Graduation is approaching quickly this May, and alongside the ceremony, there are many events and dates that seniors should know before Graduation Day. All notable dates can be read through to ensure complete preparation for graduation, and for all occasions to come within the next month.
Monday, April 20 ~ Interim grade reports. This date will be used to determine class rank for honors grads at graduation. Your course grades can still change, and that change will be noted in your final GPA, but it will not change your honor status for graduation.
Tuesday, April 21 ~ Coach Jason Barnett will be meeting with the majority of graduates to ensure correct name pronunciation for the graduation ceremony. If you miss school on Tuesday, or he doesn’t get the chance to speak with you, please make the effort to confirm your name with Coach Barnett as soon as possible.
Saturday, April 25 ~ 2026 Prom at FCHS from 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Tickets are for sale now for $20 during all lunches, or in teacher Sherry Esch’s classroom. Guest forms are in the front office and are due by Monday, April 20.
Monday, April 27 ~ Seniors have the option to make a tie-dye t-shirt to celebrate your future (college, military, workforce, etc.). This will take place all day outside of the Senior Lounge, led by SGA in preparation for Decision Day on Thursday, April 30.
Tuesday, April 28 ~ SGA will host “Our Prom” in the Auxiliary Gym from 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Our Prom is an event dedicated to celebrating our special needs students.
Wednesday, April 29 ~ During your lunch, you can leave a senior handprint to cement your legacy on the wall of the Senior Lounge.
Thursday, April 30 ~ Decision Day during 4th Block (2:00 p.m-3:30 p.m.) on the FCHS football and practice fields. There will be games,a photo booth, music, etc. Please contact Anjoleigh Schindler at [email protected] with any questions about Decision Day or about your post-high school plans. You must complete the Senior Survey before you can participate in Decision Day, which will be emailed to you by counselor Haden Parrish.
Friday, May 1 ~ Senior trip to Washington, D.C. (if you signed up and paid for it). See Coach Jason Davis or Coach Mitchell Pace for specific trip questions and for a hard copy of the trip itinerary. The trip itinerary is also attached to the email sent by Coach Pace to all seniors. Those signed up will leave at exactly 7:30am (if you are not there, Coach Davis and Coach Pace will not wait, and you will not get a refund).
Sunday, May 3 ~ Senior Parade around Lake Monticello at 2:00 p.m. Lineup will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Stonewall (left through the main gate onto Jefferson, and look for volunteers to help put you in the lineup). Text Jen Sample at (434) 989-9246 for details as needed, and info will be posted on socials as well.
Wednesday, May 6 ~ Senior Awards & Scholarships Ceremony at 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in the FCHS Auditorium. If you are receiving an award, your parents/guardians will be notified by a letter mailed home and an email approximately two weeks prior. If you earn a scholarship, please communicate that award to your school counselor to ensure your recognition at the ceremony.
Week of May 12 – 15 ~ Week of SOLs and Final Exams. The main testing and final exam days are Tuesday 12 – Friday 15. Any seniors still needing SOLS will take them with Angie Blevins April 23-30. Contact Blevins with any questions you have regarding required testing at [email protected]. Finish the year strong so you can graduate on time.
Monday, May 18 ~ Senior Walk from 9:00 a.m-10:30 a.m. Seniors will leave FCHS for the Walk at 9 a.m. sharp. Seniors walk the halls of the other school buildings in Fluvanna to say goodbye to old teachers, classrooms, etc. Gowns are mandatory, caps and tassels are optional. You must ride a school bus, as you may NOT drive yourself. There are already over 100 graduates signed up. Senior Walk sign-ups are available here: Senior Walk Sign-Up
Tuesday, May 19 ~ The deadline to pay all outstanding fees, fines, and debts in order to participate in graduation. See Angela Brown in the front office if you have questions or to pay any balance you may owe ([email protected]). You do not need to wait for this date- please pay all outstanding balances ASAP.
Wednesday, May 20 ~ Last day of school and early dismissal day. Make sure everything is completed that is required to graduate (fees paid, Chromebook and other items turned in, School Counseling survey completed, etc.).
Thursday, May 21 ~ Mandatory graduation practice on the FCHS football field at 9:00 a.m. Arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. so everyone can begin on time. Please be ready to follow instructions so the ceremony can be flawless, and so the practice can end on time (approximately 11 a.m.). You do not need to dress up for practice, and you do not need your cap and gown. If rain tickets need to be distributed, we will do so at grad practice, so make sure to attend (see the rain plan below).
*If you have not ordered your cap and gown, you must do so immediately by calling 1-800-Jostens or online at Jostens.com. If you have financial reasons for not having your cap and gown, please see Coach Pace (room #4502) individually as soon as possible.
Thursday, May 21 ~ After graduation practice, the Senior Picnic will be held at the pavilions near the Pleasant Grove Dog Park. If you paid for the big D.C. trip, you get the picnic for free. If you just want to attend the picnic, pay $5 to Coach Jason Davis or Coach Mitchell Pace anytime between now and then, but sign up now so the right amount of food can be ordered. EW’s chicken, mac & cheese, wedges, drinks, and cookies will be provided. Bring chairs, picnic blankets, frisbees, soccer balls, speakers, etc. You can even bring a suit and towel to get in the river if you want. Picnic sign-ups available here: Senior Picnic Sign-Up
Friday, May 22 ~ Graduation Day. Graduation begins at 6:00 p.m. on the FCHS Football Field (ending at approximately 8 p.m.). Graduates must arrive by 4:30 p.m. Please dress nicely (ladies should not wear heels with a sharp or narrow heel, only wedges). You may not decorate your caps. If you decorate your cap, you will not be allowed to wear it during the ceremony.
GRADUATION PARKING — Graduates, anyone riding in the same car as a graduate, and anyone displaying a handicap placard or handicap license plate can park in the student parking lot behind FCHS. All other vehicles will be directed to Pleasant Grove. From Pleasant Grove, spectators can walk or ride the school bus shuttles to the FCHS parking lot. There will be a couple golf carts assisting those who need it from the parking lot to the stadium.
GUESTS AND RAIN PLAN — There is no limit to the number of spectators at graduation if the ceremony remains outside as planned. If the ceremony is moved inside, rain tickets will be given to graduates at practice and limited based on the number of graduates and occupancy rules set by the fire marshal. If needed, based on weather forecasts, the decision to move graduation indoors will be made no later than Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Graduation will happen on Friday, May 22. If inside, it will be on Friday at 6 p.m. in the FCHS gym (tickets required).
Additional Important Reminders ~ You must return all Chromebooks and charging cords to the library when you are completely finished with school work and tests. More info will come in your email. All textbooks, calculators, etc. from all of your current and previous classes should be returned to the correct teacher or you will be charged the corresponding fee, and may be denied the right to walk at graduation. School Counseling, specifically counselor Haden Parrish, will be emailing the Senior Exit Survey to all seniors in mid-April, and completion of the survey is required to attend Decision Day and to receive your diploma.
