5th Grade Culmination

We look forward to celebrating our fifth graders and our wonderful school community with all of you! Based on questions we’ve been receiving, here is some additional information to help everyone navigate the final week of school festivities. 

When and where is the Culmination Ceremony?

  • The 2026 Franklin Culmination Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 9th at 8:45 AM on the Big Yard.

Can I volunteer to help?

  • Yes! We’d love your support. Please click here to view available volunteer opportunities. 

Where can I park for Culmination?

  • Two-hour parking restrictions around campus have been relaxed for the event. 

  • Please note that the Idaho parking lot is reserved for teachers and staff only. 

  • Families should also be mindful of all posted street cleaning restrictions.

What time and where should fifth graders arrive on Tuesday, June 9th?

  • All fifth graders should enter from the Montana side of the school through the front office and proceed directly to the auditorium.

  • 7:45 AM arrival time for fifth graders playing instruments at the ceremony so they can set up and tune.

  • 8:00 AM arrival time for all other fifth graders.

Where do guests enter for the Culmination Ceremony?

  • The Idaho West Gate will open at 8:25 AM for guests to enter, mingle, and enjoy coffee before the ceremony. *There will be no entry for culmination through the front office.

  • Each guest must present a ticket for entry. Seating is open.

  • At 8:35 AM, guests will be invited to take their seats.

How many people can I bring to the Culmination Ceremony?

  • Each fifth grader will receive four (4) tickets for parents and guests. Teachers will distribute physical tickets to students. Each guest must present a ticket for entry at the gate.

  • If your family needs additional tickets, please fill out the additional ticket request form here.

Can siblings who attend Franklin attend the Culmination Ceremony?

  • Yes. Younger siblings who attend Franklin will receive a special sibling pass from Ms. Pickett to attend the ceremony, so the four (4) guest tickets distributed to each fifth grader do not need to be used for younger Franklin siblings.

How long is the Culmination Ceremony?

  • The Culmination Ceremony will last approximately from 8:45 AM to 10:15 AM.

What should my child wear to the Culmination Ceremony?

  • Students should dress appropriately for their age and the occasion. 

  • Dresses, skirts, or slacks with a nice shirt are fitting. 

  • Please do not wear jeans, shorts, spaghetti straps, t-shirts, flip flops, or tall heels. 

  • Students will be walking up and down stairs and standing on risers during the ceremony.

  • Please remember to apply sunscreen before arriving.

Where should we sit?

  • Ms. Hampton’s class will be on the left side of the risers as you face the stage (west side). Ms. Helphand’s class will be on the right side of the risers as you face the stage (east side). Ms. Lowe’s class, Ms. Silhavy’s class, and Mr. Noguera’s class will be in the middle of the risers. 

Can I bring flowers?

  • Of course! You are welcome to bring any flowers you would like.

  • For extra convenience, Viola Floral is generously offering leis and bouquets at a reduced price. You can order them through this link: https://violafloral.com/products/franklin-culmination

  • Flowers will be available for pickup at school on Tuesday, June 9th before the culmination ceremony and may be given to students after the ceremony. *Please select “Store Pickup” and choose June 9th (any time) to have your flowers delivered to school.*

  • The deadline to order flowers is Sunday, June 7th at 9:00 PM.

Will the Culmination Ceremony be recorded?

  • Yes! South West Video will be recording our culmination ceremony so you can sit back and enjoy it without camera phones blocking the view.

  • Information about purchasing the edited video is available here: http://tiny.cc/2026_Culmination_Videos

Will the Culmination Ceremony be live streamed?

  • No, but as noted above, videos will be available for purchase.

Will the Culmination Ceremony and 5th Grade Party be photographed?

  • Yes! Matthew Farrar will be photographing our culmination ceremony and the 5th Grade Party.

  • Printable images will be free for all to download at home and available in various formats through the site.

  • If you would like to be notified when the gallery is ready for viewing, click here:

    https://matt-farrar.smugmug.com/client/follow/node/WLths7

What happens after Culmination on June 9th?

  • School is in session on June 9th until 3:00 PM. After culmination, children may return to their classrooms and can change into something more casual if they wish.

  • If you wish to take your child out of school early, please sign your child out after culmination at the Idaho gates or the front office, where school staff will have sign-out sheets.

  • Please note that students who are signed out early will receive an unexcused absence.

What is happening on June 10th?

  • The fifth graders will celebrate their years at Franklin at a student-only party on the front lawn with a DJ, great food, a photo booth, games, and more from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

What is happening on June 11th?

  • At approximately 3:00 PM, fifth graders and their families are welcome to gather at Annenberg Community Beach House (415 PCH) to celebrate the end of school. Bring beach gear and a picnic for a fun afternoon together. This is not a school-sponsored event.

  • June 11th is a minimum day for all students. Grades 1–5 dismiss at 1:30 PM. TK and Kindergarten dismiss at 12:15 PM.

When will the children receive their memory books?

  • Memory books will be distributed during the first week of June.

Please feel free to reach out to the culmination chairs, Ann Bash & Karen Freedman, with additional questions culmination@franklinschoolpta.org