#MASSPchat Archive
Chats will be moderated by MASSP staff, members of the MASSP Board of Directors and MASSP Members – we will also have special guest moderators on occasion.
Monday May 16, 2016
Greetings and welcome to ! I'm excited to lead a discussion tonight about Graduation and other Senior activities.
Let's start with intros: I'm Steve Carlson, Principal of Sandusky Jr/Sr High School and a member of the Board of Directors
Scott Pfeiffer, MS/HS Principal at Countryside Academy, Benton Harbor
Good evening all. Paul Hungerford, 7-12 Principal at Fulton. Just lurking on my way home from SB game.
Nice to see you joining once again, Scott. https://t.co/6Efoo23UCG
Scott Pfeiffer, MS/HS Principal at Countryside Academy, Benton Harbor
Lurk away, Paul, thanks for checking in. Hope you get a chance to chime in here and there.
https://t.co/yH46kNSIkS
Good evening all. Paul Hungerford, 7-12 Principal at Fulton. Just lurking on my way home from SB game.
A teacher wanted to know who our local SCECH contact is and I sent this photo. Do you think I scared her? https://t.co/T7NWpm5Dij
1st Question coming up shortly. Remember to use Q1/A1 format and don't forget to add to have your tweets join the conversation.
Q1: Who organizes the Commencement ceremony at your school? As principal/AP, how involved are you in this process?
A1: Secretary does a lot of arrangements. She makes things easy. I mostly MC
Secretaries truly make the building run! They fill many important roles, especially this time of year https://t.co/pOftplFVRu
A1: Secretary does a lot of arrangements. She makes things easy. I mostly MC
A1: our senior class officers & our class adviser & office team -lots of people pitch in & put in lots of work
What is the most challenging aspect of organizing the event?
Very similar to the SHS experience. Takes many ppl working together to pull this off! https://t.co/FrhSLWNyeK
A1: our senior class officers & our class adviser & office team -lots of people pitch in & put in lots of work
A1: We have counselor organize acad honors, sec'ys do programs and order materials, class adv work logistics/practices
Hi All ... Tracy Wilson, Grand Haven HS Principal
A1: We have a TEAM approach, I oversee the entire program.
We use 8th sem grades for rank/honors; crunch time at end is challenge. V/Sals speak; can't plan lineup til grades in.
Thanks for joining, Tracy! Have you thawed out from yesterday's baseball?
A1: Fortunate to have longevity with players involved, easy to bring newbies into the mix.
Q2: Do you have a favorite Commencement address you've heard? What made it stand out from the rest?
that would leave a lot of variables right up until the end but a great way for Seniors to know 2nd sem matters!
Sorry I am late, Any K from BCC.
A2: Phil Brabbs (UM kicker) told seniors to fail. Make mistakes and learn from them. Was phenomenal!
What a great message for all, but especially for a Commencement address. Keeps success in perspective https://t.co/w7qxdjvLXN
A2: Phil Brabbs (UM kicker) told seniors to fail. Make mistakes and learn from them. Was phenomenal!
A2: I borrowed a speech about an interview process where candidates were judged how they talked to a custodian. Everyone matters
A2: SHS alternates btwn Supt/Principal for Commencement address. I've only given 1 so far but an exhilarating experience
A2 cont'd: That said, I'm glad it's 's turn this year. One less thing on my plate!
A2: Mr. Luna's speech as he spoke w\ authenticity about troubled past & how he made it through to truth & success
Will def check this out after the chat, thanks for sharing!
A2: I always try to be authentic, speak about the overall class successes and give them key points to take away.
A2: Important to me that each grad knows that I WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR THEM. "YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON ME!"
Q3: Do your graduates participate in Baccalaureate? Do you run into any issues with this event?
that will make quite an impression!
A3: yes participate; no real issues until a senior d/n have cap/gown for service! Local churches plan and hold event.
A3: baccalaureate is tomorrow night, first one for me so I hope there are no issues.
A3: no issues at . It is a student designed and student lead event with a parent who oversees meetings. Works great!
A2: Key is to make it a personal address... I always enjoy speeches from local admin instead of someone who is from the outside
A3: First Priority of the Lakeshore runs our Baccalaureate organized & lead by our students. No issues.
Interesting idea, cuts down on a busy week's schedule! How long does the night last w/ both events? https://t.co/gNqJIgVpzo
A3 cont: We have begun to hold senior honors nite same day (evening) since families already gathered.
A3: Student and parent led = no issues!
on ! Thanks for joining in, Ryan. https://t.co/sDjHE9gHYN
A3: no issues at . It is a student designed and student lead event with a parent who oversees meetings. Works great!
In case anyone was watching the Tigers, they were up 8-2 when this chat started, now 8-7.
What I enjoyed from last year's speech was chance 2 let grads know what they meant to community/school/me https://t.co/qBXzMvsnOS
A2: Key is to make it a personal address... I always enjoy speeches from local admin instead of someone who is from the outside
Bacc is one hour - starts 3pm; Honors Nite @ 6 pm- approx 1 1/2 hr. Leaves time for dinner in between ;)
I've got it on in the background...grr https://t.co/YNxPoKbmEU
In case anyone was watching the Tigers, they were up 8-2 when this chat started, now 8-7.
A2: The best graduation speeches challenge graduates to do something great instead of simply telling them how great they are
Q4: What are some of the other events your school does for Seniors this time of year?
We no longer bring in an outside speaker, we have grads address their classmates along with superintendent & principal!
A4: We had seniors walk through the building while the rest of the underclassmen cheer them out the door one last time.
A4: Honors & Scholarship Night, Senior Exam Waiver Incentive, Senior Banquet, Final Senior Walk Out (NEW this year)
Sr tailgate brkfast their last day; sharpie shirts (sign others'); class photo (ea. get copy on grad night); sr party after grad
A4: We do Senior Awards night, Jr/Sr b-fast, Project Graduation lock-in, and this year we will add this: https://t.co/FEqVMzVvac
A4 Sr tailgate brkfast their last day; sharpie shirts (sign others); class pic (ea. get copy on grad night); sr party after grad
A4: senior send off assembly, video, BBQ, etc.
A4: when I was at PHS we had a water war after 1/2 day. This eliminated water fights before last day of school. No soaked exams.
Nice! Also forgot to mention we have a cookout following marching practice. https://t.co/Mu3YwXpDCh
A4: senior send off assembly, video, BBQ, etc.
Got a few min left for Q5...
A4: Senior lunch, Commencement Rehearsal, shaving cream fight, send-0ff (kids line halls and cheer them as they leave.)
Q5: How do you keep students, esp Seniors, engaged in positive behavior this time of year?
A5: asking them to leave a champion legacy
A5: 2nd Sem Exam Waiver Incentive includes an attendance, behavior & grade requirement to exempt final senior exams per class!
A5: staff presence and attn are key, but kids are gr8! 8th sem grades count; major shenanigans mean u won't walk. They care.
Great ways to keep them focused on the prize! https://t.co/CWc7Ut6OSa
A5: 2nd Sem Exam Waiver Incentive includes an attendance, behavior & grade requirement to exempt final senior exams per class!
Completely agree! Also have similar exp w/ SHS students. Great character kids. https://t.co/qnvtk6mraW
A5: staff presence and attn are key, but kids are gr8! 8th sem grades count; major shenanigans mean u won't walk. They care.
A5: They lose participating in Commencement if they get out of hand. Worked well so far.
