Class of 2026
This website shares information for the Class of 2026 about end-of-year activities, including senior events and graduation.
Senior Events
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End of Year Process
- Student Behavior
- Final Exams
- Final Grades
- Service Learning Hours
- Graduation Rehearsal
- Google Accounts / Chromebooks
Student Behavior
Graduation
Senior events and the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 will be special, and we are committed to providing a dignified ceremony that is befitting this significant occasion. We appreciate your support and cooperation in this matter. It is important that all family members understand our commitment to a quality ceremony and the consequences that will face any graduate or family member who, by his/her actions, disrupts the dignified nature of this ceremony.
End of Year Activities
Behavior inconsistent with these expectations will not be tolerated. Any students involved in planning, initiating, or participating in behavior that causes a gross disruption of our school day or school routine, or that negatively impacts student or staff safety or building security, will result in a minimum of a 10-day external suspension from school and the removal of senior privileges. These privileges include any type of senior event and/or participation in the graduation ceremony. We are committed to maintaining a productive learning environment for ALL students in accordance with building, district, and community expectations as we celebrate the Class of 2026.
Final Exams
Senior final exams will begin the week of May 11th. Students will go through their entire schedule Monday through Thursday and will complete exams during the class periods noted on each day. The bell schedule will remain the same, and exams will be given during the scheduled class time. The Seniors' final exam will be on Thursday, May 14th; however, all Seniors are required to attend the graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 15th, to receive their cap, gown, and tickets.
Monday, May 11, 2026
- 3rd Hour
- 4th Hour
- 7th Hour
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
- Zero Hour
- 5th Hour
- 8th Hour
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - no exams scheduled due to shortened class periods
Thursday, May 14, 2026
- 1st Hour
- 6th Hour
- Seniors will attend 7th and 8th Hour Classes
Friday, May 15, 2026 - Required
- Graduation Rehearsal
- Cap and Gown Pick-Up
Final Grades
Service Learning Hours
Service Learning hours are a District 230 graduation requirement. Failure to complete the 25-hour requirement results in a student not graduating. Students who are at risk of not graduating for not fulfilling this requirement have been notified several times.
If you have questions, contact the Service Learning Office immediately at 708-671-3172.
Graduation Rehearsal
Google Accounts / Chromebooks
Your D230 Google Account will be disabled on 6/30. We wanted to offer you the option to copy over all of your D230 Google Apps Data (Drive Documents, etc) to a personal account. This should be completed on your home computer by following the steps in this document: Google - Take It With You
Please complete these steps prior to 6/30. After this date, you will no longer be able to access your D230 data and you will no longer be able to run Takeout to transfer all of your documents, etc. If you've subscribed to any important communication (colleges, etc.) using your d230.org email address, be sure to change your email address to a personal one before this date.
Chromebook Reminder: Instructions for graduates to wipe their Chromebooks.
Graduation
- Details
- The Graduation Ceremony
- Timeline for Students
- Timeline for Families
- Graduation Tickets
- Parking
- Graduation Protocol
- Celebration Essentials
Details
Dear Graduating Senior and Family:
On behalf of the faculty and leadership team of Carl Sandburg High School, I congratulate you on your upcoming graduation. Graduation is an exciting time, symbolizing the successful conclusion of your high school career and the beginning of many new experiences. I hope you take great pride in achieving this significant milestone.
As we move toward the end of the year, we expect all seniors to fulfill their school responsibilities through the end of the year, including maintaining regular attendance, achieving well on final exams, and maintaining behavior consistent with a positive learning environment.
Details pertaining to graduation and the inclement weather plan are included here. Please read through to familiarize yourself with upcoming plans. Please share the information and expectations with your guests who will be celebrating the special day with your family. If you have any questions, please contact my assistant, Kathy Martinez via email or phone at 708-671-3111.
Go Eagles!
Dr. Derrick Smith, Principal
The Graduation Ceremony
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 - 6:00pm - Seliga Field (Sandburg H.S. Football Stadium)
The ceremony will start promptly 6:00pm unless weather dictates a later start.
Should the weather prevent an outdoor ceremony on Tuesday, the first possible rain date is Thursday, May 21st. If inclement weather persists, the last possible date will be Friday, May 23rd, rain or shine.
Timeline for Students
Graduating seniors should park or carpool to Palos Country Club (13100 Southwest Highway, Orland Park) starting at 4:00pm. Graduates will be shuttled from Palos Country Club starting at 4:00pm and will be dropped off in the circle driveway.
Seniors should immediately report to their assigned seat in the East Gym.
Once all seniors arrive at their assigned row and seat, the principal and graduation sponsor will give instructions on how graduates will line up and process to the ceremony.
Students are not permitted to park on campus unless they are using the provided family parking pass.
All seniors must report to their assigned seat no later than 5:00pm.
Timeline for Families
Gates will open at 4:00pm.
Families are asked to enter Seliga Field via the south (Home) entrance or the north (Visitors) entrance.
The North Entrance will close promptly at 6:00pm.
**Late arrivals will be directed to a designated seating area by the south entrance.
Handicap parking is available for those with a current handicapped parking placard. The car must also have a graduation handicap parking pass. All of these conditions must be met for a car to be granted access to handicapped parking on campus. Individuals with a handicap needing assistance to the outdoor seating area may request transportation via golf cart from the parking lot.
Handicap seating is available on both sides of the track for handicapped individuals with a graduation ticket. Seating will also be available on the track for one adult (with a graduation ticket) who accompanies each handicapped person. Handicap seating will be limited to those who need it.
Graduation Tickets
Outdoor Ceremony on Seliga Field
Each senior will receive six (6) tickets at graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 15th, in an envelope with their cap and gown.
There will be no additional tickets available for the outdoor ceremony.
Seniors should ask other seniors if they will be using all six of their tickets, and if they are not, they can possibly get an extra ticket that way.
Indoor Ceremony - Friday, May 22nd (if necessary)
Each senior will receive two (2) tickets specifically printed for the indoor ceremony in the Eagle Gym in the same envelope that has the outdoor ceremony tickets.
Only these two tickets can be used for the Eagle Gym.
The outdoor ceremony tickets will not be accepted for the indoor ceremony in the Eagle Gym and the indoor ceremony Eagle Gym tickets will not be accepted at the outdoor ceremony.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- Ticket takers will only admit guests with a ticket
- Children will not be admitted without a ticket
- Due to space limitations, strollers are not allowed
- Partial or photocopied tickets will not be accepted for access
Parking
Student Parking
- Graduating Seniors will be shuttled to campus from Palos Country Club, 13100 Southwest Highway, Orland Park. Shuttle buses will run from Palos Country Club to Sandburg starting at 4:00 pm. Students should be dropped off or carpool to Palos Country Club.
*Graduates are not allowed to park on campus unless using the provided family parking pass
Family Parking
Parents will have the opportunity to apply for a parking space on campus through a lottery: enter the lottery through this link: parking lottery closes on May 1st.
Handicap Parking Pass: On-Campus
A graduation handicap parking pass is required to access handicap parking on campus. Current handicap placard information is also required to apply for a handicap graduation parking pass. Sign up for a Handicap Parking Pass: link closes on May 1st.
*If you are applying for the Handicap Pass, you cannot also enter the lottery.
Other Parking Guidelines
- Families are strongly encouraged to carpool
- Parking lots at Carl Sandburg, for those selected to park on campus, will open at 4:00pm. Your graduate can ride with you if you are parking on campus. All graduates need to be in the East Gym by 5:00pm. Graduates should not be dropped off at Sandburg if you are not parking on campus. Graduates should be dropped off at Palos Country Club and get shuttled over to campus.
- Family and friends will be shuttled from the Metra Station (10401 West 153rd Street, Orland Park). Shuttle buses from the Metra Station to Sandburg will run starting at 4:00pm.
- The on-campus parking pass, handicap parking pass, and Metra parking pass(es) will be distributed with the graduation ticket envelope that the seniors will receive at Graduation Rehearsal on Friday, May 15th, with their cap and gowns. Additional passes to the Metra Station can be requested when filling out the parking lottery Google form, by emailing Kathy Martinez, Principal's Executive Assistant or by calling 708-671-3111.
Graduation Protocol
Attire
- Please note that there are stairs, gravel and grassy areas - pick shoes accordingly.
- Pointed high heels are not allowed because they get caught in the gravel and turf during the processional.
- Jeans or shorts, tennis shoes, casual sandals and flip flops should not be worn.
Caps and Gowns
The cap and gown are a uniform pair and should be worn together. Breaking their uniformity compromises their significance.
Gowns are delivered in a package, and they should be pressed with a cool iron prior to wearing them in the ceremony. The dignity of the uniform requires that the cap be worn level on the head.
Tassels should be worn over the right front quarter of the cap.
Flowers, corsages, or non-district-approved stoles are not permitted on the academic gown. Any graduate who is dressed inappropriately, as determined by the supervising faculty, will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
Student Behavior
The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 will be special, and we are committed to providing a dignified ceremony befitting this significant occasion. We appreciate your support and cooperation in this matter. It is important that all family members understand our commitment to a quality ceremony and the consequences that will face any graduate or family member who, by his/her actions, disrupts the dignified nature of this ceremony.
Audience and Participant Behavior During Ceremony
Air horns, noisemakers, balloons, and other items that would disrupt the ceremony are not permitted and, if found, will be confiscated by school or police personnel. Please refrain from loud or extended cheering as names are read. Such a distraction keeps other families from hearing their son's/daughter's name when it is announced.
To maintain the dignity and flow of the ceremony, no one is allowed on the stage or in the aisles except the participants. The presentation of flowers or balloons and family/friend picture-taking may take place after the ceremony has concluded. The stadium and campus will need to be cleared approximately 30 minutes after the ceremony. Everyone's cooperation in these matters will be appreciated by all. If balloons are brought in, they will be held at the entrance gate.
Celebration Essentials
Graduation Programs
In a continuous effort to "Go Green", Carl Sandburg High School will provide each graduating senior with one copy of the commencement program in an envelope with their diploma. This not only guarantees that all graduates receive a program, but also reduces the waste we regularly experience at this event.
A limited number of programs will be available at the ceremony entrances.
QR Codes linked to a digital copy of the program will be available to audience members on the day of the ceremony.
Graduation Video: (link coming soon)
Zaker Video Productions, Inc. will be professionally filming the Class of 2026 graduation ceremony. You can order your video here.
Live Video Stream Availability
Our ceremony will be available to view online. This provides a unique opportunity for relatives and friends to view the ceremony from anywhere! This is a great option for out-of-town relatives and friends or local family members who may not want to travel to the ceremony. From a computer with internet access, visit the Sandburg website and a pop-up will connect you to the livestream option via YouTube.
Flower and Keepsake Preorders
If you are interested, you can preorder flowers and keepsakes via the Commencement Group website.