Graduation at Bishop Chatard High School

Class of 2023 Graduation

Baccalaureate Mass: May 18, 2023
Commencement Ceremony: May 21, 2023

In mid-October, Bishop Chatard’s diploma company, Herff-Jones, will contact you with information regarding graduation announcements and other keepsake items that may be purchased. Orders for these items are placed in early November. These items are not included in the graduation fee, and there is no obligation to purchase them.

The announcements are not invitations to the Commencement ceremonies. Graduation announcements 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. The school chooses the style of the announcements, and name cards personalized for the graduating senior can be purchased to insert inside the announcements. The company also offers items such as photo albums, picture frames and thank you notes. Again, all of these items are optional and there is no obligation to purchase them.

Graduation Practice - May 18, 2023 - 1:00 p.m.

Any senior who wishes to participate in the Commencement Ceremonies must attend the practice unless excused by an Administrator of the school.

At graduation practice each senior will be given their tickets for guest admission to Commencement ceremonies.

Baccalaureate Mass - May 18, 2023 - 6:30 p.m. - BCHS Main Gym

Seniors should report to the school on Thursday with their gown only (no cap) no later than 5:45 p.m. (see below for complete Dress Code.)

Tickets are not needed for the Baccalaureate Mass.

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. Any senior who wishes to participate in the Commencement Ceremonies must attend the Mass, unless otherwise excused by the Principal and/or President.

Commencement - May 21, 2023 - 2:30 p.m. - BCHS Main Gym

Seniors should arrive at school by 1:45 p.m.
Graduates wear the graduation gown, hat and tassel. See additional Dress Code below
Admission by ticket only. See ticket details below.

Dress Codes for Events - Cap & Gown Details

Dress Code for Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement

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

Girls: Dress Pants-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; Shoes-flats or low heeled requested; no facial jewelry.

Cap 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. Following Commencement graduates should return these items in the auxiliary gym after they have had time to take pictures with friends and family. Tables to return these items are set up in the auxiliary gym.

Gowns and caps with tassel are worn for Commencement.
Gowns (no caps) are worn for the Baccalaureate Mass.

Gown Collection:Seniors will keep their caps and tassels but must return their gown at door 10 immediately following the graduation ceremony. There is a $250 charge for any gown not returned after the ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony Tickets

Admission for guests is by ticket only. At graduation practice, each senior in the Class of 2023 will be given six tickets for guest admission to Commencement ceremonies.
No additional tickets are available.

It is up to the family to decide how tickets are to be dispersed. Families with un-used tickets can share with those who need additional tickets. The school does not provide extra tickets.

Senior iPads

Seniors will keep their iPads after graduation. The iPad will be transferred to their ownership after final exams are completed. If a student experiences any issues with the transfer, please encourage them to contact the Bishop Chatard Tech Counter for help.

Commencement Participation Policies

Commencement is a unique privilege that comes only once in a student’s high school career. It is our way of honoring each student for completing all requirements for earning a high school diploma in the state of Indiana. Participation in this prestigious event is reserved for students who fulfill all academic, financial, and behavioral obligations.It is a heart-wrenching experience for a senior not to be able to participate in Commencement, but participation policies were developed in justice to those many seniors who have worked long and hard towards graduation. Bishop Chatard reserves the right to establish policies concerning a student’s participation.

Participation Policies

Any student who does not pass all required courses will not be permitted to participate in Commencement ceremonies. As soon as the school receives official notification that the work has been successfully completed, the school will send a diploma.
Any student who successfully completes the required courses, but has not passed the ISTEP+ exams (or qualified for a waiver) will be permitted to participate in Commencement, but will receive a certificate of completion instead of a diploma. As soon as the school receives official notification that the student has passed the ISTEP+, the school will send a diploma.
If a student completes all of the necessary requirements, but is involved in any major violation of the school rules, he/she may not be permitted to participate in the Commencement ceremonies. Any such decision will be made by the administration after recommendation from the Discipline Board. The student is entitled to a diploma if he/she completed the requirement, however he/she does not have the right to participate in Commencement.
Unless excused by the principal, any senior who does not attend the graduation practice may not participate in the Commencement ceremonies. He/she may attend the Baccalaureate liturgy with the approval of the administration.
All tuition and fees must be paid to receive a diploma and final grades.

Diploma Requirements for Graduation

In order to receive a diploma from Bishop Chatard High School, students in the Class of 2023 are required to:

Complete a total of 8 semesters in high school,
Successfully complete the academic requirements for either a Core 40 or Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma, and
Fulfill the Indiana Graduation Pathways

View diploma requirements here

Details

Any student who does not pass all required courses will not be permitted to participate in Commencement ceremonies. As soon as the school receives official notification that the work has been successfully completed, the school will send a diploma.
If a student completes all of the necessary requirements, but is involved in any major violation of the school rules, he/she may not be permitted to participate in the Commencement ceremonies. Any such decision will be made by the administration after recommendation from the Discipline Board. The student is entitled to a diploma if he/she completed the requirement, however he/she does not have the right to participate in Commencement.
Unless excused by the principal, any senior who does not attend the graduation practice may not participate in the Commencement ceremonies. He/she may attend the Baccalaureate liturgy with the approval of the administration.
All tuition and fees must be paid to receive a diploma and final grades.

We realize that it is a heart-wrenching experience for a senior not to be able to participate in Commencement, but these policies were developed in justice to the many seniors who have worked long and hard towards graduation. Bishop Chatard reserves the right to establish policies concerning a student’s participation.

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.