SENIOR INFO: Graduation Parent Letter

Dear Senior Parents,

As graduation approaches, we would like to pass along some graduation information that should help your plans go as smoothly as possible.  Please post this information in a prominent location. 

• Senior Decorum:  As the final weeks of the school year approach, please work with us to help the students conduct themselves well. Our seniors have had an outstanding year and we would like to see them finish on a positive note. There will be no camping allowed on school premises.  

• Senior Meeting:  All seniors will meet with Mrs. Holverson and Mr. Geilenfeld on Wednesday, April 23 and Thursday, May 8 during RTI to go over all graduation details for the month of May.  

• Caps and Gowns:  Xavier provides a cap, gown and tassel that will be distributed to each senior on Wednesday, April 23 during RTI.  Students are responsible for all items distributed.

• Optional Senior Retreat:  All seniors are invited to an optional senior retreat the night before Senior Memories and Walk, where seniors will reflect on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and how they can live out their discipleship as they leave Xavier. Much like the Kairos retreat, no matter where you are in your faith journey, we welcome all seniors to come as you are! The retreat will include witness talks, small group, adoration, and other activities; It will take place at Xavier High School on Thursday, May 1 from 5:30 p.m. – midnight and is sponsored by Campus Ministry.

• Senior Memories Day and Senior Walk:  The Senior Memories Day will be held on Friday, May 2 at St. Patrick Parish Hall from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  This is a required school day, attendance will be taken.  Xavier Kirkwood Regional students with class on Friday who take morning classes will report to the St. Patricks after their class.  Students who take Kirkwood afternoon classes will leave at 1:30 pm.  Seniors are to bring their own lunch and dress is casual.  Following the event, seniors will report to the Xavier Catholic elementary school they attended for our annual "Senior Walk."  Seniors will wear their cap and gown.  If your senior did not attend elementary school in the Xavier Catholic School system, they will be asked to attend a specific XCS elementary to best even out numbers at the various locations.  Seniors will be visiting All Saints, LaSalle Elementary, St. Joseph, St. Matthew, and St. Pius X.  Following their walk at each school, seniors will be officially dismissed for the day. 

• Senior Exams:  On May 8 & 9, seniors will review for final exams. On May 12 & 13 seniors will take final exams for both A & B day classes.  Friday, May 9 seniors are encouraged to wear t-shirts/sweatshirts that depict next year’s plans (college, military, trades, etc.) with dress code pants.  Monday through Thursday are normal dress code days. 

• Senior Honors Assembly:  Parents of graduating seniors are invited and encouraged to attend the Senior Honors Assembly on Wednesday, May 14, beginning at 12:15 p.m. in the Ron Thillen Gymnasium. The major Xavier scholarships and honors will be awarded at this time.  All seniors must attend this assembly.  Please remember that all seniors will be in dress code and will wear their graduation gowns (no cap, no tassel) throughout the Honors Assembly.

• Senior Class Picture:  Seniors must wear their graduation gowns (no cap, no tassel) for their class picture at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14 in the gym.  The photo will be taken prior to the Senior Honors Assembly. 

• Baccalaureate for Graduates and Parents:  One of the highlights of the graduation activities is the Baccalaureate Mass for seniors and their parents on Wednesday, May 14, beginning at 7:00 p.m. This year Baccalaureate will be held at St. John XXIII.  Members of the senior class have planned the liturgy with Campus Ministry Directors, Fr. Jake Dunne, Lilly Boenker, and Jaclyn Richmond.  Parents and students should sit together during Mass. The evening will consist of Mass and two speeches, there will be an intermission after Mass to allow participants to stretch their legs, mingle with the community and take pictures. A faculty member and member of the senior class will address the graduates and parents in the gym following the intermission.  This is a dress-up occasion, but no caps and gowns.

• Graduation Practice for Seniors:  All seniors are required to attend graduation practice on Friday, May 16 at 8:30 a.m. sharp in the Schubert Commons. Dress is casual. The Regis-LaSalle-Xavier Alumni Association will serve a complimentary continental breakfast for the graduates prior to practice. 

• Graduation Ceremony Decorum:  The tradition of Xavier’s graduation ceremony is one that we are proud of.  We ask that all guests help us to maintain the dignity of the event by refraining from calling out or creating other disturbances when your graduate’s name is announced.  Not only does this take away from the formality of the ceremony, it also robs the next graduate of the attention that he/she deserves.  Thank you for your help in this regard.  

• Graduation: Graduation is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at 2:00 p.m. in the Ron Thillen Gymnasium. All seniors are required to be in cap, gown and tassel in the theater no later than 1:30 p.m. Senior boys must be dressed in dress slacks, dress shirts with collars, a tie, socks and dress shoes.  Senior girls must be dressed in a dress or dress blouse with a dress skirt or dress pants and dress shoes. 

Our graduates will be seated:

Alberts - Leymaster  on the left side of the gym

Linn - Youngblut  on the right side of the gym

Each row of graduates will stand and then individually process to the stage to receive his or her diploma.  In order to ensure the best view of your son or daughter, the reserved parent seats will be in the chairs on the opposite side from where the graduate is seated.  Graduates will receive their diplomas and walk toward the reserved family seating.  Each family will receive two reserved seats based upon the student’s last name. Due to gym seating conditions, we cannot offer you any more than the two reserved seats, however, there will be plenty of non-reserved seating available in the bleachers to accommodate your needs. Additional seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. sharp.

If your family needs special seating arrangements due to physical handicap, or for step-parents, please feel free to contact Meg Hansen at [email protected] by Friday, April 25.  There is limited chair seating on the floor behind the graduates. 

• Graduation Photo:  Read Photography has been contracted to take a professional photo as each graduate receives their diploma.  Each student will receive a complimentary color proof of that photo in the mail on an order card approximately two weeks after the ceremony.  If the student does not wish to order an enlargement he/she may keep the proof at no cost.  Prices vary according to enlargement size and package chosen.

• Xavier/Regis/LaSalle Alumni Parents: Participate in Our Annual Legacy Wall: Each spring, we post our annual Legacy Wall which celebrates our graduating seniors who are from families that have been a part of Catholic education in our community for multiple generations. Families of graduating seniors with at least one parent who graduated from Xavier, Regis or LaSalle High Schools are strongly encouraged to participate! Be on the lookout for an email from Nick Ireland ([email protected]) with instructions on how to participate. If no parent graduated from Xavier/Regis/LaSalle, that email can be disregarded. View past Legacy Walls at https://xaviersaints.org/LEGACY.    

• Credits/Service Requirements:  Only those who have met all credit and service requirements for graduation from Xavier will be recognized as graduates.  It is important to realize that students, at a bare minimum, still need to pass Theology, English, Economics and Government.  There are others who must also pass other classes to receive enough credits and to pass all other graduation requirements.  Stay in touch with the teachers, the Student Services department, and your son/daughter as the year begins to wind down.  If you have any questions concerning credits please call Katie Hamilton in the Student Services office at 294-6635 ext. 311 or email [email protected]. If you have questions regarding service requirements email [email protected].

• Outstanding Balances:  All tuition, fees, activity uniforms and equipment, and related obligations (including Focus Time) must be met in full before your graduate can participate in the ceremony and before Xavier will release a diploma. Please contact the business office if there are any questions concerning outstanding balances.  All payments must be made by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 15.

It has been a pleasure working with you and your students during this past year.  We are planning for a beautiful Senior Honors Assembly, Baccalaureate Mass, and Commencement Ceremony.  It is our hope that you will be able to share all of these special moments with your graduate.  If you have any questions concerning any of these details, please give us a call.

Sincerely,              

                Lynn Holverson Chuckie Geilenfeld

                Principal       Associate Principal