Dear Ponder Students and Parents,
What an exciting time of year for our students and their families. This year our baccalaureate service will be held in the PHS auditorium on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Graduation commencement service will be held at The University of North Texas Coliseum on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Seating at each ceremony is on a first come first serve basis.
After meeting with officials at the University, the following guidelines and procedures were disseminated to all schools for the graduation commencement ceremonies. We wanted to share this information with our graduates and their families.
· All graduates will enter the West Tunnel Entrance to the Coliseum. Parents, family or friends will not be allowed to enter with the graduates for any reason.
· Graduates will not be allowed to bring any personal items into the Coliseum.
(Student Purses, keys, cell phones or cameras are not allowed in the graduate area)
· Graduates and guests will walk through a metal detector prior to entering the Coliseum.
· Graduates will exit the South Tunnel during the commencement recessional and exit the South entrance of the Coliseum.
· Family and friends will not be allowed on the Coliseum floor for any reason before, during, or after the commencement ceremonies.
· Family and friends can meet graduates after the commencement ceremonies have ended outside of the Coliseum.
· Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the commencement.
· Gates A and E will be open for entrance into the Coliseum.
· There is no reserved seating for the commencement ceremony. No tickets are required for entry into the commencement ceremony.
· Concessions and flowers will be available for purchase.
· Lifetouch Photography will be at the commencement ceremony taking graduation photos of all graduating seniors as they receive their diploma on stage. Graduation programs will contain a code to order graduation photos.
· UNT has a strict Clear Bag Policy. Follow the link below to see the guidelines.
· Family and friends can meet graduates after the commencement ceremonies have ended outside of the Coliseum.
· Please review the links below from UNT detailing important information regarding parking, the clear bag policy, and other important commencement information.
o UNT parking information:
https://www.unt.edu/commencement/hosted-graduations.html
o UNT Clear Bag Policy: https://www.unt.edu/commencement/unt_commencement_clear_bag_policy_sign.html
Dress Attire for Graduation and Baccalaureate:
Graduates must dress appropriately for each event and all clothing must be in compliance with the Ponder ISD dress code. All students are encouraged to dress and look their best.
· Male graduates should dress in banquet dress clothing with appropriate footwear.
o Banquet clothing includes a dress button-down shirt or colored polo shirt paired with khaki, dress or nice pants, and nice shoes. No shorts or flip flops.
· Female graduates should wear an appropriate length dress, jumpsuit, or similar clothing.
o A flat sandal or other appropriate footwear for walking is suggested.
Upcoming Graduating Senior Events:
· Tuesday, May 12, 2026
o Graduating Seniors will meet in the High School auditorium at 8:20 am for Graduation and Baccalaureate practice.
o All eligible graduates must attend ALL Graduation and Baccalaureate practices unless permission to miss has been granted by Administration for extenuating circumstances.
o Students will return to class after graduation practice concludes.
· Wednesday, May 13, 2026 UPDATED TIME
o 7:50 am Senior/Kindergarten Graduation Walk - Senior Class Picture
§ Students will go together as a Senior class to the Elementary School to walk the Elementary hallways with the current Kindergarten class for the Senior/Kindergarten graduation walk. Students are to wear their graduation gowns (no graduation caps).
§ Parents wishing to attend the Senior/Kinder walk will meet at the Lower Elementary school at 9:50 by the exterior door of the Lower Elementary school.
o Graduating Seniors will meet in the High School auditorium afterwards for Graduation and Baccalaureate practice
o Students will return to class and turn in their Chromebooks and chargers at school on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
· Thursday, May 14, 2026
o Senior Breakfast. Graduating Seniors are to meet in the High School cafeteria at 8:20 am for Senior Breakfast.
o Graduating Seniors will have a mandatory Graduation and Baccalaureate walkthrough practice in the High School auditorium at 8:50 am following Senior Breakfast.
o All eligible graduates must attend this practice and adhere to the student handbook policies and rules.
o Graduation cords will be handed out to students at the conclusion of graduation practice.
o Upon completion of graduation practice all eligible senior graduates will be released for the remainder of the day, if the parent permission form has been signed and returned and if they are in good standing with their attendance and grades.
· Sunday, May 17, 2026
o Baccalaureate in the Ponder High School Auditorium at 6:00pm.
§ Seniors are to arrive at school at 5:15 in their graduation gowns and report to the Cafeteria. No graduation hats.
· Monday, May 18, 2026
o Graduation at UNT Coliseum at 5:00pm.
o High School students will be released from school at 3:00 on Monday, May 18, 2026.
o Seniors will meet at the West tunnel at the UNT Coliseum at 4:15.
o Project Graduation
§ Seniors will meet at the High School cafeteria at 9:45pm.
Graduating seniors will receive their diploma cover when they walk across the stage. Graduating seniors will not receive their actual diploma at the commencement ceremony. Graduating seniors will come to the front office of Ponder High School on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 to Thursday, May 21, 2026, to pick up and sign for their diploma.
We look forward to celebrating the successes of the graduating Class of 2026.