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SFHS Graduation Information
Graduation is Thursday, May 25th at 4:00 pm
Greetings SFHS Seniors and Families,
Graduates must successfully complete 24 required units and adhere to the district’s attendance policy in order to receive a high school diploma and participate in the graduation ceremony. Students with absences exceeding the allowed amount should attend attendance recovery sessions each morning from 7:30 - 8:30 am. Saturday school will be held April 22nd from 8:00 - 1:00 pm. Saturday school participants will receive 5 hours of attendance credit and may also turn in work for content grade recovery.
Senior Turn In: Seniors may turn in Chromebooks and textbooks to the media center upon completion of exams. Senior exams will take place May 8-11th. Final Chromebook and textbook turn in will take place at the exterior door of the media center May 12th from 9:00 - 1:00 pm. This door is located in the front of the school and will be marked with signage. Seniors may not enter the building during this time.
In order to participate in graduation, all outstanding fees must be paid no later than 2:00 pm May 12th. Students who have outstanding fees and/or materials will not be allowed to pick up graduation tickets during Senior Checkout on May 17th.
Baccalaureate Services (Optional): The SFHS Baccalaureate service will take place Sunday, May 21st, at 2:00 p.m. in the South Florence High School Auditorium. During this ceremony, an inspirational message will be shared with seniors and families. Graduates should wear caps and gowns for this ceremony. Graduating seniors and Junior Marshals must report to the SFHS media center no later than 1:00 pm. on Sunday, May 21st. Guests will report to the auditorium upon arrival for the Baccalaureate service. Baccalaureate is a wonderful opportunity for graduates and families to take graduation photos on the SFHS campus.
Graduation Tickets and Senior Checkout: Senior Checkout will take place May 17th from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. Seniors who have paid all fees and meet graduation requirements will be issued 13 guest tickets for the graduation ceremony. Tickets will be distributed to graduates (or a family member listed in PowerSchool) during Senior Check Out Day. Graduates or their designee must present either a current student ID or driver’s license in order to pick up graduation tickets.
Graduates should arrive to pick up graduation tickets at the following times (divided by last name): 9:00 - 10:00 A-E, 10:00 - 11:00 F-K, 11:00 - 12:00 L-S, 12:00 - 1:00 T-Z.
Graduation Rehearsal (Required for all seniors participating in the graduation ceremony): Graduation rehearsal will take place Wednesday, May 24 from 12:15 - 2:30 at the Florence Center. Rehearsal allows graduates to become familiar with the graduation process and ensures that each graduate is at ease for the May 25th graduation ceremony. Seniors should wear regular school attire and meet at the Florence Center on Wednesday, May 24th, at 12:15 p.m. and remain until the end of practice at 2:30 p.m. To participate in the graduation ceremony, candidates must be present for practice.
Seniors who do not plan on participating in graduation exercises must notify their guidance counselor by May 1, 2023.
Graduation Ceremony (Graduate Information): South Florence Graduation is Thursday, May 25th at 4:00 pm. Graduates are expected to be at Florence Center no later than 2:30 pm. Florence Center doors open for guests at 3:00 pm. Graduates will park in Gate 3 (South Parking Lot). All graduates will receive a parking pass to display in their car window. After parking, graduates will take the path around the Florence Center, walk down the stairs, enter the facility through Door #7 and proceed to the ballroom. Graduates will take his/her assigned seat in the ballroom while waiting for the procession into the arena for the ceremony.
Graduates are required to have gowns unzipped prior to entry to the Ballroom for security pre screening. Please refrain from bringing bags, purses or other items as there will be no items left in the holding area once the procession begins. Graduates will be seated alphabetically for the graduation ceremony. Upon completion of the ceremony, graduates will exit through Door #7 and continue to the South Parking Lot.
Graduation Attire: All graduates should wear graduation caps and gowns for the graduation ceremony. Graduating seniors should have already ordered your caps and gown. Any graduating senior who has not ordered his or her graduation attire needs to see Mrs. Cue immediately.
Male graduates are expected to wear a button-down collared shirt with a tie. Males should wear dress slacks (brown or black) and dress shoes. Females should wear either a dress, skirt or dress slacks and blouse. Females should wear comfortable dress shoes that will allow them to safely walk across the stage. Extremely high heels are discouraged. Graduates may not wear jeans, sneakers, crocs, bedroom slippers, or flip flops.
Graduation caps and gowns may not be decorated or altered in any way. Graduates may wear school approved stoles and honor cords for the ceremony.
Graduation Seating and Recognition During the Ceremony (Graduates): The Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees revised Board Policy IKF-Graduation Requirements in February of 2023. This policy outlines the requirements for recognition as the Valedictorian or Salutatorian, Board of Trustees Scholar, Double Cord, or Single Cord graduates. The updated policy changed the seating practices for graduates. All students will now be seated and called in alphabetical order instead of being grouped by honor designation. Honor graduate designations will still be recognized with medallions or cords as well as printed in the graduation program.
Graduation Ceremony (Guest Information): All guests are required to have a ticket for entry. Guests ages 3 and under that are seated in an adult’s lap are permitted without a ticket. Doors to the Florence Center will open at 3:00 pm and seating is general admission. Guests are asked to park in the West Lot, Gate 3. Overflow parking will be in the East Lot through gate 5. Please follow all traffic signs and event staff directions. Please refrain from parking in neighboring business parking lots. Upon entering the Florence Center, guests will enter through designated doors and participate in a pre screening process.
Please note that balloons, banners, noise makers, flags, flowers, or posters will not be allowed into the facility. Guests are asked to remain seated during the ceremony. Late arrivals to the ceremony will not be permitted to enter the arena until the graduation processional is complete. Guests are not allowed onto the arena floor before or after the ceremony.
In order to allow every graduate to be recognized and have his/her name heard, we ask that guests hold applause until each group of graduates has been recognized. This is a formal ceremony and the expectation is that all guests maintain proper decorum.
Again, congratulations on your outstanding academic achievement. I encourage you to take full advantage of all the senior activities that are planned to celebrate YOU over the next few weeks! This is a special time in your life, and you have worked hard for your achievements. I am honored to be your principal and I am incredibly proud of you and your accomplishments.
Shand Josey
Principal
South Florence High School