• Senior families will receive a letter and guidelines regarding the graduation ceremony to be held on Tuesday, June 6^th at 9AM. Please make sure that you read it as there is a lot of important information in this letter, including dates and deadlines that we have reviewed previously.

• Grad Bash – April 22nd

• Night of Excellence – May 23rd

• Junior/Senior Prom – May 6th

• Graduation Practice and Checkout – May 24th and 25th (MANDATORY)

• Senior Breakfast – May 24th

• Senior Clap Outs – May 25th after Graduation Practice and Checkout

• Graduation – June 6th at 9AM

• Grad Bash will be on April 22nd and will be held at Universal Orlando.

• Tickets are on sale now on Rycor for $115.

• Passes CANNOT be used.

• Students MUST ride the school bus provided.

• There is a dress code.

• There will be a mandatory Grad Bash meeting for all students attending Grad Bash on April 13 at 9:00AM in the cafeteria to review behavioral expectations, sign up for buses, and review dress code.

• The Prom will be held at The Soiree in Lutz from 7PM to 11PM on Saturday, May 6th.

• More information will be forthcoming regarding tickets and permission slips and guest request forms.

• We WILL REVIEW attendance, discipline, and grades: No more than 60 periods of unexcused absences, no level 3 referrals, and you must have a 2.0 or higher GPA to attend.

• The Prom will be held at The Soiree in Lutz from 7PM to 11PM on Saturday, May 6th.

• More information will be forthcoming regarding tickets and permission slips and guest request forms.

• We WILL REVIEW attendance, discipline, and grades: No more than 60 periods of unexcused absences, no level 3 referrals, and you must have a 2.0 or higher GPA to attend.

To graduate with a Standard Diploma, you must have a:

• 2.0 Unweighted GPA

• 24 credits in specific courses OR 18 credits in specific courses

• Passing Scores on Algebra 1 FSA and the Grade 10 ELA FSA

• Sat for the Biology EOC, Geometry EOC, and US History EOC

• It is highly recommended that you take the SAT/ACT and complete at least 75 hours of community service so that you are eligible for the Florida Bright Futures and other scholarships.

• If you want to participate in the June 6th Graduation Ceremony, these are the due dates:

  • Online Classwork and DBAs: April 29th

  • EXAMS: May 5th

• Please do not wait until the last minute!

• We will NOT extend these deadlines.

• April 15th – ACT on Saturday

• May 1st to 12th – AP Exams

• May 6th – ACT on Saturday

• June 3rd – SAT on Saturday

• June 10th – ACT on Saturday

(MANDATORY TO WALK ON JUNE 6th)

• Senior Checkout & Graduation Practices are mandatory for those who want to walk in the June 6th Graduation Ceremony.

• They are on May 24th and May 25^th; Graduation practice on May 24^th will begin immediately following the end of the Senior Breakfast and run through 1PM.  Graduation Practice on May 25^th will be from 8AM-11AM.  Students will be able to complete Senior Check Out on both the 24^th and 25^th, however, they will not be able to receive their caps and gowns until the end of graduation practice on May 25^th (second day).

• DO NOT plan vacations or appointments on these days.

• DO NOT schedule work before 1:30PM.

• If you are not present for the entire time, you don’t walk.

• Senior Clap Outs will be held on Thursday, May 25th in the FHS Courtyard after Graduation practice and Senior Check-outs

• More information to come.

• Graduation Fees are $115.

• The due date was 2/28/23 in order for FHS to order caps and gowns to arrive on time.

• They cover the cap and gown, medallion, graduation program, USF venue, diploma, and diploma cover.

• You can pay for this now on Rycor.

• Senior Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, May 24th at 8AM in the FHS Cafeteria.

• This is for students only.

• Caps and gowns are given out on the second day of Senior Checkout & Graduation Practice (May 25th).

• There is NO EXCEPTION to this.

• Only authorized cords and stoles can be worn as regalia (see below under Dress Expectations).

• Pay for parking at USF online. We will have a link for you in May.

• Once on the website find PASCO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONY EVENING on Tuesday, June 6th at 9AM

• Parking is $8

• Traffic to and Parking at the University of South Florida Sun Dome: Please be advised that the time of arrival for the graduation ceremony for students (8:00AM) could be heavy based on the location of the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Please plan appropriately when leaving your homes and give yourself more than enough time to arrive without incident. Once students and staff have left for the beginning of the ceremony, the students will not be permitted to enter into the seating area for graduates. This is University of South Florida Yuengling Center’s security policy and will be strictly enforced. There are parking areas throughout the areas around the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Disabled parking is located at Gate A and Gate D, Parking Lot Area 22F.

• We will be livestreaming the ceremony.

• A link will be made available closer to the ceremony.

You will be able to download the Graduation Guidelines Here!

Ceremony

• The graduation ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 6^th at 9:00AM. It will begin promptly at 9:00AM. Seniors are to report at 8:00AM to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center in Tampa in order to line up for the ceremony. Please follow the signs upon entering the University of South Florida Yuengling Center , as they will direct students and guests to the areas in which they should go. Students should enter at the Corral, which is to the left of Gate A.

Dress Expectations

• Dress Code for Graduates: Dress pants and dress shirt with tie, a dress or skirt and blouse or pantsuit are recommended outfits. If wearing pants, wear matching/dark socks with dress shoes. No sneakers, sandals, flip flops, etc. are allowed. We recommend that students not wear high heels, as there will be a lot of walking and stair climbing. No visible “bulky” jewelry, scarves, ribbons, etc. are permitted.

• Personal Items: Leave purses, cameras, and personal items with a parent or friend in the audience; they may not be taken in during the processional.  Flowers or corsages are NOT permitted.

• Graduation Gowns:  Please carry your cap and gown into the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. We will not have extra gowns on hand. Make sure that you bring yours to the ceremony. Gowns are to look like they did when received from the company. Nothing extra may be added to them.

• Graduation Cap: The mortarboard (graduation cap) is to be worn flat with the tassel over the right eye.  Once the seniors are declared graduates, the tassel is moved to the left side in unison with the class.  Mortarboards are to look like they did when received from the company. We will not have extra caps or tassels on hand. Make sure that you bring yours to the ceremony. FHS Staff will inspect graduation caps for appropriateness before students are able to walk at the ceremony.

• Graduation Regalia (Cords & Stoles): Cords and stoles that are approved are the only cords and stoles that should be worn. Cords and stoles that are approved include: academic honor cords, service clubs, and honor societies.

• Failure to comply with the dress policy may result in the student not being permitted to participate in the ceremony. Security will do a visual search and wand of all of the graduates and any guests to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center.

Behavior

• Graduation is a momentous occasion not only for the seniors, but also for their parents, families, and friends.  For that reason, the ceremony is to be held with dignity and courtesy to others.  All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for the occasion, which includes walking across the stage.  All participants must comply with the Pasco County Student Code of Conduct. Inappropriate behavior will result in both students and parents/guardians having to meet with the school administration prior to receiving a diploma.

• Improper noises and distractions will not be permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, noisemakers such as bullhorns, air horns, whistles, cowbells, and firecrackers, etc.  Do NOT bring in beach balls, silly string, or any item that would be deemed inappropriate. We ask that you request family and friends to remain seated throughout the ceremony, except when it is appropriate to stand (during the Pledge of Allegiance, for example), as a courtesy to other graduates and their families and friends. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, is permitted in the seating area for graduates.

• Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not receive his/her diploma and/or will be turned over to appropriate law enforcement officials. As this is a School District of Pasco County event, alcohol will not be permitted inside of any of the areas in the University of South Florida Yuengling Center dedicated to the graduation ceremony.

Seating & Tickets (including Handicapped Seating)

• Seating is unlimited in the University of South Florida Yuengling Center  . Tickets will not be necessary as a result. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, are permitted on the floor partitioned off on the University of South Florida Yuengling Center.

• Floor seating is only permitted for invited dignitaries, graduating seniors, band members, faculty and staff, and other invited guests. All these people will have tickets to go to the floor and will be listed on pre-approved lists provided to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. No one else is permitted on the floor of the University of South Florida Yuengling Center .

• Those who need handicapped seating would be advised to enter in at Gate A, where there are elevators available. There is handicapped seating available throughout the Yuengling Center. There is also reserved seating for the hearing impaired. Upon entering the Yuengling Center, all people in attendance will be searched by security per Yuengling Center policy.

Photography

• Gigante Productions (813-907-1078) will photograph each senior individually upon receiving his/her diploma and congratulations from the principal, as well as with their diplomas. Purchase of these photographs is optional. Gigante Productions will notify seniors via mail when the pictures are ready and all questions regarding these pictures should go to Gigante Productions. Please make sure that your address is correct with Fivay High School, as that is the address that we will provide to Gigante Productions. Fivay High School does not receive any of these pictures or information following graduation.

Diploma Distribution

• Diplomas will be distributed alphabetically by last name in The Corral immediately following the ceremony. Students who have officially checked out will be able to receive their diplomas and participate in graduation.

• After receiving your diploma, please exit the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. We recommend having a pre-arranged meeting place set with your family.