Graduation is fast-approaching! We are thrilled to celebrate this group of students who have made such wonderful impacts at AAI over their four years..

This newsletter contains information specifically for families with Seniors. Please read through the information carefully and let us know if you have questions.

The Senior Class Sponsor is Dr. Melanie Dunn. If you have questions about graduation that are not answered in this newsletter, please contact her at mdunn@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Have an Amazing Avenger day!

Karl Mercer

College Applications:

Many colleges have Regular Decision deadlines in February. Make sure that you are checking the college websites for information specific to the college/university of choice. Check out the Senior Toolbox on our AAI Website for resources and information about the college application process.

Do not forget to let your counselor know about college acceptances you get and final decisions you make. We like to keep statistics of schools our students get into.

Scholarships: Apply for as many scholarships as you can find. The counselors can assist with local scholarship information and complete recommendations as you need them. Every little bit helps with college expenses! Click HERE to view some scholarships open to our students.

Graduation Regalia: Many of our seniors will meet the requirements to wear honor cords, stoles, tassels and medallions to the graduation ceremony on May 20. Check with your honor society sponsor for details about honor cords and stoles. For pathway medallions, click here for more information about requirements to qualify. Applications for pathway medallions will open in March.

Pathway Medallion/State Seal Guidelines

Graduation Announcements: If you would like to purchase graduation announcements, click on the link below.

Class of 2023 Graduation Announcements

Graduation Tickets: Each student will receive 6 tickets to graduation. If you are in need of more tickets, please check with friends to see who may not be using all of their tickets.

May 12 Graduation Practice and Senior Picnic: All seniors participating in graduation need to be on campus at 10:30 AM on May 12th for mandatory graduation practice. Students will receive caps, gowns, and other regalia at this time, along with their tickets to graduation, and two parking passes.

In addition, students will have lunch provided and watch a senior celebration video.

Parking at Graduation: Because there is a limited number of parking spaces at the FoCAL Center, each student's family will receive 2 parking passes for the event. We encourage meeting at AAI to carpool when possible since AAI is approximately a five minute drive away. Students will receive their parking passes at graduation practice on May 12th.

When and where is the 2023 Graduation Ceremony being held?

• The Class of 2023 will graduate at the FoCAL Center on May 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. The FoCAL Center is located at 1150 Dahlonega Hwy Cumming GA.

What time should students arrive?

• Graduates must arrive by 11:45 AM. Please park in the Board of Education building lot located at 1120 Dahlonega Hwy Cumming and walk to the FoCAL center to check in.

• The security team will check students in. NO PHONES are allowed. Please leave your phones in your car or at home. You will be allowed to bring in car keys if you drive.

• Once you are checked in, go into the theater and find your seat. Wait for further instructions.

What should students wear?

• Students must wear their cap and gown that they will pick up on May 12 at graduation practice. You may not alter the cap or gown in any way.

• Students may wear the honors or high honors tassel as awarded. Only wear ONE tassel.

• Students may wear honors cords and stoles as awarded by AAI honor societies and CTSOs.

• Under the gown, students should wear appropriate dress wear that may include: dress, suit, dark pants/white shirt.

When will graduation caps and gowns be distributed?

• Distribution of caps, gowns, honors/high honors tassels, medallions and pins will be on May 12, 2023 at our Senior Celebration Day in the Gym.

When is the Senior Lunch and Graduation Practice?

• ALL Seniors must report to the AAI Stem Gym at 10:30 AM on May 12 for Graduation practice.

• Practice will be followed by the distribution of caps, gowns and honors regalia, then a lunch provided by PTSO.

• Attendance is mandatory for all Seniors.

When can parents and guests arrive?

• Doors will open at 1:00 PM. Seating will be first come, first served.

• No noise makers, balloons or banners/signs are allowed in the auditorium.

How many tickets and parking passes will we receive?

• Each graduate will receive 6 graduation tickets and 2 parking passes. Parking is limited, so no additional parking passes will be available. If you need additional graduation tickets, please reach out to other families of seniors who may not be using all of their tickets. If you have extra tickets, please bring them to graduation.

• Graduation will be live streamed for family and friends who cannot attend. The link will be posted to the AAI website on the day of graduation and will also be posted to the FCS YouTube channel.

When can I pick up my diploma?

• Counselors will distribute diplomas in the main entrance at AAI on Monday May 22 from 1:00-3:00 PM.

Regular Decision Deadlines: If your student is applying for regular decision at their college, most schools have deadlines in January and February. Check with the college for specific dates.

EOPAs: Students in third year pathway classes have End of Pathway Assessments April 10-21. More information about specific dates and times will be coming from the CTAE pathway teachers.

Signing Day: Seniors will have their college signing day on April 28 at 8:00 AM on the back patio at AAI.

Prom: Seniors and juniors are invited to Prom at the Metropolitan Club on April 28. More details will come soon via social media and school announcements.

AP Exams: AP Exams take place May 1-5 and 8-12 for all students who signed up to take their exam. The exam schedule can be found on the College Board website.

Senior Finals: Seniors will take their final exams May 9-12. You can review the testing calendar by clicking HERE.

Senior Graduation Practice and Picnic: Seniors will have mandatory graduation practice and their senior picnic on May 12 at 10:30 AM. They will receive their tickets, honor cords, caps & gowns at this time.

May 20, 2023 Graduation Ceremony 2:00 PM We will celebrate the class of 2023 at the FoCAL Center on Saturday May 20, 2023.

New Counselor Assignments: Since Mr. Stuller has joined our team, we have redistributed our student caseloads!

• Mr. Neighbour: 9th -11th Last Names A-C 12th Last names A-GAN
• Mr. Stuller: 9th-11th Last names D-KR
• Mrs. Kim-Han: 9th - 11th Last names KU-Q 12th Last names GAO-O
• Mrs. Johnson: 9th - 11th Last names R-Z 12th Last names P-Z

Please check the Counseling Webpage frequently for information related to college applications, scholarships, and financial aid information.

I have questions! How do I make an appointment to see my counselor?

If you need an appointment to see your counselor, stop by the Counseling Center on the 2nd floor any time and scan the QR code for your counselor.