, I want to encourage you to do a few things:

1. Have an amazing time! Take a moment to pause between now and graduation to think about all you have accomplished, then celebrate! You deserve it!
2. Say thank you! No one does this alone. Think about the folks who helped you get to this point, and take time to thank them.
3. Make safe choices. This time will be brief, but consequences for poor choices you may make during these weeks can last far longer. Safe choices help make sure that your memories of these weeks are all positive.
4. Look out for your friends. If you are concerned that a friend isn't safe, take action by contacting a trusted adult. Your friend will thank you later!
5. Finish Strong! People remember how you leave them, sometimes more than how you started. Studies also show that finishing high school strong leads to a positive start to college and/or work life.

Below is a calendar of important events for your remaining time in high school. A printable version can be found here.

Go Class of 2024!

Ms. Blocker

Student speeches are an essential and meaningful part of both ceremonies. This gives students an opportunity to come together as a class, reflect on your experiences, share common memories and wish your classmates all the best with their next phase of life. We generally encourage students to be in the moment, to share a personal story and to thank those who have helped you along the way.

Students who would like to speak or deliver a poem at graduation, please submit a draft of your remarks to Ms. Daigle, mdaigle@natickps.org, by Wednesday, April 24th.

Two students will be selected by Wednesday May 1st.

It has been brought to our attention that a group of seniors have organized a game for many members of the class. We want to be clear that the school has neither planned this game nor do we condone it. Consequently, the following message went out to the Senior Class yesterday. We appreciate your support in keeping our students safe.

Dear Seniors,

As we wind down the year and head towards graduation, there are many events for you to look forward to. There are also some traditions that persist despite the potential risks. One such tradition is a game that some of you may choose to play called “Senior Assassin” wherein seniors “tag” other players by squirting them with water guns.

I want to be clear; water guns and the playing of Senior Assassin are not permitted at Natick School - not in the building, not on school grounds, and not at school events. It is especially important to note that weapons of any kind, including toy weapons and water-based weapons are not permitted on school grounds at any time. In this day and age, if any one of us were to witness a foot chase involving a young adult holding something resembling a weapon, we could easily construe the situation as a threatening event, not a game. Therefore, while this activity may feel harmless to some, it presents a safety issue for many members of our community and has the potential to cause unintended consequences for you and others. Please do your part to keep this game away from Natick High School.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t share my thoughts on Senior Assassin more generally. I would advise you to think carefully about playing this game more generally. The same unintended consequences that I highlighted above are also likely in the community where folks do not know that you are playing a game. You can imagine the range of responses that could garner, not least of which is being reported to the Natick Police by a concerned citizen.

We are eager to celebrate these last days of high school with you. We want all of you to have fun, and are hoping to partner with you to create a responsible, safe learning environment at Natick High School.

Best,

Josepha Blocker

Principal

Natick High School

508-647-6600

AP Exams for Seniors will take place during the following two weeks:

• Monday, May 6th - Friday, May 10th
• Monday, May 13th - Friday, May 17th

Please speak to your teacher regarding information on rooms and exam times. Please email Mr. Strother at mstrother@natickps.org with questions.

Friday, May 17th

7:00 -11:00 pm

Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston

138 St. James Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Seniors must return or pay for all outstanding school materials prior to getting their caps and gowns. This includes textbooks, elevator passes, technology repair dues, technology rental dues, athletic uniforms, library books, MySchool Bucks, and laptops. Students may start returning their outstanding obligations on May 17th to their teachers or deparment. To avoid stress at the end, please take care of this early! The last day for senior obligations is May 28th.

Last Day of Regular Classes is Monday, May 20th

Final exams take place Tuesday, May 21 thru Friday, May 24. Schedule forthcoming.

• Senior exams will be administered in class during the regularly schedule blocks.
• Seniors, who have a semester average of an A- or higher, may be exempt from their exam at teacher discretion.

• Senior classes and study halls will not meet on these days UNLESS they are giving an exam. Seniors who are taking exams are expected to show for their scheduled exam only.
  
• A printable version of this information is here.

The first rehearsal for graduation is Thursday, May 23 from 11:30-12:30pm in the Auditorium.

Mr. Galvin, Mr. Joseph, and Mr. Cuoco will meet with the class to visually walk through all that is needed for students to be ready for graduation rehearsal #2 and graduation the following week.

The second rehearsal for graduation is on Tuesday, May 28 from 9-12, starting in the Auditorium.

This is also the last day for seniors to return outstanding obligations.

Seniors will learn and practice the walk-through of graduation, including the procession, seating and run through of the graduation. Also included in this rehearsal will be the student return of books, uniforms and payment close-out returns. Students will receive their cap and gowns, their cumulative student files and yearbooks.

The Class Night Awards Ceremony is a virtual event that will take place at 7pm on Thursday, May 30.

We will pre-record the entire event and broadcast in on Pegasus. We will announce the recipients of all scholarships and academic awards at Class Night. Special performances by NHS students throughout the program.

The Senior Picnic will take place on Thursday, May 30 from 11-2pm at Memorial Field, and the Practice Field.

The picnic will include caricature artists, food trucks, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, large inflatable activities and lawn games.

Graduation for the Class of 2024 is scheduled for Friday, May 31 at Memorial Field.

Gates at Memorial Field will open at 5:00pm for guests. Graduates must arrive at NHS gymnasium BY 4:45pm. The ceremony will begin at 6:00pm.

The rain date for graduation is Sunday, June 2 at 12pm at Memorial Field.