Navigator: February 2017

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“Making the Grade”
Evaluation is a key component of learning. It is important
for a learner to know where he or she stands, where he or
she measures up, what he or she lacks in terms of knowl-
edge and skill if he or she is going to make the most of
learning opportunities. In the workforce, these are most
often termed, “reviews.” As you know, education uses
grades. Grades were intended to be and for a long time
were, sources of information. They were a reflection of a
student’s performance and that was their sole purpose.
Over time, grades have become much more. They can
result in insurance discounts. They are recognized with
rewards. They are part of the formula to determine col-
lege entrance as well as scholarships. They have become,
“high stakes.” Because of those, “high stakes,” we think
it is more important than ever that a grade truly reflect a
student’s performance.
As you are aware, the Xavier faculty and administration
made a change to our grading practices
this year, particularly in regard to the
weight placed upon academic achieve-
ment and academic practice. Spe-
cifically, the change involved moving
the ratio of academic achievement to
academic practice from 70/30 to 80/20.
This change is the most recent in a
series of changes implemented since
2009 with the following goals:
• A student’s grade should accu-
rately reflect what he or she knows
and can do.
• The way a grade is determined
should be consistent through all
courses and among all teachers.
If the meaning of a grade is to reflect what
a student knows and can do, it begs the
question, “How is that measured?” Should
a grade reflect only academic achievement?
Should it include practice? Should it include
extra credit of an academic nature (e.g.
reading articles and completing reports)? Should it include
extra credit of a non-academic nature (e.g. bringing items
such as Kleenex, red pens, canned food, etc.)? To use a
sport analogy, a golfer who practices well all week gets
no credit for his score in a meet. If he hits extra balls after
practice, he gets no credit. If he brings Gatorades for his
teammates, he gets no credit. His performance on meet
day is the sole determinant of his score (“grade”). We
felt that the weight of what determines a grade should be
tipped toward the academic achievement performance if
we really wanted to know what a student knows and can
do. Having said that, we recognize that not all academic
achievement demonstration needs to look identical. Our
faculty agreed that academic achievement should not be
limited to tests and quizzes. Instead, it should include such
demonstrations of knowledge and skill as presentations,
projects, essays, research papers, group work, etc.
Another consideration is how to quantify what a student
knows and can do. That is, how is the grade numerically
calculated? One way is to use total points with no consider-
ation for what percentage of points come from any category
(tests, quizzes, projects, worksheets, etc.). Another method
is to create “weighted” categories, giving more impact to
some measurements (e.g. tests/projects, etc.) than others
(e.g. homework).
To fully understand the current grading practice at Xavier,
is important to understand where we started, the changes
we’ve made in the last eight years and where we are now.
From 1998 to 2008:
• Individual teachers determined the percent needed to
earn a particular letter grade. For example, one
teacher might establish 90% as the percentage
needed to earn an “A” while another teacher might
establish 96% needed for an “A.”
• Individual teachers determined their own categories
and weights of those categories to calculate percent-
ages. Some chose no categories and used total
points earned as the determining factor.
Tom Keating
Xavier Principal

3 333
Principal’s Corner (Continued)
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• Individual teachers determined what extra credit
(academic and non-academic) would be available.
• Individual teachers determined whether or not they
would accept late work for credit.
• Individual teachers determined what penalty (if any)
would be applied to late work
• Individual teachers determined how late a student
could turn in work and still receive credit.
• Xavier students had two GPA’s:
o A published GPA which was based on the same
scale (A=4, B=3, C=2, etc.) for every student,
regardless of the level of class he/she took.
o A non-published GPA which used a multiplying
factor to give more credit for level 7 than level
5 and for level 5 than level 3. This GPA was
used for class rank. Technically, a student with a
GPA of 3.88 could have earned a higher class rank
than a student with a GPA of 4.00 if he/she took
more level 7 courses than the student with the
4.00.
In 2009-2010, a school-wide percentage scale was devel-
oped (and remains in place) to determine letter grades.
Regardless of what course a student takes or what teacher
instructs it, the same percent is needed for each of our
letter grades (A+ = 99%, A = 93%, etc.). All other grading
considerations (categories, extra credit, late work, GPA)
remained the same as they were from 1998-2008.
In, 2011-2012, we developed a standard formula to calcu-
late GPA and class rank. This formula gives specific GPA
weights for AP/Dual credit classes, level 7 classes and level
3/5 classes. For example, an “A+” in AP/Dual credit class-
es is worth 5 GPA points. It is worth 4.67 GPA points for a
level 7 class and 4.33 points in a level 3 or level 5 class. All
other grading considerations (categories, extra credit, late
work, GPA) remained the same as they were from 2009-10.
In 2014-15, Xavier discontinued publishing class rank. This
was done because many Xavier students were being pe-
nalized by the admission score formula used by our regent
schools. That formula gave considerable weight to class
rank. With so many high achieving students at Xavier,
some found themselves below the top 50% of the class,
even with GPA’s above 3.00. This change led postsec-
ondary institutions to examine our students’ course work
and test scores (ACT, SAT), individualizing the admissions
process. Several other schools (including Dowling Catho-
lic, Wahlert Catholic, Iowa City West and West Des Moines
Valley had eliminated class rank and found positive results
regarding the admission process. If a scholarship organi-
zation requires class rank, we calculate it and provide it to
them directly but not through the student.
In 2015, our faculty recognized the confusion our students
were still experiencing when it came to our grading prac-
tices. They found a considerable variance when it came
to the number and percentage of weighted categories,
full/partial credit for late work and types/amounts of extra
credit. They committed themselves to providing a more
consistent grading practice so that students better under-
stand what was expected of them in all classes. A repre-
sentative faculty committee developed a set of standards
regarding weighted categories, late work and extra credit.
In short, the changes that were made include:
• A standard number of categories (2): Academic
Achievement and Academic Practice.
o Academic Achievement includes items such as
tests, quizzes, essays, research papers,
presentations, group projects, formal lab reports,
musical performances, as well as art and
photography creations.
o Academic Practice includes items that students
may directly use resources to accomplish. These
include worksheets, review sheets, written drafts,
etc.
• A standard percentage of each of the categories:
70% Academic Achievement and 30% Academic
Practice. We found that some teachers had been
using as high as 90% for Academic Achievement
and some had been using as low as 50% for
Academic Achievement. Our committee determined
that if we truly wanted a grade to reflect what a
student knows and can do, the Academic
Achievement had to be worth more than the
Academic Practice.
• A standard practice for how much and under what
circumstances credit is awarded for late work.
• An elimination of “extra credit.” The committee felt
that rather than “extra credit,” teachers could, at
their discretion, offer opportunities to re-learn and
re-assess concepts.

As a result of looking at colleges and other high schools
as well as examining the “calculation reality” of our 70/30
ratio for Academic Achievement and Academic Practice,
this year our faculty committee recommended that we
move our ratio to 80/20. For the most part, colleges
are 100/0 when it comes to Academic Achievement and
Academic Practice. Our committee felt that the 70/30
to 100/0 was a considerable jump and that we should do
more to better prepare students for what they are likely to
experience when they leave Xavier. The committee also
found that with 70/30, a student who earned 100% of his
or her academic practice points needed to earn only 43%
of his/her academic achievement points in order to pass a
course. We simply felt that the standards at Xavier should
be higher than that. With this information in front of them,
some of our teachers lobbied for moving to 100/0 and oth-
ers to 90/10 or 80/20. The committee felt the jump from
70/30 to 100/0 or even 90/10 would be more drastic than
we wanted at this time. We landed on 80/20.
As with any change we make, we felt it important to take a
look at what impact the change from 70/30 to 80/20 had.
We compared the 2016-17 first semester grades of our
students to the average of first-semester grades of the past
five years. While statistically it would be more accurate to
compare the five-year average to a five-year average of
80/20, we didn’t have that kind of data available. We used
the data we had.
The short version of what we found is that the first-semes-
ter grades for Xavier students this year were 0.2% higher
(with 80/20) than the average first-semester grades of
Xavier students in the past five years. That is a consider-
ably negligible difference.
When we looked at the grading percentages of individual
courses (we have over 300 courses), here is what we found:
• Nine courses showed an increase of 3% or greater
(3% would change a student’s grade one increment
– e.g. from a B- to a B).
• Of those nine courses, three showed an increase of
6% or greater (6% would change a student’s grade
two increments – e.g. from a B- to a B+).
• No courses showed an increase of 9% or greater (9%
would change a student’s grade 3 increments – or
one full grade – e.g. from a B- to an A-).
• Six courses showed a decrease of 3% or greater (one
grade increment)
• Of those six courses, one showed a decrease of 6%
or greater (two grade increments).
• No courses showed a decrease of 9% or greater
(three grade increments – or one full grade).
We also looked at grades by departments and found
that grades in six of the ten departments increased while
grades in the other four decreased. No department cumu-
latively had an average increase that would impact a grade
by even one increment (the highest increase was 1.44%).
Similarly, no department cumulatively had an average de-
crease that would impact a grade by even one increment
(the highest decrease was 1.08).
As we look at the results, it’s important to remember
that several variables other than the change from 70/30
to 80//20 could have impacted the grades that students
earned. This includes:
• Teacher turnover – Due to resignations, retires and
new hires, a different set of teachers was in place for
each of the six years of data we reviewed.
• Students enrolled in the courses – Since students take
a course only once, we were comparing the grades of
different students taking each course in each of the
six years.
• Student preparation/effort – this is an important part
of academic success. Some students are more
motivated toward academic success and
consequently work harder and prepare more
thoroughly than others. This includes completing
work, preparing for assessments and turning things
in on time.
• Achievement and Practice Categories – throughout
the six years of data collection (especially in the first
four), what teachers count as academic achievement
or academic practice varied. We are working to
move toward a more consistent understanding and
consensus regarding what goes into each category.
Considering all of the information above, we feel that the
changes we’ve made since 2009 have moved our grading
practices in the direction of more accurately indicating what
students know and can do. We feel our practices are more
consistent than they were prior to our changes and conse-
quently our students are more informed of what is expect-
ed of them than ever before. We believe they are better
prepared for what they will experience in college grading
(100% of their grade coming from academic achievement).
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To summarize, based on the data we have (and the limi-
tations of that data), we believe the move from 70/30 to
80/20 has had a minimal, if any, impact on overall grades.
Individual students may be experiencing individual grade
differences from last year but that has always been the
case. It is important to allow for the possibility that the
difficulty of the courses they are taking compared to last
year as well as their own effort has also played a role in the
differences they are experiencing in their grades. We are
grateful to our faculty for working diligently to develop the
set of grading practices that are currently in place. We will
continue to work at improving instruction, assessment and
the process of measuring student achievement.
Tom Keating, Principal
@Phillyboy14
Tuition Payment Reminder
Please remember to make your tuition payments if you have signed up for semi-
annual, quarterly OR have any outstanding balance that is not set up for EFT
monthly payments.
The next quarter payment is due March 10th, after that payment due date the only
balances that should remain are EFT monthly payments.
As a reminder, for your student to be officially “enrolled” for the 2017-2018 school
year, all balances must be taken care of by the last day of school this school year.
If you have a graduating senior, his/her tuition balance must be brought up to
date by graduation to participate in graduation activities.
If at any time your circumstances change and will not allow you to complete your
obligation as indicated on your tuition contract, please contact Tom Drish at
739-7307.
Business Office Update
Questions
Regarding Tuition?
Contact
Tom Drish
Xavier Controller
319-739-7307
tom.drish@xaviersaints.org
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Xavier High School has hired Andrew
Umthun as its next Activities Director.
The Xavier High School Board of Edu-
cation officially approved Umthun’s
hiring on February 23, 2017. Umthun,
a native of Des Moines, currently
serves as the Activities Director &
Assistant Principal as well as the head
varsity football coach at Estherville
Lincoln Central High School in Es-
therville, IA — a position he has held
since 2014. Prior to his administrative
role, Umthun served on the Estherville
Lincoln Central faculty as its Director
of Alternative High School Program
from 2013-2014. Before his time in
Estherville, Umthun served as a faculty
member at Bishop Heelan Catholic
High School in Sioux City, IA and was
the school’s Strength & Conditioning
Director.
“We are excited to welcome Andy
Umthun as Xavier’s Activities Direc-
tor,” says Tom Keating, Xavier High
School principal. “Andy brings ex-
perience as an outstanding teacher,
coach and administrator, directing a
successful 3A athletic, fine arts and
co-curricular program. His Catholic
school background as a student and
educator will serve him well in his
role at Xavier. We look forward
the energy and vision he will bring
to continue to provide our students
with an outstanding activities expe-
rience!”
Umthun holds a Masters of Science
in Education from Wayne State Col-
lege, where he also majored in PK-12
School Administration. As an under-
graduate, Umthun earned his Bache-
lors of Arts Degree from the University
of Northern Iowa where he majored
in Physical Education with a minor
in Health Education and a Coaching
endorsement. Umthun is 2001 gradu-
ate of Dowling Catholic High School
in West Des Moines, IA.
“I am honored and excited to be
named the new Activities Direc-
tor at Xavier High School,” states
Umthun. “I am looking forward to
the opportunity to lead one of the
most successful athletic and fine
arts programs in the state. The
value co-curricular activities bring
to the total educational experience
is something I am passionate about.
I welcome the opportunity to help
develop and lead young people
in the unique setting of a Catholic
high school. I strongly believe in,
and know first-hand, the value of a
well-rounded education. I could not
be more excited to be joining the
Xavier Saints family!”
Umthun will now lead a highly suc-
cessful and popular activities program
at Xavier with more than 94 percent
of Xavier students participating in
at least one co-curricular activity
throughout the year. Since opening in
1998, Xavier has earned 30 state
championships in Iowa High School
Athletic Association/Iowa High School
Girls Athletic Union-sanctioned sports;
produced 71 First Team All-State stu-
dent-athletes; and 30 individual state
champions. The Des Moines Register
ranked Xavier as the “Top Medium
Sized Athletic Program” in the state of
Iowa for the 2014-2015, 2006-07 and
2012-2013 school years. Xavier’s per-
forming and fine arts programs have
emerged as leaders in their respective
arenas having earned numerous Divi-
sion I ratings in recent years in march-
ing/concert/jazz band, choral music,
and speech. Xavier’s varsity show
choir has earned multiple grand cham-
pionships at various competitions thus
far during the 2016-2017 school year
while its drama and performing arts
program continues to produce high
quality musicals and plays. Xavier also
features highly successful co-curricular
clubs such as robotics, math, trap
shooting and poms.
Xavier thanks former Activities Direc-
tor Mike Winker for his assistance dur-
ing this transition period. Winker has
and will continue to serve as an advi-
sor regarding scheduling and event
planning. Xavier explored interest in
Winker but he opted to continue his
role as a lecturer in the University of
Iowa’s Sport and Recreation Manage-
ment program. Xavier principal Tom
Keating will continue to serve as the
interim activities director until Umthun
officially assumes his duties on July 1,
2017.
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7
Campus Ministry Update
Submitted by Jody Esker
XHS Campus Ministry
Lent 2017:
Lent began on March 1 with Mass and the distribution of
Ashes at Xavier. We are using our school theme of “Make me
an instrument of YOUR peace” to focus our Lenten practices
of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. There are posters around
the building with many ideas of ways to be that instrument of
peace to others and to ourselves. Morning prayer at school is
centered around the theme and uses silence as a tool to hear
Holy Spirit speaking to us through prayer. We will have a stu-
dent composed, portrayal of the Stations of the Cross on Holy
Thursday April 13. There will be a communal reconciliation
time on March 23 for seniors and freshman. The local par-
ishes have several communal reconciliation dates. They are
March 28, 7 p.m. at St. Jude; April 6, 7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth
Ann Seton; and April 8, 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius X. Find one that
is convenient and attend as a family. Take time this Lent to
grow closer to Jesus.
Growing in Faith:
Seniors who are interested in an extended retreat experi-
ence should consider a TEC (Teens Encounter Christ). There
are three opportunities left this year, March 4-6 at Dyersville,
March 11-13 at Xavier and April 8-10 at Wahlert. You can visit
this website for more information and to register.
The seniors will have a retreat day on May 3, spending some
time reflecting on the past four years and looking into the
future.
We will have our final Kairos of the year on April 27-30.
What a blessing to have been able to fill four Kairos retreats
this year with 75% or our juniors choosing to attend. There
will be an optional servant leader retreat for juniors to be held
on April 7 in the afternoon. This event will focus on organiz-
ing service projects for the class of 2019 and understanding
the impact of being a humble leader.
Summer is a great time to consider a service trip. Contact
your youth minister in your parish if you are interested par-
ticipating in a mission trip or participating in service activi-
ties. There are a variety of offerings from the parishes for the
summer.
Attend a High School Youth Night. Each parish has sched-
ules posted on their web site. Stay involved and get to know
other teens in your parish.
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The Xavier Foundation launched the 2017 Business Appeal
with an evening social for volunteers on Tuesday, February
7 at St. Patrick’s Parish Center. Chairman Duane Jasper, and
Associate Chairman, Dave Wright are leading 70 volunteers in
an effort to raise funds for Xavier High School. Xavier parents
volunteering to solicit funds from more than 300 area busi-
nesses are: Jim Angstman, Heidi Brown, Mike Esker, Mike
Fettkether, Chris Fischer, Mike Gannon, Jeff Hines, Lorie
Hines, Glen Jasper, Tom Keating, Kathleen Kleiman, James
Klein, Bruce Kramer, Jim Lemke, Sue Lowder, Tom Richard-
son, Doug Ropp, Kirk Sadilek, Eric Schmit, Duane Schulte,
Max Smith, and Dave Stoltenberg. The Xavier community
is grateful to these volunteers for going the extra mile for
Xavier!
Metro area businesses that financially support the Appeal are
listed in our interactive “Supporting Businesses” directory on
XavierFoundation.org with a link to the organization’s web-
site. Please consider the businesses listed when purchasing
goods and services as a way of showing your appreciation for
their support of Xavier.
Submitted by Lynn Jump
Xavier Foundation Annual Fund Director
8

9
Thanks to a generous financial donation, the Xavier Foundation is able to offer the St. Francis Xavier Scholar-
ship. This scholarship awards FULL tuition to Xavier High School for up to four years to qualifying students.
Students in grades 8-11 may apply.
In order to be eligible for consideration of the St. Francis Xavier Scholarship, students must meet the following
criteria:
a. They are a practicing Christian, participating in an area parish or church.
b. The combined household income must be less than $75,000 per year.
c. They must have 2 teachers or 1 teacher and 1 coach’s letter of recommendation to apply for the scholarship.
d. They must have 3.0 or better GPA or grade equivalent (if they have completed Grade 9 or above).
e. They must be in good standing within their community (i.e. no community offenses on record).
Once the scholarship is awarded, the student must maintain a 3.0 GPA and have no major disciplinary issues.
Deadline for applications for the 2017-2018 School Year is MARCH 30, 2017.
Questions?
Contact Jody Pellerin, Xavier Foundation Executive Director, at 378-4571 or jpellerin@xavierfoundation.org.
St. Francis Xavier Scholarship
--- APPLICATION FOUND ON NEXT TWO PAGES ---
9

St.FranciS Xavier ScholarShip application
Page 1 of 2
Student Name: ___________________________________________________
Parent(s) Name: __________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Email Address: ___________________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________
Parent 2 (if applicable)
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Email Address: ___________________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________
School where student is currently enrolled: ________________________________
Current grade student is in (8, 9, 10, 11): ______________
Cumulative Grade Point Average (for students who have completed Grade 9 or above): ___________
Parish or Church Affiliation: ______________________________________________
The St. Francis Xavier
Scholarship offers full tuition
for up to four years to a
qualifying Xavier High School
student. Students in grades 8-11
may apply.
In order to be eligible for consid-
eration of the St. Francis Xavier
Scholarship, students must meet
the following criteria:
a. They are a practicing Christian.
b. The combined household
income must be less than $75,000
per year.
c. They must have 2 teachers or
1 teacher and 1 coach’s letter of
recommendation to apply for the
scholarship.
d. They must have 3.0 or better
GPA or grade equivalent.
e. They must be in good standing
within their community (i.e. no
community offenses on record).
Once the scholarship is awarded,
the student must maintain a 3.0
GPA and have no major
disciplinary issues.
Continued on Page 2
10

St.FranciS Xavier ScholarShip application
Page 2 of 2
Please list any Church Sponsored activities you participate in (altar server, cantor, choir member,
youth group, etc.) _________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Please list any School Sponsored activities you participate in (sports, fine arts, clubs etc.)
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Please list any Community Sponsored activities you participate in (Boy/Girl Scouts, 4H, volunteer, etc.)
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Please attach a short essay of why you would like to attend Xavier High School (300 words or less).
Please attach a letter of recommendation from 2 teachers or 1 teacher and 1 coach.
Please attach a copy of your 2016 tax return to verify household income of $75,000 or less.
This application and all attachments will be kept in the strictest of confidence.
________________________________________________ __________________________
Please submit this application along with the requested attachments by March 30, 2017 to:
Jody Pellerin
Executive Director
Xavier Foundation
PO Box 10956
Cedar Rapids, IA 52410
Parent Signature Date
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12
The Xavier High School Board of Education is the recipient of $7,348.13 from
the Archbishop Kucera Grant Awards from the Archdiocese of Dubuque Edu-
cational Development Fund. The grant was awarded for tuition assistance to
those families who can least afford the cost of attending a Catholic School. A
portion of the grant was also directed towards tuition assistance for minor-
ity students who qualify for Federal School Lunch Program. Awards for these
two programs totaled $500,000 for the 2016/17 program year.
The Archbishop Kucera Grant Awards annually provides $100,000 for faith
formation resources and leadership development for faith formation lead-
ers, catechists, Catholic school administrators and teachers. The grant also
covers one third of the program cost for adults enrolled in the Archdiocesan
IMPACT Program.
The Archdiocesan Educational Development Fund was developed for the
purpose of supporting the educational programs of the Archdiocese. This is
the thirty first year that grants have been awarded. Over 9.5 million dollars
have been distributed since the Archdiocesan Educational Development Fund
was established. Grants are made possible through the generous donations of
contributors and parishioners throughout the Archdiocese.
Xavier Receives Kucera Grant
Nominate a Xavier Teacher
and Xavier Staff Support
Member for the XPX XITA &
XISA Awards
Deadline to Submit is March 30th
The Xcellence in Teaching Award and Xcellence in Staff Support Award is presented to an outstanding teacher and an
outstanding staff member (non-teaching) who has made a significant impact on students by challenging them with high
expectations and assisting them in meeting those expectations. These teachers/staff demonstrate a commitment to
students, to Xavier High School and to Catholic Education. They are professional in their behavior and serve as Christian
role models. All current Xavier High School students and parents of all Xavier students are eligible to nominate a teacher
and a staff member (non-teaching).
Click here to nominate a teacher and staff member (non-teacher) by Thursday, March 30th!
12

Attention Senior Parents! The Saints Shop has all your graduation party needs covered. Special order Xavier logo im-
printed plates, napkins, cups and table runners, “Xavier Graduate” yard signs and vinyl banners. Complete your party
décor with cutlery and plastic tablecloths in navy blue or silver. You may place your order at www.psadfinity.com. The
webstore will be opened until March 30, 2017. No late orders will be accepted.
If you wish to see samples before placing an online order, please stop by the Saints Shop to see the samples.
If you have any questions, please contact Pam Stark, pstark@adfinitymarketing.com
Senior Parents: Need Xavier Graduation Party Items?
Xavier High School will host its Middle School Show Choir
Contest, Xtravaganza, on Saturday March 4, with perfor-
mances beginning at 10:30 am. Eight choirs will compete
during the day, including our very own Cedar Rapids
LaSalle and Marion St. Joseph’s Center Stage and Cedar
Rapids Regis Eclipse and Pizzazz.
The Xavier show choirs Xhilaration and Xuberance will
perform in exhibition. The five highest scoring choirs will
advance to the evening finals, which are scheduled to
begin at 5:30 pm. Admission to Xtravaganza 2017 is $10
for adults and $5 for students 6 and up for the entire day.
Programs will be available for $3. Concessions will be sold
throughout the day, including a Chinese meal available
over the dinner break. Come and enjoy an “Xciting” day of
music, food and fun at Xtravaganza!
Learn more at www.XavierSaints.org/Xtravaganza.
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14
Health Reminder
Submitted by Kris Naeve
School Nurse
NEW MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE
REQUIREMENT
The Iowa Department of Public Health has made changes to
the Iowa Immunization Law for the start of the 2017-18 school
year. This change requires that all students entering 12th
grade have the Meningococcal vaccine before school starts
this fall.
Meningococcal disease is a life threatening illness that is
caused by bacterial that infects the brain, blood, and spinal
cord. It easily spreads in crowded settings and typically af-
fects older teens and young adults.
All students entering 12th grade must have proof of having
the Meningococcal vaccine before school starts in August, un-
less the student has a Certificate of Immunization Exemption.
There will be no grace/extension period for the implementa-
tion of this requirement. Students will need to start vaccina-
tions now to be compliant for the beginning of the school
year. This means by law a student will not be permitted to
begin classes at Xavier on August 23 unless they have re-
ceived the Meningococcal vaccine and have presented docu-
mentation to Xavier High School.
So now is a great time for your child to receive these immuni-
zation requirements and beat the back-to-school rush by mak-
ing an appointment for your incoming 12th grader with their
family physician or Linn County Public Health (319) 892-6093.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me (319)
294-6635 Ext 318 or kris.naeve@xaviersaints.org.
Thank you for your time and attention to this requirement.
14
HEARING SCREENING
Grant Wood AEA will be providing their annual hearing testing at Xavier Friday
April 28th. Students at Xavier are tested only if there is a known history of ear
problems or if the student is new to the Xavier Catholic School System. If your
student does not meet those two criteria and you have hearing concerns and want
them screened, please contact me at 294-6635 Ext 318 or email me at k
ris.naeve@xaviersaints.org
If you have a student with known hearing loss, history of ear problems, or if your
student is new to the Xavier Catholic School System and you do not want their
hearing tested, you need to indicate in writing to myself at Xavier High School. I
will then notify the school audiologist of your request. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact me.

15
Good News!
15
<<< SAINTS AT STATE!
Congratulations to Coach Lilly and
XHS Girls Basketball on their 60-
55 state quarterfinal victory over
Grinnell on February 28th in Des
Moines! The Saints now advance
to the state semifinal round to take
on North Scott on Friday at 10AM
at Wells Fargo Arena! Can you feel
that “odd year magic”!?!
TO THE WELL! >>>
The XHS Boys Basketball team joins the XHS
Girls Basketball in earning a spot in the 2017
State Basketball Tournament! The Saints
topped Wahlert Catholic to advance to State
for the third consecutive season!
<<< BPA AT STATE
Congratulations to Xavier Business
Professionals of America (BPA) stu-
dents and their moderator, Mr. Tim
O’Brien! All XHS BPA students won
at least one award at February’s
State BPA Leadership Conference
in Des Moines and 25 Saints quali-
fied to compete at the National BPA
Leadership Conference in Orlando
in May! Way to go, Saints!!

16
Good News! (Continued)
16
BE A SAINT WEEK >>>
Xavier held its “Be A Saint Week” in Feb-
ruary. During the week, students, teach-
ers and staff wrote down random acts
of kindness they witnessed others doing
throughout the day on cards. Students
then placed the cards in a box to be dis-
played in our main hallway. We remem-
ber that sometimes what may seem like
the smallest act of kindness can have an
enormous positive impact on someone
else’s day ... and kindness is entirely free!
<<< GERKE/FRANCOIS MEDALISTS
Congratulations to Xavier Wrestling’s Josh Gerke (145
lbs) on placing 3rd and Alex Francois (220 lbs) on plac-
ing 8th at February’s 2017 State Wrestling Tournament!
Gerke also notched career win #150 in February.
JAZZ BAND EXCELS >>>
Xavier Jazz Band One placed 2nd at UNI’s Tallcorn
Jazz Festival earlier this month. This is the highest
placement JBO has ever received. The Saints are
coming off another Division I rating from the state
festival back in January.
<<< ALL STATE SPEECH
Congratulations to Coach Scott Davidson and the three
Xavier Speech groups named “All-State Nominees” at
February’s State Large Group Contest: Ensemble Act-
ing - Over the River, Musical Theater - Spamalot.and
Readers Theater - The Internet is Distract...Oh Look, A
Kitten!

1717
<<< STEM DAY AT THE CAPITOL
XHS students Ethan Lowder & Evan Lemker, along with
Xavier’s Mr. Tim O’Brien, were on hand in Des Moines on
February 16th for “STEM Day at the Capitol.” Ethan and
Evan represented Xavier’s Microsoft certification program
and specifically the Microsoft Imagine Academy booth.
BUNDLED BOTTOMS >>>
On February 10th, Saints gathered after school to recycle t-shirts in
the form of diapers for children in Haiti via the “Bundled Bottoms”
program through Many Hands For Haiti (MH4H). XHS students
traced and cut out hundreds of diaper patterns from used shirts.
Way to make a difference, Saints!
CRAZY 8’S WITH FUTURE SAINTS! >>>
Xavier High School’s Math Club students have been spend-
ing some time after school each week engaging with our
future Saints at our XCS elementary and middle schools in
some fun math! The students participate in fun projects as
part of the “Crazy 8s” math program which includes build-
ing glow-in-the-dark structures, making musical instruments,
cracking secret spy codes and more while enjoying the math
behind the various activities!
<<< XHILARATION WINS
BACK-TO-BACK GRAND
CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Xavier’s Xhilaration Show Choir was
named “Grand Champion” in consecu-
tive weeks at Mount Pleasant’s “Music
in Motion” and at Benton Community’s
“Touch of Class” the following week!
Good News! (Continued)

18
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named two Xavier High School seniors as National Merit Finalists: Me-
gan Korbel and Jackson Schuster! Finalists represent less than one-half of one percent of the 1.5 million students who
took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test nationwide.
Finalists will be considered for more than 7,400 National Merit Scholarship Awards to be awarded this spring and often
receive other offers because of their standing as National Merit Finalists.
Congratulations to Megan and Jackson on this being named finalists!
STEM NEWS: Project Lead the Way Is Coming to Xavier!
Xavier is excited to announce that plans are underway to implement Project Lead the Way (PLTW). PLTW is designed
to engage students in hands-on activities, projects, and problems; empower them to solve real-world challenges; and
inspire them to reimagine how they see themselves. More information will be shared as details become available.
18

Xavier High School | 6300 42nd Street NE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52411 | (319) 294-6635 | XavierSaints.org
facebook.com/XavierSaints @XavierSaints XavierSaints
19
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Annual Xavier Band Garage
Sale and Bake Sale Fundraiser!
Saturday, April 22, 2017
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Commons
Donations of small household items, toys, games, books, and cloth-
ing are to be delivered to the school on Friday, April 21 between
3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Proceeds from the sale will assist the Xavier
Band Department in purchasing new equipment. For further informa-
tion contact Carol Vester at 319-329-4566 or cavester@mchsi.com.

Navigator: February 2017

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