Senior Newsletter, Class of 2025

Seniors,

Before you know it, you will be walking across the stage at graduation in June. This is such an exciting time for you and your families!

I’ve been meeting with many of you about your attendance. Please know that the #1 correlation to graduation is school attendance. You are leaders in our school as the Class of 2025 and it is really important that you show up, engage in your classes, and participate.

Additionally, we have a very important assembly on Feb. 20th with a special guest coming from Chicago, the great-granddaughter of Ida B. Wells herself. The Jefferson High School dancers will be performing and one of our own will be singing the Black National Anthem. Our superintendent, Dr. Armstrong, will be in attendance as well. I would love to see the senior class show up for this important assembly on Feb. 20th. The younger grades are looking to you for leadership and you are role models for them.

Let me know what you need as you enter into the 2nd semester and work towards graduation. You can always come to the Main Office to meet with me in person and you often can see me in the hallways.

Excited to celebrate with you! Let’s have a great 2nd semester together Class of 2025!!!

Ayesha Coning, Principal and Grade 12 Administrator

Please refer to the Senior Calendar for all the important dates for the year. Dates are always subject to change so please bookmark the calendar and check back often.

OVERDUE - Personal Learning Requirements to Graduate

February 8 - Winter Formal
February 10 - Senior Ticket Survey DUE
March 5 - Senior “Get it Done” Day
March 6 - 14 - Sign-up to audition to be a graduation speaker.
March 14 - DUE Sr. Parent Congratulatory Ads for Yearbook
April 1 - 60 Day Rule Begins
April 16 - Senior Meeting, Cap and Gown Handout

June 4 - Graduation at 7:30pm at Portland State University
June 4-5 - Grad Night Party

To see the entire calendar, click here: 2024-25 Senior Calendar

Hey Seniors!

Can you believe we only have one semester of high school left? Time is flying, and with so many fun events coming up, it's going to go by even faster! If you have ideas for a senior-specific event or want to see something new, be sure to scan the QR code on the Hoot & Holler Town Hall posters and let Leadership know your thoughts.

Also, congratulations to all the seniors who have received college acceptance! For those still waiting, hang in there—your hard work will pay off!

And remember to message the @ibwseniors2025 Instagram account with your post high school
plans! Thanks to Rachel, Molly, Hayden, Shaelyn and Fraser for being the first to send in your college decisions!

We are excited that our graduation ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday June 4th 2025 at 7:30pm at Portland State University, Viking Pavilion.

The only drawback with the PSU venue is that the capacity for the guests of students is limited and 2025 is our largest graduating class in over 25 years. Tickets are free but we are limited to up to 5 guest tickets per graduate. Graduates do not need a ticket.

We are trying to address this in the best way possible and are asking each graduate to speak with their family to determine the number of tickets you will need. Please keep in mind that the entire ceremony will be available on livestream for those not attending in person. Once you have determined your number of tickets needed, please complete this ticket survey (only complete once per graduating family) by 2/10/2025.

Our goal is to determine the actual needs of our families and respond to the best of our ability. Based on this survey, we hope to determine and notify families, before spring break. The complete email regarding this was sent to all senior families Friday January 31st. We appreciate your completing the ticket survey as soon as possible.

Thank you so much to the families that have completed Grad Ticket Survey! We have 440 graduates and as of Feb. 7th, 68% have completed the form. If you haven't completed the form, please do so by 2/10.Thank you for your assistance so we can gather this information as soon as possible.

Haven't placed your order yet? You can still order but do so quickly! Need a packet? They are available in the Counseling Office or Room 139.

● There are lots of great packages available online at Jostens. If you are just looking for a Cap, Gown and Basic Tassel, use this link cap and gown unit (it includes a basic tassel) and the price is $43! When ordering a cap and gown unit, you are not required to select a keepsake tassel for the additional price. Select the last option on the right (it says no tassel but means no keepsake tassel) and you will just receive the basic tassel with your cap and gown.

● Want more than the Cap and Gown unit? You can order additional items online at Jostens.

● While we want all of our seniors to wear a cap and gown, we do not want financial concerns to impact your participation in this year’s graduation ceremony, so please reach out to Sharon Dailey (sdailey@pps.net) in the Counseling Office if this is an issue and we will make sure you can borrow a cap and gown.

● Know someone with an Ida B. Wells green cap/gown? You are welcome to borrow one from a friend, neighbor, family member as long as it is in our school colors/style.

Seniors, interested in speaking at Commencement? We will have 1-2 student speakers at the ceremony and you can be one of them! Sign up March 6-14th to audition in early April with video submission by April 11th. Spring break is a great time to finalize your speech!

Please review the following Guidelines for Auditions before signing up (in March) in room 139 Questions? See Abby Menashe in room 139 or email amenashe@pps.net

Seniors: Your Personalized Learning Requirements (PLRs) for Graduation are Overdue!

PLRs = 2 Career Related Learning Experiences (CRLEs) + Resume + My Plan Project

If you are missing one or more of your PLRs in order to

graduate, please take IMMEDIATE action.

To complete your My Plan project, please submit it to your Senior English teacher. If you do not have a Senior English teacher, please share it via email to Ms Wade, jwade1@pps.net.

To complete your resume, please submit it using this form.

To submit a CRLE reflection for a career related learning experience (Remember: You need 2), please complete the google form at tinyurl.com/IBWCRLE.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact HS Career Coordinator Jessica Wade, jwade1@pps.net, or stop by the College & Career Center in RM 149.

We have a special schedule for March 5th. Attendance will be taken as you enter the gym.

In the Gym
8:26 - 9:30AM Senior Social & Breakfast
9:30 - 10:00AM Senior Mandatory Meeting
10:00 - 10:15AM Senior Photo

10:15AM - 12:00PM
Write Your CRLE Reflections - Room 149 with Jessica Wade
Apply to PCC - In Foyer with Winston Rivas
Fill out your FAFSA - Room 145 with Kelly Milford
Write Your My Plan - Room 215 with Kathy Diamond

12:00 - 12:45PM Lunch
12:45 - 1:30PM Flex

Please be aware that the 60 day rule will begin on April 1st. The rule states that:
“Seniors shall be disqualified from participation in commencement exercises and related activities if within 60 consecutive calendar days of the last senior school day they are found to be in violation of District Alcohol or Drug policy or any violation resulting in a three or more days of suspension or more serious disciplinary action.” (Reference 4.30.020-AD)

FAFSA Use this link to find out more FAFSA IS OPEN NOW

• Don’t forget to file your FAFSA for the 2025-26 school year to receive financial aid.

• It should be filed ASAP to get financial aid offers from your colleges AND is required to apply for some scholarships (the IBW scholarships, OR Promise, OSAC etc.)

• Come to the college center if you need help!
  
  

Take a look at these two documents with next steps to help guide you through comparing financial aid offers and making your final decisions.
You have applied to college, NOW WHAT?
Scholarships 101

April 1 - Deadline for OR Student Access Commission (OSAC) www.OregonStudentAid.gov

If you want to guarantee that you have a copy of your senior yearbook, you need to pre-order it on SchoolPay. The item can be found on the multi-item page in SchoolPay titled Back to School Costs and Contributions 2024-25. On this page, you’ll find all the programs we are collecting for, along with donation items. The 2024-25 yearbook is listed at the very bottom of the page.

Don't miss out on a long standing tradition and attend the Grad Night party immediately following graduation at a secret location. There will be entertainment, a slideshow, lots of AMAZING activities, plus raffle drawings with INCREDIBLE prizes throughout the night.

What: Grad Night is an overnight event with entertainment and food at a surprise location. A quiet space will be available if students need to take a break. Ticket-holders will get more details by email as the date gets closer.

When: The night of the June 4 graduation ceremony. Students will load up on buses about 10 p.m. from the high school.

Tickets: $125. On sale through Friday, May 16. No refunds after this date.

Where to buy: https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Senior-Grad-Night-Party-Tickets-20242025/Sb1Z3vp

Scholarships: Families interested in full or partial Grad Night scholarships should contact school counselors by Friday, May 9, to ensure the Grad Night Committee has the information before ticket sales end. Find your student's counselor.

Volunteers: Grad Night needs adult chaperones, including a medical professional to act as onsite medic. Sign up to volunteer as a chaperone. Ideally, chaperones will have a current PPS background check.

The Grad Night Committee is putting together two slideshows. Please submit as soon as possible. Submissions will be accepted through at least early May.

1. Candid slideshow: Send candid photos of our seniors through the years with the first and last name of each person shown (please list names left to right). Please avoid sending photos with people who are not in the Class of '25.

2. Graduation slideshow: Send your senior's photo (can be different from yearbook photo), baby photo and plan for after graduation. Please include your student's preferred first name and full last name.

Send all slideshow submissions to: ibwslideshow@gmail.com

Celebrate your IBW graduate with a congratulatory yard sign! Each sign is $20. Deadline to pre-order: March 20. After March 30, availability will be limited to signs on hand. Order on SchoolPay: https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Graduate-Yard-Signs/ScFeBb0

Pickup: Planned for the April 16 senior meeting.

Parents of 2025 seniors, this year senior ads are $210 for a full page, $110 for a half page, and $60 for a quarter page. Ads can be designed and purchased using this link: https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=62107. If you have any questions or need any help, email the yearbook business department at ibwybk@gmail.com. DEADLINE: March 14

Seniors, you have just about a month remaining to come together in the gym and cheer together as the Class of 2025! We have important games coming up every single upcoming Friday night so come on out and cheer on our Guardians!

Friday, February 7 - Boys Basketball vs. Benson - Beach Out
Friday, February 14 - Girls Basketball vs. Roosevelt. Pink Out and Teacher Appreciation Night
Friday, February 21 - 80's Reunion Night, Double Header vs. Cleveland, Girls Basketball Senior Night, Neon Out
Friday, February 28 - Boy's Basketball vs. Grant, Senior Night and Boys Youth Night, Green Out

Photo Above: Women's Basketball Seniors
Photos below: Senior, Carlotta D'Onofrio, AKA Super Student Snowboarder, and our Swim and Wrestling Team Seniors.
Stay tuned for Men's Basketball Seniors!

Congratulations to all our Senior Student-Athletes! Your time and commitment to your sport is appreciated!

There are many ways to keep up with what is happening this year for the Senior Class:

Be sure and follow our class instagram for other updates and news!
ibwclassof2025 Instagram:

The @ibwclassof2025 account is posting senior decisions.

Seniors who want to participate should message the account with their name, photo, senior decision (what they plan to do after graduation) and favorite high school memory.

Continue to watch for upcoming editions of the Senior Newsletter which will come out monthly beginning in the Spring. Updates will be posted in-between in the Guardian Gazette, Student News. And you can always find the calendar, newsletter and other information on our website at https://www.pps.net/Page/16710