Graduation Information
Daniel Hand High School
Commencement Ceremony
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Madison Town Green
Graduation will take place on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m. on the lawn of the First Congregational Church. Each student will receive six (6) tickets for seating. These tickets will ensure you have a seat in the gated area. Reserving seats during the afternoon of June 17 is prohibited. Gates will open at 5:15 p.m. Graduates should report to the Green by 5:15 p.m. Special handicapped seating will be available. Please call Mrs. Marino at 203.245.6350 to make accommodations in advance.
Our goal for this special evening is to present our graduates to the Madison community in a ceremony that is both festive and dignified. The expected dress for students participating in this special event includes collared shirts, ties, long pants, dresses, skirts and blouses, or a pants outfit, and appropriate footwear. Students may decorate their mortarboards, but must refrain from vulgar or offensive expressions and from articles that protrude from the surface of the mortarboard. Students’ gowns may not be decorated in any way. Students who do not comply with our guidelines may be prohibited from participating in the ceremony.
Toys, noisemakers, silly string (extremely flammable), cigars, and other articles/items, which detract from the ceremony, are prohibited. MPS asks your assistance in assuring compliance with these guidelines so that the ceremony is enjoyable and memorable for everyone.
Video / Livestream
Our TV production students do an outstanding job in recording, editing, and broadcasting the event on local cable television. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube and after the conclusion of the event, broadcasted on local Cable TV. See below for the link to the livestream and feel free to share this link with family and friends.
Photographs
Steady Photography will provide professional photography services for each graduate as they receive a diploma. We have found that providing these services for families allows everyone the opportunity to enjoy the event from the audience and minimizes the need to get to the front, which often blocks the view of others. Steady Photography will ship the complimentary photo directly to parents/guardians approximately one week after graduation.
Nite-Out of Hand
Nite-Out of Hand is organized and run by a dedicated group of parent/guardian volunteers. The start time is 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17. This is a community-sponsored party for the graduates. Only those members of the Class of 2026 who graduate may attend.
Inclement Weather
In the event of thunderstorms, graduation will take place on Thursday, June 18, at 10:00 a.m. If the weather forecast predicts thunderstorms on the evening of June 17 and during the day on June 18, graduation may be moved earlier in the afternoon on Wednesday, June 17.
In either case, parents/guardians will be notified via an E-Notify message, and an additional notification will be posted on the DHHS website at www.danielhand.org.