2014 INSTRUCTIONS FOR GRADUATES
FLETCHER HIGH SCHOOL
Congratulations! You will soon be a graduate of the 77th graduation class of Fletcher High School.
You have earned the right to walk across the stage at graduation to receive your diploma in front of family and
friends. We want this event to reflect positively on you and your family. Therefore, we are asking for your
cooperation in making your graduation a dignified event. These instructions are meant to be a guide to you for
decorum, dress, and time schedule. Remember all Duval Public County School students are subject to the rules and
regulations set forth in the Duval County Secondary Code of Student Conduct. This includes all school-sponsored
events including senior week activities, Baccalaureate, graduation rehearsal and graduation.
NOTE: Any senior who commits a Class III or IV violation during the last quarter of the school year may forfeit
his/her privilege of participating in the graduation activities and ceremony.
Mandatory Graduation Practice --- 9:30 AM arrive no later than 9:15 AM
GRADUATION: THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014
JACKSONVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL ARENA – 5:00 PM
SENIORS REPORT TO ARENA NO LATER THAN 4:15 PM
Student Obligations
Be sure to clear all financial obligations (textbooks, library books, candy money, club dues, uniforms and any other
financial matter). You will not receive a cap and gown if you have any obligations that have not been paid.
See Mrs. Gonzalez (Guidance), your club sponsor, your coach, or the media clerk to clear obligations. Mrs.
Gonzalez’s phone number is 247-5905 x 1018.
Mrs. Gonzalez must see receipts to take you off the obligation list. Mrs. Gonzalez is the only person responsible for
the master obligation list.
Textbooks
All textbooks will be collected during your English class on a scheduled day from 5/19-22. On the day your class is
scheduled to turn in books, you will bring all of your textbooks to class and turn them in at D-1 at the designated
time.
SENIOR OBLIGATION LISTS MAY BE CHECKED IN GUIDANCE WITH MRS. GONZALEZ
Graduation Tickets and Cap and Gown
Distribution will be Friday, May 30th, from 12:30pm-2:30pm in the Fletcher Gym. Check your cap and gown to
ensure size before you leave school. See Herff-Jones (available in the gym) immediately if there is a problem (904363-1905). You will receive a seating card at cap & gown distribution. This is your seat assignment for graduation
and you must bring this card to rehearsal the morning of graduation. You will receive 10 tickets for the ceremony
with your cap & gown during senior week. Seniors who are College Ready will receive 5 extra tickets in their cap &
gown bag. Up to 5 additional tickets are available in the main office starting on Monday, June 2nd, from 7:45am to
9:00am. Only PARENTS, GUARDIANS, or GRADUATES may pick up extra tickets. Extra tickets are distributed
on a first come, first serve basis. A photo I.D. and a signature will be required.
Graduation Rehearsal
Rehearsal will be held at 9:30 AM on the day of graduation –June 5, 2014. You will park in Lot Z. There is NO
CHARGE for senior parking during rehearsal. Be at the Duval Street arena entrance (north side of the arena) by
9:15 AM. You must listen carefully to the Senior Sponsors and teachers assisting at rehearsal in order to know what
procedures to follow at Graduation. We only have 90 minutes to get everything done. DO NOT BRING ANY
FOOD OR DRINK INTO THE ARENA DURING REHEARSAL. Parents may not be allowed inside the arena
for rehearsal so please plan accordingly.
BRING YOUR SEATING CARD AND GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR SEAT
Parking for Graduation
The Arena does not provide free parking for the graduation ceremony. Graduates and family will use the parking
garage next to Lot Z to park for the ceremony. There is a parking fee for the garages and adjacent lots, including
Lot Z. Please see attached map for parking options. There is no parking fee for rehearsal if you park in Lot Z.
Graduate Dress
BOYS:
 You must wear a white or light colored dress shirt (white is preferred) and a dark tie. Jeans or casual pants
are not allowed. Only black or navy colored pants are allowed. Dark socks and black/brown dress shoes
are mandatory.
 Tennis shoes, cowboy boots, flip-flops or other casual shoes are not acceptable. Failure to comply with
the dress code may result in you not being able to walk during the ceremony.
GIRLS:
 A "dressy" dress is preferred. You should not wear a dress with a high collar that will interfere with your
collar on your robe. Dark slacks may be worn instead of a dress. Your dress should not extend beyond your
gown.
 Small heel shoes are preferred in black or navy blue. Casual sandals and flip-flops are not acceptable.
 You MAY NOT wear a corsage on the outside of your gown.
Failure to comply with the dress code may result in you not being able to walk during the ceremony.
NOTE: Any graduate wearing inappropriate items may be pulled from the line and will not walk across the
stage. Remember, taking part in the graduating ceremony is a privilege, not a right.
DON’T FORGET ANY PART OF YOUR CAP & GOWN. THERE ARE NO EXTRAS !!!
Arriving at the Arena
Leave in plenty of time to park and find your walking partner. Please allow 30-45 minutes to get from the beach to
the Arena. Teachers will be serving as line leaders to help you find your position. Make sure you know if you are
on side A or B and what row you are in before you arrive. DO NOT leave the line once you are in position.
ATTENTION: Do not bring purses, hairbrushes, cameras, or cell phones into the arena. There is no place to
put them and you will be sent back to your vehicle to secure them. You will NOT be admitted inside the arena
with any of these items. Do not bring food, drinks, or gum to the arena. The only item that a graduating senior
needs to have in his/her possession is a key to unlock his/her car (please not the entire key chain).
Time of Graduation
Graduates must be in the proper line of the Mezzanine area (downstairs) at the arena by 4:15 PM . Parents are not
allowed in the north corridor before or after graduation. Pictures should be taken at home. DO NOT put your gown
on UNTIL you have been checked by the door checkers. Graduates will not be admitted into the arena if your cap
& gown is on your body. Your cap & gown should be on a hanger as you enter the arena on the north side
(Duval Street). Every graduate will be searched before he/she is admitted inside the arena.
During Graduation
Do not hold hands with your partner. Walk in an orderly manner during both the Processional and Recessional.
Maintain the proper distance and spacing between couples. Do not talk to each other or wave to the audience.
Smile-- you’ll look great for the camera.
Cap and Tassel Position
Caps should be placed on the head so that the mortar board is level. The front of the cap is indicated inside the cap.
Tassels go on the right side. The tassel will be moved to the left side of the cap when directed to do so. BOYS-DO
NOT remove your cap during the ceremony.
When to Stand
All graduates will stand during the entire procession and remain standing during the Pledge of Allegiance and
National Anthem. Remain standing until told to be seated by Mr. Nelson.
Graduation Etiquette
Please advise your guests that a graduation is a solemn occasion. We expect that all guests will adhere to our
graduation etiquette policy. Any violators will be removed by Arena Security or the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Exiting
The entire class of graduates will stand and exit down the same aisle and hall you entered from. Platform graduates
will lead the line and then the last and subsequent rows will follow. DO NOT run or throw your cap at the end of
the ceremony. You will have to turn in your cap & gown to get your actual diploma. RETURN to your assigned
table immediately. Your table will be assigned alphabetically by your last name. You will receive your diploma
after you turn in your cap and gown. The medallion is yours to keep. Place your diploma in the cover provided.
You may go outside to meet your family and friends.
CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!