CONGRATULATIONS!! You are about to experience one of the most memorable times in your life: High School Graduation! We are really looking forward to sharing 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 2023 – Calvin University
Commencement will take place on Monday, May 15, 2023 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 all-night party buses will pick graduates up at Calvin to take them to the venue and drop them off the next morning (May 16) at EHS at approximately 5:15 AM for families to pick them up.
Commencement Tickets
Tickets will be provided to your senior 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 – Monday, May 15, 2023 at Calvin University:
8:15am: Senior Breakfast location Applebees on the East Beltline.
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 – Monday, May 15, 2023 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, 7 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 – Friday, May 12, 2023:
This event will highlight the accomplishments of the Class of 2023.
9:00 AM: Seniors report to EHS wearing Gowns and Stoles only (no cap); location Eastern HS Main Gym
9:30 – 11:00 AM: Recognition Ceremony will be held at EHS, details to follow.
Commencement tickets will be distributed following this event.
Senior Recognition and Commencement Ceremonies – Live Streaming:
The graduation ceremony will be livestreamed. Information on how to livestream will be sent in May.
Jim Hill Photo will be taking individual Commencement Ceremony pictures of the 2023 graduates which will also be available for sale; more information to follow.
Senior Recognition and Commencement Ceremonies 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. Graduates who do not meet the dress code 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.
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 14, 2023 at 8:00 AM. Seniors that can not attend this meeting may pick up their cap and gown in the main office starting Wednesday, March 15. 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 10, 2023. 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:
Your post high school plans (college selection, scholarships, honors/awards, military service, careers, gap year, etc) will be printed in the Commencement program. Students must submit this information by Monday, April 10 to be certain of inclusion in the 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.)
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!
EHS Senior Events/Activities Calendar
October
4 Jostens Cap and Gown – informational presentation
31 Deadline for Cap and Gown orders
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March
6-8 Sign up for student speaker auditions for Commencement Ceremony- Room A218
14 Cap & Gown Distribution – 8:00 AM in the Auditorium
21 Commencement Ceremony speaker auditions- 2:45 PM in Room D03
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April
10 Deadline – Post High School Plans form
29 Prom at Thousand Oaks: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
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May
Senior Exam Week*/Last Day of School for Seniors (May 8-10)P
8 Full Day 0 hr. Exam; 1st – 6th hr (Regular Classes)
9 Full Day Exams 4, 5 & 6 (All day school)
10 Half Day Exams 1, 2 & 3 (Dismissed after 3rd hour)
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Graduation Activities/Events
12 9:30 AM Senior Recognition Ceremony; Seniors report at 9:00 AM – Aux. Gym
15 8:15am Senior Breakfast at Applebees on the East Beltline
15 10:00 AM Mandatory Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal – Calvin University
15 6:00 PM Seniors Arrive at Calvin University (see map)
15 7:00 PM Commencement Ceremony – Calvin University
15 9:15 PM Graduates board buses leave Calvin University to All-Night Party destination
16 5:15 AM Buses return to EHS from the All-Night Party
2022-23 Senior Exam Waiver Policy
Student 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 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 second semester), you may waive your exams.
