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, and share 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.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete the required Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) credits and earn a minimum of 22.5 credits to graduate and walk at commencement. Please visit your counselor if you have questions regarding your graduation credits. Visit the FHE Guidance & Counseling website for the more up-to-date information.
Commencement Ceremony 2020
Commencement will take place on Monday, May 18, 2020 at the Cornerstone University Hansen Athletic Center located at 1001 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. Commencement will begin at 7:00 p.m. Once you enter the Cornerstone University Campus you will need to make your way to one of the 6 parking lots. Seniors who are leaving their cars overnight are required to park in “Lot C & E” shown on the map below.
click this image for a larger version
Parking Assignments
- Senior Students – Parking Lots D, E, and F
- Staff/Board of Education – Parking Lot B and C (Must have Staff I.D. to park)
- Handicap/Elderly – Roped off portion of Parking Lot A
- General Parking – Parking Lots A, G, H, I, J
- Overflow parking in Lot O
- No Parking in L, M, and N
There will be three spots to receive a golf cart ride from parking lots G, H, I, and J to the Hansen Athletic Center.
Caps, Gowns, and Announcements
Will be distributed on Tuesday, April 21 during a senior meeting. Seniors must wear their graduation gowns for Senior Recognition; and their caps and gowns for the Commencement Ceremony.
Commencement Tickets
Please submit the Commencement Ticket Order form by Thursday, April 16. Each senior may order a maximum of eight admission tickets for their guests. Tickets will be available for pick up immediately following the Senior Recognition Ceremony in the gym lobby on Friday, May 15th.
Commencement Ceremony DVDs
DVDs of the ceremony are available for purchase for $20.00 by submitting the Commencement DVD Order form and turning in your payment to the EHS main office by Thursday, April 16. Please make checks payable to John Bischoff and DVD(s) will be mailed to the address provided after May 29, 2020.
Commencement Ceremony Pictures
Jim Hill Photo, along with Motophoto, will be taking individual Commencement Ceremony pictures of the 2020 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) by completing the Post High School Information Form. Students must submit this information by Thursday, April 16 to be included in the Commencement program. Please submit only information for the college you have been accepted to and plan to attend.
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.
- 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.
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 Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
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 must have no more than excused absences (school related absences do not count).
- Students cannot have any unexcused absences.
- Students cannot have more than two tardies per class.
- Students can not have violated the student code of conduct.
- Students can not 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.
Events
Senior Recognition Ceremony – Friday, May 15, 2020
This event will highlight the accomplishments of the Class of 2020.
8:30 am: Seniors report to the EHS Events Gym
9:30 – 11:00 am: Recognition Ceremony will begin in the EHS Events Gym.
Commencement tickets will be distributed following this event.
Commencement Day- Monday, May 18, 2020
8:45 am – Senior Breakfast (optional) – location TBA.
10:00 am sharp – Mandatory Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal at the Cornerstone University Hansen Athletic Center located at 1001 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. Park in “Lot C & E”. 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 18, 2020
6:00 pm – (sharp) Seniors Arrive – must be in the blue gym/staging area. Seniors designated parking area is “Lot C & E” on the Cornerstone Campus: limited space is available. We recommend that our seniors carpool or get dropped off.
7:00 pm – Commencement Ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 pm.
9:15 pm – Buses will depart for the Class of 2020 All Night Graduation Party. If possible, graduation clothes and diplomas should be left with someone following the ceremony. No bags, purses or cell phones may be brought on the buses. Buses will drop seniors off at approximately 5:15 am on the Cornerstone campus. Remember, the only way to go to the party is to get on the yellow limousine one last time.
November 2019
| Event Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| November 18th | Josten’s Cap and Gown – informational presentation |
| November 26th | Deadline to turn in Cap and Gown orders – during lunches/ or ordered online |
March 2020
| Event Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| March 21st | Senior Dinner Dance @ Egypt Valley Country Club, 6:00 pm |
| March 27th | Sign up for student speaker auditions for 2020 Commencement Ceremony |
April 2020
| Event Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| April 15-16th | Auditions for 2020 Commencement Ceremony Speakers – time & location TBA |
| April 16th | Commencement Ceremony Ticket Ordering Deadline |
| April 16th | Commencement Ceremony DVD Ordering Deadline |
| April 16th | Post High School Plans Form Deadline |
| April 21st | Senior Meeting & Caps, Gowns and Announcements distributed in Auditorium, 8:00 am |
| April 25th | Prom at Noto’s Restaurant, 7:00 pm |
May 2020
Band/Orchestra/Choir Events
| Event Date | Event Time | Event Description | Event Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4th | 7:00 PM | Jazz Ensemble | Eastern Auditorium |
| May 7th | 7:00 PM | Akron Awards (Theater) | Eastern Auditorium |
| May 11th | 7:00 PM | EHS Spring Band Concert | Eastern Auditorium |
| May 12th | 7:00 PM | EHS Spring Orchestra Concert | Eastern Auditorium |
| May 14th | 7:00 PM | EHS Spring Choir Concert | Eastern Auditorium |
Senior Exam Week*/Last Day of School for Seniors
| Event Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| May 8th | Senior Exam Week*/Last Day of School for Seniors (May 8 – 13) |
| May 11th | Full Day 1st – 4th hours Regular Class; 5th hr. & 6th hr. Exams |
| May 12th | Partial Day 1st & 2nd hours Regular Class; 3rd & 4th hour Exams; Excused @ 12:20 pm |
| May 13th | Half/Last Day 1st & 2nd hour Exams; Excused @ 9:40 am; Seniors Last Day |
Graduation Activities/Events
| Event Date | Event Time | Event Description | Event Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 15th | 9:30 am | Senior Recognition Ceremony; Seniors report at 8:15 am | Aux. Gym |
| May 18th | 8:45 am | Senior Breakfast (optional) | |
| May 18th | 10:00 am | Mandatory Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal | Cornerstone-Hansen Athletic Center |
| May 18th | 6:00 pm | Seniors Arrive at Hansen Athletic Center, seniors park in Lot C & E | Cornerstone-Hansen Athletic Center |
| May 18th | 7:00 pm | Commencement Ceremony | Hansen Athletic Center at Cornerstone |
| May 18th | 9:15 pm | Graduates board buses to leave Cornerstone to All-Night Party destination | TBA |
