...What's Included in This Guide:
- A note from the principal
- Important dates
- Commencement Details
- Commencement Requirements
- Ticket Information
- Jostens
- What to Expect on Graduation Day
- A Note to Families
- Information from Cintas Center
A word from our principal, Mr. Ryan Bellamy
It is hard to believe that we are almost at the end of the school year. The closure of a school year brings many exciting events and activities like prom, after prom, and graduation. You will find a list of these activities, along with dates, times, and places, in this guide. These events mark a momentous occasion in your son/daughter(s)
journey through life. This time of year comes with great joy and celebration. You and your child should be very proud.
I would like to take this time to remind you that should your son/daughter owe school fees, you will need to make arrangements with the bookkeeper to receive your son/daughter’s diploma. The last day for paying by check is May 4, 2026. We will accept payments by cash or credit card until May 22, 2026. You may pay by cash only
on the day of graduation at the Cintas Center, but please note that no change will be given, so the exact amount will be necessary. Diplomas of students who owe fees will be held until arrangements have been made or the fees have been paid. You may contact the bookkeeper, Maria Buschmann, at 942-2999 ext. 2503, with any questions.
As we approach the end of the year, we want to emphasize the importance of good attendance and appropriate behavior from our students these last remaining weeks. We have appreciated your support of our efforts at Fairfield Senior High School, and we hope that you will show us the same support one last time. This is an exciting time for everyone! We are proud of all of our seniors, and we are looking forward to sharing in the celebration with you and your son or daughter. Please take a moment to look over the enclosed information, which includes our expectations for all our seniors during the Commencement Ceremony on May 23. You will also find a map with directions to the Cintas Center. Please remember that our graduation practice is mandatory, and students not in attendance will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony. Graduation practice is May 19 at 8:00 a.m.at the high school.
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Lastly, each year I hear from parents who express concern about the decorum of the Commencement ceremony. Fairfield Senior High School Class of 2026 desires that the Commencement is dignified and orderly. This goal requires the cooperation of graduates, parents, and spectators. One of the most disruptive aspects of
Commencement can occur when audience members clap and make loud noises when a graduate’s name is read. When this takes place, the family of the next student may have difficulty hearing the announcement of their graduate’s name. Your cooperation in respecting this request is appreciated. The audience has several
opportunities throughout the program to show their appreciation for the entire class. Please be considerate of all members of this outstanding senior class!
If you have any questions about our upcoming events, please call the high school.
Important Dates
April
4/11 - Prom @ Receptions, Fairfield
4/11 - After Prom @ FHS
4/28 - Annual Fishing Trip for FCSD students with special needs (rain date - 4/30)
May
5/3 - Arts Fair @ FHS
5/4 - 5/15 - AP Testing
*5/18 - Elementary Walk - meet @ FHS to be bused to elementary school
*5/18 - Senior Field Day @ FHS - following Elementary Walk
5/19 - 8:00 a.m. - Senior Breakfast followed by MANDATORY Graduation practice @ FHS
5/23 - Graduation ceremony @ Xavier University - 9:00 a.m. Arrive by 8:00 a.m.
Graduation Practice
Tuesday, May 19 at 8:00 a.m.
Meet in the FHS cafeteria for senior breakfast and a brief awards ceremony, immediately followed by graduation practice in the Arena.
All seniors must be present for practice, or you will not be permitted to attend graduation.
*Graduation tickets will be distributed during this mandatory practice.
The Commencement Ceremony
When: Saturday, May 23, at 9:00 a.m.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m.
*Graduates must report no later than 8:00 a.m. in cap and gown
Where: Cintas Center, Xavier University, 3850 Pacific Ave., Norwood, Ohio 45212
Commencement Requirements
To participate in commencement exercises, students must have met all graduation requirements and have attended graduation practice.
Commencement Tickets
The Cintas Center at Xavier University is requiring tickets for anyone attending graduation. Seats will not be assigned, but tickets must be presented upon entry. Each graduate will be receiving 10 tickets to share amongst family and friends.Tickets will be distributed during the mandatory graduation practice on Tuesday,
May 19. If you find that your family will need a few more than the allotted 10 tickets, we encourage you to network amongst other families that may have extra tickets to spare. (A Facebook group might be a great idea for this type of thing!)
*PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO SELL/BUY TICKETS FROM ANYONE*
JOSTENS
Cap and Gown
You should have already placed the order for your Cap & Gown unit. If you have not done so, please do this ASAP. All students will be wearing red gowns, with the exception of Honors Students wearing gold. Honors status will be confirmed by your Guidance Counselor and will be communicated to Jostens. Please visit www.jostens.com to order your cap and gown, if you still need to do so.
Graduation Pictures
Jostens photographers will be at graduation to take pictures of your student during the ceremony. Pictures will be available to view and purchase within 1-2 weeks after graduation. Please visit
https://my.photoday.com/gallery/fairfield-72 for more information on viewing and purchasing those pictures after graduation.
The BIG Day!
ARRIVE ON TIME
Graduates MUST be dressed in cap & gown upon arrival. PLEASE NOTE: Decorating your cap is NOT permitted and ONLY school issued sashes/stoles will be permitted.
ENTERING CINTAS
STUDENTS ENTER THROUGH THE ATHLETE ENTRANCE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BUILDING. FAMILIES WILL ENTER THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING.
FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY - AT THE END OF THE CEREMONY, STUDENTS WILL BE LED TO THE AUXILARY GYM TO RETRIEVE THEIR DIPLOMA.* ANY DIPLOMAS NOT CLAIMED WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP FROM FHS THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
*ALL SCHOOL FEES MUST BE PAID IN FULL OR YOUR STUDENT'S DIPLOMA WILL NOT BE RELEASED.
Parents/Families: Please read the following announcement:
Every year, parents express concern about the decorum of the Commencement ceremony. Fairfield Senior High School Class of 2026 desires that our Commencement be dignified and orderly. This goal requires the cooperation of graduates, parents, and spectators. One of the most disruptive aspects of the graduation ceremony can occur when audience members clap and make loud noises when a graduate's name is read. When this happens, the parents and family of the next student have difficulty hearing the announcement of their graduate's name. Your cooperation in respecting this request is appreciated. The audience has
several opportunities throughout the program to show its appreciation for the entire class. Please be considerate of ALL members of this outstanding senior class!
2026 Graduation Guidelines from Xavier University
Tickets - Tickets will be required for admittance and will be distributed in advance by the school. All guest seating will be general admission.
TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL GUESTS AGES 2 AND UP.
Xavier can normally accommodate all special needs seating at the commencement ceremonies. These needs are typically handled on a first come, first served basis. Simply have your party state their need for accessible seating to one of the ushers and they will direct or escort your party to the best available seating that fits their needs.
Graduate Entrance - Graduates will enter through the Kohlhepp Aux Gym (west) Entrance.
Guest Entrance - All family or guests of graduates will enter at the main (south) entrance of Cintas Center. Landmarks on this side of the building include three flag poles and a statue of
the Xavier University mascot, D’Artagnan the Musketeer.
Food & Beverage - A limited number of concessions stands will be open. Bottled water, Pepsi products, and pre-packaged foods will be available for purchase. No outside food or drinks are permitted.
Receiving of Graduates - Guests and graduates can reunite on the Sedler Plaza outside the main entrance of Cintas Center following the conclusion of the ceremony.
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