PARCHMENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Frequently Asked Questions
2025-2026
JOSTENS - CAP & GOWN
● When will we get information about Caps & Gowns?
○ Jostens will be here Wednesday, November 19th during PASS to discuss and hand out ordering information
● What must Seniors have in order to participate in Graduation?
○ The “Cap & Gown Unit” - it includes a Cap, Gown and Tassel
● Can I order just one Formal Announcement (for scrapbooking, open house, etc.)?
○ Yes, but only on the paper order form included in the packet
● Will the Cap & Gown come to us or the school?
○ The Cap & Gown Unit (cap, gown & tassel) will be delivered to the High School and kept safe. We will hand them out about 2 weeks before graduation.
● Can we get the Cap & Gown early for Pictures?
○ No, but the HS, or someone you know might have an old one that you could borrow
● Can we get the tassel early from the Cap & Gown Unit?
○ No, but you can order an extra tassel if you want it for your car or an ornament and we will be able to give that to you when it arrives.
● Are there Payment Plans?
○ Yes, details will be provided when your Senior attends the meeting with Jostens in November
● Can we order online?
○ Yes at Jostens.com, but you cannot do payment plans online or order individual Formal Announcements
● The Gown online is all one color, did we change the design?
○ No, the Gown will come with white on the front and the bottom of the sleeves like previous years. The picture online is just a basic example of a gown in general.
GRAD BASH
● What is Grad Bash?
○ Senior parents come together to fundraise and plan a special evening of activities to happen right after Graduation for the Seniors. Grad Bash is not run by or through the school district.
● Who do I contact for Grad Bash related questions?
○ Amanda Headley 269-270-1453, or the Facebook group Class of 2026 Grad Bash Parents
● Why am I receiving emails/phone calls from the school if the school isn’t in charge of Grad Bash?
○ As a courtesy, we assist Grad Bash with getting their information out to to Senior families
● Additional Grad Bash Information:
○ Buses will depart from Miller Auditorium 1 hour after the graduation ceremony ends and will return to Parchment High School on
Saturday, May 23th (time tbd).
○ We recommend either leaving a vehicle at Parchment High School before Graduation or plan on picking up your Senior at the High School after Grad Bash.
○ Do Not leave a vehicle overnight at Miller Auditorium/WMU; they will tow it!
○ An additional waiver to follow at a later date to those who signed up to attend. *Bags/belongings will be searched before you get on the bus.
SENIOR PHOTOS
● When are Photos Due?
○ Senior and Baby/Youth photos are due by December 19, 2025 ● Why is the due date so early?
○ Both the yearbook and the senior slideshow are created by companies outside of the school district. In order to give the
companies enough time to create the products and allow the school to proofread and edit them, we have to turn in photos early.
● How do I get the photos to the school?
○ They can be sent to dwaber@parchmentschools.org or if you do not have a digital copy, you can drop the photo(s) off at the high school to be scanned and then returned to you
● Why do you need a “Senior Photo” and a “Baby/Youth Photo”?
○ Seniors have the opportunity to use a Photo of their choosing to represent themselves in the yearbook and on the Senior Slideshow, instead of the customary school photo that is taken each year. We also include a younger picture of them as another way to celebrate them and the completion of this milestone.
● Does my Senior need to have a Professional Photo taken?
○ No, we just want a current photo of the senior (alone) that they feel is a good representation of themselves for the yearbook and slideshow.
● What if we don’t have any photos we like of our Senior?
○ If you are not having a professional photo taken (for any reason), and you do not feel comfortable taking your student’s photo (for any reason) - reach out to the HS and we will work with you and let you know what options are available at that time.
● Senior Photo Recommendations:
○ The Senior should take up most of the space in the picture, we want to focus on them, not the background, for the yearbook and slideshow
○ Solid colors look better
○ White clothes often will wash out the picture and skin tone ○ Soft focus is not recommended
○ Preferably no hands and/or arms touching or blocking the face ○ Minimal or no props is less distracting, including sunglasses ○ Must adhere to school dress code
○ No clothing with references to illegal substances and/or violence ● Baby/Youth Photo Recommendations:
○ No Nudity
○ In focus (blurry becomes extremely distorted on projection screens)
○ Anywhere between 1 year old and Kindergarten usually is the most recognizable
○ Higher resolution is preferred - the HS can scan your physical copy of the photo if you need
SENIOR CLASS PHOTO
● What is this?
○ We gather as many Seniors as possible in early May to take a group photo for use in the slideshow and yearbook.
● Do Parents/Guardians go to this?
○ No - this is Seniors and a few school staff members only and it only takes 15-30 minutes max
SENIOR BANQUET
● What is the Senior Banquet?
○ This is a get-together for Seniors - planned, put together and hosted by Seniors and their Senior Class Advisors (school staff members) - often involves food, mock awards, raffle/prizes and camaraderie.
● When/Where does this happen?
○ The date and specific location changes with what works best for the Seniors that year. It’s usually held somewhere at the High School in May. See this year’s Senior Timeline.
● Do Parents/Guardians attend?
○ No - this is for Seniors and their Senior Advisors only
SENIOR WALK
● What is the Senior Walk?
○ The week of Graduation, Seniors come to the High School wearing their Graduation Gown and the Principal and a few chaperones take school buses to each of the Parchment School Buildings and walk through the halls of each of the schools.
● Why?
○ This tradition gives Seniors a chance to go back through the buildings they grew up in, see teachers they had and reflect on their time in Parchment School District. The students they are visiting get a chance to look at the Seniors as role models and see what they can accomplish. The teachers get a chance to see their former students one more time and reflect on where they are now versus when they had them in their classroom. It also encourages a sense of pride for everyone involved.
● Do Parents/Guardians go to this?
○ No - Only Seniors, the Principal and a few chaperones attend
HONORS NIGHT
● What is Honors Night?
○ It is a night that we recognize Seniors for Honors they have received, including, but not limited to: Scholarships, Certificates, Awards, Honor Cords and Special Recognitions - Date TBD
● Are all Seniors and their families expected to attend?
○ No. If we have been notified that your Senior has received an honor, we will mail an invitation to the Senior and their families.
● My Senior was offered a scholarship, did you know?
○ If your Senior has earned or been offered a Scholarship, Award, Internship, or anything else you think we should know about; Please let us know! The information you’ve received isn’t always sent to the school and sometimes your Senior forgets to tell us. We want to recognize your Senior!
● How do we let you know if our Senior has earned or been offered anything?
○ We will send an email out to all Seniors about a month before Honors Night that will include a form for Seniors to fill out with any of that information. Please check with your Senior to see if they have submitted their awards information.
● What is the Dress Code for Seniors?
○ Seniors should dress nice (what was formerly known as “church clothes”) and wear their Gown over the top. No Cap for Honors Night, only the Gown.
GRADUATION REHEARSAL - REQUIRED!
● When is Rehearsal?
○ Friday, May 22, 2026 at 9:00 am at Miller Auditorium
● Do families need to attend Rehearsal?
○ No - only your Senior needs to be there
● Does my Senior need the Cap & Gown or formal attire for Rehearsal?
○ No - comfortable school appropriate attire is fine
○ Cap - Seniors must bring their cap for inspection and approval if they have chosen to decorate it.
● What time does my Senior need to come back for Graduation?
○ Seniors must report by 6:15pm backstage at Miller Auditorium with their Cap & Gown (families are not allowed backstage)
GRADUATION - MILLER AUDITORIUM
● When is Graduation?
○ Parchment High School Graduation will take place on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 7pm at Miller Auditorium
● Do we need tickets?
○ No. Miller Auditorium has a seating capacity of over 3,000. It is General Admission seating, which means first come, first seated.
● When can we arrive?
○ You are welcome to arrive at any time, but the doors will not open until 6:30pm.
● Where can we park?
○ The parking ramp next to Miller Auditorium - there is no charge
○ Cars Can Not be left overnight - they will be towed by WMU
● Can we take pictures and/or video?
○ Please avoid taking any pictures and/or video during Graduation. We will have our school staff photographer, a Lifetouch photographer and a videographer documenting the event for you. We will email you links to the photos and video after they are edited.
● Where do we get my Senior’s Diploma (or Certificate)?
○ The diploma case we give the seniors on stage is empty - after the cap-toss, your Senior (only the senior whose name is on the diploma), has to come to the entrance doors, under the walkway from the parking structure, and collect an envelope with their Diploma or Certificate and School Photo Card from a staff member.