Senior Newsletter- Class of 2024
Class of 2024
Please refer to this newsletter throughout the year for the latest updates to celebrate and honor our seniors. If you have any additional questions, please contact Rodney Jones, Assistant Principal.
Last updated: 4/24/24
Senior Timeline - Overview
End of Year & Commencement Information
Commencement Ceremony
The ceremony begins promptly at 9:30 am on Sunday, May 26th, 2024. Our Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center - 1525 West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL 60115.
Seniors are asked to be at the Convocation Center no later than 8:15 am. All seniors participating in this ceremony MUST wear their graduation gown for the ceremony. The only accessory that can be worn on the graduation gown is the Indian Prairie Scholars’ cord. This is in keeping with past practice for graduation uniformity agreed upon by all of our high schools in Indian Prairie School District 204.
Modest attire is strongly encouraged to be worn under the gown in honor of this special event. No gym shoes, flip flops, or boots will be allowed.
Cap and Gown Order & Distribution
Orders need to be received by November 27th, in order to receive your cap and gown in time for graduation ceremonies. If you have not ordered your cap and gown yet, please order at www.herffjonesil.com or call 815-756-4743. You will search for Metea Valley High School, and Shop Grad Products. Please do not contact Metea as the school does not take orders.
Distribution is on Monday, May 6th or Tuesday, May 7th in the Commons during lunch periods. Please make sure all school fees are paid on your pushcoin and you have paid Herff Jones for your cap and gown. Cash only will be accepted for Herff Jones the day of pickup, or you can pay electronically ahead of time online.
All seniors who are walking graduation must have the rental cap and gown from Herff Jones in order to walk. No other gowns may be worn. Please do not decorate your hats, as this will not be allowed on the day of graduation, nor the wearing of any other items over your cap and gown.
Mustang Commemorative
Mustang Commemorative is a ceremony for seniors that want to attend to reflect on their years at Metea Valley. It is an optional even with speeches and musical performances from students and staff. We ask the students that do attend wear their graduation gown, but do not need to wear their cap.
Graduation Tickets
Each graduate will receive ten (10) tickets for the Graduation Ceremony. Graduates will receive tickets at the graduation practice.
Graduation Practice
Date: Thursday, May 23rd at Metea Valley HS
Graduation Practice is mandatory and will be held Thursday, May 23rd at 9:00am in the main gym. Graduation practice will last approximately 2 hours and seniors are expected to be in attendance for the duration of the practice. Seniors should arrive at Metea no later than 8:30am through door #19.
The Senior Brunch will be held immediately following the Graduation practice.
Picture Taking Opportunity
Graduates will be permitted to take pictures on school grounds (inside and outside the building) on Saturday, May 25th between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Inside the building will be open from 9am-12pm. We ask that you use door #1 and door #19 to enter between 9am and 12pm. From 12pm-1pm graduates will have an additional hour to take pictures outside the building.
Graduation Skybox Auction
The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) is hosting an online auction featuring two Graduation Skyboxes for each high school graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb.
Winners will receive 20 graduation tickets, access to a private suite one hour before the ceremony begins, and the option to purchase food and drinks. All winners will be required to fill out and sign the NIU Suite Policy Agreement to redeem their tickets. The auction closes on Friday, April 19th at 9 PM. Thank you for your support of the Foundation! Visit 2024 Graduation Skybox Auction to register and place your bid.
Senior Finals & Last Day Attendance
Finals for senior students will occur on Monday, May 20th and Tuesday, May 21st.
Senior Last Day of Attendance: May 21st
Senior Celebrations
Senior Pictures
Senior pictures are taken for the yearbook throughout the summer and fall on specific dates. Please contact Roots Studios to schedule your session. A picture for the yearbook is free and highly encouraged. Additional poses and prints are optional. The final dates for pictures are November 6th and November 7th.
Yearbook
Yearbook ordering happens through an online vendor. Before Nov. 1st there is a discounted price.
Senior families have an opportunity to purchase recognition ads for their seniors. Click on the link for more information. School Code - 25009
Senior Ads in Yearbook: deadline March 11th, 2024
Yearbook ordering information: Before Nov. 1st | After Nov. 1st
Senior Ads information: School code 25009
Indian Prairie Scholars
Indian Prairie Scholars is a senior only, invite only event held for students to recognize academic achievement during their high school careers and to hang out cords for graduation. Students who have earned a 3.6 or higher over seven semesters are inducted during this ceremony. Metea's ceremony will happen on Feb. 21st at 7pm.
Senior Road Trip
The Metea PTSA presents the 2024 Senior Road Trip at Six Flags. There will be a buffet dinner, DJ and of course rides. NEW Student Lounge for music, movies, charging stations, games, and prizes. The deadline to register is fast approaching!
Contact for questions: meteaptsapresident@gmail.com
Please see the sign-up link: https://mvhs204.memberhub.com/store/items/996374
Senior Memorabilia
Families who are interested in purchasing announcements, extra tassels, class rings, letter jackets, etc. should visit Herrf-Jones.
Senior T-Shirts
PTSA will be selling Senior T-shirts to wear to Six Flags and other year-end activities. Most schools at Six Flags wore matching t-shirts and it was a great way to distinguish their school. T-shirts are $12/shirt and a great option for those memory blankets as well. They will be distributed the week of 5/6.
Purchase sign up: https://mvhs204.memberhub.com/store/items/1015876
Senior Yard Signs
As in years past, the Metea Valley PTSA is sponsoring graduation yard signs for the class of 2024. Each Senior will receive ONE complimentary graduation sign. The signs are BLANK, so Seniors can write their own name / nickname, decorate and place their sign where they choose. Need an additional sign? A limited number of additional signs will be available for purchase for $5.00.
Distribution Date(s) & Time(s): April 23rd at Door 19 at dismissal for students who drive to school, April 25th at door 34 at dismissal for students who take the bus home from school.
Senior Prom
The Matrix Club (808 IL- 59, Naperville)
Friday, April 26th, 2024
Ticket information: $95/ticket on sale April 1-19
Senior Awards Ceremony (Black and Gold Awards)
Date: Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
In keeping with the celebratory tenor of this season, Seniors, invite only, will be honored with an evening ceremony on May 8th at 7:00 p.m. to acknowledge their numerous accomplishments and successes. Scholarships will be awarded from the Metea Unified Scholarship Program along with departmental awards and commendations. Modest attire is strongly encouraged to be worn in honor of this special event. No gym shoes, flip flops, or boots will be allowed.
LMC - an opportunity to “Leave a Legacy”
The MVHS Library Media Center (LMC) provides an opportunity for you to honor your graduating Senior with a lasting legacy at Metea Valley. Our commemorative program allows your son/daughter to be remembered in the future books/materials that are purchased in support of the district curriculum. Your suggested donation of $25 will be used to purchase materials from a curated list of books that have been vetted for quality and appropriateness, and will be used to support future MVHS students in their academic pursuits. A bookplate will be adhered in the front of the book, reflecting your student’s participation in this program as well as their class year at MVHS. You can access a donation form by searching for Leave a Legacy here.
If you have any questions, please contact Metea Valley’s LMC Director, Amy Madzinski, at amy_madzinski@ipsd.org . The future students at Metea thank you for your consideration!
Commemorative Bricks
Deadline April 4th, 2024
It is time for you to “Leave Your Mark” at Metea Valley. An area by the front flagpole is being designated as the commemorative brick area and will be completed by graduation day of 2024. This area will be paved with engraved community bricks and two decorative benches. You have the chance to purchase a 4 x 8 ($60) or 8 x 8 ($100) brick and have it engraved with your student’s name, family name, or well wishes plus icons as a permanent fixture on MVHS property.
This would make a great gift to your student or graduate of Metea Valley. Order forms are available on the MVHS website at Commemorative Bricks Additional questions contact: MVHSbricks@gmail.com
Senior Brunch
Join us for Senior Brunch immediately following graduation practice on May 23rd at The Matrix Club in Naperville. Enjoy a great meal, hear superlatives announced, and get the senior edition of the newspaper. Tickets will be required. $20 on Pushcoin (https://tinyurl.com/mvbrunch24) by 5/17. (Please note that this is a separate event from the Senior Road Trip.)
Senior Road Trip
Did you go to Elementary School in IPSD 204?
Please check the list below to see if your former elementary school is having an event for the Class of 2024 that you would like to participate in. All participation is voluntary. All information/changes that we are made aware of will be posted and updated on this electronic document.
Financial & Exiting Information
Financial Obligations: Check PushCoin and Destiny (LMC)
All financial obligations with District 204 and Metea need to be cleared with a zero balance prior to graduation. All registration fees, class lab fees, library fines, textbook fees, activity or athletic financial obligations MUST be paid in full prior to graduation using your PushCoin account.
Chromebooks, case, charger, library books and all textbooks must be returned after your finals or at Senior Check-out. If not returned, it will be billed to your PushCoin account.
Please visit http://www.pushcoin.com/ to see if you have a balance. Any questions about outstanding Senior obligations should be directed to Mrs. Johnson in the main office, at 630-375-5907 or judy_johnson@ipsd.org.
If you are curious to know what is currently checked out in their library account, log in to the student’s account in Destiny (easiest access is through SSO). (Click on the top three lines in the corner and use student credentials for logging in, if needed. See directions here.) Any fines owed for late or lost materials will be in PushCoin. You do not need to wait until the end of the year to take care of this obligation!
Senior Checkout
This is a mandatory process all seniors must participate in. Senior checkout occurs during senior finals days.
Students and parents are encouraged to check their PushCoin accounts to find out about any outstanding fees prior to checkout and pay all outstanding balances and Seniors are encouraged to check their Destiny https://destiny.ipsd.org/ account for outstanding textbooks, Chromebooks, chargers and library materials prior to checkout. Seniors must complete this check out process to receive their graduation tickets at graduation practice.
Bring your transcript form filled out and ready.
Complete the Senior Year End Activity for the Guidance Department.
Senior Scholarships
Throughout the course of the year, seniors are encouraged to keep an eye out for local scholarships in the area. Whenever Metea receives information about a local scholarship, we post it via our meteacounseling.org website. Click HERE to be directly linked to the list of local scholarship offerings.
In addition, each year the Metea Unified Scholarship Application (meteaunified.org) exclusively allows Metea seniors to apply to several scholarships with one application. The unique thing about this site is that most of these scholarships, which range from $500-$1000, are reserved for Metea students. We have created this site to make things as easy and efficient as possible for our seniors to apply. A huge thank you goes out to all of the organizations that commit the money to fund these generous scholarships! This website opens by Mid-February each year. Please keep an eye out for announcements in early February.
Students should see Mr. Daugherty in the College & Career Center with any questions.
Class of 2024: Healthcare Power of Attorney event
IPSD 204 students and alumni who are 18 years old or older are invited to a free signing for a Healthcare Power of Attorney. This will take place on: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 4-7pm at the Crouse Education Center (780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora). You are welcome to stop anytime between those hours for a quick and efficient process.
Registration and more information can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/POAMay7