Graduation will be on Tuesday, June 7 2024 at 5:30 pm at Roy Wilkins Auditorium

Graduation practice will be held that morning at Roy Wilkins - 10 AM

Each student will receive 8 tickets to graduation

Caps and Gowns will be distributed the week before the graduation - details to come.

Graduation Code of conduct

Graduation is a very important event in the lives of graduates and their families and friends.  This is a formal occasion and proper behavior is expected before, during, and after the rehearsal, or ceremony.  Please read and follow the conduct guidelines below.  Violation of this code of conduct will result in you not participating in the graduation ceremony.

*  Be on time for rehearsal (time TBD) and the ceremony (4:45 P.M.).

*  No chemical use on school grounds, including Roy Wilkins Auditorium, before, during, and after the rehearsal, ceremony, and all-night party. This includes alcohol, cigarettes, vaping and other drugs.

*  No decorations on the mortarboard (cap) – it will be taken before you enter the ceremony.

*  No outside decorations on the gown - only honors cords. Immersion cords, and IB Medals may be worn outside the gown.  Identity Adornments may be worn, but must be pre-approved and tagged by the Senior Class Advisor (details below)

*  Do not wear or carry flowers. Native American students who have received an eagle feather as part of a special ceremony will be allowed to carry the eagle feather.

*  No cameras or recording devices on the floor of Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Please leave your cell phones at home or turn them off during the ceremony. 

*  No showboating, yelling, or dramatization before, during, or after rehearsal and the ceremony.  Remember, this is a dignified occasion, which you have earned.  Your appropriate behavior enhances everyone’s experience.

Rehearsal

Graduation rehearsal is mandatory.  You must attend rehearsal and be on time to participate in the graduation ceremony.  Attendance will be taken.  Please be at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the Fifth Street entrance on the morning of graduation.  Time is currently TBD - this will be updated as soon as we know it.   Please be prompt.  Rehearsal will take approximately 1½ to 2 hours.  You must provide your own transportation.   http://www.theroy.org/getting-here/directions (you do not wear cap and gown to the rehearsal)

Graduation Tickets and Ceremony

When you receive your cap and gown on June 2nd, each graduate will receive eight (8) tickets for the ceremony. These tickets will be collected at the doors at the graduation ceremony.  Guests requiring a handicap accessible entrance and seating may use the Fifth Street entrance.  There is limited seating for handicapped guests on the main floor.  Only one family member will be allowed to sit with the person requiring special arrangements.

Graduates must report to Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the Fifth Street entrance and be inside the waiting area by 4:45 P.M.  We will begin lining up the graduates at 4:45 in preparation for the procession.  Only graduates will be allowed in this area.  Please take all pictures before you arrive at Roy Wilkins Auditorium or after the ceremony.  Please be courteous.

Each graduate will receive 8 tickets to graduation. They are a standard box office ticket from Roy Wilkins.  There are 8 tickets printed for each graduate.  We will work to facilitate redistribution of unused tickets through a return/request form.  If you are not going to need 8 tickets, we can redistribute to students who may need more than 8.  Students who might need more than 8 are welcome to request up to two more tickets.  These requests are not guaranteed, as they are filled with tickets that are returned from other students.  If you have tickets that will go unused or if you want to request another ticket or two, this form will open on Friday, May 12th after the senior meeting: https://forms.gle/bbWtzioPmn2Q1SAG7

Graduation will be livestreamed – go to www.spps.org/graduations and click on the Highland link.

Graduation Attire

The gowns are single-use gowns and you will be able to keep them.  When you receive your cap and gown there will be instructions for their care.  Hang them up on a hanger to assist with the removal of wrinkles.  Do not add any decorations to the cap or gown.  Honors cords and IB medals may be worn on the outside of the gown.  Any caps with decorations on them will be confiscated prior to the ceremony.  Your tassel should be worn on the left side.  This is a dignified ceremony.  Please be respectful of your classmates and Highland Park Senior High.  Remember to take all pictures before you arrive at Roy Wilkins or after the ceremony.

Identity Adornments:  If the graduating senior would like to wear an adornment which reflects their identity, they may do so.  Details are found at this link (https://forms.gle/GdWppedpbHzcUJSN6) Identity Adornments must be approved prior to the graduation ceremony.  Two things must be completed:

• Fill out this google form, including the picture of yourself wearing the adornment.
• Bring the adornment by Ms. Hedwall’s room (3207) no later than Thursday, June 2^nd for it to be tagged as approved. If the approval tag is not on there at the ceremony, the identity adornment may be taken until after the ceremony is completed.  Appropriate times include before school, after school and during advisory.

Parking

Due to the early start time for graduation, traffic may be heavy and parking limited.  Please leave extra early to ensure that you are at Roy Wilkins Auditorium by 4:45 P.M. The River Centre and Science Museum parking ramps are easily accessible from the lower entrance off of Shepherd Road and Chestnut Street.  Graduates are to enter Roy Wilkins Auditorium from the Fifth Street entrance.  Parents and guests must use the other entrances and will be seated in the balcony. Remember, the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 5:30 P.M. and graduates must be backstage by 4:45 P.M.  If you are late, you will not be able to participate in the ceremony.  Please be prompt.

If you have any further questions, please stop Ms. Hedwall’s room (3207), call (651)744-3881, or e-mail (melissa.hedwall@spps.org)  Finally, take time to enjoy the last few weeks of high school!

 Senior Happenings: