Grad Night participant info

Hello Seniors, Guardians, and Families! Read this important information on 2025 Grad Night logistics (if you purchased a ticket by the June 1 deadline).

When and Where

The graduation ceremony begins at 8 pm on June 16, 2025, at Memorial Stadium, and will end between 9-9:30 pm. Students attending Grad Night are encouraged to do the following before making their way to the bus loading area:

Eat some food – seniors will not be eating at the venue until after 11 pm; we’ll have light snacks available on the bus.
Change into comfortable clothing — athletic clothing and closed-toe athletic shoes recommended. Students need to be able to move around and be active comfortably. Wear a warm jacket or sweatshirt. Leave cap and gown with parents.
Use the restrooms in Memorial Stadium. Other nearby buildings may be closed.

Bus check-in time: 9:30-10:15 pm

Buses will LEAVE at 10:30 pm sharp. BE ON TIME. Buses won’t be able to wait for late arrivals, and no outside transportation is allowed to the party location.

Check-in/Bus-loading Location: Bus loading zone is in between Memorial Stadium parking lot and MoPop, on the dead-end turnaround area on Harrison St, west of 5th Ave N. See red circle on map.

Return to Garfield parking lot: Buses will arrive back at Garfield 6-6:15 am on Tuesday, June 17. Please arrange return home transportation options for your students. Parents, keep in mind that they will be tired, so a pick-up might be a good option!

You MUST follow these instructions…

Additional activity waiver required:

Students under 18 years old: parents of students under 18 will be sent a QR code or web link at 9:30pm on graduation night. PARENTS / GUARDIANS PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR PHONES and complete this waiver right away.

Students over 18 years old: students will sign the waiver upon arriving at the venue.

What to bring: as little as possible. Backpacks and bags are not allowed. If a student needs to bring one, it must be stored away in the luggage compartment under the bus and will not be accessible during the event. We can take no responsibility for lost items, please only bring what is necessary. You may bring a small camera but are responsible for its safekeeping.

What not to bring: all prohibited items for a high school classroom. Do not bring money, food, or beverages. This is an alcohol-free, tobacco and vape-free, drug-free, weapon-free party. We will do a light pat-down at bus loading.

No cellphones allowed on buses or in venue: Upon boarding the bus, all students will TURN OFF and hand over their cell phones to be stored for the entire night in the bus luggage compartment. We’ll provide a Ziploc bag for you to label and store when boarding. All checked items will be locked away during the party, and returned to students on the return bus ride. If you need to bring your cell phone with you for insulin tracking please email gradnight@garfieldptsa.org so that we can note this and make an exception for you.

Personal medications: Any student needing to take medications during the event will need to indicate this on their Emergency Care Plan (form can be found on PTSA Grad Night website) and check the medication in with a Grad Night Committee representative before boarding the buses. Medications should be in a prescription container marked with the student’s name. Please place the container in a Ziploc bag, marked with the student’s name, along with a signed note by the parent with specific dispensing instructions.

General rules of conduct

This is a Drug and Alcohol-Free Event. If, at any time during the event, there is any suspicion that you are under the influence of, or in the possession of, drugs or alcohol, you will be required to submit to an additional search. If you are found in violation, your parents will be required to come and pick you up.
Be respectful of classmates, chaperones, personnel and property. If you damage or deface any property, you and your parents/guardians will be responsible for payment of the damages.
Students will not be allowed to leave the party early, unless this is prearranged with written permission from parent or guardian.

Dinner and Breakfast

There will be food provided, but please eat between graduation and bus loading if possible.

A light snack and bottled water will be provided on the bus.
Buffet dinner will be served at 11:15-12:45 pm, please get your food within that time frame.
Light breakfast will be served 3:30-5:00 am.

Students with special diet restrictions can bring their own food.

Emergency contact during the party

See the email that was sent to your student for phone numbers of Grad Night Co-Chairs Kathleen Judd and Karin Zaugg-Black.