Hemet USD

Board Policy
Graduation Ceremonies And Activities

BP 5127
Students

High school graduation ceremonies shall be held to recognize those students who have earned a
diploma by successfully completing the required course of study, satisfying district standards,
and passing any required state and/or local assessments, or who have earned a Certificate of
Completion. The Governing Board believes that these students deserve a public celebration that
recognizes the significance of their achievement and encourages them to continue the pursuit of
learning throughout their lives.

(cf. 3260 - Fees and Charges)

(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
(cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6162.52 - High School Exit Examination)
(cf. 6146.4 - Differential Graduation and Competency Standards for Students with Disabilities)

If there is sufficient student interest, a ceremony may be held at the end of summer school for
seniors who complete their requirements during the summer following the graduation of their
class.

High school students who have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination or
the General Education Development Test may participate in the annual Alternative Education
graduation ceremony.

(cf. 6146.2 - Certificate of Proficiency/High School Equivalency)

The school or district shall not direct invocations, prayers, or benedictions at baccalaureate or
graduation ceremonies.

(cf. 1330 - Use of School Facilities)

(cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression: Publications Code)

Disciplinary Considerations

In order to encourage high standards of student conduct and behavior, the principal may deny a
student the privilege of participating in graduation ceremonies and/or activities in accordance
with school rules. School rules shall ensure that prior to denial of the privilege(s), the student,
and where practicable his/her parent/guardian, is made aware of the grounds for such denial and
that the student is given an opportunity to respond to the proposed denial. If privilege(s) are to
be denied, the student and parent/guardian shall receive written notice of the denied privilege and
the means whereby he/she may appeal this decision.

(cf. 5125.2 - Withholding Grades, Diploma or Transcripts)

(cf. 5144 - Discipline)
(cf. 6161.2 - Damaged or Lost Instructional Materials)

Honors and Awards

To honor superior academic achievement, graduation ceremonies may include recognition of

student speakers. The Superintendent or designee shall establish procedures that ensure a fair
selection process.

Commencement ceremonies may include recognition of students with Highest Honors (4.00
cumulative grade point average and above, grades 9 through fall semester grade 12), Honors
(3.50 to 3.99 cumulative grade point average, grades 9 through fall semester grade 12), and
California Scholastic Federation Life Members.

(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)

The Superintendent or designee shall identify other school-sponsored awards, which may be
given during graduation exercises. A separate awards program may be held to recognize
graduating students receiving other school and nonschool awards.

(cf. 5126 - Awards for Achievement)

Foreign exchange students may receive honorary diplomas during the graduation ceremony.
(Education Code 51225.5)

(cf. 6145.6 - International Exchange)

Elementary/Middle School Promotion Exercises

Elementary and middle schools may provide age-appropriate promotion exercises to recognize
students who have completed the school's course of study.

Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
35183.3 Graduation ceremonies; military dress uniforms
38119 Lease of personal property; caps and gowns
48904 Liability of parent or guardian; withholding of grades, diplomas, transcripts
51225.5 Honorary diplomas; foreign exchange students
51410-51412 Diplomas
COURT DECISIONS
Cole v. Oroville Union High School District, (2000, 9th Cir.) 228 F.3d 1092
Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, (2000) 530 U.S. 290
Lee v. Weisman, (1992) 505 U.S. 577
Sands v. Morongo Unified School District, (1991) 53 Cal. 3d 863
Lemon v. Kurtzman, (1971) 403 U.S. 602

Management Resources:
WEB SITES
California Department of Education, High School: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/

Policy HEMET UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

adopted: February 3, 2015 Hemet, California
Hemet USD
Administrative Regulation
Graduation Ceremonies And Activities

AR 5127
Students

The valedictorian/salutatorian selection procedure is necessary in order to make a fair

determination.

In order to be eligible for valedictorian/salutatorian consideration, a student must have been

enrolled at the high school issuing the diploma during the final, two full semesters in which
he/she earned credits.

The calculation to select valedictorian(s) and salutatorian(s) is the sum of the student's SAT
combined Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores multiplied by the student's
weighted grade point average.

1. Determine the student's weighted grade point average grades 9 through fall semester
grade 12. Courses which may be included in the calculation are those defined in Board Policy
6146.1, 6146.4, "Graduation Requirements/Standards of Proficiency."

2. Determine the student's total Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score for Evidence-Based
Reading and Writing and Math scores, maximum score 1600. When a student has more than one
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores (multiple sittings), the highest score in
each area is to be used. SAT results must be received no later than the beginning of the second
semester.

3. Multiply the total SAT score by the weighted grade point average. This is the student's
total score.

4. The student with the highest calculated score is valedictorian. The student with the
second highest score is salutatorian. In the case of tied scores, there may be co-valedictorians and
co-salutatorians.

The principal may deny a student the privilege of participating in graduation ceremonies and
other related graduation activities for failure to follow the school rules, policies, and regulations.

Students who have earned 140 credits prior to the beginning of the first semester and 185 units
prior to the beginning of the second semester may participate in Senior activities.

The principal shall make the students and parents or guardians aware of the school policies,
rules, regulations and expected behavior to participate in the graduation ceremony and other
related graduation activities by conducting a mandatory meeting with all 12th grade students and
distributing the High School Senior Activities booklet.

In order to participate in the graduation ceremony and other related graduation activities, each
graduating senior and his or her parent or guardian must sign the High School Senior Contract
agreeing to abide by the specified school policies, rules and regulations. If the student is eighteen
years of age or older, the parent or guardian may elect to sign a Notice of Acknowledgement of
the specified school policies, rules and regulations of the High School Senior Contract.

If the privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony and other related graduation activities is
denied, the principal shall make the student and parents or guardians aware of the grounds for
denial and will provide an opportunity for the student and parents or guardians to respond to the
denial.

The final dispensation of the denial will be provided to the student and parents or guardians in
writing. The written notification will include the procedures for the filing of an appeal.

Appeals to the intent of this Administrative Regulation will be processed through the office of
the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services with the ultimate authority to offer
exemption, exception or waiver residing only with the Superintendent.

Revision for Class of 2019 and beyond

The valedictorian/salutatorian selection procedure is necessary in order to make a fair

determination.

In order to be eligible for valedictorian/salutatorian consideration, a student must have been

enrolled at the high school issuing the diploma during the final, four full semesters in which
he/she earned credits, enrolled in at least six classes all four years each semester, have earned
only A's, B's, and C's throughout high school, and must have met both graduation and UC/CSU
(A-G) Requirements.

The student with the highest academic ranking is awarded Valedictorian based upon student's
best 28 semester grades taken during the first seven (7) semesters of high school.

* All weighted courses (AP, Dual Enrollment) will be counted as one grade per class per
semester. Only grades of A, B, C are weighted.

* Weighted courses are calculated on a 5 point scale. Other courses will be based on a 4
point scale.

* Dual Enrollment and all other college courses are counted as one weighted semester.
Only college courses taken on their high school campus will be counted.

Second highest academic rank is awarded Salutatorian.

In case of a tie, the student with the highest SAT score will be awarded Valedictorian.
To determine the student's total Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score Evidence-Based Reading
and Writing (EBRW) and Math scores will be used, maximum score 1600. When a student has
more than one EBRW and Math scores (multiple sittings), the highest score in each area is to be
used for the super score SAT score. SAT results must be received no later than the beginning of
the second semester.

The principal may deny a student the privilege of participating in graduation ceremonies and
other related graduation activities for failure to follow the school rules, policies, and regulations.

Students who have earned 140 credits prior to the beginning of the first semester and 185 units
prior to the beginning of the second semester may participate in Senior activities.

The principal shall make the students and parents or guardians aware of the school policies,
rules, regulations and expected behavior to participate in the graduation ceremony and other
related graduation activities by conducting a mandatory meeting with all 12th grade students and
distributing the High School Senior Activities booklet.

In order to participate in the graduation ceremony and other related graduation activities, each
graduating senior and his or her parent or guardian must sign the High School Senior Contract
agreeing to abide by the specified school policies, rules and regulations. If the student is eighteen
years of age or older, the parent or guardian may elect to sign a Notice of Acknowledgement of
the specified school policies, rules and regulations of the High School Senior Contract.

If the privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony and other related graduation activities is
denied, the principal shall make the student and parents or guardians aware of the grounds for
denial and will provide an opportunity for the student and parents or guardians to respond to the
denial.

The final dispensation of the denial will be provided to the student and parents or guardians in
writing. The written notification will include the procedures for the filing of an appeal.

Appeals to the intent of this Administrative Regulation will be processed through the office of
the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services with the ultimate authority to offer
exemption, exception or waiver residing only with the Superintendent.

Regulation HEMET UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

approved: September 19, 2017 Hemet, California