Senior Raider Reporter
Class of 2021
Letter from the Principal
Dear Parents and/or Guardians of the Flushing High School Class of 2021,
Although the past two years have been unlike any other year in memory, I am excited that we will be able to hold a formal graduation ceremony this year along with other culminating senior events. As we move forward with the end of the year activities, I would ask that if your graduate is not feeling well or demonstrates symptoms of COVID-19, that they not attend that day’s activity for that day for the safety of the other students, parents, and staff.
My favorite day of the school year is GRADUATION DAY! For potentially 319 seniors at Flushing High School, graduation will mark the end of 13 challenging years of growth and learning. I am very excited in anticipation of the graduation of the class of 2021. You will love the gravity and emotion of our ceremony and, of course, the lifetime memory of your child walking across the stage to receive his/her diploma. Although our graduating class will be split into two groups, I am excited to be able to offer our graduates the opportunity to walk across the stage and have a formal graduation.
The joy and dignity of a graduation ceremony takes an immense amount of planning and a determination on the part of staff, parents, family members, and especially graduates to be in the right place at the right time and to follow basic guidelines. For students, participating in graduation is what I call an “earned privilege.” It is earned by attending classes, earning grades, and passing 44 or more semester classes. It is a privilege in the sense that to be totally involved in graduation, timelines must be met, payments must be handled on time, and behavior leading up to and at graduation must remain within acceptable guidelines. My hope is that Commencement 2021 will be the best that Flushing High School has ever seen!
As far as school days are concerned between now and the seniors’ last day, I expect every day to be a day of teaching and learning. Teachers will be prepared to teach and students must remain ready to learn. Every school day continues to count. With regard to specific commencement expectations, I want to acquaint both parents and students with long-standing basic guidelines that must be met to participate in the ceremony. Please note the following:
1. Male graduates are required to wear a dress shirt, dress slacks, and dress shoes. All males are encouraged to wear a tie. No sandals or gym style shoes will be allowed.
2. Female graduates are required to wear a dress, skirt or dress slacks, a blouse, and dress shoes. Due to stairs and uneven terrain, we recommend against high heels.
3. All seniors are to wear their cap and gown and honor cords in a manner respectful to what these garments and cords represent. No decorations are allowed on the caps or gowns.
4. Students and parents are not to bring into the auditorium objects, signs, or other items that would in any way distract from the dignity of the ceremony.
5. Students will remain in their assigned seat at all times other than when presented their diploma or when the class stands as a planned part of the ceremony. Parents are to remain in their seats until graduates have exited the field and need to plan on meeting their graduate outside the Raider Field gates. After the first ceremony, we will have to prepare for our second graduation ceremony, so it’s crucial the stadium clears quickly.
6. Students and parents will refrain from verbal comments, calls, or noise making that distracts or interferes with the orderly conduct of the ceremony.
We want our 2021 Commencement to be a dignified celebration of a significant point in the lives of 319 young men and women. Let’s work together to make it happen.
The remaining portion of the communication includes the pertinent dates for the end of the year activities, along with details for each. If you should have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Jason Melynchek
Principal
Important Dates
Monday, May 3rd 9:00 a.m.
Registration for Graduation Ceremony Opens
Wednesday, May 5th 3:00 p.m.
Registration for Graduation Ceremony Closes
Tuesday, May 11th 8:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Senior Panoramic Pictures for In-Person Students
Wednesday, May 12th 10:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Senior Panoramic Pictures for 100% Online Students
Tuesday, May 18th
Last School Day for Seniors
Wednesday, May 19th 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Senior Tailgate
Tuesday, June 1st 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Graduation Cap/Gown/Ticket Pick-Up
Wednesday, June 2nd 10:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.
Senior Brunch
Wednesday, June 2nd 12:00 & 1:30 p.m.
Graduation Rehearsal
Wednesday, June 2nd 5:30 & 7:00 p.m.
Senior Honors Night
Thursday, June 3rd 12:00 & 1:30 p.m.
Graduation Rehearsal (Rain Date)
Thursday, June 3rd 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Graduation
Friday, June 4th 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Graduation (Rain Date)
Registration for Graduation Ceremony
On Monday, May 3rd, at 9:00 a.m. we will open the registration on Sign-Up Genius for students to choose which graduation ceremony they would like to participate in. We will have a maximum of 160 students participating in each session. Graduation will be on Thursday, June 3rd, with Session I beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Session II beginning at 7:30 p.m. Registration is on a first-come basis.
Each student will be provided with four tickets for the graduation session they are participating in. Graduating seniors who are participating in that session do not need a ticket for graduation.
On Monday, May 3rd at 9:00 a.m. the link to register will be emailed to students and parents and it will be posted on the Flushing High School website.
The registration window will close on Wednesday, May 5th, at 3:00 p.m. If a student has not registered by this time, we will assign the senior to one of the sessions based on availability.
Senior Panoramic Pictures
Unfortunately, due to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases and recommendations from the Genesee County Health Department, this year’s panoramic senior picture will be taken a little differently. We will have two days in which students will have an opportunity to have their picture taken individually for the project. Call Photography will create a collage of the senior class using individual pictures taken in front of a green screen. Students and families will have an opportunity to purchase products from Call Photography at www.callphotography.com.
Picture Schedule:
In-person learners will have their picture taken on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 between 8:00-12:00 p.m. in the Auditorium Lobby.
100% virtual learners can have their pictures taken on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 between 10:00-1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium Lobby.
Last day for Seniors
The last day for seniors to attend class will be on Tuesday, May 18th. In a normal school year, the last day for seniors to attend would have been the Wednesday before Memorial Day. We moved up the last day for seniors to avoid the risk of having seniors miss graduation due to needing to quarantine after being a close contact with a COVID-positive person at school.
Senior Tailgate
On Wednesday, May 19th, from noon until 3:00 p.m., we will be holding a Senior Tailgate for the members of our senior class in the North Parking Lot and immediate area. Our seniors will be able to spread out and be outside while enjoying a number of games, activities, and a lunch being provided. This is an optional event for our seniors. Seniors are welcome to attend any time during three hour event.
Graduation Cap & Gown, Ticket Pick-up
Graduation cap, gown, and ticket pickup will occur on Tuesday, June 1st, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the lobby of the auditorium. Students will receive their graduation cap and gown, along with their four tickets for graduation. Students being recognized at Honors Night will also receive two tickets for that event. Students will only receive these items if they have no outstanding materials or fines that need to be paid. Fines can be paid at that time but will extend the amount of time the pickup process takes.
We ask that students pick up their items during the designated times by last name as listed below.
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. A-G
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. H-N
4:00 – 4:30 p.m. O-Z
Senior Brunch
The Senior Class Sponsors will be hosting a Senior Brunch at a local park prior to graduation rehearsal on Wednesday, June 2nd. The brunch will be at 10:30 a.m. for students graduating in Session I and at noon for those graduating in Session II. There will be more information to come regarding details on the Class of 2021 Google Classroom site.
Graduation Rehearsal
Graduation rehearsal will occur on Wednesday, June 2nd, at Raider Field. For those participating in the Session I Graduation Ceremony, rehearsal will occur at noon. For those participating in the Session II Graduation Ceremony, rehearsal will occur at 1:30 p.m.
If there is inclement weather during the time of scheduled rehearsal, rehearsal will be changed to Thursday, June 3rd, at those same times.
Students are to dress casually for rehearsal. Caps and gowns should not be worn to rehearsal.
Students must participate in rehearsal if they plan on participating in graduation.
Please adjust work schedules or any possible conflicts to make sure students will be in attendance at rehearsal.
Senior Honors Night
Senior Honors Night will be held in the Flushing High School Auditorium on Wednesday, June 2nd. In order to allow each of our students who will be honored to have guests in attendance, we will be having two ceremonies that evening.
For students with the last name beginning A-K, the ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m.
For students with the last name beginning L-Z, the ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m.
We ask that participating students arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of their ceremony and meet at Room 313 for check-in and to be placed in the proper order.
Students are to wear their graduation gown over dress clothes for this event. No caps are worn for this event.
Students will receive two tickets for this event. The tickets will be distributed along with their cap and gown on Tuesday, June 1st. Honored students do not need a ticket for the ceremony in which they will be recognized.
Seats will be assigned on the tickets and a thorough cleaning will occur between ceremonies.
Graduation
Graduation is scheduled for Thursday, June 3rd, at Raider Field with two ceremonies occurring. Session I begins at 5:30 p.m. and Session II begins at 7:30 p.m. If there is inclement weather the day of graduation, a formal decision will be made at 2:00 p.m. if the event will occur that evening. The rain date for graduation is Friday, June 4th at the same time.
Students will receive four tickets for the ceremony in which they will receive their diploma. The students do not need a ticket for their own ceremony.
There will not be assigned seating for the guests at this event. We ask that our guests respect social distancing guidelines throughout the event and wear a mask at all times. There will be different tickets for each session.
Students should plan to arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of their session and meet in the area behind the visitors’ bleachers.
We ask that all students and their families enter the parking lot off of Coutant and exit the parking lot onto Deland.
We are in the process of securing a live stream and/or recording of the ceremonies so family members who cannot be in attendance can view the ceremony.
At the completion of the ceremony, we ask that all guests leave Raider Field so a thorough cleaning can occur before the next session.
Students will be able to return their gown and receive their actual diploma, final transcript, and copies of the program for that evening at the tables near the concession stand.
We will not open the gates for the second session until the first session guests and graduates have left the field area.
Return of Graduation Gown
Graduation Announcements
Warning Letters
From your counselor
If your last name begins with:
A-B & Special needs: Mr. Lister, Counselor
C-L: Mrs. Davis, Counselor
M-Z: Mrs. Vince, Counselor
Early College, Co-op students & CTE: Mrs. Lord (located in Co-op office)
Career & College, Scholarships, Financial Aid, NCAA: Mrs. Germaine, Counselor