May 2025

May 21, 6:00-8:15pm - 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!

May 22-23 - Grad Nite

If your student is attending Grad Nite this week, here are all the details for the trip. Please read all information regarding the trip timeline and park policies.

• On Thursday, May 22 you will attend part of Period 1.
• We highly recommend carpooling or getting dropped off. We do not have 24 hour security and are not liable for any stolen goods. 
• At 9:15am you are dismissed from Period 1. Seniors will meet in the theater no later than 9:30am for an assembly led by the deans and chaperones. 
• Students will reconvene in the quad at 10:00am and line up by bus in alphabetical order.
• Students will then go through a safety dog check bus by bus. There is no bathroom use on the buses, relieve yourselves before the safety dog check. 
• Buses will depart Bishop O'Dowd by 10:30am. 

Apparel Policy

Park Policy states that 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 the park.

May 28, 1:30-3:15pm - Graduation Rehearsal

All seniors are required to attend Graduation Rehearsal on May 28 at 1:30pm on the Lower Field. Students must be present to receive their Commencement tickets and parking pass.

May 30, 5:00pm - Baccalaureate Mass

All graduates and their families are invited to the Baccalaureate Mass on May 30 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.

May 31, 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 28.

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.
• 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 (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 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 cap, zipped gown, graduation stoles, pins, and any leis given by family and friends. Please dress to match the importance of this event! The event is taking place on the Lower Field, so please wear shoes that you can walk in.

Recording

Commencement will be recorded for anyone who is unable to attend the events. The recording will be available later that day on the Class of 2025 Webpage.

Senior Class Gift - We Still Need Your Help!

Thanks to your generosity, we’ve now raised $94,000 for the Senior Class Gift…so close to our $100,000 goal. But we need your help to cross the finish line.

Gifts received by May 30 will be included in the total we present to the O’Dowd community at Baccalaureate Mass for the Fund for Faculty Excellence. Help us honor O’Dowd teachers and show our gratitude for their dedication. Every gift is doubled thanks to the $50,000 match from senior parents and grandparents!

Don’t wait - make your gift today and be part of this special legacy!

May

21 Senior BBQ and Sunset (6:00-8:15pm)

22-23 Grad Nite at Magic Mountain

28 Graduation Rehearsal (1:30pm)

30 Baccalaureate Mass in Knauss Family Gymnasium at O'Dowd (5:00pm)

31 Commencement Ceremony Lower Field at O'Dowd - See above for times