NAVIGATOR: 2/1/26

February 1, 2026

NAVIGATOR

The Official Parent/Guardian Newsletter of Xavier High School

Welcome to the Navigator, the official weekly e-newsletter for Xavier High School parents/guardians. This email will typically arrive in your inbox at 5:00 PM on Sundays to help you navigate the week ahead.

Week at a Glance...

Monday, February 2 (A Day)

Tuesday, February 3 (B Day)

Wednesday, February 4 (A Day)

Thursday, February 5 (B Day)

Friday, February 6 (A Day)

Summer Internship Forms Due

Dates to Note...

2/9 - Freshmen Scheduling Night (for current partner school 8th graders)
2/18 - Ash Wednesday Mass: 9:50 AM
2/19-2/22 - Kairos 56
2/26 - Reconciliation for Seniors & Freshmen
2/27 - In-Service Day - No School
3/13-3/20 - Spring Break
3/27 - Senior Photos Due for Yearbook
4/24 - Grandparents Mass
4/25 - Prom
5/13 - Senior Honors: 1:00 PM, Baccalaureate Mass: 7:00 PM - St. Ludmilla
5/17 - Graduation Ceremony: 2:00 PM - XHS Main Gym

Upcoming Parish Events...

ALL PARISHES - COVENANT MEETINGS:

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION/ST. WENCESLAUS
SATURDAY, FEB. 7 | 9:30 AM SCOTUS HALL AT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (BASEMENT OF THE CHURCH)

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON
SUNDAY, FEB. 8 | NOON

ST. LUDMILA

SUNDAY, FEB. 15 at 9:15 AM in the Light of Christ Room.

ST. JOHN XXIII
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4 | 6:00 PM
SATURDAY, FEB. 7 | 10:00 AM

ST. JOSEPH
SUNDAY, FEB. 1 | 6:00 PM (CHURCH HALL)
TUESDAY, FEB. 10 | 6:00 PM (CHURCH HALL)

ST. JUDE (This meeting will have a live summary in French)
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11 | 6:00 PM

ST. PATRICK
THURSDAY, FEB. 12 | 7:00 PM
SUNDAY, FEB. 15 | 7:00 PM

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COVENANT AT CRXCS.ORG/COVENANT

PARISH EVENTS:

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION/ST. WENCESLAUS

SOUP SUPPER FOR SEMINARIANS & RELIGIOUS SATURDAY, JAN 31 | 5-8 PM @ ST. WENCESLAUS

YOUTH GROUP NIGHTS: FEB 8, MARCH 8, APRIL 12, MAY 10 6:30-8 PM

IN PERSON AT ALL SAINTS, ST. JOHN XXIII, ST. JUDE, ST. LUDMILA, ST. PIUS X OR AVAILABLE THROUGH LIVESTREAM

BEAUTY IN CHRIST WOMEN’S CONFERENCE JAN 31 | 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PARISH EVENTS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES CRXCS.ORG/PARISHES

PARISH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Handy Quick links

Activities

Bound

Main Office Hours

Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Closed on holidays and in-service days

LMC Hours

Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays - 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesdays/Thursdays - 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

XHALE Hours

3rd Block 12:05 PM - 1:25 PM
4th Block 1:30 PM - 2:50 PM

Social Media

Twitter/X Accounts to Follow:

XAVIER HS: @XAVIERSAINTS
ACTIVITIES: @XAVIERSAINTSAD
PRESIDENT MCCARVILLE: @CRXPRES
CAMPUS MINISTRY: @XHS_MINISTRY
COMMUNITY SYSTEM: @XHSCOMMUNITY

News & Updates

Kirkwood Academies

We are excited to share that Kirkwood Academies will officially open on Monday, February 2. A list of options has recently been emailed to students and parents. To register, students will need their K-number. If they do not have this, they will need to stop in to Student Services for assistance. Students should also visit Student Services if assistance is needed with registration or for more information.

2026/27 Course Registration

Here is the schedule for choosing courses for next year.

XHS Mini Dance Marathon

Parents, sign your student up Mini Dance Marathon on February 20 from 7–9 PM! For $20, students will enjoy games, giveaways, music, and lots of fun while supporting a great cause. All proceeds will benefit the University of Iowa and pediatric cancer research. Please use this form to purchase your student’s ticket. Students signed up before 3:00 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd, will also receive a t-shirt and a dress down day with their t-shirt on Monday, Feb. 23rd. Thank you for helping make this meaningful and memorable event possible! XHS Mini Dance Marathon Ticket Form

Helping Hands Backpack Program

We understand that food insecurity can be a challenge for many families and we want to ensure that everyone has access to the nourishment they need to succeed in their studies and daily life.

If you would like to register your child to receive weekly food support to help with food insecurity, please complete the form below. Helping Hands Backpack Program

Campus Ministry / Parishes

Kairos Junior Retreat

Kairos is an optional retreat for juniors. There are spots still for our April Kairos on April 16-19! Consider registering early because they fill up quickly. The retreat is held at Ridgehaven Cono Camp in Walker, IA. It begins at 4pm Thursday and concludes Sunday afternoon. Registration is taken through this Kairos Registration Form. Questions regarding the retreat should be directed to [email protected]. If assistance with the fee is needed, please contact [email protected].

Christian Experience Weekends (CEW) In February

If you've ever been curious about or have wanted to attend a Christian Experience Weekend (CEW), opportunities for women and men are coming up in February. We know the busyness of life can sometimes take away from time to nurture our Catholic faith. Maybe now is the right time for you to step back, take a weekend and spend dedicated time with Christ. The Women’s Weekend will be February 6-8 and the Men’s Weekend will be February 20-22. Learn more at www.crcew.org .

Family Formation Talk Feb. 4 at St. Pius X

All families are invited to join us at St. Pius X Church on Wednesday, February 4th, at 6:00 PM for a special Family Formation Night. Come hear from Sr. Joseph, one of the four foundresses of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, MI, and Vocations Director, as she discusses Vocations and life as a Religious Sister. We hope to see you there!

Living Our Faith Through Support of Catholic Education

As Catholic Schools Week comes to a close, we invite families to attend Mass this weekend, wear your Xavier Catholic Schools gear, and actively support Catholic education. The parish appeal for the Xavier Catholic Schools Impact Fund continues—show up, serve, give, and be a visible sign of support for our schools and students in our community.

XCS News & Updates

Help Share the Catholic Schools Week Love on Social Media!
We encourage you to share this short video on social media as we continue to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. Help us give the world a small glimpse of the many ‘Xtraordinary things happening in our schools each and every day!

Facebook Video | Instagram Video | Twitter/X Video

Covenant Meetings Are Happening Now – Don’t Miss Your Meeting at Your Home Parish!
Families (Parents and Students) Must Attend a Covenant Meeting in their Home Parish and Sign the Covenant

Families have recently received information by email and mail regarding the Covenant for Parishes & Families, and several parish meetings have already taken place. As Xavier Catholic Schools are an extension of our supporting parishes, all families with students enrolled in XCS for the upcoming school year (JK–12) must attend a Covenant meeting at their home parish and submit a signed Covenant by the required deadline (Feb. 27) in order to be eligible for in-parish tuition for the 2026–2027 school year.

For more information about this new and important effort and to see parish meeting dates/times, head to CRXCS.org/Covenant.

For questions, please email Dr. Phil Drey, XCS Catholicity Director at [email protected] or Mary Harken, XCS Parish Outreach Coordinator, at [email protected].

XAVIER MIDDLE SCHOOL PREVIEW NIGHT
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. (Hosted at Xavier High School)

Parents of ALL Grades are Encouraged to Attend; Parents of Students in Grades 6-8 Next School Year are Strongly Encouraged to Attend.

All Xavier Catholic Schools parents are strongly encouraged to attend the XMS Preview Night on February 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Xavier High School. This meeting is an important opportunity to learn about the academic expectations, faith formation, and student experience at Xavier Middle School. Parents of current 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students are especially urged to attend, as this information will help guide key decisions for their child’s next educational step. Attendance is highly recommended to ensure families are fully informed and prepared. The evening will primarily be for parents, but students are more than welcome to join as well!

If you are unable to attend in person, content from the meeting will be available at CRXCS.org/XMS.

2026-2027 Enrollment and Re-Enrollment NOW OPEN

Families with students currently enrolled in preschool through 11th grade received an email on January 19th outlining the re-enrollment process for existing students, as well as the application process for any new students. Completion of this brief form for current students will assist Xavier Catholic Schools in making important decisions that help shape the future of our schools. We greatly appreciate your timely attention to this request. Tuition information for the 2026–2027 school year was also included in the January 19th email.
In the spring, families will be asked to complete PowerSchool forms and sign tuition contracts.
Questions regarding re-enrollment or enrollment of a new student may be directed to Cara Joens, Director of Enrollment, at [email protected] or 319-739-7300, ext. 313.

HR / Open Positions

Xavier Catholic Schools are Hiring!

We are looking for some ‘Xceptional individuals to help us fulfill our mission of forming disciples unafraid to follow Jesus Christ. If you (or someone you know) might be interested in joining the XCS team, we encourage you to view the openings below and apply today! To see all openings within XCS, please visit https://crxcs.org/employment

St. Pius X Early Learning Center:
Site Director - St Pius X Early Learning Center

All Saints Early Learning Center:

Infant/Toddler Assistant- Full Time

Infant/Toddler Assistant - Part Time

Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher

LaSalle Catholic Early Learning Center:

4 Year Old Lead Teacher - Full Time

Maintenance/Custodial - St Joseph Catholic School

Maintenance/Custodial - General

Paraprofessional - St Pius X Elementary School

Paraprofessional - All Saints Elementary

XCS Activities Bus Drivers Needed!

Athletics • Band • Field Trips • And More!

A perfect part-time opportunity for retirees or anyone who loves driving and serving our students!

Do you enjoy driving and want flexible, part-time work?

Do you know someone who is recently retired, in good health, and interested in driving a bus?

Xavier Catholic Schools is seeking part-time bus drivers to support a variety of school activities. Driving times vary and are primarily within the Cedar Rapids/Marion area, with occasional trips to Iowa City/Coralville.

Requirements & Support:

Applicants must be able to pass a DOT physical through their primary physician or a certified medical examiner.

Need training or the correct license? No problem — we will guide you through the process.

Starting hourly rate: $24.32

Interested persons should call Cory McGarvey at 319-739-7300 ext 402 or email at [email protected].

Save the Date!

February 19-22

Kairos 56

February 27

No School / In-Service

March 13-20

Spring Break