Xavier High School - January News & Notes

In this Issue:

January 2023 Volume #414

Business 02 Campus Ministry 05 Celebrate 04 Freshman (Current) Parent Night 03 Upcoming Events 12

Dear Xavier family,

It is audience participation month here at News and Notes! Thanks to those of you who send me comments on my monthly reflections. This month, I am going to give you an assignment- something to think about for the betterment of our Xavier education

As you are well aware, preparing the young person for life is a multi-faceted task. Academic excellence is the headline grabber, spiritual and moral development are the bedrock of the Xavier education, and things like digital citizenship and financial literacy have become essential components of the preparation process for our young people. Students need to know how to write, but also how to use technology to improve their sentences. They need to know how to do math, but also when a calculator is the best course for problem solving. Students need to learn how to have difficult conversations, how to pray, how to support a grieving family member, how to address their own mental health or the health of another it is a long list.

Still, one thing that we hear frequently from seniors is that they wish there was a class to teach them “life skills,” the kind of thing they’ll need to thrive on their own in a dorm or an apartment. They always mention things like changing a tire or ironing a shirt. I’d like us to consider creative ways we can do these things to help students to prepare for the challenges of daily life. So here is my question for you:

What are the life skills that you would hope a graduate of Xavier? What kinds of everyday activities or practical skills can we put on our list? What did you have to learn on your own when you were a young adult? How to tie a tie? Change your oil? Ask that special someone for a date? Send me your ideas –we’d love to have them.

St. Francis Xavier High School 1600 W. Prospect Avenue Appleton, WI 54914 920-733-6632

Fax: 920-735-1787 www.xaviercatholicschools.org

January is the month for students to pick their classes for next year. Your student will be meeting with the counselors in the weeks ahead to make selections. You can see those choices on PowerSchool – please make sure you are having discussions with your student about things such as healthy workload, pursuing classes that match student interest, and considering what colleges will think. In the pages ahead, you’ll read more about a change in the grading policy for college credit classes. Please make sure you and your student are considering this when reviewing their choices.

Thank you for being a part of or Xavier community. We look forward to a memorable and transformative 2023.

For God’s Greater Glory,

Mike Mauthe Principal

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.

From the Business /Attendance Office Scrip

Kwik Trip Local Upcoming Promotions

Fast Fund February

All tuition questions are handled through the Central Office. Please call the office if you have any questions regarding charges or payments to your account. The number there is 735-9380.

A sincere thank you to all parents who report absences and delayed arrival times for their students!! Accurate attendance is very important and this year calls to parents have been minimal. Please remember to send a written note or call 882-6903, or email lhansen@xaviercatholicschools.org. when your student needs an early dismissal, or for any attendance matters.

Lunch accounts should always have an available balance. You may access your student’s lunch account at any time. Notices of overdrawn accounts are emailed from the Central Office. Please contact Central Office 735-9380 if you have any specific questions regarding an account.

ACT Test Prep

ACT Test Prep will be offering a class prior to the February 11th, 2023 national ACT test. We are only able to offer this course to a limited number of students, so be sure to sign up ASAP! To sign up for the class, go to www.act-testprep.com or you can contact Mrs. Monica Jones via email mjones@act-testprep.com or phone (920) 475-6567. The class is at Xavier - February 2-6th, 2023. Time: 4:00pm-7:15pm each night.

2/1/23 - 2/28/23

discounted rate on Gift Cards and Fuel Only Gift Cards (Reg. 5%)

discounted rate on Grocery Card (Reg. 15%)

When ordering on RaiseRight, make sure to click on “Kwik Trip Local” to get this discount

If interested please e-mail the scrip office at scrip@xaviercatholicschools.org

Spance

Last call for any Spanish or French students interested in travelling to Paris & Spain in June 2024.

All interested participants must sign up by January 31. Please see or email Profe Nelson with any questions or if you need more information.

News & Notes is a periodical which is published monthly by Xavier High School, 1600 W. Prospect Avenue, Appleton, WI 54914

Current Freshman Parents

Parents of current freshmen, we will be sending out videos with information about your students registering for their sophomore year courses. We plan to get this information to you by January 24th, so keep an eye out for it in your inbox. The deadline to register for classes is February 12th. After watching the videos, please feel free to reach out to your student's counselor with any questions you may have.

(Last names beginning with)

A-H Mrs Schuh

I-M Mrs Hammen

N-Z Mr Neiswender

Junior Parent Night

All parents of juniors are invited to Junior Parent Night on Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30 PM in the XHS theater. We will cover junior course selection, graduation requirements, college visits, creating the college application list, and extras like placement exams (ACT/SAT), faith exploration opportunities, and using Naviance Family Connections to manage their college applications. Your students do not need to attend because they will receive this information in school over the course of the second semester. Counselors also discuss these topics individually with students during their junior visits. We look forward to seeing you!

Online Course Selection

The school counselors have begun visiting classes to advise students about course selection for the 2023-24 school year. It takes a few weeks to reach all of the students, so thanks for your patience. Teachers and counselors are ready to answer any questions that you may have about course choices.

Students have until February 12 to enter their choices in Powerschool.

PreACT Results Being Returned to Freshmen and Sophomores

The counseling department will return the Pre-ACT results at the end of term 2 or beginning of term 3 when we go into classrooms to discuss course registration. For Sophomores, these results will be discussed individually with students and parents during our Sophomore Planning Conferences.

Sophomore Parent Conferencing

Sophomore parents and guardians should look for information to be coming via mail and email in late January regarding the meeting that will occur with you, your child, and your child’s counselor. In this conference, which is tailored to address the needs of students at the midpoint of high school, we will discuss your child’s talents, areas of interest, educational development, and career interests.

We will also share information helpful in your planning for the rest of high school, including graduation requirements, test results, course selection, and post-secondary options.

Conferences generally last 45 to 60 minutes, and take place throughout the school day. Your involvement is very important and we hope for 100% participation by the parents/guardians of our current sophomores.

When you receive the letter in late January with details about scheduling your conference please be sure to contact Beth Carpenter, our registrar to secure a meeting time. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Class of 2023 Information

Measurements for graduation gowns were taken last week. Students will be issued the gowns as well as caps & tassels in the early weeks of May. Information also was given to the students regarding ordering graduation announcements and other graduation products. The representative will be available on January 17 during lunch periods to take orders. For more information, please visit the Counseling Department Google Site.

The Early Birdreservationdeadline is this Thursday, January 12, 2023! After the 12th, admission prices increase, so get your reservations in now! Click here to register online or send in/drop off your admission card to any campus. 

Raffle information – PLEASE READ! Tickets on sale NOW! anyone can purchase raffle tickets you don’t need to attend Celebrate to buy chances to win great raffle prizes! 

Raffle tickets are being sent home with all students this week please retrieve the bright raffle envelope from your student’s backpack if they didn’t give it to you.  When purchasing STUDENT raffle tickets, please make sure to put only one student’s name (not the adult’s name so as to avoid confusion) on the ticket.  Additional raffle tickets are also available for purchase at the Xavier Scrip Office. 

Adult Event Volunteers Needed! The Celebrate SignUpGenius is now available on the Celebrate event website. We need almost 100 event volunteers to make Celebrate a success. Please consider volunteering before, during, or after Celebrate. We receive a wonderful response from high school students, but also need adult volunteers. Note: XHS students have their own SignUpGenius emailed to them; the above link is only for adult volunteers.

If you have any questions about Celebrate, call Lisa, Stephanie, or Bob at 735-9380 or email Lisa at lpfaff@xaviercatholicschools.org or Stephanie at szinser@xaviercatholicschools.org

Congratulations

Celebrate is Less than One Month Away! Raffle Tickets are Coming Your Way!

to Xavier’ s newest Eagle Scouts—Austin Faeth, Joel Pfaff, David Wagener and Noah Donnermeyer!

Campus Ministry

Catholic Schools Week January 29-February 3

We are so grateful for the support and guidance we receive from our parishes, and look forward to celebrating this special week with you!

Small-Group Service

Watch for small-group service opportunities coming soon!

Upcoming All-School Masses

Join us for our upcoming all-school masses at 10:45am at St. Bernard:  Wednesday, January 18 

Wednesday, February 1 (Catholic Schools Week) 

Wednesday, February 22 (Ash Wednesday)

All are welcome!

Weekday Mass Opportunities

Join us during X on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:15am for Mass!

“Duncan Donuts”

Join us from 7:20-7:40am Thursday mornings in Room 131 to share a faith moment from your week. Informal. Free doughnuts. All are welcome.

Bible Study

Students are invited to join Ms. Wesolek in Room 134 Wednesday morning at 7:25 for a bible excerpt and reflection.

Reconciliation

Fr. Patrick is available during X on Thursdays for confessions in chapel sacristy.

Service Hour Opportunities

Every Tuesday, students receive a “SPIRIT Stuff” email update with new service opportunities. New parish and community service opportunities are also posted on the bulletin board outside of the SPIRIT Center and on Instagram (xhscampusministry).

All-School Retreat & Service Day

Students will get to participate in an all-school retreat and service day on Friday, April 21. Please avoid scheduling appointments or time away from school that day. If you should have any questions or are interested in leading a group, please contact Kate Geenen (kgeenen@xaviercatholicschools.org).

Eucharistic Adoration

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held the first Friday of each month in the Chapel from 7:45am3:00pm. Please contact Katie Wesolek to sign up. (kwesolek@xaviercatholicschools.org).

Catholic Schools Week!

Campus Activities Board is excited to sponsor the following dress-up days during Catholic Schools Week, January 30 - February 3:

Monday, January 30: Camo Day

Tuesday, January 31: “Dressing” Day (Ranch, Italian, French, 1000 Island, etc)

Wednesday, February 1: Mass Day!

Thursday, February 2: Throwback Thursday (past you, what you wanted to be when you grow up, vintage, etc)

Friday, February 3: “Dress Like a Mike” (famous Mikes, characters, etc)

Xavier’s International Program

Did you know Xavier is hosting more than 40 international students this year from 15 different countries? Not only do these students bring a global feel to our campus, they help our students make connections around the world. The only way we can host so many International Students is because Xavier families so yes again and again to opening up their homes and providing these students a place to live. It is an amazing experience and we are always looking for more families to host! Contact mparish@xaviercatholicschools.org for more information. Curious? Read the reflection below from one of our own Xavier students.

As I reflect on my past 2 years of hosting I can notice multiple things that I can rejoice about. One thing is the memories I make by interchanging what we are entertained about most: that may be for Americans favorite movies, traditions like thanksgiving meals or Christmas white elephants. Hosting someone from Spain has also allowed me to work on my second language better, and have someone there to help me along the way. This too I can share as I can help my student with his language here. My favorite experience hosting has been the long term friendship that I can make interacting with someone that I feel quite different from, but at the same time so connected to. Overall I have had a wonderful experience hosting and wish that everyone could try it to make memories and gain a new perspective. I thank Xavier for this opportunity to explore new cultures and grow overall as a person.

New Policies Regarding Grade PointAverage and Class Honors

OVERVIEW

In order to balance the mental health of our students with the rigor of dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses at Xavier, the administration has approved the elimination of the 5 point scale for grading in college-credit (AP and dual enrollment) classes and an adjustment of the grade scale in those classes to allow students to earn maximum (4.0) credit for achievements of 85% and above.

GOALS

1. To acknowledge the additional rigor of dual enrollment and college credit classes by providing students more room to learn without being penalized for attempting more complicated material.

2. To reduce the pressure on students to take every possible college-credit class in order to maximize a grade point average and to increase the student’s ability to choose classes aligned with the student’s interest and career goals.

3. To encourage students to freely explore areas of interest without fear of a non-weighted course hurting their GPA.

4. To allow students the opportunity to try college-credit classes without fear of the negative repercussions on grade point average.

5. To eliminate the possibility that students and families may use strategy to manipulate the rules in order to earn recognition as valedictorian or salutatorian.

NEW POLICIES

Policy 5060 - Replacing valedictorian and salutatorian with class honors

In policy #5060, valedictorian and salutatorian will be eliminated. An honors system of cum laude (3.5 cumulative GPA), magna cum laude (3.75 cumulative GPA) and summa cum laude (3.90 cumulative GPA) will replace the valedictorian / salutatorian system.

Beginning with the class of 2024, Xavier will not recognize a valedictorian or salutatorian. Class speakers will be nominated for graduation.

Students from the classes of 2024-2026 who have taken AP or college credit classes using the 5 point scale will continue to carry the grades as earned under the current policies. A note will be included on transcripts indicating that the 5 point scale became obsolete in 2023-2024.

Policy 5061 - Wisconsin Excellence Scholarships

In policy #5061, the Wisconsin Excellence Scholarship will be decided based on GPA, then number of high school credits earned in AP / college-credit classes at Xavier, then grade point average in those AP / college-credit classes, then average final grade percentage in AP / college-credit classes. Additional ties will be broken by ACT score. Any remaining ties will be broken by casting lots.

GRADE SCALE FORAP & COLLEGE CREDIT CLASSES

New Scale College Credit & and AP Classes

A+ (4.0) 95-100%

A (4.0) 85-95%

AB (3.5) 80-84%

B (3.0) 75-79%

BC (2.5) 70-74%

C (2.0) 65-69%

CD (1.5) 60-64%

D (1.0) 57-59%

F (0.0) 0-56%

Important Notes:



An A+ is only available in AP and college credit classes, but does not earn more than the maximum 4.0 grade points.



The lower limit to achieve an A in an AP or college credit class remains at 85% as it is in the current scale.

Art Department: Student of the Month January 2023

Vera Popova and Titan Milhaupt have been named January 2023 Art Department’s students of the month. Vera and Titan are both freshmen taking Introduction to Art.

Vera has a passion for art and making her work unique to her own style. In her box drawing Vera captured a beating heart as the focal point for her drawing. In her landscape painting she found a way to honor her family heritage by painting a nesting doll in a snow covered scene. Vera experiments with the different art techniques we explore and demonstrates her own flare. This desire to push the limits and try something out of the ordinary is what makes her work stand out. This fearless display of her own style and charm is what makes her an example of Xavier pride.

Titan is dedicated to his work and strives to learn something new and try the techniques we explore in each unit. He has a desire to learn that we pride ourselves on at Xavier. His rich values and expressive marks in his value box drawing were very bold. If he is unsure of the best way to achieve something, he is humble and asks for guidance from fellow students or Mrs. B. He is committed to learning and growing as an artist with each assignment. This humble attitude is a virtue we hope to find in the students that walk through the classroom door.

Vera Popova

Titan Milhaupt

Orchestra

Students perform at the Capitol!

In December, 2022, Xavier alumna Kara Sagan ‘17 reached out to the fine arts department with an opportunity to perform the National Anthem at the State Senate Inauguration event at the State Capitol on January 3, 2023. Kara is the Legislative Assistant to Senate Majority Leader, Devin LeMahiu. Kara also wanted to make the Xavier connection because one of the State Senators being inaugurated is a Xavier parent, Rachel Cabral-Guevara. The orchestra members, under the direction of Mrs. Laura Kenney accepted the invitation.

A select number of students were invited to play. Members included McKenna Andrews, Naomi Barquet, Pamela Barquet, Alayna McKinnon, Sophia Nevarez-Padilla, Valeria Nevarez-Padilla, Gabby Schreiter and Štěpánka Večerková. In addition to performing the National Anthem for the Inauguration, the students provided background music while the Senate members and families were gathering as well as some music after the event. The students were able to see the Senate in action as they continued with their meeting after the Inauguration.

The students would like to thank Mr. McKinnon (XMS 6th grade teacher) for helping with the transportation for the day.

Winter Concert – Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

Our Winter Concert is in the Xavier High School Fine Arts at 6:30pm. The concert will feature music from movies, broadway shows and more! Come hear all the hard work the 7th, 8th and high school students have been doing learning a lot of challenging music.

Laura Kenney, Orchestra Director lkenney@xaviercatholicschools.org

(920)733-6632 ext. 4214

2023 Spring Sport Start Dates

Track & Field: Monday, March 6

Head Coaches: Luke Frommelt & Sarah Nortman lfrommelt@xaviercatholicschools.org snortman95@gmail.com

Softball: Monday, March 13

Head Coach: Courtney O’Connor coconnor95@comcast.net

Soccer - Girls: Monday, March 20

Head Coach: John Meyer jmeyer@mortonsafety.com

Baseball: Monday, March 20

Head Coach: Tim Harikkala harikkala@new.rr.com

Golf - Boys: Monday, March 27

Head Varsity Coach: Ross Visocky ross.visocky@gmail.com

Tennis - Boys: Monday, March 27

Head Coach: Kieran Wallace kwallace@xaviercatholicschools.org

Upcoming Events

January 3 School Resumes

January 6 XSC Blood Drive

January 13 No School – End of Term 2

January 18 All School Mass

January 30-31 Incoming Freshman Registration Nights

February 1

All School Mass

February 1 Orchestra Concert (6:30 pm – XHS Theatre)

February 2 Jazz Benefit Concert – Dan’s House of Hope

February 4 Celebrate

February 8-14 Valentine’s Day Revue

February 15 Half Day – Parent Teacher Conferences (47pm)

February 22 All School Mass – Ash Wednesday February 25 District Solo and Ensemble

March 3

XSC Blood Drive

March 6-10 Spring Break March 14 College Fair March 15 All School Mass

March 23-24 Half Days – Final Exams

March 27 No School – End of Term 3