South Salem High School
Graduation
Commencement Celebration
2024 Graduation Commencement Ceremony will be
June 7, 2024!
Graduation Commencement Ceremony
Cap & Gown Protocol
All attire worn under the gown must follow district dress code.
General Cap & Gown Instructions
- Hang up the gown as soon as you get it. Many of the wrinkles will shake out but some pressing may be necessary.
- Students are allowed to wear their cords, medals, or stoles depending upon their involvement in clubs/organizations/honor societies. The cords are passed through the loop in the back of the gown and then hang over the shoulders in front.
- Hawaiian leis are allowed to be worn.
- Native American feathers, beadings and garments are allowed.
- Students are not allowed to carry objects such as, but not limited to, flowers, stuffed animals, air horns, balloons, inflatables, etc.
- Sunglasses may not be worn.
Correct Positioning of Cap
- The long point of the cap goes to the back and the short point is centered on the forehead with the mortarboard level (not tilted).
- The cap is never removed during any part of the ceremony.
- The outside of the cap may be decorated, however if the decorations on the cap are considered inappropriate or cause a distraction, the graduate will be asked to remove and replace their cap.
- The tassel is pinned on the right side of the cap.
The gowns do not need to be returned, but they can be donated for future senior use.
Before Commencement
Before the Commencement Ceremony
GRADUATION HONORS
Valedictorian
Schools will recognize the students with the highest unweighted cumulative GPA over 8 semesters in high school as valedictorian.
*** Early graduates and fifth-year students are not eligible for valedictorian status.
Salutatorian
Schools will recognize the students with the next highest unweighted cumulative GPA over 8 semesters in high school as salutatorian.
*** Early graduates and fifth-year students are not eligible for salutatorian status.
Behavior Expectations
The Salem-Keizer School District permits seniors to graduate early on June 8th while other students continue through June 16th. Because of this, there are no authorized senior skip days!
It is also important to remember that violations of school rules, including pranks and poor choices, (including through the use of technology) may result in a student not being able to participate in the graduation ceremony. Any student engaged in a senior prank that damages property, degrades the reputation of an individual and/or the high school may be criminally charged and will not be allowed to walk with their class at graduation. The joy of graduation could be lost if a student chooses to engage in inappropriate behavior.
Seniors will participate in awareness discussions designed to prevent anyone from losing their privileges to participate in senior activities and/or graduation. Our desire is to make certain every senior in the Sprague family enjoys a wonderful and memorable graduation.
Fees, Fines, & Lost Books
All library books, textbooks and Chromebooks need to be returned to the Library by Friday, May 27th, unless still in use. Students will be billed for books not returned to the library. Fees, fines and lost books should be cleared with the bookkeeper by 3:00 p.m. on June 8, 2022. Students still owing materials to the school will not be able to walk during graduation.
Student Speakers at Graduation
If you would like to be one of the speakers at graduation, please visit the Main Office to sign up. Auditions will be April 29th at 2:00 p.m.
