Monday, April 8, 2024

Dear Senior Class and Parents/Guardians:

Graduation and related end-of-high school activities will take place very soon. To make these events successful and to allow each family to make plans, we are providing the following information and schedule.

There are two months left in this school year, which will go by extremely fast. With only two months remaining, it is important for all seniors to continue to try their best academically and continue to attend school. Please do not give your seniors permission to miss school. These last weeks’ are vital for finishing their high school education strong. Stressing the importance of good attendance and reliability now sets the standard for future workplace and/or college attendance.

There are a multitude of senior events our seniors will be looking forward to, including the inaugural year of our Falls Church Internship Program, attending prom, going on the senior trip, end-of-year awards and celebrations, and graduation practice and rehearsals. We want this time to be fun and eventful for all seniors, but we also want our students to be safe and walk across the stage at EagleBank Arena on Friday, June 7. 

While we are excited for graduation and end-of-year events, it is important to note that the expectations laid out in the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document continue to remain in effect until graduation concludes. Seniors who are in violation of the SR&R may not be able to participate in some/all end-of-year senior events and activities. Please do not allow inappropriate actions and behaviors to ruin what should be a joyous time for all students and their families. We want this to be a safe and happy time.

We are very proud of the Class of 2024 and have been honored to work with them toward this significant accomplishment. The following pages are packed with information, so please read everything carefully. Should you have any questions regarding the information located in this senior letter, please contact Ms. Terri Markwart at @email, Mr. Josh Toth at @email, and/or Ms. Jordan Briar at @email.  

Thank you for all your outstanding and continued support. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating with you!

Sincerely,

Ben Nowak Sean Rolon         Terri Markwart Josh Toth       Jordan Briar

Principal Class Administrator     Class Sponsor Class Sponsor          Graduation Coordinator

Important Dates and Events for Seniors

**These dates are subject to change. Changes will be indicated on the FCHS Website.

Senior Dues and other Obligations

Senior dues are $50 per student and cover gap and gown, diploma cover, one tassel, and other graduation-related costs. Students who have not yet paid senior dues must do so by Friday, May 10. Please go to MySchoolBucks to pay all dues - https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?reguestAction=home. Families who are unable to pay the senior dues due to financial hardship should contact their students’ counselor so that we can work with them. All discussions will remain confidential. 

MySchoolBucks is linked to either a credit card or a debit card. Videos on how to pay senior dues through MySchoolBucks can be found on the Class of 2024 Schoology page under the Resources tab and the links are directly below.

• How to pay senior dues in MySchoolBucks through computer/website - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvdX8QrvOgc 
• How to pay senior dues through phone or MySchoolBucks app - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MTwugMpPc74 

All obligations must be paid before students receive their caps and gowns. Seniors will be able to find out if they owe any obligation(s) from previous school years starting Friday, April 5 and for the current school year starting Monday, May 6. Obligations can be due for the following reasons: senior dues, lost/damaged textbook(s) dating back to freshman year, course fee(s), parking fees, library fees, AP testing fees, etc. Please note that teachers will be updating the obligation form through the last day of school for all seniors, Friday, May 31. Students should contact Ms. Alvarenga in the main office to see if they have any other financial obligations. All financial obligations must be paid before students will be able to pick up their cap and gown.

Prom

The Falls Church High School Prom will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Crescendo Studios in Falls Church from 8:00 - 11:00 pm. The address is 8101a Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042. The cost of prom tickets will be $45. Students may purchase a maximum of two tickets. Guest forms can be picked up in the main office and must be turned in no later than Thursday, May 16. Tickets will be on sale starting Wednesday, April 3 and will run through Thursday, May 16. There will likely be opportunities to buy tickets in school during all lunches as we get closer to prom. Please stay tuned for more information. Tickets can be purchased on MySchoolBucks. If you need to pay in cash, please contact Ms. Sorya Or at @email or Ms. Cameron Leo Vargas at @email. 

Senior Exam Schedule

DATES PERIODS

Tuesday, May 28 5 and 7 

Wednesday, May 29 6 and 8 

Thursday, May 30  1 and 3 

Friday, May 31  2 early dismissal day for seniors

Graduation Rehearsal #1, #2, and #3 - ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED!

On Tuesday, June 4 at 8:15 am, Wednesday, June 5 at 8:15 am and Thursday, June 6 at 8:15 am all seniors must meet in the Falls Church High School auditorium for graduation rehearsals. Seniors who do not attend graduation rehearsal may not be able to participate in some/all end-of-year senior events and activities. Graduation should be a dignified and seamless experience, and it is important for all seniors to understand the expectations and what will occur ahead of time. No senior will be excused from rehearsals unless prior approval is granted by Sean Rolon, Class of 2024 Administrator at @email. 

Seniors will be given seating and marching arrangements and will practice the processional and recessional for graduation. A complete rehearsal of the program will be conducted and caps and gowns will be distributed. All obligations must be paid in order to receive caps and gowns. Please note that these will be the only opportunities to pick up items required for the graduation ceremony.

Following Graduation Rehearsal #3, seniors who have met all their academic and financial obligations will receive their caps and gowns. Seniors will have an opportunity to check on their obligation status before both Graduation Rehearsal #1 and Graduation Rehearsal #2.

Senior Trip to HersheyPark

On Monday, June 3, seniors who are signed up to go on the senior trip should meet in the cafeteria at the start of the school day (8:00). The cost of the trip is $75 and students should pay using MySchoolBucks and checking the School Store. At approximately 8:30 am, seniors who have met their financial and academic obligations and have paid $75 to attend HersheyPark will board motor coaches for HersheyPark in Hershey, PA. Seniors going on the trip should be aware that weather conditions can vary in early June, but tend to be on the warmer side. As a result, students should dress accordingly, which keeping in mind this is a school-sponsored event and FCPS dress code is still applicable. Seniors will return to Falls Church at approximately 7:00 pm that evening. Students can pick up field trip forms for the senior trip from Dr. Redden-Liotta in Room 181 and in the main office. All forms must be turned in to the main office no later than Friday, April 17. 

Falls Church Internship Program (FCI)

A senior class meeting was held on January 29 to discuss the inaugural Falls Church Internship Program (FCI). All information can be found on the Falls Church High School website, under the Class of 2024 page - https://fallschurchhs.fcps.edu/student-life-and-activities/class/class-2024. Seniors approved to participate in FCI will be exempted from their senior exams, and their last day of school will be Friday, May 17. FCI will run from Monday, May 20 - Friday, May 31. On Tuesday, June 4 immediately following the conclusion of the 1st Graduation Rehearsal, FCI participants will share their experiences at the FCI Presentation Fair. Parents of participants, along with underclassmen, will be invited to attend the FCI Presentation Fair.

Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 5th in the auditorium immediately following the 2nd Graduation Rehearsal. Due to extreme parking limitations, a livestream link for this event will be sent out via email.

Senior Survey

Seniors are required to complete the Fairfax County Senior Survey prior to walking at graduation. The survey must be administered with the assistance of a counselor/or Ms. Markwart (to ensure all questions are answered correctly). Students will not receive their cap & gown until this survey is completed. The survey will be available to Seniors toward the end of April. 

Service Learning

The deadline for seniors to have service hours verified in Naviance/x2VOL is Tuesday, April 30 so they can be approved by Wednesday, May 1. To earn the Service Learning Cord, students must have 40 hours of volunteer work verified and approved in x2VOL. Any hours verified after the deadline will not count toward Service Learning Cords or diploma seals.

Graduation

Graduation will be held at EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax VA, 22030) on Friday, June 7 at 2:00 pm. For directions to EagleBank Arena, please visit https://www.eaglebankarena.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking. 

The doors to the public will open at 1:30pm. All graduates must arrive at EagleBank Arena by 1:15pm. Upon arrival, students will be searched for items that are prohibited during the ceremony. Students will only be allowed to bring an Identification Card/Driver’s License and car key with them to EagleBank Arena. Students are not permitted to have their phones with them during the ceremony. It is recommended that students should give items they’ll need after the ceremony to family/friends who are attending graduation. 

A respectful, dignified ceremony has been planned that will require everyone’s cooperation. Lifetouch Photography will have a photographer taking photos of each graduate as they receive their diploma. Parents will be able to view those photos after graduation on Lifetouch’s website and purchase a copy if they wish. All attendees are subject to a search prior to entry with no exceptions. Eagle Bank uses magnetometers to screen upon entry. All bags brought into EagleBank MUST be transparent and not exceed 12”x12”x6”. Small, non-clear purses must not exceed 5”x7”. If guests require a bag for parental or medical needs, the bag will be searched at entry and tagged. No noisemakers, or any other inappropriate toys or items such as signs, balls, balloons, etc. will be permitted. Food and drink are not permitted. In addition, no backpacks, briefcases, or large containers of any kind will be permitted inside EagleBank Arena. All such objects will be confiscated at the door. Those who violate the formal and secure atmosphere, including students, will be immediately escorted from the ceremony. Remember, we are guests at EagleBank Arena and a reflection of our community.

The dress code for graduation is as follows:

Ladies

Appropriate business casual attire

Modest heels or flats (no sandals or flip flops)

Gentlemen 

White or light-colored shirt with tie 

Khaki or dark colored slacks (no shorts)

Dress shoes (no boots, sandals, sneakers, or flip flops)

Video

Fairfax County Public Schools  is currently finalizing contracts for video recordings and live streaming of the graduation ceremony. Please stay tuned for more information.

All Night Grad Party - Friday, June 7 - Saturday June 8

All Night Grad Party, or ANGP, is a long-standing Jaguar tradition for a safe and fun graduation party. The event is hosted by Falls Church Parents at Providence Recreation Center from 10:00 pm on June 7 to 4:00 am on June 8. Check out this video to see the fun events planned for the 2024 graduates.

Tickets are now available on the PTSA website. Early bird pricing is $40 until 4/15. The price will rise to $50 from 4/15 to 5/24. 

If you have question you’d like to help plan this year’s party or food donations, please send an email to @email.