2023 GRADUATION INFO

Portage High School – Class of 2023

Caps and Gowns

Jostens has delivered all caps, gowns, and graduation items. If you have not yet picked up your items, please stop by the main office to pick them up.

Students who have not yet ordered need to do so ASAP at 1-800-JOSTENS.  A cap and gown is required for participation in the ceremony.

For the ceremony, boys should wear a collared dress shirt with dress slacks.  Ties are optional.  Girls should wear a dress or blouse with skirt or dress slacks. Girls will be wearing white gowns, which look best over light-colored clothing.  All graduates should wear dress shoes; wedge-type shoes or flats work best on the turf.  No gym shoes or flip-flops please. We will be walking quickly from the auditorium to the football field, so please be sure you are wearing shoes in which you can walk that distance.

NO DECORATIONS ON CAP OR GOWN! This is strictly enforced. You will not be able to participate in the ceremony if you have altered your cap or gown in any way. Gowns are to remain fully zipped through the entire processional, ceremony, and recessional.

COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE – WEDNESDAY JUNE 7

YOU MUST BE SEATED IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT IN THE EAST AUDITORIUM BY 9:50am

We will have a commencement practice for all seniors on Wednesday June 7 at 10:00am in the east auditorium.  Please plan on attending this important rehearsal.  Park in the student parking lot and enter Door A. GRADUATES ONLY. Please don’t be late…we will start promptly at 10:00am. Be prepared to walk from the auditorium to the football field and back for our rehearsal. (Wear comfy shoes!) Bring your student ID to receive your guest tickets.

Tickets

TICKETS ARE ONLY REQUIRED IN THE EVENT WE HAVE TO MOVE THE CEREMONY INDOORS. Outdoor ceremony does not require a ticket. Students will be issued four (4) guest tickets at our rehearsal on Wednesday June 7.  Students must be passing all required courses. Tickets will be issued to graduates only and will not be released to parents. Graduates must show a student ID to receive the tickets.  Please keep tickets in a safe place.  NO REPLACEMENTS WILL BE ISSUED under any circumstances. Unfortunately, due to limited space indoors, additional tickets are not available.

Honors Stoles/Cords

If you have earned an Academic or Technical Honors diploma, you will be awarded a gold “Honor” stole to be worn at the ceremony. Stoles will be distributed by the Guidance Department at rehearsal on June 7.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY – THURSDAY JUNE 8

YOU MUST BE SEATED IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT IN THE EAST AUDITORIUM BY 6:30pm

Commencement ceremony for the class of 2023 will be held on Thursday, June 8 at 7:00pm in the football stadium. Students must be passing all required courses by June 6 to participate in the ceremony.  

Students should park in the west parking lot and enter the east auditorium through Door A. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to walk outside from the west parking lot to the east auditorium. Doors will be open from 6:00-6:30pm for GRADUATES ONLY. Please pick up your name card from the table in the auditorium lobby and be seated by 6:30pm. YOU MUST BE IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT BY 6:30pm. PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE! Only graduates will be allowed in the building.

All visitors attending the ceremony should park in the east student lot, and report directly to the football stadium.  Stadium seating will open at 6:00pm. A limited number of handicap parking spots are available in the student parking lot and a limited amount of handicap seating is available in the stadium on a first-come, first-seated basis.

In Case of Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Friday June 9 at 7:00pm in the football stadium. All other details remain the same. Any changes to ceremony location, time, or attendance will be publicized on our social media outlets and website by 4:00pm on the day of the ceremony. Please check these resources for the latest information.

Our second weather contingency plan, in case of bad weather again on Friday  June 9, will move the ceremony into the east main gym on Friday June 9 at 7:00pm. All guests will need a ticket for admission to the building, regardless of age.  Because of limited space, each graduate will be issued four (4) tickets – no exceptions.  There is no unticketed viewing available. Ticketed gymnasium seating will open at 5:30pm. and is first-come, first-seated.  No admittance after 6:45pm.  Please note that the gymnasium is NOT AIR-CONDITIONED. Tickets are required only IF we have to move the ceremony indoors.

Diplomas

You will receive a diploma cover during the graduation ceremony.  At the end of the ceremony, students will remain in order and each row will file off the field and proceed to the building, entering through Door O to the north gym where you will pick up your diploma.  Only graduates will be allowed in the building. All graduates must exit through Door Q immediately upon receipt of diploma.

Debts

Book rental and any debts should be paid in full before 12:00 noon on Friday, June 2.  If you do not return all books and materials before June 9, additional charges will be added to your account.  Unpaid balances will be turned over to collections.  You may reach Mrs. Seeley at 764-6059 if you have any questions about your account. 

Final Transcripts

You will need to request that your final transcripts be sent to your college.  THIS IS NOT DONE AUTOMATICALLY AND WILL NOT BE DONE AT THE REQUEST OF A COLLEGE – YOU MUST REQUEST IT!  The Registrar has limited summer hours, so please allow plenty of time for processing.  Placing your request online is the easiest way to send your transcripts.  It is free until July 31. After July 31, there is a charge for all graduate transcripts.  You can find more information on the Portage High School Guidance webpage at http://phs.portage.k12.in.us.

If you used a school email address for Parchment, you will not have access to that email after graduation. You will need to change the Primary email in your Parchment account from a school email to a personal email.

You must request dual credit transcripts be sent by the college that issued the credits.­­­­­­­­­­

Graduation Pictures