XHS October 2022 News & Notes

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

future of faith in general

easy

feel

making in sharing the Gospel with our children

few moments

month

Recently, I was reading an essay from one of our seniors on the topic of faith in modern adolescents. He mentioned that the group which has helped him most to grow in his faith is the Xavier football team. I was pleasantly surprised. He went on to describe how he found the courage to pray because his team prays together every single day at practice. His teammates encouraged him to attend Friday morning Mass at Xavier and now he is a regular. On Sunday nights, he and many of his teammates go to Mass together to pray for strength for the week ahead. Wow. That’s what a team is supposed to do to call you to be a better version of yourself. That’s why Xavier teams are supposed to be different than the teams we play; we are called to something greater than victory on the field or camaraderie off of it. What a blessing that we have students who recognize the importance of their teams in faith formation.

If you have ever joined us for an all school Mass, you might have noticed that our final act before Mass begins is to have a senior share her story with us to tell us about God’s role in shaping who she is today. It is always a meaningful act of selfless leadership to be vulnerable in front of your peers, especially in such personal ways. In September, we heard perhaps the most memorable Senior Story yet. One of our seniors shared how she found her faith and was called to receive the sacraments through her experience at Xavier. Imagine being 14 and feeling the desire to go through the RCIA process! Now imagine being 17 and standing up in front of your entire school to tell them about your journey to the Catholic Church, the importance of Jesus in your life even today, and your prayer for your classmates to let God transform them in a similar way. It may have been one of the proudest moments of my time here at Xavier. If you can ever make it for Mass, I encourage you to join us. Every time, there’s another senior moving us to faith.

Early this morning, I joined a group of students and teachers who gathered for “See You at the Pole,” a nationwide opportunity for schools to pray together. This event was made popular at public schools in which prayer is rarely a part of a student’s day. Even though we “pray 7 times a day” at Xavier according to one of our alumni, one of our underclassmen took it upon himself to organize, advertise and lead prayer at the event this morning. It was 7am, a full hour before school started. The temperature around the flagpole was a brisk 36 degrees. Still, there was a part of our Xavier family praying for our world, our country, our community, our families and our school. No one was required to be there. No one told the leader he should organize. This was entirely an exercise of the holy Spirit inspiring our young people.

So let’s take a moment to pray in gratitude for the courage and example of our young people. For Will, for Jaelyn and for Drew, whose leadership and example make me excited for the future of our world and our faith. For the students of Xavier, who have done more to teach me about what it is to be a Catholic Christian in the world than years of education ever did. For the families who raise and produce faithful and strong young people to share with us. We are truly blessed. May the example of these and other Xavier students move you to faith in the same way as they move me.

For God’s Greater Glory, Mike Mauthe Principal

Xavier Preview Night for

Prospective Students and Families

Monday, October 17, 2022

6:30 8:00 pm

Xavier Theatre

Spend an evening learning more about the curriculum, expectations and environment at Xavier High School. The time to decide which high school to select is fast approaching.

Xavier Preview Night is designed for you to talk to administrators, counselors, teachers, parents and current students about Xavier. Is Xavier going to be the best fit for your student? Are the course offerings, high expectations, and peer group at Xavier what’s best for your student? How will Xavier help your student develop and grow in his/her faith? What athletic and co curricular activities are available? Find out the answers to these and many other questions.

Come to Xavier Preview Night and take the first step to a promising future.

***Current students can earn service hours by serving as hosts for families at Preview Night. See Mr. Mauthe for details.***

ACT Test Prep

Is your student planning to take the October 18th ACT Test at Xavier?

If so, ACT Test Prep is offering a class prior to the Xavier ACT In School Test. The class does have a few seats remaining, so sign up ASAP.

To register 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 during the week of October 10th 13th. Classes begin at 4:00pm each night. Cost per student is $130.

ACT Fee WaiversAvailable

Families are reminded that ACT.org does allow students who qualify to receive up to 2 waivers for taking the ACT test. If you believe your family might qualify, please connect with your child’s counselor or have your student stop in the Counseling Suite to find out more details.

APTesting Sign Up

Students interested in taking an AP test must register AND make a payment no later than Friday, November 11. This information and registration form can be found on the teacher webpage for your AP class or at the Xavier Counseling Website. Each AP test costs $97. Students can either pay with cash/check or have the fee applied to their Smart Tuition account. Late registration will cost an additional $40. If a student decides not to take the test, a refund of $57 will be made (total cost minus the ordering cost of $40).

Students who received accommodations for the PLAN, ACT or SAT must see Mr. Neiswender immediately to discuss possible accommodations for AP testing. The deadline to apply for accommodations is January 2023. If you have any questions regarding AP testing, please see your AP teacher or talk with Mrs. Schuh.

Testing Day

Tuesday, Oct 18, 2021, 8:00am 11:30am

October 18 will be a testing day in the morning followed by a half day of classes running in the afternoon.

Juniors and Seniors will have the option to take the ACT at the reduced cost of $52 (signups will last until October 14).

All Freshmen will be taking the PreACT 9 and Sophomores will take the PreACT 10.

Juniors and seniors not taking the ACT should spend the morning at home working on college applications and scholarships.

Classes will begin at 11:55am and all four classes will run in the afternoon. Attendance is expected from upperclassmen who do not report in the morning.

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

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!

Attendance/ Business

Pre Enrollment 2023/2024. Your Smart Tuition account will reflect a $75.00 re enrollment fee due in February on your established billing cycle. When you pay that fee on time we accept that it is your plan to return to Xavier Catholic Schools for the 2023 2024 school year. If your student is not returning next year, notify us by January 20st and the fee will not be charged.

If your family is unsure of plans for next year, if you cannot afford the registration fee, or if your parish pays your registration fee we can preemptively turn off the fee from your Smart Tuition account. Please contact Tara Pearce, confidentially, at tpearce@xaviercatholicschools.org or call (920) 735 9380 before January 20th.

If your family is adding a new student, contact Admissions so we can send you a new registration packet. The FACTS scholarship process and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) enrollment process remain the same as previous years.

Lunch accounts should always have an available balance. Reminders are sent to families with low balance accounts. Please remember that you can check your balance(s) through PowerLunch.

Attendance: A sincere thank you to all parents for reporting absences each day. We appreciate your continued cooperation! Attendance line 920 882 6903 Attendance email: Lhansen@xaviercatholicschools.org

When your student needs an early dismissal, we ask that you call or email or send a note, that s/he can exchange for an early dismissal slip. This avoids unnecessary Interruptions to the classrooms.

APLanguage

Our AP Lang students are finishing up their research and taking their rhetoric to the next level!

As part of their term long portfolio project, students have taken on social issues everything from healthcare and US foreign policy to student loan debt and capital punishment and now, having researched all sides, they are ready to make their voices heard by writing to real life people who can effect the social changes they want to see in their world. Keep your eye on these students; their clarity of thinking about the world, desire to seek common ground, and ability to maintain rational, civil discourse make them a powerful force for change.

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. An informational meeting will be held in Room 113 on November 16 at 5:00pm. We would like to have all interested students enrolled in the trip by January 31, 2023.

Montana Service TripJune 16-25, 2023

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.

Campus Ministry

Ethel Moehring Help Your Neighbor Day Friday, November 4

We’re excited for our all school day of service! On Friday, November 4, we will have classes in the morning, and then all students and teachers will be out serving in the community from 12 3pm. We are requesting adult help with transporting small groups to the various service sites and supervising the students as they work. This is a fun day for the students and adults, but we can’t do this without you! All chaperones must complete an hour of Safe Environment / VIRTUS training if they have not already done so. Your help is so appreciated and we look forward to sharing this special day with you. Please contact Kate Geenen asap to volunteer: kgeenen@xaviercatholicschools.org.

All-School Mass

Our next, all school Mass is Wednesday, October 12 at 10:50am at St. Bernard. All are welcome!

Weekly Faith Journey Opportunities

In addition to the Chapel and SPIRIT Center being open during the school day, here are some specific faith journey opportunities:

Bible Study * Wednesdays 7:05 7:35am * Room 134

Weekly Mass * Fridays 7:15am * Chapel

Weekly Confession * Tuesdays & Thursdays during X in the chapel sacristy.

Spiritual Guidance with Fr. Patrick * Students, please check your email to sign up

Eucharistic Adoration

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held the first Friday of each month in the Chapel from 7:45am until 3:00pm. Please contact Ms. Wesolek to sign up (kwesolek@xaviercatholicschools.org).

Service Hour Opportunities

Please be sure to monitor your student’s service hour progress. All hours are tracked on the Transeo site. New parish and community service opportunities are emailed each week to all students, as well as posted on the bulletin board outside of the SPIRIT Center and on Instagram (xhscampusministry).

Spring Retreat

Students will get to participate in an all school retreat on Friday, April 21, 2023! Please avoid scheduling appointments or time away from school that day this will be a day your student won’t want to miss! If you should have any questions, please contact Mr. Mauthe or Mrs. Geenen.

For more information and/or to get involved, stop by the SPIRIT Center or email Kate Geenen: kgeenen@xaviercatholicschools.org.

Athletics

2022-23 Winter Sports Information

Prior to starting athletics at Xavier all students must first complete the athletic eligibility video and their athletic folder. Please contact the head coach of each sport for more sport specific information.

Girls Basketball

November 7

Head Coach Andy Vande Hey a.vandehey@vandeheys.com

Boys Hockey

November 7

Head Coach Erik Larabell larabellerik@gmail.com

Girls Hockey

November 7

Head Coach Blake Hackbarth blake@foxvalleyhockeytraining.com

Boys Basketball

November 14

Head Coach Matt Klarner mjklarner@yahoo.com

Wrestling

November 14

Head Coach Jeff Greuel jgreuel@littlechute.k12.wi.us

Powerlifting

TBD

Orchestra

Fall Concert, October 19h

The 7th, 8th and high school orchestras will perform a concert on Wednesday, October 19th at 6:30pm at Xavier Middle School. We are very excited to perform pieces that have some “Halloween” feel as well as a beautiful piece by Edvard Elgar. Please come support these wonderful students and celebrate all of their hard work.

October 31st Concordia Orchestra visit

The students and conductor from Concordia College (Moorehead, MN) Dr. Kevin Sutterlin will be visiting our class on Monday October 31st to share a musical adventure with us. We will have a side by side rehearsal as we learn more about college musical life even if you are not a music major.

Field trip to St. Norbert, November 18th

The entire Fine Arts department will visit St. Norbert for a tour of the Fine Arts area as well as to perform for the professors at St. Norbert. This is a wonderful opportunity for the students to work with other conductors as well as visit a beautiful campus. Please watch for more information through email and from your students regarding this field trip. We will be leaving Appleton at 9:15am and we will be back in Appleton by 1:15pm.

Upcoming Events

October 5 Fall Choral and Band Concert (7:00)

October 6 FOCUS Program at PAC (for grades 9, 10 & 11)

October 12 All School Mass (10:45 at St. Bernard’s)

October 17 Xavier Preview Night (7:00)

October 18 Testing Day (ACT, Pre ACT) grades 9 11

October 19 Fall Orchestra Concert (6:30 at XMS)

October 28 No School End of Term 1

November 1 All School Mass All Saints Day

November 2 12 Fall Musical “The Sound of Music”

November 4 Help Your Neighbor Day

November 11 Grandparents Day

November 22 Appleton Christmas Parade

November 23 25 Thanksgiving Break

November 30 Half Day of Classes Parent Teacher Conferences (4 7 in commons)

December 1 11 Christmas Stars

December 6 Reconciliation Freshmen (9 10am)

December 8 All School Mass Immaculate Conception

December 13 Reconciliation Sophomores (9 10am)

December 14 Band Concert (7pm)

December 15 Reconciliation Juniors (9 10am)

December 15 Choir Concert (7pm)

December 20 Reconciliation Seniors (9 10am)

December 23 Christmas Break Begins