Hello graduating students and families,

Can you believe you are almost halfway through your final year of high school? Graduation will be here before you know it. Please take a moment to read ALL of the information below. Also, remember that students must fulfill all the graduation requirements in order to be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremonies in the spring of 2026.

Cap and Gown Orders

As we prepare for the end of the year, it is time for you to order your Cap and Gown. Please use the following link to place your order.  

https://jostensmaine.typeform.com/to/NhKsS7rP

You do not need to pay the $35 for your cap and gown until you receive it in May, but we do need to order them NOW.

Yearbook

Our team of student editors is working hard on making this year’s Amethyst amazing. We hope all seniors will submit their senior portraits and quotes to this email: dhsyearbook@portlandschools.org as soon as possible. 

If seniors do not submit a portrait, we will use their Infinite Campus picture in the yearbook.

Families can buy yearbook ads! Use this link to get to the yearbook ad sales page, where you will see options for different ad sizes and prices: https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/DHSYearbook2026 

Buy your ad before February 1, 2026 to get a discount on the ad price! 

Families can use this same link to purchase the yearbook. Buy yours today!

This year, we are holding a cover design contest. Submit a design idea to this address (dhsyearbook@portlandschools.org) by January 9, 2026, for a chance to have your design be the cover of this year’s yearbook!

Follow the Deering Yearbook on Instagram! dhsyearbook25-26

From Guidance:

Students have been working hard on their plans for after graduation. This is an important time for them to explore options and make decisions about their future, and your student's School Counselor strongly encourages them to include you in this planning, too! If you have any questions for us about college applications, financial aid, technical training, career support, or anything else about their current and future plans, please reach out to your student's counselor. Mr. Kennedy works with families whose last names start with E-Q and Ms. Medeiros works with families with last names starting with A-D and R-Z. 

Capstone 

Seniors who will be participating in the SMCC Spring Ahead program need to communicate with their advisors in order to make a plan to present their Capstone BEFORE January 8th. 

All other seniors also need to communicate with their advisors in order to present their Capstone before Capstone Day on May 1st. ALL seniors are required to participate in Capstone Day in the gym on May 1st. There are still some seniors who have NOT yet submitted their Capstone proposal that was due on October 14th. Ms. Jane Evans, the Extended Learning Opportunity Coordinator, has offered many Capstone proposal sessions, but very few seniors have taken advantage of that help. Remember, seniors are REQUIRED to complete and present a Capstone in order to walk across the stage on graduation day with the rest of the senior class!  For seniors who do not regularly attend advisory, it is still YOUR responsibility to communicate with your advisor in order to complete the Capstone project. 

Save the Dates!

Senior Awards Night at Deering Auditorium: May 28, 2026  6:00-8:00

Last day of classes for graduating seniors: May 29, 2026

Graduation practice at Merrill Auditorium: June 2, 2026  9:00-12:00

Graduation at Merrill Auditorium: June 4, 2026  11:00am

Project Graduation: June 4-5, 2026