Dear Class of 2023 Students and Families,

We are excited to announce our plans for the Class of 2023 graduation ceremony. Based on input from a survey of the Class of 2023 and in working with other PWCS schools, we are happy to announce that the Class of 2023 commencement ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 2:30 PM at EagleBank Arena (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA).

We invite you to review the information below. Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks and months.

All communication regarding graduation will come through student’s PWCS email address and the email/phone numbers of families on file. Please be sure you are receiving these communications and your student is checking their email regularly.

Jostens is the Graduation vendor for the Class of 2023. Students planning to participate in the graduation ceremony will need to have a cap and gown to participate. Please visit Jostens’s website https://www.jostens.com to purchase a cap and gown or call 1-800-JOSTENS.

As always, these plans are subject to change based on changing guidelines around COVID-19.

If you have any questions regarding FDHS Graduation, please email me at brownls1@pwcs.edu.

Thank you,

Ms. LaKisha Brown
Assistant Principal
Graduation Coordinator
Freedom High School

The Freedom High School Class of 2023 is excited to allow decorations on graduation caps to positively showcase student's pride in themselves, their accomplishments, and their future. These decorations are an optional opportunity to thank family, friends, or educators, celebrate your post-graduation plans (career, college, military, etc.), recognize your extra-curricular involvements or cultural heritage, etc.

Because these caps will be displayed at Graduation, a school-sponsored event, and to ensure that commencement remains a dignified and inclusive celebration of the achievement of all students, designs must be consistent with the PWCS Code of Behavior and adhere to these guidelines:

• Only the flat top of the official black cap may be decorated
• The academic gown cannot be decorated (other than approved academic honor decorations listed in the program).
• Decorations may not be excessively 3-D, extend beyond or hang off the edges of the cap

Expressly prohibited

• Obscene, offensive, profane, vulgar, or hateful language/images
• References to alcohol, controlled substances, drugs, gangs, tobacco, sexual activity, violence, weapons, or encouraging illegal activity/disruptive behavior
• Designs diminishing or slandering any individual or institution, the school/PWCS, any faculty or staff member, and/or any student

Caps will be inspected in advance of the ceremony and removed if deemed inappropriate. The Administration of Freedom High School reserves the right to prohibit any design at any time; judgment on the appropriateness of design is at the sole discretion of the school administration.

Failure to adhere to these rules for graduation cap decoration or instructions from Freedom High School and/or EagleBank Arena (GMU) event staff could result in discipline up to and including a student’s removal from commencement exercises.

Here are some ideas for appropriate things to include on your cap to get you started:

Important Dates:

Dear Parents/Guardians and Seniors:

The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information regarding graduation, to help your family plan during the last weeks of school.

The Class of 2023 Commencement will be held on Tuesday, June 13 at 2:30 PM at Eagle Bank Arena (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA).

Seniors must have completed all requirements for graduation to participate in the graduation ceremony. If you have any questions about credit requirements, please contact the appropriate school counselor at 703-583-1405.

Participation in the graduation ceremony is optional for all graduates. A survey was sent out to all seniors on April 14, 2023, to complete regarding their participation in the ceremony. The survey should be completed and returned no later than May 12, 2023. This information is used for planning purposes. Any senior electing not to attend may pick up their diploma at the school after June 13.

Seniors who do not plan to participate in the graduation ceremony must provide an electronic mail verification from his/her parent or guardian to Ms. Brown, BrownLS1@pwcs.edu, no later than May 26. Graduation practice will be held on Friday, June 9, at 2:00 p.m. and Monday, June 12, at 2:00 p.m. Students will report to the main gym for both practices. All social distance guidelines set by the CDC will be enforced during the graduation practice. Any student who does not attend both required graduation practices will NOT be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. In addition, any student who chooses not to participate may not reconsider at the last minute. Questions should be directed to Ms. Brown.

Jostens is the Graduation vendor for the Class of 2023. Seniors planning to participate in the graduation ceremony will need to have a cap and gown to participate. https://www.jostens.com

Graduating seniors should plan to arrive at Eagle Bank Arena between 1:00- 1:30 PM. Additional arrival details will be relayed in future communications. Spectators should plan to arrive at Eagle Bank Arena no later than 1:30 PM.

We are in the fourth marking period; seniors are reminded that attendance is still very important. Failure to attend school daily, and on time, and to complete all assigned work, may negatively affect grades and could result in students not meeting course requirements necessary for graduation. In addition, it is essential that seniors adhere to all county and school rules/regulations, in the Code of Behavior, for the remainder of the year. Failure to do so may be cause for suspension and jeopardize an individual’s privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Seniors are required to ensure that all financial obligations (lost library or textbooks, laptops, unreturned uniforms/equipment, cafeteria fees, transcripts, musical instruments, etc.) are reconciled by 12 noon on Thursday, June 9. Failure to do so will exclude them from participating in the commencement ceremony.

We respectfully request that parents of graduates and their families and friends maintain proper decorum throughout the graduation ceremony. Please refer to the EagleBank arena security policy enclosed.

During the graduation ceremony, celebrations in the stands such as: yelling, air horns, and banners for individual students hinder the ability of other family members from hearing the names of their graduates. Our Seniors have devoted tremendous time and hard work preparing for this dignified ceremony. We seek your cooperation in making the graduation ceremony one in which all families enjoy, and students are recognized appropriately.

Due to CDC guidelines, personal pictures must be taken from your seat. However, Life Touch will be on hand to capture the moment of your graduate receiving their diploma. Following the graduation ceremony, you will have to immediately exit the venue.

Finally, best wishes for a successful completion of your Senior year. We look forward to a memorable graduation ceremony. Additional graduation information, announcements, updates, forms, and frequently asked questions will be posted to the Senior Canvas Page and Freedom High School homepage at https://freedomhs.pwcs.edu/.

Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. L. Brown if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Ms. LaKisha Brown
Assistant Principal
Graduation Coordinator

Senior Letter 2023

FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL
DOCUMENT OF DECORUM

Graduation: Class of 2023
Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 2:30 p.m.
George Mason University Eagle Bank Arena

Preamble:

We, the Class of 2023 in order to graduate with pride and dignity, establish peace and tranquility among our class members, promote the general welfare, demonstrate our commitment to the betterment of mankind, and secure the blessings of education to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Document of Decorum.

MAJOR UNDERSTANDINGS

Conduct During Ceremony:

• Guests and spectators are asked to refrain from moving about during the ceremony, to be attentive and considerate, and to remain seated until graduates have exited.
• Any student or guest demonstrating intent to disrupt will be immediately removed by staff from the ceremony.
• Code of Behavior will be followed.
• Noisemakers, balloon bouquets, signs, or banners will not be tolerated.
• Seat saving is prohibited. Handicap seating is limited and on a first-come basis.
• Guests and members of the Class of 2023 will refrain from distracting actions so that all can receive the proper individual attention.
• Consideration of others throughout the ceremony is expected.
• Celebration should not involve throwing caps until the appropriate moment is at hand and recognition, respect, and attention have been afforded to all.
• We will exit with dignity.

Expectations of the Ceremony:

The ceremony will be short, meaningful, and dignified.

Dress Code:

The Class of 2023 and the administration request that guests dress in a tasteful manner appropriate to this dignified once-in-a-lifetime ceremony.

Graduating Seniors

• Dresses, skirts, shirts with collars, dress pants (no jeans or shorts), socks, dress shoes, necktie/bowtie. Low-heeled shoes are recommended. Sandals or flip-flops are not allowed. Please wear black shoes.
• Caps will be worn straight on the head. All decorations must be school appropriate. If not, caps will be taken. No cell phones, No sunglasses, no purses, or keys
• Only honor stoles/cords issued by the school are permitted. All unauthorized stoles or decorative items are not permitted.

Pre-Graduation Requirements:

• Attendance at all practices is required if students are to walk.
• Be on time to practice! You must stay for the entire practice.
• Arrive by 1:30 p.m. and be in line by 2:00 p.m. on graduation day.
• Students are required to have completed all academic requirements for graduation and financial obligations prior to participation in the ceremony.

The Class of 2023 requests that all parties read and sign this document. The return of this signed document is a pre-requisite to participation in the graduation practice and ceremony. Signing this document indicates a commitment to abide by its conditions.

PLEASE RETURN THIS SIGNED DOCUMENT TO THE MAIN OFFICE by May 26, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I order my cap and gown?

I have a guest who will need accessible seating what should I do?

Will guests need tickets in advance to attend?

What time do I need to arrive on the day of graduation?

Who can I contact with additional questions?