Mansfield High School
Class of 2017
Graduation Information for Seniors and Their Families
Congratulations on your student’s upcoming graduation from Mansfield High School! All of us at MHS want your graduation ceremony experience to be one of the most memorable of your lifetime. The information in this document is designed to help you be informed of important events, dates, and deadlines leading up to the big day on May 15.
Please feel free to call or come by the MHS office anytime should you have any questions or require assistance for any of the events leading up to the ceremony. Information is also posted on the MHS webpage 24/7. You can access this page by going to the district’s website at mansfieldtigers.org, and once there, selecting the “schools” tab. After selecting “schools”, click on “high school” to be redirected to the MHS webpage.
The first part of this document contains a list of calendar events for seniors leading up to the graduation ceremony. The second part contains other information regarding deadlines, the ceremony, dress code for the ceremony, etc.
SENIOR CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April
7Prom
14 MHS Closed for Good Friday (open if needed as a snow make-
up day)
21 Graduation caps & gowns and other regalia distributed to
seniors
22-24 Senior Trip
26 Academic Awards Assembly (9:30 a.m.)
26 Senior Slide Show (during “A” & “B” lunches)
27 Cap & Gown Individual Photos, 8 a.m.
28 DEBT LIST DEADLINE (all seniors must clear the debt list no
later than 3 p.m. on this date to be eligible to participate in
the graduation ceremony)
May
5 Last day of school for exempt seniors
8 Academic Awards Banquet, 6 p.m.
8-9 Final Exams for Non-exempt Seniors
9 Athletic Awards Banquet, 6 p.m.
9 Last day of school for non-exempt seniors
10 ACADEMIC DEADLINE FOR SENIORS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO
PARTICIPATE IN GRADUATION CEREMONY (4 p.m.)
12 Speeches Rehearsal for valedictorian and salutatorian
12 MHS gymnasium closed for ceremony set-up
15 Seniors report to MHS cafeteria, 8 a.m. (with graduation caps
& gowns and full regalia. Seniors will wear caps only for senior
walk; full regalia for class photo (appropriate graduation
dress required for the photo. May change into casual
clothes for practice)
15 SENIOR WALK, 8:15 – 8:30 a.m. (parents invited!)
15 Individual graduation photos; make-ups & retakes
(8:30 – 9:00 a.m.)
15 GRADUATION CLASS PHOTO (full graduation cap/ gown
& regalia, dress code enforced), 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
15 GRADUATION CEREMONY PRACTICE, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
15 Final instructions to graduating seniors, dismissed at 12 noon.
15 Seniors report to MHS cafeteria in full regalia for the ceremony,
6 p.m.
15 Seniors line-up in cafeteria for dress code inspection, 6:15 p.m.
15 Seniors line-up outside gymnasium for processional, 6:45 p.m.
15 Ceremony begins; processional, 7 p.m.
15 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY, 7 p.m.
15 Graduates pick-up diplomas in MHS cafeteria immediately
following the processional and the end of the ceremony.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SENIORS & FAMILIES
All seniors who participate in the graduation ceremony must complete all academic requirements no later than May 10, 4 p.m.
All seniors must clear the MHS debt list no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, April 28 to be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony.
SENIOR FINAL EXAMS EXEMPTION
Seniors who meet the exemption criteria published in the MHS student handbook (including having cleared the MHS debt list) will be exempted from final exams. Those students’ last day of classes will be Friday, May 5.
MHS faculty will submit updated senior grades on May 3. Grade information will be processed on May 4, and all seniors will receive a progress report on May 5. The grade report will indicate the students’exemption status. Seniors and their families are encouraged to review the exemption policy in section #62 of the MHS Student Handbook.
FINAL EXAMS FOR NON-EXEMPT SENIORS
Seniors who are not exempt from semester final exams will take exams on May 8-9. Those seniors may come to school for the exams and leave upon completing the day’s tests. Dress code is in effect for those seniors taking exams.
ACADEMIC DEADLINE FOR SENIORS: VERY IMPORTANT!
Mansfield school district policy requiring seniors to have fully completed all academic requirements for graduation is strictly enforced. Seniors must complete all academic requirements no later than 4 p.m., May 10, to be eligible to walk at graduation. Seniors who do not meet this requirement may be able to finish academic requirements later, but will not be allowed to walk with their class at graduation.
MHS DEBT LIST DEADLINE: APRIL 28
All seniors must clear the MHS debt list no later than April 28 to participate in the graduation ceremony. Seniors who do not clear the debt list will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. Please contact the MHS office if you need assistance in clearing the debt list.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY DRESS CODE
Senior faculty sponsors will advise seniors on the dress code for the graduation ceremony. Males students must wear dress shoes and tie. Female students must wear dress shoes. Logos, slogans, etc., may not be added to mortar boards or any other part of the graduation cap & gown and associated regalia. Noise makers and other items are prohibited within the graduation dress and for use during the ceremony. Ceremony dress code will also be in effect for the class photo taken the morning of May 15.
GRADUATION PRACTICE
Seniors will practice the procedures for the entire ceremony on the morning of May 15. Seniors are required to report on May 15 at 8 a.m. and should not plan to be dismissed until 12 noon.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY LIVE BROADCAST ON FACEBOOK
For the third consecutive year, MHS will live broadcast the graduation ceremony on the internet. This is a great opportunity for friends and family who are unable to attend the ceremony to watch the ceremony live on May 15. To view the broadcast, please go to the Mansfield school district webpage ( and click on the district’s Facebook login link. Once there, you will need to login to your Facebook account. Click on “videos” and select the 2017 graduation ceremony video. The video stream will begin with the start of the ceremony at 7 p.m. on May 15.
SENIOR FLOWERS FOR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
MHS will continue the long tradition of graduating seniors presenting flowers to family, friends, etc., whom they wish to acknowledge as having been significant in their education leading up to graduation. Seniors are responsible for supplying roses, flowers, etc., that they wish to present to others. There will be a designated point in the ceremony where the seniors will leave their seats and deliver the flowers to those in attendance whom they wish to present this symbol of gratitude for supporting their success and graduation at MHS.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY SEATING INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
Each senior will be given four tickets for gym floor seating. Families may bring as many people to the ceremony as they wish; however, gym floor seating admission will be by ticket only and is limited to four seats per graduate. Families should decide in advance which four family members they wish to sit on the floor. Each family member will be asked to present a ticket for gym floor admission. Seating in the gymnasium bleachers is open and does not require a ticket for admission.
MHS GYMNASIUM SEATING RESERVATIONS
The MHS gymnasium will be available to parents and family members starting at 9 a.m. on May 15 for anyone who wishes to place “reserved” signs on the gym bleachers for that evenings ceremony.
The MHS gymnasium is typically filled each year for the commencement ceremony. Out of respect to all families, MHS respectfully asks each family to be mindful of the number of bleacher seats you reserve so that all students’ families have an opportunity for seating in the gymnasium.
MHS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FACILITY ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The MHS gymnasium is equipped with an elevator that can assist persons with access to the gym floor. Personnel will be posted at the elevator for assistance. Should you or a member of your party require assistance, please contact any of the MHS faculty members on duty.
CEREMONY PHOTOGRAPHY
Heritage Photography will be at the ceremony to take a photo of your senior at the moment he or she receives their diploma. Heritage will sell the “handshake” photo for $5 each.
Each senior will proceed to the middle of the gym floor after they receive their diplomas. They will pause for parents sitting on the floor to step away from their seats to take a photo of their senior with their diploma. Parents are more than welcome to take photos of this very special moment! Heritage will deliver photos (class photo, “handshake photos” that seniors may purchase, etc.), approximately two weeks after the ceremony. Please contact MHS to pick-up your Heritage photos.
DIPLOMA PICK-UP
Each graduating senior will receive a red diploma cover when their name is called during the ceremony. The cover is designed to help make a great picture of your senior’s graduation during the ceremony. The actual diploma will be handed out to seniors in the cafeteria immediately following the ceremony. Please remember to drop by the cafeteria before you leave to pick up your diploma.
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Please feel free to contact us anytime if you have any questions or require additional information.