High School Commencement 2019

Commencement Valley Christian High School

2019

Dear Parents and Graduates, Commencement is an exciting milestone in the life of every senior, and I am eager to celebrate this special time. I hope that your years at Valley Christian will culminate with a memorable graduation as family, friends, and faculty members share in the considerable academic and co-curricular accomplishments of the class of 2019. I look forward to celebrating this milestone with you in June; and for seniors, I pray you will continue to seek God as you use your gifts to make our world a better place. May your choices be made with Him in mind, and we will pray that you find joy and purpose in all that you do!

Go Warriors!

Mark Lodewyk Principal “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?� - Romans 8:31

Graduation Is Right Around the Corner We can’t wait to watch our seniors walk across the stage, shake Mr. Lodewyk’s hand, and celebrate as VCHS graduates.

As the date fast approaches, we want to take the opportunity to review the important details of graduation and the surrounding events. We look forward to celebrating with you and your family.

Finals Information May 28 - May 31 • Any senior with an “A” in a course will not be required to take a final in that subject.

• Students enrolled in a West Hills College dual credit course must take the final, even if they are currently earning an “A.”

Graduation Practice Thursday, May 30, Large Gym on Skyway Campus, 1-2:30pm • Attendance is mandatory for all seniors.

• Attendance will be taken, and graduates must be in normal school dress code.

• After practice, seniors must request VCHS final transcripts to be sent to their college.

• If a student has taken any dual credit courses over the past four years, a copy of the transcript needs to be ordered from each college and sent to the school the student will be attending.

Baccalaureate Thursday, May 30, Church on the Hill, 7pm Ceremony Information The Baccalaureate service honoring the graduating class is a spiritual reflection on the blessings that God has given each of us.

Graduates will receive a spiritual challenge as they head towards their future. Attendance is mandatory for all seniors.

Guest Information This event is intended for immediate family members only as space will be limited. All students and guests are invited to attend an informal dessert reception immediately following the one-hour service.

Location and Time The Baccalaureate service will begin at 7pm, and graduates need to arrive promptly at 6:30pm. Traffic is often heavy at this time—please plan accordingly. The address is provided below.

Church on the Hill 500 Sands Drive San Jose, CA 95125 Dress Code Seniors wear their graduation robes without their graduation caps.

• Men should wear slacks, collared shirts, and ties with appropriate shoes (no sneakers or flip flops). Men may not wear earrings or hats and MUST be clean shaven.

• Women should wear dresses or slacks/skirts and blouses that are in dress code.

Graduation Ceremony Saturday, June 1, VCHS Football Stadium, 10–11:30am Graduates Graduates are to report to the large gym by 9am, wearing their graduation robes and caps. Under their robes, seniors are to dress according to the dress code required for Baccalaureate. Students should try on their cap and gown prior to graduation day to ensure that it is the right size, and iron the gown before Baccalaureate. With the large number of people in attendance, it is recommended that the graduates designate a spot to meet up with family and friends after the ceremony.

Ceremony Information The graduation ceremony will begin at 10am with the faculty and graduates walking out to their seats on the field. The ceremony will include student speakers, a vocal performance, acknowledgment of student achievements, and the commencement address. We will then read the names of students as they walk up to receive their diploma, shaking the hands of our principal and superintendent while posing for a professional photo. Once all of the graduates have received their diploma, we will have the honor of introducing the graduating class of 2019.

Important Details •

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During the graduation ceremony, seniors receive only the diploma cover. The actual diploma is available after the ceremony at the lunch line windows. Graduates may also pick up their diploma from school the following week; only the graduate or a parent may pick up the diploma.

Diplomas and final transcripts will not be issued until students have cleared all academic, financial, and discipline holds.

Contact Jostens directly at jostens.com with any cap, gown, or invitation problems.

If a student has taken any dual credit courses over the past four years, a copy of the transcript needs to be ordered from each college and sent to the school the student will be attending.

Any artificial noise makers, air horns, or excessively loud items are strictly prohibited before, during, or after the graduation ceremony.

Graduation caps must be plain with no decorations.

Graduation FAQs Q: When can I arrive on graduation day to reserve seating?

The football stadium will not open for seating until 8am.

Attendees arriving earlier than 8am will be asked to wait outside until the “doors” open.

Q: How many guests can I invite?

We do not restrict the total number of guests that each graduate may have, although we ask that families try to limit the number to no more than eight. Once seated, guests may only save a total of eight seats per graduate. Seats cannot be saved after 9:30am.

Q: Where do I park?

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Parking is limited on the VCHS campus. Families are asked to have only ONE car parked on the Skyway Campus. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we need to ensure that we save spaces for those who are unable to park in the off-campus lots.

Two off-campus lots are available for parking. Do NOT park in the surrounding neighborhoods. The first lot is at Fehren and Monterey (this lot usually fills up by 9am), and the second is at Ford and Monterey.

See the map on the next page for shuttle times and directions.

To park in VCHS handicapped parking, vehicles must have a standard DMV-issued handicapped parking permit. Vehicles carrying handicapped passengers should drop passengers off before parking, since the shuttle buses are NOT handicap-accessible.

Senior Sunset Graduation Party Thursday, May 23 VCHS Football Stadium, 6-9pm We will celebrate the culmination of four years with our seniors at Senior Sunset. The festivities will include food, games, a zip-line, yearbook distribution, and a fun time with teachers, administrators, counselors, and classmates. This event is for students only.

Hillsdale Ave.

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Valley Christian Schools 100 Skyway Dr. San Jose, CA 95111

Hellyer Ave.

Snell Ave.

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(Just south of the Walmart/Albertson Shopping Center)

Ford Rd. Park & Ride

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Shuttles from the Ford Rd. Park & Ride will run from 8:30am until 10am and again after graduation until 1:30pm.

Located at the corner of Monterey Hwy. and Ford Rd. (at stoplight), approx. 2 miles south of the VCS campus.

FORD RD. PARK & RIDE

Shuttles from the Fehren Park & Ride will run from 7:30am until 10am and again after graduation until 1:30pm.

Located at the corner of Monterey Hwy. and Fehren Dr. (at stoplight), approx. 1 mile north of the VCS campus.

FEHREN PARK & RIDE

Valley Christian High School Graduation Shuttle Map

1 Hwy 10

100 Skyway Drive #110 San Jose, CA 95111