DANA HILLS HIGH

SENIORS CLASS OF 2024

• School safety is a top priority for us. To this end, we are monitoring the people who come onto our campus and into our stadium for graduation. We can no longer allow for lining up at the gates prior to 2:00pm. Security will be in place to monitor this expectation. The parking lot opens at 2:00pm  for the graduation ceremony. Please see attached maps and proceed to the second student lot gate for parking access. 

• Tickets will not be necessary for attendance. This event is open to all family members and friends alike. However, seating is limited to a first come, first serve basis. 

• Stadium gates will close at 3:40pm for about 15 minutes to allow the Seniors to walk down to the field. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THE STADIUM DURING THIS TIME! Please be at the stadium before 3:40pm! Parking, as always on this day, will be a challenge. A shuttle service will be available to the Salt Creek beach parking lot on Pacific Coast Highway.

• Cap and gown distribution is on Tuesday, May 28th , 2024 from 12:45pm to 2:15pm in the gym. 

• Graduation student rehearsal is MANDATORY. Rehearsal is Thursday, May 30th , 2024 at 9:00am on the football field. If students are not at this rehearsal, they MAY NOT WALK at the graduation ceremony.

• Graduating seniors must be at school no later than 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 30th. Seniors must arrive between 2:30pm-3:00pm. Students will enter through the main Gym entrance and will be guided to the science quad. Please be aware of the following:

• You will not be able to leave the science quad after you have been checked in.

• CARRY YOUR CAP AND GOWN when you arrive between 2:30-3:00pm. You will be searched and then you may put your cap and gown on while waiting in the science quad area. Bring hair pins to hold your cap on. 

• Do not bring: purses, cameras, cell phones, presents, flowers, make-up, water bottles ,  etc. with you when you enter the gym, as these items will not be allowed onto the field. Confiscated items will be labeled and turned into the front office. You may pick them up following the ceremony by 6:00pm at the main office. Items not picked up by 6:00pm can be retrieved the following morning. 

• Student Appropriate Attire:  All students are expected to wear their blue or white issued robe, cap, and school issued medals and regalia. Cap and gowns may NOT be altered in any way, including decorations on the caps. Graduates should dress to impress! Please note, appropriate shoes should be worn on the turf, including no high-heels (wedge shoes are ok).  

• Please remember to bring your medallion, tassel, stoles & cords (for CSF, NHS, Thespians, HMO, SOCSA, ASU and Publications). 

• Ceremony Etiquette: Our goal is to allow each and every graduate their moment in the spotlight. It is expected that graduates refrain from talking to other classmates during the presentation of diplomas. Noisy or visual distractions such as umbrellas, noise-makers, signs, fireworks, beach balls, big heads or other distractions take the focus away from our graduates and are not allowed in the stadium. 

• Diplomas:  During the ceremony, students will receive a diploma cover. Immediately following the ceremony, students will process through the visitor gate to pick-up their diploma (parents will exit the Stadium stairs and meet students at the top of the parking lot). Graduates who are unable to attend the ceremony may pick-up their diplomas from their Counselor on Friday, May 31st  in the Guidance Office via the Attendance windows between 8:00am to 3:00pm. 

•  Outstanding Fines:  Please make sure you have paid all student fines and debts (e.g. Chromebook, Library, Athletic, Activities) before cap and gown distribution on May 28th  at 12:45pm in the gym. Students may turn in Chromebooks and textbooks in the Library daily from 7:30am to 3:30pm or clear any outstanding debt at the Activities window beginning NOW through May 28th, 2024.

• Seating:  Seating in the stadium is available on a first-come, first-served basis; there will be a reserved area for accessible seating located on the track on the visitor side of the stadium . The stadium gates and parking lot will open at 2:00pm. Please note that the ceremony will be taking place outdoors, at the end of May, and the weather will likely be very hot and in direct sunlight.  Please plan accordingly.

• Parent/Visitor Field Access:  Parents and guests are not allowed on the field at any time before or during the ceremony. Following the ceremony, graduates will proceed out of the stadium on the visitor side into the parking lot and to pick up their diploma. Household members will exit the stadium following the ceremony and meet their graduate at the front of the school.

• Please do not bring pets, lawn chairs (stadium seats are allowed), ice chests, coolers, metal or glass containers, umbrellas, balloons, skateboards/razors or noise makers to the stadium as you will be asked to return them to your vehicle.