September 2022 Volume #410 In this Issue: Academic News 02 Campus Ministry 04 Homecoming................................................ 03 Upcoming Events 08 St. Francis Xavier High School 1600 W. Prospect Avenue Appleton, WI 54914 920 733 6632 Fax: 920 735 www.xaviercatholicschools.org1787
For God’s Greater Glory, PrincipalMauthe
Ms. Jamie Foster will be teaching Honors Algebra 1 and Intermediate Algebra. She is a parent in the Xavier Catholic School System and will be teaching high school math for the first time this year.
We also want to welcome all of the new students and families to Xavier High School. Our community is one of support academically, socially and spiritually. As these new students find their way at their new school, they will be supported by juniors and seniors who have spent the summer preparing for their arrival and by faculty who have designed new ways to build connections and new programs to involve all students more quickly. If you are a new family, please be welcome to reach out if there are any ways we can support you or your student during this transition. If you are an experienced Xavier family, please look for opportunities to introduce yourself and include new parents, and encourage your student to do the same with new classmates. We expect this to be an outstanding year of community building, but that requires dedication from each and every one of us. Let’s be part of growing something special!
Mrs. Lori Dolezal joins the English Department. She has previously taught English at Menasha High School and will be teaching Senior English this year.
Fr. Patrick Costello becomes the second chaplain in modern Xavier history. He succeeds Fr, Adam Bradley, who had been chaplain since the re introduction of the program in 2017. Fr. Patrick will be hosting special sessions in Freshman Theology classes. He celebrated his first Masses as chaplain at Freshman Family Welcome Night and our opening Mass & Eucharistic Procession last week
We are blessed to find such qualified and dedicated professionals in a time when so many other schools are opening without a full staff. It allows us to implement the entire range of programming designed to maximize the opportunities for our young people.
Mr. Rick Duncan is already known by many of the Xavier High School students, as he has been active in the System for several years, as a Care Program staff member and substitute teacher at Xavier Elementary and Xavier Middle Schools. Mr. Duncan returns to the theology classroom after a brief hiatus, teaching Freshman Theology.
Xavier High School is a proud member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System, and has been accredited by AdvanceED (formerly the North Central Association) since 1970. Dear Xavier Family, Please join me in welcoming our newest members of the Xavier faculty:
Mike
Academic News
We are in the early planning stages of a summer service trip to the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana to work with the De La Salle Blackfeet School. Applications, cost, and other details for the trip will be available once our dates are finalized. Please contact Ms. Milbach (mmilbach@xaviercatholicschools.org) if you are a Sophomore or Junior interested in the trip. Art Club The Xavier Art Club is traveling to Italy June 12 22, 2023. The Highlights of Italy tour is offered through Explorical by WorldStrides. Participants will fly into Milan, and travel by bus to Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Sorrento and Pompeii. If you are interested in participating in this trip email Melanie Balthazor(art Mbalthazor@xaviercatholicschools.orgteacher) to find out more information about this educational trip. Sign up online at explorica.com/Balthazor 6211 You don't need to be in art classes to join Art Club, all are encouraged to participate. Art club meets every Tuesday from 3:10 4:00. All abilities and skill levels are encouraged to participate. “Every artist was first an amateur” Ralph Waldo Emerson.
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SCRIP NEWS Scrip announced that Kwik Trip (local) is offering 10% back on all gift card orders from September 1 30! Who doesn’t need to fill up on gas, morning coffee or a lunchtime brat?? Why not fill up and save money on your child’s tuition? Gift cards are available in $25, $50 or $100 denominations. Order online www.kwiktrip.com/fundraisingprogramsat
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
A great way to keep in close contact with teachers is through email. If you would like to send a teacher an email, just type the first initial of the first name followed by the last name and continue with (e.g.@xaviercatholicschools.orgmparish@xaviercatholicschools.org ).
Parent Teacher Conferences Parent teacher conferences will be held on Wednesday, September 21 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Conferences will be held in the commons/ gathering hall and time will be limited to 5 minutes.
Senior Parent Night will be on Tuesday, September 13th, starting at 6:30pm in the auditorium. We will do our best to get you out by 8:00pm Since COVID protocols are no longer in play we will not be recording the evening like we had the past two years. We will be covering graduation, senior academics, college and scholarship applications, and extras like placement exams and reporting AP scores. Your students do not need to be there, as we will be giving them this information in classrooms this week. Kairos Juniors and Seniors are invited to sign up for the spring Kairos retreat. What is Kairos? Kairos is a 3 day, 2 night optional retreat during Holy Week. All discussions and groups are student led and designed to bring students closer to God. Is there better way to enter into the holiest days of our Church year?! Permission slips are available from Mrs. Waters (via email or in room 133). The cost of the retreat is $140 and scholarships are available! Spance 2024 Wait, what the heck is Spance? Current Freshmen and Sophomores enrolled in Spanish & French are invited to tour Spain & France in June 2024. Profe Nelson and Madame Janssen will be touring Paris, France as well as San Sebastian, Bilbao, Pamplona, Barcelona and Madrid Spain. Interested students and parents should visit their website www.explorica.com/Nelson 8147 or contact Profe or Madame with questions. We would like to have all interested students enrolled in the trip by January 31, 2023. Montana Service Trip
If you need a longer time please schedule an appointment with the teacher on a different day. Grades are accessible on PowerSchool. If you misplaced your password please contact the office. Email Communication
Each spring the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) holds a contest where Wisconsin high school students draw designs for the state park sticker for the following year. Visitors are required to have a state park sticker or a day pass to enter any of the 60 state parks in Wisconsin. The students in Xavier's graphic design class, taught by Melanie Balthazor, developed their own individual original designs using prisma markers. The contest limited the designs to four colors and required them to follow an established font and text.
Monday, September 19 Monday Schedule
Graphic Design Class
House Olympics Competitions Parent Teacher Conferences 4 7pm Thursday, September 22 Family Feud & HoCo Court Music
News & Notes is a periodical which is published monthly by Xavier High School, 1600 W. Prospect Avenue, Appleton, WI 54914
Dress Up Day: Monochrome Monday WITH a Hat Tuesday, September 20 Mass Day Dress Up Day: Sunday Best for Mass Volleyball @ Xavier 530 & 730pm Wednesday, September 21 Half Day Special Schedule
Dress Up Day: Zoom Call Day (Business Top / Casual Bottom)
HOMECOMING 2021
In cooperation with the Community Blood Center, Xavier Service Club will host five blood drives throughout the school year, with the first drive occurring Friday, September 9 from 7:30 am until 2:30 pm. Students aged 16 and older are encouraged to donate, as are parents, grandparents, and other eligible friends and family. If you are interested in donating, please choose your time and fill out the required information on this Signup Genius: MagalskaIfgo/10C0F45A4A729A5FEC25https://www.signupgenius.com/bloodyouhaveanyquestions,pleaseemailMs.Chrisatcmagalska@xaviercatholicschools.org
24th Fun Run / Dog Walk 10:00 am
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Community Pep Rally 5:15 6:00pm in Torchy Clark Gym Announce Homecoming Court King & Queen Dress Up Day: Blue & White / Xavier 6:00 XES/XMS7:00
Blood Drive
SeptemberCourt
DressVideosUp Day: Disney / Nickelodeon Soccer @ Xavier 430 & 630pm Friday, September 23 No School for Students
Dessert Tickets, hosted by Houses 6 630pm El Agave Food Truck [concourse] 4:30 7pm Football Game 7:00pm Half Time: Band Performance & Announce Homecoming
Kenny Power was named as one of the seven artists to receive an Honorable Mention in the 2023 contest. Kenny worked diligently to construct a design which included some of nature's key elements which represent the state of Wisconsin. He drew a field book open to a page with drawings of the state fish, the muskellunge; the state insect, the western honey bee; the state flower, the wood violet: and the state animal, the badger. Congratulations to Kenny for the recognition of his artistic talent.
Homecoming All School Dance 8pm 11:30pm XHS Commons
All students and teachers will participate in this community event, but we also can’t do this without you! We need your awesome self and three hours of your time on Friday, November 4 from 12 3pm. Please contact Kate Geenen to volunteer! (kgeenen@xaviercatholicschools.org)
Help Your Neighbor Day Friday, November 4
Campus Ministry
All School Masses
November 16 All School Mass
All-School Retreat Day
In addition to the Chapel and SPIRIT Center being open during the school day, here are some specific faith journey opportunities: Bible Study with Ms. Wesolek * Wednesdays 7:05 7:35am * Room 134 Weekly Mass * Fridays 7:15am * Chapel First Friday Adoration * Chapel Spiritual Guidance with Fr. Patrick * Students, please check your email to sign up.
Students should check their weekly “SPIRIT Stuff” email each Tuesday during the school year for updates on service hours and Campus Ministry happenings!
November 1 All Saints Day Mass
SPIRIT Center
The Xavier SPIRIT Center is located behind the Chapel, just a few steps beyond the main entrance of school. Stop in for some hospitality, sign up for an event, organize a small service or prayer group, utilize our resources, ask questions, or just let us know how your day is going. All are welcome!
XHS Campus Ministry is part of Xavier S.P.I.R.I.T, our all encompassing approach to campus life that encourages and empowers all Hawks to realize and share their authentic selves, to cultivate a culture of care for self and others, and to grow in faith, hope, and love. Our core values reflect our mission: to serve, pray, include, reach, inspire, and teach. For more information and/or to get involved, stop by the SPIRIT Center or email Kate Geenen: kgeenen@xaviercatholicschools.org.
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April 21 Retreat Day Mass (TBD) May 23 Baccalaureate Mass (10:30 XHS Theatre)
Please join us for any of our all school Masses this year at 10:45 at St. Bernard: September 20 Homecoming Mass October 12 All School Mass
Please mark your family calendars for our second, all school retreat day on Friday, April 21, 2023. More info to follow during the year!
Service Hours
Weekly Faith Journey Opportunities
December 8 Immaculate Conception Mass January 18 All School Mass February 1 Catholic Schools Week Mass February 22 Ash Wednesday Mass March 15 All School Mass
How do juniors and seniors register for the October 18 ACT?
● Juniors may choose to take the optional PSAT at Xavier. The PSAT is a good predictor for how students might do on the SAT college entrance exam. The PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test.
Test Day 2022: Tuesday, Oct 18, 2022 , 8:00am - 11:30am
● Juniors will have the opportunity to take the ACT (no writing) at Xavier High School.
This Fall PSAT NMSQT (Preliminary SAT National Merit Qualifying Test): Saturday, Oct 15, 2022 Who takes the PSAT-NMSQT?
● By September 16, juniors and seniors need to pay the $52 test fee. Payment may be made by cash, check (made out to ‘XCS’), or by emailing Karen Bendel at kbendel@xaviercatholicschools.org to request payment via Smart Tuition. Cash and checks should be delivered to Lisa Hansen at Xavier High School. Test fee waivers are available to students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. See your counselor for a waiver.
What happens on Test Day?
Other Tests Offered at Xavier
● Each year about 10 Xavier sophomores choose to take the PSAT to practice the exam before junior year. These sophomores are typically very strong test takers who have potential to be National Merit Scholarship Finalists (which requires a score in the top 1% of test takers).
Xavier is offering this optional ACT so that our juniors have one ACT that is guaranteed to occur on site. Juniors may certainly wait until later in the year to take the ACT. Scores from this October 18 test can be used for college applications. A test prep class will be offered especially for this test date.
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Here is a summary of the standardized tests being administered this fall at Xavier High School. Visit the School Counseling website for descriptions of the tests listed below.
If your student is looking for a tutor, the Xavier Honor Society offers free tutoring services. Please ask the instructor or email Kelli McGreevey, Honor Society Moderator, to request a kmcgreevey@xaviercatholicschools.orgtutor:
● Registration for the PSAT takes place in early September, and emails will be sent to students and parents explaining how to register and pay the $18 test fee
● Seniors may also take the October 18 ACT at Xavier, if they wish. If they do not take the ACT, they should work on other college related activities, such as their applications and essays, that morning and can stay home to do so.
Xavier Honor Society Tutoring
● Freshmen and sophomores will take the preACT a practice ACT designed for 9th and 10th graders. This test will be given at no cost to all freshmen and sophomores. No prep is needed. Details will be provided in the coming weeks.
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News & Notes Page 7
September 23 Homecoming Pep Rally & Game
Then the leader will say “Live, Jesus, in our hearts…” and we respond “FOREVER.”
September 24 Homecoming Dog Walk/Run and Homecoming Dance
November 2 12 Fall Musical “The Sound of Music”
October 28 No School End of Term 1
October 18 Testing Day (ACT, Pre ACT) grades 9 11 October 19 Fall Orchestra Concert (6:30 at XMS)
October 12 All School Mass (10:45 at St. Bernard’s) October 17 Xavier Preview Night (7:00)
September 5 No School Labor Day
November 1 All School Mass All Saints Day
September 13 Senior Parent Night (6:30 in theatre)
October 5 Fall Choral and Band Concert (7:00) October 6 FOCUS Program at PAC (for grades 9, 10 & 11)
September 23 No School System Inservice
November 11 Grandparents Day
Upcoming Events
September 20 All School Mass Homecoming
November 22 Appleton Christmas Parade November 23 25 Thanksgiving Break November 30 Half Day of Classes P/T Conferences (4 7 in commons)
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The TXW (The Xavier Way) Prayer is a special prayer written for our school that we recite each week. MayLord,all that I do this day be rooted in love and mercy, that I might love You and love others as perfectly as You love me. I ask for the courage to act responsibly and honestly in all that I say and do and set an example for others to follow. Give me eyes to see those in need around me and the heart to act in a way that is pleasing to You. I want to be the best version of me that I can and bring honor and glory to You. Amen. All prayers at Xavier end with the leader saying “St. Francis Xavier…” and we respond “PRAY FOR US.”
TXW Prayer
November 4 Help Your Neighbor Day
September 21 Half Day of Classes P/T Conferences (4 7 in commons)
