Graduation and Senior Activities

Senior Week Activities

• Seniors must complete graduation requirements prior to participating in senior week activities

  • This includes community service, outstanding behavior contracts, attendance requirements, and academic requirements

• Outstanding financial obligations should be fulfilled prior to attending an event

  • This includes returning any school library or textbooks or devices checked out to the student

• Seniors must complete and submit a Senior Contract prior to the assigned due date to their English teacher

• Attendance is mandatory for all seniors. Those who are ineligible to attend events will be assigned to a location on campus to continue working towards completion of any outstanding requirements.

• Students should adhere to the school dress code when attending activities

Graduation Ceremony

Students will be assigned 8 tickets for guests to attend graduation. If not all tickets are needed, please notify Nipomo High School so that additional tickets can be awarded to those in need.

Graduation Regalia

Students should purchase or rent a cardinal cap, gown and Titan colored tassel. Information regarding where to make these purchases or to request a rental will be available via the ASB website.

• Students may wear school issued regalia as approved by the Principal, including the following:

  • CTE Pathway completion cords

  • A-G completion cords

  • CCCR Medals

  • Valedictorian Stoles

  • California Scholarship Federation Gold Stoles

  • National Honors Society Stoles

  • Armed Forces Stoles

  • Outstanding Community Service Cord (250 hours)

• Students are permitted to tastefully decorate their mortar board. The following guidance should be adhered to:

  • No 3D designs

  • School appropriate decorations

  • Design should not extend beyond the borders of the mortar board

  • Nothing should hang from the sides

  • The shape of the mortar board should not be altered

Please refer to Lucia Mar Unified School District Board Policy related to Graduation:

• High school graduation ceremonies shall be held to recognize those students who have earned a diploma by successfully completing the required course of study, satisfying district standards, and passing any required assessments. The Board of Trustees believes that these students deserve the privilege of a public celebration that recognizes the significance of their achievement and encourages them to continue the pursuit of learning throughout their lives.

  • At the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, a student who will complete graduation requirements during the summer may participate in graduation exercises without receiving his/her diploma. When the requirements have been satisfied, a diploma shall be sent to the student.

  • High school students who have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination or the General Educational Development Test must also meet district graduation requirements in order to participate in graduation ceremonies.

  • The school or district shall not direct invocations, prayers, or benedictions at graduation ceremonies.

• Honors and Awards

  • To honor superior academic achievement, graduation ceremonies shall include recognition of valedictorian(s) and salutatorian(s). Valedictorian(s) and salutatorian(s) shall be selected based on established criteria and procedures that use multiple measures of academic performance.

  • The Superintendent or designee shall identify other school-sponsored awards which may be given during graduation exercises. A separate awards program may be held to recognize graduating students receiving other school and non-school awards.

• Conduct at Graduation Ceremonies

  • Any student participating in a graduation ceremony shall comply with district policies and regulations pertaining to student conduct.

  • The Superintendent or designee may require graduating students to wear ceremonial attire, such as cap and gown, at the ceremony.

  • However, any graduating student who has completed basic training and is an active member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces may, at his/her option, wear his/her military dress uniform at the ceremony. (Education Code 35183.3)

• Disciplinary Considerations

  • In order to encourage high standards of student conduct and behavior, the principal may deny a student the privilege of participating in graduation ceremonies and/or activities in accordance with school rules. Prior to denial of the privilege, the student, and where practicable his/her parent/guardian, shall be made aware of the grounds for such denial and shall be given an opportunity to respond. If a privilege is to be denied, the student and parent/guardian shall receive written notice of the denied privilege and the means whereby he/she may appeal the decision.

Please refer to California Education Code related to graduation:

• 35183.1.

• (a) A pupil may wear traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment at school graduation ceremonies. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a local educational agency’s discretion and authority to prohibit an item that is likely to cause a substantial disruption of, or material interference with, the ceremony.

• (b) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

• (1) “Adornment” means something attached to, or worn with, but not replacing, the cap and gown customarily worn at school graduation ceremonies.

• (2) “Cultural” means recognized practices and traditions of a certain group of people.

• (3) “Local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.