To: The students and parents/guardians of the Class of 2026
From: Gahr High School Administration
SENIOR CONTRACT & ACTIVITIES 2025-2026
To: Students and parents/guardians of the Class of 2026
From: Gahr High School Administration
Welcome to your Senior Year! Read this and submit the Senior Contract Google Form.
IMPORTANT: All school rules apply ALL YEAR LONG. Breaking any rule may result in losing your next senior event (Homecoming, Prom, or Graduation).
GRADUATION CEREMONY
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Hanford Rants Stadium
TO GRADUATE, YOU MUST HAVE:
230 credits (all classes passed)
All fines paid (ASB/Library)
All detentions completed
All books/devices returned
Senior Survey completed
Senior Contract signed and returned
GRADUATION TICKETS:
4 free tickets per graduate
8 additional tickets available for purchase
PARKING:
Gym lot (first-come, first-served)
Preferred parking passes available for purchase
DIPLOMA PICK-UP: Monday, June 1, 2026 (9:30-11:30 AM) - MPR/Auditorium
You must be present with ID - NO EXCEPTIONS
All fines paid
All books/devices returned
Senior Survey completed
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY AT ALL EVENTS
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EVENTS:
Must have Gahr High School ID
Follow dress code
Follow all staff directions
Meet B.A.G. criteria
B.A.G. Requirements - To attend school activities and dances, students must meet B.A.G. standards:
Behavior: No major discipline issues in the 60 days before the event
Attendance: 90% attendance rate this semester (Saturday School can make up absences)
Grades: 2.0 GPA minimum, no more than 2 F's, on track to graduate
SENIOR PARKING:
Senior parking is a PRIVILEGE
Must park in student parking spots only
Parking costs $20
Parking privilege can be revoked for rule violations
Reckless driving on or around campus will result in immediate loss of parking permit
WARNING: Any rule violation = removal from event + loss of next senior activity + possible loss of parking privilege
Attendance Policy - Reporting Absences
Parents have 3 school days to report absences or they become truancies.
Contact Methods:
Phone: (562) 229-7732
Email: gahr.attendance@abcusd.us
Online: Gahr Attendance Google Form
- Include: Student name, 6-digit ID, date/periods absent, reason, phone number
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 14, 2026
Prom - Soka University
March 27, 2026
Senior Privilege Day
May 21, 2026
Grad Bash
May 29, 2026
Graduation
June 1, 2026
Diploma Pick-up
* Please be advised that dates may be subject to change. We'll keep you posted if anything changes arise.
SENIOR CONTRACT
I understand that being a Gahr Gladiator means following ALL school rules ALL YEAR LONG.
AS A SENIOR, I AGREE TO:
Act with pride for my family, school, and community
Follow all staff directions
Respect others and their property
Follow dress code
Use appropriate language
No profanity or inappropriate gestures
NO alcohol or drugs before, during, or after ANY school event
No noisemakers, balloons, silly string, or distractions
Drive safely and responsibly on and around campus
I UNDERSTAND:
School rules apply ALL YEAR - not just at events
Breaking any rule = losing my next senior event
Early mistakes can cost me Prom and Graduation
Senior activities build on each other
Reckless driving will result in immediate loss of parking permit
Requirements to Participate
Parents: If your student does not wish to participate in the graduation ceremony, please email Dr. Katie Johns, Assistant Principal, immediately at kathleen.johns@abcusd.us .
Participation in the ceremony is allowed only if your seniors have met the following requirements:
230 credits earned including all course requirements, make-up classes, and proficiency exams.
All financial obligations (ASB or Library) have been paid.
All detentions and/or other means of correction (ex: Saturday School) have been completed/cleared.
All school books, library books, and/or electronic devices have been returned.
The Senior Survey has been completed:
The Senior Graduation Contract (located on the last page) has been signed by both the student and parent/guardian and submitted to the counseling office.
Tickets
Each graduating senior will receive 4 graduation tickets at no cost.
In order to be eligible to pick-up these tickets, seniors must have met all requirements (with the exception of #4, which will be completed on May 23) to participate in the graduation ceremony.
Students MUST have their school ID to receive the tickets. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Ticket distribution will take place after Mandatory Graduation Practice on Thursday, May 28.
Beginning Monday, May 4, 8 additional tickets per graduating senior, will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will be sold until Friday, May 22, or until they sell out, whichever comes first.
Students may purchase tickets before school, lunch, or after school. Parents may purchase tickets from 3:25 - 4:00 pm.
Types of tickets available:
General Seating
Tickets are $15 each
Each student/family can purchase a maximum of 8 additional tickets.
VIP Seating
Tickets are $75 each
Guests with VIP tickets may not wear heels or consume food or drinks during the ceremony due to seating being on the turf.
Tickets are non-refundable and must be presented upon entry
Children ages three and under who will sit on a parent or guardian’s lap do not require a ticket.
Please note: graduation ticket sales help cover the various expenses associated with the ceremony, including diploma covers, programs, decorations, sound systems, security, sheriff services, custodial staff, and more.
Parking
Parking is available in the gym lot on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited parking, we recommend families carpool and consider dropping off their graduating seniors at the gym.
Starting Monday, May 4, preferred parking passes, which grant access to parking directly in front of Rants Stadium, will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking passes will be sold until Friday, May 22, or until all passes are sold, whichever comes first.
Students may purchase preferred parking passes at lunch.
Parents may purchase preferred parking passes from 3:25 - 4:00 pm.
Preferred parking passes are $25 each.
Preferred parking passes are non-refundable and must be presented upon entry.
Do not park in the business lots across the street from Gahr High School. You will be at risk of having your car towed.
Student Expectations at the Ceremony
PLEASE NOTE:
Caps and gowns are the traditional dress required for the graduation ceremony and may not be decorated or altered in any way.
Students may choose to borrow a cap and gown from a family member or friend (as long as it is the appropriate color for Gahr High School). If you need a cap and gown, please see your counselor for assistance.
Dress appropriately, as the school’s dress code will be enforced.
Recommended attire: Dress shirt, tie, dress slacks, dresses or coordinated dressy pants.
Wear appropriate shoes for walking on the track and artificial turf. No heels allowed! (Wedges are permitted.) There will NOT be any exception regarding heels as they are not permitted on the turf.
Students should not be carrying anything with them. No purses, wristlets, or handbags are permitted. These items should be left with parents/guardians or guests. Family members can give items to the graduate after the ceremony.
Simple, flat hair styles are recommended so that caps fit squarely graduates’ heads.
Caps and gowns will be searched upon check-in at the gym.
Please do not fasten caps to your hair until after you check-in.
Only the academic honor stoles, honor cords, and other items given out by the counseling office or Gahr High School organizations may be worn. Ornaments, stoles, insignias, balloons, leis, or flowers of any kind may not be worn or carried.
This is a school function and all school rules will be enforced. Poor choices may result in students’ removal from the ceremony.
Guest Expectations
Guests with purses/bags are subject to search prior to entry.
Seating is first come first serve. You may not reserve seats.
Drones, signs, fatheads, balloons, coolers, lounge chairs, umbrellas, seat backs, noisemakers, confetti, EZ-ups, or other items that may create a distraction are not permitted.
No outside food and drinks. No glass containers.
Attire that promotes gang affiliation, alcohol, drugs, or any inappropriate or offensive messages is not permitted at the graduation ceremony.
Guests are NOT allowed on the field. Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, families can meet their students in front of the stadium.
Guests are not permitted for re-admission.
In order to ensure a successful and orderly graduation ceremony, the school reserves the right to deny admittance and to remove anyone who poses a risk or danger to the safety of students and spectators.
Graduation Trips and Parties
Any graduation trip or activity other than the official school ceremony is not sponsored or sanctioned by Gahr High School or the ABC Unified School District. They are often offered by independent travel companies that have no association with Gahr High School and are not chaperoned by Gahr High School staff members.
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
Please be reminded that Gahr High School’s Activities Policy applies to all senior events.
Students must have their Gahr High School ID with them. If you do not have one stop by the Finance Office.
All school rules, including the dress code, are in effect at every school-sponsored activity.
All students must respond appropriately to the directions of school staff, whether the event is on or off campus. This includes administrative and supervisory staff from the school or location hosting the event.
Students must meet the B.A.G. criteria (see below) to attend major events.
Students on suspension from school are not to be on campus and may not participate in/attend any school function, game, or activity (home/away) during the time of their suspension from school.
School staff supervision is provided during all Gahr High School scheduled after-school campus events and activities. Please note that the City of Cerritos and other organizations may host after-school or weekend events on our campus, with supervision provided by the respective organization.
Event supervision does not extend beyond the conclusion of the event or outside the event itself.
Parents must pick up their students immediately following the conclusion of the event, or provide a suitable alternative form of transportation home.
Any violation of school rules may result in discipline in accordance with school policy and your immediate removal from the school activity.
DIPLOMA PICK-UP
Students may pick-up their diplomas on Monday, June 1, 2026 from 11:30 - 1:30 pm at the MPR/Auditorium.
Students must be present (and have their school ID) to pick up their diploma . NO EXCEPTIONS!
All obligations (ASB or Library) must be paid.
All school books, library books, electronic devices must be returned.
The Senior Survey must be completed