Graduation Activities & Traditions

Everything you need to know for graduation

Families: Watch our Senior Guideposts e-newsletter for details and dates throughout the year. Most deadlines are announced via text as well. 

Students: Watch your Senior Class Teams channel EVERY week for important announcements through the year. 

Special Note:  RUNNING START students are welcome to all events. For the graduation ceremony, they must show online to their counselor passing grades or the expectation that any required credits will be earned spring quarter.

Many of the graduation celebrations are developed by the senior-class officers or a PTSA committee of senior parents. With that comes slight changes to traditions each year. Watch for details via the e-newsletter and texts.

Required High School & Beyond Plan that all students must complete to graduate (state requirement).

• • This plan for a job, college, or other training must be complete to earn a diploma.
  • Your student should have been completing tasks throughout high school.
  • If your student needs assistance, see our College & Career Advisor.
• Senior Prom: This ASB-sponsored event is a formal dance held at an off-campus venue chosen by the senior-class officers. Plans are announced in spring.
• Graduation Ceremony
  • Graduation Ceremony is optional.
  • What honors do graduates wear for the ceremony? Newport has specific traditions for honors cords. Students who earn these honors will be notified second semester.
  • Purchasing required cap, gown, stole & tassel. Contact the Newport Office Manager if you cannot afford these items.
  • Watch in June for specific instructions that allow you to park at the University of Washington for the graduation ceremony.
  • Finding your seat at the ceremony in the arena.
  • Families will receive specific instructions via our e-newsletter regarding obtaining graduation ceremony tickets and how many will each graduate receive. The first announcement will be sent before January each year.
  • The University of Washington has restrictions and instructions for entering the arena. Carefully review these when they arrive via e-newsletter in June.
• Grad Knight - Senior party: Event FAQs - Newport Grad Knight Party
  • Registration Process: Grad Knight Registration - Newport Grad Knight Party
  • Bus Assignments Process (not until end of May): Bus Selection Process - (Mid May) - Newport Grad Knight Party 

• Graduation Week Events
   
  • Required Graduation Rehearsal:
    • Seniors participating in the graduation ceremonies at the UW must attend this rehearsal.
    • Students must understand their movements during the ceremony so that we efficiently send nearly 500 young adults on their way.
    • At this rehearsal, students will learn where among the senior class they will be seated.
    • Ask your student about this placement and position yourself in the stadium so that you have a nice view of your graduate.
  • Senior Awards Assembly:
    • Usually on the seniors’ last day at Newport, seniors are recognized for special achievements in the PAC.
    • Only seniors and staff attend this event.
  • Senior Brunch:
    • This informal gathering with light refreshments offers students and staff a chance for conversation and farewells.
    • Usually takes place on the seniors’ last day at NHS.
  • Senior Farewell Assembly: This whole-school ASB spirit event sends seniors off with the cheers ringing in their ears.
  • Ticket pickup: Generally, seniors pick up their tickets on the last day of classes (same day as the required graduation rehearsal and Senior Brunch)
    • Students may not pickup their tickets until laptop and materials return is complete, fines are paid, etc.
    • Ticket distribution varies from year to year. We announce the number of tickets per family in spring. 
  • Materials & laptop return:
    • Students must check in all school materials that were loaned and pay any outstanding fines and fees.
    • You can find the details of any fees and pay them on Touchbase.
    • A procedure for return is announced in June.
  • Yearbook pickup: The day and procedure varies each year and students will receive instructions directly. We do our best to distribute in time for seniors to collect autographs and messages from staff and students.
    • Students may NOT pick up their yearbook until materials loans are returned and fines and fees paid.
    • Students must have their student ID to pick up the yearbook.
    • Yearbooks are sold on a preorder basis. The last opportunity to order is in January.
  • Diploma Pickup:  Students pick up their diploma in the school office during the week following graduation.
    • Diplomas ARE NOT MAILED.
  • Transcripts:  
    • Students should request transcripts from the registrar up to the last day of classes.
    • For a few days (less than a week) after graduation, students may still be able to obtain a transcript from the registrar.
    • After graduation, transcripts must be requested from the district offices.
• Student email & teams accounts:
  • All student digital communication and storage accounts are closed within a week of graduation.
  • Students should transfer any items stored on BSD laptops and cloud, including Teams, Outlook email, OneNote and OneDrive.
  • Especially preserve any college-entry email materials or class notes that may be needed in college.
• Fall Senior Class Meeting: 
  • Held in early November.
  • A photograph of the entire senior class is taken at this event.
  • Students receive information for ordering graduation attire and souvenirs from Jostens.
  • Jostens returns a week later to collect orders.
  • You can order these materials online through late spring.
• Yearbook
  • Senior Tribute advertisements allow families to purchase space in yearbook for photos and message to their graduate.
  • Yearbook Sales—More than 300 pages of photos and memories.
    • Sold by preorder only.
    • Purchase through Touchbase ONLY during three two-week sales periods (usually August, November and January).
    • If you are not sure you ordered, check the Purchase History in Touchbase.
• Purchasing required graduation attire and optional souvenirs.
• Yard Signs to announce your student’s graduation.
• Newport Shores Holiday Brunch: This event is a PTSA fundraiser for Grad Knight sponsored by the Newport Shores neighborhood for families of that area, usually held in late November or early December. 

Learn more about graduation:

• Descriptions & Details of events & traditions
• Dates & Deadlines for the year before graduation
• Required & optional purchases to celebrate your senior