GHS Commencement

We are now on our final stretch of the semester and our soon-to-be graduates will be on to their next adventures. The future is bright and each and every one of our graduates is special and will do productive and impactful things in the world. Thanks to all our families who have provided support and helped mold them into the amazing people they are.

Please read through this newsletter as it contains some helpful reminders about our upcoming baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies. We encourage you to keep reviewing your email accounts for any updates as they relate to these events.

We are almost there, Class of 2024! Stay focused and finish strong!

Mrs. Magda Gonzales, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Donna Davis, Administrative Assistant

Baccalaureate is a solemn and reflective ceremony that is held on the Sunday of graduation week. It is a ceremony where our graduates will be treated to amazing performances by our GHS Symphony Orchestra and Choir. They will also have the opportunity to hear from their very own nominated faculty member who will walk them through a reflection of their high school journey and provide them with words of encouragement and wisdom for the future.

This year's GHS Baccalaureate will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in our auditorium. There is not a ticket requirement for this event. Graduates should plan on arriving to the cafeteria by 12:30 p.m. for check-in purposes with their caps/gowns/stoles.

The day we have all been waiting for!!! Graduation is set for Thursday, May 23rd 7:00 p.m. in Tiger Stadium. There is not a ticket requirement for this event. Gates to Tiger Stadium will be opened at 5:30 p.m. Open seating will be available on both the home and visitor sides of the stadium. We encourage graduates to check the marching list which will be available on Friday, May 17th on both the Records Office window and 1700 hallway for row assignments. This list will give families an idea of which side of the stadium to sit on to get the best view of their graduate. This marching list will also have the assigned rooms for graduates to report to the night of the ceremony.

Set your alarms!!! Graduation rehearsal will be held on the morning of graduation at 7:00 a.m. in Tiger Stadium. It is mandatory that graduates participating in the ceremony attend. Also, please note that graduate check-in for our ceremony is 6:00 p.m. Don't be late! Keep in mind that traffic may cause delays so plan accordingly.

If you have additional questions, feel free to call 480-497-0177 ext. 6515 or stop by our GHS Records Office.

Remember that Tiger Stadium has bleacher style seating. Seating for guests with limited physical mobility or medical conditions, will be available along both sides of the field on our track. Due to space constraints, guests who are seated on the track may be accompanied by one escort only. Initial tickets for this accessible seating were distributed on Friday, May 10th during 4th/5th hour lunches free of charge. Any unused accessible tickets will be released on Monday, May 20th on a first come, first serve basis to those families in need.

Graduates participating in the ceremony are required to wear their graduation cap, gown, and approved academic/organization stoles or cords. Dress code will be enforced. Some key points to remember:

• Lightly steam your gown and stole before arriving.
• The tassel should be placed on the RIGHT side of your cap.

It is important that graduates look their best!!! If necessary, bring hair pins to hold your cap on your head. Please note, students dressed inappropriately will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

Graduates, please remember that graduation is a monumental achievement. Your families and friends will be here to celebrate your accomplishments. Please remember that it is critical that you enjoy and remember this day with dignity and pride. Be your best self that night so that all of us can enjoy this evening together!

We would also like to remind our guests that it is important to respect those who are speaking during our ceremony and during the reading of our graduates' names, by refraining from using noisemakers. We want each graduate and his or her family to be able to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Please note at the conclusion of our graduation ceremony, we do celebrate our graduates with a fireworks and stadium light show which involves synchronized flashing colored lights. Guests in attendance who have a light sensitivity should plan accordingly.

If you are still working to complete online courses, please make sure you are dedicating time to them daily! Please check in with your counselor if you need assistance. Time is of the essence!

Seniors must be clear of any account fees, return all books (both textbooks and library books), school athletic equipment, elevator keys, and Chromebooks. Wednesday, May 22nd is considered our GHS Senior Clearance Day so please make sure you are taking care of these items before graduation day. Diplomas will not be issued without this clearance.

This is the last week to order your graduate banner!!! GHS graduation banners will be displayed in our school hallways two weeks prior to graduation, placed along the fence of Tiger Stadium on graduation night, and available to take home after the graduation ceremony. This tradition started at Gilbert High School in 2013. The banners are 1 1/2 x 4 1/2 feet and are made of vinyl with metal grommets in the corners. Banners are $50, which include one photo. (You may customize your banner by adding additional photos or additional logos for $5 more each.) There are six different banner designs to choose from.

The easiest way to order and see what is available is by using the QR Code above to access our Google order form, which takes credit card and PayPal payments. We will be taking orders now until April 15th, which guarantees we will have them ready for display two weeks prior to graduation. We also have graduation yard signs and buttons. If you would like more information, please email our band booster organization at GBBGradBanners@gmail.com

On Wednesday, April 17th, Gilbert High School will host its 2024 Honor Awards Celebration at 9:00 a.m. in our mini-gym. During this event, we will honor our seniors who have earned scholarships toward their post secondary education and have completed the attached 2024 GHS Honor Awards & Scholarship Notification form. We will also honor the top one, two, five, and ten percent of the Class of 2024 (per ranking status as of March 8, 2024).

Seniors, please take a moment to complete the form by April 5, 2024, using the following link:

https://forms.gle/fn4wACYoo7atDZPq7

You should complete a form for each scholarship offered. We are very proud of our Seniors and look forward to celebrating their achievements.

Email: magda.gonzales@gilbertschools.net
Website: www.gilbertschools.net/gilberthigh
Location: 1101 East Elliot Road, Gilbert, AZ, USA
Phone: (480) 497-0177
Facebook: facebook.com/theofficialgilberthighschool

Instagram: @gilberthstigers
Twitter: @GilbertHSTigers