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Graduation Fee - $60

This fee covers the site rental, transportation, paper and printing. It must be paid prior to cap, gown, and ticket pickup. Scholarship assistance is available for families who need it. Please contact Assistant Principal Katrina Mezera to request scholarship help if needed.

Pay online through the Campus Parent Portal or pay in the Main Office with cash or a check payable to ISD 271. 

The graduation fee is due May 8. 

Commencement Attire / Cap & Gown Pick-Up

All students participating in commencement will wear the Kennedy graduation cap, gown, and tassel. These items are provided at no charge and are kept by the graduate. Orders will be taken later this year. Students not participating in the ceremony may also pick up their cap, gown and tassel. 

Seniors are responsible for picking up their own cap and gown. Friends or siblings may not pick up for each other. Cap & gowns can be picked up during the following times:

• May 13: Music Wing between 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• May 14: Music Wing between 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• May 15: Main Office between 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• May 18-22: Main Office between 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.   

To be eligible to pick up the cap & gown, students must have done the following:

• Pay any outstanding fines including the graduation fee. Return any outstanding school issued items (e.g. previous school year textbooks, media center books). Please contact Fiorela Esquivel-Martinez (fesquivelmartinez@isd271.org) or 952-681-5000 for support with this.
• Complete all Personal Growth Plan Lessons for 12th grade. See Ms. Jennings for help or status.
• Be within 3 credits of completing required coursework.

Students may wear adornments that represent their culture, race, ethnicity, gender and/or sexual orientation. Adornments must be displayed respectfully, truly represent the identity of the wearer, and be consistent with other district policies and student handbook. Students may decorate their caps aligning to this same guidance. 

Graduation Tickets

Each graduate will receive up to eighteen (18) tickets for guest seating inside the stadium. Only guests with a ticket will be allowed to enter U.S. Bank Stadium. Graduates will pick up and sign for their initial 8 tickets when they pick up their cap & gown and can request up to 10 additional tickets at that time. Students may also request additional tickets in person in the main office through May 29. Any child requiring a seat must have a ticket. Tickets will be given to the graduate or guardian only.  

Extra tickets beyond the 18 per graduate are not available; graduates should keep their tickets in a secure location. Lost tickets cannot be replaced. Guests with photocopied tickets will be denied entry to U.S. Bank Stadium. Guests without tickets should not come to U.S. Bank Stadium.

Student Transportation

All students are required to ride the bus to U.S Bank Stadium. The buses will load at 12:30 p.m. at Pond Center (behind Kennedy by the tennis courts) and depart promptly at 12:45 p.m. at the latest. Students should park in the Activity Center or front student lot and walk to Pond. Buses will return to Pond Center shortly after the ceremony. Students are not required to take the bus back to school after the ceremony.

Ceremony Information & Expectations

There will not be an in person rehearsal for the ceremony. This important information about what to expect and how to participate in the ceremony will be given during the May 20 advisory and sent to students via email. Staff will help guide students through the entrance and walking across the stage, but it will be important for students to use the information given to help the ceremony go smoothly for them.

Watch this or browse through the for more information. 

Attending the Ceremony

Tickets

We welcome all graduating seniors to invite up to 18 ticketed guests to the ceremony.  All others can view the ceremony live on .  There is no overflow viewing at the ceremony and guests without tickets will not be permitted in U.S. Bank Stadium.  

Entry

Ticketed Guests will enter the stadium at the Legacy Gate. Doors to the stadium will open at 1 p.m. Guests will not be granted access to U.S. Bank Stadium after the ceremony has ended. Guests who leave the building will not be readmitted.

Transportation & Parking

Visit the venue's  for details about U.S Bank Stadium’s layout, parking, etc. Ticketed guests are responsible for their own transportation to U.S. Bank Stadium.  

Security

All guests and graduates will enter through security screening including a metal detector. Please allow time for this process.

Items not allowed

Graduates will be checked to ensure they bring only their gown, cap, and tassel as they get on the bus. They will not be permitted to have anything else in their possession (backpacks, purses, flowers, water bottles, etc.). Sanitary products will be provided in bathrooms for students. Water will also be available from fountains.

Security / Prohibited Items for Guests:

• All guests entering U.S. Bank Stadium will be searched and have their belongings scanned. U.S. Bank Stadium personnel reserve the right to confiscate items that may cause damage to the facility or danger/disruption to an event. Guests who violate building policies or decline to be searched may be denied entry or ejected from the stadium.
• Screening of guests will include walking through a magnetometer (metal detector) and all permissible bags, per the policy of the event, will be permitted into the stadium after a thorough inspection by a security representative. Guests should be prepared to open their bags for inspection and may be asked by a security representative to shift and possibly remove the contents.
• Bag Policy:
  • 12”x6”x12” – bag does not need to be clear
  • No suitcases, luggage or duffle bags permitted
• In addition to the , the following specifics are called out and will not be permitted
  • Signage of any kind, even small signs are not permitted
  • Helium balloons
  • Noisemakers
  • Wrapped presents or gifts that cannot be completely inspected
  • Outside food and beverage; the only exception is a sealed 32oz water bottle OR an EMPTY 32oz PLASTIC water bottle (no glass or metal). (1) water bottle per guest
  • Florals are permitted but vases of any kind are not  

Guest Expectations

All graduates and guests are expected to adhere to all Kennedy High School and �ԹϺ��� expectations throughout the evening in order to keep a safe and supportive environment for everyone. Any student or guest not adhering to these guidelines will be removed from the ceremony. It is important that the names of all the graduates are heard at U.S. Bank Stadium and on the recordings. Noise-making equipment is not permitted and we ask for your help in allowing each name to be heard.

At the end of the ceremony the graduates will have a formal recessional. Guests should remain seated until all graduates have left the field. Graduates will recess to the Medronic Plaza outside the Legacy where they can meet their guests. Guests are expected to depart 20 minutes after the conclusion of the ceremony. Students choosing to take the bus back to Kennedy will meet the buses where they were dropped off. Buses will leave for Kennedy about 30 minutes after the end of the ceremony. 

Find more information about a parent planned, non-school sponsored party for seniors by following on Instagram.