Senior Newsletter
Finding God in All Things
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Dear Senior Dragons and Families,
We are in the final stretch of your time at O'Dowd and we couldn't be more excited for you!
Next week is filled with activities and celebrations. Please remember our expectations, the Senior Agreement, and the importance of responsibility. Please read through this email thoroughly as there is important information for each of the events.
Keep up the great work Dragons,
Dr. Evans
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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. Bring your yearbooks and pens!
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May 23-24 - Grad Nite
On Thursday May 23, students are required to attend Period 1 and Period 2. Once Period 2 lets out at 10:40am, students will meet in the quad no later than 11:00am. We will be leaving O'Dowd around 11:30am. If students are not present for Period 1 and Period 2 on Thursday, they may not attend Grad Nite.
Apparel Policy
Park Policy states there are no school logos displayed on any clothing or bags. That means no O'Dowd outerwear, college affiliation, or pro team gear will be worn inside of the park.
Overnight Parking on Campus
We strongly discourage students from leaving a car at O’Dowd overnight. We do not have 24 hour security and are not liable for any stolen goods. A good idea is to have your student use a carpool or get dropped off on campus Thursday morning and then picked up on Friday.
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May 29, 1:30pm - Graduation Rehearsal
All seniors are required to attend Graduation Rehearsal on May 29 at 1:30pm on the Lower Field. Students must be present to receive their Commencement tickets and parking pass.
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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.
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.
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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! Please remember:
- Each graduate may invite up to 10 guests.
- Seven of the tickets will be assigned seating on the Lower Field
- 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 their Commencement parking pass, along with their tickets, at the end of the Commencement Practice on May 29.
Parking and Transportation
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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.
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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.
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Neighborhood Parking - For safety and to respect our neighbors, we ask that families do everything possible to avoid parking in the neighborhood.
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Satellite Parking and Shuttle Service - Additional guests can park at the satellite lots (see below) or take a ride share service.
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North of O'Dowd: Kaleo Church - 7700 Mountain Blvd, Oakland
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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.
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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 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 Commencement recording (see below).
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).
Attire
Graduates are to wear their school issued cap, zipped gown, graduation stoles and pins, and any leis given by family and friends.
Recording
Commencement will be recorded for anyone who is unable to attend the events. The recording will be available by Monday on the Class of 2024 Webpage.
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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.
We are proud to share that with family contributions and our generous grandparent match, senior families have raised more than $109,000 so far - thank you so much. Help us reach our goal of 100% participation with your gift today.
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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.
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May
22 Senior Sunset & BBQ at O'Dowd (6:00 - 8:30pm)
23-24 Grad Nite
24 No School for Seniors
29 Commencement Rehearsal (1:30pm)
31Baccalaureate Mass, O'Dowd's Knauss Family Gymnasium (5:00pm)
June
1 Commencement Ceremony, O'Dowd Lower Field (9:00am)
17 Diplomas Available in Main Office
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Bishop O'Dowd High School
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