Seniors

Class of 2026 Commencement

Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 7 p.m. | Dan Patch Stadium - ****UPDATED TIME IS 6:00 p.m.****
*Please note that this is a change from the originally scheduled date of Friday, June 5.

There will be a $25 Commencement fee for ALL seniors who choose to participate in the ceremony. This fee is payable on Infinite Campus located in the parent portal (‘Families’ tab) on the district website. These fees are available to be paid now. If you have questions about this or have a hardship, please contact our Finance Administrative Assistant, Angie Anderson at anganderson@plsas.org or 952-226-8857.

COMMENCEMENT
Commencement is scheduled for Thursday, June 4th at 7:00 pm. The ceremony will be held at Dan Patch Stadium at the high school. All graduates need to assemble in their assigned row in the Gold gym no later than 6:15 pm. THIS IS CRITICAL. School rules are, of course, in effect for seniors on graduation day as for any school event. Specific procedures for the Commencement ceremony will be explained during practice on June 4th. Saving seats in advance by placing towels, blankets, etc. on the bleachers is not allowed. Gates will open at 5:30 pm. Seating is first come, first serve.

**No tickets are necessary to attend, however due to limited seating in the stadium, we ask that families limit invitees to a maximum of 6 persons per family.**
The Ceremony will be Live Streamed: We will be sending out a link a few days before the event.

LIMITED Handicap seating is available. Please contact Janelle Yakymi by Wednesday, May 27th to notify if handicapped seating is needed for a family member. Janelle can be reached at jyakymi@plsas.org. Please note, handicapped seating is only for those who are handicapped and ONE additional person as we need to be mindful that handicapped seating is limited and ensure everyone who needs these seats are accommodated as such. We prefer that all those sitting in the handicapped area arrive by 6:40 pm. Please note: you MUST BE on the list to have handicap seating.

**If any other accommodations are necessary, please reach out by May 27th.**

INCLEMENT WEATHER
The ceremony will take place in Dan Patch Stadium rain or shine unless severe weather is forecasted. If rain is in the forecast, please bring suitable rainwear and something dry to sit on. If the weather presents itself as serious or dangerous, we will move our commencement ceremony to Friday, June 5th at 7pm. The same details apply.

COMMENCEMENT ATTIRE
Graduates should wear proper attire for the commencement ceremonies in order to participate: nice shoes, dresses, blouses and skirts, dress slacks (think business casual) for girls; sport or dress shirt, slacks, shoes and socks (think business casual) for boys. When choosing your shoes, please keep in mind, you will need to walk up and down bleachers & briskly from the Gold Gym to Dan Patch Stadium. Sunglasses may be worn once seated outside but are not to be worn in the processional since pictures will be taken and you will want to be recognizable. Please remember, you are representing yourself and your family. Commencement is a privilege not a right. Seniors who misbehave the last quarter of school may have the privilege of walking with their class revoked. Please talk to your prospective graduate and let them know that we expect their behavior to be exemplary during rehearsal and during the ceremony.

GRADUATE PICTURES
Parents and guests of the graduates are asked to respect the viewing rights of all guests attending the ceremony. It is important to remain seated during the entire commencement. We ask that no one stand in the aisles, handicap ramp or enter the field to take pictures. Balloons, posters, etc. are NOT
allowed during the ceremony. Each parent will have the opportunity to have a picture of their graduate actually receiving their diploma, professional photographers from Lifetouch will be here to take pictures of your senior during the ceremony. You will not be able to place any orders with Lifetouch until AFTER the photos are ready to be distributed by Lifetouch. A code for purchase will be sent out in the coming weeks, prior to graduation.

SENIOR PACKET PICK UP
Immediately following the Commencement ceremony, seniors will return to the Activity Center and pick up a Senior Packet, which will contain your diploma, if graduation requirements have been met.
● Seniors will keep the cap, gown and tassel.
● Distinguished Board Scholars and Board Scholars may keep their cords.
● National Honor Society members & Student Council officers must return stoles. NO EXCEPTIONS.
● Every senior family will get a high quality copy of the Graduation Program in your packet. Limited
programs will be available the day of Graduation. A QR code will be available for digital access as
well.

OBLIGATIONS
Prior to the last day of school, students must pay any outstanding school obligations such as lost or damaged book fines, industrial technology projects, unpaid parking fines, etc. If you have any questions regarding obligations, please contact the Student Services Office at 952-226-8600.

iPAD Returns Processes
At the end of each school year, iPads are collected from the graduating class. This year, please bring your iPad, case, and charger back to the PLHS media center during the week of May 26th - May 29th. PSEO students may return their iPad at any time that it is no longer needed.

When turning in your iPad, it will be assessed for damage and missing or broken parts. Fees may be assessed for damaged and missing or broken parts on the iPad, case, or charger. iPhone chargers will not be accepted as they do not provide adequate power to charge the iPad and may
cause long-term battery issues. Missing parts or damage will be charged to the student and must be paid before commencement - Cash and checks (made out to ISD 719) will be accepted as well.
Replacement costs for missing parts or damage are listed below:
● Lost/Damaged iPad: $294
● Damaged Case: $35
○ Cases will be assessed for damage beyond normal wear and tear
○ No stickers or decorations should be on the cases as stated in the iPad handbook
● Genuine Apple iPad Charging cube: $20
○ iPhone charging cubes will not be accepted
● Genuine Apple Lighting Cable: $20
○ Cables will be assessed for excessive damage at check-in

Starting May 1st, you have the option to save items from your Google account to a personal Google account using the Google Takeout Service (linked below). Uncheck all unwanted information on the list you see from the Google services listed. https://takeout.google.com/ This process can take several
hours/days depending on the amount of information you are keeping. At the end of the year, all Google accounts will be deactivated with no future access available.

Your cooperation is needed to make the commencement ceremony a meaningful and dignified event for you, your friends, parents and relatives. Please act in a manner of which we can all be proud.

Please contact: Janelle Yakymi, Lead Administrative Assistant at jyakymi@plsas.org with any questions.

Click here to watch the Prior Lake High School Class of 2026 Commencement

To order the Lifetouch photos taken at commencement, click here. Then, enter code: 35776Grad26

You can also order by texting 35776Grad26 to 90738, you will get a response saying you have opted in to getting updates, as well as a text saying, "Buy a credit in advance and get this special offer of free shipping on orders of $35 or more". You can buy the credit to get the guarantied free shipping, or wait for the number to text you when the photos have been uploaded to buy. It will prompt you to make an account through PhotoDay before entering the link via phone number (if you have an account) or via email if you need to create one. Whether you buy a credit or not, you'll get a text message saying the album has been uploaded after the Commencement (either by Friday or Monday I would assume). If you do not want to receive the texts at all, just reply STOP. 

Caps and gowns, as well as purchased senior panoramic photos, will be distributed the afternoon of Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Seniors will be excused at the start of 5th hour (Laker Time schedule) and are to report to Dan Patch Stadium by 1:30 PM. Class officers will speak and superlatives will be announced, followed by the distribution of their caps and gowns. Students will be allowed to leave after picking up their materials.

Any questions? Ask Lead Administrative Assistant, Janelle at jyakymi@plsas.org or call (952) 226-8609.

Class of 2026 PLHS Senior Celebration Information

Tuesday, June 2, 2026
ValleyFair

Prices: 
$95 through February 29, 2026
$115 through April 30, 2026
$125 through June 1, 2026

Register for the Senior Celebration

Class of 2026 Senior Photos, Grad Ads and Yearbook Information

Click here

Senior panoramic photos will be distributed to seniors on Wednesday, May 20.

Safety & Security Enhancements for Graduation
Thursday, June 4, Dan Patch Stadium, 7:00 pm 

We are excited to celebrate the class of 2026 with you and want to ensure a safe, smooth, and enjoyable experience for everyone attending. To help with traffic flow, parking, emergency access, and overall event operations, several safety procedures will be in place this year. 

Please plan to arrive early, follow posted signage, and work with event staff and security personnel to help make graduation a great experience for all. 

Parking & Arrival Information
To help keep traffic moving safely:

• No parking will be allowed along the NW or NE entrances, or in front of the stadium. 
• Parking lots will close once full. Signs reading “Parking Lot Full” will be placed at entrances when lots are no longer available.  

After the ceremony begins, parking areas will be directed for easier exiting:

• Upper lot: exit through the NW exit
• West lower lot: exit through the South exit
• East lower lot: exit through the NE exit

Accessible Drop-Off
Accessible/handicap drop-off will remain available even after parking lots are full:

• Enter through the NW entrance 
• Drop off in front of the stadium entrance
• Exit through the NE exit

Clear Bag Policy
For everyone’s safety, a strict clear bag policy will be in place.

Allowed bags:

• Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12"
• One-gallon clear freezer bags
• Small clutch bags or purses no larger than 4.5" x 6.5"

Exceptions:

• Medically necessary items
• Diaper bags

Please note: all exception items are subject to inspection.

Stadium Reminders

• The stadium will remain open for 60 minutes after the ceremony.
• A countdown clock will be displayed on the scoreboard after the ceremony ends.
• Noise makers are not permitted in the stadium.
• No balloons or signs as they block the view of others in the stadium. 

Dear Seniors and Parents/Guardians of Seniors,

I would like to provide an important correction and clarification regarding the senior end-of-year schedule

In a previous email sent last month, we communicated that the last day of school for seniors would be Friday, May 29. Please note that this information was incorrect. Please see the updated senior schedule below, including an update regarding Commencement practice. We needed to adjust the schedule to be in compliance with state instructional hour requirements.  

Monday, June 1
Full school day for all PLHS students in grades 9-12. 

Tuesday, June 2
No school for seniors

Wednesday,  June 3
No school for seniors

Thursday, June 4 Commencement Practice and Commencement
We will now have a Senior Social from 8-9:00 a.m. in The Activity Center. Commencement Practice check in will now start at 9 a.m. in the Gold Gym. Graduation rehearsal is a requirement  to participate in the ceremony. If a student is unable to attend due to illness, a parent/guardian must complete the attached attendance form. As a reminder, there is a three hour early release on June 4. School will be dismissed for all PLHS students at 11:55 a.m.

We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2026 at Commencement on Thursday, June 4, at 7:00 p.m.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we ensure everyone has accurate information. We look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone with our seniors and families.