Dress Code for Graduates

• Students should wear dark, dressy clothing under gowns -- NO JEANS!

• Shoes should be suitable for walking and climbing stairs.

• Only school or district issued stoles, cords, and medals earned during grades 9-12 are to be worn.

• Caps are worn on top of the head, with the point in front. Caps are not to be decorated in any way. A decorated cap will result in loss of marching privileges.

• Tassels begin on the right-front side, then move to the left-front side at the end of the ceremony, when signaled by the Arts Council President from the stage.

• Purses and other personal items should be left with family or at home. There is no secure space to store these during the ceremony.

​

Tickets

• All 2023 graduates will receive 18 tickets.

• Students who need ADA tickets must complete the survey sent to all seniors.

• Tickets will be distributed at the conclusion of graduation practice along with all final graduation regalia.

 

Preparing for the Ceremony

• The Valedictorian and Salutatorian will review speeches/remarks with administration 48 hours prior to the ceremony.

• Val/Sal speeches should be 2-3 minutes maximum.

• Pursuant to the Florida Statute 1002.206, the “Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act”, the school district has adopted a policy that establishes a limited public forum for student speakers at any school event at which a student is to speak publicly. The student’s speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or expression of the school district.

 

Graduation Practice

• The graduation program/script will be run at practice to establish cues for movement.

• Academic regalia will also be distributed at graduation practice.

• After practice, diplomas will be matched with marching order list.

• Students will not march if not in attendance for graduation practice.

 

Graduation Day

• Seniors will be called to arrive at least 1 hour before event start time.

• Students must be on time to graduation. Tardiness may result in placement at the end of the processional for commencement.

• Final attendance will be taken for name readers.

• Graduates are expected to observe the dignity of the occasion. Various disruptive behaviors are inappropriate and disrespectful to the solemnity of commencement.

 

Diplomas

• Diplomas are presented by the principal except in the case of family members’ awarding (see below).

• Diplomas will be distributed on stage as graduate names are called.

 

Staff Participation

• All teachers are required to attend graduation unless excused by principal.

• Per PCPS policy, all faculty on the floor or stage must be dressed in regalia.

• LHS teachers are also welcomed to participate in the ceremony.

 

Parent Presentation of Diplomas

• A school board member or current school-district employee who holds teacher certification and who has a child graduating, or is the immediate family member of a child graduating, may request to present a diploma.

• Requests should be made at least 24 hours prior to graduation practice.

• The family member must attend and participate in graduation practice.

• The family member must also wear a commencement gown.