Pathways Academy Class of 2020
Graduation Information
Pathways Academy Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony*
Saturday, May 16, 2019
2:00 pm
The Church at Wills Creek
2730 Wills Creek Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904
All family and friends of our graduates are welcome to attend.
*Pathways’ Seniors must register by the February 13th deadline to participate in the formal graduation ceremony. Please review the Pathways’ graduation policies and procedures posted below.
COPING WITH COVID 19 GRADUATION UPDATE:
As of now, March 22, we are praying and believing that the Pathways’ Graduation Ceremony will still take place on Saturday, May 16, 2020. As homeschoolers, we do not have the problems associated with completing credits toward graduation that many public and private schools have. (Also Pathways’ policies allow our seniors to walk and complete their credits within the school year in which they graduate.) Therefore, unless the Church at Will’s Creek has to close their building, we are still working, planning, and looking forward to celebrating our Pathways’ Class of 2020 graduates!
We are praying that all of you stay well and safe during this difficult time. Please contact us if you have any concerns. Admins can be reached via the Pathways’ FB page: www.facebook.com/pathwayshomeschool, via email: pathwaysacademy@hotmail.com, and/or by phone: (256) 494-1600.
However, we ask that you please leave a complete message stating your need/concern along with your full name and phone number so that we can find the answer/solution (if possible) prior to returning your message/email/call. Our goal is to save your time and ours by not playing phone tag during this busy, crazy time.
Thank you in advance for your patience and prayers!
We are praying for all of you, too!
Pathways Academy Administrators & Staff
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
A MESSAGE FROM OUR HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR:
We are so proud of all our Seniors. We know you are, too. As the day of celebration draws near, we would like to remind you of our graduation procedures, policies, ceremony details, and deadlines.
2020 Seniors and their Parent/Guardians should make plans to attend the Fall Senior/Parent Graduation meeting set for Thursday, October 17, 2019 OR the Spring meeting set for February 13, 2020.
Attendance at a Senior/Parent Grad meeting is a graduation requirement. Parent/Guardians may choose the date that works best for their family by filling out the Registration and Reservation form: https://pathwaysclassof2020graduation.cheddarup.com
During our senior/parent meeting, our seniors and their parents/guardians will receive information on graduation — graduation fees, applying for graduation, receiving your diploma, submitting photos for the yearbook and graduation day slideshow, ordering invitations & caps and gowns, preparing for the Pathways Academy graduation ceremony, requesting transcripts and scholarship recommendations and more. I will also be sharing information about FAFSA, upcoming scholarship opportunities, college entry deadlines, and more.
Please register to let us know which date your family will be attending – https://pathwaysclassof2020graduation.cheddarup.com
We look forward to helping our seniors and their parents navigate toward graduation day!
Michael Driskell, Pathways Academy High School Administrator
PATHWAYS ACADEMY GRADUATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
Prior to graduation – a final SEP (student education plan and progress report), an updated copy of the senior’s DEW (diploma evaluation worksheet), an acceptable graduation exam score, a graduation registration form, and a diploma request form must be on file no later than the Grad Prep Deadline of April 2, 2020. All tuition and graduation fees must be paid in full no later than May 7, 2020.
An enrolled senior may still choose to walk in the Pathways’ graduation ceremony if he/she is missing a credit or has not completed a graduation exam. However, the official diploma and high school transcript WILL BE WITHHELD until any required documents, final grade report, and an acceptable graduation exam score are on file. The teaching parent/guardian must have a Senior evaluation appointment with the High School Administrator, turn in all graduation forms, slideshow photos, and pay grad fees by the Grad Prep deadline of 4pm on Thursday, April 2, 2020.*
1st Semester SEP grade report, updated DEW, and completed GRADUATION REGISTRATION FORM:
Due no later than Thursday, December 21, 2019.
2nd Semester SEP grade report, updated DEW, and completed DIPLOMA REQUEST FORM:
Due no later than May 7, 2020 (unless arrangements have been made with Mr. Michael.)
*Honor student status, proffered during the graduation ceremony, may be forfeited if the senior’s file has not been updated by the grad deadline.
GRADUATION / DIPLOMA FEE**: The graduation/diploma fee covers the cost of the diploma, a padded diploma cover, graduation documentation, transcript and career/college verification services. The graduation/diploma fee: $125 for walking in ceremony/ $100 for seniors who choose not to walk in the formal graduation ceremony. The fee may be paid at the graduation meeting, but no later than the 2020 Graduation prep deadline: 4pm on Thursday, April 2, 2020. (Make checks or money orders payable to Pathways Academy).
**Graduation forms are provided at the Fall and Spring Graduation meetings and are posted below for your convenience.
Please visit the Pathways’ Activities page for graduation registration* and payment** options: https://pathwaysclassof2020graduation.cheddarup.com
*Please note: Walking in the ceremony is optional, but all Seniors are encouraged and invited to participate. Even if your student is not planning on participating in the graduation ceremony, all seniors must register and review the information regarding Pathways’ graduation policies, procedures, forms, and fees.
**The Graduation/Diploma fee is required for all seniors, regardless of participation in the formal graduation ceremony.
GRADUATE REGISTRATION FORM:
The graduation registration is the form that declares the student’s intent to graduate within the current school year. We prefer this form to be returned during the graduation meeting, but it should be submitted no later than Thursday, January 9, 2020 with your first semester SEP.
CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE GRADUATION REGISTRATION FORM
GRADUATION/DIPLOMA FEE:
The graduation/diploma fee covers the cost of the diploma, a padded diploma cover, graduation documentation, and transcript and career/college verification services. The graduation/diploma fee is $100 for seniors who are NOT Walking in the formal ceremony & $125 for Seniors who ARE WALKING in the formal graduation ceremony. The fee may be paid at the graduation meeting or by the 2020 Graduation prep deadline: 4pm on Thursday, April 2, 2020. (Checks or money orders payable to Pathways Academy).
Please note: The graduation/diploma fee is required for all seniors, regardless of participation in the formal graduation ceremony.
CLICK HERE TO PAY YOUR GRAD/DIPLOMA FEE
DIPLOMA REQUEST FORM:
The Pathways Academy diploma request is the form that formally declares a student has fulfilled the necessary credits and grad exam score necessary for the type of diploma the senior has been working to achieve.
This form should be submitted with the student’s second term SEP and their final Diploma Evaluation worksheet no later than 4pm on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
CLICK HERE TO PRINT YOUR DIPLOMA REQUEST FORM
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF SENIORS
WHO WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE PATHWAYS ACADEMY GRADUATION CEREMONY.
All Pathways’ graduates participating in the Pathways Academy graduation ceremony must submit a Graduation Information Form. The information provided on this online form will be read as the graduate approaches the podium to receive his or her diploma, so please consider the information carefully.
This form should be submitted no later than the Grad Prep Deadline: 4pm on Thursday, April 2, 2020.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO GRADUATION INFORMATION FORM
ALL SENIORS PARTICIPATING IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONY MUST ATTEND REHEARSAL:
Rehearsal for the Senior Recognition and Graduation Ceremony will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 16, 2020 – which is the morning of the ceremony – in the sanctuary of The Church at Wills Creek. The purpose of the rehearsal is to familiarize the seniors with the ceremony procedures: seating and line order, the graduation march, the order of the program, etc.Please bring the senior’s cap and gown to rehearsal. It is not necessary for seniors to wear grad gear for rehearsal. However, seniors can hang their graduation apparel in the grad staging area for safe keeping. Please tag your child’s name in his/her gown and write his/her name inside the grad cap for easy retrieval after the graduates toss their caps during the ceremony.
Seniors may leave the church grounds after rehearsal, but are required to return to the church by 1 PM to make final adjustments to their grad attire, take group photos, and prepare for the graduation march.
GRADUATION DAY RECEPTION:
Immediately following the graduation ceremony, our Pathways Academy Senior Beta and Key Club members always host a reception for our graduates. Our families, their graduates, and all of their guests are invited to attend. However, donations toward the refreshments are welcomed and appreciated, especially if you have a large family or expect more than 10 guests to attend the graduation ceremony.
ORDER GRAD CEREMONY ATTIRE*
INVITATIONS, & SENIOR RINGS
Pathways Academy Seniors wear black caps and gowns with a maroon and gold tassel. Each family is responsible for ordering and paying for these items for their Senior.
For your convenience, a group order page has been set up. Click on the link below to view the Homeschool Diploma website. Families who order by midnight on Thursday, January 30, 2020 will receive a 25% group discount with free shipping. The page will remain open for individual orders through April 16, 2020. However, the discount and free shipping options will not be available after the January 30 group deadline.
GRADUATION DRESS POLICY: Please consider hair styles that will allow for wearing grad caps. Seniors should wear comfortable business casual style attire under their graduation gown. Guys should wear collared shirts.
No T-shirts! No shorts! No short dresses!
Seniors, please do not wear any clothing that will be embarrassing to your family if/when your graduation gown is removed. Please wear shoes you can comfortably stand in for long periods of time and climb stairs while wearing. NO FLIP FLOPS or BEACH SANDALS!
*Val & Sal medals and Honor Cords are provided by Pathways Academy. Club regalia and any other APPROVED regalia must be purchased by the senior’s parents/guardians. Please consult your club advisor for ordering information. Regalia must be approved in advance. If you have questions about which regalia is allowed, please contact your High School Administrator, Mr. Michael Driskell.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR GRAD GEAR
HOW TO SUBMIT SENIOR PHOTOS FOR GRAD CEREMONY SLIDESHOW
In lieu of a graduation speaker, Pathways Academy presents a slideshow during our Senior Recognition and Graduation Ceremony.
This slideshow represents each graduate walking in the graduation ceremony.
Parent/Guardians should submit a head shot photo, a baby photo, and a senior grad photo along with 20-25 pictures of your senior to be included in the presentation. We strongly recommend submitting photos representing your student’s birth through high school years, including photos with family and friends. Many seniors also like to include photos of their talents and hobbies, involvement in sports, clubs and/or work, church, and prom events.
ALL PHOTOS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN DIGITAL FORMAT.
NO HARD COPIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
ALL PHOTOS MUST BE CROPPED & READY FOR PLACEMENT
All photo submissions must be digital. Therefore, we recommend that you scan all of your photos or have them scanned to a CD or flash drive.
All scanned photos must be cropped and ready for placement into the slideshow or they will be returned.
Digital submissions must be made through the Pathways Academy DropBox Request link: https://tinyurl.com/2020gradslideshow
The deadline for submitting slideshow photos is 4pm on Thursday, April 2, 2020!
HOW SHOULD I SUBMIT MY PHOTOS?
All photo submissions must be digital. Photos may be submitted online via DropBox, or put on a CD, flash drive, or SD card and placed into an envelope which has been clearly marked with your senior’s name. Please submit photos by the deadline!
HARD COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED — We do not have the equipment to scan your photos properly so we suggest having your photos scanned at Walgreens, WalMart, or CVS. As an added bonus, you will have digital copies of your precious memories! But do not just drop off the CD or flash drive. Please crop, rename the files, and put them in the correct slideshow order before submitting the photos to Pathways Academy.
All scanned photos must be cropped and ready for placement or they will be returned & at risk of not being in the slideshow!
PHOTOS CANNOT BE SENT VIA FACEBOOK OR EMAIL — Unfortunately, Facebook and email programs compress photos which decreases their resolution and causes them to look blurry on the large video screen that we use to show the slideshow during the graduation ceremony.
ONLINE SUBMISSION OPTION: Pathways Academy uses a DropBox account to safely store your senior’s slideshow files. DropBox has a new feature called “File Request” (basically a file uploader) which allows you to upload files from your computer hard drive or DropBox account directly into the Pathways’ Dropbox account. Use of the DropBox File Request website does not require you to sign up for a Dropbox account and it is easy to use. Just type in this link — https://tinyurl.com/2020gradslideshow, and choose the folder or files that you would like to upload to the Pathways’ DropBox account. (Please keep reading for directions on how to rename the photos and put them in the proper slideshow order before uploading them to the Pathways’ DropBox account.)
KEEP IT FAMILY FRIENDLY REMINDER: Please do not submit photos showing too much exposed skin (especially of our young ladies), photos with really bloody animals (such as in hunting photos), or any photos showing rude gestures. These photos will not be placed in the slideshow!
HOW SHOULD I NAME MY PHOTOS?
ALL PHOTO FILES SHOULD BE NAMED IN LAST NAME/FIRST NAME/NUMBER ORDER.
This means you will name the file with your senior’s last name, followed by their first name, and then the number to represent the photo’s place in the slideshow – 01, 02, 03, etc. This is VERY IMPORTANT as it keeps the computer from mixing up your senior’s photos with another file of a similar name while our slideshow creator is placing all of the photos into the slideshow program.
This is an example of how the files should be named: lastname/firstname/photonumber. It will look like this – doejohn01, doejohn02, doejohn03. The ZERO in front of the digits is important because it keeps your file names in chronological order.
You may use any year, date, or description AFTER the name and the number combination to assist you in placing your photos in the order you would like them to appear in your senior’s slideshow (i.e. doejohn03age4 or doejohn04_choir, etc.) However, you must maintain the last name/first name/number combination to help the slideshow creator’s sanity while she is putting the slideshow together. You know your child and what he or she looked like at 2, 4, and 8 years old. But that is nearly impossible for anyone to figure out while working with slideshow photos from 30-40 seniors. Seniors can also have the same first or last name or initials, so using the full name is very important.
Our slideshow is created under a tight deadline in order to give our seniors the opportunity to include photos from as many of their senior year activities as possible. However, that leaves us with very little time to stop and call people to sort out photos or submit new ones when the resolution is poor. So, please take the time to review your photos closely to make sure they’re clear, name your photos using the name and number combination, and place them in the requested slideshow order prior to uploading or submitting them.