January 24, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians of the Class of 2025:

Graduation is an exciting time for our students. And, it can also be very busy. Many events, responsibilities and deadlines must be met for our students to walk across the graduation stage. This handbook is intended to help parents know what to expect throughout the senior year. Please use this handbook as a reference to guide you through the senior year.

I need to emphasize that this handbook has TENTATIVE DATES and will be subject to change. When changes occur, we will communicate this out to our families. In addition, the most up to date copy of this handbook will be on our Kentlake Website Graduation Page.

As a Falcon Family, we are dedicated to celebrating the amazing accomplishments of our Seniors.

I cannot wait to hand our senior their diploma and recognize their years of hard work!

Respectfully-

Heidi Maurer

Principal

Kentlake High School

It’s time to order your cap and gown, announcements, and accessories. Information has been mailed home to families earlier this fall, but you can order online at jostens.com. If you have questions, feel free to call Mike Annis with Jostens at 206-931-4723 or email him at mike.annis@jostens.com

Counselors monitor our student’s progress towards graduation with a series of graduation checks:

• Fall - Graduation Review for all Seniors.

• Winter - Graduation Review for Seniors who are not on track for graduation.

• Spring - final Graduation Review

These graduation reviews ensure that our students have met the requirements for a Kentlake diploma. The Fall Graduation Review is emailed home to all parents and the student for review. Students who are not on track for graduation will be closely monitored and another review will be done following first semester and again in spring if needed.

• For a student to graduate from Kentlake, they must meet the following requirements:

• 24 credits in the designated courses of study.

• Completed High School and Beyond Plan.

• Completed graduation pathways in ELA and Math

• Completed Washington State History Course.

For additional information on Kent School District graduation requirements, CLICK HERE.

Your student’s counselor is the best resource if you have questions about your student’s graduation status. Counselors are assigned based upon last name. Below are the counselor assignments for the 2024- 2025 school year:

• Julie Gibson (Last name A-E) Julie.Gibson@kent.k12.wa.us

• Ken Darcy (Last name F-Lo) Kenneth.Darcy@kent.k12.wa.us

• Lisa McGraw (Last name Lu-Rog) Lisa.McGraw@kent.k12.wa.us

• Lana Wainscott (Last name Roj-Z) Lana.Wainscott@kent.k12.wa.us

The Kentlake Yearbook class needs your senior pictures! You have an option to either use your picture taken at the beginning of the school year or turn in a picture done by an outside photographer. Pictures for this year need to be turned in by Wednesday, November 27, 2024. There are two ways to submit your senior picture:

1. By Email: kentlakeyearbooksubmissions@gmail.com Please make sure to include your students' first and last name in the subject of the e-mail.

2. Upload it directly to our yearbook software: images.balfour.com. Project # is 212311

Please make sure to include your students’ first and last name under the picture. Pictures should be high quality (at least 300 dpi) and students’ faces should be visible. Props in the picture must be school appropriate, and clothing should follow the school dress code and the yearbook staff reserves the right to reject any photos not meeting the criteria.

Your college financial aid package may include scholarships, loans, grants, and work study funds. Financial Aid can be applied to 4-year, 2-year, trade or technical school and some apprenticeship programs. If students have a College Bound Scholarship, they must fill out the FASFA or WASFA to maintain their scholarship access.

It’s important to submit your Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FASFA) and/or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) as soon as possible after they open the applications on December 31, 2024. Both of these forms are used to determine how much money you will receive to help pay for your education.

Submit a free FASFA application

Submit WASFA questionnaire

Need help filling out the FASFA or WASFA? Contact Kentlake’s College and Career Specialist, Mrs. Kathy Morrisson. She can be found in the Career Center office across from the main office or by email at katherine.morrisson@kent.k12.wa.us.

Do not miss out, reserve a copy, and receive a discount! The costs of pre-purchased yearbooks are $60 with an ASB card and $70 without. The cost in June 2025 will be $75 for all (while supplies last!), so you are highly encouraged to preorder! All yearbook pre-sales will stop on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Please email the name of your Senior and their baby photo to be featured in the 2024-25 Yearbook!

Submission Deadline: Saturday, February 1, 2025. Email: kentlakeyearbooksubmissions@gmail.com

Friday, January 31st, 2025, for payment

Memory Makers are due on Friday, February 28, 2025

Please follow the size guidelines below. Please make sure your memory maker has your students' first and last name.

Sizes & Costs:

¼ page Memory Maker: 5.25 inches tall, 4.1 inches wide, $75

½ page Memory Maker: 5.25 inches tall, 8.5 inches wide, $150

Full page Memory Maker: 10.5 inches tall, 8.2 inches wide, $275 Helpful hints:

More pictures are not always for the better. The Ad’s that usually look the best have 4-8 pictures that are big enough to see. If there are too many pictures and it is too small, they do not always print out very well.

Jostens will be at Kentlake during lunches on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, for cap & gown pick up.

Seniors will meet in the PAC during Homeroom on Wednesday, April 16 to discuss finishing strong, nominating staff speakers/ushers, graduation info with Jostens, grad party, grad walking partners, senior graduation speaker information, prom, and vote for Heart of the Falcon Awards.

The class of 2025 will have the opportunity to select staff that will be part of their graduation ceremony: the staff speaker, ushers and staff that will hand seniors their diplomas. Students will receive a survey at the Senior Class Meeting on Wednesday, April 16 during Homeroom. In this survey, they will nominate staff for these positions. To vote, students need to attend the Senior Class Meeting.

Due May 2nd

Planning for Life After Graduation

The high school and beyond plan (HSBP) provide students with the opportunity to think about their future and develop a plan to get the most out of high school so they're ready to pursue their adult lives no matter what direction they plan to take. Students MUST complete this requirement to graduate. The HSBP is completed through the online program School Links.

A High School and Beyond Plan includes:

• Identification of career goals based on a career interest and skills inventory or assessment.

• Identification of educational goals.

• A four-year course plan that fulfills graduation requirements and aligns with career and educational goals.

• A resume or activity log by the end of twelfth grade that provides a written compilation of student’s education, work experience, and community service.

Students receive information regarding the high school and beyond plan and assistance in completing this graduation requirement in Homeroom throughout their High School career.

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact Assistant Principal, Kirsten Roberts-Hunkovic or your student’s Homeroom teacher for assistance.

Students can also access support through their KL Class of 2025 Homeroom Canvas Course. If a senior is unable to access this course, please contact Ms. Roberts-Hunkovic for support.

Optional HSBP support sessions are scheduled March 26, 28, April 2nd and 4th during all 3 lunches in the library. Check your KSD email for invitations from Ms. Roberts-Hunkovic for additional drop-in sessions that will be hosted on MS Teams in March and April. Additional information about the HSBP can be found in Kent School District Procedure 2410P.

Source: RCW 28A.230.090

Cinderella Project will be at Kentlake during lunches Monday – Friday the week of May 5 for students who would like free prom attire.

The following will be the payment options for the remainder of the year:

ALL SENIORS: Cash/credit/debit or online ONLY as of Thursday, May 8th

HOURS OF OPERATION: ALL KL students, including Running Start, are expected to adhere to the following hours of operation for the Cashier’s Office:

Before school, 7:10-7:30am

During lunches

After school, 2:10-2:40 (Wednesdays 12:10-12:40)

The Administration expects you to be in class during class time. Teachers cannot give you a pass to come to the Cashier’s Office.

Students will receive an email to nominate KL Prom Court on May 12. Nominations will close on May 16. Students will receive an electronic voting ballot through their school email on May 12. Voting will be open until May 16. Please remember to check your emails so you can vote!

The Falcon Awards night is a time of year to recognize the students, staff, and community members that make Kentlake an amazing school to attend & work!! The 12th Annual Falcon Awards Night is our version of the Oscars & will be held on Tuesday, May 20th from 6:00-8:00pm. It is a wonderful night of food and music from our very own KL Jazz Band & recognition that brings our Falcon Family together.

Edgenuity classes are used to assist students in recapturing credit for a class that a student has previously failed. The last day to enroll in an Edgenuity class is 30 calendar days prior to graduation, so that there is time to complete the course prior to graduation. Students enrolled in Edgenuity classes need to complete their classes with a passing grade in order to earn the required credit for the course, prior to picking up graduation tickets on June 11th, 2025.

By May 23rd, 2025, Teachers will document and contact parents of students who are in danger of failing their class. This serves as an official notification that a student will not graduate if they do not pass a particular class. Teachers will work with families to develop a plan to support the student with passing the course. Teachers will contact parents to ensure they are aware of their student’s struggling grade. See section: Parents Notified of Non-Graduate Status

We are excited to celebrate ALL our seniors’ post-secondary plans. This includes students who are continuing to 2-year, 4-year, apprenticeships, internships, careers, or military.

Our school’s Mock Car Crash and Assembly was created to raise awareness for underage drinking, impaired driving and distracted driving and the consequences. **We will be having our mandatory mock car crash and assembly for seniors on: Thursday, May 29. All Seniors are expected to attend this event.

Senior prom will be on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 8 pm to 11 pm at the LeMay America's Car Museum in Tacoma. Please remember, shoes are always required to be worn in the venue. The museum does not allow glitter on clothing or decorations in their facility. If your clothing leaves glitter behind, it will not be allowed in the building. Please plan accordingly.

Senior Prom tickets will be available to purchase on Monday, May 12 until Wednesday, May 28. The prices are as follows:

May 12 - May 16 $45 with ASB, $55 without ASB

May 19 – May 28 $55 with ASB, $65 without ASB

Free tickets apply for Kentlake seniors who have a waiver on file for free/reduced lunch. Check with the cashier to see if you’re eligible to receive a free ticket to Prom.

• All fines must be clear prior to purchase. 10

• Seniors must have their High School and Beyond Plan completed and checked-off to purchase their ticket.

• This event is for senior students only and their date.

• Completed guest contracts are required to purchase tickets. Pick up from Main Office, Athletics or Cashier beginning May 1st. Guests must be younger than 21 years old.

• Guest contracts will NOT be accepted after Thursday, May 22. Please plan accordingly.

• Cashier will not “hold” tickets if the student does not have their guest forms completed and/or fines paid at the time of purchase.

• ID is required.

  • Bring ID card for both Kentlake students at the time of purchase.

  • o OR bring ID card for KL student and completed guest contract for guest ticket.

  • Any current picture ID may be used to enter the dance (Driver’s license, permit, school ID)

Parents and students are expected to log on to the Online Payment system to verify outstanding fines. Direct link: https://wa-kent.intouchreceipting.com/. Fines can be paid directly on the site or with the cashier. Questions regarding fines can be emailed to the Cashier at Lisa.Kaschmitter@kent.k12.wa.us. She will review records and reply with any updated information/clarification. Addressing this information prior to Thursday, May 29th will make the graduation process much easier!

Pre-purchased yearbooks will be distributed sometime in June (exact time TBD depending on when the books are delivered). This is early distribution, and students must have all fines cleared to pick up their books. ID is required to pick up your yearbook!

For those who did not pre-purchase yearbooks, there will be a limited quantity of yearbooks available in June on a first come, first served basis. Students that are clear of all current fines may purchase a yearbook for $75.00. The date is yet to be determined. All sales will be cash/debit/credit only

Seniors will have the opportunity to participate in graduation walks at our feeder elementary schools. These opportunities will take place in June. Please see the daily Falcon Facts for a list of schools and dates.

Senior Finals (1, 3, 5): TDB

Senior Finals (2, 4, 6): TBD

Kentlake will honor their senior award winners on Monday, June 9th @ 7:00pm in the Kentlake Performing Arts Center. Friends and family of invitees are welcome to attend. Award recipients will receive an invitation. Please RSVP to Mrs. West in the Main Office.

Students can share their graduation experience with a walking partner. Students may have one walking partner and they indicate this choice on their senior survey. Students who do not choose a walking partner will be appointed someone. The order in which students will enter the ShoWare for graduation will be finalized on Monday, June 9th at 3:00pm. NO CHANGES will be made after this time. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Kentlake PTSA sponsors a Senior Sunset Celebration which bookends the Senior Sunrise for seniors to say their goodbyes, take pictures, and sign yearbooks. PTSA will provide food and activities for the students. This event will take place at Covington Park on June 11 from 7:00-9:00pm. For questions or if you would like to volunteer to help, please contact KentlakePTSA@gmail.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Seniors must turn in their laptop and have a “Laptop Clearance Ticket” to pick-up their graduation tickets.

Seniors are expected to be proactive and clear their fines by Friday, May 30th. Seniors with outstanding fines will not be allowed to pick up their tickets and/or participate in graduation practice until all fines and obligations are clear. Participation in graduation practice is required to participate in the ceremony on June 14th.

HOURS OF OPERATION: ALL KL students, including Running Start, are expected to adhere to the following hours of operation for the Cashier’s Office:

Before school – 7:10am-7:40am

During student lunches

After school – 2:20pm-2:45pm (Wednesdays 12:20-12:45)

The Administration expects you to be in class during class time. Teachers cannot give you a pass to come to the Cashier’s Office.

By 3:00pm on June 11th, counselors will contact parents to tell them a student has not met a graduation requirement and will not be able to earn their diploma. They will work with students and families to share options on how the student can earn their high school diploma in other ways. It is important to understand that students who have not met the graduation requirements will not participate in the graduation ceremonies unless your student qualifies to participate as a result of Kevin’s Law (please see your special education case manager for more details.)

Seniors who are clear of all fines, have turned in their laptop, and are cleared academically through Student Services will be able to pick up graduation tickets beginning on Wednesday June 11th during lunches in the main hallway off the Commons at the designated tables. After this time, tickets may be picked up from Student Services.

PLEASE NOTE: Seniors must turn in their laptop and have a “Laptop Clearance Ticket” to pick-up their graduation tickets.

• Students who have fines or have not been cleared through Student Services will not be able to pick up their graduation tickets until all such issues have been cleared.

  • Seniors needing academic clearance/documentation have been notified through Student Services. Do not assume that you are clear until you personally talk to a staff member in Student Services.

• Someone else CANNOT pick up your tickets.

• Each senior is required to sign their tickets.

• Each senior will receive 10 tickets.

• Tickets may be picked up until 3:00 pm on Friday, June 13th. Tickets are not given at the door of the ShoWare.

• ID is required to pick up your tickets.

Students will come together in the gym on June 12th, 2025, to say goodbye to the seniors through a moving up assembly. We will be on a PM Assembly schedule. This event is for students. Running Start students are welcome to attend this event.

There is a mandatory graduation rehearsal here at Kentlake! It is a requirement to attend to participate in the graduation ceremony! The rehearsal is on June 13th from 7:30am until 10:00am. All seniors need to report to the PAC at 7:30am – do not be late!

Join your fellow graduating class one last time at this year’s class of 2025 Senior Brunch. It will be held at the Black Diamond Bakery from 11am until 1pm on June13, 2025. Senior Brunch tickets will be available to purchase from Monday, May 12 to Friday, June 6th during regular Cashier hours. There are a limited number of tickets available, and they must be purchased in advance.

• The cost is estimated at $10.00 per ticket.

• All fines must be clear prior to purchase.

• Sales will end on FRIDAY, June 6th at 2:40pm (to provide a headcount to the caterer)

• Senior Brunch will be held at Black Diamond Bakery on Friday, June 13th (11:00 to 1:00) following graduation rehearsal.

• Parking is limited. Buses will be available, or you may drive yourself. Students are encouraged to carpool.

• This event is for seniors only. Tickets are limited.

Students are permitted to decorate their caps to reflect their family, their future educational/career goals, and their individual graduation accomplishments. The decorations must meet the following requirements:

• They must be flat to the cap and cannot stand up; they may not be 3D.

• Lights are not allowed.

• Controversial statements, references to sex, drugs, alcohol, nudity, etc. will not be allowed.

• This is not a forum for political statements.

• The principal has the final say on what is or is not appropriate. There will be no arguing, or you will not walk in the ceremony.

If you come to the ceremony with a cap that does not meet the school’s appropriate definition, you will be provided a blank cap at a cost of $30.00 and your decorated cap will be confiscated. This is a formal ceremony. Cap decorations are intended to acknowledge student's individual accomplishments. Cap decorations should not deter from the formal tone of this ceremony.

Kent Virtual Academy, Kent Laboratory Academy, and iGrad graduates, who have spent the majority of their high school time at Kentlake, can walk in Kentlake’s graduation. Students choosing this option MUST contact Kentlake Student Services at 253-373-4910 to be added to the walking list. PLEASE NOTE: Students from KVA, KLA, and iGrad will not be included in Kentlake’s Graduation Program as Kentlake is not their home school.

Senior Graduation will be held on June 14, 2025, at 8:30am at the ShoWare Center.

Each senior will be allotted 10 graduation tickets. We are not able to give or sell additional tickets. Tickets will be distributed starting June 11th, 2025, during lunches in the commons at the designated tables. To receive tickets, seniors must be:

• Grade/credit eligible (verify with Student Services)

• All fines and obligations must be cleared

To participate in graduation, you must be present at the graduation rehearsal at Kentlake the day before. If you have a conflict with a Running Start final, please call the Athletics/Activities Office at 253-373-4923.

Tickets are not given out at ShoWare. All tickets must be picked up by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13th. ONLY students can pick up their tickets. ID is required to pick up your tickets. Tickets will only be picked up by seniors.

Parking is always a challenge at the ShoWare, as is the traffic. Families are strongly encouraged to carpool as much as possible. Parking is available in the lot around ShoWare and across the street in overflow parking. Here are the directions from KL to ShoWare.

ShoWare does not allow bags into the building UNLESS it is a clear bag. Kentlake has clear bags available for purchase through the Cashiers Office.

Students continuing their education this fall will need to request their final transcript through the Parchment.com website to be sent to two- and four-year colleges, the military and technical schools. Final transcripts will be sent by Thursday, July 10th, 2025. If you would like to receive an official final transcript for future use, please fill out this form by June 20th and your transcript will be available for pick up with your diploma. Transcript requests received after July 31st will be charged a fee per Kent School District Procedure 3520P.

Diplomas will be available for pickup beginning Monday, July 14th in Student Services. To ensure delivery of diplomas, they will not be mailed. All fines must be paid prior to diploma pick up (cash or cashier’s check only). Diploma issuance will be determined based on post-graduation grades such as online course grades, Running Start grades, late test scores, etc. Summer office hours will be in place, please check the Kentlake website or call (253) 373-4900 or (253) 373-4910. Please contact the Kentlake Registrar, at (253) 373-4930 if you have questions.

Students who did not earn their diploma will receive official notification in the mail mid-June. Running Start students who may have walked during the graduation ceremony but did not earn passing grades in required classes, will receive notification of non-graduation status the last week of June.