Welcome to the Class of 2025 Newsletter! Below, you will find essential information regarding your graduation and other important events leading up to it. Please make sure to read through the ENTIRE newsletter carefully to stay informed about what your last days at Cedar Springs will entail.

Two weeks before each significant date mentioned below, we will send you an email with details and reminders. All this information will also be continuously updated on the senior webpage.

For those seniors wishing to be celebrated through a personalized poster that highlights your future ambitions, please submit your details soon if you haven't already done so at the following link.

Should you have any questions, or if you need a printed copy of this newsletter, don't hesitate to get in touch with our high school office team.

Best regards,

Cedar Springs High School Team

Please note that all dates and times are subject to change. Email reminders with the latest information will be sent two weeks before key events.

Feb. 25, Delivery for Senior Announcements
During both lunches

May 5-16, AP Exams

(Check with your student for specific dates/times)

May 5, Senior Locker Decorating

2:45-9 p.m. at Cedar Springs High School

May 8, Seniors Last Academic Day

May 9, Seniors Last Day Events

10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

May 18, Senior Mystery Trip

Registration Required/Communications from SANP Committee

May 19, Honors Convocation Events

5:30 p.m. Highest Honors Gathering (Invite Only)

7 p.m. Ceremony in the high school auditorium

May 22, Commencement Day

See student schedule below

7 p.m. Ceremony

Summer 2025, Diploma Pick Up, Transcripts and Stole Return

7 a.m.-3 p.m. at the high school

Monday - Thursday

January 1, 2026, Student Email Shutdown

Seniors are held to the highest expectations in the Cedar Springs Public Schools district. Seniors are expected to follow our code of conduct presented in our handbook at all times on school property and commencement ceremony.

A senior may waive their exams if a student meets the following criteria:

• A "B" or better is earned in the course

• No more than eight absences in the 2nd semester

The state of Michigan requires a minimum of 18 credits to graduate from high school, under what is known as the Michigan Merit Curriculum, including an additional four elective credits per Cedar Springs High School curriculum. To receive a diploma, seniors must have completed these credits. Students must also abide by the attendance policy or credit may be lost for the course.

Seniors who purchase a yearbook are requested to complete the following Google form with your information by Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Yearbooks will be available for pickup in July or August. Email hsyearbook@csredhawks.org with yearbook questions.

On Monday, May 5, 2025, please join us to decorate your senior's locker from 2:45 - 9 p.m. Please stay and help us decorate any undecorated lockers to fill the hallway with cheer for the entire class of 2025!

A few additional details:

• Enter through Door #13
• Ask your student for their student ID to look up their locker number upon arrival (list will be on the wall)
• Locker dimensions are 9 ¾” wide X 70” tall
• Please use copies of photos as the school is not responsible for returning any items used in decorating
• Bring additional decorations to help decorate any non-decorated lockers (a donation box will be available in the hallway)

In preparation for locker decoration, please ensure that all items used have a backing to protect the locker surface. We will provide magnets at the site to securely attach these backings, as the direct application of tape on lockers is not permitted.

What is NOT permitted:

• No Latex Balloons (Mylar are acceptable)
• No Glitter or confetti
• No tape (scotch, packing, Gorilla, duct tape, two-sided, etc.)
• No putty, glue or hot glue directly on the locker surface

All items will be cleaned after school on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Be sure your senior takes home anything they would like to keep as anything left will be disposed of.

On Seniors final academic day, students are required to complete several tasks:

• Return their Chromebooks, carrying cases, and chargers.
• Hand in any classroom calculators and textbooks to their respective teachers.
• Submit receipts for reimbursement of dual enrollment course textbooks to the Academic Services Office.
• Settle any outstanding fees, which can be checked in PowerSchool.
• Payments can be made by cash, check, or card (there will be an additional service charge for CC transactions)

Additionally, students who have yet to be exempt from or complete their final exams must arrange a time with their teachers for make-up exams before the day ends.

Seniors should arrive by 10:15 a.m. and meet in the auditorium at the high school, ready to celebrate their last day at Cedar Springs High School.

Timeline for the day:

• 10:15 a.m.: Arrival to the High School Auditorium

• 10:30 a.m.: Caps and Gowns Distribution by Jostens

• Following Distribution: Elementary School Walk

• After Walk: BBQ

• 1:45 p.m.: Senior Class Photo

• 1:55 p.m.: Line Up for Final Walk

• 2 p.m.: Final High School Walk

Following the meeting the annual 'senior walk' will begin, where the class of 2025 will walk through each of our elementary buildings, greeting our younger Red Hawks, and celebrating with their former educators.

Seniors will then head over to Red Hawk Stadium to enjoy an afternoon celebration including a BBQ lunch and time to laugh, reminisce, and socialize together one last time. The day in the stadium will include a panoramic photo of the class of 2025 and a final walk through the hallways of Cedar Springs High School.

Senior parents may join us along the sidewalk at 1:40 p.m. outside the entrance of Red Hawk Stadium to help celebrate as the seniors take their last walk out of the high school. We ask parents to please refrain from entering the building and appreciate your cooperation.

The Honors Convocation Ceremony will take place on Monday, May 19, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Students invited to the Highest Honors Convocation gathering will receive an email by Wednesday, May 14. Additional details will be sent via email.

The honors convocation ceremony will be in the high school auditorium. All Students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and who made the honor roll for both semesters of their senior year will be recognized.

Additional awards will include:

• Departmental Excellence Awards

• Athletic Academic Awards

• Scholarships

• Academic cords

• Volunteer hours

• Other special school awards

Students receiving an award and/or scholarships will receive an invitation to attend the event. All students and parents are welcome to attend.

Graduates may wear academic honor cords in recognition of their accomplishments. Honor cords are received at the Honors Convocation Ceremony.

• Honors Cum Laude (GPA 3.5-3.699) - Gold Cord

• High Honors Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.7-3.899) - Gold and Red Cords

• Highest Honors Summa Cum Laude (3.9 & above) - Gold, Red, and Black Cords

• National Honor Society - White Stole (may be purchased or rented by contacting Ms. Kenney)

• 7:45 a.m. Commencement breakfast in the high school cafeteria
• 8:15 a.m. Commencement rehearsal, Red Hawk Stadium (students must attend)
• 5:50 p.m. Photo and commencement line up, high school cafeteria (students only)
• 6 p.m. Gates open for family and friends, Red Hawk Stadium
• 6:55 p.m. Please be seated for the commencement ceremony that will begin at 7 p.m.

If a student is unable to attend commencement rehearsal for any reason, please contact Mrs. Wiles as soon as possible at 616-696-1200 x7902.

Diplomas can be picked up immediately following the commencement ceremony at the Band Booster Concession Stand. Only the student or their legal guardian may pick up the diploma, and they must present a valid ID or birth certificate, as the diploma is considered a legal document.

We ask all seniors to dress in a white collar dress shirt, blouse, or dress, with appropriate footwear. For safety reasons please do not wear flip-flops or stilettos/spiked heels. Please refrain from wearing shorts or blue jeans. Any senior in need of dress clothes for the commencement ceremony should contact Mr. Simmons as soon as possible.

Professional photography will be available during the event. Details on how to access these photos will be communicated in an upcoming email.

Extra handicap parking spots will be designated for those who require them. Please ensure these are used only when necessary.

To maintain the dignity of the ceremony, we kindly request that family and friends avoid yelling, whistling, or using air horns as graduates' names are announced. Additionally, we ask that attendees remain seated throughout the event and refrain from talking during the proceedings.

If there is inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the gymnasium. Additional seating will be available in the auditorium, where the ceremony will be broadcast live. Due to limited space and safety considerations, we kindly ask that you limit the number of guests attending indoors.

If you are unable to pick up your diploma on graduation day, it will be available at the high school office during summer hours, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Your diploma cannot be copied or reproduced, be sure to keep it safe!

• National Honor Society may purchase the white stole worn at commencement for $25

• If renting, students must return the stole when picking up their diploma. (If returned damaged there may be an additional fee)

Academic transcripts are kept on file electronically for 60 years after graduation. You may request your transcript at any time by visiting parchment.com. Your final transcript will be available after June 27, 2025.

Students are required to change the email associated with their parchment.com account to a personal one. Failure to do so will result in account deactivation, preventing access to your transcripts. Please watch the instructional video below to learn how to update your email address.

students.csredhawks.org email accounts will be shut off on January 1, 2026. Students should back up information and update any business' (banks, job applications, third-party apps, etc.) with a new email account. Once your email is shut down you will no longer have access to your student account.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Tech Team at helpdesk@kentisd.org.