Sprague High - OLY SENIOR SCOOP
Class of 2023 Graduation Information
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Sprague High School Seniors and Parents:
Please take the time to look over the calendar of senior events (below) for the remaining months. I would like to personally invite you to participate in all, or as many of these events that you can. This is an exciting and memorable time for you and your parents. Your class officers this year have worked hard to make this a special time for you as you near the finish line.
Seniors, I need to remind you that during these final months of your senior year your behavior matters. Please do not get caught up in anything that would create an unsafe situation for you and your friends and jeopardize you being able to participate in senior activities which include the right to walk in the graduation ceremony.
Keep up the good work with your grades and attendance. Remember, you must have the correct 24 credits and your reading, writing, and math essential skills as well as have completed your Personal Education Plan (PEP) to graduate. If you have questions about any of the graduation requirements, see your counselor.
In closing, I would like to challenge each and every one of you to take what you have done so far and continue to run the race and remember to FINISH STRONG.
We are looking forward to a very special graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. in our Olympian Stadium..
Sincerely,
Chad Barkes, Principal
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Google Takeout for Graduates
Backup Before You Pack Up.
Save your work with Google Takeout.
Seniors, you’ve worked hard to get to graduation and much of that work is housed in your Google Apps account. If you'd like to take your work with you, Google Takeout is a great way to do this!
Google Takeout allows you to keep data from the products you use, like your email, calendar, and photos. In a few easy steps, create an archive to download and keep for your records or transfer the data into another Google account.
Students should download and move files from their @salemkeizer.org accounts before access is disabled. Graduating students will have access to their Salem-Keizer Public Schools Google accounts until October 30th. This process may take several days if there are many large files. Please plan accordingly.
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
We Need to Know:
- Student’s name
- Name of award or scholarship
- Name of college or university
- Dollar amount awarded
- Is the award renewable?
The dollar amount is confidential and not published. It is used to track the total dollars that our senior class earns as a whole. At the Senior Awards Assembly, we will announce the total combined dollar amount earned by the 2023 Sprague graduates.
You can submit this information online at: Class of 2023 Scholarship & Awards Survey
BABY PORTRAITS & SENIOR QUOTES DUE APRIL 16TH
The deadline for Baby Advertisements to show your senior’s baby portraits is extended to April 16th at midnight. NO Ads will be accepted past this date for publishing reasons. Here is the link to the Sprague Baby Ads webpage for more information.
Senior Quotes
The deadline to submit Senior Quotes and to share the address for where your yearbook should be mailed is due no later than April 16th at midnight. No extensions will be given. Please go to this link to submit your quote, and also to place an order for past yearbooks at a discounted rate: https://forms.gle/TaRe9f2mxZbJcD8H6.
FINAL TRANSCRIPTS
State and private schools require a final transcript be sent to verify high school completion. To have your transcript sent to the college of your choice, submit your request online at:
https://salkeizor.scriborder.com
These transcripts will be available starting on June 30, 2023.
CAREER EXPLORATION
To explore career ideas, visit Oregon CIS: https://oregoncis.uoregon.edu
Take a 10-20 minute test that will provide a list of careers that you may enjoy based on the questions you answer. Select the Exploration tab then Interest Profiler (Short). From there you can link your career ideas to specific colleges or other types of training. You can access CIS through any computer with internet access.
SCOIR: You can still utilize your SCOIR profiles for aptitude testing and occupational testing via your career profile, just make sure you log into your account and change the primary email address to a personal email address!
Chemeketa: Still need some guidance or direction? Chemeketa offers 2 Career Assessments and additional resources @ https://chemeketa.lightcastcc.com/?
radius=®ion=Greater%20Salem%20Area
SCHOLARSHIPS
Oregon CIS has a great scholarship search engine under Exploration, under Financial Aid Sort on the home page. Community college is always an affordable and practical way to start your four-year degree!
Here is the link for Oregon CIS: https://oregoncis.uoregon.edu
Oregon Goes To College: Find Oregon and national scholarships with upcoming deadlines. You can filter results to find ones that fit your needs @ https://oregongoestocollege.org/pay/scholarships
FAFSA & Scholarship reminders!
Remember, you are filling out FAFSA every year to receive your financial aid package. Additionally, you should be applying for scholarships every year you are attending college!
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To be able to participate in the graduation ceremony Seniors must meet the 24 credit requirement. All seniors have met the career related learning experiences and extended application requirements through their courses they have completed. Any additional coursework, such as online, college credit, work experience credit or District Alternative Education credit, must be completed by 4:00 p.m. on June 6, 2023, so that credits can be verified. If you have questions about your student’s progress towards graduation requirements, please email your student’s counselor.
FINES & FEES
Please make sure to pay any outstanding balances prior to Prom, Senior Banquet, and the Graduation Ceremony.
Make payment to Sprague High School with the Bookkeeper. You may also pay online at: https://skpay.salkeiz.k12.or.us. If you have any concerns or need to make arrangements for payment, please contact Jim Miller, Assistant Principal.
All library books, textbooks, and the student’s Chromebook are due on Friday, May 26th. If a textbook/Chromebook must be used for a final exam, please return it immediately after the exam.
Students can access the list of books, textbooks, and Chromebook checked out at https://library.salkeiz.k12.or.us/ Click on Sprague High School and login using the student login.
REMINDER: Seniors with library and textbook fees or has not returned the Chromebook will not be allowed to walk at Graduation. Make plans now to return books as soon as possible to avoid long lines and last-minute panic.
Options if you have book fees:
- Find the book and return it.
- Pay the Bookkeeper, Mrs. Sealey, in the office, or online at https://skpay.salkeiz.k12.or.us
- Buy an identical replacement. Make sure the book has the same ISBN# as the one checked out.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
The Salem-Keizer School District permits seniors to graduate early on June 8th while other students continue through June 16th. Because of this, there are no authorized senior skip days!
It is also important to remember that violations of school rules, including pranks and poor choices, (including through the use of technology) may result in a student not being able to participate in the graduation ceremony. Any student engaged in a senior prank that damages property, degrades the reputation of an individual and/or Sprague High School may be criminally charged and will not be allowed to walk with their class at graduation. This includes “BOOYAH” hill. The joy of graduation could be lost if a student chooses to engage in inappropriate behavior.
Seniors will participate in awareness discussions designed to prevent anyone from losing their privileges to participate in senior activities and/or graduation. Our desire is to make certain every senior in the Sprague family enjoys a wonderful and memorable graduation.
Sprague Spruce Up
Monday, April 10th
3:30 pm
Meet in front of the school
Please join and be part of the Sprague community!
PROM
Theme: Greek Garden
Location: Zenith Vineyards
Date: May 5th, 2023
Time: 7-9:30pm
Cost: $35 per ticket, or $30 per ticket if purchased by 4:00 pm on 4/14/23
* A $5 discount will be applied for Sprague students that have an ASB card. The ASB discount is for Sprague students only, and will not be applied to guest tickets.
Tickets will be available for purchase beginning on 4/3/2023. Tickets can be purchased from the bookkeeper before school, after school, and during lunch. The deadline to purchase tickets is 5/4/2023 by 4:00 pm.
All Juniors and Seniors are invited. Underclassman or students from another high school must be invited by a Sprague Junior or Senior.
Before purchasing tickets:
- All Sprague students must complete the “Dance Agreement Form” (if they did not already do so for Homecoming).
- Guests from another school will need to complete the “Dance Guest Form”, and turn in to the office by Friday, April 28th.
Dance form links are below and are also available in the main office.
Links:
Letter from District (English)
Letter from District (Spanish)
Dance Agreement Form (English)
SENIOR CLASS PHOTO
Seniors should arrive at the Stadium by 11:45 am on Monday, May 8th. The photo will be taken on the turf field in the Stadium. Students going to CTEC that afternoon will still be able to participate! Your bus will be delayed until after the photo is complete.
CAP & GOWN DISTRIBUTION
Jostens will be at Sprague on Friday, April 28th in the Commons during lunch to distribute caps and gowns. Orders for caps and gowns can still be placed through jostens.com. Make sure to place your order by April 14th in order to receive your cap and gown set on April 28th at Sprague. Orders placed after April 14th will have to make other pick-up arrangements. Jostens is available for questions regarding graduation items at 503-723-8006 or by email at thul.office@jostens.com.
SENIOR YARD SIGN DISTRIBUTION
SENIOR BANQUET (Graduates Only)
Senior Banquet
Mission Mill
Tuesday, June 6th
6:00 pm
The Spinning Room at Willamette Heritage Center, formerly known as Mission Mill, is the site of the Class of 2023 Senior Banquet on Tuesday, June 6th at 6:00 PM. Tickets will be sold during lunch and after school through the Bookkeeper beginning on May 1st. Cost is $20 per person. Deadline to purchase banquet tickets is 4:00 pm, Friday, June 2nd. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door.
All fines and fees must be paid before a senior banquet ticket can be purchased. Please wear nice attire to this event, such as dresses, pant outfits, collared shirts or blouses, and nice slacks. The evening includes a catered dinner, class slideshow, a few senior speeches, a musical performance and the Senior Superlative Awards presentation.
All seniors should plan on attending. If the price of a ticket prevents you from coming or if you would like to make a donation to pay for a senior banquet ticket, contact Mrs. Kleinman, 503-399-3261 or email kleinman_melinda@salkeiz.k12.or.us.
SENIOR AWARDS ASSEMBLY (Family Event)
Senior Awards Assembly
Sprague High School Main Gym
Wednesday, June 7th
10:00 am
All Seniors and Families are invited to attend the Senior Awards Assembly on June 7th at 10:00 am. The location will be in the Sprague Main Gym. Seniors should arrive to the Sprague Stadium by 9:45 am.
Students should wear their Gowns and Caps (no tassels). If you have honorary stoles or cords, including CTEC, you are encouraged to wear them. The purpose of this activity is to honor and acknowledge the achievements of the Sprague High School class of 2023. This is not required, but highly encouraged for all seniors and their families to celebrate the hard work accomplished by seniors to get to graduation. The awards assembly will dismiss at approximately 11:00 am. Immediately following the assembly, seniors will begin gathering to depart for the Parades of Honor.
PARADES OF HONOR (Graduates Only)
Parades of Honor
Sprague’s Elementary Feeder Schools
Wednesday, June 7th
11:00 am
(Immediately following the Senior Awards Assembly)
Attention seniors, mark your calendars for our annual visits to Sprague’s feeder elementary schools in your caps & gowns!
The purpose of this activity is for high school graduates to go back to their elementary school of origin to “parade” the halls in graduation caps and gowns, to be celebrated, and to greet elementary students and staff. Graduates get to see their previous school and teachers, and the teachers get to see them! This is not required, but seniors who attended a Sprague feeder elementary school are highly encouraged to participate. It has been a meaningful experience for everyone involved!
Transportation will be provided. Seniors will gather immediately after the Senior Awards Assembly at Sprague High School. Seniors will arrive at their elementary schools between 11:00 – 11:15 am.
Sprague Feeder Elementary Schools:
Battle Creek
Faye Wright
Liberty
Salem Heights
Schirle
Sumpter
MANDATORY GRADUATION PRACTICE (Graduates Only)
Graduation Practice
Sprague High School Stadium
Thursday, June 8th
8:00 am
Graduation practice begins at 8:00 am sharp on Thursday, June 8th at the Sprague High School Stadium. Attendance at rehearsal is required for all graduating seniors participating in the graduation ceremony. Do not make conflicting appointments. Those who do not attend this practice cannot march that evening.
You will choose your seat when you arrive.
Please know that we intend to keep the practice to no more than 2 hours in length. The better you listen and follow directions, the sooner we will get the practice done.
You do not need to bring your cap or gown to this event. It is only a rehearsal; please dress comfortably and for the weather.
No children, guests, or pets are allowed at the practice.
At the end of practice, you will be given your diploma. You will be given the diploma cover at the graduation ceremony that evening, as you walk across the stage.
CAP & GOWN PROTOCOL
All attire worn under the gown must follow district dress code.
General Instructions:
Hang up the gown as soon as you get it. Many of the wrinkles will shake out but some pressing may be necessary.
Students are allowed to wear their cords, medals, or stoles depending upon their involvement in clubs/organizations/honor societies. Hawaiian leis are allowed to be worn. Native American feathers, beadings and garments are allowed. The cords are passed through the loop in the back of the gown and then hang over the shoulders in front.
Students are not allowed to carry objects such as, but not limited to: flowers, stuffed animals, air horns, balloons, inflatables, etc. Sunglasses may not be worn.
Correct Positioning of Cap: The long point of the cap goes to the back and the short point is centered on the forehead with the mortarboard level (not tilted). The cap is never removed during any part of the ceremony. The outside of the cap may be decorated, however if the decorations on the cap are considered inappropriate or cause a distraction, the graduate will be asked to remove and replace their cap. The tassel is pinned on the right side of the cap.
The gowns do not need to be returned, but they can be donated for future senior use.
STUDENT CHECK-IN/ARRIVAL FOR THE GRADUATION CEREMONY
All graduates must check-in at the Commons at 6:00 pm - 60 minutes prior to the start of the graduation ceremony time. Graduates will line up for the processional at 6:30 pm.
There is not a place to put purses and personal belongings. Leave them with your families or at home.
Anyone arriving for the graduation ceremony who was not at the morning practice will NOT be permitted to march or be involved in the ceremony.
PARKING AND SHUTTLE INFORMATION
Parking will be available on the Sprague campus. However, spaces are limited. We encourage families to carpool if possible. Overflow parking and shuttles will be provided with the help of our amazing community partner – Kaiser Permanente. Shuttles will begin running at 6:00 pm and the final run will be 30 minutes after the ceremony ends. The shuttle will pick up in the Kaiser Permanent parking lot. The pick-up/drop-off area will be clearly marked.
Accessible Parking for Graduation
In addition to the designated accessible parking spaces on campus, we will reserve our south parking lot (located south of the stadium) for this purpose. Those wishing to access this area must have a DMV issued disabled person parking permit. There are approximately 80 spaces that will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
GUEST SEATING FOR THE GRADUATION CEREMONY
Guest tickets will not be issued this year. Guest attendance will not be limited.
The Stadium will open to guests beginning at 5:30 pm. Guests should enter through the main entrance (East side) of the Stadium. The bleachers will seat up to 2,000 guests. Additional seating will be available on the ground level. Seats can be saved for immediate family only. One person must remain on site in the seating area. Blankets, signs and other markers will be removed if no one is present.
The graduation stage will be set up on the north end of the football field facing south.
If you bring balloons, please plan on sitting in the back rows of the stadium so you are not blocking the view of other guests. Umbrellas will not be allowed as they block views and drip on other guests. The graduation ceremony will be held rain or shine in the stadium. The only weather event that will move the ceremony is lightning. If we have lightning, we will move the ceremony to the Gym and will provide additional guidance at that time.
Guests are to remain seated throughout the ceremony and are expected to remain for the entire program, which usually lasts about 1 ½ - 2 hours. A professional photographer will take a picture of each senior as diplomas are received.
Accessible Seating
Ground level seating will be available for guests with accessibility needs. Please contact Shirley Sheldon in the office at sheldon_shirley@salkeiz.k12.or.us by 3:00 pm on May 31st to reserve your accessible seating. For each reserved seat, one additional guest seat will be reserved.
We will have sign language interpreters at the ceremony. Please contact Shirley to reserve seating near the interpreters.
GRADUATION PHOTOS
Don't forget! Your graduation photos are just a click away. Use the link below to access your image gallery. Event Date: June 8, 2023
Graduation photos will be taken by Lifetouch Photography. Pictures will be taken of graduates holding their diploma after they have exited the stage. You can view and purchase portraits 3 ways:
- Go to the Sprague Commencement website provided by Lifetouch at: events.lifetouch.com.
- From the proof Lifetouch will mail to you.
- Respond to the emails Lifetouch will send you.
Portraits will be available approximately 3-4 weeks following graduation.
CAPITAL COMMUNITY MEDIA
Capital Community Media is televising and streaming Salem-Keizer high school graduation ceremonies on Comcast Xfinity and YouTube. Airing live on Channel 21 at 7:00pm. It will also stream live on YouTube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBhJhGR8gHI
DVDs, Blu-Rays, and digital downloads are available for purchase. For more information visit capitalcommunitymedia.org/graduations or use the provided QR code.
DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION
Graduates will be given their diploma during Graduation Practice at 8:00 am on Thursday, June 8th. Graduates will be given their diploma cover as they walk across the stage during the Graduation Ceremony.
*Unclaimed diplomas will not be mailed home and will remain in the Sprague office until they are picked up and signed for.
SENIOR PARTY
Seniors,
Check your email for the Grad Party RSVP email. You need to RSVP in order to get your QR code, which you will need for check-in. Deadline to RSVP is June 6th.
There is no cost to attend.
You will leave from Sprague High School right after the graduation ceremony. You will be returning to Sprague at approximately 2:00 am on Friday, June 9th. See more info in the flyer below.
Hi Parents!
This is the latest update regarding the 2023 Grad Party. After many discussions and feedback from graduates and parents, the grad party committee has decided to adjust the times of the party and we are no longer requiring graduates to ride the bus. This is due to the fact that most of the feedback we received was regarding the length of the party being too long and graduates not being able to go home when they are ready. If a graduate decides to ride the bus to the Grad Party, they must ride it back. Based on a survey that went out to students, over 50% of the graduates DID NOT want to ride the bus. To accomodate graduates who wish to ride the bus, (3) charter buses have been reserved. The 2023 Grad Party will be held at Bullwinkle's Family Fun Center, 29111 Town Center Loop W, Wilsonville, OR. 97070 and will run from 10:00PM to 1:00AM. Check-in will begin immediately following the graduation ceremony, which should end at approximately 8:30PM. We understand you will want to take pictures with your graduate following the ceremony, please do those as quickly as possible and then send your graduate to check-in for the party. Students should have received an email invite for the Grad Party. Once they RSVP, they will receive a QR code. They will need their QR Code to check-in and receive their access cards for Bullwinkle's. There will be no re-entry into Bullwinkle's once a graduate decides to leave. They will return their access cards as they leave the venue.
Below is the link to the Grad Party Waiver and Transportation Options form that needs to be filled out and signed (electronically). Even if your graduate is already 18, please fill out and sign the form. Your graduate will need it to attend the 2023 Grad Party.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility. If you have any questions, please email the grad party committee at spragueolysseniorparty@gmail.com.
Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMtHMTTN45c_fdo8wMx43_YFeDAR2FbH8Zpwt143qZj8kp_A/viewform?usp=sf_link