Class of 2025 and their families and friends: 

We are thrilled to celebrate our graduating class of amazing seniors. Our graduation ceremony will be on Friday, June 13th at 10:00am.  Graduation is both a rich traditional celebration AND a time to welcome our graduates into the rest of their lives…thank you for being a part of our celebration.

We are proud to invite the full community to our outdoor celebration on the NHS football field. Our football field is a large space, so no tickets are necessary.  

This letter details logistics and reminders for all seniors and their families.

Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal on Wednesday and Thursday 

Graduation Logistics

• Date & Time: Friday, June 13th 10am start (9am gates open)

• Location:  Novato High School (football stadium)

Dress Recommendations:

Be prepared!  Sometimes the ceremony can be very hot and the graduates and guests can get overheated quickly in the sun.  Other times, its chilly in the morning.  Consider layers, sunglasses, fans.

Parking:

Parking is first come, first serve. If you need to park on the street please be respectful to our residential neighbors. We have limited parking for attendees with accessibility concerns. You are welcome to drive your vehicle to the main gate and drop off attendees with disabilities and then park your car on the street or in the parking lot…whichever is available.  We will have staff and local Marin volunteers assisting with parking and directing traffic.

Seating: 

Graduation is an 'open seating' event on bleachers. The stadium gates open at 9:00am.  If you have purchased reserved seating tickets at one of our fundraisers,  you will enter at the front gate, please identify yourselves and someone will escort you to our VIP seating in front of the press box. 

Accessible Seating:  

If you need seating due to mobility issues, please see a staff member at the front gate.  He or she will escort you inside the field along the fence.  One member of the family is allowed to sit with limited mobility guests in this area. We will also have ASL translation at this event.   If any other accommodations are required, please call the NHS Office Manager Marla DeMartini to arrange for accommodations.

Graduation Etiquette: 

There will be 350 students graduating this year and we want to do our best to honor each student. 

• No balloons allowed in the stands and be mindful of signage and other items that may interfere with visibility for families.

• We ask that you do not bring horns or loud sound machines that could detour from the names being heard by their families. 

• Please do not block the procession  - staff will direct you on where you can and can’t stand to ensure guests do not impede student and staff entrance.

• While we encourage applause and cheering we ask that you remember to limit your responses so that the next graduate in line will have their name heard as well.  

• All NUSD campuses are smoke and tobacco free. It is not appropriate to bring or light cigars to celebrate graduates and some people have allergies and sensitivities to be mindful of.

Day of Graduation Arrival Information for Graduates:

Senior students must arrive at the Gordon Gym on the morning of graduation (June 13th) at 9am and no later than 9:15am. We will have rehearsed twice before Friday so students will know the procedure for line-up and their assigned seat.  Only senior students are permitted in the gym. Leave belongings with family. Students may be searched upon entry to the gym and may not leave once they are admitted. Please do not wear heels for graduation. 

Cap and Gowns:

Cap and gowns will be distributed at senior breakfast.  Any senior in need of their cap and gown should come to the front office at window #3. Caps and tassels are available for $15. Gowns may be borrowed or purchased. Borrow a Gown, or Purchase Cap & Gown 

Note: tassel must be purchased separately available at window 3 for $5.00)   

Caps may be decorated but appropriate images and language only. Checked and searched upon entering the gym.  

After the Ceremony:

Guests are allowed to enter the field after the cap toss to greet graduates and take pictures.  Again, please no heels and no  cigars.  All graduates will need to pick up their diploma at the snack shack and, if applicable, return borrowed gowns.