Class of 2025 Information Letter
October 8, 2024
A student’s senior year is full of exciting times and opportunities. The Whitmer High School administration, teachers, and staff want to make sure the information is clear regarding what is expected of seniors as their high school experience comes to an end. Please find a description of our major events. This initial letter is being sent in October and is subject to change; however, for planning purposes, we want to be sure all of the important dates and information are communicated. The form to acknowledge that students have read and agree to the information is HERE. Completing the form is MANDATORY in order to be included in graduation events. Please have the form completed and submitted by Monday, January 20, 2025.
GRADUATION PARTICIPATION - According to Board Policy 5460, commencement exercises will include only those students who have successfully completed requirements for graduation as certified by the high school principal. A student may be denied participation in the ceremony of graduation when personal conduct so warrants. Participation in any senior prank is prohibited. For the purpose of this policy, prank will be defined as anything that is illegal, destructive, involves trespassing, causes a disruption of education, or has the intent to create harm or chaos. A student will be excluded from the graduation ceremony if found to have been involved in any senior prank activity. In order to participate in the commencement ceremony, graduates must participate in the following mandatory activities. If a graduate does not plan to participate in the graduation ceremony, the following activities are not required:
SENIOR BREAKFAST and REHEARSAL - The Senior Breakfast will be Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 7:40 AM. Seniors will report to the field house right after Senior Breakfast for graduation rehearsal as directed by the graduation advisor.
SENIOR ASSEMBLY and Junior High/Elementary Hallway Walks - Senior Assembly will take place on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Seniors must be in their seats for attendance in the field house by 7:40 AM. The assembly begins promptly at 9:00 AM. If a student misses rehearsal on the 20th and/or Senior Assembly on the 21st, the student will not participate in the graduation ceremony. Appropriate attire (business casual) is expected for Senior Assembly. Students must have the required Whitmer cap, gown and tassel in order to participate in Senior Assembly and the graduation ceremony. The junior high and elementary hallway walks will begin upon the completion of Senior Assembly. Graduates will gather at Washington Junior High first and then coordinate their own transportation to their respective elementary school if they choose to participate. Students who attended Jackman or Wernert will walk through Silver Creek.
CREDITS - If a required class is failed first semester, it can be recovered online during the second semester. Any required class failed second semester will need to be recovered in the summer and the student will not walk in the commencement ceremony.
COMMENCEMENT - Commencement exercises will begin promptly at 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at The University of Toledo Savage Arena. Tickets will be required. Graduates must be in their seats at 3:45 PM. Guests will be admitted after 5:00 PM. Commencement is a formal ceremony sponsored by the Board of Education. Appropriate attire (business casual) is expected for Commencement. Proper decorum is expected from all in attendance. As in all activities, the Student Code of Conduct is in effect. Improper behaviors or inappropriate actions will be cause for removal. The full policy regarding graduation can be found on the district’s website.
JANUARY GRADS - Any student who is interested in graduating in January should make a request to see their counselor ASAP. The counselor will review the transcript and provide an application to complete and discuss with a parent/ guardian. The deadline to apply to be a January graduate is December 3, 2024.
COLLEGE AND SCHOLARSHIP SURVEY - Each year Washington Local Schools is required to gather survey data from every member of the senior class regarding post-secondary plans, college acceptance, and scholarship awards. The information that is gathered is reported in the Whitmer School Profile. All seniors at Whitmer High School will complete the senior survey online after Spring Break. Surveys must be completed by Friday, May 9, 2025.
FEES AND FINES - Seniors must take care of all fee obligations by Friday, May 9, 2025. If fees and fines are not paid, the student’s diploma may not be included in the Career Passport. Contact Lynda Mazzurco at (419) 473-8426 with questions regarding fees. Fee balances are also available on PowerSchool.
TRANSCRIPTS – Transcripts must be requested through Current Transcript Request Form. When requesting your transcript for college enrollment decision, choose ‘select your final transcript’. All colleges require a final transcript to solidify college acceptance.
Please refer to our graduation website Whitmer Class of 2025 Graduation Information for resources and updates. Senior information is posted outside of the main office, on the Whitmer website at wls4kids.org/Whitmer and updated frequently on the graduation website.
Make your senior year all it can be. Find a club you haven’t tried yet, make some new friends, and do everything you can to start your post-high school adult life on the right foot. The Class of 2025 has a bright future ahead!
Go Panthers!
Mr. Gerald Bell, Principal