Senior Newsletter - April 2024

Senior Newsletter

Finding God in All Things

April 2024

Dear Senior Dragons and Families,

While June 1 may seem far away, the next seven weeks are going to fly by. As you travel through the hallways and across the quad each day, I encourage you to pause when you can to take in the campus and community that you have been part of and will always remain a member. Whether you are already looking forward to what is next on your journey, or focused on preparing for your last round of finals - take time to enjoy your classmates and surroundings. O'Dowd will always be your home. You will forever be a Dragon.

The next few weeks are filled with activities and celebrations. Please remember our expectations and the importance of responsibility. Please read through this email thoroughly as there is important information for each of the events.

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

Keep up the great work Dragons,

Dr. Evans

Class Meeting & Behavior Contract

Last week, the senior class met with school administration to review behavior expectations for the remainder of the school year. The Behavior Contract was given to students this week. Signed contracts are due to the Main Office on April 29.

May 31, 5:00pm - Baccalaureate Mass

All graduates and their families are invited to the Baccalaureate Mass on May 31 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.

Arrival

Please arrive by 4:45pm.
Students in the procession must arrive by 4:15pm.
Seating is not assigned.

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.

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.

June 1, 9:00am - Commencement

Commencement begins at 9:00am. All graduates must be in the Knauss Family Gymnasium by 8:15am.

We are excited to welcome graduates and their families to campus for this year's commencement! 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 will receive one parking pass to park on campus. Students will receive the commencement parking pass and tickets at the end of the commencement practice on Wednesday, May 29.

Parking and Transportation

Campus Parking - Due to limited parking space on campus, each graduate and their family will be allowed to park ONE car on campus. Gates will open at 7:45am and cars must present the 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.
Avoid Parking in the Neighborhood
Satellite Parking and Shuttle Service - Additional guests can park at the satellite lots (see below) 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.

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.
We ask that families carefully consider the health and safety of mobility-impaired and otherwise physically vulnerable guests. Please not that friends and family unable to attend may watch the livestream of the Commencement (see below).

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

Our Technology Department will stream commencement for anyone unable to attend. The streaming link will be shared the week of commencement.

Reminders From Counseling Department

May 1 is the deadline for the Statement of Intent to Register. Because of the challenges presented this year with the updated FAFSA, however, some colleges have extended this deadline, so make sure you are aware of the deadline for your college of choice.
Commit to one school only and we will send one final transcript only when transcripts are available in June. If you need to make a change to your commitment, 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!
Counselors are here to help you in the decision-making process, so please reach out if you need support!
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!

May 18, 6:30-10:00pm - Senior Ball

This year's Senior Ball will take place at Scott's Pavilion in Jack London Square. The evening will include dinner and dancing. Permission slips will be released on Schoology on Friday, April 19. They are due to Marguerite Green on Friday, May 10.

Start planning! This year's theme is Met Gala Heavenly Bodies.

Senior Class Gift

Join 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.

Exciting news! We have a $50,000 match from a senior grandparent committed to appreciating and supporting the faculty. Your gift will be doubled - help us reach our goal of 100% participation from senior families and achieve the full match. We are proud to share with family contributions and our generous grandparent match, senior families have raised more than $94,000 so far - thank you so much.

May 22, 6:00-8:30pm - Senior Sunset and BBQ

Celebrate the sun setting on your senior year at O'Dowd! Join your class to enjoy food, music, and each other on the CES Patio.

May 23-24 - Grad Nite

It’s time to purchase your spot for the Grad Night at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Students will leave on buses May 23, spend the whole night enjoying the amusement park, and journey back to school the morning of May 24. Space is limited so do not wait to purchase your tickets! Tickets must be purchased and permissions slips must be turned in by Monday, May 6.

Stay Connected - #ForeverADragon

While graduation is just around the corner, you are forever connected to the O'Dowd community. Be sure to connect with other O'Dowd alumni on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Click the links below and begin to build relationships with others who also call O'Dowd home.