West Side Story 2.0

Today we held our Senior Class meeting. In this newsletter you will find all of the information that was shared at the meeting.

If you are sending a final West transcript to a college you plan to attend after graduation, this must be done through Xello. You can order your final transcript now but you must make sure to mark that you want it held until final grades are posted. Final transcripts will be sent out when transcripts are finalized June 10th.

If you applied to college via the Common App, you still need to request your final transcript in Xello! There is NO cost to send your final transcript. See Amy Bjortomt(Counseling Secretary) or your counselor if you have questions.

Sign up for audition by May 10th

• Sheet will be on Mr. Sipe’s door, room 114
• Auditions are Wednesday, May 15th starting at 1 p.m (Early release day)
• See Mr. Sipe if you have any questions. Expectations can be found at this link: Commencement Speech Expectations Class of 2024

Criteria for judging will include:

• Relevance to class of 2024
• Relate to all seniors (Inclusive)
• What makes this class special/unique
• Unique approach with identifiable theme

Caps and Gowns will be distributed in the auditorium on Thursday, May 23rd from 7:45-8:30 a.m. and in the main office from noon to 3:45 p.m. Any problems with size of cap or gown should be reported to Mr. Sipe in room 114 ASAP.

Be sure your cap and gown fit. Hang them ASAP to lessen wrinkles.

DO NOT IRON

At 9:30am, all seniors will report to the football field wearing their caps and gowns. We will be taking a class photo on the football field.

At 9:45am, seniors will board busses (in their caps and gowns) to visit their elementary school. They will parade through the school, greet the elementary students and their former teachers. They will return to West at 10:30.

The Parade of Graduates is for MAPS elementary schools only. If your student did not attend a MAPS elementary school, they can choose one of the West side elementary schools. If they attended an East side elementary, they can visit their elementary school, but will need to provide their own transportation, and will process through the school with East graduates.

Seniors need to sign up for the elementary school they wish to visit. (see form below)

Commencement rehearsal isThursday, June 6th at 8:45a.m. at the Mayo Event Center. Attendance is mandatory and graduates must be on time in order to participate in the ceremony. Students should wear comfortable clothes, but may want to wear the shoes they will wear for the ceremony.

Graduates:

• Commencement is a formal ceremony. Dress appropriately under your gowns.

• Please be reminded this ceremony is a celebration of the graduating class. Do not decorate your mortar board or wear cords (other than NHS cords) out of respect for the class.

• Report to the Banquet Hall by 7:30p.m. There will be no place to leave belongings, so do not bring them with.

• Shuttle buses from the front lot of West HS to the Mayo Event Center will leave West High School at 7:15p.m. Be ready in your caps and gowns.

• Diplomas will be distributed at the conclusion of the ceremony in the Banquet Hall.
• Return buses ​will depart the Mayo Event Center approximately 20-30 minutes after graduation and return students to West HS for the senior party.
  

Families and Friends:

• The Mankato East Commencement Ceremony​ is just prior to ours. In order to allow time for their families to exit, we ask that Mankato West families not enter the Mayo Event Center until after 7:15 PM.
• Given the capacity of the Event Center, there is plenty of space available for all who wish to attend.

Traditionally, families and graduates have gathered in the front of the school to take pictures prior to graduates boarding the busses.

The West 2024 graduation party is fast approaching! If you haven’t experienced a West High Grad Party, it has a longstanding tradition of being an all-night celebration for our awesome graduates. The party is planned, staffed, and chaperoned by parent/guardian volunteers and includes tons of food, activities, entertainment, prizes, and a gift for every senior who attends! It is a safe, fun, and memorable event for all who choose to attend! Each year, we reach out to the families of MWHS seniors & juniors for help.

To stage this event, we need both Junior and Senior parent/guardian volunteers to help plan the party or donate cash or a prize. If interested in helping plan or donate please contact us at: mankatowestgradparty@gmail.com.

Register:

To Register Seniors for the All Night Grad Party: Registration Form - Deadline to register is May 1, 2024. Party is at West High School on June 6th immediately following the ceremony until 4 am

Cost to attend is $65

Donate: To Donate to the Mankato West Grad Party:

◆ Venmo: @West-GradParty ◆ Cash or Check: Make Check Payable to: Mankato West Graduation Party and mail to: Mankato West High School Attn: Graduation Party 1351 S Riverfront Dr Mankato, MN 56001 ◆ Donations are tax-deductible

Purchase a West 2024 Graduation Sign: Class of 2024 Yard Signs cost $20 each - All funds raised will be used toward the West Grad Party-complete the form here: Mankato West Graduation Yard Sign Purchase Form Follow us on Instagram: @mankatowestgradparty2024

• Submit the Scholarship Survey

• Submit the Senior Survey

• Submit the Senior Spotlight Survey

• Submit the Parade of Graduates Survey

• Return Library books, textbooks, chromebooks, to the Media Center

• Take care of any fees you may have

• Finish the year strong!

• Request your final transcript in Xello if attending college in the fall!