Class of 2026 Seniors

This is an exciting time of year as we celebrate the Class of 2026 and all that lies ahead! Please take a few minutes to carefully review the Senior Newsletter, which includes all important end-of-year events, deadlines, costs, and key dates. Staying informed will help ensure a smooth and memorable finish to senior year!

Senior Class Council meets every Wednesday at 7:45 AM in Room 224. If you have any questions, please see Mr. Jacobsen, Mr. Kurfess, Mrs. Differding, or Mr. Lundquist.

Conant's Prom is an exciting way to celebrate the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next! Conant's Junior and Seniors were invited to attend the Prom Expectations Meeting on Tuesday, March 17. All the important details have been shared to our students here.

Be sure to keep an eye on the important dates:

Due Date for Students to Complete Sign Up Form for Prom: Monday, April 6

Due Date to Pay for Prom Tickets: Friday, April 10

Due Date for Table & Meal Selection: Friday, April 17

Date of Prom: Saturday, May 9 7:00-11:00 PM at Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W Bryn Mawr Ave. Rosemont, IL 60018

Join us in the Auditorium during scheduled on Friday, May 1st during 2nd period for an important senior meeting.

Principal Nowak and senior class sponsors will be there to welcome you and set the tone for expectations regarding senior events, graduation practice, and graduation. You’ll also receive important information about logistics for all senior activities and the big day itself.

Be sure to attend and get all the information you need for an unforgettable senior year!

Attention seniors, if you have experience singing for a crowd and would like to be considered for singing the National Anthem at your Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony, submit your video here. Hurry, the deadline is Friday, April 3rd!

Attention all seniors, if you believe that your unique experiences, vision, and leadership qualities make you the best candidate to represent the class of 2026 and speak at this year's graduation ceremony, please complete this form by Thursday, April 9.

D211 allows graduating seniors to be exempt from second-semester final exams if they meet the following criteria:

• Earning at a "C" average in the course
• Fewer than 6 absences from the class during 2nd semester
• Have not been marked truant from the class
• Are not incomplete on required assignments

Seniors not qualifying for the exemption will be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies but will not receive a diploma that day. Senior finals will be administered concurrently with all other scheduled final exams on May 20, 21, and 22. Diplomas will be given to students required to take final exams following the processing of final grades. If you have questions, please contact your Team Room Administrator for assistance.

Caps, Gowns, and Tassel Distribution

Date: Monday, May 11
Time: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Auditorium Lobby

*Students who have not prepaid will need to pay $40 at the time of pick-up.

Seniors, celebrate your next chapter with our new Chalk the Walk event! Leave your mark by drawing your college logo, career path, or post-high school plans on the sidewalk.

Join us outside Door 1 on Monday, May 11 from 7:15–8:00 a.m. before school or during any lunch period. Chalk will be provided—just bring your creativity and excitement for what’s next!

Conant Boosters are selling Senior Yard Signs now through April 10! Celebrate your graduating senior and show your Cougar Pride by purchasing a Senior Yard Sign. It’s a great way to recognize your student and share the excitement of this special milestone with the Conant community. Click here to buy one today! Signs that have been pre-puchased will be available for pick-up at the Conant Spirit Store on May 1 from 10:00 AM–1:30 PM or Pick Up on May 2 Door 1 from 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM.

2024-2025 Yearbooks are available for pickup in the main office during regular office hours. Yearbooks will also be available during the Senior Sunset! 2025-2026 Yearbooks will be available for pickup in the fall of 2026.

Seniors, it’s time to come together and celebrate the end of an unforgettable chapter. Before graduation and all that comes next, join your classmates for a special evening on the stadium field as we close out senior year together.

Friday, May 15
6:30 – 9:30 PM
Conant Stadium

What to expect:

• A relaxed evening on the field with your classmates

• A beautiful sunset as we celebrate the Class of 2026

• Food, games, and activities throughout the night

• Music to set the vibe and keep the energy up

• Candid photo opportunities with friends and classmates

• Time to sign yearbooks and connect with classmates and staff

• Raffle prizes and fun giveaways

This event is FREE for all seniors. Student IDs are required for entry.

Seniors, bring your friends, take it all in, and enjoy one of your final moments together as a class. Let’s celebrate everything you’ve accomplished and make a few more memories before the sun sets on your senior year.

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One of Conant High School's special traditions is the opportunity to return to our local elementaries for a special Senior March through the building to inspire those little ones who will someday follow in their footsteps and to bid farewell to the educators who supported them! Details are available below:

Aldrin Elementary: Wednesday, May 20, 11:15 AM (email Ms. Dompke to rsvp at kristendompke@sd54.org)

Collins Elementary: Monday, May 19, 1:20 PM

Fairview Elementary: Friday, May 15, 1:30 PM (email Ms. Reinke to RSVP ChristineReinke@sd54.org)

Hoover Elementary: Thursday, May 21, 10:00 AM

Link Elementary: Wednesday, May 20 11:00 AM

Nerge Elementary: Friday, May 15, 2:00 PM

Stevenson Elementary: Thursday, May 21, 2:00 PM

*If you do not see your Elementary, please contact them directly.

As we approach the end of the school year, seniors have the option to purchase their school-issued iPad for $100. Payment can be made through My School Bucks.

If you choose not to purchase your device, please be prepared to return your iPad during the week of May 11, 2026.

Additional details, including return procedures and specific dates, will be shared soon.

Graduation practice is scheduled for Friday, May 15 at 8:00 AM in the Main Gymnasium at Conant. Attendance is mandatory for all seniors, as important information and procedures for graduation will be reviewed. Seniors will receive 8 tickets for their graduation guests during rehearsal. Seniors do not require a ticket for access to the Now Arena.

If you are unable to attend, please contact Mrs. Ardell’s office as soon as possible.

This year's Senior Breakfast will be held on Monday, May 18th at 8:00 am at the Belvedere Banquet Hall in Elk Grove Village. Tickets for Senior Breakfast will be sold Monday, May 4th through Friday, May 8th at the cashier's window in the main office. Tickets are $25 per student.

Graduation will be livestreamed by NOW Arena and will be available on the District 211 website:
https://adc.d211.org/Graduation

Translations for all graduation speeches are available at:
https://tinyurl.com/211translation

Graduates are asked to ride with parents, if possible.

Graduate Arrival & Expectations

• Door #11 opens for graduates at 6:15 PM

• Seniors, watch this quick video to see where you enter and become familiar with which side you will report to

• All graduates must report to their assigned faculty member by 6:30 PM

• Graduates must enter through the southeast entrance (Door #11) and will pass through a metal detector

• Gowns should be zipped after security screening

Important:

• Graduates may only bring their cap and gown into the arena

• No personal items (phones, keys, purses, etc.) are allowed

Dress & Attire

• Caps and gowns are required

• Wear attire appropriate for a formal and dignified ceremony

• Tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap

Guest Information

• Guests enter with their tickets through the Main Entrance

• Doors open at 6:30 PM

• Security screening will be in place; leave unnecessary items at home

• Check with your graduate to see which side of the stage they are assigned (Blue or White). See the stage diagram above.

Seating & Accessibility:

• ADA parking is available in the east lot only (first-come, first-served)

• ADA seating is available throughout the upper level of the lower bowl

• One ADA guest and one additional person may sit in this section

Parking

• Parking attendants will direct vehicles to the east and west lots

End of Ceremony / Meeting Location

• Please remain seated until all graduates have exited

• Graduates will meet families outside on Hoffman Boulevard (west side of the arena)

• Look for posted signs #1–#6 to designate meeting spots

Graduation Portraits

• VIP is proud to be the official photographer of Conant graduation
• Be on the lookout for an email about 1 week after the ceremony to view and order your photos OR login to vipis.com search Conant High School, click Graduation Portraits and search by student name
• Email support@vipis.com with any questions

Additional Notes

• The ceremony will last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes

• Air horns and noise devices are not permitted

• If you still need to pick up your cap, gown, tassel, or tickets, please see Mr. Jacobsen in the Social Studies Office immediately.

For additional NOW Arena information, visit: www.nowarena.com