Drop by the table at lunch the week before Valentine's day and grab your special pin! This is the day we show some extra love to our seniors! Feel free to make shirts or take a special photo in front of the k-wall!

The Simi Valley High School graduation this year will include a special group of teachers called the “Honor Guard.” Most students recall a teacher, coach, or mentor that made a difference in his or her life. YOU are invited to help select this year’s Honor Guard, by nominating ONE influential person from ANY year of your schooling (elementary, middle school, or high school), to attend your graduation. Nominated members will be invited to Senior Luau, invited to your graduation, included in the graduation program, have VIP seating, and receive a special Certificate of Appreciation. I encourage you to take the time to nominate a teacher, coach, or mentor for the 2023 Honor Guard.

If you would like to participate in this special graduation tradition, complete the information below by Friday, February 3rd. Once you fill out the form LINKED HERE, WE will take care of contacting your nominee and getting them all the necessary information. After nominations are complete, we will be contacting you the next few months to write a brief reflection about your teacher and their influence on your life. Thank you for making a difference!

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. IF YOU RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM MRS. HORN, YOUR NOMINATION IS CONFIRMED. PLEASE WRITE YOUR LETTER OF APPRECIATION AND GET IT TO MRS. HORN BY MARCH 17.

All cap and gown orders are handled through Jostens. Please visit jostens.com and search "Simi Valley High School" to see all graduation item packages. YOU MUST have the cap, gown, tassel, and stole made by Jostens to participate in the ceremony. If you would like to use the cap and gown from a friend or graduated family member, you will only have to order the stole and tassel for the class of 2023 through the Jostens site. The prices go up starting FEBRUARY 6TH. After this date, supplies may be limited, or items may not be available all together. Jostens will be here at the Grad Shop to distribute all orders. If items still need to be purchased at that time, it may be cash only. Please plan accordingly.

DEADLINE FOR ORDERS IS MARCH 19TH!!

If you have questions about an order, order status, would like to check what you ordered, etc., please contact our Jostens representative, John Zavala, at john.zavala@jostens.com.

Direct link for Pioneer Package on Jostens: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productDetail/1007572/SIMI-VALLEY-HIGH-SCHOOL/Cap-and-Gown/1911166021/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/Cap-Gown-Tassel-and-SVHS-Stole-(Unit)/1911166049

If you ONLY need the Class of 2023 tassel & stole (you already have or are borrowing the correct maroon cap and gown)*:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1007572/SIMI-VALLEY-HIGH-SCHOOL/Graduation/1911166021/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/REGALIA/

*You need to buy the souvenir tassel (it will arrive in maroon and gold) and the SVHS stole (it will arrive customized).

If, for some reason, you cannot order a cap and gown, please email Mr. Jones at david.jones@simivalleyusd.org, or visit him in the ASB office, for assistance.

It is VERY important that you attend your senior meeting. On this day, we will be going through all the expectations and details for the rest of the year, including how to be the speaker or singer at graduation, voting for prom court, prom ticket prices, grad nite prices, end-of-year surveys, how to get your line assignment at graduation, graduation tickets, and MUCH, MUCH MORE!

A school administrator will visit you during your government or economics class. If you do not have a government or economics class, please arrange a time between periods 1 and 5 that you can get the information (peer tutor, elective, free period - must be pre arranged with your teacher).

DO NOT FORGET TO SUBMIT YOUR SENIOR CONTRACT TO YOUR GOV/ECON TEACHER. NO EVENT CAN BE ATTENDED OR TICKET CAN BE PURCHASED IF YOU HAVE NOT YET SUBMITTED A SIGNED COPY! (You can obtain a copy from your gov/econ teacher and submit it back to them, or directly to Mr. Cox in the front office.)

Grad Nite tickets are sold in ASB ONLY. Tickets are $200 for all students. This includes the cost of transportation (charter bus) and ticket entry to Disney, California Adventure. Students will want to get in line with their friends so they get assigned the same bus for the evening. Students will get in line and a ticket will be given to students in order of their arrival. These tickets can then be brought back to the ASB office at any time in the next week and be paid for. Students who do not pay for/redeem their ticket will forfeit their spot at Grad Nite. We will create a waiting list for those who did not receive a ticket. Unfortunately, we cannot add any tickets, so please plan to get in line early on March 13!

IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITING LIST - PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR EMAIL! We are constantly sending you messages regarding your spot on the waiting list. If you don't check your email, you may miss your chance at a ticket!

THE ASB OFFICE ACCEPTS CASH AND CARD. NO CHECKS ACCEPTED!

The senior hold list will be posted digitally and around campus. If you are on the list, the reasons you are on "hold" for graduation will be listed next to your name. It is up to you to be sure you get clearance from any and all holds. This could include:

- A D or F in a required class for graduation (need to have your teacher email Beth Hankins in the counseling office to confirm, in writing, that you will pass their class).

- An outstanding credit needed (need to contact your counselor to be sure all summer school or online class transcripts have been submitted and cleared).

- An outstanding fee due to the ASB office (pay all outstanding balances to the ASB office).

- An outstanding fee due to the library or textbook not yet turned in (turn in the book, pay the fine, fill out a waiver-see a librarian).

- You have not yet filled out the senior exit survey (this is through Naviance, you will get notified when it is open for you to complete).

*PLEASE NOTE: Failing to turn in your senior contract will prevent you from being able to attend senior activities. Your grades will only prevent you from graduation and/or the ceremony.

The sooner you can take care of these items, the sooner we can ensure your participation in the graduation ceremony and/or the receipt of your high school diplomas.

Prom tickets will be sold ONLINE ONLY this year. Tickets are $150 w/ASB and $160 w/out ASB and for ALL non-senior guests. In order to attend the event, you must be a current SVHS senior, or be attending as the guest of a current SVHS senior. Guests must name the senior student they are attending with, and they must be age 20 or under (ID will be checked at the door). The ASB price will be for seniors only. All guests will be the same price, regardless of their ASB status. There is a maximum capacity, so buy your tickets early. The prom will be held at the W Hotel in Hollywood, and the theme is "The Roaring 20's" (similar to a Great Gatsby theme). SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS (not yet available).

EACH SVHS STUDENT IS ALLOWED 1 (ONE) GUEST PER PERSON.

****NEW****: OUR ADMINISTRATION IS NOW REQUIRING PAPER CONTRACTS!!! The contract will be available in ASB beginning April 3. Please pick one up for you AND YOUR GUEST, sign it, and return it to the ASB office. You can purchase your ticket any time online, but if we do not have a signed contract by April 21, we will void your ticket(s).

ALL COVID POLICIES FOR THIS EVENT HAVE BEEN LIFTED! LA county has changed to recommending masks, but that is the only guidance for this event.

LINK TO PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!

Wear your college gear and come to the main quad to show off all the amazing places the Class of 2023 is going! Bring your family & friends to the NEW MAIN QUAD area for photos and celebrations!

Prom is a formal event with a full, sit-down dinner served. Students will enjoy the amazing views from The Majestic, Downtown. Parking is not included in the ticket price. If you are planning on driving your own car, you will need to purchase a pre-reserved parking pass for $10 in the ASB office.

You will enjoy a first-class 1920's style event event with dancing and dining, private venue service, incredible decorations, and much more. This is the comeback of all proms! Don't miss out!

Dinner menu:

Entree - Chicken Picatta

Pasta - Alfredo Penne

Salad - Traditional Caesar

2 Sides - Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Vegetables

ALL COVID POLICIES FOR THIS EVENT HAVE BEEN LIFTED! LA county has changed to recommending masks, but that is the only guidance for this event.

Interested in speaking at graduation? Audition to be the ONE speech in the ceremony. A long-standing tradition at SVHS is that our valedictorians are not guaranteed to be the graduation speaker. Anyone interested in presenting the speech can audition. You must bring a printed copy of your speech and be ready to deliver it in front of a panel of judges. We are looking for a speech that incorporates details from your 4-year experiences, as well as the theme for this year - VISIONARY. Speeches should be between 3 and 5 minutes in length. Auditions will be held in room K-28 during FLEX. Please make sure you sign up to attend Mrs. Horn's flex class on the day you have been assigned (you will be sent an email after filling out the link below). A panel of judges will select the speech that best fits this year's ceremony.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW BY APRIL 28!

SIGN UP TO AUDITION HERE!

This evening is for invited seniors to celebrate scholarships and other standout-performances from their senior year. This event is handled by counseling and the College/Career center. They will give more information at the senior meetings.

Seniors take their finals before the rest of campus so that we can prepare grades and get ready for graduation. You will take periods 1, 3, & 5 on Wednesday, May 24, and periods 2, 4, & 6 on Thursday, May 25. These will be block schedule days.

Grad Nite is at Disney, California Adventure. Tickets will be on sale from MARCH 13 - 24, or until sold out. There are 300 tickets available for this event. This event is for current SVHS seniors ONLY. No guests are allowed. Buy your tickets with your friends so that you get on the same bus! Tickets are $200 for all seniors, and will be sold in the ASB office ONLY. Ticket prices include the transportation (charter bus) for the evening. More details about Grad Nite will be given out at senior meetings.

OTHER IMPORTANT GRAD NITE DETAILS:

Grad Nite is a traditional Senior Activity during which students from many high schools have Disney, California Adventure “to themselves” for the night. This is a very popular activity and this year there will be 300 tickets available. These tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets can be purchased when these have been sold out, no matter the circumstances. Remember, as with all senior events, Grad Nite is not a right, it’s a privilege! Grad Nite will be at Disney, California Adventure on May 25th, the Thursday night prior to graduation. We will leave Simi High at approximately 7:00 pm from the WEST parking lot. We will meet in the GYM at 6:00 pm. Graduates will leave the park by 2:00 am, the following morning. We should be back to SVHS by about 3:00 am. Cars may be parked in the WEST SVHS parking lot overnight. Please note that Disney, California Adventure has rules by which we must abide. These will be explained at the Senior Meetings. Briefly:

1. All students attending Grad Nite MUST ride the same bus provided TO and FROM Disneyland. NO private vehicles are allowed to enter the Disneyland parking lot on Grad Nite. Unfortunately, Disneyland does not honor season passes for this event. You must purchase a ticket, even if you are a season pass holder.

2. Disneyland imposes a dress code. SVHS is required by contract to ensure that the dress code is adhered to prior to allowing students on the buses. The dress code and other rules are LINKED HERE.

3. Any students who do not report to their bus on time could be forfeiting their privilege of participating in Grad Nite and at the following week’s graduation ceremonies.

NOTE: We have a limited number of tickets this year (as always), so please BUY EARLY! Cost per person will be given out at senior meetings. This includes park entrance, dancing, and bus transportation to and from Disneyland.

This is the ONE STOP SHOP for picking up everything you need for graduation - tickets, cap & gown, line & seating assignments, cords, honor medallions, and much more! This event will take place in the gym and is MANDATORY for all seniors. This is also all that is required of you that day - come for your event at 10 am and leave when you are finished!

OTHER IMPORTANT PRE-GRADUATION INFORMATION:

GRADUATION TICKETS: Each student is guaranteed SIX (6) tickets for free. If you need more tickets, you can purchase them in ASB for $10 each starting May 1. We will sell tickets as capacity allows. We suggest that you ask other seniors if they are using all of their 6 tickets before purchasing extra, just to ensure we are maximizing our attendance. Tickets will be picked up at Grad Shop. No lost tickets will be replaced, and each person needing a seat at the ceremony will need a ticket to enter.

THE ASB OFFICE ACCEPTS CASH OR CARD. NO CHECKS ACCEPTED.

LINE ASSIGNMENTS: Students can choose who they would like to walk in and be seated with for the ceremony. They will need to select the EAST or WEST side, stand in line with their friends, and then request their seat in groups of TWO (2) at a time. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.

HONOR MEDALLION GRADS: Students with a 4.0+ cumulative weighted GPA are honored in our graduation ceremony and program. They MUST be seated in the first 2 rows of either the east or west side so that they can easily access the stage for their honor. Honor grads will pick up an honor medallion at Grad Shop to be worn on the day of graduation. Click this LINK to see the honor grads of the Class of 2023.

CAP DECORATION, ETC. : Seniors MAY NOT alter/decorate caps & gowns. No one is permitted to decorate their caps for graduation. Only stoles, cords, and other items issued by the school can be worn during the ceremony.

Graduation rehearsal is MANDATORY for all seniors. Seniors will meet at 10 AM in the gym, organizing themselves according to their line assignments (given at the Grad Shop). We will then rehearse walking into the ceremony, how the ceremony will run, and give all the important details on ceremony etiquette, etc. The speaker and singer will also rehearse at this time. We do not anticipate the rehearsal lasting past 12:20 pm.

Immediately after the rehearsal, you will be treated to a FREE LUNCH in the senior BBQ by the snack bar/grass area by the stadium. We will have Chick-Fil-A, chips, drinks, and soft serve ic cream. You are welcome to stay and hang out for one last meal together as Pioneers!

Graduates need to arrive in the gym by 4:30 pm. No special parking will be given to graduates, so plan accordingly. Graduates enter through the K gate in the back of the west lot ONLY. Please arrive WITHOUT your cap and gown on to go through security. DO NOT bring backpacks, purses, waters, or any other large items. Once you enter the gym, you cannot leave for any reason. We will have bobby pins, safety pins, and all other items you will need to prepare for the ceremony. Ceremony will begin PROMPTLY at 6:00 pm.

ATTIRE SUGGESTIONS: We suggest dressing similar to a banquet or their 8th grade promotion. Girls shouldn't wear spike heels. We do not recommend jeans or flip flops. Since students have a cap and gown on, there is usually not a very strict dress code enforced, in terms of just how "dressed up" students are. Boys usually wear nice pants and a nice shirt (polo or button up), and girls usually wear a nicer summer-type dress with wedges, flats, or a chunkier heel.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR GRADUATION:

• Spectators must have a ticket to enter. Children under 3 do not need a ticket, as they can sit on the lap of a family member.
• Gates will open at 5:00 pm. Seating is first-come, first-served.
• A large LED screen will be placed above the stage with a live video feed for even better viewing of the ceremony.
• Spectators cannot bring coolers, large balloons, air-horns, or other items that could prevent others from enjoying the ceremony. These items will be confiscated at the entrance. Please refer to our stadium guidelines for a more detailed list of prohibited items: https://svhs-simi-ca.schoolloop.com/facility-rules
• Open parking lots will be from the east & west lots only. No entrance from the back of the school will be permitted.
• Snacks, cold waters, and other items will be available for sale.
• If a member of your family should need handicapped seating/parking, please FILL OUT THE FORM IN THE LINK HERE, including your name and the number of people attending in your party. These handicapped reservations must be received by May 13th, there will be no exceptions made for any reservations made after this date. Handicapped parking is first come, first served in the east and west lots. You must have a valid handicapped placard to be eligible for this accommodation.
• Each student will be given 6 tickets free of charge. Tickets will be picked up at Grad Shop. Additional tickets will be available for $10 each. These tickets will be on sale beginning May 1st through June 1st (during designated hours in ASB). ALL SPECTATORS will need a ticket unless they can sit on a lap for the entire ceremony. We suggest ages 3 and up need a ticket. All tickets sold before Senior GRAD SHOP day will be put in each student's envelope for pick up at the GRAD SHOP. The availability of these additional tickets cannot be assured.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION

This year's graduation will NOT be live-streamed. We will be creating a video of the ceremony and posting it to our youtube page after school gets out for you to enjoy for years to come.

Although you are given something that appears to be a high school diploma at graduation, your official diploma will need to be picked up later. Graduates can pick up their diploma starting at 8 AM on Friday, June 2 at the tent in the front lot of the school. They will be available from 8 am - 4 pm through June 9 in the counseling office. Only the graduate themself can pick up their diploma, and you must show ID and sign for your document upon pick up.