2023 Parent Information

Completion of Christian Service is required for students to walk at graduation. The Christian Service deadline for seniors is Feb. 21 and students and parents can check students Christian Service status on Canvas under the page "AFS - Srvs Prjct 12 - Kearney" gradebook.

If students are searching for service opportunities, there is a link to "Christian Service Opportunities" on the Canvas "AFS - Srvs Prjct 12 - Kearney" home page where service opportunities are regularly posted. You can also find this document at the link below:

VIEW A LIST OF SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Contact Mrs. Kearney at akearney@bishopoconnell.org with any questions.

Official Diploma Names

Senior parents are asked to review the exact spelling of their graduate's name as it will appear on the diploma. Visit the FINAL REVIEW page for diploma names by Feb. 21. (Please call the activities office at 703-538-3306 to receive the password for this page.)

Don't be left out! Students who receive any scholarships, grants, honors or awards will be recognized in the graduation program. Only the name of the scholarship, grant, honor or award will be listed. No monetary amounts will be in the program. Students must submit a copy or a scan of the original scholarship information document on the college or university letterhead to Ms. Canfield at pcanfield@bishopoconnell.org in the Counseling Office by May 12, 2023.

Please include awards from all schools, not just the school you will be attending.

Special Note - While we are on the subject of colleges, don't forget to let the counseling office know about all acceptances, wait-lists, denials, etc. as they come in. AND...let them know what your final decision is for the fall. Use THIS FORM to streamline that process.

AP Exams begin on May 1 and end on May 12, 2023. 

View the 2023 AP calendar HERE.

All senior boys received an email invitation for the Class of 2023 Mother-Son Mass and Brunch, which is held on Sunday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m.  The cost for the Brunch is $50/pair. Find out more at the link below.

View the invitation HERE, and please RSVP by April 28

Alumni Parents

Parents who are also O'Connell graduates are invited to present the diploma to their child during a special portion of the ceremony. We ask alumni parents to use the email address below or contact the Activities Office no later than May 12 with their intentions.

Please contact us at graduation@bishopoconnell.org if you have any questions.

Baccalaureate Mass practice is mandatory for all seniors. The senior panoramic photo in the gym will happen on the same day. Seniors will be in cap and gown for the photo.

This photo may be ordered online at https://vosphoto.com.

• Baccalaureate Mass is mandatory for all seniors.
• Mass is at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 21 in the auditorium.
• Seniors need to be at school by 8:20 a.m. to line up in the gym as practiced and check in with their Advisory teachers.
• Seniors must wear semi-formal clothes under their gowns and appropriate shoes.  
• Each senior’s cap and gown has been ordered.
• Baccalaureate Reception to follow.

RSVP Using the End-of-Year Event Form HERE

• All three (3) graduation practices are mandatory for all graduates.   
• Tuesday, May 23 - Two practices - The first practice will be from noon to 2:00 p.m. at O'Connell (in the auditorium). Seniors will board buses at 2:30 p.m. to travel to the Shrine for a 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. practice. Seniors must report to the auditorium in perfect spring uniform.
• Tuesday, May 30 - Final graduation practice at school, seniors must report to school at 10:00 a.m. The practice will be followed by the Senior Cookout. This is a dress holiday for seniors.

Class of 2023 Yard Signs

The PTO is offering Bishop O'Connell Class of 2023 yard signs for $20 a piece. Please use the form below to order your graduate's sign. Yard signs will be available for pick up at the Baccalaureate reception on Sunday, May 21.

Graduation Pew Raffle

Win a reserved pew (8 seats) at the Class of 2023 graduation ceremony at the National Shrine on June 1. Raffle tickets are $10 per ticket or 3 for $25. Raffle ticket sales are online only (using the link below) and they close on May 19, 2023. Proceeds from this raffle will benefit the All-Night Grad Party! Drawing will be held at the Baccalaureate Reception on Sunday, May 21. You do NOT need to be present to win.

Order a Yard Sign Using the End-of-Year Event Form HERE

Prom Information

The Senior Prom will be held on the Spirit of Washington on the Potomac on May 25, 2023. Tickets are $90 per person, and are ON SALE NOW.

Purchase Prom Tickets HERE

Complete required guest forms and return to Mr. Britt no later than Friday, May 19:

• DOWNLOAD guest form for non-O'Connell high school students
• DOWNLOAD guest form for college-aged guests. 

In addition, all attendees are reminded that:

• Modest formal wear is expected.  
• Dinner and dessert are included.  
• Seniors and guests must arrive at the boat by 7:00 p.m.  
• The boat will dock back at 11:00 p.m. sharp.  

Getting to the Boat - Because of ongoing construction work near the waterfront area in DC, the boat company has given the school new drop-off and pick-up procedures for prom this year. 

• No limos or personal vehicles will be allowed on Maine Avenue. Only group buses are permitted to drop off or pick up students there, and they must be registered with Mr. Britt ahead of time. Students are allowed to get groups together for charter buses. View a bus drop-off and pick-up map HERE.
• Students may still be dropped off by parents, drive themselves, rent limos, or take Ubers. However, those vehicles cannot drop off on Maine Avenue. Only group buses will be allowed to drop off on Maine Ave. All others are encouraged to make time to drop off near one of the parking garages and walk to the Spirit of Washington by 7:00 p.m. Please view THIS MAP they provided for suggested personal vehicle parking locations. 
• As a convenience, we have included a link to a 15% off coupon for buses offered by Chariots for Hire, but students may chose whatever means of transportation that works best for them.
• Important Note About Metro Service - The closest Metro station is Southwest Waterfront (Green Line).  Please note that the last train leaves at 11:27 p.m. This will be a very close call given the need to disembark at 11:00 p.m. and walk approximately 10-15 minutes to the station.

Prom questions? Please contact Mr. Nolan Britt, senior class moderator at nbritt@bishopoconnell.org.

• Each graduate will receive an allotment of five (5) general admissions tickets. 
• Parents can email graduation@bishopoconnell.org or contact the Activities Office to request extra tickets. All members of the graduate’s immediate family will be able to attend. In the past, we have been able to give up to 1-2 extra tickets to those in need. Tickets are REQUIRED for admission to the Shrine. Please note that this is a 2.5 - 3 hour reverent event and it may not be an ideal atmosphere for small children.
• Seating is general admission, first come, first serve. Parking at the Shrine is limited and traffic can be difficult.
• Graduates’ siblings, who currently attend O'Connell, are encouraged to sign up to be ushers at graduation. Sign up will be in late May at an announced meeting. Permission slip required to be an usher.
• Tickets are distributed to the graduates after practice at school on Tuesday, May 30.
• Any additional tickets will be in the sealed, labeled envelope that the graduate receives on Tuesday, May 30.

Class of 2023 Commencement Exercises
Thursday, June 1 at 12:00 p.m.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 

• Thursday June 1, at 12:00 p.m.  Students must arrive at the Shrine by 11:00 a.m.
• The school is closed for graduation and does not provide transportation to graduation.  
• The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception’s address is 400 Michigan Avenue, Northeast Washington, D.C. 20017
• Good seats are usually filled at 11:00 a.m..
• For handicapped seating, please email graduation@bishopoconnell.org by May 8.
• Professional individual pictures will be taken of each graduate receiving his or her diploma; go to https://vosphoto.com to order pictures. 

The Class of 2023 All-Night Grad Party will take place on June 1 at The St. James Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Complex (6805 Industrial Rd, Springfield, VA 22151) from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next morning. This event provides a safe, supervised celebration for our seniors in an alcohol-free and drug-free environment. Every senior is encouraged to attend and spend one last KNIGHT together as a class! There will be swimming, basketball, games, music, food, prizes, and much more! It is self-funded through ticket sales and generous donations from parents, businesses, and the O'Connell community.

Early registration cost is $75 through April 26. After that time the cost is $100 per student. No tickets will be sold at the door. All registrations must be completed by Friday, May 26.

Register Using the End-of-Year Event Form HERE

Seniors DO NOT need to order a yearbook. This is included in your senior fees.

Senior Ads - The deadline for placing a senior yearbook ad has now passed.

Any questions, please contact Mr. Christos Antonaros at cantonaros@bishopoconnell.org.

“Beach Week” is not sponsored or endorsed in any way by Bishop O’Connell High School.

Parents are encouraged to offer some alternative to “Beach Week” to their child.

• Announcements and class rings are completely optional.

• They can be ordered from Herff Jones online at www.hjvirginia.com.

• Our rep is Joezell Charles 703-475-2509 jcharles@herffjones.com. Customer Service-804-598-0971.

• Previously ordered announcements will be mailed directly to the customer in mid to late April.  

• New online orders submitted will receive an estimated ship date at that time.

• Senior portraits can also be ordered at https://vosphoto.com. Questions call 703-532-0013.

Questions? Email us at graduation@bishopoconnell.org, or contact our activities office: