May Newsletter- Head of Upper School 

The Final Six Weeks of School
Well, Mr. Shepherd and his prom committee did it again! When our students sashayed into the chandeliered foyer of the NC State Alumni Club, jaws dropped and grins widened. The evening was perfect, the venue stunning and our students elegant. Students danced the night away, many trying to keep up with Mr. Shepherd’s smooth moves. Nick Debnam and Elizabeth Atkins were crowned Prom King and Queen, and Miguel Alecio and Jennifer Cash were crowned Prom Prince and Princess by their classmates. Thanks go to Mr. Shepherd and the prom committee for making the evening so wonderful.

May is the busiest month of the year as students take AP exams, compete in playoffs and prepare for graduation. Adding to the pace, both the sophomores and the juniors will leave early for their World Language Exchange Program by traveling to Austria, China, France, Spain or Ecuador. While the temptation to relax as the term comes to a close is enticing, the spring trimester constitutes 29% of a student’s final grade, and a weak trimester can have a lasting impact on a student’s permanent transcript. The faculty and I encourage students to keep focused and end the year having reached their true potential.  

In particular, I encourage students and parents to review the week of May 19-23. Events, times and locations are shown on the US Events Calendar. Depending on the grade level and student, some events will require advanced planning by students and parents.

 Please note that on Friday, May 23, school is dismissed at noon for both US and MS students. Lunch will be served for employees and students remaining on campus.

Advanced Placement Exams (May 5-16)
Exam dates are posted on the US Events Calendar and a detailed email outlining the exam guidelines has been sent to all students taking the exams. The AP exams overlap with conference and state athletic events so students will need to read all emails very carefully, checking details and planning their time wisely. If conflicts arise, students must immediately get in touch with Julie King and their coach.

2008-09 Schedules and Textbook Purchasing
We have completed the course registration and textbook selection process. We hope to distribute individual student schedules and communicate textbook purchasing information before year-end.   

ERB Testing - 9^th and 10^th Grades (May 22 and 23)
Each year students in 9^th and 10^th grades take two mornings of standardized tests that evaluate skills in Math and English. This year, ERB testing will take place on May 22 and 23. Conducted by the Educational Research Bureau, the ERB-CTP 4 tests assess how students are progressing and how we are doing as a school. The tests are an excellent practice round in preparation for PSAT and SAT tests that students will take later in their career at CA. It is important that students take them seriously so the results will be meaningful.  

When Does School ‘End’ for Students?
We have several end-dates for students. The following will help clarify end-dates and academic and attendance expectations.  Students are expected to attend scheduled classes, programs, and activities.  Skipping is a serious breach of school attendance policies and will result in disciplinary action.

Freshman
June 6                    Classes and grading will continue until June 6 at noon, when school will end for the summer.

Sophomores will have classes and activities through noon May 23.
May 27-June 6         Graded academic mini-program for sophomores not attending the WL Exchange Trips

Juniors

Although formal classes for juniors will end on Wednesday, May 21, there are a number of additional mandatory activities that all juniors are required to attend.

May 22                             Junior Service Day

May 23                             College Prep Program
May 27-June 6                 Graded academic mini-program for juniors not attending the WL Exchange Trips

Seniors

The last day of school is Wednesday, May 21. A detailed year-end program has been sent to all seniors and parents.

Special Year-end Celebration Details

Senior Camp-out (optional for seniors)
May 17-18, 8:00 pm to 9:00 am
This is an optional senior lock-in at the school. Mr. Berger and I, and along with parent volunteers will supervise an evening of games, food, and the annual class prank. Students may brave the elements by camping on the quad or enjoy the relative comfort of the US building.

Spring Athletic Recognition Ceremony (compulsory for students and faculty)
May 21, 11:30-12:30 pm Theater
Upper School Students/Faculty and Parents
                  Dress: Regular School Dress Code
                  During this ceremony we recognize the individual and team accomplishments of our spring athletes. 

Upper School Awards Ceremony (compulsory for students and faculty)
May 21, 6:15 - 8:30 pm, SEA
Students/Faculty/Parents/Friends
                 Dress: Business Dress

All Upper School students are required to attend, and we invite families and friends to join us. During the ceremony we honor students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, leadership and community service.  

Commencement Rehearsal (compulsory for seniors and junior marshals)
May 22, 3:15 - 4:15 pm, SEA
Graduates
               Dress: Regular School Dress Code
               To ensure that Commencement is one of the most memorable events at Cary Academy, we need to practice! All
               senior students must arrive promptly at 3:15 pm so that we can start and finish on time. 

Baccalaureate Ceremony
May 22, 5:15-6:30 pm, Fine Arts Center
Graduates/Faculty/Family/Friends
                Dress: Business Dress
                Baccalaureate is an evening where students, faculty, parents and a guest speaker invited by the class of 2008 reflect
                on their experiences at CA.   

Commencement (compulsory for seniors and employees)
May 23rd
      1:00 pm-Seniors arrive
      2:30 pm – Faculty and seniors line up
      3:00-4:30 pm – Commencement in the SEA (guests should be seated by 2:45 pm)
      4:30 pm – Commencement Reception
      Graduates/Faculty and Staff/Family/Friends
      Dress: Business Dress & Cap and Gown
      Seniors are to arrive at 1:00 pm in the theater to hear a personal presentation from the keynote speaker. The class will
      then gather at the back of the Administration Building (facing the quad) for a class picture. Commencement begins promptly
      at 3:00 pm. A reception follows on the quad. If you or your guests require special seating or other accommodations, please
      contact Kim Fogleman well in advance so that arrangements can be made.  

Alumni Party
This year’s party will be held on Friday, May 23 (Commencement night) from 9:00-11:30 pm at the Embassy Suites in Cary. The event is sponsored and paid for by the school. The party is alcohol free and includes a DJ, caricature artists, and a variety of light food. The Advancement staff serve as chaperones, and faculty are invited to attend.  

I hope this letter will help you plan ahead. I look forward to seeing you at year-end events where we celebrate the many accomplishments of our community.   

Mitch McGuigan
Head of Upper School