May 1, 2008

Dear OHS Students and Parents:

The following information regarding Osborne High School’s graduating class of 2008 is provided.   Please read every detail so you are familiar with all procedures, dates and timelines.  Please direct questions to Mrs. Jackie Brown at jacquelina.brown@cobbk12.org or phone 770-437-5900 ext. 234 or to Mrs. Gloria Atkinson @ gloria.atkinson@cobbk12.org or phone 770-437-5900 ext. 251. For some frequently asked questions (FAQ) please follow this link.

Location and Time
Friday, May 23, 2008 7:00 p.m. @ Turner Chapel
On graduation day, graduates must report to Turner Chapel beginning at 5:30 p.m. but not later than 6:00 p.m. Doors will open for family and friends at 6:15 p.m.  Handicapped and elderly guests have limited entry via Handicap entrance (Chapel Entrance near handicapped parking) at 6:00 p.m. 

Turner Chapel is located at the intersection of the North Marietta Parkway (120 Loop) and Fairground Street.  The address is 492 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA  30060.  From Interstate 75, take the North Marietta Parkway west across Cobb Parkway (U.S. 41) to Fairground Street.

Parking
Limited parking is available at Turner Chapel and on adjacent property owned by the church.  The Cobb County School District will provide shuttle busses from remote parking lots to the church.  Graduates and their guests should allow time to locate parking and take the shuttle busses to the church.  The CEREMONY WILL START ON TIME.  Handicap parking is located at Turner Chapel (which is close to the handicap entrance that is different than the main entrance).

Entry to the Cathedral

• Graduates and school staff will enter the building on the Lower Level on the southwest side of the Cathedral.
• Ticketed guests will enter the building through the Main Entrance on the south side of the Lower Level, through the East Entrance on the east side of the Sanctuary Level, or the Chapel Entrance on the west side of the Sanctuary level (for handicapped and elderly guests needing special assistance).

Tickets
If you have paid your senior dues, each graduate will receive a total of 7 tickets.
Tickets will be given to the graduate after practice on May 22, 2008 in the Old Gym.  All individuals will need a ticket to enter the graduation including the handicapped and babies in arms.

Extra Tickets 
If there are extra tickets, they will be given out at the graduation practice on Thursday, May 22nd. One ticket per student until the extra tickets are exhausted.

Senior Exams    
Friday May 16, 2008 - 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th Periods
Monday May 19, 2008 - 6th and 8th Periods; 3rd and 4th Blocks
Tuesday May 20, 2008 – 2nd and 4th Periods; 1st and 2nd Blocks

General Information
Seniors must meet all requirements for graduation before they will be allowed to practice or participate in the ceremony and receive a diploma.  All financial obligations must be met, including but not limited to, lost textbooks, textbook fines, athletic uniforms/equipment, parking fines, media center fines and/or returned media center materials before the senior will be allowed to practice or participate in the ceremony.  Cash or money order only; no checks accepted. 
Practice at Osborne High School
Seniors should park in regular assigned spaces.  Seniors must be inside the Old Gym and seated by 12:45 p.m.  We will not admit or wait for students who are late.  The dress code will be in effect for practice.  ATTENDANCE AT BOTH PRACTICES IS MANDATORY.

Graduation Practice 
Graduation Practices are MANDATORY and will be held on:
 

• Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Osborne High School. Students should report to the Old Gym promptly at 12:45 p.m.
  
• Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Turner Chapel.  Three (3) buses will be available from OHS to Turner Chapel.  Buses will depart Osborne at 1:00 p.m.  Permission slips must be signed by parent/guardian and given to Ms. Castro in the Attendance office.

Senior Breakfast and Checkout
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 there will be a senior breakfast in the cafeteria beginning at 9:00 a.m. and a final check-out process.  Seniors will complete final check-out with various departments, such as, but not limited to Guidance, Athletics, Bookkeeping, Textbooks, etc. Students will receive a clearance to enter the graduation practice. 

Dress Code for All Activities, Practices and the Ceremony
The OHS dress code is in effect for all activities and practices.  Improper dress will lead to removal from the activity or practice.  Practice at Turner Chapel on Thursday, May 22, 2008 is a dress rehearsal with cap and gown.  Cap and gown is mandatory for the ceremony.

Ceremony Dress 

• Ladies - solid dark colored dresses with black shoes.  If open toe shoes are worn they must be black and dressy. The dress should not hang below the gown. Stockings should be flesh colored. Blouses should be white. Comfortable, low heeled dress shoes are encouraged.
• Men - white shirt with a dark tie, black colored slacks with a belt, black socks and black shoes.

Practice and Ceremony Behavior
Any inappropriate behavior will NOT be tolerated.  Listening will be extremely important and excessive talking could result in removal from practice permanently.  If you are removed from practice permanently, you will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. If you are removed from the ceremony, you will NOT receive your diploma until you and your parents meet with the principal on the Wednesday, May 28th.  It is important to be on time for practice and the ceremony.  Failure to be prompt, could risk your opportunity to participate in the ceremony.  On time means, in your seat, at practice, and in line at the ceremony 5 minutes early!  All OHS and Cobb County rules, policies, and regulations will be in effect.

Diploma/Certificate Delivery
Diplomas/Certificates will not be issued at graduation.  Graduates may pick up their diplomas or certificates on Wednesday, May 28, 2007 at Osborne High School in the Guidance office between 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Cap and Gown Delivery or Other Items Purchased from Herff Jones
Any questions should be directed to Herff Jones representatives at 770-795-1626.

Ceremony Information - Friday, May 23, 2008
Graduation is an optional, dignified, and formal ceremony for graduating seniors and their families and guests.  Possession of any disruptive objects or disruptive behavior may lead to immediate removal from the ceremony which includes graduates, families or guests.  Please refrain from any inappropriate noises that will detract from the formal atmosphere.  Since the ceremony is an official function of Osborne High School and the Cobb County School District, all policies, rules, and regulations are in effect.
5:30 p.m.         Osborne Faculty arrive (Lower Level door only)
5:30 p.m.         Graduates arrive and check in with their advisor (Lower Level door only)
6:00 p.m.         Chapel Entrance open for limited entry by handicapped and elderly ticket holders
6:15 p.m.         Main Entrance and East Entrance doors open for ticket holders
6:30 p.m.         Final graduate attendance check
6:45 p.m.         All faculty, advisors and graduates in line
6:55 p.m.         Pre-ceremony announcement
7:00 p.m.         Processional begins
8:30 p.m.         Ceremony ends

Graduation Caps
Graduation Caps MAY NOT BE THROWN in the Cathedral. 

Valuables, Purses, etc.
Do not bring valuables or purses to practice or the ceremony.  There will not be a safe place to leave these items.

Electronic Devices (Cell Phones, Pagers, CD Players, IPODS, MP3 Players), Hats, Headbands 
These items are prohibited at all activities, practices, and the ceremony. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in your removal.  We will not spend time waiting for anyone to put these items away or make any exceptions.  If you want to graduate, then leave these items in your car or at home!

Balloons, Miscellaneous
Please inform your guests and/or family members that balloons and/or flowers will not be permitted in the ceremony.  It is difficult to cover all rules, policies and procedures.  Any of the above could be changed for a good reason.  OHS wants you to remember this experience as a wonderful time.  We look forward to you enjoying your last few days as an Osborne student.

Photographs, Tripods, Cameras
Guests may not set-up camera tripods or other obstructions in the aisles or seating areas.  Camera pictures will need to be taken from the guest seats only.  The graduation will be videotaped by Turner Chapel and ordering information will be provided to the students before graduation.  Photographs of the graduates will be completed by LifeTouch Photography and ordering information will be provided to the graduates before graduation.

Respect the Facility
Please no feet on chairs, profanity, no food, drinks or gum, do not leave trash in the cathedral or the parking lot, no noise makers, and turn off all cell phones and pagers.

Thank you for your cooperation.  

Sincerely,

Jacquelina Brown
Assistant Administrator