YSHS Seniors & Graduation Info

We will use this page to share information for seniors and their families through the rest of the spring. The page is divided into 4 areas. The first section lists Major Senior Events that are happening this spring. The second lists information specifically for Parents. The third section lists information for the Seniors about their final responsibilities as YSHS students, as well as some other general information about graduation and their last days of school. The final section, Senior Destination/Exit Survey lists details of the required senior survey.

• Graduation Ceremony Location - We remain hopeful for an outdoor ceremony but a decision may not be made until the afternoon of the ceremony. Updates will be posted here and delivered through our traditional district communications.
• Ceremony Livestream - The ceremony will be livestreamed via the district YouTube site.
• Graduation Photos - The high school will be offering three graduation photos this year. Students and families will have the opportunity to purchase a physical copy of the class photograph that will hang in the hallway ($15), a digital copy of the student receiving their diploma during the ceremony ($20), and/or a digital copy of a posed photograph in front of a York Suburban backdrop ($20). The photos will be on sale through May 29 in the Infinite Campus school store. The posed photograph must be pre-ordered so we can set a time for the photograph.

• Graduation Ceremony Information (May 21) - We are excited to celebrate the graduating class at our commencement ceremony on May 21 at 7:00 PM. Our primary plan is to hold the event outdoors in the stadium, where gates will open at 6:15 PM and no tickets will be required for entry. However, in the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to the gymnasium. If moved indoors, each graduate will receive four (4) tickets for guests (distributed during graduation practice), and we will host a live stream in the auditorium for any additional attendees. For those family and friends unable to join us in person regardless of the location, a live internet stream will be available to ensure everyone can participate in this special milestone.
• Prom (May 8) - We will be hosting Prom on Friday, May 8 from 6:30-9:30 PM at the Yorktowne Hotel in downtown York. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased in the Infinite Campus portal between March 30 and April 17. More information is available on the prom information sheet.
• Cupcake Reception (May 21) - Immediately following the commencement ceremony on May 21, we invite graduates and their families to join us for a brief drop-in reception in the cafeteria. This cherished tradition features light desserts and a wonderful "walk down memory lane" where guests can enjoy the special student posters prepared by our senior parents. This year, we are proud to share that the Senior Class has graciously donated all the items for the event, so we are primarily seeking parent volunteers to help support the evening's festivities. If you are available to lend a hand and help make this celebration a success, there will be a volunteer sign-up available closer to the time.
• York Suburban Robert L. Dovey Academic Awards (April 29) - This special evening is dedicated to recognizing our highest academic achievers from the current school year, including students in grades 9 through 12. During the ceremony, held in our auditorium, we will celebrate students for their outstanding overall academic accomplishments as well as exemplary performance in specific courses. Invitations for those receiving these honors, along with further event details, will be sent out in mid-April. Following the formal recognition, we invite all award winners and their guests to join us for a small reception to further celebrate their hard work and dedication.
• York Suburban Awards Night (May 7) - This special evening is dedicated to recognizing our students—primarily members of the senior class—who have earned prestigious scholarships and distinguished awards. All students receiving recognition will be formally notified in late April, at which time they are encouraged to invite as many family members and guests as they would like to join in the celebration. We look forward to honoring the hard work and impressive achievements of our students during this celebratory event.
• Senior Commitment Night (May 18) - During this special evening, we take a moment to honor our seniors who have committed to continuing their athletic or musical careers at the collegiate level, as well as those who have bravely enlisted in the United States Armed Forces. The event will individually recognize each registered student and will include a professional photo opportunity featuring the student alongside their coaches, teachers, recruiters, and family members. If you are interested in participating please make sure to register for the event via the Signing Night form so you are included in the program and the photography schedule.
• Senior Sunset (May 18) - The Senior Sunset is a new tradition that has emerged in recent years. The event serves as the symbolic "bookend" to the high school experience. Just as many students gathered for a "Senior Sunrise" at the beginning of the year to celebrate the start of their journey, the Sunset offers a quiet moment to reflect on their senior year, and appreciate the friendships and memories that have established while at YS. The class will begin gathering in the student lot on May 18 at 5:00 PM. Students participating in the Commitment Ceremony can come "late" to the sunset as there will still be a signficant amount of time prior to sunset.

There are only a handful of items that directly involve parents in the lead up to graduation. Most responsibilities fall to the seniors:

• Senior Memory Lane Poster (Due May 15) - A long-standing and cherished tradition at our school involves parents creating beautiful photo collages that capture their student's journey from early childhood through high school graduation. If you would like to participate in this "walk down memory lane," we invite you to begin working on your Senior Posters now! These heartwarming tributes will be displayed for all to enjoy during our post-graduation festivities. You can find specific guidelines and important information regarding the poster requirements on the Senior Poster Guidelines Page.
• Student Diploma and Program Name Verification - In January, an email was sent to all parents and seniors regarding how their student’s name will appear on their official diploma and within the graduation program. By default, names are printed using the first, middle, and last name provided at the time of the student's enrollment in the district. If you wish to make any changes or corrections to the name on file, please follow the instructions included in that correspondence. If you did not receive this email, we ask that you contact the high school office as soon as possible to ensure your student's name is displayed correctly for this historic milestone.

The seniors have a significant amount of information to process and responsibilities to complete in the lead up to graduation. All of this information is shared at the Senior Class Meeting on March 23.

• March 23 Class Meeting Slides
• Graduation Practice - Seniors participating in the graduation ceremony are required to attend graduation practice. The current plans are for practice to take place from 10:30-1:30 on Wednesday, May 20 and from 8:00-11:00 on Thursday, May 21. Students are asked to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to the starting time. In addition to practicing for the ceremony, there are a number of related events for the seniors during that time including the Graduation Walkthrough and the Senior Barbeque. NOTE: These times are subject to change. Any changes will be noted here and communicated to seniors via the announcements and email.
• Senior Last Day of Classes - The last day of classes for seniors will be Tuesday, May 19.
• Senior Exit Survey - All seniors must complete a senior exit survey to be eligible to graduate. Information about the survey is included at the end of this page.
• School Belongings - To avoid delays in processing your graduation eligibility, please plan to turn in any school items to your teachers by Friday, May 15. If you need a school item to complete an assignment or for your last classes, you are welcome to keep it, but please return it promptly on your last day of classes.
• Chromebooks - All seniors have the option to keep their Chromebook. Students who have maintained insurance for four years may keep it for free. Students who are eligible to keep their Chromebooks for free will be notified via their school email on or about April 15. All other seniors can purchase it for $45. All seniors who are planning to keep their device MUST stop by the library the week of May 11 to “check it out permanently.” Any seniors planning to return their device, should plan to return it on May 19.
• Caps & Gowns - Students will receive their cap and gown during graduation practice the morning of May 20. The caps and gowns were automatically ordered for all the students. Students earning academic recognitions will receive their regalia at the same time, and students in certain clubs and honors socities my receive honors cords in the days leading up the ceremony. Students will be able to keep their cap and gown and will need to wear it, and the associated regalia, to practice on May 21 and during the graduation ceremony also on May 21.
• Cap Decoration - Since students may keep their caps, students are permitted to decorate them. General school guidelines for appropriateness are expected to be followed.
• Graduation Regalia - Only regalia (medals, chords, stoles, ...) issued by the school or earned while representing the school (i.e. medals, honor pins) may be worn at the ceremony. Students are welcome to wear other personal items under their gown and then put them on after the ceremony for pictures. Any student wishing to wear non-YS related regalia outside of their gown during the ceremony must request permission from the building principal.

1. Senior Destination Survey (Due May 1) - Each year the state requires that we collect general information about seniors' future plans. The Senior Destination Survey is designed to collect seniors' plans, collect a few other pieces of information that we can use to stay in contact with seniors, and to plan programming for future students.
2. College Admission Results (Due Apr. 17) - Our high school collects information about college acceptance decisions and student admissions choices as part of state required reporting, as well as to help us identify trends that will help support future graduate's decisions. Seniors must log-in to SCOIR and update the status of each of their college applications (Admitted, Denied, Waitlisted, ...) and if they are attending college, they must identify the school of enrollment.
3. Sharing your Scholarship Awards (Due May 8) - Each year we collect information on the various scholarship awards you have earned to share as part of the graduation ceremony. Please complete this form for any scholarships you have earned including grants and scholarships from the college/university you are attending. If you earn multiple scholarships, you will complete this form multiple times, so you can complete this form as you receive various scholarships.