Hello, Seniors and Senior Parents. We are just over a week away from the big day!!

We have A LOT of information in this email, so please read the details AND make sure you plan ahead!!!  

If you have any additional questions after reading all of these details, please email Kirsten.Baker@gcpsk12.org

Graduation Day

Important Times and Information:

• May 23rd at 2:00pm at Gas South Arena. 

• Seniors should be at the arena at 12:00pm with NOTHING on their person besides their car key, cap and gown and regalia from North

  • No phones, no purses, etc. Anything other than their key will be confiscated at the door. Please leave these items in the car.

  • Seniors will each be given a RED parking pass in their ticket envelope at Graduation Practice - put on your dashboard 

  • Seniors will enter the Arena through Parking Deck (see map below).

  • Students will be walking through metal detectors upon entry.

  • Students will be walking up and down several flights of cement stairs, so CHOOSE SHOES WISELY

• Doors open for families at 1:00pm.

• Everyone must have a ticket - each graduate gets 10 tickets.

  • Everyone will walk through a metal detector

  • Gas South policy is a ticket is required for anyone over 24 months of age

  • Gas South has a clear bag policy. Do not bring wrapped gifts - wait to celebrate them once you are outside of the arena!

  • Please look at the list of prohibited items so you do not have a delay in entering. 

  • Please refer to Gas South Arena’s website to see their Dos and Don’ts! 

  • Handicapped parking and seating are on a first come first serve basis in the Arena.

• Seniors should be in "business professional" or "nice dressy" attire

  • Females can wear dresses, skirts, slacks, nice shoes

  • Males can wear dress pants, khakis, bow tie/tie, dress shoes, etc. 

    • Smart shoe choices! You will be walking on cement flooring and standing for a while, so make sure you can walk in your shoes.

• DO NOT…

  • Decorate the top of the cap.

  • Iron your gown.

  • Wear other regalia not awarded to you by the school/GCPS

  • Bring shakers or anything that makes artificial noise per rules of Gas South Arena.

• For family and friends who cannot attend in person, we will have a Livestream Link from the Arena.  That link is directly to the Gas South Arena YouTube page.

Parking for Seniors and Families

• See Attached Map

• Seniors are required to park in Deck 3 - Enter from Meadow Church Road followed by a left onto Paul McCartney Blvd. Please refer to the attached map for a better understanding.

  • Students MUST have the parking pass that they receive at graduation practice on the dash of their cars when parking in the lot

  • Students will enter the Arena through this parking area

• Families will be required to park in Deck 2 or Lot A. Deck 2 and Lot A can both be entered from either Satellite Blvd or Sugarloaf Parkway.  Please refer to the attached map for a better understanding.

BEFORE GRADUATION…

• Please make a plan with your graduate prior to the ceremony for after the event since they will not have their phones on their person.

• Following the ceremony, there will be alphabet signs/flags on the area labelled THE LAWN so families can easily find their graduates.

MANDATORY Graduation Practice

• Tuesday, May 20th at 8:30am in the commons of NGHS. Seniors should be present at least 15 minutes before because we will be starting promptly at 8:30am.

• Park in the senior lot and come directly to the commons.  Please consider carpooling - traffic and parking is always difficult!

• Any student late or absent without an excuse will not be able to participate in graduation on May 23rd.

• Students will not need anything for grad practice except for their phone/car keys.  Do not wear your cap and gown!

• 10 tickets to graduation will be given to every student at graduation practice

  • Any remaining tickets will be handed out to seniors one at a time on a first come, first serve basis at the end of graduation practice.

• There is no required attire for this day; dress for school and to be outside for the field day and lunch immediately following.

Senior Field Day

• Tuesday, May 20th from 10:30am-1:00pm in the stadium at NGHS immediately after graduation practice.

• All seniors are invited to join together for lunch, games, inflatables, caricature artists, etc. Don’t miss this fun event that hopefully will take you back to some of your favorite childhood memories. We have put a lot of planning into this event; you are definitely not going to want to miss out!!

• Lunch is included 11:00am - 1:00pm (burgers, hot-dogs, chicken, drinks, snacks, and Rita's)

MORE PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: please follow the link  to the Sign-up Genius to help out! Thanks!

Honor’s Night and Service Breakfast

**By Invitation Only - invitations were sent to student’s school emails last week**

• Service Breakfast: Saturday May, 17th at 9:30am @ North Gwinnett High School Commons

  • Parking will be available in the Senior Lot

  • Business Attire

  • Because of space restrictions, each honoree may bring no more than 2 guests

• Honor’s Night: Monday May, 19th at 6:30pm @ Gwinnett Church

  • 300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Sugar Hill, GA 30518

  • Business Attire

  • Because of space restrictions, each honoree may bring no more than 2 guests

Pick Up Missed Regalia

• If you have not picked up your cap and gown - please see Ms. Breslin in room 206 during school.

  • DO NOT IRON your gown - please DO hang it up so the wrinkles can fall out.

• If you miss Honor’s Night or Service Breakfast, you can pick up honors regalia from the counseling office after Graduation practice on May 20th

• We will only be giving regalia out to the student directly or to a family member.

• Please remember you may only wear regalia to the NGHS Graduation that you earned through an NGHS organization at an Honors event. You may NOT decorate your cap for graduation.

Senior Walks at the Cluster Elementary Schools

• Level Creek:  Wednesday, May 21st  1:45pm

• Riverside:  Monday, May 19th  2:00pm 

• Roberts:  Monday, May 19th  2:00pm

• Suwanee:  Monday, May 19th  1:45pm 

• Please follow the link HERE to find specific directions for each school

Senior Final Exams 

TOMORROW Thursday May 15th at 7:30 AM in the Commons is the last day for any make-up final exams.  

If you have missed any exams, please COME TOMORROW!

OTHER REMINDERS:  

Have you...

• Saved your files from your Google Drive - see directions

• Returned your Chromebook to the CLC

• Returned all textbooks, library books, school equipment, calculators, uniforms, etc.  Any still listed in your fees will mean you do not receive your diploma at graduation.

• Picked up your pre-ordered yearbook - see Ms. Longe in 121-B 

• If you need to get a Refund from MyPaymentsPlus lunch money - please follow this link to the GCPS website.

Please see the NGHS senior class website for details on how to returning Chromebook, saving your files from your school drive (May 1st)

WHEW!!  That was a lot.  As always, please email Kirsten.Baker@gcpsk12.org with any questions.

See you next week!!

Seniors and Parents, 

Please read all the way through this week and last week's announcements for CRITICAL information on dates and events.  You can also always check the Senior Class Page on the NGHS Website for all previous emails.

A few NEW ITEMS at the top of this week's announcements 

Senior Week (May 5th-May 9th) - NEXT WEEK!!!

• Study Mood Monday  - Wear your pjs or a comfy outfit you like to study in!

• Throwback Tuesday - Dress as your Kindergarten self or favorite kids TV show

• White-hair Wednesday - Dress as a senior citizen

  • Yearbook distribution day during lunch

• To the Future Thursday!!!  - Dress for what is your future - College, Career, Military

• • Senior Sunrise 6:30 am in Commons Courtyard - donuts provided

  • Bulldog Senior Pep Rally in the Aux Gym - meet for our Superlatives reveal and other important details

• Final Fit Friday  - wear your Black Senior Class Shirt

PARENT VOLUNTEERS needed for Senior Field Day on Tuesday, May 20th.  Please go to this link to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E4FAAA922A1FE3-56602068-senior

Saving Files When Graduating/Leaving GCPS - 

Your GCPS cloud accounts and files (Google Drive, Microsoft 365/OneDrive, Adobe Creative Cloud) will be deleted once you are no longer a GCPS student. You will need to save your files before you graduate if there is anything you want to keep. There is no way to recover your files once you are no longer a student.  Here is the LINK for instructions on how to keep your files. 

Senior Finals - PLEASE NOTE THE DATES FOR EACH CONTENT AREA

• Senior finals will be taken May 12-14. Students should attend based on the schedule below (this is an update from previous communications): 

  • May 12: Language Arts, Foreign Language, and CTAE

  • May 13: Math and Social Studies

  • May 14: Science, Fine and Performing Arts

  • If a student cannot test based on this schedule, please email Dr. Lough for alternate arrangements (Emily.Lough@gcpsk12.org)

• Seniors should plan to arrive between 7:30-8 am

• Students must bring their charged, GCPS Chromebook

• No electronics (cell phones, smart watches, ear buds, etc.) will be allowed in the Commons during testing

REPEATED FROM PREVIOUS EMAIL 

DATES TO KNOW

• May 5-9 - Senior week events during school

• May 5-16 - AP Exams - bring your charged Chromebook

• Wednesday, May 7 - Yearbook distribution during lunch

• Friday, May 9 - Seniors last day of classes

• Mon - Wed, May 12-14 - Senior Exams - see details below

• Saturday, May 17 - Service Leadership Breakfast (Peer Leaders, Freshman Mentors, Lunch Bunch, Service Seal Recipients)

• Monday, May 19 - Honors Night 

*individual invitations will be sent to student emails the first week of May for the Breakfast and Honors Night

• Tuesday, May 20 - 8:30am - MANDATORY graduation practice in the commons followed by

• Tuesday, May 20th - 10am - 1pm - Senior Field Day  lunch, inflatables, old-school games and fun

• Friday, May 23 - Graduation at Gas South Arena

  • 12pm students in their seat

  • 1pm doors open for guests

  • 2pm ceremony begins

Senior Walk Information - here are dates to add to your calendar.  Please click on this attachment to view event details from each school

• Level Creek:  Wednesday, May 21st  1:45pm

• Riverside:  Monday, May 19th  2:00pm 

• Roberts:  Monday, May 19th  2:00pm

• Suwanee:  Monday, May 19th  1:45pm 

Final Transcripts

Final transcripts will not be automatically sent to colleges.  Please go to the following attachment for directions for different scenarios.  Please contact the counseling office with questions. 

Chromebook Return

Your schedule with final exams and AP exams will determine when you should plan to return your Chromebook.  Please look at the following attachment for the schedule options for return.  Be sure to return your Chromebook and charger to ensure you do not have a fee that will block you from getting your diploma.

Textbook, Library Book, and Equipment Return

Check your FEES tab in StudentVue to make sure you know what books or equipment you need to return or if you have fines.  Return textbooks to your teacher, library books to the CLC, and any other equipment on the list to the coach or sponsor who gave it to you.

Recent FAQs about Graduation

• Is there handicapped parking and wheelchair access at Gas South Arena?  Yes, they are both first come, first serve.  Handicapped parking is near the main entrance on the right of the grassy area.  Wheelchair access seating is at the top of each entry door into the Arena.

• How do Senior Letters work?  North Gwinnett does not manage Senior Letter distribution.  If you choose to do that gift for your senior, it is a family project. 

• Can we get more than 10 tickets for Graduation?  Each senior will receive 10 tickets at Graduation practice on May 20th.  Following practice students can stand in line to get one ticket at a time as long as our extras last.  

• What is the student dress code for Graduation? I would call is business casual or summer party... shirt and slacks, ties are not required but look great under the gown, nice dress or slacks and a blouse. There is not a specific color requirement, but gowns must be zipped up.  The most critical choice you make is going to be YOUR SHOES - as you enter from the parking lot you will go up one flight of cement stairs and then down TWO flights of cement stairs to get to the floor of the Arena.  DO NOT choose super high shoes that you cannot walk distances in or that you have not practiced walking in.

• Can we decorate our cap?  NO, there are no decorations on your cap.

• Can we wear regalia (cords, stoles, etc.) that we get from a non-North organization?  NO, only regalia that you get at honors night or another NGHS organization event can be worn at graduation.

• What if something is wrong with my Cap and Gown?  If the size is wrong (should hit mid-calf) or you are missing a tassel, please email Mrs. Baker.  If you have not yet picked up your Cap and Gown, please see Mrs. Breslin in 206.  Please remember DO NOT IRON your gown, hang it up now - if the wrinkles do not fall out, then hang it in the bathroom while you have a hot shower running to steam.

Prom Details

• Day/Time: Saturday, May 10th from 8-11pm

• Location: GRAND BALLROOM at the GAS SOUTH DISTRICT in Duluth. 

• Parking in DECK 1 will be complimentary.  

• Theme: Emerald City 

• Dress: Formal attire is requested.

Ticket Prices for Seniors:

• Seniors who paid JUNIOR DUES last year:  claim for FREE with paid Senior Dues this year

• Seniors who did not pay Junior Dues last year:  $100

Ticket Prices for Guests (anyone who is not an NGHS Junior or Senior): $50  ​ 

Tickets are now open in GoFan

1. Install the GOFAN APP on your phone.  Your phone will be your ticket.

2. Beginning APRIL 18 and continuing through the end of the day on MAY 9, use GOFAN to claim or pay for your tickets. Events are listed by DATE (Prom is May 10) - look for North Gwinnett High School Junior/Senior Prom 

3. You will use your STUDENT ID as the access code to claim your Free ticket or pay for your full price ticket.

4. GUEST APPROVAL AND CODE:  Go to the Principal's office (106) to pick up a guest approval form for any student who is a non-NGHS student or an NGHS Freshman or Sophomore.  RETURN that form completed to office 106 and you will be given a guest ticket code.  Use that code as your second access code. 

5. All NGHS Juniors and Seniors must claim or purchase their own ticket—your student ID is your access code!  YOU MAY NOT USE A GUEST TICKET CODE TO PAY FOR AN NGHS JUNIOR OR SENIOR. 

6. You may only bring ONE guest.

Questions about Prom should be emailed to Taylor.Holcombe@gcpsk12.org

Scholastic Images Optional Products

Seniors, it's NOT TOO LATE to order your Official Graduation Announcements! Just go to www.scholasticimages.com and pick the package that is perfect for you! Don't wait to tell everyone that you're walking across that stage soon!

Good Afternoon Seniors and Senior Families, 

The countdown continues... Just 5 weeks from Graduation!!

Today's email update is full of important information and announcements from MANY different departments of campus.  Please be sure to read all the way through, mark your calendar for the dates, read the details that apply to you, and make plans accordingly.  

Parents - I will have volunteer sign-ups next week for the Senior Field Day (May 20th).  Thank you in advance for your help.

DATES TO KNOW

• May 5-9 - Senior week events during school

• May 5-16 - AP Exams - bring your charged Chromebook

• Wednesday, May 7 - Yearbook distribution during lunch

• Friday, May 9 - Seniors last day of classes

• Mon - Wed, May 12-14 - Senior Exams - see details below

• Saturday, May 17 - Service Leadership Breakfast (Peer Leaders, Freshman Mentors, Lunch Bunch, Service Seal Recipients)

• Monday, May 19 - Honors Night 

*individual invitations will be sent to student emails the first week of May for the Breakfast and Honors Night

• Tuesday, May 20 - 8:30am - MANDATORY graduation practice in the commons followed by Senior Field Day (lunch, inflatables, old-school games and fun)

• Friday, May 23 - Graduation at Gas South Arena

  • 12pm students in their seat

  • 1pm doors open for guests

  • 2pm ceremony begins

Senior Walk Information - here are dates to add to your calendar.  Please click on this attachment to view event details from each school

• Level Creek:  Wednesday, May 21st  1:45pm

• Riverside:  Monday, May 19th  2:00pm 

• Roberts:  Monday, May 19th  2:00pm

• Suwanee:  Monday, May 19th  1:45pm 

Senior Finals

• Senior finals will be taken May 12-14. Students should attend based on the schedule below (this is an update from previous communications): 

  • May 12: Language Arts, Foreign Language, and CTAE

  • May 13: Math and Social Studies

  • May 14: Science, Fine and Performing Arts

  • If a student cannot test based on this schedule, please email Dr. Lough for alternate arrangements (Emily.Lough@gcpsk12.org)

• Seniors should plan to arrive between 7:30-8 am

• Students must bring their charged, GCPS Chromebook

• No electronics (cell phones, smart watches, ear buds, etc.) will be allowed in the Commons during testing

Finishing Strong

You have been at this school project for 13 years... Don't disappear now!!  Please continue to attend school - teachers are still giving assignments/assessments to help measure your learning and mastery of the content.  We are 3 weeks from the end of classes - finish every last project, catch up on any missing assignments/assessments, plan for your final exams and/or AP exams.

Honor Graduate Status

Students who had a 90 overall average (no rounding) were notified that they have qualified as an honor graduate by email.

An honor graduate student is exempt from final exams but must finish performance finals and any EOCs.

An honor graduate may CHOOSE to take a final exam in order to try to improve his/her grade, it can raise or lower a grade.

Honor graduate regalia is handed out at Honors Night.

Final Transcripts

Final transcripts will not be automatically sent to colleges.  Please go to the following attachment for directions for different scenarios.  Please contact the counseling office with questions. 

Chromebook Return

Your schedule with final exams and AP exams will determine when you should plan to return your Chromebook.  Please look at the following attachment for the schedule options for return.  Be sure to return your Chromebook and charger to ensure you do not have a fee that will block you from getting your diploma.

Textbook, Library Book, and Equipment Return

Check your FEES tab in StudentVue to make sure you know what books or equipment you need to return or if you have fines.  Return textbooks to your teacher, library books to the CLC, and any other equipment on the list to the coach or sponsor who gave it to you.

Recent FAQs about Graduation

• Is there handicapped parking and wheelchair access at Gas South Arena?  Yes, they are both first come, first serve.  Handicapped parking is near the main entrance on the right of the grassy area.  Wheelchair access seating is at the top of each entry door into the Arena.

• How do Senior Letters work?  North Gwinnett does not manage Senior Letter distribution.  If you choose to do that gift for your senior, it is a family project. 

• Can we get more than 10 tickets for Graduation?  Each senior will receive 10 tickets at Graduation practice on May 20th.  Following practice students can stand in line to get one ticket at a time as long as our extras last.  

• What is the student dress code for Graduation? I would call is business casual or summer party... shirt and slacks, ties are not required but look great under the gown, nice dress or slacks and a blouse. There is not a specific color requirement, but gowns must be zipped up.  The most critical choice you make is going to be YOUR SHOES - as you enter from the parking lot you will go up one flight of cement stairs and then down TWO flights of cement stairs to get to the floor of the Arena.  DO NOT choose super high shoes that you cannot walk distances in or that you have not practiced walking in.

• Can we decorate our cap?  NO, there are no decorations on your cap.

• Can we wear regalia (cords, stoles, etc.) that we get from a non-North organization?  NO, only regalia that you get at honors night or another NGHS organization event can be worn at graduation.

• What if something is wrong with my Cap and Gown?  If the size is wrong (should hit mid-calf) or you are missing a tassel, please email Mrs. Baker.  If you have not yet picked up your Cap and Gown, please see Mrs. Breslin in 206.  Please remember DO NOT IRON your gown, hang it up now - if the wrinkles do not fall out, then hang it in the bathroom while you have a hot shower running to steam.

Notice from our partners Scholastic Images - Optional Purchase - It's not too late!

North Gwinnett CLASS OF 2025! We cannot believe how quickly the year has gone by and before you know it, you will be walking across the stage at graduation! Make sure everyone knows how hard you have worked to achieve one of the best moments of your life and announce your graduation with class. 

Not only will your announcements have your official school crest, but they will also be personalized with your name in the text just like collegiate announcements. We created packages to make ordering even easier, but you can always add more to them, so no one is left out! Orders will ship directly to your house and you will receive tracking information once the order ships out. See the attached flyer to pick which package is best for you and order as soon as possible!

CLICK HERE to order our Official North Gwinnett Graduation Announcements

We are so proud of you and honored to celebrate this milestone with you! Congratulations Class of 2025 Graduate!

Stay in touch.  I will send emails about once a week moving forward with updates and new details.

All past communications can be found on the Senior page of the North Website. 

After reading this email and all the attachments, if you have any questions, please email Kirsten.Baker@gcpsk12.org.

Caps and Gowns were handed out last Thursday during lunch.

1. DO NOT IRON the gown - please open the packaging and hang it out so the wrinkles fall out.  If you have stubborn wrinkles, hang them in the bathroom with a hot shower running to steam them out.

2. Students should have received the following in their package: cap, gown, tassel and black spring senior t-shirt.

3. If anything seems wrong with your pieces or you have any questions, please email Kirsten.Baker@gcpsk12.org

4. If you missed pick up last week there are several dates/times this week to pick up:

   1. Tuesday after school - 2:10 - 2:30pm front office

   2. Wednesday before school - 6:30 - 7:00am  front office

   3. Wednesday Bulldog Time (schedule yourself for the commons) - 9:52 -10:26am commons

   4. Thursday lunches - 10:33am - 1:10pm commons

URGENT!!!  Record your name pronunciation in Marching Order

We are extending the deadline until THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 4th

This step will ensure that your name is read correctly at Graduation.

All those directions were sent in my previous email.  Students should go to their EClass landing page and click on the "Marching Order" button to complete this step.

If you skip this opportunity, you are trusting AI to get it correct.  I have heard some terrible interpretations of "simple" names, so don't skip this step!

Service Logs due FRIDAY, April 18th

To earn a Service Seal on the diploma, Seniors need to complete 100 hours of service in their 4 years of high school.  This is NOT required for graduation.

Please turn the log into the Counseling Office to Ms. Cornett by the end of school Friday, April 18th. 

Dear Seniors and Parents/Guardians of Seniors, 

Welcome to the last 9 weeks of Senior year!  Remember to stay present, finish strong, and make memories.  It is really easy to feel like "you just want to be done" with this step and move forward to the next thing, but instead we challenge you to come to school, go to the events, grab coffee with friends, have dinner with your parents... Enjoy this time together!

As always, there is A LOT of information included in this email, so please read all the way to the bottom!   

This first step is CRITICAL for all students to complete in the next 2 weeks, so we have your correct name read at Graduation. 

URGENT TO-DO:  MARCHING ORDER NAME 

This year, Gwinnett County will be using a platform called MarchingOrder to pre-record the names of our graduates by a professional voice artist.  

The goal of using this tool is for every family to hear the correct name pronunciation called during the graduation ceremony.  We used it last year, and we were very pleased with the results.

STUDENTS - You have a critical role in this process!!  You will need to follow the steps in the attached MarchingOrder Tutorial to add your phonetic spelling, and record the correct pronunciation of your name for the voice artist. You must complete this step by FRIDAY, MARCH 28th.  If you do not complete that step, the voice artist will do their best using their professional experience.

Marching Order Tutorial

CAP & GOWN PICK UP:  Thursday, March 27th

Please also remember that all seniors need to come to campus on THURSDAY, MARCH 27th during lunches to pick up caps & gowns and senior t-shirts.  

You cannot pick up the graduation package for any other student.  If you know you will not be present that day, please email Mrs. Baker.  If you have not yet paid your Senior Class Dues, you will have received an email from Mrs. Baker directly - those must be paid in MyPaymentsPlus by March 26^th in order to be able to pick up your cap & gown and senior shirt.

PROM:  Saturday, May 10th

If you paid your JUNIOR Dues last year, then you can claim a FREE ticket if you pay your Senior Class Dues this year.  

If you did not pay JUNIOR dues last year, then your ticket will be $100.  

All guests (anyone not an NGHS Junior or Senior) will need to fill out the guest approval form, return it completed to receive a guest code, then purchase a ticket for $50.  

Tickets will go on sale in Go Fan the week after Spring Break.  More details to follow.

SERVICE SEAL 

Students who give 100 hours or more to community service during their four years in high school earn a Community Service Seal on their diploma and an invitation to the Service Breakfast.  Students must submit their Service Logs to Ms. Cornett in the Counseling Office by Friday, April 18th to earn that recognition.  For more information, please go to the Counseling webpage on Community Service.

SENIOR GRADUATE EXIT SURVEY

A message from our Counseling Team:  Seniors, every year, Gwinnett County requires seniors to fill out the Graduate Exit Survey. The survey should only take a few minutes. It asks where you will be next year and if you have been offered any scholarships. Please fill it out today. We also need you to fill out the results of your College Applications in Naviance. I am attaching a slide show and video to walk you through the processes. If you have any questions, please see your counselor.

Video

Google Slides

OPTIONAL PURCHASES TO HONOR YOUR SENIOR - SENIOR YARD SIGNS & GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

YARD SIGNS:  Order your senior yard sign today!  Orders are placed through Postal Plus and benefit the NGHS DECA chapter. The link is on the senior webpage in the tab labelled "graduation signs".

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Go to the senior webpage and go to the link at the bottom labelled "optional orders" to go to our partner Scholastic Images.

SENIOR PTSA SCHOLARSHIP

If your senior student has joined PTSA they are eligible to apply for the PTSA senior scholarship.  The link to that application is the graphic in the upper left corner of the website.  The due date for the application is Friday, March 28th.

 

Senior Information

Financial Aid: Finding Money for College

Senior Update

Hello families of seniors!

It is officially spring semester which means graduation is right around the corner!  As senior sponsors, we wanted to update you on some important information, so please read the entire email and mark your calendars to make sure that you do not miss anything. 
Senior Class Dues

• If you have not yet paid your student's Senior Class Dues ($175), please go into MyPaymentsPlus to pay that fee ASAP!
• When you pay the fee, we collect sizes for your student's class t-shirt and cap and gown.  Our cap and gown order date is February 1st, so we need all the students' information.
• Senior Class Dues cover all the graduation ceremony fees, cap and gown, diploma, and senior week events.
• If you need assistance with or have questions about Senior Class Dues, please contact Kirsten Baker at Kirsten.Baker@gcpsk12.org

Graduation

• Graduation for North Gwinnett seniors is Friday, May 23rd, at 2:00pm at Gas South Arena. 
• All students graduating should arrive at the arena at 12:00pm. This is crucial timing to ensure that all students are in the correct order before the procession begins.
• More information will follow as we get closer to the date regarding parking, timing for guests, etc.
• Optional Graduation announcements are available for purchase from Scholastic Images www.scholasticimages.com.  The direct link is https://tinyurl.com/ngwinnann

Graduation Practice with Senior Lunch & Field Day - MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!!!!!

• MANDATORY Graduation practice will be at 8:30am on Tuesday, May 20th at North Gwinnett High School commons
• Parking for this day is VERY TIGHT - please plan on carpooling and leave plenty of time to park.  We will keep the senior lot open, but all of you WILL NOT FIT in that space!!
• This is MANDATORY for all graduating seniors. Students should plan to arrive 10 minutes early in order to locate their seat, so we can begin promptly at 8:30am.
• Students will receive their 10 graduation tickets and parking pass for Gas South Arena at this time.
• Following Graduation Practice, we will have Senior Lunch and Field Day - a time for our seniors to be together, have some "good old fashioned" fun and celebrate this milestone together.
• We will be asking for parent volunteers for Lunch and Field Day - more information to come later this semester on that opportunity.

Senior Week and Honors Events - we will send you more details once all plans are finalized. Mark these dates for now.... 

• Saturday, May 17th - Service Breakfast (service seal recipients, peer leaders, freshman mentors, lunch bunch) - individual invitations will be sent
• Monday, May 19th - Honors Night (honor graduates, cords and awards from individual organization) - individual invitations will be sent

Senior Final Exams

• May 12th - 14th  (1st-3rd periods in the Commons)
• Because graduation is immediately after school ends for Gwinnett County schools, the seniors’ finals exams will be moved up to ensure we get them all complete. This means that the last full day of classes for seniors will be Friday, May 9th.
• AP Exams are May 5th - 16th - If seniors are taking those exams, it is critical that they will need to STAY ENGAGED with our teachers.  Many will be offering study sessions during their class times after our seniors are "officially done with classes" to continue to support their preparation. 
• If your student is exempting finals, then they will be officially finished on May 9th.

Senior Class Website
Please "bookmark" THIS LINK to our NG Senior Class Website where we will continue to post new announcements and updates.

If you have any questions regarding credits required or graduation requirements, please have your student contact their guidance counselor - link is HERE

Mid-Year transcripts will be available in mid-January. Below is information for the Class of 2025 regarding transcripts for college applications.

• COMMON APP: If you ordered a transcript for Common App during fall semester, you do NOT need to order one for the Mid-Year Report. These will be sent to Common App as soon as transcripts are available.  If you did not previously order a common app transcript, you need to order one through MyPaymentsPlus - order ONE transcript and that will be available to all schools that you apply to through Common App.  
• DIRECT TO SCHOOL: If you ordered a transcript to be sent directly to a school during fall semester, email your counselor to let them know if you want the mid-year transcript sent to that college/university. You do NOT need to order one on MPP.
• NEW APPLICATIONS: If you are applying to a new college (and it is not through Common App), order one transcript per school through MyPaymentsPlus.com under Fees and Activities.

Contact your counselor or amy.cornett@gcpsk12.org with any questions.

If you have any questions throughout the senior year process, please feel free to contact Mrs. Baker at Kirsten.Baker@gcpsk12.org. 

The countdown is officially on!

Senior Class Sponsors Kirsten Baker, Megan McBee, & Abby Myles

GRADUATION UPDATE

The county has released the graduation schedule for May.  North Gwinnett will graduate on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 2pm at Gas South Arena.

The dates and details for other Senior events and celebrations are still being finalized and will be shared with you second semester. 

We always get questions about tickets... All seniors will receive 10 tickets to graduation - those will be distributed at our mandatory practice (date TBD).  No additional tickets are available for purchase.  After all tickets are given out to our graduating seniors, we will give away additional tickets one-at-a-time until we run out, but none are guaranteed.

SENIOR CLASS DUES 

Senior Class Dues are in MyPaymentsPlus.  The $175 senior dues pay for all the graduation fees for the arena, parking, printing, diplomas, regalia, as well as senior events, t-shirts, etc.  If you paid Junior Class dues last year, then it will also include a free Prom ticket.  Students who paid their senior class dues by October 2^nd received a fall bonus t-shirt.  If you did not yet pick up that shirt, please see your Advisement teacher.

To find the dues:  Log-In to MyPayments Plus.  On the left side of the screen, choose the EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES button.   The easiest way to find the activity is to use the SEARCH feature on the EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES page...simply type in the name of the activity (SENIOR), and the activity will appear on screen.  If you do not find the event listed, it is likely you have already paid.  

​**Questions about dues should be sent to Kirsten.Baker@gcpsk12.org.

PTSA MEMBERSHIP

Have you joined PTSA yet?  Please remember to be eligible for our PTSA senior scholarships in the spring, you must be a member of our PTSA.

JOIN HERE

Our Provider, Scholastic Images, will be on campus during lunch on the following dates:  August 21, October 2, November 6, January 8, February 5, and May 9.

Scholastic Images will be on campus during lunches (See Flyer for important information), so don’t miss out on placing your orders for:

 

• Letter Jacket Orders for any student who has earned a letter!
  • Bring proof that you earned your letter (actual award letter or certificate) and a $100 deposit to get the order started!
  • We’ll custom size you and walk you through the rest!
• Class Ring Orders for any junior or senior!
  • Bring payment in full for the Mascot Ring Special ($332.95)!
  • Bring $100 deposit for Ultrium metal or $200 deposit for all other metals!
  • We’ll custom size you and walk you through the rest!
• Seniors, make sure to order your senior package ASAP
   

You can also order anytime online at www.scholasticimages.com or over the phone at (770) 614-9353! We can’t wait to Celebrate Your Most Meaningful Moments!

Coming Soon......

Order your senior yard sign today!  Orders are placed through Postal Plus and benefit the NGHS DECA chapter.

10% off all orders placed by March 7th

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Grad Sign Order Form

Grad Sign Payment Form

 

Click here to download and print the form

 

 

• You will receive information from your guidance counselor(s) throughout the school year on filling out college applications, updating your Naviance profile, and asking your teachers for Letters of Recommendation.
• Be thinking about what to include in your Resume/CV, as well as what teachers you’d like to ask for Letters of Recommendation - each teacher has different expectations, so the sooner you ask, the better!

Our graduation partner is Scholastic Images.  They have senior packages, swag, and announcements which are all optional and paid for by the individual family directly. 

Please visit our partners at www.scholasticimages.com and put in North Gwinnett for your school choice to see all the optional choices.

The direct link for optional Graduation Announcements is https://tinyurl.com/ngwinnann

Prom Details

• Day/Time: Saturday, May 10th from 8-11pm

• Location: GRAND BALLROOM at the GAS SOUTH DISTRICT in Duluth.  Parking in DECK 1 will be complimentary.  

• Theme: Emerald City 

• Dress: Formal attire is requested.

Ticket Prices for Seniors:

• Seniors who paid JUNIOR DUES last year:  FREE with paid Senior Dues this year

• Seniors who did not pay Junior Dues last year:  $100

Ticket Prices for Guests (anyone who is not an NGHS Junior or Senior): $50  ​ 

To purchase a Prom Ticket beginning April 16th, please do the following:

1. Install the GOFAN APP on your phone.

2. Beginning APRIL 16 and continuing through the end of the day on MAY 9, use GOFAN to claim or pay for your tickets. Events are listed by DATE (Prom is May 10), or you can filter by "EVENT--SCHOOL" to get there even faster.  If you are using a guest ticket code, you will see a place to enter that code.  Remember, you cannot use a guest ticket code to purchase a ticket for an NGHS Junior or Senior.  

3. GUEST APPROVAL:  Go to the Principal's office (106) to pick up a guest approval form for any student who is a non-NGHS student or an NGHS Freshman or Sophomore.  RETURN that form completed to office 106, and you will be given a guest ticket code.  All NGHS Juniors and Seniors must claim or purchase their own ticket—your student ID is your access code!  YOU MAY NOT USE A GUEST TICKET CODE TO PAY FOR AN NGHS JUNIOR OR SENIOR. 

• This is the year to start getting serious about these tests. I always suggest that students take each test at least once during their JUNIOR YEAR. 
• Students register for the SAT using their COLLEGE BOARD ACCOUNT on www.collegeboard.org.  Students register for the ACT using the following website:  www.act.org. 
• Any questions or concerns should be addressed to your student's Guidance Counselor.

File Download

PTSA Scholarship

• Senior Class Dues are paid on MyPaymentsPlus. 

  • Log-In to MyPayments Plus.  On the left side of the screen, choose the EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES button.   The easiest way to find the activity is to use the SEARCH feature on the EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES page...simply type in the name of the activity (SENIOR), and the activity will appear on-screen.  If you do not find the event listed, it is likely you have already paid. 

• Senior Class Dues are $175. Senior class dues cover all the graduation ceremony fees, regalia, printing, parking, cap and gown, diploma, senior class t-shirt, and senior week events. 

• BONUS: this year it also includes one FREE ticket to Prom if you paid Junior Dues last year.  Homecoming Dance tickets are NOT included.

• When you pay the fee, we collect sizes for your student's class t-shirt and cap and gown.  

• If you need assistance with Senior Class Dues, please contact Kirsten Baker at Kirsten.Baker@gcpsk12.org

The deadline to purchase a yearbook in advance is March 1, 2025.  Please order by this deadline to guarantee your student will receive the 2025 Yearbook. 

Yearbooks can be ordered at www.yearbookordercenter.com  

Our school code is 1684