520 West Main Street • Rockaway, NJ 07866-3799
Todd M. Toriello ● Principal ● 973-664-2301
May 2014
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
Although it may seem difficult to believe, the high school journey for our seniors is rapidly drawing to a
close. For parents/guardians, this is always a special moment. Please allow me to share some specifics
with you for your planning purposes.
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you on the occasion of the graduation of your child
from Morris Hills High School. If weather permits, commencement will be held on Tuesday, June 24,
2014, at 10:00AM on Gifford Field located behind Morris Hills High School. In case of inclement weather,
the ceremony will be held in the gymnasium with additional seating in the auditorium where we will
broadcast the event. Commencement tickets will be distributed equally among the graduates in the
event of an indoor ceremony, with additional ticket requests honored only if we have unused or returned
tickets available. Graduates may sign up for extra tickets and handicapped parking permits in the
Principal’s Office beginning on Thursday, June 12, 2014. Handicap parking will be available behind
Gifford Field and can be accessed from Longview Road.
Graduation rehearsals will be held on Friday, June 20, 2014 and Monday, June 23, 2014 at 9:30AM.
Attendance at both rehearsals is mandatory. Caps and gowns will be distributed to senior students on
June 20, 2014 following graduation rehearsal in exchange for hall locks. Any senior still owing an
obligation will not receive his or her cap and gown at that time. The Senior Breakfast will be held on
Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at 8:00AM.
Graduation from high school is an event that comes once in a student’s lifetime. The administration and
faculty make every effort to provide a ceremony steeped in tradition, one that brings meaning to all
graduates and their families and loved ones. This is not an athletic event but rather an academic
proceeding to honor a journey fulfilled, one students and parents have envisioned for a long time. Our
goal as a professional staff at Morris Hills High School is to provide a ceremony defined by both dignity
and decorum. Students and parents deserve nothing less and we make every effort in our planning to
execute a memorable event, start to finish. To ensure that goal, I have reviewed with the seniors a
number of expectations. I share them with you here on the reverse side of this letter. We ask that you
read them carefully and underscore them with your graduate as well.
The Morris Hills High School community of administrators and faculty salute you on your graduate’s
successful completion of high school. We all look forward to a commencement ceremony of the highest
order on June 24, 2014.
In the Spirit of Partnership,
Todd M. Toriello
Principal
TT/lp
OVER !
GRADUATION CEREMONY GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS
In an attempt to provide a dignified graduation ceremony, we request that the graduates dress
appropriately for the occasion. Girls should wear dresses and shoes. No sneakers or flip-flops. Boys
should wear slacks, white shirt, tie, and shoes. No sneakers or sandals. Any student who is
inappropriately dressed will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.
Seniors are expected to participate in both graduation practices. Any excusals will be handled by the
Principal on an individual basis. Only emergency situations will be considered. Failure to comply
with this may result in exclusion from participation in the graduation ceremony.
This letter is by no means a “guarantee” of graduation. Grades and attendance requirements
must be met. If credit and attendance requirements are not met, seniors cannot participate in the
commencement ceremony.
Proper behavior is expected of all graduates throughout the commencement ceremony. Failure to
comply will result in removal from the commencement ceremony. Students may not carry cell phones or
cameras during the ceremony. All students will be searched prior to the ceremony. Any inappropriate
items - balloons, bubbles, messages on graduation hats, etc. - will be confiscated and may be cause for
removal from the commencement ceremony. If inappropriate behavior is evident at the commencement
ceremony, students will be escorted off the field and diplomas will not be issued until a successful
parental conference is held.
Seniors having elderly family members attending the commencement ceremony are requested to arrive
early since there will be no reserved seating.
SCHEDULE FOR SENIORS - CLOSING ACTIVITIES
June 20 Indoor and/or outdoor commencement rehearsal #1 beginning in the Main
Gym at 9:30AM until completion.
June 20 Announcements & fine collection at the conclusion of commencement
rehearsal # 1.
June 20 Caps & gowns distributed from the cafeteria and the gymnasium at the
conclusion of commencement rehearsal # 1 – Seniors owing obligations will
not be given their caps & gowns at this time.
June 23 Indoor and/or outdoor commencement rehearsal #2 beginning in the Main
Gym at 9:30AM until completion.
June 24 Senior Breakfast at 8:00AM.
June 24 Graduation line-up beginning in Main Gym at 9:00AM.
June 24 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY - 10:00AM at Morris Hills High School.
Graduates must report by 9:00AM sharp.
June 24 Project Graduation 9:00PM (check in) - 10:00PM bus departure from MH
