Highlights from Graduation 2014

GradedLive covered this year's graduation and you can find the highlights video below. Nearly 200 people had the opportunity to watch the ceremony from other parts of the world.

The link to the full version is here. Enjoy!

May 24th will be here before you know it.

The members of the Class of 2014 had their first meeting on Friday to discuss the events for the next 70 days. Below is the presentation from our meeting. Please contact the High School office if you have any questions.

The Class of 2014 and the Homestretch

The May 24th Graduation Ceremony will be here before we all know it and it's time to look ahead to important dates/events. The next two and a half months will be a roller coaster ride for the seniors and their parents and it all begins with mock exams next week.

Mock Exams - March 17 - 20
This year we decided to devote four days to mock exams. This change was based on feedback from students and teachers from the past several years. There are no classes for seniors these days so that they can focus on the exams. We decided on this new format based on feedback from teachers and past students. There are two main purposes for the exams are...

• to provide students and teachers with information on what knowledge and skills the students have mastered at this point in time. This information will then be used for review work and a semester exam grade.
• to provide students with an IB Exam type of environment that will prepare them for the real exams in May.

The procedures for the mock exams are posted here.

Important events/dates are listed below. We will be going over the details in several upcoming senior flex meetings.

 April 30 - Final Day for IB Students to Submit major coursework (including CAS Work)

May 2 – May 23 - IB Exams

May 9 - Junior/Senior Prom (2030 - 0030)

May 16 - Final day of classes for all seniors

May 20 - Final Grades Posted

May 20 - Senior Breakfast (0830), Graduation Rehearsal (1000 - 1200)

May 21 - Letting Go Workshop for Parents

May 22 - Graduation Rehearsal (1530 - 1700)

May 23 - Senior Awards Ceremony (1300 - 1510)

May 24 - Graduation (1400 - 1700)

Please contact Adelaide Garcia (adelaide.garcia@graded.br) if you have any questions about any of these events.

The Awards and Graduation Ceremonies: Collaboration at its best

This video shows the culminating event at what is arguably Graded's best event of the year. Yesterday the setting was beautiful, the student and teacher speakers' messages were profound and the music was of professional quality. It was truly a special celebration for the Graded community. 

After the ceremony a parent asked me, "Who designed the stage setup?" I had to think a bit because there were many people who were responsible for creating and building the backdrop for yesterday's event. In fact, every aspect of the event required a team effort. The Graduation Ceremony and the Senior Awards are the two main events for the seniors each year and they are excellent examples of the power of collaboration and team work. These ceremonies are meaningful because of the care and consideration that our faculty and staff devote to them. I'd like to thank all of those who contributed to these two memorable events.The list is certainly impressive.  

• David Bair - David coordinated the show with the entire team and he prepared the seniors during two rehearsals.
• Adelaide Garcia - Adelaide has been on top of ordering and making sure that everything is in place since August. She spent an entire day two weeks ago assigning seats. 
• Daisy Krell and Isabela Gasparian - Provided support whenever it was needed.
• Carmen Souza - Carmen helped with the senior awards ceremony and pre and post graduation assistance.
• Lika Kishino - Lika was involved in preparing and publishing the graduation program.
• The Maintenance Team - They built the new risers and have been working on the auditorium all week. 
• Dona Emilia and her Crew - Maybe the last time that the graduates have Dona Emilia's brownies and apple pies.
• Aleandro Oliveira - for the amazing job with the sound and lights.
• Robbie Stange and the Band - Fantastic performances today.
• Guilherme Faria - Arranging and performing in today's interlude
• Graduation Speakers - Ney Vieira, Lee Fertig, Amy Hunt, Mie Mizutani, Pollo Suarez, Julia Wu, Maggie Moraes, Sherry McClelland - Fantastic messages from each one of the speakers today.
• Senior Musicians - Alessandro Mondelli, Juri Takeda, Hyun Ho Lee, Kyeong Ho Park, Henrique Carneiro, Peter Greenwald, Caio Mello, Kyle Bissel, Pollo Suarez, and their backups Leo Oliveira and Kevin Bengtsson - Possibly the most talented group of musicians Graded has ever had in one class before.  
• Cory Miller and Todd Daniel - Planning and organizing the awards ceremony and calling out the graduates' names yesterday.
• Cleaning Staff - They were some of the last people to leave the school last night. 
• Senior Awards Presenters - Alain Youssef, Peter Klam, Mary Pfeiffer, Wayne Shackelford, Cris Matheus, Ty Stephensen, Jed Oksness, Robbie Stange, Guilherme Faria, Maggie Moraes, Adriana Silveira, Lauren Pool, RJ Jensen, Guilhermo Loyolla, Allyson Milner, Ange Molony, Guadalupe Alas, Beth Ramos, Jennifer Carpenter & Karin Gunn, Gila Fregonesi, Lee Fertig  - Each department put serious thought selecting the winners and the speeches were certainly special.
• Sherry McClelland and Neide Mussete - Playing piano at this afternoon's reception.
• Security - Rogerio and his team were ready to manage the influx of visitors on both days.
• The Student Marshals and Ushers
• The students who spoke on behalf of departing teacher - Andre Mendes, Inez Gil, Victor Lee, Alvaro Rossi, Alessandro Modelli, Eliana Keinan, Edu Ramos and Pollo Suarez, Luiza Kalil and Carolina Paulino, Julia Wu, Annie Groth
• All of you who helped the speakers with editing and crafting the perfect messages.

2013 Senior/Junior Prom

This year's prom was a huge success. We had the largest turnout in recent history, a fantastic setup in the black box theater, student DJs who kept things lively, great food and lots of opportunities for photos. When the event ended at 12:30 AM we had to kick students out. I'd like to thank the members of the prom committee, the teacher chaperones and parents who helped make this a special event.

Photos can be purchased from Bernard Moss Studio. The Pin is DBV14

Prom Committee Members

Gui Maranho
Cathy Cho

Gabriella Novoa

Isabella Siciliano

Mariana Bender

Mila Lara

Laura Fiuza

Gabriella Marrufo

Giovanna Regis

Matheus Lewis

Kat Aliano - Ruiz

Parent Volunteers

Ms. Mina Lepecki

Ms. Georgia Mourad

Ms. Rita Fiuza

Teacher Chaperones

Mr. Bair and Ms. Bree

Ms. Miller

Mr. Daniel

Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter

Class of 2013 Graduation Week Activities

It seems like just yesterday when the seniors were celebrating the first day of school by coming to watch the sunrise on campus. The members of the Class of 2013 have less than two weeks left at Graded. The time will certainly be an emotional one with a mix of excitement and sadness. There are several events coming up that I want to share with you so that you are prepared. 

Senior/Junior Prom - May 17 from 8:30 pm - 12:30 am. A dedicated group of students and parents has been working months to plan this special event. This is the second year that the prom will take place on campus and we anticipate over 120 students in attendance. It's important to note that this is a school sponsored event and there will be faculty members serving as chaperones. This also means that all school rules are in effect. Three of the students will be DJ'ing the event and there will be plenty of food, drink (non-alcoholic beverages) and dancing throughout the night.
You can find the information that Mr. Bair has sent out to seniors here.

Senior Lock-in - May 21 from 9:00 pm - 7:00 am. A group of seniors have worked with Mr. Bair to organize this event and a field day on the following day. We look forward to having the class spend the night on campus with events planned throughout the evening. The entire group will be sleeping in the Black Box Theater. Again, this is a school event and all school rules will apply.
Senior Field Day - Wednesday, May 22 at 10:00 AM and will go until 2:00 PM. The seniors have planned to have various games, including soap soccer and food on campus throughout the day on Wednesday.
Graduation Rehearsal #1 - Thursday, May 23 at 1:00-3:00 PM. We want Saturday's ceremony to be special which means that we need to rehearse twice. Attendance is mandatory for both rehearsals. Dress is casual and we expect everyone to be on time.

Senior Breakfast - Friday, May 24 at 8:00 AM.  

A relaxed event in the morning with class mates and teachers prior to the final rehearsal and the awards ceremony.

Graduation Rehearsal #2 - Friday, May 24 at 10:00 AM. This is the final run through for the entire group as we strive to have a first class ceremony that everyone can be proud of.

Senior Awards - Friday, May 24 at 1:00 PM. The seniors process into the auditorium with gowns and crazy hats and we recognize individuals for their accomplishments in a variety of areas.

Graduation Ceremony: Saturday, May 25 at 2:00 PM  The seniors are expected to be in the gymnasium by 12:00 pm to prepare for the ceremony. The time before the ceremony is a special event. Please remember that only ticketed individuals will be able to sit in the auditorium. Tickets are also required for the live video feed that will be shown in the black box theater. Bernard Moss is the official photographer for the prom, awards and graduation ceremonies and his team of photographers will be taking photos and video during each of these events. Photo Information and the Order Form

The Class of 2013: Graduation will be here before you know it.

COUNTDOWN CLOCKS

As you can see there your high school career is coming to an end in a very short amount of time. Enjoy the the coming days and think carefully about the legacy that the Class of 2013 will leave here at Graded. Your class has set the bar high for others in many ways. As leaders, you have been valuable contributors to our community services, activities and athletics groups/teams. One huge change in our culture has been the high percentage of you that are completing all three diplomas. The Class of 2013 has established an attitude that the IB diploma is attainable for the majority.

We had our second meeting on Friday to prepare for the Class of 2013 Graduation Ceremony. Below is the presentation from the meeting.  A couple of things to keep in mind:

1. Completed ticket lists may be turned in to Adelaide after 8:00 am on Monday, April 8. As we mentioned, the tickets are assigned based on order that the sheets are turned in. Also, please note that the "Standing" tickets are for individuals to watch a live feed of the ceremony in the Black Box. There will be seats for them to sit in.
2. Take note of the IB exam dates and times and make sure that you are on time. Also note our policy on study time during the IB exam period.
3. Graduation rehearsal dates and times will be announced soon and the rehearsals are mandatory.
4. Nominations for the Rob Neeleman Award are due by April 29. Send them to Mr. Peterson (blair.peterson@graded.br)
5. We will meet again before the end of April to continue the march to graduation.

Please feel free to e-mail Adelaide Garcia (adelaide.garcia@graded.br) if you have questions.