Midwest Parent Educators Graduation Policies and Family Agreement
MPE Graduation Ceremony Purpose Statement: Graduation symbolizes a “trophy presentation” where the individual trophies are, in essence, the graduates themselves. It is to His glory that these “trophies” are laid at the feet of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Thus, this ceremony is to focus, not on the graduates or their families, but on bringing honor and glory to our Savior.
The ceremony is to be considered a praise service to God, designed as a public display of the gratitude of the graduates and their parents for being given the privilege of home schooling. It is also to demonstrate the thankfulness of the graduates for their parents, as well as other relatives and friends, who were used by God to shape the lives and character of those graduates for future service to the Master.
Special care is to be given in the design of the ceremony to avoid any self-centered and inappropriate focus upon any individual graduate or parent by way of disrespectful attire, comments, gestures, noises, or any other activity that distracts from the God-centered intent of this event.
Requirements to Graduate: The family of each student wishing to graduate must have been a member of MPE since September 30 of the previous school year. This deadline shall be published in the MPE newsletter in June, August, September, and October. Seniors (or juniors considering early graduation) must declare their intentions to participate in a MPE graduation ceremony by October 1. 
A graduating senior (or a representative from his/her family) is expected to attend any and all meetings set by the committee unless excused by the committee chairman. A portion of the fees required of each student might not be refundable. If a student decides not to graduate with MPE, fees will not be refunded if they have already been included in payments made for any portion of a ceremony. 
If a student does not qualify initially to participate in a MPE graduation ceremony, appeals can be made in either written or verbal form to the MPE Board of Directors. The Board alone reserves the right to determine whether a student under special circumstances may or may not participate in a graduation ceremony. No appeals will be accepted after October 1. 
Dress Code: The MPE Board has established the following dress code guidelines for the graduation rehearsal and ceremony.
Young Men Graduation Rehearsal Business casual, i.e., Docker-type slacks, shirt with collar, shoes. No shorts, T-shirts, shirts with a logo on. No body piercing displays of any kind, including earrings. Hair neat and natural color (no purple, green, blue, etc.). No denim allowed.
Young Men Graduation Ceremony The same guidelines as for the rehearsal except as follows: Dress pants, dress shirt with collar and tie, dress shoes.
Young Ladies Graduation Rehearsal and Ceremony Dresses or skirts required at least knee-length or longer. No slits above the knee. No denim allowed. No strapless, spaghetti-strap, halter-top or see-through blouses or dresses. No cleavage or exposed midriff (including when arms are raised or bending over) No undergarments exposed. No body piercing displays other than pierced ears.
The above listed MPE graduation information can be found on the MPE website at: www.midwesthomeschoolers.org/graduation.htm
Payment of Graduation Fees: Graduation fees must be paid by October 1, 2009. Absolutely no one will be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony until all fees are paid in full.
I have read the MPE Graduation Ceremony Purpose Statement and Graduation Procedures and Guidelines for MPE High School Graduation, including the Requirements to Graduate and the Dress Code. Failure to comply with any of these requirements will result in exclusion at the graduation ceremony. If a prospective graduate does not wish to abide by the MPE Graduation Guidelines or Dress Code, he/she is welcome not to participate. The graduation ceremony is a privilege, not a requirement or a right.

I, _____________________________ (Printed Name of Student), will graduate with the MPE Class of 2010. I have reviewed the graduation requirements and agree to uphold these terms and conditions.
I, _____________________________ (Printed Name of Parent), have a child who will graduate with the MPE Class of 2010. I have reviewed the graduation requirements with my student and do agree that our family will uphold these terms and conditions.

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Signature – Student Date Printed Name

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Signature – Parent Date Printed Name

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