April Update - Class of 2024

There is a lot of end-of-the-year information included in this email. I know from personal experience that it is easy to quickly glance through it.  However, especially if this is your first senior at Madison, please take a minute to carefully look over the email. There are quite a few details that you don’t want to miss.  More specific details about all things related to events leading up to graduation, the graduation ceremony and the all night grad party can be found below.  

WINGS Program

The MAD WINGS Senior Experience supports development through the application of learning in community and business organizations. Students can career shadow, complete community service, volunteer at a Madison Pyramid School or complete an Independent Study. 

By now, seniors have their May WINGS experience secured and have returned the Student/Parent contract to their Advisory teacher.

Senior WINGS Timeline

• Monday, April 15^th:  Student/Parent Contract is due to the Advisory Teacher.  
• Monday, May 13^th - Tuesday, May 28^th:  Senior WINGS Experience for approved students
• Wednesday, May 29^th: Senior WINGS Presentation of Learning. Parents and Community members are invited!

Prom

April 27th at the State Theatre in Fall Church from 8-11 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase through Etix beginning  April 19th, and can also be bought during lunches from April 24 to April 27.  Ticket price is $50. No tickets will be sold at the door. Students intending to bring a guest must ensure their guest form is completed upon arrival at prom. Students will need their student ID to enter the State Theatre.

Senior Dues

Senior dues for the Class of 2024 are $100 and searchable and payable through the MySchoolBucks (MSB) school store.  Select “School Store” and then “Browse all items”.  Senior dues should be the first item. You can also search “Senior Dues”.  Senior dues provide for graduation expenses, programs for graduation, cap and gown, diploma, diploma cover, senior picnic, senior breakfasts, a senior class t-shirt, and additional expenses associated with senior year. The senior dues will not cover the end-of-the-year senior Kings Dominion trip.  If you are not sure if you paid senior dues, contact Linda Szabo at @email.

Kings Dominion Trip

Buses have been ordered and there are still a few spots available!  Our senior trip to Kings Dominion will occur on Friday, May 31^st,  2024. The cost of the trip is $100. That includes private bus transportation to Kings Dominion and back as well as a discount ticket to the park. Prices at the gate will be about $80 so this is a very good deal. We will not be able to offer any refunds for the trip. (Tickets can be used on other dates during the summer if a student cannot go at the last minute). 

Please enter your senior’s information in this form if they are planning to go on the trip.  You can pay for the trip through this MySchoolBucks link.

Graduation Date and Location

Graduation will be held on Tuesday, June 4^th, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at DAR Constitution Hall.  

Graduation tickets and additional ticket requests

Each senior will receive five tickets for graduation. Families that completed the initial request for one extra ticket have been notified. We still have a small number of tickets available to families that would like to request ONE extra ticket. You may complete this form to enter a randomized lottery for ONE additional ticket for graduation. Please do not enter your seniors’ name in the form if you are already receiving an extra ticket. Families should complete the form by  April 26, to request an additional ticket. Completing the form does not guarantee an extra ticket, if we have more requests than tickets we will use a randomized selection process.

Student Speaker at Graduation

If you are interested in being the student speaker at graduation then please complete this form by April 26, 2024.  As part of the submission you will need to upload a copy of your speech and a video of yourself giving the speech. 

Senior graduate walks at elementary schools

We have coordinated with many of the local elementary schools for a time when graduates may do a graduate walkthrough.  For the graduate walks please remember:

• Graduates should wear their gowns
• Graduates will need to provide their own transportation
• There will not be a Madison staff member at the schools and therefore graduates must follow the directions of the elementary staff members in terms of timing, routes, etc.
• All graduates should meet at the main door of the elementary school at the designated time and wait for the school staff to initiate the walkthrough.

Schools, dates, and times:

Wednesday May 29th, 2024

• Westbriar Elementary  1:30
• Wolftrap Elementary   1:30
• Cunningham Park Elementary 2:15
• Flint Hill Elementary  2:15
• Marshall Road Elementary  2:15
• Vienna Elementary  1:30
• Louise Archer Elementary  2:30

Friday June 7th, 2024

• Oakton Elementary  1:45

If you attended another FCPS elementary school not on this list and would like to know if they are doing a senior graduate walk, please reach out to that school directly as they might have coordinated a time with their pyramid high school.

All Night Grad Party  

Buy your tickets now! All Night Grad info: A safe environment of non-stop entertainment, BIG prizes and tons of fun celebrating the Class of 2024! The All Night Grad celebration is an alcohol/drug free event, sponsored by the JMHS PTSA, and partially funded by community and business donations.

When: June 4th from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Where: Vienna Community Center

Click here for tickets. Tickets are currently $90. Prices increase closer to the graduation date.

Graduation Ceremony - Specific information

Participation

Participation in the commencement exercises is a privilege and as such comes with certain expectations. Among these expectations are:

• Seniors must have met all academic requirements for graduation.
• Seniors must have settled all accounts with the Finance Office. This includes all school fees, fines, senior dues, and obligations. 
• Seniors must attend Convocation on Thursday, May 30th, and Graduation Rehearsal on Monday, June 3rd.

Convocation/Graduation Rehearsal

All graduates planning on attending commencement at DAR must attend our Convocation and graduation rehearsals. 

• Convocation: Thursday, May 30th at 10:00 in Madison’s Main Gym. Students should arrive at 9:30 at the main gym door and report to the auditorium. Convocation will function as a graduation rehearsal and should last about an hour. Seniors will be seated in rows that mimic DAR seating. Parents of senior award winners will receive an invitation to attend.  Seniors will wear their graduation gowns (no caps) at Convocation.
• Graduation Rehearsal: Monday, June 3rd at 10:00 starting in the Auditorium. Students will view the senior slideshow, participate in a second graduation rehearsal, and receive their graduation tickets. Following these events, graduates are invited to attend the end-of-year picnic where senior t-shirts will be distributed. All events should wrap up around noon.

Caps and gowns will be distributed to seniors on Wednesday, May 29th, after senior laptop collection. Please be aware that all financial obligations including parking fines, outstanding Senior Class dues, etc. must be cleared in order for students to receive their cap, gown, and graduation tickets.  Payments for financial obligations not in myschoolbucks may be brought to the Main Office.

Graduation Ceremony

Everyone’s cooperation is needed to ensure a dignified ceremony. Each graduate deserves the same level of recognition and respect. Therefore, caps and gowns must be free of messages, and students should not bring noisemakers, beach balls, balloons, or other objects that might diminish this very important event. If you choose to bring a cell phone, please turn it off during the ceremony. DAR Constitution Hall provides security for their events and will immediately escort any violators from the ceremony.

Accessible Seating 

If seating arrangements are needed for someone with mobility needs, ASL interpretation, or other accommodation needs, please contact Erin Kennedy at @email to arrange for special accommodations by May 19, 2024.  Each guest with accommodation needs will still need a ticket that will count toward the five-ticket (5) limit.  If necessary, one adult may sit with the guest requiring special seating.

Live streaming will be available for those unable to attend the ceremony in person. We will publish the link in the weeks before graduation.

Dress Code

In keeping with the dignity of the ceremony, graduates should dress professionally. Examples of appropriate dress include dress shirt with tie, dress or blouse, khaki or dark slacks (no shorts), dress shoes (no boots or sandals), and no sneakers, flip-flops, or t-shirts. Caps may not be decorated. 

The FCPS dress code is still enforced, as this is a school event.  

Constitution Hall and Parking

The doors at Constitution Hall will open at 9:00 a.m. for guests. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. It is important for guests to arrive early as doors to the hall will close temporarily at 9:55 a.m. and will not reopen until after the processional. The two closest parking lots are Colonial Parking, located at 1800 G Street, NW, and Diplomat Parking, located at 1776 G Street, NW. The closest metro stop is Farragut West; it is about a seven-block walk from this stop to Constitution Hall. Guests must use the doors on 18th Street to enter the building. Please allow ample time to arrive as DC traffic and street closings can be unpredictable. 

Parking can be reserved in advance by visiting the website www.ecolonial.com. The two closest lots are at 1800 G St. NW and 1776 G Street NW. The park mobile app also provides the ability to reserve some street parking in advance but it is time and space limited.

Parking for people with disabilities is very limited in the area around Constitution Hall. DAR Constitution Hall access for persons with mobility disabilities is through the entrance doors on D Street. The ramp on D Street may be accessed by vehicles for dropping off patrons with mobility disabilities. The D Street ramp is at the lobby level. There is no parking on D Street Drive.  Families should plan on dropping off members with mobility disabilities and then parking in a nearby lot.

Transportation for Graduates

Graduates must be at DAR Constitution Hall no later than 9:15 a.m. Graduates are expected to provide their own transportation to DAR. If a graduate or their family does not have a means of transportation, they should contact their counselor and the school will assist with transportation in these cases. Graduates will not be able to carry items into DAR Constitution Hall. All items, including purses, should be left in vehicles or with families. 

Senior Photographs

A professional photographer will photograph each graduate as they receive their diploma. Within 7-10 days of the ceremony, a link will be available on the Madison website to view and order pictures. Parent photographers must remain in their seats; the use of tripods is not permitted.

Graduation Announcements and Class Rings

For those interested, graduation announcements, class rings, and other graduation-related merchandise may be purchased from Jostens at this link.  Please note that cap, gown, and tassels are provided by the school through your senior dues, there is no need to purchase additional ones through Jostens.

Video of Ceremony

A professional videographer will record the entire ceremony including when graduates receive their diploma. Order information to purchase a download or DVD of the ceremony is available through this link.

Senior Calendar of events: