Forest Hills Eastern High School

Image of the unfinished Auxiliary gym of Forest Hills Eastern High School

Over time, additional improvements have been made to FHE. Namely, in 2009 multiple science laboratories in the school were expanded to include enough space for a classroom in order to create a more efficient learning environment.[3] Following this in November 2013, voters in the Forest Hills District approved a $45 million bond to address the technology, security, and building needs of the district. In March 2014, the Forest Hills School Board approved $25 million of the funds to go out to the schools. At FHE, this was used to build an auxiliary gymnasium (3rd gym) and an additional parking lot to accommodate the new construction. The add-on parking lot holds up to an additional 100 cars at max capacity.[4] The new auxiliary gym includes a mezzanine (doubles as a track), restrooms, locker rooms, and an additional boiler. Doug Johnson, the school board president at the time, stated that The auxiliary gym is a tremendous benefit for the students, parents, and families, but it wouldn't be possible without the strength of our community coming together to support our schools.[5]

In addition to the gymnasium, many other minor features were included in the renovation. Features such as heated sidewalk in front of the main entrance, electronic security measures for external doors (electronic locks), a new secure entrance for athletes, and various bandwidth/Wi-Fi improvements for technology across the district.[5] The majority of these projects were finished just after the school year began in the Fall of 2015.

In April 2016, Superintendent at the time Dan Behm invited parents across the Forest Hills School district to participate "Contingent Growth Task Force." This task force was a think tank for solutions that could address the districts concerns with student enrollment exceeding the districts capacity. The task force concluded that EMS would need to take on 6th grade students from both elementary schools the fed into it. This entailed the proposed construction of additional classrooms into the EHS/EMS campus.[6]

In 2018 the Forest Hills School board voted on and approved the a 15-year $130-million bond to go to vote. Following this, voters approved the November 6 bond Ballot proposal for the school district.[7] According to FHPS, the funds are being spread out over the entire district and are going towards various school upgrades: improving infrastructure and replacing old systems; improving classrooms, curriculum, and teacher resources; improving or replacing security systems.[8]

Like many schools in the United States, FHE has been severely affected by COVID-19. In the spring of 2020, FHE was shut down as part of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's executive order to close schools. This forced the School district to resort to online learning for the duration of the 2019-2020 school year. The following school year (2020-2021), the school swapped between full virtual, a hybrid schedule, and full in-person learning as cases in the local area rose and fell.[9]

Amidst the change during this time, Mr. Tim Hollern, one of the assistant principals at the time, died due to complications with Covid-19 and his Metastatic Cancer. This was a terrible loss to the school as many students regarded him highly. Superintendent Dan Behm shared his sympathies with the faculty, students, and families, saying that Mr. Hollern was a beloved teacher, coach, and school administrator, and was always focused on everyone else and what he could do to help a student, a colleague, or a stranger. He loved coming to work and serving his school and community.[10]

Forest Hills Eastern used technology to supplement its curriculum and enhance student learning. It does this by following the guidelines set by the Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students (MITECHS)[15] program. The school provides students with computers to use during school hours and provides all of its faculty with laptops. The School uses funds received from bonds to further invest in technology. Some of these funds go towards professional learning for faculty so they can become more technologically literate and learn how to further integrate technology into their classroom.[16][17]

During times when the schools are shut down due to COVID-19, the school shifts the learning environment online. It utilizes virtual meeting technology such as Zoom Video Communications and manages classwork through an education startup called Clever. It is using what it calls a "continued learning"[18] plan to still provide a full education to students while in-person learning is limited.[19] Additionally, Chromebooks are loaned to students who do not have good access to technology at home.[20]

Forest Hills Eastern is the host to one newspaper called the Hawk Herald. It is sponsored by the school and has a faculty member that oversees it. Additionally, its editors in chief are all students. It releases articles weekly and focuses on a wide range of topics from politics, to DIY projects, to sports, to in-school events. The Newspaper no longer releases paper copies of its articles and has moved completely online.[22]

Musical Activities include Orchestra, Choir, and a Band that performs seasonal concerts for students and families. There is also a jazz band that meets before school and will occasionally play in the great hall in the mornings. Additionally, a theater club will put on plays and musicals every year in the school auditorium. Every year, the theater program works with the Fine Arts Center to put on large musicals in conjunction with the other two high schools in the district.[21] This musical is often accompanied by a pit orchestra staffed by local volunteers, students, and hired professional musicians. The school also allows the local adult community band to use its facilities to practice and hold concerts.[23]

The school currently is in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold Division[2]

The school currently has teams for football, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, golf, cross country running, track and field, crew (rowing), baseball, and softball.