Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! We are giving you the following guidelines so that graduation and senior activities will be a proud memory for all graduates. While we hope it does not become necessary, diplomas may be pulled for any student not following the guidelines set forth at any point through the graduation ceremony.
ONLINE CLASSES COMPLETION
Students who are taking online classes must have assignments and DBAs completed no later than Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 11:59PM and exams completed no later than Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:59PM if they intend to participate in the May 31st graduation ceremony.
GRADUATION PRACTICE
Graduation Practice is mandatory. There will be two practices held in the Anclote High School gymnasium. The first practice will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 11:30AM (immediately following senior breakfast). The second practice will be held on Thursday May 23, 2024 at 11:30AM. Students are expected to be in classes until practice begins. Attendance on both days is MANDATORY for participation in graduation. Senior students should not plan on leaving until 3:00 PM. The administrator in charge of graduation (Mrs. Lipa) MUST review and approve any extenuating circumstances. Students must be dressed according to the Pasco County School District Dress Code. Students will be sent home to change if they are out of dress code and this may jeopardize their participation in graduation. Caps & Gowns are distributed on the second day of Graduation Practice. There is no exception to this policy.
SENIOR BREAKFAST
All senior students are invited to attend the annual Senior Breakfast that will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Anclote High School’s cafeteria at 9AM. There is not a fee for this event, nor is there a ticket. Students should be dressed appropriately, no shorts, ripped jeans, flip flops, pajamas etc. Students not dressed appropriately will be sent home to change and will not be admitted to this event.
SENIOR PICNIC
All senior students are invited to the Senior Picnic on Friday, May 17th during 5th and 6th period on the Anclote High School football field. There is not a fee, nor is there a ticket. Students should be dressed according to the Pasco County Schools Dress Code. There will be inflatables, games, food and fun.
CEREMONY (LIVE AND ONLINE VIA STREAMING)
The graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, May 31st at 12:00PM. Seniors are to report at 11:00AM to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center in Tampa in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. The graduates must report to the corral, the entry that is marked for graduates (the Gate A Annex near the USF Store). The security personnel will conduct a visual search and students will be wanded. Graduates MUST put their gowns on after they have entered the building. In addition, they should not bring anything else with them except their caps and gowns. This includes purses and bags. There will be a livestream of the ceremony via Pasco County Schools website.
DRESS EXPECTATIONS FOR GRADUATION CEREMONY
Dress Code for Graduates: Dress pants and dress shirt, a dress or skirt and blouse or pantsuit are recommended outfits. No sneakers, sandals, flip flops, etc. are allowed. We recommend that students not wear high heels, as there will be a lot of walking and stair climbing.
Personal Items: Leave purses, cameras, and personal items with a parent or friend in the audience; those items may not be taken into the corral. Flowers or corsages are NOT permitted.
Graduation Gowns: We have ordered all caps and gowns for students. Please do not order a second cap and gown. Please carry your cap and gown into the University of South Florida Corral. We will not have extra gowns on hand. Gowns are to look like they did when received from the company. Nothing extra may be added to them.
Graduation Cap: The mortarboard (graduation cap) is to be worn flat with the tassel over the right eye. Once the seniors are declared graduates, the tassel is moved to the left side in unison with the class. Cap decoration must be approved by Mrs. Lipa prior to graduation. If students bring a cap that is not approved, they will not be allowed to wear that cap. We will not have extra caps or tassels on hand.
BEHAVIOR
Graduation is a momentous occasion not only for the seniors, but also for their parents, families, and friends. For that reason, the ceremony is to be held with dignity and courtesy to others. All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for the occasion, which includes walking across the stage. All participants must comply with the Pasco County Student Code of Conduct. Inappropriate behavior will result in both students and parents/guardians having to meet with the school administration prior to receiving a diploma.
Improper noises and distractions will not be permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, noisemakers such as bullhorns, air horns, whistles, cowbells, and firecrackers, etc. Do NOT bring in beach balls, silly string, or any item that would be deemed inappropriate. We ask that you request family and friends to remain seated throughout the ceremony, except when it is appropriate to stand (during the Pledge of Allegiance, for example), as a courtesy to other graduates and their families and friends. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, is permitted in the seating area for graduates.
Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not receive his/her diploma and/or will be turned over to appropriate law enforcement officials. As this is a School District of Pasco County event, alcohol will not be permitted inside of any of the areas in the University of South Florida Yuengling Center dedicated to the graduation ceremony.
TRAFFIC TO AND PARKING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA YUENGLING CENTER
Please be advised that the time of arrival for the graduation ceremony for students is 11:00AM. Traffic is very heavy based on the location of the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Please plan appropriately when leaving your homes and give yourself more than enough time to arrive without incident. Once students and staff have left the corral for the ceremony, LATE students will NOT be permitted to participate in the ceremony. Parking lots around the USF Yuengling Center will charge $8.00 per car for parking. All of this will be done electronically and CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. When you arrive at USF, please make sure that you enter at the Fowler Avenue and Bull Run entrance. There will be signs throughout the area that will direct you. Disabled parking is located at Gate A and Gate D, Parking Lot Area 22F. Please enter the Yuengling Center through Gates A and B.
SECUTIRY AND BAG POLICIES FOR USF
- No weapons of any kind, no outside food or beverage, no backpacks or other large bags.
- Personal bags must be smaller than 12”x12”x12”. These are subject to search upon entry.
- Cameras are permitted with the exception of professional cameras with larger lenses.
- Cameras and binoculars will only be permitted if they are out of their cases (the cases should be left in the car).
SEATING & TICKETS
Seating is unlimited in the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Tickets will not be necessary as a result. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, is permitted on the floor partitioned off on the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Floor seating is only permitted for invited dignitaries, graduating seniors, band members, faculty and staff, and other invited guests. All of these people will have tickets in order to go to the floor and will be listed on pre-approved lists provided to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. No one else is permitted on the floor of the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Those who need handicapped seating would be advised to enter in at Gate A, where there are elevators available. There is handicapped seating available throughout the Yuengling Center. There is also reserved seating for the hearing impaired.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Gigante Productions (813-907-1078) will photograph each senior individually upon receiving his/her diploma cover and congratulations from the principal. Purchase of these photographs is optional. Gigante Productions will notify seniors via mail when the pictures are ready and all questions regarding these pictures should go to Gigante Productions. Please make sure that your address is correct with Anclote High School, as that is the address that we will provide to Gigante Productions. Anclote High School does not receive any of these pictures or information following graduation.
DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION
Diplomas will be distributed by alphabet in the same way that students lined up behind the seating for guests. After receiving your diploma, please exit the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. We recommend having a pre-arranged meeting place set with your family.
