JCS Graduation Ceremony

 

What is the Graduation Ceremony?

The graduation ceremony is a formal event celebrating the academic achievements of graduating students.  The graduation ceremony involves graduating students walking across the stage at the BMO Event Centre in their cap, v-stole and gown to receive portfolio and shaking hands with Principal Glassford.

Who participates in Graduation Ceremony?

Participation in Graduation Ceremonies requires students to be listed on the official JCS Graduation list.  The graduation list will be displayed outside the main office starting Thursday, April 1 at 3:30pm. We encourage all grade 12 students to check their names on the list to confirm their eligibility for graduation.

Please be advised that the graduation list will be updated daily to reflect any changes regarding graduation status and fee payments. It is essential to ensure that all graduation fees are paid to facilitate the distribution of ceremony tickets.

Graduation List 

To be included on the graduation list, students must:

  • Be passing all required courses to qualify for an Alberta Education High School Diploma, Certificate of High School Achievement or a certificate of High School Completion. 
  • If students are not passing all courses or do not qualify for the previous mentioned Alberta Education diplomas or certificates, they need to have created a feasible plan with their Assistant Principal or Student Advisor to meet these requirements in order to be included in the graduation list if possible.
  • Have paid the Graduation fee in PowerSchool (please remember to select and add the fee to your “cart” before proceeding with the payment).
  • Have completed the “Are You Ready to Graduate?” form.

Participation in the graduation ceremony is not an indication that the student will receive the Alberta Education High School Diploma or Certificate. Official Diplomas/Certificates are issued by Alberta Education upon completion of the Alberta requirements.

 How do you get tickets to the graduation ceremony?

Ceremony tickets will be distributed to students who are on the graduation list between 12:00 and 12:25 on:

  • Tuesday, April 7, 2026
  • Wednesday, April 8, 2026
  • Thursday, April 9, 2026

Ticket distribution will occur in the main hub area.  School ID is required to pick up all graduation ceremony tickets.  Only the graduating student can pick up their respective tickets.

Please be advised that tickets will not be distributed from the main office or during class time, even if a student has a spare period. Students who are unable to receive their tickets at the above-mentioned times are asked to email Ms. Lloyd (anlloyd@cbe.ab.ca) by April 1. 

How many tickets can a student get for the Graduation Ceremony?

Students are required to pick up their graduation ceremony tickets and may request up to five tickets for guests.  Graduands do not need a ticket to attend the graduation ceremony.  At the time of the request, students will have the option to indicate if they would like an additional ticket beyond the initial five. This information will be documented, and any additional tickets available will be allocated to those students who self-identify during the week of April 21st, 2026. 


Graduation Ceremony Tickets Security

We are pleased to inform you that this year's graduation ceremony tickets will include an enhanced security feature: all tickets have been embossed with the official JCS logo. Please be advised that only tickets featuring the embossed JCS logo will be permitted for entry to the graduation ceremony.

It is important to keep graduation ceremony tickets secure, as replacements will not be issued for lost tickets.

 JCS Grad Ceremony | Tuesday, May 12, 2026 

  • Location: The BMO Event Centre 
  • Time: Ceremony will begin at 9:00 am SHARP        
  • Parking: Pay parking lots available. There is also a designated drop off area in front of the BMO Centre.  Please note that there is no 'in and out' privileges in the parking lots.
  • Doors open at 8:30am for guests
  • Grads should arrive no later than 8:00am to ensure that they are lined up in alphabetical order by 8:30am. All Grads must be wearing their grad gown, stole, cap, tassel 
  • Grad gowns will be collected immediately after the closing of the graduation ceremony 
  • Guests remain in their seats until the student recessional has exited the hall.

Timeline for Graduation Ceremony

8:00 am | All graduands arrive at the BMO Centre and in their proper ceremony attire, with gown, stole, and cap on.  Follow the directions of the teacher supervisors once arrived. 

8:30 am | Final checks for group numbers and student attendance

9:00 am | Processional begins

11:45 am | Recessional begins (guest are to remain seated)

12:00 pm | Students return their gowns and V-stoles

12:30 pm | Hall closes

What do the Graduation Ceremony fees pay for?

Fees for the 2025 graduation ceremony are approximately $80.00. These fees support:

  • the BMO Even Centre venue rental,
  • rental of graduation gowns and V-stole
  • souvenir graduation cap and tassel
  • the program printing
  • graduation portfolio
  • graduand photograph
  • the JCS Raven pin
  • other costs associated with the event.

Graduation 2026 Ceremony Speakers

Valedictorian: TBD

Land Acknowledgement: TBD

Theme: TBD

Suggested Dress:        

  • For the ceremony, students will be wearing the graduation gowns and caps with a gold 2026 tassel. Students MUST wear their gowns, caps, v-stole and tassels in order to cross the stage during the ceremony.         
  • The ceremony is a formal event; therefore, students should dress in semi-formal attire. As a result, you should NOT wear jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, flip-flops or hats. Consider wearing comfortable but professional footwear, as you will be walking up a ramp, across a stage and down some stairs.         
  • DO NOT bring purses, cell phones, bags or any other items that you need to carry.  

Graduation Rehearsal Assembly: 

Thursday, May 7 during period 3 (1:30pm-3:30pm) attendance is mandatory.  Students are to attend their class prior to proceeding to the rehearsal.  Students who have a spare period will meet in the main hub area. 

 **It is imperative that students to attend this assembly, even if they have a spare during period 3, because there will be important information provided specific to the graduation ceremony.    

Distribution of Grad Gown, Cap, V-Stole and Tassel:  

Will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 after the rehearsal in the aux. gym  

  • Grads will be asked to show their current school ID card to pick up their grad gowns/v-stole/caps/tassels. If students do not have a current school ID, it is their responsibility to get another one from the main office at the cost of $5.00 prior to May 7.        
  • Students must pick up their gowns, v-stole and caps by 3:30pm on Thursday, May 7.
  • Students are responsible for the care of the grad gown and v-stole once it has been issued         
  • The grad gown and v-stole must be returned immediately after the ceremony has concluded on May 12, 2026. At the end of the ceremony, students will be marshalled back to the gowning room where they will return their grad gown. The gowns will be returned back to Gaspard Gowns in Winnipeg immediately after the ceremony.
  •  If the gown and v-stole is not returned at this time, the student will be responsible for paying the shipping charges to have the gown and v-stole sent back to Winnipeg. These charges will also apply to any student who pick up a gown and v-stole but do not attend the ceremony. If the gown and/or v-stole is not returned or is lost, then the student will be charged for the cost of the grad
    gown and/or v-stole.   
  • The graduate will keep the souvenir cap and tassel.

Family Pictures with Graduands:  

Since students will have their gowns, v-stoles and caps a week prior to the graduation ceremony, and will be able to take them home, we encourage the grads to take pictures with family and friends on the days prior to the ceremony because there will not be an opportunity after the ceremony.   

Lifetouch Pictures during the Ceremony:

  • A Lifetouch photographer will be booked to take a photo of graduands after they leave the stage. This photo will be made available to graduands by Lifetouch the week of May 25.
  • Guests may only take photos from their seats during the ceremony. Guest will not be allowed to come onto the ceremony floor to take photos of their student during the graduation ceremony.   

Expectations of Guests at Graduation Ceremony

We respectfully request that all guests attend the graduation ceremony with the understanding that they should remain for the duration of the event to celebrate all JCS students who will be honored on stage. We ask that graduands and guests refrain from leaving before the ceremony concludes, which takes place after the recessional when all students and JCS staff exit the hall.

We kindly ask that guests ensure young children remain seated in the hall. Additionally, please be reminded that food and beverages are not allowed in the hall area. Thank you for your cooperation.

American Sign Language (ASL) support for the graduation ceremony

Parents/guardians requiring American Sign Language assistance during the graduation ceremony, please contact Andrea Lloyd via email at anlloyd@cbe.ab.ca prior to April 1, 2026.

Graduation Ceremony Livestreaming

Please be advised that the JCS Graduation Ceremony will be livestreamed.  Details on how to access the webcast are available to students through their Grad Class of 2026 D2L course.