Senior Huskies 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 information about graduation events, commencement, behavior expectations, and dress codes. Please be sure to note all of this important information for each of the senior events.
We are moving forward with planning, however, our plans could change due to the pandemic. We are hopeful that we will be able to celebrate with all of our traditions, but if we must change, we are committed to finding ways to celebrate these amazing kids!
Commencement Ceremony 2022
When: May 16, 2022 at 7 PM
Where: LMCU Ballpark
4500 West River Drive, Comstock Park, MI
Requirements for Graduation
Students must complete the required Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) credits and earn a minimum of 22.5 credits to graduate and walk at commencement. See your counselor if you have questions regarding your graduation credits.
Senior Exams
- Monday, May 9, 2022 – Full day – 0 hour exam
- Tuesday, May 10, 2022 – Full day – Attend class 1st, 2nd. 3rd hours and take 4th, 5th and 6th hour exams
- Wednesday, May 11, 2022 – Take 1st, 2nd, 3rd hour exams….and DONE!
Senior Yearbook Tributes
In a few months, your senior will be graduating, and you will be looking for a way to commemorate the experience. The 2021-2022 yearbook is giving you the opportunity to buy space in the yearbook to include a personal advertisement that will help celebrate this moment. Orders must be submitted by Friday, February 11th. Click here for more information.
Caps, Gowns, and Announcements
If you have not ordered your cap and gown please do so immediately at jostens.com Orders placed after March 18th are not guaranteed to arrive in time for graduation. IMPORTANT NOTE: Stoles are a different color than what we have used in the past. If your student is borrowing a cap & gown from a sibling or friend please be sure to order this year’s tassel and stole.
If you have questions or need help ordering please call Jostens directly at 1-800-Jostens.
Jostens Northern High Order Website
Commencement Tickets
At this time we are planning for each senior to receive eight (8) tickets. This is subject to change due to COVID restrictions. Tickets will be provided to your senior immediately following the Senior Celebration at the Fine Art Center on Sunday, May 15th. If your senior is not able to attend, they may pick up their tickets at the commencement rehearsal the morning of May 16, 2022.
Scholarships/Awards/Post High School Plans
Students must submit this information by Friday, April 15th to be included in the Commencement program. Regarding college information, please submit only information for the college you have been accepted to and plan to attend.)
Commencement Events
Passing of the Light Assembly
Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 9:00am
Northern High / North Gym
Seniors should report wearing Gowns and Stoles only (no caps) no later than 8:30 am.
The assembly will be at 9:00 am.
Attendance: Parents and families are invited to attend this very special occasion. Seniors (only) luncheon will follow the recognition ceremony.
Tickets for the Senior Celebration at the Fine Arts Center will be distributed following this event.
Senior Celebration
Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 6:30pm
Fine Arts Center
Class of 2022 will attend with family members (seniors will be given 4 tickets each).
Seniors are to report no later than 6:00 pm.
The evening will include:
- Senior speakers & a staff speaker
- Senior musical performances
- Senior scholarships awarded
- Senior video presentation
- A small reception will be held after the celebration.
Yearbooks and graduation tickets will be distributed at the reception.
Seniors should wear…Formal Attire
Commencement Day
Monday May 16, 2022
LMCU Ballpark
9:00am – (optional) Senior Breakfast
Seniors are invited to partake in a Senior Breakfast at LMCU Ballpark. Breakfast is $13 per student. Signup no later than April 29, in the office by bringing exact change in an envelope labeled with your name and “Senior Breakfast” written on the envelope.
10:00am (sharp) – Rehearsal
Mandatory Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal at the LMCU Ballpark located at 4500 West River Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49321. Seniors can park in the Outfield Parking Lot and enter through Gate “C”. If you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony, you must attend this rehearsal. The practice will last approximately two hours and it helps to ensure that the evening ceremony runs smoothly. Ballpark parking lot map
Commencement Evening
Monday May 16, 2022
LMCU Ballpark
6:00pm (sharp) – Seniors Arrive
We recommend that seniors carpool or get dropped off at Gate C. Families and guests will continue on to park in the South parking lot and enter through the main entrance. Click HERE to view a map of the parking area.
Seniors driving themselves will not be allowed to leave their vehicles parked overnight at the ballpark. The Senior All-Night Party buses will pick graduates up at the ballpark to take them to the venue and drop them off the next morning (May 17th) at FHN high school approximately at 5:00 am for families to pick them up.
6:00pm – Doors Open for Guests
Doors open for our guests to arrive. Guests, please park in the South Lot and enter through the Main Entrance. Seats are first come/ first serve.
7:00pm – Commencement Ceremony
Commencement Ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 pm.
Recessional – we ask all our families and guests to remain seated during the recessional. Please wait for all the graduates to leave the field. We suggest that you pick a designated meeting spot with your graduate before the ceremony begins.
9:15pm – Senior All Night Party
If you have not signed up yet click HERE to do so.
Seniors will depart from the ballpark at approximately 9:15 pm. If possible, graduation clothes and diplomas should be left with someone following the ceremony. No bags or purses may be brought onto the buses. Remember, the only way to go to the party is to get on the yellow limousine one last time.
The Senior All-Night Party buses will drop off students the next morning (May 17th) at FHN high school approximately at 5:00 am for families to pick them up.
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, 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.
Gowns & Stoles – Please steam or press gowns with a cool iron. They are very wrinkled when you take them out of the packaging.
Caps – Caps should be worn flat on the head (bobby-pinned if necessary). No decor is allowed on the cap.
Behavior Prior to Graduation
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!
Senior Exam Exemption Criteria 2022
- Must be passing all of your classes
- 85% or better average within the class (No rounding allowed)
- No unexcused absences (parents have 2 business days to call and excuse an absence)
- Two or fewer tardies for the semester within the class
- NO disciplinary actions at all – academic or athletic (detentions/suspensions/computer use/social probation/etc…)
- No felony or misdemeanor convictions outside of school
Exemption from Semester II Final Exam if AP Exam is taken:
- For seniors who are taking the AP examination in the course, and who have an 85% in the AP class on May 1st and fulfilled the above criteria, she/he is exempt from taking a senior final exam in that class. If not, the student will take a senior exam during the time specified in their building.
If all of these criteria are met during the second semester, you may waive your exams.
