Class of 2021 Graduation and Commencement
- Baccalaureate Mass: May 20, 2021
- Commencement Ceremony: May 23, 2021
Details will be posted as they become available.
Cap & Gown, Graduation Announcements
Class of 2019 seniors will pick up caps and gowns in the cafeteria on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, immediately following their last final exam of the morning.
PLEASE NOTE: All seniors are required to return all BCHS textbooks and library books, and pay all fees owed including cafeteria and iPad or technology-related debt, prior to picking up their cap and gown. Mrs. Henry will be in the cafe during cap and gown distribution to collect lunch debts. A student’s cap and gown will not be issued until fees are paid or an arrangement is made with the BCHS Business Office. If you have questions or need to speak to someone about fees owed, please email Director of Business Operations Dan Thompson at dthompson@bishopchatard.org.
Cap & Gown Return
The gowns will be collected after the ceremony outside of the Auxiliary Gym (door #10) until 3:45 p.m. Any senior who does not return his/her gown after the ceremony will be billed $250 for the replacement cost.
Representatives from Herff Jones will be at the school to collect the order forms and deposits on Tues & Wed, Jan. 19 and 20, during lunch periods.
Your order can also be placed online at www.highschool.herffjones.com.
The announcements are not invitations to Commencement ceremonies. They are typically sent to out-of-town relatives and friends who would not attend the Commencement ceremonies, but may like to send a congratulatory note or gift to the senior. They are optional.
The school chooses the style of the announcements. Name cards personalized for the graduating senior can be purchased to insert inside the announcements can be purchased. The company also offers optional items such as photo albums, picture frames and thank you notes.
Senior Mass: Canceled
This event, originally scheduled for July 22 has been canceled.Our Reasoning: Permission is needed from the Marion County Department of Health to hold activities such as this. In order to maximize the likelihood of approval for the Commencement Ceremony, our Senior Mass is cancelled. We have submitted what we believe to be a well conceived plan to the Department of Health for the July 23 graduation and are awaiting approval. We believe that we will be approved and hope that you understand our need to adjust the schedule in order to have a fitting celebration of the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. We will keep you informed as things develop.
- 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.
The Baccalaureate Mass marks the end of high school in prayer and thanksgiving to God, to parents, to the administration, faculty and staff, and to the students themselves. All parents and family are most cordially invited and encouraged to attend. No tickets are needed. Parking is available on site at BCHS with additional parking available at Christ the King Church.
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.
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Commencement: Thursday, July 23
- Location: BCHS Athletic Stadium
- Practice: New Time 6:15 p.m. Bring your caps, tassels and gowns. Report to the main gym by 6:15 p.m. for ceremony instructions and practice. We will greet you at Door 10 as you enter the building and provide you a BC facial mask. Please keep the mask on for the duration of time indoors. Cords will be distributed at BC during practice. Please adhere to the commencement dress code. See updated dress code below
- Ticket Pickup: Tickets will be available for pick-up in the open space between the main building and the SBC starting at 6:15 p.m. We ask that you arrive in time to be in your seat by 6:55 p.m. Guests should enter from the south side of the stadium. Volunteers will make sure families are seated together and are properly social distanced.
- Ceremony: Commencement begins at 7 p.m. NEW Guests: Enter from the south side of the stadium. We ask that you arrive in time to be in your seat by 6:55. Families receive 5 tickets total and that includes the two tickets for the parents sitting on the field. Parents will be seated on the field with their graduates. Seats will be labeled by last name. The middle seat in each family cluster is reserved for the graduating senior. Other guests are requested to sit in the bleacher stands on either side of the field with appropriate social distancing. Handicapped seating is available in the first row of the bleachers on the west side of the field. A nurses station will be open in the white tent on the north side of the field.
- 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.
- Rain or shine, we are looking forward to celebrating our graduating Seniors. Bring umbrellas and rain gear just in case.
- We ask that everyone remain seated following the ceremony to view the senior video. You are welcome to remain on the field after the video for pictures with families and friends.
- Masks are required AT ALL TIMES. Please do not attend if you are experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms.
- The 2020 Commencement Ceremony will be live streamed on the Bishop Chatard Facebook page. Please invite friends and family to tune in at 7:00 p.m. to watch.
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.
After the ceremony, seniors will then process to a designated area within the stadium. After the concluding procession, time will be allotted for parents to take pictures with their graduates on the field.
Seniors will turn in their gowns and pick up their yearbooks under the white tent in the north end zone.. There is a $250 charge for any gown that is not returned after the ceremony.
Prior to lining up, students will be asked to empty their pockets and leave cell phones in the locked 3rd floor classrooms.
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.
All graduates should turn in the graduation gown and pick up the school yearbook at the conclusion of the evening under the white tent in the north end zone. There is a $250 charge for any gown that is not returned after the ceremony.
Graduates wear their gowns and caps with tassel to Commencement.
Graduates wear their gowns (no caps) to the Baccalaureate Mass.
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. –>
Boys: Solid colored shirt and tie, dress pants with a belt, dark colored socks, and dress leather shoes are encouraged; however, due to the heat, dress shorts and short sleeved dress shirts are permitted. Boys are encouraged to be clean-shaven, but it is not required. Please refrain from wearing facial jewelry. Please do not wear tennis shoes.
Girls: Dress Pants – Please dress comfortably and in attire that will keep you cool. 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. Shirts – no low-cut shirts, no sheer/transparent tops, no form-fitting tops; Shoes – flats or low heeled; no facial jewelry. Please do not wear spiked heels as it can damage the football field.