It may be hard to believe, but we have reached the final semester for the graduating Class of 2023. This is an important milestone with many important dates, and we want to make sure you have everything you need to be ready! We hope that this guide can help you mark important dates and know what they are, understand grad requirements, and provide an overall picture of your graduate's next steps.

Senior Meeting- Monday, May 1, during AR (10:40-11:20 am) in the main theater

Senior Laptop Collection- Wednesday, May 10, 8-11 am, OP gym

Senior Honors Night-Wednesday, May 10, 7:00 pm at Oak Park High School

Seniors' Last School Day (senior walk, celebration, lunch)-Thursday, May 11

Senior Grades Due- Thursday, May 11

Graduation Rehearsal- Thursday, May 18, 9:00 am, Oak Park High School, and then to Hy-Vee Arena

Graduation- Friday, May 19, 6:30 pm at Hy-Vee Arena

Jostens was at Oak Park during lunch shifts to deliver cap and gowns on April 6. If were unable to pick yours up, please go to the main office. If you have not ordered one yet, please reach out to Jostens directly at (816) 523-4900. There will be another day to pick these up later in April as well.

All seniors should plan on attending a meeting on Monday, May 1 during AR. It is extremely important that students attend this meeting to go over the last week of school activities, graduation rehearsal information, and details about graduation. Here is the senior communique.

Seniors will be required to return their laptops and chargers at this time. Students who need them for AP exams will be exempted. Laptops not turned in will be added to the obligation list and will not receive their diploma.

This is night for students and families in which we award and celebrate scholarship recipients, building award winners, and the successes of our students. Please complete the link here to provide information for that night.

The last day of school for our seniors will be filled with reflection and celebration.

Grad Walk

Students will begin the day wearing their caps and gowns and traveling to Antioch and our feeder elementary schools to parade through the halls. This is such a great way for them to see old teachers and remember key people and places on their educational journey.

Senior Celebration

Upon returning from the grad walk, students will enter the main theater for senior celebration. This event is for students only, and there will be a slideshow of pictures, senior superlatives, and the presentation of our athletic awards and Norma and Norman awards.

Senior Grill Out

After Senior Celebration, our PTSA/Booster Club will be providing lunch for our seniors on the football field (weather permitting). Students will be free to leave after lunch.

Student will come to Oak Park at 9:00 am. We will have a brief meeting in the main theater, and then students will be bused to Hy-Vee Arena to practice for graduation. Students must be in attendance to walk at the graduation ceremony. This event is for students only.

We are not requiring tickets for graduation, but we do ask that students limit the number of guests to 8-10 per graduate. Seating is open and on a first come basis. The ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30. Students are not allowed to decorate or alter their cap and gown in any way. The dress expectation is professional. We encourage students to wear shoes they can walk in comfortably.

In order to make sure students have completed everything they need in order to walk across the stage, they must have completed the items below. If they are missing anything, their counselor or Dr. Gosney will be or has already let them know. All of the information can also be found on the Canvas button below.

CCR- Students need to take one of the following college and career readiness assessments: ACT, ASVAB, or Work Keys.

EOCs- The state requires students to take the Algebra I (or II if they took Algebra I in middle school), ELA II, Biology, and Government.

MCEI- The Missouri Constitution Test was taken during students' sophomore year of U.S. History. They must pass with a 75%.

Constitution Test- Students take the U.S. Constitution test is taken during the AP Government or U.S Citizenship class. Students must pass with a 75%.

CPR Training- Students must complete CPR training.

Local scholarships-better odds of receiving them due to fewer applicants

http://ophscounseling.weebly.com/scholarships.html

1. Visit our Oak Park Counseling page often for scholarships and updates
2. Note deadlines so you have time to gather requirements
3. Ask teachers for recommendations ahead of time prior to the deadline.

North Kansas City Schools Education Foundations Scholarships:

https://nkcschoolsfoundation.org/scholarships-for-students/scholarships

National scholarships-many are available, but the applicant pool is available.

A few websites to consider:

FASTWEB
Scholarship Search

http://www.fastweb.com

BIGFUTURE
Scholarship and College Search

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

College scholarships-

Many colleges have scholarships for specific majors, increased ACT scores and other programs. Check with the colleges’ financial aid office for these opportunities.

Students can check to see if they have an obligation through logging into their MyPayments Plus account. Obligations must be paid in order for students to receive their diploma. For information or help with MyPayments Plus, please call the main office at 816-321-5320.