Dear Xavier Family,
Several times a year, I engage in discussions with our student section at athletic events. Usually it starts with them wondering why I am such a curmudgeon, why I don’t like fun, or why the opposing team’s student section can taunt us but we cannot retaliate. And I get it – it seems unfair, not to mention that college students are doing far worse things at their own games. But every time we are in discussion, I remind them of the same thing. We are Xavier. We are called to be something different, something countercultural. When other communities watch us, they don’t just think of us as representatives of Xavier. To them, we represent the worldwide Catholic Church and Jesus himself. We are many people’s only experience with Catholicism and with Jesus. That must always be at the forefront of our decision making.
Our mission as a school is not simply to give students a world-class education, although that’s an important part. It is not to win championships, although it’s certainly valuable for us to develop the gifts and talents that God bestowed upon us. Our fundamental mission is to evangelize through our words and actions – every person who encounters a member of the Xavier community should experience the love of Jesus. That’s not always easy, but it is why we expect our athletic teams to act differently. We expect them to pray regularly. We expect them to be the most sportsmanlike, most humble, and most loving teams. Do they say thank you to the officials after a game? Do they leave their locker room as clean as it was when they found it? Is their language reflective of our values? Do our coaches prioritize the individual growth of their players over results and recognition? In short, are Xavier teams and clubs radically different?
Here’s the honest truth – too often, we are not. Some of us do not prioritize the mission, and that’s something we need to make a more important part of our coaching and teaching evaluations. Some of us get caught up in the competition and forget to be better than what we would expect from our opponents. Sometimes, our student athletes model what they see from the professionals or mimic the way they are treated by opponents. We need to be better. Xavier should be a beacon of light in an increasingly divisive and self-centered world. Our students frequently make the kinds of decisions which make us all proud. We need to make these moments the rule, not the exception.
Still, one of the great struggles for us at Xavier is that our parents and adults are often setting a poor example at our games. Our adults have a reputation for a number of things which shouldn’t be connected with our Catholic school – a few too many beverages before the game, abusive or disrespectful treatment of the officials (and sometimes the opponent), and a sense of entitlement which seems to affirm the stereotype of Xavier as a bunch of spoiled, rich people. Given the important role that parents play in raising our young people, this is damaging on multiple fronts. We need to have the kind of crowd that other schools’ administrators look forward to hosting (we currently are not). We need to think of small things like cleaning up after ourselves, being supportive of the difficult job of being an official (we don’t produce many officials from our parent section, despite their apparent and always unbiased expertise), and making sure our students see in us what we expect from them.
It's a big thing to know that we represent Jesus. It’s huge to know that we are the only experience of the Catholic Church some will ever have. And it’s tough in the heat of battle to take a deep breath and think about what’s most important – the mission. We are here at Xavier because we want our young people to grow up to be moral, positive, thoughtful and selfless. As we begin a new year, let’s make a commitment that the adults who our students encounter will be examples of honor and integrity. That’s the Xavier Way.
For God’s Greater Glory, Mike
Mauthe Principal
WELCOME OUR NEW TEACHERS!
Join us in welcoming our new teachers and staff members:
Mrs. Holly Roarty has joined the Science Department. An experienced teacher, Mrs. Roarty has taught at Notre Dame Academy and in Little Chute. She will be teaching Environmental Science and Biology. Her son, James, is also joining XHS as a freshman!
Ms. Anna Ebben is returning to Xavier. A 2020 graduate, Ms. Ebben will be teaching junior and senior Theology. She is student-teaching with Mrs. Ann McKnight during first term before taking over after her official graduation from Benedictine College this fall.
Mrs. Carolina Artacho-Efthimiou will be the long term substitute for Mrs. Kelly Carter during maternity leave this fall. Mrs. E is an avid swimmer and coach, an experienced business teacher, and looking forward to working with her Xavier classes during first and second terms.
Mr. Travis Gradl takes over as Facility Coordinator at the high school. Mr. Gradl will be supervising the maintenance and cleaning in the building, as well as preparing the grounds and working on long term facilities projects. He lives with his wife and children in Menasha.
FridayAdoration
On the first Friday of each month, we hold Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our school chapel. We are currently looking for parents or other Xavier community members to volunteer for a regular first Friday adoration turn. This allows our students to also make adoration turns throughout the day, knowing that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is attended at all times.
You can sign up for a 30 or 60 minute adoration turn any time between 8am - 3pm. Please contact Ms Katie Wesolek at kwesolek@xaviercatholicschools.org if you can offer your time in prayer each month for our students and our school.
Driver's Education Classes
Fall driver's education classes at Xavier begin on October 9th. See the Xavier website for details.
Senior Parent Night
Senior Parent Night is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, at 6:30 PM in the auditorium. The Xavier counselors will be covering graduation, senior academics, college and scholarship applications, and extras like placement exams and reporting AP scores. Please join us!
College Rep Visits
Each year, admissions representatives from colleges and universities nationwide visit Xavier to meet with our students. This is a wonderful opportunity for juniors and seniors to learn more about these schools and their programs. For seniors, these visits provide the chance to make a great impression on the people who will be reading their college applications. Students who wish to attend a college visit can sign up in Naviance and should pick up a pass from Mrs. Carpenter on the day of the visit.
Upcoming visits include UW-Oshkosh, Benedictine College, Marquette University, UW-Stevens Point, Purdue University, Saint Louis University, Saint Norbert College, Saint John's University, Xavier University, Creighton University, and more!
Senior Sessions - NEW!
Counselors visited senior classes during the 2nd week of school to discuss college applications and future planning. As a follow-up to those classes, we are offering Senior Sessions to help refresh what was covered and to provide opportunities to make progress on applications. Join us during X period on the following days for some hands-on help!
Sep 12th - CommonApp How-To
Sep 19th - Naviance How-To
Sep 26th - College Essay Tips
Oct 10th - CommonApp How-To
Oct 17th - Naviance How-To
National Suicide Prevention Week: Sept 10-16, 2023
Every year, Suicide Prevention Week serves as a powerful reminder that hope and help are always within reach. This dedicated week, observed worldwide, brings together communities, organizations, and individuals to raise awareness about the critical issue of suicide and to promote mental health and well-being. The Xavier counselors are here to help if your student has questions or concerns
HOMECOMING 2022
Sunday, October 1
Community Pep Rally
6:00 Torchy Clark Gym
Monday – Friday, October 2-6 Dress Up Days and Events (TBD)
Wednesday, October 4
Friday, October 6
Homecoming Mass
10:50 St. Bernard Church
Parade
4:30 Pierce Park
Football Game
7:00 Rocky Bleier Field
Band Field Show
Halftime of Game
Saturday, October 7
Saturday, October 7
Fun Run / Dog Walk
9:00 am Stadium / Track
Homecoming Dance
8pm-11:30pm - Commons
Our annual Homecoming Weekend Fun Run & Dog Walk is happening Saturday morning, October 7 at 9:00am, beginning inside Rocky Bleier Stadium. Participants in this non-competitive “friendraiser” will follow a 5k or 1-mile course in the XHS neighborhood and nearby parks. Cost of the event is non-perishable food items for St. Joe’s Food Pantry, and participants will receive an XHS gift and are welcome to an unused shirt from prior years as we strive to be better stewards of God’s creation and use up what we have. To sign up, please click here or scan the QR code below. With any questions, please contact Monica Jones (mjones@xaviercatholicschools.org) or Kate Geenen (kgeenen@xaviercatholicschools.org).
