Navigator 9/21/25
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2025
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, September 22
- In-Service - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, September 23 (B Day)
Wednesday, September 24 (A Day)
Senior InterviewsThursday, September 25 (B Day)
Friday, September 26 (A Day)
Dates to Note...
- 9/24 - Senior Interviews
- 9/29 - SLU Registration Deadline
- 10/3 - Organizational Photo Day
- 10/8 - Picture Retake Day
- 10/15 - International Round Table
- 10/27 & 10/29 - Fall Conferences
- 11/12 - Community Service Day
Upcoming Parish Events...
PARISH: ST. WENCESLAUS
EVENT: GOULASH DAY
- WHEN: SUNDAY, SEPT. 28, 2025
- DETAILS: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Handy Quicklinks
- Parish Mass Times
- Lunch Menus
- Calendar
- XCS Handbooks
- Bell Schedule
- PowerSchool
- FACTS
- SNAP!
- Meal Magic (Lunch Account)
- Xavier Catholic Schools
Activities
LMC Hours
- Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays - 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Tuesdays/Thursdays - 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
XHALE Hours
- 1st Block 7:30 AM - 9:15 AM
- 3rd Block 12:05 PM - 1:25 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
Saints Shop Announcement:
To better serve our community and prioritize student safety, the Saints Shop will no longer be open during school hours.
We are committed to creating a convenient shopping experience for everyone. Moving forward, we will offer updated hours outside of the regular school day to better accommodate families and community members.
For the most current information on our hours and offerings, please visit our official Saints Shop Facebook page.
Thank you for your continued support!
Back to School Night Recap & Presentation Slides
Thank you to everyone who attended our Back to School Night on September 17th! It was wonderful to connect with you and share information about the 2025/26 school year.
For those who were unable to join us, we’ve attached the presentation slides so you can stay informed.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Campus Ministry Updates
Confessions on Friday at Xavier
Father Dunne will be offering confessions after Friday morning Mass and during 1st block on Fridays.
Please sign up by emailing [email protected].
Kairos Junior Retreat
Kairos is an optional retreat for juniors. There are three dates offered. 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. The cost is $200. The three dates are Oct 23-26, Feb 19-22 and April 16-19. 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].
Kairos Parent Meeting
One parent for each child must attend the October Kairos 55 Parent Meeting on October 1 at 5:30 pm in the Xavier Chapel. Enter through the activities doors.
National Life Chain
Join for a day of public, peaceful, prayerful pro-life witness on Sunday, October 5, at St. Matthew Parish from 2-3:30 pm.
Preregister with Sue Martinek: [email protected] or 319-270-0054
Foundation Updates
Update on XCS Fall FestThe Xavier Catholic Schools Fall Fest will not take place this fall. Instead, we look forward to celebrating with you and your family at a Back to School Bash next summer at our new middle school!
More details will be shared in the months ahead. If you’d like to join the planning committee, please connect with Kathleen Bean in the XCS Foundation Office at [email protected].
Generosity Challenge Update
We are one week into the Generosity Challenge, and the support and feedback we’ve received during the first week is so encouraging! Many of you have said, ‘This makes sense!’ or ‘This is great – keep it up!’ and that energy fuels our mission. We’ve also heard some good, honest questions, and we want to take a moment to answer them.
ESA & Cost Per Student
The first question we received was about the true cost to educate a student. Some wonder why the state’s ESA number is $7,988 when we say the cost to educate a student within XCS is nearly $12,000. That’s because the ESA is per pupil amount within the state budget set aside to educate students. How wonderful it is that parents now control where their dollars go and can make decisions based on their own unique needs! However, it doesn’t reflect the full cost of providing teachers, facilities, faith formation, and all the supports that make Xavier Catholic Schools special. Many people don’t realize that parishes also contribute funding each year to keep tuition lower for families. That parish support is essential—but it’s not enough on its own. The Xavier Catholic Schools Impact Fund ensures we can keep tuition affordable, support our teachers and staff, and strengthen our schools.Addressing Tuition Increases
Some have asked, ‘Tuition just went up this year—why do you still need my gift?’ The truth is, while tuition helps cover a big part of the cost, it still doesn’t cover the full expense of a Xavier Catholic Schools education. We intentionally keep tuition below the true cost to make Catholic education accessible to as many families as possible. That’s where the Xavier Catholic Schools Impact Fund comes in—it bridges the gap so that our students, teachers, and schools continue to thrive.About Rising Costs
We’ve heard, ‘You’re getting more per student than a few years ago—why isn’t that enough?’ Costs have risen significantly…teacher salaries and benefits, technology, utilities, building maintenance… it takes to deliver an outstanding, faith-filled education. Tuition helps, but the Xavier Catholic Schools Impact Fund makes sure we don’t have to sacrifice excellence or accessibility.Too Many Asks...
We’ve also heard, ‘It feels like I’m asked to give every month.’ We understand. That’s why we’re streamlining our efforts. If you give to the Generosity Challenge, you will be removed from all future mailings for the remainder of this school year.Appeals & the Xavier Catholic Schools Impact Fund
Whether you give to the Generosity Challenge, Business Appeal, Dancing with the Saints, Parish Appeal, or Alumni Appeal, all money goes to the Xavier Catholic Schools Impact Fund. To better help with your family’s planning, here’s a timeline to know when our campaigns hit:- Generosity Challenge → Now!
- Business Appeal → Launches October 20, 2025
- Dancing with the Saints → January 17, 2026
- Parish Appeal → Kicks off with the start of Catholic Schools Week in January 2026
- Alumni Appeal → Launches after spring break 2026
Note that while each appeal targets different audiences, there is often overlap. Your support at any time is deeply appreciated, and each campaign runs through June 30, 2026.
At the end of the day, every single gift matters. We challenge you to ask yourself what is your child’s education worth, and then The Challenge is to PARTICIPATE at any level! Whether it’s $10, $100, $1,000 or more—every amount helps us keep Catholic education strong and affordable for our students. Thank you for being part of this mission!
For a copy of the Generosity Challenge letter and FAQ’s, visit: CRXCS.org/Impact or contact Katie Dostal in the XCS Foundation Office – [email protected] or 319.378.4571 with any questions.
Save the Date!
Wednesday, October 8
Picture Retake Day
9:15-10:15 AM
October 27 & 29
Fall Conferences
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
More details coming soon.
November 12
Community Service Day