1.
Cancellation Policy: Graduation will
only be cancelled in the event of bad weather.
Announcements will be made on WESX - 1230 AM
at 9:00 a.m. and via phone message if necessary.
The rain date is set for Saturday, June 2nd
at 1 p.m. Graduation seating is on a "first
come" basis.
2.
Outstanding Financial Obligation:
Seniors who have outstanding financial obligations
must have them met by Friday, May 18th, or they
will not be allowed to participate in any senior
activity, including the graduation ceremony.
Only bank checks made out to Saugus High School
will be accepted (no cash, no personal checks).
3.
No Smoking: State Law prohibits smoking
at all school events and on all school property.
Compliance with this law is expected of all
who attend the ceremony.
4.
Graduation Attire: Graduation is
a formal affair, conducted with dignity. Students
are to dress appropriately (no shorts, no jeans,
no sandals, no T-shirts, etc.), so as not to
embarrass the school or themselves and their
families. Your cooperation is a must and a big
help. Young men are to wear a dress shirt and
tie. Young women are to wear appropriate outfits.
On Wednesday, May, 30th , we will have a dress
rehearsal as part of our graduation practice.
Students are to come to practice dressed as
they would be on graduation day. Students dressed
inappropriately will be sent home and not allowed
to participate in the ceremony.
5.
Graduation Practice: Attendance at
graduation practice is mandatory for all seniors
who wish to participate. If a student does not
attend graduation practice, he/she will not
be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
6.
Graduation Ceremony: Students are
expected to behave appropriately. Graduation
is a time for mature behavior and celebration.
It is also a public event to commemorate a milestone
in the lives of the students. Nothing less is
expected. I respect the character and judgment
of our students, and problems have been rare.
I am confident that with everyone's cooperation
we will have an excellent ceremony at graduation.
We ask that the audience respect the speakers
and performers. On behalf of the entire faculty
and staff, thank you for your help in this matter.
Although this is a time for celebration and congratulations,
unfortunately, it is statistically the most dangerous
time of year for teenagers. Motor vehicle crashes
are the leading cause of death for teens 15-18.
Historically, Fridays and Saturdays in May and
June have the highest rate of incidents. What
these statistics say is that having a plan is
worth thinking about. So here are some thoughts:
Information - Take the time to have that all-important
discussion with your child as to where he/she
are going, with whom, how he/she are getting to
and from the activity and what time he/she will
be home. Let your child know you actually do want
him/her to have fun, but safety is always paramount.
Communicate - Talk with other parents. Parent
information is invaluable when trying to plan
or organize these last four weeks.
ACADEMIC
STANDING
Students who are not in good standing in school
will not be allowed to attend the prom. To be
eligible to purchase tickets, students must
earn the following number of credits: sophomores
- 25, juniors - 50, and seniors - 75. Seniors,
who are suspended after March 29st,, will lose
one senior privilege up to all senior privileges
including graduation depending on the infraction.
Students should be aware of their behavior at
all times, and make good choices! If there are
issues pending, students should check with an
administrator.
PROM
DRESS CODE
We require that students and their guests abide
by the dress code for prom. The dress code consists
of the following:
 Dresses
should not have slits or cuts that reach higher
than the student's fingertips when placed at
their side.
Dresses
should not have holes/cuts in the midriff or
sides.
Dresses
should not have deep lower back cuts.
No
cleavage should be shown.
Tux/Suit
jackets may be taken off during the night. A
shirt must be worn at all times.
Ties
and shoes must be worn. Sneakers are not acceptable.
Students will be sent home if they violate the
dress code.
Lastly,
your cooperation is needed on these four items:
1.
As part of our senior week we have
a full slate of activities which includes the
Prom and After Prom at the Boston Sports Club
in Lynnfield, MA. The day's events for seniors
begin with the promenade at the high school
at 4 pm and end at approximately 4 am Friday
morning. It is required for parents to make
arrangements to have their senior picked up
at the high school from the After Prom in the
morning. Students will be driven by bus from
the Sports Club to the high school. Although
our history has been excellent, I ask that you
speak to your senior to ensure safety at all
times. No senior should attempt to go out after
the night's school sponsored activities are
concluded.
2.
Safety and Behavior:
We are always concerned, of course, with
the safety and behavior of seniors at senior
events, as it may relate to the use of alcohol
and drugs. We have reviewed with the seniors
the expected behaviors and the severe consequences
(exclusion from all remaining events including
the Graduation Ceremony) for violators. We have
provided well-organized and properly chaperoned
events. WE WANT YOUR CHILD TO BE SAFE. Your
cooperation and support is necessary to ensure
your child's safety and their participation
in the Graduation Ceremony. Not to be repetitive,
but we encourage you to know the basics - where
are they going, with whom, what time will they
get back, who's driving, whom will they call
in case of an emergency, who's chaperoning the
"after-the-event" party. (If you have
any doubts, call the host parents.)
3.
"Senior Skip Day": Please
know that Saugus High does not approve or condone
any "Senior Skip" Day. A "skip"
day is defined as a day when a group of students
decide to take advantage of the weather and
have a "day off" from school. Parents
are often misled into believing that this type
of activity is allowed if parental consent is
given. This is not the case. Parents cannot
approve this or excuse their child for this
activity. Any student or group who is out of
school for this activity will be considered
truant from school. Our expectation is that
students will attend school as scheduled and
enjoy the summer when school is dismissed in
June. The reason for this should be obvious.
With a large group of unchaperoned students
at the beach or at a party, the chances of alcohol
and other illegal substances being present is
high. Even if your child doesn't participate
in those illegal activities, they will run the
risk of being in an unsafe atmosphere with those
who do. This is a matter of common sense and
safety.
4.
Hotel Parties: Please be aware that
a recent trend for some time now is for an over
21 "friend" to book a hotel room for
a post prom or other occasion "party".
These are unchaperoned events with the usual
risk of alcohol and illegal substances being
present. Parents may want to consider organizing
a party with other parents. Involve the graduates
in the planning, but don't compromise common
sense, safety or the law.
5.
Parents Reminded of Massachusetts
Social Host Liability as Prom Season Begins
Prom and graduation season is the right time
for parents to speak to their teenagers about
the dangers of drinking and driving. The safety
of our children is paramount. Beyond the obvious
dangers of their kids drinking and driving,
parents need to know about their own potential
social host liability if underage drinkers consume
alcohol in their home.
It is well known that anyone under 21 who drinks
alcohol in Massachusetts can be charged criminally.
Anyone who furnishes alcohol to a person under
the age of 21 can also be prosecuted. What is
not known to most citizens of the Commonwealth
is the fact that under the state's social host
responsibility law, there are also serious consequences
for parents who allow teens and their friends
to consume alcohol in their homes. Parents may
face imprisonment and fines under the law, as
well as civil penalties.
"The most important reason to follow this
law is the safety of our children and other travelers
on the road," said Boston attorney Marc L.
Breakstone. "Even if the parents are not
home and not aware of the illegal consumption
of alcohol in their homes, they can still be criminally
and civilly liable under this law."
Breakstone added, "Prosecutors are aggressive
about enforcing teen drinking laws against teens
and their parents. Furthermore, there have been
several large civil judgments in these cases.
This should send a very clear message that parents
who allow underage drinking on their property
are asking for trouble."
Breakstone urged parents to intervene to ensure
that prom celebrations do not include alcohol
and to make sure that prom season does not result
in needless injuries or loss of life.
Saugus High has a reputation for having respectful
students with solid character and judgment. We
repeatedly receive great compliments from function
managers, the business world and the public regarding
how well mannered and behaved our students are.
We do not wish for any incident to tarnish this
reputation or the festive atmosphere during these
upcoming weeks. More importantly, we do not wish
for any incident to cause someone to miss Graduation
or to put him/her at risk in regards to safety.
Having said all of the above, we are looking
forward to all the fun and celebration of the
next few weeks!
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Joseph Diorio
Principal
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