The 2025 Finley Junior High Commencement Program will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at H.L. Richards High School, 10601 Central Avenue, Oak Lawn.
Students must arrive between 6:15–6:30 PM. Parent and guest parking will be in the SOUTH lot, off of 107th Street only. Students should enter through the Cafeteria Doors (S3). Parents and guests should enter through the S12 doors.
Please review the important information below for graduation:
Regarding your child’s health record, immunizations are needed for all Illinois High Schools; both private and public. We have provided a copy of your child’s most recent physical.
Please note: You will receive information mailed directly to your home from Richards High School regarding physicals for incoming Freshmen. You should contact Richards High School directly with any questions at (708) 499-2550.
Your child will receive information on how to order a graduation diploma shot from Van Gogh Photography, and you will have the option to order pictures.
In this packet you will find a permission form for your child to attend graduation practice at Richards High School and permission allowing your child to be photographed during the ceremony. This permission form is required to participate in the ceremony. If you do not sign and return, your child cannot participate in the ceremony. Permission forms should be returned to homeroom teachers by Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Please review our expectations for the commencement ceremony with your son or daughter. If any student acts inappropriately or disrespectfully at the ceremony (this includes inappropriate dress, throwing of caps, etc.), they will be immediately excluded and their diploma will be held. Other expectations regarding the audience include the following:
Guests will be let in the building starting at approximately 6:30 PM through door S12. It is imperative that guests arrive on time and are seated promptly. The ceremony begins promptly at 7 PM. Therefore, it is important that you inform all invited guests of this guideline. If you are in need of handicap seating, please contact Ms. Annette at 708-636-2005 x4000.
Each graduate attending graduation will receive 6 tickets. Anyone over the age of 2 years old must have a ticket to attend. No exceptions.
Picture taking is allowed but it is required that you do not leave your seat. Please note: Every parent will receive an order form with a proof of their student receiving their diploma with instructions on how to place an order.
Please hold applause until the entire list of students’ names have been read.
Balloons are NOT allowed to be brought into the building.
Flowers are allowed but after the recessional.
Please make sure cell phones are turned off or silenced.
Air horns and noisemakers of any kind will not be allowed, and security will escort offenders out of the building.
After the ceremony parents/guests must exit through the S12 doors, and walk outside, and around to pick up their students outside the cafeteria (S3).
Commencement rehearsals will be held on June 2nd and June 3rd, in the Finley Gym. Another mandatory practice will be held at Richards High School on June 4th.
***All students must be in attendance at school on June 3rd and June 4th in order to participate in stage graduation.***
Caps and gowns will be distributed at graduation practice on June 3rd. We recommend that you hang up your child’s gown as soon as your son or daughter arrives home. Do not iron your child’s gown. The cap should be worn level on the head. Tassels should be worn on the RIGHT. The cap should be worn for the entire ceremony. FJHS ribbons are not a part of the graduation uniform and should not be worn.
Recommended dress for graduation should be:
Boys: dress shirt, tie, dress slacks and dark shoes
Girls: appropriate dress attire and shoes
The graduation of the Class of 2025 is going to be special, and we look forward to having you join us for the commencement.
Please contact the Finley office with any questions or concerns at (708) 636-2005.
