[BHS etree] SENIORS: Graduation Ticket and Logistics Update

[bhs at idiom.com]

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY to the etree, contact Janet Huseby
[mailto:jhuseby at pacbell.net]

We are receiving many questions regarding graduation, and we were able to
provide some information in a message that went out last week (reprinted
below).  Some additional items to note:

- Purchasing Tickets:  Either students or their parents/guardians may pick
up the two free tickets allowed per senior AND at the same time may purchase
extra tickets at $15 each (more ticket purchasing details in #2 below).  The
staff in room D173 (Registrar's office) are available only during school
hours (8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

- Disabled Access:  There is no designated area for disabled parking at the
Greek Theatre for graduation.  Please see #4 below regarding arrangements
for drop-off and seating of the disabled in the Greek Theatre.

- BHS Shuttle to the Greek:  The location and times of the shuttle have not
been finalized yet, but we hope to get this information to you on the etree
as soon as it is.  We will also address whether the shuttle will make return
trips to Berkeley High after graduation.

If you have more questions, please let us know. 

--------------
Original etree message sent last week (Tuesday, May 26, 2009 9:01 PM):

1. Graduation takes place Friday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the UC Berkeley
Greek Theater.  Students must report in the morning for rehearsal at 9:00
a.m. and then they report in the afternoon at 4 pm for the event.  In
addition, there is a mandatory rehearsal/meeting at the Berkeley Community
Theater (BHS campus) on Thursday, June 11.  Traditionally this first
rehearsal has taken place at 2 p.m.  However, students should listen
carefully to the Student Dally Bulletin for the exact time.  Both rehearsals
are mandatory. 

2. Tickets are on sale in room D173--the registrar's office across from the
Front Desk.  Students may come by at first period, lunch and after school.
Parents may also come in to buy tickets.  Each student in good standing
(that is with no book debts and fewer than three unexcused absences)
receives two free tickets.  After that, a student may purchase as many
tickets as he or she wants at $15 each ticket. Please no checks.  Cash or
money order only. Students who have difficulty buying tickets should see
their counselor.  If you have any further questions regarding tickets,
please contact Vice Principal Vernon Walton at (510) 644-4569.

3. There are a limited number of disabled tickets.  If you are interested in
obtaining one, please contact our Student Activities Director, Edith Jordan,
at (510) 644-8990. Only one person may accompany each disabled guest in the
disabled seating area. 

4. Parking is limited close to the theater.  The school will run a shuttle
bus from BHS starting at 3:30 p.m.  There will be two passenger loading
zones for dropping off passengers at the Greek Theater. Southbound traffic
can drop off in the bus zone across from the Greek Theater.  Northbound
traffic can drop off in the bus zone just north of the Greek Theater.
Disabled persons with wheelchairs will be allowed to drop off on a service
road at the north side of the Greek Theater. The service road will be open
only for wheelchair drop offs.  UCPD will have signs posted to indicate the
location of the loading zones.

5. Graduates arrive at 4 p.m.  Families should plan on arriving early as the
theater fills up rapidly.  Overflow is accommodated on the grassy slope
above the theater.  Bring something soft to sit on and, this being Berkeley,
sunscreen, hats and sweaters for when the fog rolls in. 

6. How long?  The ceremony will keep going until roughly 7:30.  But do not
count on corralling your graduate right away.  There is an exuberant
gathering of kids hugging and kissing.  It takes maybe half an hour to get
your kid.

7. Enjoy yourself.  Berkeley High graduations are really wonderful.