Stewarts Creek High School

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Graduation

Stewarts Creek High School Graduation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Information:
What is the date, time, and location for Graduation Rehearsal?
  • Thursday, May 17, 9-11:30 AM
  • Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University
What is the date, time, and location of SCHS Class of 2018 Graduation?
  • Thursday, May 17, 7:00 PM
  • Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University
Do guests have to have tickets to attend graduation?
  • No, there are no tickets needed. Guests sit on a first-come, first-served basis.
What is the dress code for graduation rehearsal?
  • Students do NOT wear cap and gowns for rehearsal/practice, but must still wear school-appropriate clothing
What is the dress code for the graduation ceremony?
  • All students must wear the black cap, gown, and tassel
  • Students are NOT permitted to write/design anything on the tops of the caps 
    • Boys:
      • Button-down dress shirt (any color, long or short sleeved)
      • Tie (bow or long)
      • Dress pants (any color, NO denim)
      • Dress shoes
      • Dress socks
    • Girls:
      • Skirt, Dress, or Dress pants/slacks (skirts/dresses must not be longer than the gown, any color, NO denim)
      • Dress shoes (may include dress flats, open- or closed-toes, any color, NO flip-flops, NO ballerina-type slip-ons
What special regalia items may be worn at graduation?
  • Only SCHS-approved regalia may be worn at graduation. This includes the following:
    • Graduate with Distinction - red stole (purchased from Jostens in May by student/parent)
    • Graduate with Honors - gray cord (purchased from Jostens in May by student/parent)
    • Valedictorian Medallion - provided by SCHS
  • Students are NOT permitted to wear regalia that may have been awarded from an outside society, company, or "club". This includes groups like National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)
  • Students are permitted to wear school-approved, school-affiliated club/group regalia. This includes groups like National Art Honor Society, Honor Society, Student Council, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, etc. School clubs/organizations that are nationally-affiliated and who may wish to have an honor cord/stole approved for graduation usage should contact a member of the Graduation Leadership Team prior to purchasing regalia and prior to Graduation. Students should talk with the club/group sponsor for more information
  • Jostens will return to SCHS on April 26th for students graduating with Honors, Distinction, or Work Ethic Distinction to purchase cords and/or stoles. The cords (Honors) will cost $10.00, and the stoles (Distinction) will cost $13.00. Jostens will require exact CASH on the day of the sale.
How long does the graduation ceremony typically last?
  • 90 minutes
Will the graduation ceremony be streamed live on the internet?
  • SCHS plans to stream the graduation ceremony live on the internet. A link will appear on the school's website to redirect to the SCHS YouTube channel
Are there special seating areas for the handicapped and those in wheelchairs?
  • Yes. Murphy Center is ADA-compliant. For those with family members who may need ADA-accommodations, there is an entrance on the northwest side of Murphy Center. From the parking lot, please proceed down the right-hand sidewalk (between the Murphy Center and the tennis courts). Once inside, turn right at the first hallway and travel to the end. On the left-hand wall (around a small corner), there is an elevator that will take you to the seating area. In front of the main seats, there are a number of aluminum platforms for you or your family members. We do ask that you avoid having the entire family sit in these areas, as they are reserved for wheelchairs. Families may choose to sit in front of these areas, or behind them in the wooden bleachers.
Will there be locked and/or guarded areas for seniors to leave personal belongings during the ceremony?
  • No. We advise that seniors leave all personal belongings with family members.
 
Murphy Center:
Are there special seating areas for the handicapped and those in wheelchairs?
  • Yes. Murphy Center is ADA-compliant. For those with family members who may need ADA-accommodations, there is an entrance on the northwest side of Murphy Center. From the parking lot, please proceed down the right-hand sidewalk (between the Murphy Center and the tennis courts). Once inside, turn right at the first hallway and travel to the end. On the left-hand wall (around a small corner), there is an elevator that will take you to the seating area. In front of the main seats, there are a number of aluminum platforms for you or your family members. We do ask that you avoid having the entire family sit in these areas, as they are reserved for wheelchairs. Families may choose to sit in front of these areas, or behind them in the wooden bleachers.
Will there be locked and/or guarded areas for seniors to leave personal belongings during the ceremony?
  • No. We advise that seniors leave all personal belongings with family members.
What is the date, time, and location of SCHS Class of 2018 Graduation?
  • Thursday, May 17, 7:00 PM
  • Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University
What is the date, time, and location for Graduation Rehearsal?
  • Thursday, May 17, 9-11:30 AM
  • Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University
Are tickets required for the ceremony?
  • No, however, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors of Murphy Center will open around 5:30 PM
Do students have to participate in graduation in order to graduate and/or receive his/her diploma?
  • No
If a student chooses to participate in the ceremony, what are the requirements?
  • Students must submit an "Intent to Participate Form" signed by parent(s)/guardian(s) to Ms. Hut in Room 420-1
  • Students must order a cap, gown, tassel, diploma, and diploma cover from Jostens (see contact information below)
  • Students must participate in the graduation practice
  • Student must meet the Senior Attendance Policy in order to be able to participate in the graduation ceremony. This requirement is met when a Senior has ten (10) or fewer unexcused absences from school (in the entire Senior year). Additionally, parent notes and other excuse notes must be turned in to the attendance office within five (5) days of your child's return to school for the unexcused days to be changed to an excused absence.
If my student graduated in December, may s/he participate in the May graduation ceremony?
  • Yes. S/he must complete the required items from the list above and inform Ms. Fox in the Counseling Department of her/his intention to participate
If a student chooses to NOT participate in the graduation ceremony, what are the requirements?
  • Submit an "Intent to NOT Participate" Form signed by parent(s)/guardian(s) to Ms. Hut in Room 420-1
  • Students must order and pay for a diploma and diploma cover from Jostens (see contact information below)
  • Students may pick up the diploma from SCHS on the day AFTER the graduation ceremony
If a student does NOT meet the Senior Attendance Policy requirements, how do s/he receive her/his diploma?
  • Students who have more than ten (10) unexcused absences from school during their Senior year, will be able to pick up their diplomas in the counseling office as early as the school day following the graduation ceremony, as long as all other graduation requirements are met.
If a student will complete the graduation requirements during summer school, may s/he participate in the May graduation ceremony?
  • No. County policy permits students who finish high school during summer school to graduate only during the August special graduation
How long does the graduation ceremony typically last?
  • 90 minutes
Will the graduation ceremony be streamed live on the internet?
  • SCHS plans to stream the graduation ceremony live on the internet. A link will appear on the school's website to redirect to the SCHS YouTube channel
 
Graduation Dress Code:
What is the dress code for graduation rehearsal?
  • Students do NOT wear cap and gowns for rehearsal/practice, but must still wear school-appropriate clothing
What is the dress code for the graduation ceremony?
  • All students must wear the black cap, gown, and tassel
  • Students are NOT permitted to write/design anything on the tops of the caps 
    • Boys:
      • Button-down dress shirt (any color, long or short sleeved)
      • Tie (bow or long)
      • Dress pants (any color, NO denim)
      • Dress shoes
      • Dress socks
    • Girls:
      • Skirt, Dress, or Dress pants/slacks (skirts/dresses must not be longer than the gown, any color, NO denim)
      • Dress shoes (may include dress flats, open- or closed-toes, any color, NO flip-flops, NO ballerina-type slip-ons
What special regalia items may be worn at graduation?
  • Only SCHS-approved regalia may be worn at graduation. This includes the following:
    • Graduate with Distinction - red stole (purchased from Jostens in May by student/parent)
    • Graduate with Honors - gray cord (purchased from Jostens in May by student/parent)
    • Valedictorian Medallion - provided by SCHS
  • Students are NOT permitted to wear regalia that may have been awarded from an outside society, company, or "club". This includes groups like National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)
  • Students are permitted to wear school-approved, school-affiliated club/group regalia. This includes groups like National Art Honor Society, Honor Society, Student Council, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, etc. School clubs/organizations that are nationally-affiliated and who may wish to have an honor cord/stole approved for graduation usage should contact a member of the Graduation Leadership Team prior to purchasing regalia and prior to Graduation. Students should talk with the club/group sponsor for more information
  • Jostens will return to SCHS on April 26th for students graduating with Honors, Distinction, or Work Ethic Distinction to purchase cords and/or stoles. The cords (Honors) will cost $10.00, and the stoles (Distinction) will cost $13.00. Jostens will require exact CASH on the day of the sale.
 
Jostens:
Jostens visited SCHS on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 5-6, to collect orders for cap and gowns, announcements, and grad swag. If you have not yet ordered a cap and gown, you may now order from Jostens.com or by calling 1-800-Jostens.
 
Must a senior purchase a cap and gown from Jostens in order to participate in the graduation ceremony?
  • No. Seniors are required to wear a Stewarts Creek cap and gown, but they may borrow one from a sibling or friend who has graduated from SCHS previously.
  • These older gowns MUST be brought in and shown to Mr. Denton in Room 522, for approval prior to the ceremony.
  • Additionally, Jostens still requires a separate fee for the diploma, diploma cover, and a 2018 tassel. That cost is usually around $35.00.
May I purchase a cap and gown from a company other than Jostens?
  • No. Jostens is the company that Stewarts Creek works with for graduation regalia, and a Senior participating in the ceremony MUST purchase their cap and gown from them.
What information does Jostens need when my Senior orders his/her cap and gown?
  • Jostens will need your Senior's height and weight.
What is the cost of the cap and gown, tassel, diploma, and diploma cover (the basic items REQUIRED for the ceremony)?
  • The cost of the basic package is $57.62 ($52.50 + tax/shipping).
 
Graduation Leadership Team:
 
Senior Informational Sheets