NAVIGATOR: 2/15/26

February 15, 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 16 (A Day)

Tuesday, February 17 (B Day)

Wednesday, February 18 (A Day)

Ash Wednesday Mass: 9:50 AM

Thursday, February 19 (B Day)

Kairos 56 Begins

Friday, February 20 (A Day)

Dates to Note...

2/26 - Reconciliation for Seniors & Freshmen
2/27 - In-Service Day - No School
3/6 - Career & Service Day
3/9 - Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences
3/13-3/20 - Spring Break
3/27 - Senior Photos Due for Yearbook
4/24 - Grandparents Mass
4/25 - Prom
4/30 - Senior Retreat: 5:30PM
5/1 - Senior Memories / Senior Walk
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...

COVENANT MEETINGS:

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION/ST. WENCESLAUS

SUNDAY, FEB. 22 1:30 PM SCOTUS HALL AT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (This is a Spanish Language Covenant Meeting.)

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COVENANT AT CRXCS.ORG/COVENANT

PARISH EVENTS:

ALL SAINTS
HOPE & HEALING FOR THE FAMILY Surviving Divorce
Every Wednesday beginning Feb. 18 through March 25

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION/ST. WENCESLAUS
SURPRISED BY SCRIPTURE PRESENTATION
Every Sunday beginning Feb. 25 through March 28
YOUTH GROUP NIGHTS: MARCH 8, APRIL 12, MAY 10

ST. LUDMILA
ADULT PARISH GAME NIGHT: FEB. 13 5:30 PM

PARISH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

PARISH: ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON | MOMS GROUP

PARISH; ST. LUDMILA | ICE CREAM BUCKETS NEEDED

PARISH: ST. JOHN XXIII | CHILDREN’S LITURGY

PARISH: ST. JOSEPH | CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE MEAL VOLUNTEERS

PARISH: ST. JOSEPH | PARISH OFFICE

PARISH: ST. JUDE | CHILDREN’S CHOIR

PARISH: ST. PIUS X | COLLECTS SHOES, EYEGLASSES, CLOTHING, HY-VEE RECEIPTS

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

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

XITA / XISA / XTRA Nominations

Xavier Parents for Xcellence (XPX) and the Xavier Booster Club (XBC) value all of our teachers, staff, mentors and coaches at Xavier High School. They will once again be presenting two Xcellence in Teaching Awards, one Xcellence in Staff Award (non-teaching), and one XTRA Leadership Award (coach/moderator). These teachers, staff members, coaches and moderators demonstrate a commitment to students, to Xavier High School and to Catholic Education. They are professional in their behavior and serve as role models in our school community.

Recipients of these awards are decided based on nominations that come in from students, faculty, staff, and parents in the Xavier community. These awards include a monetary gift and are presented at the Seniors Honor Assembly.

XPX & XBC would appreciate it if you would nominate an outstanding teacher, staff member and coach/moderator. Please complete the following by Thursday, February 26th.

Click Here to Fill Out this Short Nomination Form...

STUDENT SERVICES:

Important Student Scheduling Information for 2026/27

Student course requests for the 2026/27 school year were completed last week to aid in planning for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Parents can review (not edit) their students’ choices by:

Logging into PowerSchool (using the website not the app)
Click on your student’s name in top Left corner
Click on “Class Registration” in the Left menu
Click on “View Course Requests” at the top

Students were asked to sign up for 16 courses (8 each semester) along with 2 alternate elective choices. Students taking Kirkwood courses or Called to be Saints may have less than 16 because those classes count for 2 blocks each semester (10 credits).

PSAT 10 Testing (Digital)- Mar 11th (Sophomores only)

The PSAT 10 is designed for SOPHOMORES to gain valuable experience taking national, standardized college entrance exams; especially the SAT. Registration due by Thursday February 19th. Students register via the link sent out from student services via Naviance. If you have questions please contact the Student Services Office.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

On Monday, March 9th, Xavier will be holding Spring Conferences. During these days, XPX provides meals for the teachers as these are very long work days at Xavier.

Please click this link to help donate food and drinks for these meals. All donations can be dropped off outside the main office on the carts provided 7:30am-3pm. If you have any questions, please contact Erica Rheinschmidt @ 558-6952 or [email protected]. Thank you for supporting XPX and the staff of Xavier High School.

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

Activities Office

REGISTER FOR SPRING ACTIVITIES/SPORTS ON BOUND

All students participating in an activity (FINE ARTS, ATHLETICS OR CLUBS) at Xavier High School Must Be Registered on Bound. Go to www.gobound.com/ia/schools/xavier then Sign In and click on “Registration”. Make sure you are selecting the 2025-26 school year. If your student is interested in participating in multiple activities, please register them for each activity. If your student is considering participating in athletics or cheer, parents must also upload a Physical, and electronically sign a Concussion and Permission/Release Form via Bound. All physicals will now be uploaded through this process – paper forms will not be accepted in the XHS Activities Office. You will not need to print a form elsewhere.

Girls Track Meeting

The girls' track meeting will be on Monday, February 16th, from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. We will meet in the cube or parents can join virtually using the link below.

Girls Track Parent Meeting

Monday, February 16 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ube-xwai-saq

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 575-914-2421‬

PIN: ‪908 824 104‬#

Trap Shooting Parent Meeting

There will be a trapshooting club meeting for all new and returning members & parents held Monday, February 16th at 6pm in the commons. Any questions may be directed to Coach Feuerbach at: [email protected] or call/text: 319-480-5262.

Girls Soccer Parent Meeting

There will be a girls Soccer Parent/Player meeting on Tuesday, February 17th -5:30-6:30 in the Library Cube.

Science Olympiad Regional Invitational Event

The Science Olympiad team will be competing at Mt. Vernon on Saturday Feb 21. This is a regional event with 17 schools competing.

Below is the list of upcoming tryout dates for the 2026-27 school year

Show Choir Auditions-

Monday, April 27th - 6:00-9:00PM

Tuesday, April 28th - 6:00-9:00PM

Cheerleading Clinics/Tryouts -

Parent Info Meeting - Wednesday, March 4th @ 5:30PM (Xavier Commons)

Clinics:

March 24th - 3:00pm-5:00pm

March 25th - 3:00pm-5:00pm

Tryouts:

March 26th - 3:00pm-6:00pm

Xavier Dance Team -

Parent Meeting - March 23 @ 6:00pm

Tryouts

Monday, April 6 - 5:00pm-7:00pm

Wednesday, April 8th - 4:00pm -6:00pm

Thursday, April 9th - 5:00pm-7:00pm (Final Tryout)

XCS News & Updates

2026-2027 XCS Calendar Approved by School Board

The 2026-2027 annual calendar for Xavier Catholic Schools has been approved by the school board.

Beginning in the 26–27 school year, Xavier Middle School will implement a one-hour late start on Wednesday mornings through April. This schedule adjustment is designed to provide dedicated, intentional time for teachers across both the LaSalle and Regis campuses to collaborate as we prepare for a unified Xavier Middle School.

This weekly collaboration time will allow teachers to align curriculum, grading practices, classroom expectations, and other key instructional and organizational structures that support a smooth and successful bridge year. This late-start model has been used successfully at Xavier High School in the past, and Xavier High School will also return to this schedule during the 26–27 school year.

We want to be clear that morning supervision for students will remain exactly the same as it is today. Supervision will continue to be provided at no cost, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the LaSalle campus and 7:15 a.m. at Regis campus, for families who need to drop off students at their regular time. No changes are being made to current morning supervision routines.

Elementary schools will not participate in Wednesday late starts.

View 2026-2027 XCS Calendar…

Current and Next Year Calendar Links also found at CRXCS.org/XCSCalendar

STEM Fun at Regis

The Royal Robots FTC team at Regis invites XCS students to an afternoon of STEM fun on Monday, March 2, 4-6 pm at Regis, 735 Prairie Drive NE. Learn about FTC, participate in DIY Stem Stations, learn programming, coding and much more! This event is free and open to students of all ages. If you have any questions please contact Regis FTC Coach Heather Feller at [email protected].

For Students in Grades 3-12: Iowa America 250 Student Contest

The Iowa Department of Education has launched the Iowa America 250 Student Contest, inviting students in grades 3–12 to share what America and its founding mean to them through creative expression. Open to students attending public or accredited nonpublic schools, the contest encourages participants to submit an essay, poem, or video. Students will choose from four prompts focused on creativity and innovation, people, places and events, or America’s founding principles. Entries will be judged within three grade bands—grades 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12—and submissions will be accepted through March 6.

Governor Reynolds will recognize the top three entries from each grade band at an awards ceremony in May 2026, and winning submissions will also be showcased at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The contest is part of Iowa’s broader America 250 initiative, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Additional details and submission guidelines are available on the Department’s Iowa America 250 Student Contest webpage.

2026-2027 Enrollment and Re-Enrollment Deadline: March 2

Thank you to all of the preschool - 11th grade families who have completed the Enrollment Form and indicated their enrollment decisions for the 2026-27 school year.

Completion of this brief Enrollment Form for current students will assist Xavier Catholic Schools in making important decisions that help shape the future of our schools. The deadline for completing this step is Monday, March 2. We greatly appreciate your timely attention to this request.

As a reminder the Enrollment Form and Tuition information for the 2026–2027 school year was included in a January 19th email sent to all currently enrolled families. 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 - General

Paraprofessional - All Saints Elementary

Paraprofessional - LaSalle Middle School

High School Science Teacher

Accounting Manager/Budget Specialist - XCS Central Office

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