2021 Northern High Senior Graduation Information

Dear FHN Seniors and Families:

CONGRATULATIONS!! You are about to experience one of the most memorable times in your life: High School Graduation! We are excited for all of you, and we are looking forward to the fun months we have ahead of us.

We want to provide you with NEW and UPDATED information about graduation events and reshare dates and times, so you know what is coming up. We also want to share information about commencement, behavior expectations, and dress code. Please be sure to note all of these important dates for each of the senior events. The surveys and applications are not due until a later date.

Reminder: There may be changes depending on COVID restrictions closer to the dates for graduation activities

Commencement Ceremony 2021

Commencement will take place on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at the LMCU Ballpark (formerly 5/3 Ballpark) located at 4500 West River Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49321. Commencement will begin at 7:00 pm. Once you enter the LMCU Ballpark, there will be staff directing you as to where senior families and guests will park. Guests/ Families will need to make their way to the Home Plate Parking Lot and enter through the main entrance gate. Seniors can park in the Outfield Parking Lot and enter through Gate “C”.  Please view the maps of the complex at the bottom of this page.

Caps, Gowns, and Announcements

If your senior has not yet picked up their pre-ordered cap and gown and/or announcements we have them in the office. Seniors must wear their graduation gowns for Senior Recognition; and their caps and gowns for the Commencement Ceremony.

Commencement Tickets

At this time we are planning for each senior to receive six (6) tickets. This is subject to change due to COVID restrictions. Tickets will be provided to your senior immediately following the Senior Recognition Ceremony at the Fine Arts Center lobby. If they are not able to attend they may come to the main office to pick up their tickets the following morning, Tuesday, May 18th.

Senior Recognition and Commencement Ceremony – Live Streaming

Senior Recognition and the Commencement Ceremony will be live-streamed and recorded. Information on how to live stream will be sent in May.

Commencement Ceremony Pictures

Jim Hill Photography will be taking individual pictures of the 2021 graduates which will also be available for sale; more information to follow.

Scholarships/Awards/Post High School Plans

Please share your post-high school plans (college selection, scholarships, honors/awards, military service, careers, gap year, etc).

Students must submit this information by Thursday, April 15 to be included in the Commencement program. Please share this information by using the Post High School Information Form. (Regarding college Information: submit only information for the college you have been accepted to and plan to attend.)

Senior Recognition and Commencement Attire and Behavior

Graduation ceremonies are provided for those who wish to participate. They are dignified occasions and we are confident that all graduates will dress and act appropriately. Graduates who do not meet the dress requirements will not be permitted to participate in the ceremonies.

Please follow these dress guidelines:

• Boys: Dark dress pants (no jeans), collared shirt, tie, dress shoes, and dark socks (no athletic shoes, boots, or sandals).
• Girls: Knee/calf-length dress, or skirt/dress slacks and a blouse, dress shoes (no athletic shoes, flip-flops, or boots); no corsages are to be worn on gowns. Purses should be left with parents or at home. Please Note: This year, because the ceremony is at the ballpark, ladies will not be allowed to wear high heels. They may wear wedges, platforms, or flats. Ladies will be provided with flip-flops if they show up in heels.
• Gowns – Please steam or press gowns with a cool iron.
• Caps – Caps should be worn flat on the head (bobby-pinned if necessary). No decor is allowed on the cap.

Commencement Events

Behavior Prior to Commencement

We want to remind our seniors of the importance of making good choices both in and out of school. It is important to keep in mind that any senior who violates FHN/District policies (i.e. use, possession, or sale of drugs or alcohol at any event leading up to commencement), or engages in any type of vandalism or prank at FHN, may impact their ability to participate in graduation ceremonies. Students on school grounds (other than during scheduled supervised activities) may also be subject to legal action. It is important that families and the school work together to supervise student activities leading up to graduation. It is our hope that students do not do anything to jeopardize their opportunity to be a part of all of the important and meaningful activities!

We are so excited to celebrate this wonderful time with you and your family. High School Graduation is such a special time, and we look forward to the many fun events ahead!

FHN Senior Events/Activities Calendar

Second Semester Senior Exam Exemption for 2020-2021

Senior Exam Exemption Criteria:

• Students must be passing all classes.
• Students must have an 85% (or higher) in the class he/she is intending to not take the exam.
• Students can not have any unexcused absences.
• Students can not have more than two tardies per class (2nd – 6th hour). If first hour tardies are excessive and consistent, this will impact the opportunity to be exempt from the exam as well.
• Students can not have violated the student code of conduct.
• Students can not have a cell phone violation (second semester).
• Students cannot have any mask violations (this will begin March 4, 2021).

If all of these criteria are met during the second semester, you may waive your exams.

LMCU Stadium Map

LMCU Stadium Parking Map