END OF THE YEAR SENIOR BULLETIN
April 16, 2026
CONGRATULATIONS TO WEIR HIGH’S 110th GRADUATING CLASS!
HAVE A WONDERFUL GRADUATION!
SENIOR CLASS MEETING: Class meeting will be held in the theater during Second Block with Mr. Blumette, Mrs. Smith-Montgomery, Mrs. Petrella, Mrs. Hores, and Mr. Wright. All seniors, including early graduates, will receive a call from the school. Mr. Blumette and staff will go over dates and requirements for end-of-the-year activities. Students will receive EOY Senior bulletin with all information, handicapped seating requests, permission slips for Senior Walk/decorating caps, senior information forms for guidance, forms for senior picnic, information about ordering Senior yard signs, and graduation tickets.
SENIOR INFORMATION SHEETS: Mr. Wright will explain the information forms to be filled out for Senior Recognition Assembly. These must be returned to the Guidance Office by May 20 although he would like them as soon as possible.
FINAL TRANSCRIPTS: Students must request final transcripts for colleges through our online transcript system, Parchment. If you do not have a parchment.com account, please see the guidance counselor for your code to join. Transcripts are free to send if you register with this code, but students MUST request them through the online system.
GRADUATION TICKETS: Every graduate will receive ten (10) tickets for graduation seating to accommodate limitations if we need to move the ceremony indoors. If you want more than ten tickets, check with classmates who may not be using all ten of theirs. Ten is all we are distributing. You may pick them up after this meeting in the hallway.
HANDICAPPED SEATING REQUEST: The ten (10) tickets for graduation seating includes handicapped seating. It is the student’s responsibility to contact Mrs. Smith-Montgomery by May 20 and fill out the Handicapped Seating Request Form. If necessary, call her at (304) 748-7600 (ext. 2201) to leave a message or by email (bsmith@k12.wv.us). Please note to include one companion so that the person is not sitting alone in the handicapped seating.
SENIOR WALK PERMISSION SLIP: You will receive a permission slip for the Senior Walk to Weir Middle and Elementary Schools, attached to this bulletin. Your parents must sign for you to ride the bus to WES. We will walk from the field house to WMS. This permission slip must be returned to Mrs. Smith-Montgomery by May 20 to order the correct number of buses. No phone calls will be accepted.
SENIOR CLASS PICNIC FORM: Senior advisors have a form on which they need you to indicate if you will be attending the senior class picnic, have paid the food cost, and indicated your t-shirt size. If you have not signed the ’26 poster for the back of the t-shirt, please do so today.
BACCALAUREATE VOLUNTEERS: Please stay after the Senior Meeting to sign up for your parts with Mrs. Smith-Montgomery.
SENIOR VIDEO: Students, who have not yet participated in one of the senior video skits and want to do so, should contact Makenna Potock today.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30: The last day to order a 2026 yearbook is April 30. No extra copies will be purchased. March 31 was the FINAL WSM SENIOR DEADLINE to submit senior pictures and baby photos for the video and yearbook for free. If seniors want to have their senior picture and baby photo in the video and yearbook, they MUST submit the Senior photo submission form by April 30 for a $10 fee.
FRIDAY, MAY 1 DEADLINE TO SIGN UP & PAY FOR SENIOR PICNIC: Senior Picnic Forms are due by May 1 with $5 fee and t-shirt size.
FRIDAY, MAY 8: DEADLINE TO ORDER & PAY FOR YARD SIGNS for the Class of 2026. Please pick up a form and order from Melissa Masters ASAP. Use one of these methods: by Venmo (@Melissa-Masters-59), Paypal (paulmasters26062@yahoo.com) or cash to Melissa Masters. Signs are $25. You must also send Mrs. Masters a picture; text 304-670-8563 directly. You may also send directly to company by email to sales@getawesomesigns.com or by text to304-723-6077. Red Rider Road will be lined during the month of May to recognize the graduates.
FRIDAY, MAY 15:
LAST DAY OF REGULAR CLASSES FOR SENIORS: This is the last day of regular classes for graduating seniors who have fulfilled all obligations, do not need to take finals, and do not need to finish work in a required class.
SENIOR IPAD RETURN: Seniors must return the iPad/cord/charger by this date unless needed for finals. Depending on A/B day and student schedules, some seniors will turn theirs in on Thursday, May 14. Missing cords or chargers are $19 each. No diplomas will be given until debts are satisfied. If you do not have your cord and/or charger, please bring the money (cash only) to the main office on this date or by Wednesday, May 20 when obligations must be fulfilled.
SENIOR SUNSET will be this day at Weir High School on the field from 7:30- approximately 9 p.m. Time is dependent on the sunset. Attendance is not mandatory.
INFORMATION FORMS for Senior Recognition are due to Mr. Wright by this date.
HANDICAPPED SEATING REQUEST FORMS and SENIOR WALK PERMISSION SLIPS are due to Mrs. Smith-Montgomery by this date if you are not taking finals.
NHS SENIOR VOLUNTEER HOUR SHEETS are due on or before this date for new members inducted in 2026. Students who do not turn in their sheets with signatures and 10 hours will be asked to return their blue and gold NHS cords before Senior Recognition and Commencement. They will not receive their gold tassels at Senior Recognition nor be recognized as members of NHS on the graduation program.
NTHS SENIOR VOLUNTEER HOUR SHEETS are due on or before this date for new members inducted in 2026. Students who do not turn in their sheets with signatures and 5 hours will be asked to return their white and purple NTHS cords before Senior Recognition and Commencement. They will not receive their purple and white tassels at Senior Recognition nor be recognized as members of NTHS on the graduation program.
CAP DECORATING PERMISSION FORMS are due to Mrs. Petrella no later than this date, along with a decoration "mock up" sketch. No "last minute" designs will be approved and caps will be checked on May 28th and 29th to ensure only approved designs are on caps.
Graduation Cap Decorating Guidelines
Students have the option to decorate graduation caps, with the permission of the parents. Any student who wishes to decorate his or her cap must turn in the permission slip (on back page) to Mrs. Petrella in the main office with decoration "mock up" sketch no later than May 20. No "last minute" designs will be approved and caps will be checked on the 28th and 29th to ensure only approved designs are on caps.
Please take into consideration the following rules if you plan to decorate your graduation cap. Failure to follow these rules will result in the removal of the cap before the ceremony and/or revocation of the privilege of participating in the ceremony.
It is appropriate to put the following on your cap:
· Thank a parent, grandparent, teacher, friend
· the university you will be attending
· your graduation year • your future career or plans
· the branch of the military you will be joining
· your high school accomplishments, such as CTE program, awards, etc.
What is not allowed:
· Cannot contain any advertisement, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons or are of a sexual nature.
· Cannot denote an affiliation with gangs or any groups which advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior which is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students.
· Cannot be obscene, profane, vulgar, or lewd.
· Cannot be political in nature
· Cannot include numbers other than the graduation year.
· Cannot threaten the safety and welfare of any person.
· Cannot make noise. No bells, horns, or anything that makes noise
· No lights
· Only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from any of the sides of the cap.
We highly suggest you trace your cap onto cardboard and decorate the cardboard. In case you make a mistake, you can start over with a new piece of cardboard. We will not furnish new caps if you ruin your cap. After you decorate it, stick it to your cap with double-sided tape or Velcro stickers.
Administration will reserve the right to disallow anything that is not considered appropriate for commencement ceremony.
SATURDAY, MAY 16:
SENIOR PICNIC for graduating seniors will be held at Serbian Picnic Grounds.36 Kings Creek Rd, Weirton, WV, from 2-5 p.m. This is for seniors only. Attendance is optional. There will be a $5 charge per person for cost of food. Since this is a school event, school rules are in effect. State law prohibits smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages at school functions. If you make a reservation, we will assume that you will comply with these rules. Although dress is casual, school appropriate attire is required. Senior sponsors have a form for you to fill out and return by May 1.
SUNDAY, MAY 17:
A BACCALAUREATE CEREMONY for graduating seniors and their families or friends will be held at the Weirton Alliance Church from 3-4 p.m. Date has been moved this year due to Memorial Day weekend. Attendance is optional. Seniors should be at the church by 2:45 p.m. to begin lining up outside of the church for the processional. Seniors who are participating in the actual inter-faith worship service should be at the church by 2:30 p.m. for rehearsal with Mrs. Smith-Montgomery. Family and friends are welcome. Proper attire is required. Boys must wear pants, shirt and tie. A jacket is not required. Girls must wear a dress, skirt/blouse, or nice pants suit. Absolutely NO SHORTS, TANK TOPS, TENNIS SHOES OR FLIP-FLOPS!!
Any student who wants to participate in Baccalaureate should sign up on the channel Mrs. Smith Montgomery has created on your 2026 Team-Guidance Information for organizers and volunteers. We will have a brief meeting after this class meeting to plan baccalaureate. Everyone is invited to stay.
MONDAY & TUESDAY, MAY 18 & 19:
SENIOR FINAL EXAMS will be administered on these days. Finals will be comprehensive. If required to take finals, SENIORS SHOULD TRY NOT TO MISS THESE DAYS. If students miss either of these days, they will have to take their finals on Wednesday, May 20.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20:
MAKEUP SENIOR FINAL EXAMS will be administered on May 20 for students who missed either Monday or Tuesday, May 18 or 19. If they also miss this day, they will have to make arrangements to make them up because senior grades are due at the end of day on Wednesday, May 20. That means if the classes are required for graduation, the student will not walk with their classmates although they can still graduate.
SENIOR OBLIGATION DAY/GRADUATION REQUIREMENT DEADLINE – This day is the final day for seniors to pick up graduation announcements, caps, gowns, etc. All obligations such as academic enrichment assignments, textbooks, library materials, athletic gear, financial debts, iPads/chargers, etc. must be satisfied by this date. Diplomas cannot be distributed to seniors who have not fulfilled all obligations. All requirements for graduation must be completed by the end of this day, or the senior will not walk at graduation. Seniors must have passed all classes by this date to walk at commencement. NAMES WILL NOT BE ON COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM IF OBLIGATIONS ARE NOT MET BY THIS DATE.
SENIOR VIDEO will premiere on Wednesday, May 20, at the Plaza Theater at noon. Admission is free, and concessions will be available for purchase. This is for seniors only and is not open to the public. If the date changes, seniors will be notified. This will be well advertised.
THURSDAY, MAY 21 – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3: Seniors who still need to makeup finals or finish work in a required class will continue to attend school during this time period to complete that coursework even though other seniors are finished. They will not walk with their classmates but can still graduate if they pass those required classes before the end of the school year.
DAY, MAY : HIGHEST HONOR STUDENTS: All students whose GPA is 4.0 and above at the end of eight semesters and whose course load has included an AP or Honors class will meet with Mr. Blumette and Mrs. Smith-Montgomery on May during first or second block (after teachers have finalized grades on May 20 and class rankings are calculated) to assign speeches for commencement, specifically in rank order. Those finalized grades will determine graduation honors for speeches and honors classifications even if GPA changes later because of work turned in or for class ranking. We will contact you when we have a firm date. However, if you know you have a 4.0+, you may pick up a copy of the Highest Honors Information Sheet to fill out. This will also be available on Highest Honors Team to which Mrs. Smith-Montgomery will add you when we know the rankings. You must also upload, email, or share one digital picture of yourself (head and shoulders pose) to bsmith@k12.wv.us or sumisusensei@gmail.com ASAP or your information and picture will not be in the newspaper, which has already contacted her.
THURSDAY, MAY 28: HIGHEST HONORS REMINDER: Copies of your speeches are due if you are writing one.
· SENIOR RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY begins at 8:00 A.M. While attendance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended since you must be at the commencement practice that immediately follows. Parents are cordially invited to attend the recognition assembly, which traditionally lasts two hours.
Seniors report to the Weinberg Theater at 7:30 a.m. for seating and instructions. You will be led by Junior student marshals. Please pay attention and follow their instructions. They will lead you into the field house and count you off into your seating.
Caps and gowns must be worn to the assembly. Put your name in your caps and place the tassel on the right side. Bring bobby pins to secure caps. Mrs. Smith-Montgomery will have bobby pins and black markers available if you forget. Please do not chew gum.
Appropriate dress is required of all seniors. Dress shirt, tie, dress pants, and dress shoes are required for the boys. Banded collar shirts, blue jeans, flip-flops, work boots, or tennis shoes are not allowed. Dresses or skirt and blouse/dress pants and dress shoes are required for the girls. Flip-flops or tennis shoes are not allowed. You will be sent home to change if you are not appropriately dressed. If you need help in acquiring appropriate attire, let Mrs. Smith-Montgomery, Mr. Murray, Mr. Wright, one of the principals, one of the secretaries, or one of the teachers know as soon as possible between today and May 25 to give us time to find correct sizes and get clothing to you.
If you are in National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Thespians, etc., you will wear your honor organization’s tassel and cords--for recognition and graduation. NHS and NTHS will receive their tassels at assembly. Highest Honors will receive their golden cords at the assembly.
· SENIOR CLASS PICTURE: At the conclusion of the recognition assembly, seniors are to remain seated until the gym is cleared of underclassmen. Parents should wait for pictures until this one is done. Once the gym is cleared, a class portrait in cap and gown will be taken. Students may then take off caps and gowns and use the restroom before commencement practice.
· COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE.
Commencement Practice in the procedures to be followed during commencement begins immediately following the senior class picture. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. Seniors should plan to be at the school until noon for practice. Please arrange to have this time off work. Students who do not participate in rehearsal must make alternative arrangements with Mr. Blumette and Mrs. Smith-Montgomery for practice prior to graduation during the morning of Thursday, May 28, or they will not walk.
· SENIOR WALK – Following rehearsal for graduation, those STUDENTS WHO SIGNED UP AND RETURNED PERMISSIONS SLIPS BY MAY 20 will eat school-provided pizza around 12:15 p.m. and put their caps and gowns (fully zipped) back on.
At 12:45 p.m. Mrs. Smith-Montgomery will walk students in their caps and gowns to arrive at Weir Middle School’s cafeteria at 12:55. We will walk through WMS approximately 15-20 minutes. Students will board buses at WMS to Weirton Elementary School to arrive at WES between 1:25-1:30 p.m. to depart around 1:50-1:55 p.m. RIDING THE BUS IS MANDATORY!
At both schools, students will walk through the hallways for approximately half an hour as role models to provide incentive for the middle and elementary students to persevere in their journey toward graduation.
FRIDAY, MAY 29: COMMENCEMENT BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M. GATES/DOORS OPEN AT 6:00.
All seniors will assemble at 6:30 p.m. in the Weinberg Theater for the march to Jimmy Carey Stadium or the Carl Hamill Field House (if it is an extreme thunderstorm with lightning).
Women – Dresses or blouse with skirt/dress pants, and dress shoes are required. No tennis shoes or flip-flops are permitted. Please keep your hairstyle simple for the cap, as it must be worn during the entire program. Bring bobby pins to secure your cap. Put your name in your cap.
Men – Dress shirt, tie, dress pants and dress shoes are required. Blue jeans, work boots, flip flops, and tennis shoes are not permitted. No banded collar shirts are to be worn. Put your name in your cap.
Seniors not properly attired will not be permitted to participate in Senior Commencement. Neither chewing gum nor cell phones will be permitted. Seniors are not to carry anything to the stadium/gymnasium.
Seniors are responsible for securing their valuables! Teachers will be assigned to monitor Weinberg Theater while you are in the stadium/gymnasium.
Please report to the Weinberg Theater after the graduation service concludes to receive your packets which include: DIPLOMA, report card, program, certificate, transcript, etc. You only receive an empty case on stage.
Guests will be admitted by ticket only. There will be no reserved seating in the bleachers; however, reserved handicapped seating will be available if requested by May 20.
Reminder: No noisemakers will be permitted at the Commencement.
END OF YEAR INFORMATION (Return to Guidance before end of school on Wednesday, May 20, 2026)
STUDENT NAME:
1. PLANS AFTER GRADUATION (Check those that apply)
Attend four-year college; Name =
Major:
Attend two-year college; Name =
Major:
Attend voc. / tech. school; Name =
Major:
Join the military; Branch =
Seek employment; Type of job =
Location:
Keep present job; Where=
Marriage
Undecided
2. FINAL TRANSCRIPT
My final transcript should be sent to (school address):
I have also applied and/or been accepted at the other following schools:
School:
Applied
Accepted
School:
Applied
Accepted
School:
Applied
Accepted
3. FINANCIAL AID
I have received the following financial aid from the school I plan to attend:
Name of Award:
Type
(Scholar./Grant/Loan)
One Yr
Amount
Four Yr.
Amount
I have received the following financial aid, awards, or recognition from the schools or organizations (Elks, Knights of Columbus, etc.) listed below:
Name of Award:
Type
(Scholar./Grant/Loan)
One Yr
Amount
Four Yr.
Amount
List other awards:
USE REVERSE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Senior Picnic – Class of 2026
Saturday, May 16th
Serbian Picnic Grounds
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Cost is $5 per student
Name: ______________________________________
_____ Yes, I will be attending the Senior Picnic
_____ Paid $5 for food donation.
T-Shirt Size: S M L XL XXL XXXL
FORM AND MONEY MUST BE TURNED IN BY MAY 1st!
SENIOR WALK PERMISSION SLIP
Student Name:
I plan to participate in the Senior Walk after graduation practice (yes or no):
If yes, I give permission for my student to walk to Weir Middle School from Weir High School, ride the bus for the senior walk at Weirton Elementary from WMS and back to WHS on May 28, 2026.
Parent/Guardian Signature:
Date:
Please return to Mrs. Smith-Montgomery by May 20, 2026.
HANDICAPPED SEATING REQUEST FORM
Please request handicapped seating if needed. Remember that handicapped seating is part of your ten tickets. Everyone attending must have a ticket. Handicapped seating permits one companion per handicapped person. Include that number in the total. Please indicate if the person is in a wheelchair or just needs seating. Total handicap number should be sum of wheelchair / seating + companion and is part of the ten tickets you were given if ceremony moves indoors. Seats will be reserved in graduating senior’s last name.
Please return this form to Mrs. Smith-Montgomery in Room A201 by May 20, 2026. If you forget to reserve handicapped seating, let Mrs. Smith-Montgomery know ASAP, Ext. 2201 or via email (bsmith@k12.wv.us).
Graduating Senior Student’s Name:
Number in wheelchair:
Number handicapped who need seating:
Total number of handicapped seats requested (Please add one companion per person):
PERMISSION SLIP FOR DECORATING GRADUATION CAPS
I give permission for my senior student,
to decorate his/her/their graduation cap. I understand that if they do not follow the given instructions, they will not be permitted to wear the decorated cap. I acknowledge that Weir High School is not liable to furnish a new cap if the student ruins their cap. The school suggests that the design be placed onto cardboard which is then decorated and affixed to the actual cap. I understand that only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from any of the sides of the cap.
I understand that caps cannot contain any advertisement, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons or are of a sexual nature. They cannot denote an affiliation with gangs or any groups which advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior which is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students. Caps cannot be obscene, profane, vulgar, lewd, or political in nature. They cannot include numbers other than the graduation year nor threaten the safety and welfare of any person. Caps cannot have lights. They cannot make noise. No bells, horns, or anything that makes noise may be affixed.
Turn in to Mrs. Petrella by May 20, 2026.
Date
Signature of parent or guardian