CHECKLIST: Don't Miss These Significant Dates!

Planning Graduation?

Don’t Miss These Significant Dates!

Step 1: Select the Graduation Date

Coordinate with fellow educators and consider conflicts with national/local holidays and popular events

Plan for a date a couple of weeks after the school year ends to maintain senior student engagement.

Step 3: Measuring Students for Gowns

Schedule a Measuring Day at least 16 weeks before the ceremony.

Plan for extra days if you have a large graduating class

Measure every student to ensure no one is left out; returns can be managed later

Step 5: Ordering Graduation Gowns

Place your order months before the ceremony to potentially save costs

Consider the exact number of students graduating, the photography schedule, and the gown delivery time frame

Step 7: Distribution of Gowns to Students

Set a distribution date and announce it to faculty and the graduating class

If gowns are for yearbook photos, distribute a few days before photography; if for the ceremony, a couple of weeks in advance is sufficient.

Ensure gowns are correctly labeled with students’ names to facilitate distribution, considering the use of alpha packing for efficiency

Step 2: Invitations

Order announcements at least 12 weeks prior to graduation

Send out invitations a minimum of 6 weeks before the event.

Obtain at least 3 quotes from vendors, considering price, quality, and delivery time.

Step 4: Graduation Photography

Decide between ordering a variety of gown sizes for photos or ordering individual gowns before photography

Schedule the photography session and inform students and teachers in advance

Step 6: Delivery of Gowns

Ideal delivery date is at least a month before the ceremony to ensure proper fit and preparation

Announce the delivery date to everyone involved in the graduation

Key Takeaways:

Always double-check students' measurements for accuracy

Keep timeframes in mind for photography and yearbook printing

Plan distribution dates firmly and notify all parties involved

Explore options like alpha packing for large classes to streamline gown distribution