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Class of 2023 title

COMMENCEMENT

Ceremony

This year’s commencement will be held on O’Dowd’s lower field - Saturday, June 3, 9:00 - 11:00am.

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Commencement Photos (stage)

Commencement Photos - Processions in and out

Commencement Photos (other)

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Senior Celebration slideshow (shown on social media and at Baccalaureate Mass.)

Baccalaureate Mass photos

 

Zoom Recording (downloadable version here)

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(event photos by Dennis Mockel and Vincent Jurgens, Zoom by Brian Payawal)

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Each graduate may invite up to 10 guests. Seven of the tickets will be assigned seating on the lower field and the additional three tickets will be for open seating in the bleachers.

Each graduate received the following during Commencement Rehearsal May 31 -

  • 1 Parking Pass

  • 7 Assigned Field Tickets

  • 3 Open-Seating Bleacher Ticket

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Parking

Each graduate will receive ONE parking ticket to park on campus  Each graduate will receive one parking pass to park on campus. Students received the commencement parking pass and tickets at the end of the commencement practice on May 31.

  • Campus - Gates will open at 7:45am and cars must present the one parking pass at the gate to the Security Team. Additional guests can park at the satellite lots (see below) or take a ride share service.

  • Friend/Uber/Lyft Drop Off - We also highly encourage families to consider having a friend or paid car service provide drop-off and pick-up service to Commencement. This low stress solution avoids the complexities of parking and shuttle and ensures a smooth, safe arrival and departure after graduation. All cars dropping off individuals should do so at the 98th Avenue Drop Off Area. Commencement guests will walk up stairs to the Lower Field and present their Commencement ticket to the Security Team at the gate.

  • Neighborhood Parking - For safety and to respect our neighbors, we ask that families do everything possible to avoid parking in the neighborhood.

  • Satellite Parking and Shuttle Service - Additional guests can park at the satellite lots or take a ride share service.

    • North of O'Dowd: Kaleo Church - 7700 Mountain Blvd, Oakland

    • South of O'Dowd: Church of the Assumption - 1100 Fulton Ave, San Leandro

    • Shuttle service will run from these locations 7:45am - 8:15am and will shuttle guests back to the parking locations after the commencement ceremony.

    • Please note: The shuttles will drop guests off at the 98th Avenue turnaround. Anyone with mobility issues should arrive in the car parking on campus.

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Logistics and Safety
  • During the two-hour ceremony, the seating is in the full sun on a turf field that heats up. Please be prepared for cool or warm weather. Bring layered clothing, hats, sunscreen, and your own bottle of water. Guests sitting in the bleachers may choose to bring a cushion to sit on.

  • We will have portable restrooms for guests.

  • We ask that families carefully consider the health and safety of mobility-impaired and otherwise physically vulnerable guests. All friends and family who are unable to attend may watch the livestream of the Commencement. See Streaming below.

  • Out of respect of all graduates, we kindly ask that you do not bring noise makers or air horns to the ceremony. Thank you in advance!

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Attire

Graduates are to wear their cap, zipped gown, graduation stoles, pins, and any leis given by family and friends.

 

Accommodations
  • We strongly recommend that any person in need of assistance getting to their seat arrives in a car parked on campus. Our buses and lower lot drop off area will not properly accommodate anyone in need of mobility assistance.

  • When arriving on campus, please alert security at the gate that a person in your party will need assistance and they will direct you where to drop off your guest(s).

 

Streaming

Zoom Recording

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Diplomas

You should have received an email about name spelling by Feb. 11, and confirmed by Feb. 25.

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Ordering Caps, Gowns & Announcements

We use Achievers for caps, gowns, and announcements. The cost of the cap and gown is covered by O’Dowd. Graduation announcements are a separate cost and can be purchased from Achievers or elsewhere. Password bod510. Contact Eloy Garcia at Achievers or call 408-441-7200.

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If you have any questions about Commencement, please contact Starr Gray, Director of Student Activities.

BACCALAUREATE MASS

All graduates and their families are invited to the Baccalaureate Mass on June 2 at 5:00pm in the Knauss Family Gymnasium. Join us as we celebrate the seniors in their last Mass at O'Dowd and pray for their continued success after graduation. To continue the celebration a reception will follow the mass.

 

Parking
Due to limited parking on campus, we strongly encourage all families to carpool or use a ride share app.
Parking will be on a first come, first served basis. There is no reserved or assigned parking for this event..

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Attire and Decorum
Semi-formal attire. Graduates will wear their gowns, zipped up - no caps, stoles, or pins.
To maintain the dignity and sacredness of the mass, no balloons, drones, confetti, or beverages are allowed.

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Baccalaureate Mass photos

SENIOR AGREEMENT

The end of the year is filled with wonderful events and activities for seniors. The academic and behavior expectations for the remainder of the school year, especially the behavior surrounding the upcoming senior activities, are outlined in the senior agreement. Please sign and return by May 1.

SENIOR GIFT

Join us in honoring and celebrating O’Dowd teachers!

 

The Senior Class Gift supports the Fund for Faculty Excellence, which provides professional development, and assists in continuing to recruit and retain talented teachers. Please make your gift today. 

We're excited to share that a current grandparent is doubling donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. That means your investment in the Senior Class Gift will go twice as far.

 

So far over 100 families have shown appreciation for O'Dowd teachers. Let's reach 100% participation from all senior families. Please make your gift today.

COLLEGE COUNSELING REMINDERS

  • May 1 is the deadline for the Statement of Intent to Register. You may only commit to one school and we will send your transcript. If you need to make a change to your commitment (you got off the waitlist of your first choice school - hurrah!), please contact your counselor as soon as possible.

  • Once you’ve committed, come up to the counseling office and pin a flag with your name and new school on our college map!

  • This is the final stretch of high school! Your grades still count!

  • Remember to thank the people who wrote your letters of recommendation and update them on your college outcomes. They want to hear from you!

  • View financial aid tips.

  • Don't forget - your spring semester grades still count towards college admissions!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

March 2023

2 - FAFSA Deadline

15 - Cap and Gown size to Achievers

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May

3 - Senior Award Ceremony at O'Dowd (6:30pm)

12 - No classes for senior

13 - Senior Ball (6:30 - 10:00pm), dinner and dancing at Scott's Pavilion in Jack London Square.

24 - Senior Sunset and BBQ (6:00 - 8:30pm), CES patio

25-26 - Grad Night. A special night at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Buses leave May 25, 11:30am (after periods 1, 2 which you must attend) spend the whole night enjoying the amusement park, and back to school about 2:00pm May 26. Permission slips are available on Schoology and here. Ticket purchase window is closed. More very important information.

26 - No classes for senior

31 - Commencement Rehearsal, 2pm. Also pick up Commencement tickets and parking pass.

 

June

2 - Baccalaureate Mass, Knauss Family Gymnasium in Cummins Center (5:00 - 6:30pm)

3 - Commencement Ceremony, 9:00am. (All graduates must be in the Knauss Family Gymnasium by 8:15am.)

20 (update) - Diplomas Available in Main Office. Summer office hours are 10:00am - 2:00pm.

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