Graduation Information

Seniors' Last Day

Friday, May 22, is the last day seniors are required to be on campus. Seniors may come to school May 26-27 to report to any class that they need to in order to complete work, take a test, or work with a teacher. Make arrangements with the teacher prior to reporting to school.

Participation in the Ceremony

Students who have earned enough credits to qualify for graduation may participate in the ceremony. Any senior who has not fully met the graduation requirements by the end of the last school day of the school year, will not be eligible to participate in graduation exercises of that school year. If any of your credits are questionable, please see your instructor(s) and counselor immediately. Incompletes must be made up by end of day on May 27th in order to graduate.

Transcripts After Graduation

Transcripts after Graduation: Students are reminded that for future transcript requests, please fill out the Transcript Request Form with your name, year of graduation, and school(s) receiving the transcript.

Senior Parent Letter

Preparing for the Ceremony

Dress Code for Graduates

Graduation is a school event to which a dress code of graduation cap and gown and other appropriate attire applies. Students who do not wish to wear a cap and gown will wear the following attire: Black full length pants or black skirt with white button-down dress shirt (short or long-sleeved but not sleeveless). Appropriate footwear is expected and flip flops are not appropriate for this event.

Caps and gowns are distributed weeks before graduation. If a balance is owed, payment is due at the time of pick-up. Graduates keep their cap & gown following the commencement ceremony.

Helpful Reminders

Press your gown with a cool iron.
Hairstyles should be conducive to wearing the graduation hat on the top of your head so it covers half of your forehead. This is the way the hats have been made and measured.
Graduates often decorate their caps. School rules will apply to this and caps are to be appropriate and not interfere with the view of other graduates.
A flower will be pinned to your gown for graduation.
Any student who is, or appears to be, under the influence of a mood-altering chemical or whose behavior is not compliant with school expectations will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
Graduation is one of the most formal ceremonies that you will ever participate in. It is as much an honor for your family as it is for you. Keep in mind:
- Only wear the gown when appropriate, such as graduation, baccalaureate, or your pictures.
- Do not whistle, cheer or make loud comments during the ceremony.
- Do not chew gum or food or have beverages with you during the ceremony.
- Wearing of sunglasses is not permitted during the ceremony.
- Phones are not to be seen or heard during the ceremony.

Ceremony Honors

Valedictorian awarded to the student(s) with the highest GPA
Salutatorian awarded to the student(s) with the second highest GPA
- Summa Cum Laude (3.9000 or higher) – Gold Cord
- Magna Cum Laude (3.700 - 3.899) – Red Cord
- Cum Laude (3.500 - 3.699) – White Cord
- ‘B’ Honor students (3.000 – 3.499) will wear a gold tassel. If honor students wish to also receive the black & orange tassel, stop by the Principal’s office to pick one up.
- NHS members are provided a royal blue cord.
- Students fully enlisted in the military prior to May 30 are provided with a red, white & blue cord. These students must inform their counselor prior to May 30.
- Only school-issued honor cords, medals and insignia are allowed to be worn.

Fines and Outstanding Fees

Fines, lunch money overdrafts, overdue and lost books, parking tickets, class fees, etc., must be cleared before diplomas will be issued. All school-owned electronic devices are to be returned to your advisor by May 23. PSEO students are reminded that textbooks are high school property and must be returned to the school. Post-secondary students will not receive their diplomas until the high school receives written verification that the student will successfully complete college classes required for graduation.

After the Ceremony

Graduates will be escorted back to their staging room where they will receive the actual paper diploma. Guests are to remain in place until all graduates have been escorted out of the gym and away from the gym entrances. Graduates are encouraged to designate a specific meeting place on the grounds if wanting to meet up with family or friends after receiving their diploma.

Senior Party

Graduates may not drive to the Senior Party. They must arrive on the designated buses which will be parked on Tiger Boulevard after the ceremony. Students may not leave their belongings in the school overnight. Student parking is on the south side of the school (back lot) and student vehicles may be left there overnight, as that is where they will be dropped off in the morning after the party. The school is accessible during regular summer office hours: M-Th 8:00 - 3:00. Enter Door 1.

Students attending the all-night senior party should bring clothing with them to graduation for the all-night senior party. Items should be in duffel bags, etc., labeled with the student's name. They will be kept in a locked area during graduation.

Please contact the Senior Party committee with any questions at phseniorparty@gmail.com or visit their website at phsseniorparty.com

Explore Additional Commencement Information

Participation in the Ceremony and Diploma

Tickets

Each graduate will be issued 6 tickets for the event. These are sent to the student’s main address that is listed in Skyward. We recognize that not all family units are the same. Therefore, in the case of split families, 3 tickets will be mailed the primary address as listed in Skyward and 3 to the second address (assuming addresses are listed for each parent/guardian). Please make sure your current address is listed in Skyward. The school can not replace lost tickets, issue extra tickets, or redistribute unused tickets. Students are welcome to give any extra tickets to whomever they choose. Guests need to be sure to have tickets at admittance to the event as there will not be additional or replacement tickets available.

Live-Streaming

Graduate Arrival and Staging

For the ceremony, Graduates are to arrive between 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. on May 27th, park in the back south lot, enter doors 15 or 16, and report to their assigned staging room. Rehearsal will be held at 10:00 am on May 29th. Students should arrive no later than 9:55 and be seated in the Tiger Gym ready to go at 10:00. Rehearsal is mandatory, unless you notify the Principal's office or your Guidance Counselor that you're unable to be there.

Graduate Staging Rooms

Graduates are to report to their assigned staging rooms where they will receive directions from their advisor for the processional, seating, and recessional. The assigned staging rooms will be posted in the hallways that night. While in the staging room, graduates will prepare their name card which will be given to the assistant principals to read at the time of graduation. Each senior advisory will provide instructions and lead the graduates to their seating area and direct them during the ceremony.

Guest Parking, Seating and Restrooms

Parking / Entering the Event

Guest parking is available in the designated parking lots. No vehicles will be allowed on the fire road that runs between the school and John Harvey Field. Parking is prohibited on Tiger Boulevard. Additional handicapped parking will be marked for the event. Guests will enter Door 1. Graduates will park in the back, south lot and enter door 15 or 16.

Seating

Admittance will begin at 6:00 pm at Door 1. Lineup will not occur inside the building. Once inside, guests are to move to the Tiger Gym. Seating is not assigned. Guests are to remain seated during the ceremony.

Restrooms

Two restroom suites are located near Tiger Gym and will be available to guests.

Photos and Diploma Distribution

Photos

A professional photographer will take a photo of each student as they receive their diploma on stage as well as with a backdrop. These will be available or for purchase. Ordering information will be shared at a later date.

Diploma Distribution

Diplomas are distributed immediately following graduation in designated classrooms. Students who are not participating in the ceremony will have their diploma mailed as long as all fines and fees are paid. Students may also pick up their diploma in the main office during regular summer hours.

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