Del Norte Class of 2023

• Memorial Day/No School: Monday, May 29, 2023
• Night at the Museum: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 - CAMPUS WIDE
• Final Exams - 12th grade - Thursday, June 1 - Monday, June 5, 2023
• Yearbook Distribution Begins- June 1 - June 6, 2023
• Senior Picnic/Cap and Gown distribution - June 7, 2023 from 10AM - 2PM
• Senior Walks for Alumni June 7 - Please see below for your specific site

Dear Parents/Guardians and Class of 2023 Soon-to-be-Graduating Seniors,

Can you believe it? We are just weeks away from celebrating the graduation of the Class of 2022! It’s been an amazing journey supporting these Nighthawks from the Nest to flight! I can’t wait to celebrate this rite of passage with you, your families and friends. June 9th is going to be an AMAZING day. Each senior attending the traditional commencement will receive six early admission tickets for guests at the Senior picnic.

Continue to read the Senior calendar which is constantly updated HERE. I urge you to read this information carefully so that you are fully informed of the events and expectations for these last weeks of school.

The students and staff at Del Norte have worked diligently to organize an event that recognizes the importance of your soon-to-be-graduate’s academic accomplishment. Members of the distinguished Class of 2023 entered the stadium as individuals almost two million minutes ago. On Friday, June 9th, they will graduate in the same stadium as a class and proud members of the FLOCK! To ensure that senior activities such as prom, senior picnic, and the graduation ceremony are memorable for all the right reasons, please review the list of expectations that follow. We are confident that following these guidelines for students will result in a great experience for 12th graders, and the graduation ceremony will be a dignified event that we all will be able to look back upon with Nighthawk Pride.

1. Required dress for the graduation ceremony: Appropriate attire for the occasion; we want all students to be dignified and dress for the occasion. You will be representing not only Del Norte but also your parents/guardians, family members, and friends who are coming to celebrate and recognize your accomplishments. Please note: We walk into the stadium from the lower fields, so high heels can pose a challenge.

2. Graduating seniors may not carry cell phones, cameras, flowers, beach balls, or articles of any kind into the ceremony.

3. No adornments are allowed on the graduation cap. Flower Leis can be worn after the ceremony. Graduation season is a time of enormous pride for students and their families, and a time of inclusivity. In 2018, the State Legislature passed AB 1248 adding Education Code section 35183.1. The code allows students to wear “traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of cultural or religious significance” as adornment at school graduation ceremonies, while also providing that a local education agency retains the discretion to limit an item that is likely to cause a substantial disruption of, or material interference with, the ceremony. If a graduating 12th grader would like to wear a stole representing their culture or religion they must meet with the principal prior to the commencement ceremony.

4. Evidence indicating possession, consumption, or use of any intoxicating agents will result in the immediate removal from the graduation ceremony, as will the use of any type of fireworks or explosives.

5. Pranks, vandalism, or being on campus outside of normal school hours are a violation of school rules. Any student participating in such acts may be suspended from school, required to pay restitution for damages, and/or be prohibited from participating in senior activities, including the graduation ceremony.

At schools across the nation, it is not uncommon for a handful of students to be excluded from participating in senior activities, and commencement exercises due to unacceptable behavior or failure to pass a course required for graduation. Seniors, please let’s finish what we started together STRONG. When your big day finally arrives, you won’t want to be excluded. Think about it. Before you know it, you’ll be seated in the white chairs on the infield among a very select group. Moments like these in life are few and far between. I hope you appreciate that. I look forward to shaking your hands and handing you your diplomas!

With Warm Regard,

Bryan Schultz

Principal

Senior Checkout

School obligations, discipline debts, textbook returns, and the senior survey must be settled/completed in order to clear Senior Checkout Cards.

Steps:

• Begin in library. Return all items and pick up your checkout card

• Clear any other areas indicated on the checkout card. Ensure that all tasks have been signed/stamped.

• Submit checkout card at senior picnic to obtain cap/gown & graduation tickets

Please click the banner below if a member of your party needs ADA accessible seating or assistance. Please contact Ms. Stuber at lstuber@powayusd.com with any questions.

Senior Picnic & Cap/Gown/Graduation Ticket Distribution

• Senior Picnic & Cap/Gown/Graduation Ticket Distribution

  • The picnic will be held from 10am – 2pm on the DNHS JV softball & baseball fields.

  • Enter into the picnic through the gate on Deer Ridge Road (near Camino San Bernardo)

  • Bring your Senior Checkout Card, yearbook, beach chair, beach blanket, lawn games, and water.

  • Students are required to sign in at the entrance!

  • Important Tasks/Times:

  • Cap/Gown & Graduation Ticket Distribution 11am - 1pm

  • Senior Checkout Card Needed!

  • Seniors will receive 6 graduation tickets for early admission. (ADA accessible seating is included and must be arranged online or with Ms. Stuber by June 2nd.)

  • Those unable to attend the picnic can pick these up from their counselor after graduation practice.

  • Hamburger Factory Meal Served 11am-1pm

  • For students who reserved their ticket. Not required to attend the picnic!

  • Grad Night T-Shirt Distribution 11am-1pm

  • For those who reserved their Grad Night ticket

Monterey Ridge would like to invite senior alumni to join them in celebrating your graduation.

(Please complete this form by Wednesday, May 31st if you plan to participate in the Senior Walk. This will allow us time to organize the early distribution of caps/gowns for those planning to attend. An email will be sent to you by Friday, June 2nd with all necessary information.)

Details are as follows:

• MR Alum arrive to MR at 9:00 am

• Seniors will check into the office and wait in the MPR

• Walk will start at 9:15 am

• Seniors walk out of the MPR and around the quad area where all classes will be lined with students.

• School will be lined with current students.

• Seniors will exit through the front gates near the kinder playground and can come back in through the MPR to collect any of their belongings.

Point of contact at Monterey Ridge –

Hilary Ramirez School Counselor - hramirez@powayusd.com

Sal Embry Principal – sembry@powayusd.com

Resource Page: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16lzffLZPIX830eQVTxIdT2ZL-IQL80xj/edit

Del Sur would like to invite senior alumni to join them in celebrating your graduation.

(Please complete this form by Wednesday, May 31st if you plan to participate in the Senior Walk. This will allow us time to organize the early distribution of caps/gowns for those planning to attend. An email will be sent to you by Friday, June 2nd with all necessary information.)

Details are as follows:

Arrive at the Del Sur MPR on Wednesday, June 7th between 8:15-8:30. Please note our parking lot becomes very busy from 8:30-8:45am.

Breakfast items will be available, and teachers will be stopping by to say hello to their prior students.

The walk will begin around 9am. Our school will have some current students in the hallway as the seniors walk down the hallway and then they will walk around the "track." Students and families will fill in the grass field. Parents are welcome to join.

Please bring your cap and gown.

Point of contact is Rachel Sutherland (rsutherland@powayusd.com)

Senior Walk for Stone Ranch Alumni

Stone Ranch would like to invite alumni to join them in celebrating your graduation. (Please complete this form by Wednesday, May 31st if you plan to participate in the Senior Walk. This will allow us time to organize the early distribution of caps/gowns for those planning to attend. An email will be sent to you by Friday, June 2nd with all necessary information.)

Details as follows:

• Seniors park at the Boys and Girls Parking lot and walk up to school.

• Seniors arrive at 8:00am and meet at the front of the school.

• Senior Walk to start at 8:15am

• Seniors walk down to the back gate in cap and gown. Seniors walk around the quad area where all classes will be lined with students and any parents that would like to join in.

• Seniors' families will come through the front gate and exit through the front gate.

• Seniors will exit the front gate and can take pictures.

Point of contact: Tracy Yeager tyeager@powayusd.com

Senior Walk for Deer Canyon Alumni

Deer Canyon would like to invite senior alumni to join them in celebrating your graduation.

Details are as follows:

• DC Alum arrive to DC about 1:45pm

• Walk to start 2:00pm

• Flyer linked here!

Point of contact: president@deercanyonfoundation.org

Senior Walk for Willow Grove Elementary Alumni

Willow Grove Elementary would like to invite senior alumni to join them in celebrating their graduation.

Details:

• Meet at 1:15 p.m. in front of the school

• Walk starts at 1:30 p.m.

• Seniors will walk through the halls as current students cheer.

Point of Contact: Lori Edelstein ledelstein@powayusd.com

Mandatory Graduation Practice – Meet in the Nighthawk Stadium & find your assigned seat. Dress in cool, comfortable street clothes for practice. Dress code applies. Students MUST attend graduation practice to participate in the graduation ceremony. Students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to practice in the shoes they intend to wear at graduation!

1:00pm Graduation Check In

Seniors arrive and report to the locker room side of the gym, with their cap & gown in hand. Gates to the school will be locked. Seniors may enter through the stadium entrance only. Parking will be at a premium, and graduates will be required to turn in their keys until after the ceremony. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Beach balls or other items that will distract attention from other graduates will not be allowed.

Dress Code

Please DO NOT bring any accessories (i.e. leis, corsages, scarves, stoles, cords, stickers, etc.). Parents may bring them to the graduates AFTER the ceremony. Shirts with collars or blouses, dress pants, dresses, or skirts, and dress shoes are required. Jeans/shorts are not allowed. Please do not wear heels, as walking on the field can be extremely difficult.

Do Not Bring

Cameras, cell phones, electronics, purses, or bags to the ceremony. Parents may bring them to the graduates AFTER the ceremony.

Graduation Ceremony Completion

The graduation ceremony typically ends between 4:15 and 4:30pm. Graduates are welcome to remain in the stadium following the ceremony to take pictures with friends and family.

Diploma Pick Up

Immediately following the ceremony, until one hour after, students may pick up their diplomas at the tables between the stadium and the front office. Diplomas not picked up June 14th will be available during normal registrar office hours.

Students borrowing their cap/gown will be required to return all items at this time before acquiring their diploma.

Tickets

Each graduate will be issued six (6) tickets for early admission. Stadium gates will open at 1:45pm for ticket holders. Stadium gates will be open to all other guests at 2:45pm. In consideration of other guests, please do NOT bring balloons, beach balls, or air horns. Umbrellas will be allowed in but must be taken down prior to the start of the ceremony. There will be no seat saving.

Parking

Please plan to carpool, as parking will be at a premium. Allow ample time for traffic, parking, and getting to your seat.

3:00pm Graduation Ceremony Begins!

The graduation ceremony ty

Grad Night tickets are sold out.

• Students with a ticket will attend from June 9 at 8:30 PM - June 10 at 1:30 AM
• Buses will transport students from DNHS to Party Pals in Sorrento Valley
• Check-in at DNHS no later than 7:30 PM; Bus leaves at 8:30 PM;
• Party Pals from 9:00 PM-1:00 AM - Bus arrives at DNHS at 1:30 AM).

*Grad Night shirts will be distributed at the senior picnic and must be worn to Grad Night.

• Leave all valuables at home or with family members.

• All Del Norte rules of conduct and discipline will be enforced. Graduation is important to students, parents, and faculty. Parents and guests should be seated by 2:55pm. No activities will be permitted which will distract from the ceremony. Please do not bring noisemakers. Parents and guests will be invited to join their graduate on the field at the end of the ceremony.

• Pictures by Grad Images will be taken of individual students as they receive their diploma covers. Proofs will be mailed home after graduation. There is no obligation to buy.

• Parents, friends, etc. will not be permitted on the stadium field to take pictures during the ceremony.

Hello Nighthawk Families,

To pick up your yearbook, you must have a photo ID. You may not pick up a yearbook for someone else. All students must sign for and pick up their own yearbook.

When you pick up your yearbook, remember that it was created by 12 hard-working students, just like you, who put their heart and soul into this project. Yearbook is a student-run publication, and it is a learning experience for students to compile the photos, stories and content. As a result, the yearbook will not be perfect. Trust me, the staff hates finding mistakes as much as you do. We proofread more times than we could count to avoid them, but they still slip in. For that, we apologize. The students did their very best and put in a lot of time and effort to complete this project. If you know a yearbook staff member, thank them and congratulate them on a great yearbook.

Before you write in your yearbook, make sure that the book does not have any missing or torn pages, printing smears or upside down pages. Your book should have 312 consecutive pages. If you find an error, immediately return your book, and we will issue you a new one. We cannot issue replacements if you have written in the book.

Two final notes for underclassmen. Do you prefer “Sam”, but the yearbook says “Samantha”? Or does everyone know you by your middle name and not your first name? If so, please let the yearbook know at the beginning of the school year what your preferred name is. Listen and look for announcements next year, so that you don’t miss the October deadline to let us know your preferred name. Do you like what you see? Would you like to learn about journalism? Graphic design? Story telling? Would you like to work on a nationally-recognized staff or with fantastic motivated students? If so, consider signing up for the yearbook class. For more information on yearbook class, please refer to our course description.

Thank you for your purchase and the yearbook staff hopes that you enjoy your yearbook.

Robin Christopher

Traditions Yearbook Adviser

The applicants were selected on their ability to express themselves and provide compelling responses to the scholarship questions.

Each winner will be receiving one $1,000 scholarship to encourage continued education at a vocational/technical school, community college or a four year college/university.

Congratulations Nighthawks!

May your passion take you to heights!

Email: ssmith@powayusd.com
Website: https://www.powayusd.com/en-US/Schools/HS/DNHS/Home
Location: 16601 Nighthawk Lane, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: 858-487-0877