Graduation at Bishop Chatard High School

Senior Block Party: July 19

Date: Sunday, July 19, 2020
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Place: Front lawn of Bishop Chatard
If it rains, this event will be cancelled.
Please RSVP by July 12.

Join us for games and food at our Student Council-sponsored celebration of the senior class. This celebration is exclusively for the BCHS Class of 2020 and no outside guests will be admitted. Because this celebration is outdoors, masks are not required but are strongly encouraged. Social distancing guidelines are expected. As with Prom, the expectation is that graduates will follow all of the rules. Security will be present to ensure everyone’s safety. Students are asked to park in the back parking lot.

COVID Considerations – Social Distancing and Masks: It is essential for the Bishop Chatard community to work together to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19. In consideration of the health and safety of others, we strongly encourage that anyone attending any of these events wear masks. Please maintain social distance at all times including entering and exiting the Athletic Stadium and sitting in the stands. Because of social distancing practices, we have modified the numbers of those who can attend. Please see ‘Tickets’ below. Both evenings may be very hot. Bottled water will be provided for the graduates; however, we ask that guests consider bringing their own water bottle.

Senior Mass: July 22

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. Please be seated by 6:45 p.m.
Place: Bishop Chatard Athletic Stadium
If it rains, this event will be cancelled.
Dress Code: See below.
Tickets: Parents and seniors are invited to the Mass. Tickets are not needed. In an effort to increase social distancing, we are requesting that you please do not invite any additional guests or family members.
Parking: Parking is available on site at BCHS with additional parking available at Christ the King.
Senior Video: A large flat screen display has been rented for the viewing of the senior video and graduation exercises. Graduates and parents are asked to remain seated following Mass for a showing of the senior video.

Seniors will sit on the field with their parents in alphabetical order. Each seat will be labeled with the graduate’s name. Students do not need to wear their graduation gown for Mass but are requested to follow the dress code below. Please do not bring your cell phone with you to Mass. Masks are strongly encouraged. Please be respectful of social distancing guidelines.

Tickets for Graduation and achievement cords will be distributed this evening.

Graduation Practice: July 22

Time: following Mass
Place: Bishop Chatard Athletic Stadium
If it rains, practice will be cancelled.
Mandatory for all Seniors

All parents will be requested to leave the Athletic Stadium after the senior video. Graduates will stay in their seats to practice for the graduation ceremony.

If unable to attend graduation, please fill in our Graduation Attendance Form

Commencement: July 23

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m., Seniors need to arrive by 6:15 p.m. and go directly to the Auxiliary Gym.
Location: BCHS Athletic Stadium
Tickets: Admission is by ticket only. See below.
Dress: Students: See Dress Code below. Parents & Guests: A minimum of business casual, please.
Parking: Parking is available on site at BCHS with additional parking available at Christ the King.
Handicapped seating will be available on the first row of the bleachers.
In case of rain, you will be notified of an alternate plan.

Parents: Please go directly to your assigned seat on the field when you arrive at Bishop
Chatard. If bringing additional guests, the other three guests will be provided open seating in the bleachers. Guests are requested to sit 6 feet apart in the bleachers. Family members may sit in groups. In consideration of the health and safety of others, masks are strongly encouraged. We anticipate high temperatures and hydration is important. Graduates will be provided with bottled water. We ask that all others bring their own.

Students: Please do not bring keys, cell phones, purses, etc. to the ceremony as there will be no place for them to be stored.Graduates will be provided with bottled water.

Gowns will be collected after the ceremony outside of the Athletic Stadium. There is a $250 charge for any gown that is not returned after the ceremony. Yearbooks will be distributed to each graduate when the gown has been collected.

Graduation Event Dress Code

Caps and Gown Details

Bishop Chatard rents gowns especially made for BCHS. Seniors are responsible for the reasonable care and return of the gown. (Please follow the instructions for preparation of the gown when the student brings it home.) Seniors may keep their caps as a keepsake.

Gowns will be collected after the ceremony outside of the Athletic Stadium immediately following the ceremony. There is a $250 charge for any gown that is not returned after the ceremony. Yearbooks will be distributed to each graduate when the gown has been collected.

Graduates wear their gowns and caps with tassel to Commencement.

Dress Code for Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement

Boys: Collared shirt and dress pants with a belt, dark colored socks, and dress leather shoes. Boys should be groomed and clean-shaven; no facial jewelry. No shorts allowed.

Girls: Dress Pants – only solid colors, no denim, jeans or skinny pants; Skirts and Dresses – length must be no shorter than 2 inches above the top of the knee, must not be tight or form-fitting, no more than 3-inch slit; Shirts – no low-cut shirts, no sheer/transparent tops, no form-fitting tops; No shorts allowed. Shoes – flats or low heeled required, please no spiked heels as it can damage the football field; no facial jewelry.

Commencement Tickets

Participation in the Commencement ceremonies is a privilege. Students who earn this privilege have completed the work required and conducted themselves in a way that befits the values promoted by the school!
Admission to commencement is by ticket only.
Admission is by ticket only. At graduation practice each senior will be given five tickets for admission to Commencement. Tickets will be distributed at Mass and will be placed on each graduate’s assigned seat.
No additional tickets are available, and it is up to the family to decide how tickets are to be dispersed. A reminder, two seats are provided for parents to sit on the field with their graduate. The other three guests have open seating in the bleachers. Please be respectful of social distancing. In consideration of the health and safety of others, masks are strongly encouraged.

Diploma Requirements for Graduation

In order to receive a diploma from Bishop Chatard High School, students are required to:

- - complete a total of 8 semesters in high school,
  - pass the ISTEP+ Assessment in Math and English/Language Arts or qualify for a waiver, and
  - successfully complete the academic requirements, including Theology, for either a Core 40 or Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma
  - View diploma requirements here

Graduation Fee ($150)

The graduation fee of $150 will automatically be billed to you as part of the tuition and fees for senior year. The fee is used for the following:

- - Diploma covers and printing of diploma inserts;
  - Rental of caps and gowns;
  - Program printing for the Baccalaureate Mass;
  - Decorations and program printing for the Commencement ceremonies.

The graduation fee does not cover the cost of any personalized invitations or other packages offered by Herff-Jones. All of the keepsake items are optional.