8 Keys to Preparing for DPS Graduations

Students at 10 Durham Public Schools campuses are expected to graduate during the first two weeks of June. Here’s what families need to know about the upcoming ceremonies:

Small High School Graduation Schedules

• Durham Performance Learning Center: Rehearsal at noon on June 6; graduation at noon on June 7.
• Ignite! Online Academy: Rehearsal at 6 p.m. at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability on June 6; graduation at 6 p.m. on June 7.
• Lakeview School: Rehearsal at 9 a.m. on June 6; graduation at 9 a.m. on June 7.
• The School for Creative Studies: Rehearsal at 4:45 p.m. at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability; graduation at 3 p.m. on June 7.

Comprehensive High School Graduation Schedules

All ceremonies for the comprehensive high schools are held at Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University.

• Durham School of the Arts: Rehearsal at noon on June 10; graduation at 5 p.m. on June 11.
• Hillside High School: Rehearsal at 1:30 p.m. on June 10; graduation at 9 a.m. on June 12.
• Jordan High School: Rehearsal at 4:30 p.m. on June 10; graduation at 5 p.m. on June 12.
• Northern High School: Rehearsal at 10:30 a.m. on June 10; graduation at 1 p.m. on June 11.
• Riverside High School: Rehearsal at 3 p.m. on June 10; graduation at 1 p.m. on June 12.
• Southern School of Energy and Sustainability: Rehearsal at 9 a.m. on June 10; graduation at 9 a.m. on June 11.

COVID Protocol

Don’t attend graduation ceremonies if you’ve got fever, sustained cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of sense of taste or smell, ongoing diarrhea, repeated vomiting, or continuous nausea.

Graduation Tickets

Most schools provide students with as many as 10 tickets for guests to attend graduation ceremonies. Ticket quantities depend on venue capacity and graduate numbers.

Tickets for Children

Children two and younger who remain seated on an adult’s lap during a graduation ceremony won’t need a ticket. Children who require a separate seat must have their own ticket.

Don’t Bring These Items

• Balloons.
• Flowers.
• Signs.
• Noisemakers.
• Gifts.

All bags must be smaller than 5 inches by 8 inches by 1 inch. However, diaper bags and medical bags are allowed. Cameras are permitted without camera bags.

What to Wear to Graduation

Obviously, all graduates should wear gown, cap, and tassel. Gowns should be neatly pressed with a cool iron or steamed in a bathroom while hanging. Caps should be worn straight on the head with the top flat and parallel to the ground. Decorated caps aren’t permitted. Before graduating, wear the tassel over the right temple.

Beneath the gown, graduates should wear:

• Dress pants/slacks (no jeans) with a white dress shirt or blouse.
• Dress tie or bow tie (if applicable).
• Skirt with a white dress shirt or blouse.
• Dress.
• Dark or neutral shoes (no sneakers, slippers, or topsiders). Make sure heel height is comfortable for brisk, safe walking up and downstairs. DPS recommends flat shoes or wedges.
• Dark dress socks and neutral hosiery.
• Small stud earrings (no dangling jewelry).
• No jeans.

NOTE: Decorated caps, purses, and book bags are prohibited from the procession.

How Graduates Should Behave

• Seniors should remain quiet and stay in line.
• Balloons, noise makers, and signs are prohibited.
• No gum is allowed.
• Seniors will graduate in alphabetical order by last name.
• Marshals will direct seniors on when to stand and walk to the stage.
• Seniors should stand and sit together by row.
• When crossing stage, seniors pick up their diploma cover from the table.
• After receiving the diploma cover, walk across the stage and smile at any dignitaries. Go down the steps and return to your seat.
• Remain standing until everyone from your row has returned to their seat.
• After everyone has received their diploma cover, the superintendent will declare them graduates of Durham Public Schools. Seniors then will turn the tassel on their cap from the right to the left.
• Junior marshals will direct graduates.

Southpoint Access is a free community news website run as a service to our neighbors in South Durham. Please consider supporting us as a subscriber on Patreon or donate to underwrite the cost of covering the news that matters to you in neighborhoods like Woodcroft, Parkwood, Fairfield, and Hope Valley Farms.