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 non-school awards.
(cf. 5126 - Awards for Achievement)
Graduation Attire
The Superintendent or designee may require graduating students to wear ceremonial attire, such as cap and gown, at the ceremony.
(cf. 3260 - Fees and Charges)
Any graduating student who has completed basic training and is an active member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces may, at the student's option, wear a military dress uniform at the ceremony. (Education Code 35183.3)
Students shall be permitted to wear tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment to the customary ceremonial attire, as long as the adornment does not cause a substantial disruption of, or material interference with, the graduation ceremony. (Education Code 35183.1)
Students who desire to wear such adornments shall seek permission from the Superintendent or designee at least 14 days before the graduation ceremony.
Disciplinary Considerations
Students are expected to comply with district and school policies, regulations, and rules throughout the school session, including during graduation and related events. Students shall not be denied the privilege of participating in graduation ceremonies and activities except as discipline in cases of serious misconduct. In no event shall a student be denied participation in graduation ceremonies unless the principal or designee has informed the student and the student's parents/guardians of the misconduct and has given them an opportunity to respond.
(cf. 5131 - Conduct)
(cf. 5144 - Discipline)
During the graduation ceremony, a student may be removed from the ceremony for conduct that is disruptive or that poses a risk to safety.
High school seniors shall be notified of this policy in advance, through the student handbook or other means, and shall be required to acknowledge receiving it.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
35183.1 Graduation ceremonies; tribal regalia or recognized object of religious/cultural significance
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
51410-51413 Diplomas
COURT DECISIONS
Workman v. Greenwood Community School Corporation, (2010) Case No. 1:2010cv00293
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:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Pupil Fees, Deposits and Other Charges, Fiscal Management Advisory 17-01, July 28, 2017
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, February 2003
WEB SITES
AASA The School Superintendents Association: http://www.aasa.org
Antidefamation League: https://www.adl.org
California Department of Education, High School: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
Policy GILROY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: May 30, 2019 Gilroy, California