Veterans Memorial Coliseum

300 N. Ramsay Way

Portland, OR 97227

 

WHEN TO ARRIVE:

• Graduates must arrive no later than 10:00 am on June 7th. Allow extra time for traffic and parking.  

• Guests with wristbands will enter through the Main Entry.

• The ceremony begins at 11:00 am. 

WHAT TO WEAR:

Wear your mortarboard/cap, tassel, and gown/cape for graduation. Walking from your seat across the stage will involve going up/down ramps with railings. Wear shoes that you can walk in easily. You must have your cap & gown to participate in the graduation ceremony.

MORTARBOARD (CAP):

Display of distasteful messages or decorations on caps will not be permitted. There are traditions and regulations for wearing the cap. The proper way is to wear the cap with the top level and the tassel on the right front until the senior class president pronounces the class "graduated." The tassel is then moved to the left front. 

You must have your cap to participate in the ceremony.

VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM INFORMATION & SPECTATOR PARKING:

SPECIAL SEATS:

There are plenty of ADA seats for people with physical disabilities. You will not need a special pass or additional wristband. Once you arrive at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, staff will guide you and your group to accessible seating.

VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM POLICIES:

• Bag Policy: Bags larger than 14" X 14" X 6" and all backpacks are prohibited. Small purses (under 4" X 6") are recommended for faster entry.
• Cashless Campus: The venue is entirely cashless. Credit/debit cards or mobile pay are required for food, beverages, and merchandise.
• No Re-Entry: Once a ticket is scanned, leaving the venue means you cannot re-enter.
• Smoking/Vaping: Smoking or vaping is strictly prohibited anywhere on the Rose Quarter campus.
• Prohibited Items: Weapons, laser pointers, air horns, large cameras, balloons, and alcohol cannot be brought inside.
• Security Screening: Expect metal detectors and security checks at entry.

GRADUATION TICKETS:

We will be handing out graduation wristbands with your Senior Checkout Card.  All seniors will be given 10 wristbands for graduation (a maximum of 10 additional wristbands will be provided, upon request to the bookkeeper) to give out as they please. The wristbands must be worn to be admitted (children 2 and under will not need a wristband to be admitted). Graduates will not need a wristband, but no additional parties will be admitted into the Veterans Memorial Coliseum without a designated wristband.  Wristbands will be issued to families once their student has completed and turned in their senior checkout card to the bookkeeper, Emily Van Dyke. Senior Checkout Cards will not be dispersed until May 26, 2026.

 

CREDITS:

Please note it is extremely important for all seniors to work towards successful completion of all required credits in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. Students who do not meet the North Clackamas standards for graduation will not be able to participate in the ceremony, per School Board policy. If you have any questions about your current graduation status, please reach out to your counselor as soon as possible.

FINAL EXAMS:

Please check in with your teachers to determine any final projects or assessments. June 6th is the last day of classes for seniors.

 

CHECKOUT CARDS:

All seniors will be required to complete a Senior Checkout Card, even if they graduated early. Checkout cards will be available with the bookkeeper, Emily Van Dyke, during lunches in the cafeteria on Tuesday, May 26 2026. Return your completed checkout card between June 1st and June 4th to the bookkeeper, Emily Van Dyke. She will then release your graduation wristbands.

STUDENT MATERIALS:

Please return all materials, including Chromebooks and chargers, to the school library any time between now and June 4th. We recognize that you will still need some supplies to complete your schoolwork. Unpaid fees will be charged to student accounts. Remaining fund balances, including book deposits (if applicable) left in student accounts, will be mailed home. Please contact bookkeeper Emily Van Dyke, vandykee@nclack.k12.or.us if you have any questions.

 

LUNCH ACCOUNT BALANCES:

For lunch account balance refunds request, visit the Nutrition Page of the district website to complete the Meal Account Reimbursement Form. 

To learn more about transferring your files and documents from your NClack Google Drive to your personal account, please click HERE. Para español haga clic aquí.

senior exit survey - class of 2026

April 10, 2026

Dear Parents and Graduates of the Class of 2026:

Congratulations to the parents and graduates of the Class of 2026.  Graduation is Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Ramsay Way, Portland, OR 97227, at 11:00 am. We know there are a lot of questions. We hope this letter provides answers to your questions about graduation and end-of-year activities for seniors. We would like to thank you in advance for your support in making this graduation a memorable event.

Please note that it is extremely important that all seniors work towards the successful completion of all credits to participate in the graduation ceremony. Per our school board policy, students who do not meet North Clackamas Graduation Standards will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. If you have any questions about your current graduation status, please contact your counselor as soon as possible.

Graduation Announcements:

If you have not received your graduation announcements, please see Duane Tanner in our Counseling Office. If you have not paid for your graduation announcements, please contact Jostens at (503)723-8006 to make arrangements.  

Caps and Gowns:

Cap & gown orders will be available for pickup on Friday, April 10th, in the commons. If you still need to order your cap and gown, please order them online at Jostens. If you are not able to pick up your cap and gown on April 10th, please see Duane Tanner in the counseling office the following week. A cap and gown will be required to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Tickets:

We will be handing out graduation wristbands with your Senior Checkout Card.  All seniors will be given 10 wristbands to give out as they please (with a maximum of 10 additional wristbands, upon request at the bookkeeper) for graduation. The wristbands must be worn to be admitted (children ages 2 and under will not need a wristband to be admitted). Graduates will not need a wristband, but no additional parties will be admitted into the Veterans Memorial Coliseum without a designated wristband.  Wristbands will be issued to the student once they have completed and turned in their senior checkout card to the bookkeeper, Emily Van Dyke.

Final exams:

Check with your teachers to determine final projects and assessments. The last day of classes for seniors is Thursday, June 4th.

Checkout Cards:

All seniors are required to complete a Senior Checkout Card, even if they graduated early. Checkout cards will be available at the bookkeeper, Emily Van Dyke, during both lunches in the cafeteria on Tuesday, May 26th. Return your completed checkout card between June 1st and June 4th to the bookkeeper, Emily Van Dyke. She will then release your graduation wristbands.

Student Materials:

Please return all materials, including Chromebooks and chargers, to the school library anytime between now and Thursday, June 4th. We recognize that you will still need some supplies to complete your schoolwork. Unpaid fees will be charged to student accounts. Remaining fund balances, including book deposits (if applicable) left in student accounts, will be mailed home. Please contact bookkeeper Emily Van Dyke, vandykee@nclack.k12.or.us, if you have any questions.

Lunch Account Balances: 

For a lunch account balance refund request, visit the Nutrition Page of the district website to complete the Meal Account Reimbursement Form. 

IMPORTANT - FRIDAY, JUNE 5TH:

Class of 2026 Breakfast: 

Breakfast will be available to all twelfth-grade students (and early graduates), provided by parents of the Rex Putnam Parents Board, at 7:15 am, in the school cafeteria. The staff appreciates this event as a time to say goodbye and wish you well.

Graduation Practice:

For all graduates participating in graduation, practice is scheduled for 8:15 am in the large gym. Seniors, please wear your gowns/cloaks (no mortarboards/grad caps) and join us in the large gym no later than 8:10 am. Practice is an important part of making the graduation ceremony run smoothly. All graduating seniors must be present.  

What to wear to practice:  Wear your gown/cape, no cap.

Senior Assembly:

The Senior Assembly is from 10:15 am to 11:15 am in the large gym. While the assembly is intended for students and staff, parents are welcome to attend.

Senior Parade of Graduates:

All graduates are participating in a “Parade of Graduates” at our five North Clackamas feeder elementary schools (Riverside, Oak Grove, View Acres, Bilquist, and Milwaukie El Puente) and at our feeder middle school (Alder Creek). Graduates will board the buses directly after the assembly, with a to-go lunch, and walk through their elementary school and middle school, while the younger students cheer them on! If the graduate did not attend one of our feeder schools, they may choose a feeder school to walk through.

IMPORTANT - SUNDAY, JUNE 7TH:

When to arrive:

• Graduates must arrive no later than 10:00 am on June 7. Allow extra time for traffic and parking. Graduates will enter through the south stairs to the basement.
• Guests with wristbands will enter through the main entrance, beginning at 10:15 am.
• The ceremony begins at 11:00 am. 

What to wear:

Wear your mortarboard/cap, tassel, and gown/cape for graduation. Walking from your seat across the stage will involve going up/down ramps with railings. Wear shoes that you can walk in easily. You must have your cap & gown to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Veterans Memorial Coliseum Information and Spectator Parking:

• Bag Policy: Bags larger than 14" X 14" X 6" and all backpacks are prohibited. Small purses (under 4" X 6") are recommended for faster entry.
• Cashless Campus: The venue is entirely cashless. Credit/debit cards or mobile pay are required for food, beverages, and merchandise.
• No Re-Entry: Once a ticket is scanned, leaving the venue means you cannot re-enter.
• Smoking/Vaping: Smoking or vaping is strictly prohibited anywhere on the Rose Quarter campus.
• Prohibited Items: Weapons, laser pointers, balloons, air horns, large cameras, and alcohol cannot be brought inside.
• Security Screening: Expect metal detectors and security checks at entry.

There will not be a baggage/coat check available to spectators for this event.  No outside food or beverage will be allowed. Empty beverage containers may be brought in and filled at the water filling stations.

Special seats:

There are special seats for people with physical disabilities. You will not need a special pass or additional wristband. Once you arrive at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, staff will guide you and your group to accessible seating.

Diplomas:

Seniors will receive their diplomas at the end of the recessional as they leave the main floor.  Students will only be handed the cover as they cross the stage. This decision was made to ensure all diplomas are given to the correct student.  Families will have the opportunity to receive diplomas from their students before the event concludes.  All students present at graduation will have the opportunity to leave with their final diplomas.

Mortarboard (Cap):

Display of distasteful messages or decorations on caps will not be permitted. There are traditions and regulations for wearing the cap. The proper way is to wear the cap with the top level and the tassel on the right front until the senior class president pronounces the class "graduated." The tassel is then moved to the left front. 

You must have your cap to participate in the ceremony.  

Faculty Involvement :

Out of respect and support for the Class of 2026, many of Rex Putnam's faculty have volunteered to attend graduation and march in the ceremony. They will wear the robes that represent their college degrees.

All-Night Senior Party:

The All-Night Senior Party, sponsored by the parents of the senior class, will be later in the day, after the graduation ceremony. Seniors not participating in the graduation ceremony can still attend the all-night party. The Senior Party is an event organized and planned by the parents of the graduating class. School staff does not have additional information about this event. 

Student Behavior Expectations:

As always, students are expected to follow all school and district behavior guidelines. Failure to do so may jeopardize the student's privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony. May this be a memorable and celebratory event! 

Once again, we hope this letter answers many of your questions. 

Kind regards and once again, congratulations!

Mrs. Lajena Welch 

Principal

Rex Putnam High School

Please contact Duane Tanner at (503) 353-5863 or by email at tannerd@nclack.k12.or.us if you have any questions or need more information.

 

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