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��GRADUATION INFORMATION EVENING

Monday April 20th, 2026

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Need to Contact Us?

Graduation Coordinator:

  • Callie Sibrian-Alas - callie_sibrian-alas@hcpss.org

Senior Class Sponsors:

  • Kimberly Hall- Kimberly_Hall@hcpss.org

Yearbook / LifeTouch Senior Photos:

  • Meghan Coleman - meghan_coleman@hcpss.org

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From the Finance Office…

  • All debts must be paid in full before students receive graduation tickets or caps/gowns.
    • This includes textbooks, uniforms, equipment, Chromebooks, etc
    • Obligations should be paid to Ms. Loschiavo in the front office. Carol_Loschiavo@hcpss.org
    • Payments can be made online at hahs.hcpss.org by selecting “Online Payments” near the bottom of the screen.

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From the Administration…

All seniors are required to attend a full day of school through the last senior day, which is Tuesday May 26th.

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Most Important Date

Graduation:

Tuesday, June 2nd

3 p.m. @ Merriweather

Graduates should be dressed and in line at 2 p.m.

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Required Attire Options

    • Students may wear any color dress or dark slacks.
    • Bow Ties/Ties are encouraged, but not required.
    • Students must wear DARK shoes—no flip flops, no *sneakers. (*Sneakers are acceptable if approved by me)
    • Avoid super high heels.

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Caps and Gowns

  • Do NOT iron the gowns.
  • Write your student’s name on the inside of the cap and gown.
  • All caps and gowns will be distributed on May 22nd at the end of the 2nd rehearsal
  • We will collect Chromebooks and other materials this day as well!
  • Haven’t ordered yet? (See Ms. Sibrian for details)

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Graduation Attire

  • Gowns must remain zipped & caps on during ceremony
  • No decorating caps
  • Semi-formal attire - any color dress or black slacks with blous or dress shirt/tie; dark shoes.
  • May only wear approved cords/stoles
  • Shoes - avoid flip flops & make sure you can walk in any high heels upstairs

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GRADUATION CAPS

  • Students are not to decorate the tops of their caps. This is an HCPSS policy.
  • Students who arrive at the commencement ceremony with a decorated cap will have to trade their decorated cap for a plain cap. Coordinators will not be held responsible for returning those decorated caps at the end of the ceremony.
  • If students refrain from cap decorating, this will not be an issue.
  • Thank you for supporting this!

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Rehearsals are Mandatory

  • All students participating in graduation are required to be at rehearsals
  • Rehearsal schedule (in Auditorium):
    • May 21st - 5th / 6th Pd Rehearsal (12:50 - 2:35 pm)
    • May 22nd - 3rd - 6th Pd Rehearsal (8:50 am - 2:35 pm) *may end early
    • May 26th - 7:50 am - 12:00 am Panoramic Picture, Rehearsal & Senior Daytime Awards
  • All students must make arrangements to be at ALL rehearsals. (Exceptions include AP Exam, HCC Final Exam, out of state/country.)

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Senior Final Exams

  • Will be administered during classes between Wednesday, May 20 - Tues, May 26
  • A time slot will be available for students to complete make-up exams on Fri, May 22 between 12:50pm - 2:15pm during Senior Field Day (schedule with class teachers)

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GRADUATION PARTICIPATION

  • Students not participating in graduation must notify Principal Reid in writing no later than May 1, 2026
  • Diplomas may be picked up after the graduation ceremony from Hammond HS

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Merriweather Visit

(for specific/extenuating circumstances)

  • May 20, from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
  • This time is traditionally reserved for graduates needing to practice using the lift to get on and off stage, or other graduates with mobility needs
  • If any other extenuating circumstance presents and your graduate would like to attend, please email Ms. Sibrian
  • callie_sibrian-alas@hcpss.org

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ADA Parking

  • ADA parking is available only for those with Maryland state ADA parking tags or placard.
  • ADA drop-off will be available.
  • Directions to ADA parking and drop-off will be distributed during the graduation rehearsals.
  • Maps will also be tweeted

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Seating…

  • Graduates receiving diplomas from parents do NOT graduate in alphabetical order. They graduate FIRST.
  • Graduates who are speakers, chorus members, or performers, are all seated in the front row and do NOT graduate in alphabetical order. They graduate SECOND.
  • Check with graduate to see which side they process in on so you know which side of Merriweather to sit on!

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Thank you for…

  • …refraining from bringing noise-makers to the graduation ceremony. This is a formal event, and in order for all families to hear their student’s name called, we ask all persons attending to respect the next student’s moment in addition to enjoying their student’s moment.
  • …keeping the aisles clear as the graduates exit the pavilion. They may still need to pick up their diplomas, so it is essential that they stay in order

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Event Timing…FYI

  • The ceremony will begin promptly at 3:00 pm with the processional of faculty and seniors. Aisles will be cleared at that time.
  • Because of the amount of graduations that need to be conducted within a short amount of time, all schools are mandated by Central Office to complete their ceremony within 1 hour, 45 minutes. All attendees should be driving out of Merriweather with their graduate no later than 2 hours after the start time.

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Tickets

  • Each graduate’s family will receive 10 tickets to the graduation ceremony for pavilion seating during the 2nd (5/22) rehearsal IF all debts and obligations are paid.
  • Persons attending who need a seat MUST have a ticket regardless of age
  • HCPSS employees are allowed entrance with ID.

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Need Extra Tickets? Ticket Exchange!

  • If you need extra tickets, you will need to procure them from another graduate who is not using all of them.
  • If you are not going to use all your tickets, can you let me know? I can maybe have Boosters facilitate exchange of tickets!

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Photography Information

You will not be able to take personal photos on the day of Graduation.

LifeTouch Photography will be on site Graduation day to take photos.

The link to access the Graduation Day photos as well as the Senior Class Panoramic Picture will have a link on the Graduation Program.

Hammond Staff don’t usually have access to these photos so important to go through LifeTouch.

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Hahs.hcpss.org

  • ADA parking and drop off directions (As soon as available to us)
  • Please follow Hammond High School on Twitter and subscribe to e-school news to receive up to date information on graduation and surrounding activities directly on your smartphone. @hcpss_hahs

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Prom

May 8, 7pm, Martin’s West

  • Students must be present in school that day for at least a half day in order to attend
  • Prom Wishlist - Sent out via Canvas from Ms. Hall & Ms. Sullivan
  • Senior Newsletter
  • Want to Volunteer?
  • Contact kimberly_hall@hcpss.org

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SENIOR SUNSET

JOIN US TO WATCH THE SUN SET ON A MEMORABLE SENIOR YEAR

MAY 26, 2026

5:30pm - 7pm - SENIOR DINNER

7pm - 9pm - FOOD, GAMES MEMORIES - FRONT BUS LOOP

* BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIRS*

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March of the Graduates 2026

Forest Ridge Elementary School invites the Class of 2026

to our first ever celebratory march!

event

When & Where

Date: Tuesday, May 26th

Time: 1:45 PM

Provide your own transportation

schedule

Event Program

  • Q&A with 5th grade students
  • Parade through the hallways

Register via Google Form by Tuesday, May 23rd

Late registrations cannot be accepted after this date

DO NOT PARK IN THE BUS OR CAR LOOP

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March of the Graduates

Laurel Woods Elementary School

Calling all former Laurel Woods students! Join us as you prepare to graduate high school.

When & Where

May 28th @ 2:00 PM

Laurel Woods Elementary School

Activities

  • Graduate Walk through the building
  • Q&A Session with 5th Grade students
  • Wear your full cap and gown!

RSVP by Friday, May 22

Parents are welcome to attend with their graduate.

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Questions