Important Dates to Know

• Senior Recognition on Monday, May 13, 2024, (12:30 P.M)
• Graduation Rehearsal on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 10:00 A.M.
• Commencement Ceremony 2024: Commencement will take place at Calvin University in the VanNoord Arena on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The ceremony will begin at 7 PM.

Important Commencement Information/Senior Recognition and More

Dear EHS Seniors and Families:

It is hard to believe that in a very short amount of time you will be celebrating your High School Graduation! We are excited to share this memorable time with 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, and share dates and times, so you can plan accordingly. Please be sure to note all of these important dates for each of the senior events. Please keep reading!

Commencement Ceremony 2024 – Calvin University:

Commencement will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Calvin University- Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex in the Van Noord Arena, located at 3195 Knight Way SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Commencement will begin at 7:00 PM. Seniors will not be allowed to leave their vehicles parked overnight at Calvin. The senior parent planned all-night party buses will pick graduates up at Calvin to take them to the venue and return them to EHS the next morning (May 15) (time TBD).

Senior Recognition Livestream –

EHS Commencement Ceremony Livestream –

Commencement Tickets:

Tickets will be provided to seniors immediately following the Senior Recognition Ceremony in the auditorium lobby. If students aren’t able to get them at the Senior Recognition Ceremony, the tickets will be available to pick up in the main office. Ten tickets will be provided for each senior family. If you need more tickets, please contact Robin Talcott at rtalcott@fhps.net.

Commencement Day – Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Calvin University:

Time: 8:15 A.M. (optional) Senior Breakfast for Students Only (8:15 A.M. Ada Bible Church)

10:00 AM: (sharp) Mandatory Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal at Calvin University- Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex in the Van Noord Arena, located at 3195 Knight Way SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. If you plan to participate in Commencement, you MUST attend this rehearsal. The practice will last approximately two hours and it helps to ensure that the evening ceremony runs smoothly.

Commencement Evening -Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Calvin University:

6:00 PM – (sharp) Seniors Arrive

6:00 PM – Doors open for our guests to arrive. Guests, please park in Lots 3, 4, 5 or 8 (see map). Lot 6 is reserved for handicap/accessibility parking.  Seats are first come/first serve.

7:00 PM – Commencement Ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 pm.

Note: Recessional – we ask all our families and guests to remain seated during the recessional.  Please wait for all the graduates to leave and you may meet your graduate outside.

Senior Recognition Ceremony – Monday, May 13, 2024:

This event will highlight the accomplishments of the Class of 2024.

12:00 PM:  Seniors report to EHS wearing Gowns and Stoles only (no cap)to the Auditorium

12:30 PM-2:00 PM:  Recognition Ceremony – Eastern High Main Gym (please use the athletic entrance)

Commencement tickets will be distributed following this event.

Senior Recognition and Commencement Ceremonies – Live Streaming:

The graduation ceremony will be live-streamed. A link will be provided closer to the event.

Jim Hill Photo will be taking individual Commencement Ceremony pictures of the 2024 graduates, which will also be available for sale; more information to follow.

Senior Recognition and Commencement Attire:

Graduation ceremonies are provided for those who wish to participate.  These are dignified occasions, and we are confident that all graduates will dress and act appropriately.  Please note the following guidelines: 

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.  

Caps & Gowns:

These items will be distributed at school to your senior on Tuesday, March 12. 2024 at 8:00 AM. Seniors who can not attend this meeting may pick up their cap and gown in the main office starting Wednesday, March 13. Seniors must wear their graduation gowns & stoles for Senior Recognition; and their caps, gowns, and stoles for the Commencement Ceremony.

Behavior Prior to Commencement:

As a privilege, seniors will be released several instructional days before other students.  For this reason, we do not condone a senior skip day and would appreciate parental support. Seniors’ last scheduled school day is May 6, 2024 (with senior exams scheduled for May 7-8, 2024). 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 FHE/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 EHS, 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!

Scholarships/Awards/Post High School Plans:

Many of you are aware that there have been issues with the FAFSA this year, and these issues are causing colleges to delay their communication about financial packages with potential students. This delay is impacting students’ decisions about where they will attend college. 

Traditionally, we have featured future plans for each student in our Commencement Program, but with the lack of accurate and complete information at the time of print, we will not be able to feature this information this year. 

However, we hope to share our graduates’ future plans in the June “Focus” publication. To meet the district’s newsletter deadline, future plans should be turned into the school before Memorial Weekend, (Friday, May 24, 2024) . The form is linked here. 

The last Scheduled Regular School Day is Monday, May 6, 2024

Please note: If you are required to take exams, the schedule is as follows:

• 1st-3rd hour: Tuesday, May 7, 2024
• 4th-6th hour: Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Student Exam Exemption Criteria:

• Students must be passing all classes.
• Students must have an 85% (or higher) in the class they are intending to not take the exam.
• Students cannot have any unexcused absences.
• Students cannot have more than two tardies per class.
• Students cannot have violated the student code of conduct.
• Students cannot have received more than one cell phone violation during second semester.

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