Relatives and Guests

Frrequently Asked Questions about Graduation  

Information for Graduates

Graduate dress code for events

When and where does the commencement ceremony take place?
On Friday June 4, 2010 Bishop Amat High School graduation takes place in Kiefer Stadium. Graduates sit in chairs on the field while guests sit in the stadium bleachers. Reserved spaces on the track are available for handicapped guests if prior arrangements have been made.

Each person entering the gate of the stadium, including children and babies, needs to present a ticket. Each graduate is given eight tickets for invited guests. Bleacher seating tickets need to be exchanged in advance for reserved spaces on the track.

Stadium Gates open at 6:00 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. ceremony.

Where can I find graduation parking?
Parking takes place on the large athletic field and on the surrounding streets. There is no charge, but parking close to the stadium is limited. The public parking lot opens at 5:30 p.m.

The student parking lot is reserved for handicapped. The Faculty lot on the corner of Orange and Fairgrove is reserved for faculty.

Can I take pictures during the ceremony?
Those taking pictures during the ceremony must stay in the stands to avoid disrupting the ceremony. It is advisable to take pictures before and after commencement.

A class graduation picture is taken the Wednesday before graduation. Information on purchasing copies of this photo was mailed home to the graduate.

A copy of the video may be ordered here.

Can my child wear special mementos for the occasion?
Bishop Amat follows a traditional protocol for formal graduation ceremonies. Academic tradition is that each student dresses in the same prescribed cap and gown for the ceremony. Families wishing to take photos of the graduate wearing flowers may do so before or after the ceremony. Graduates do not wear any other garb than the prescribed.

Students who have received school designated awards are encouraged to wear them. Most prominently these include Honor Chords of the California Scholastic Federation and the National Honor Society and gold and bronze medallions for students graduating with first and second honors. In addition Advanced Placement Scholars and IB Full Diploma candidates are given white stoles to recognize their accomplishment.  

Can I bring a noisemaker to celebrate my student's graduation?
No. Noisemakers or similar items such as air horns, cowbells, etc. will be confiscated by security. We want each student and his/her family to be able to hear his/her name being read. 

Similarly, food is not permitted inside the stadium although bottled water is permitted. 

In addition, flowers and balloons are to remain outside the stadium so as to not block the view of any of the guests.

Can I take my dog or other pet to the commencement ceremony?
No animals are allowed in the stadium for the ceremony with the exception of seeing-eye dogs.

Can I purchase a video of the event?
Graduates have been given the information on how to purchase DVD of the commencement ceremony.

Are there any other special events for us to attend as parents/relatives of graduating seniors?
Baccalaureate Mass is held on Thursday evening, the day prior to graduation. Mass begins at 6:30 p.m. and is held in the Student Activity Center. No tickets are needed nor are there reserved seats. Seating is in the bleachers.  Please follow the directives of the ushers.

The chairs on the floor are reserved for the graduates and Bishop Amat faculty who attend the event.

Families are reminded to be respectful that this is a Mass and dress accordingly. Flash photography is not permitted during the Mass.

SPECIFIC POLICY RELATED TO SENIORS AND ACTIVITIES                                                                                     

The school does not sponsor trips to Cancun, Hawaii, etc… Travel agencies, parents and/or students may not advertise at the school, meet to plan trips, or arrange transportation from the campus. Also, the school does not release any senior family directory information to anyone for this or any other purpose.