Dress Code & Behavior

A student asked a great question - What is the dress code for the attire worn under the gown?

You must wear dress clothes under your cap & gown. Graduation Commencement Ceremonies are considered formal events, but not dressy like prom. Our cap and gowns are royal blue. Your neck and collar will show. Your middle calf and feet will show. The ceremony is outside. We do not control the weather - the humidity, rain, wind, clouds, sun, or hot or cold temperatures.  

Students, if you are having trouble getting a pair of dress shoes, or graduation clothing, please speak to Ms. Peyton (room 3143), or Ms. Miller (room 4138) as soon as possible and let us know. If you don't know either of us, speak to any "senior only teacher" or Ms. Warren, Mr. King, Ms. Holland (media center), Mr. Felts, Mr. Jones, Ms. Gant, Col. Dunklin, MSgt. Matthis, Ms. E. Miller, or any teacher you are comfortable with. They can get word to us.  Please DO NOT Skip graduation because you are having trouble getting clothes and shoes. You made it to graduation and you deserve your celebration day. The community is willing to help those in need. But you must speak up for yourself.      

Cap & Gown You must wear your cap and gown closed (zipped) as you walk across the stage and while sitting in your seat. Your cap may have 2D decorations that are appropriate for school - no profanity, threats, hate speech, etc. No 3D decorations will be allowed on your caps. You are permitted to wear your CHS stoles, NHS Stoles, and approved cords from approved Chamblee High School Clubs, Honors Societies, and Organizations (List).   You will be asked to remove your 3D decorations on the morning of graduation. Wearing or attempting to wear an unapproved stole, sash, or any unapproved item may be cause for removal from the ceremony. See Cap & Gown Pictures for more info. 

Throwing your Cap & Tassel at Graduation is NOT ALLOWED. There are several reasons: (1) it's unsafe; (2) It's wasteful; (3) it causes disruption during and after the recess of the ceremony; (4) Staff have limited time to clean up between ceremonies; (5) you will not get it back; (5) your adult will not get it back; (6) Staff must carry back excess garbage (discarded caps & tassels) on the bus. We will show you how to show your excitement in person, at graduation practice. We will remind you at the graduation staging just prior to walking. Throwing your Cap & Tassel at Graduation is prohibited. You may not leave your seat to go retrieve your Cap & Tassel. We will recess from the field the same way we practiced recessing at the graduation rehearsal. If a student throws their Cap & Tassel at Graduation, it is the same thing as throwing it into the trashcan. It is gone. You will not get a refund. You will not get it back. Your parent may not get it back. Your parent may want to keep your Cap & Tassel for sentimental purposes.  Staff will be picking up the thrown-away Caps & Tassels that landed on the ground or seats, but they may not be handed back out. Staff must clean up the graduation area for the next graduation ceremony. Caps & Tassels are worn and discarded at that point and are considered unsanitary garbage.  Do not throw your Cap & Tassel.     

Bottoms: The general rule is to wear darker color bottoms as bottoms will show beneath your gown. No students may wear jeans or shorts. Students may wear pants. Pants should be khaki material, dress pants, or suit material in a solid dark blue, black, or dark grey in color (NO JEANS/ Denim). If a student wears a skirt or a dress, it is recommended that the hemline fall just above the knee. If the hemline is longer than the gown it should be solid dark blue, black, or dark grey in color (NO JEANS/ Denim). While not required students who wear hose, stockings, or socks should be skin colors, dark colors, or black. Students wearing dress shoes (not heels) must wear socks. 

Footwear: Shoes are required. You should not wear shoes that hurt your feet. Students may wear a variety of dress shoes. It is recommended that shoes be comfortable because there will be considerable walking on stairs, stages, a lot of stairs, and other surfaces before, during, and after the ceremony. No students may wear beach sandals, Crocs, flip-flops, slides, booties, slippers, Tevas, hiking, shower shoes, rain boots, slickers, work boots, cowboy boots, Uggs boots, sports shoes, or tennis/ athletic shoes. If you are unsure or have questions, bring your shoes (or a pic) to either senior sponsor before you try to walk in them on graduation day. If you are having trouble getting a pair of dress shoes or graduation clothing, please speak to Ms. Peyton (room 3143) or Ms. Miller (room 4138) as soon as possible.     

Masks The DeKalb County School District encourages the wearing of masks and adherence to all other protocols as published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Hair Graduation caps fit tightly. It’s probably easier if you wear your hair down because up-dos, buns, or really high twists or thick braids are probably not going to fit under your cap.  But, the Cap & Gown professionals will do their best on graduation day. 

Accessories Students can wear minimal jewelry on their ears, fingers, and wrists. Any jewelry that makes noises when walking is prohibited. Students should limit earrings to simple and elegant options, staying away from clunky or quirky necklaces. Earrings should not come into contact with the neckline of the CHS stole. No costume or "graduation class of" jewelry is allowed.

Eye Glasses Prescription glasses and sunglasses are permitted. Decorative glasses are not to be worn, i.e. Class of 2023 costume eye-glasses are prohibited. 

Other items which may cause a distraction or disruption at graduation are not allowed to be worn or brought into the stadium. While lining up to enter the stadium, if you are wearing a prohibited item, you will be asked to remove it. This could cause to you get upset and we don't want that. So don't come to graduation wearing or carrying prohibited items. 

Please act like the responsible young adults that you are.  

Remember, this is a school event and you are still a student subject to the Student Code of Conduct. 

For additional information, here is an article on "What to Wear Under Your Cap and Gown."