This newsletter from Xavier High School provides updates on various school events and activities from the principal, campus ministry, guidance office and more. The principal's article focuses on the importance of sportsmanship. The campus ministry section announces upcoming events like Kairos retreats, Catholic Schools Week liturgy and Lent. The guidance office notifies students that online scheduling for the following school year begins January 30th. Additionally, the newsletter recaps the successful "Dancing with the Saints" fundraiser that raised over $110,000 and exceeded the parish appeal goal.

1. January 2017 | Volume 19 | Number 4The official monthly newsletter of Xavier High School
Inside
Principal‘s Corner: 2 | Business Office News: 3 | Parish Appeal
Exceeds Goal: 4 | Dancing with the Saints: 5 | Campus Ministry
News: 7 | Guidance Update: 8 | School Choice: 9 |
Good News: 11 | Students / Faculty of the Month: 12 Sportsmanship
Principal‘s
Corner:
Dancing
with the
Saints
“Season 2 “ a
Huge Success!
2016 Parish
Appeal
Exceeds Goal!
School Choice
Giving parents the power;
Giving parents options

2. 2
“Hey Ref, You Stink!”
As many of you know, I’m a member of the Board of Con-
trol of the Iowa High School Athletic Association. I repre-
sent Iowa High School principals on that Board. As part of
the IHSAA’s ongoing effort to call attention to the impor-
tance of sportsmanship, they’ve asked administrators to
find ways to promote it and to encourage athletes, coaches,
students and fans to be positive when attending athletic
events.
I’ve been to my share of high school spectator athletic
events. I would guess the number is somewhere close to
3500. You read that right. 3500. (I’m older than you think).
That includes football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, soc-
cer, baseball and softball. Add youth and college sports
and that number grows considerably. And let’s just say I’ve
seen my share of examples of terrific sportsmanship and
I’ve seen my share of less than stellar sportsmanship. And
full-disclosure, as a very young coach I needed the (some-
times stern) guidance of an athletic direc-
tor who understood the importance of
representing yourself, your team and your
school in a positive way.
I am proud to say that more often than
not, Xavier fans have demonstrated
respect for officials and opponents. It
is my hope that we continue to work
so that “more often than not” be-
comes “always.” As I tell our Saints
frequently, “We either get better or
worse; we never stay the same.” I
encourage all of us to keep sports-
manship a priority.
While I’m no expert on the topic, I
think my experience as a high school
and college athlete, a coach of youth and
high school sports, an official, an activities
director, a principal and a member of the
Board of Control of the IHSAA has given
me a unique perspective on sportsmanship that I would
guess few people possess. Based on that experience (and
a little on the fact that Xavier hasn’t won an MVC or state
sportsmanship award in several years), I’d like to share a few
thoughts.
Sportsmanship is a choice. We choose to either display it
or not – at high school, college, pro and youth events. It is
under our control. No one but the individual (athlete, coach
or fan) is responsible for his or her behavior when it comes
to sportsmanship. I realize that sports can elicit a myriad
of emotions. Exhilaration. Excitement. Pride. Disappoint-
ment. Frustration. The question is, what do we do with that
emotion?
I have yet to meet an official who cares which team wins
the game. Their responsibility is to make sure the game is
played according the rules. The men and women who get
involved in officiating do so out of a love for the game and
an interest in serving the sport, the school and the young
people who are involved. They want to stay connected to
the game. Let’s also remember they are human. Like all
of us, they make mistakes. They miss calls. But here’s the
thing. Players miss shots, turn the ball over and get beat on
defense. Coaches make wrong adjustments. As I’ve told
my sons, my players and my assistant coaches, the day we
are perfect is the day we have the “right” to argue with the
officiating of a game.
I have yet to witness a fan or coach yelling at an official
resulting in the official stopping the game, turning to the
fan or coach and responding, “You know what? You’re
right. I did make the wrong call (or I failed to make the call).
I’m going to change my call. Thank you for pointing it out
to me.” The reality is, our yelling serves no purpose other
than to express our own frustration. Perhaps it’s our way
of letting everyone else know that we know more than the
official. My guess is most of us would have a difficult time
passing the rules exam necessary as part of the licensing
process. (Continued on next page)
Tom Keating
Xavier Principal

3. 3 333
Principal’s Corner (Continued)
3
What I have witnessed is an alarming number of officials
leaving something they love and an even more alarming
decrease in the number of new officials entering the ranks
each year. The reason they share over and over again is,
“the abuse of fans.” Imagine the day, and it may not be
that far away, when we have to reduce our schedules be-
cause there are not enough officials to do the games. The
IHSAA has identified the decreasing number of available
officials, “a crisis.”
When we yell at officials, we are giving our student-ath-
letes an excuse. We are telling them that the game is out
of their control. We are teaching them that it isn’t their
effort, energy and execution that determines whether they
win or lose. It’s the officiating. What kind of lesson is that?
We are also modeling for our students that lashing out is
an acceptable way to disagree. And it’s quite likely that
we are annoying those who came to enjoy the game.
The reality is, we aren’t just individuals when we attend
athletic events. We are representatives of Xavier High
School. What we do and what we say – including how we
say it – is a reflection on our entire community. When we
act with class and dignity (which we almost always do), we
send a message that Xavier is a first-class school with a
first-class community. I hope that means something to all
of us. I can assure you it means a lot to me.
Maybe I look at things too simply but to me sportsman-
ship, more than anything else, is a matter of self-control. It
is the ability to look at something and think to ourselves,
“that was a travel” or “that was a foul” without shouting it
for everyone to hear. It is the ability to understand that we
are watching a “game.” It is a respect for the people who
are trying to bring order to something that so easily could
turn chaotic.
I encourage all of us to reflect on the importance on
sportsmanship and the impact that sportsmanship or the
lack of it has on the young people who compete and those
who come to watch their classmates compete.
Sincerely,
Tom Keating, Principal
@Phillyboy14
View upcoming activities schedules at
XavierSaints.org.
Xavier is committed to making sure
Catholic education is available to all
students who desire it. You are highly
encouraged to apply for assistance.
Both the Our Faith, Our Children, Our
Future STO and Xavier High School
will be utilizing FACTS Management
to assist in determining the level of
assistance to be awarded. FACTS has
developed an application that all fami-
lies need to complete to be considered
for assistance. Your personal informa-
tion will be held in strictest confidence
at all times. If you have a child at more
than one Archdiocesan School or if you
wish to apply for both types of assis-
tance, you will only need to complete
one application form. There is a $26*
non-refundable processing fee for the
application, payable to FACTS.
*amount based on last year’s charge
The application is currently available
online at FACTSMgt.com. In addi-
tion to your completed application,
you must include a copy of your 2016
federal income tax return or your 2015
federal income tax return with a copy
of your 2016 W-2(s). The applica-
tion needs to be completed online or
completed on a paper copy and post-
marked no later than March 23, 2017.
To assist you in filling out the applica-
tion FACTS will have a call center avail-
able at 1-866-441-4637.
You are also welcome to call
Tom Drish at 319-739-7307
Monday-Friday from
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Xavier for
assistance.
Click here to view the Tuition Fact
Sheet
Business Office Update: Tution Assistance is Available!

4. 4
Parish Appeal Exceeds Goal!
4
Submitted by Lynn Jump
Xavier Foundation Annual Fund Director
We are pleased to announce we have
raised more than $511,000 and have
surpassed the 2016 Parish Appeal Goal.
Thank you to our parish pastors,
parishioners, dedicated volunteer
parents, faculty, alumni and students for
everything you do to make the annual
Parish Appeal a success!
We are most grateful for your support!
Pilgrim Virgin Statue
& Rosary Each Night
During Catholic
Schools Week
The Pilgrim Virgin Statue is coming to Xavier during
Catholic Schools Week next week (Jan. 30-Feb. 3) and the
Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. each weekday night that
week in the XHS chapel. The Pilgrim Virgin Statue Program
was brought to the Cedar Rapids area over 40 years ago
as a venue to bring Catholics in our community together in
prayer. All are invited to join!
4

5. Dancing With the Saints Nets More than $110,000!
Xavier hosted its second annual “Dancing with the Saints” sold out
live event on Saturday, January 14 at Cedar Rapids’ DoubleTree Ho-
tel & Convention Center. Nearly 900 attendees turned out to enjoy
an entertaining evening and to raise money for key improvements
to sound systems in Xavier’s gymnasium and around campus. The
live event featured 10 Xavier community “stars” (Shirley Rissi, Tony
Bedard, Jeanne Joens, Duane Jasper, Shelley Helms - L89, Dr.
Andrew Last, Dr. Tim Sagers, Mike Glavan, Kathy Smith & Kathy
Moeder) who teamed with 10 dance coaches from various dance
studios in the Cedar Rapids area (Derrick Murray, Lauren Witte,
Cameron Byrd, Vanessa Terrell, Aaron Canterbury, Meredith
Diebold - X14, Alisabeth Von Presley, Erica Ireland, Joe Retek &
Alvon Reed).
The couples competed for votes in the form of donations with the
couple garnering the most votes winning the “People’s Choice”
Championship, which was awarded to Shirley Rissi and Derrick
Murray. Three guest judges (KCRG-TV9’s Scott Saville, former
Hawkeye basketball great, Kevin Boyle, & NASCAR’s Joey Gase
- X11) awarded the “Judges’ Choice” Championship for best dance
to Mike Glavan and Erica Ireland. Director of Development for the
Archdiocese of Dubuque, Jeff Henderson, and Iowa State Senator,
Liz Mathis, reprised their roles as emcees of the live event.
Thank you to our sponsors who helped to make this event possible:
Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC, Schimberg Co., High-
way Equipment Company, Inspired to Sew, True North, Bankers
Trust, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Cedar Rapids Toyota, Destina-
tions Unlimited & Hawkeye Electric.
Emiko Coffey (X17) photos.
5

6. Dancing with the Saints (Continued)
MORE LIVE EVENT PHOTOS
1. Members of the cast of Dancing with the Saints:
Season 1 open up the live event with a surprise perfor-
mance. 2. Dancing with the Saints Judge: Scott Saville.
3. People’s Choice Champions: Derrick Murray & Shirley
Rissi. 4. Judges’ Choice Champions: Erica Ireland & Mike
Glavan. 5. Dancing with the Saints Judge: Joey Gase
(X11). 6. Dancing with the Saints Judge: Kevin Boyle. 7.
Dancing with the Saints Emcees: Jeff Henderson & Liz
Mathis. 8. Tom Keating thanks Dancing with the Saints
co-chairs: Karen Woods & Heidi Brown. 9. Dancing with
the Saints Committee: Nick Ireland, Di Richardson, Jody
Pellerin, Mary Pat Schulte, Jerry Brown, Karen Woods,
Heidi Brown & Tom Keating! Emiko Coffey (X17) photos.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6. 7. 8.
9.
CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?
The more than $110,000 raised by Dancing with the Saints will
be put toward sound system improvements in the Ron Thillen
Gymnasium and around campus. Stay tuned throughout the
Spring semester for further updates!
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS!
Dancing with
the Saints:
Season 3
is scheduled for
January 20, 2018!
6

7. 7
Campus Ministry Update
Submitted by Jody Esker
XHS Campus Ministry
Life Matters!
Join the Nine Days for Life prayer by
clicking here. The March for Life took
place on January 27th in Washington
DC. The March for Life is an annual
pro-life rally protesting abortion on
or around the anniversary of the US
Supreme Court decision legalizing
abortion in the case Roe v. Wade. For
more information regarding March for
Life, contact coalitionforlife@gmail.com.
Please pray for the sanctity of all life!
Unfortunately the trip some of our
students had planned to the Midwest
March in Chicago was cancelled be-
cause of weather. But there are always
opportunities to pray for and value life
issues!
Kairos
Kairos retreats have been going strong
this year. We are so fortunate to have
students who wish to invest 4 days at a
retreat to learn more and deepen their
relationship with Christ. We ask for your
continued prayers for Kairos. We will
make our third Kairos retreat Feb 2-5.
The final Kairos of the school year will
be April 27-30.
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week will be celebrat-
ed January 29-Feb 5.
Activities for the Week include:
January 31th – Xavier Catholic Schools
Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Students from
LaSalle, St. Joseph, Regis and Xavier
High School will gather at Xavier to
celebrate the Catholic Schools Week lit-
urgy. Father Jack Flaherty will preside.
This year’s theme is: Communities of
Faith, Knowledge, Service
There is Mass in the Chapel every Friday
morning that school is in session at 7am.
All are welcome! Mass is followed by
adoration during the school day. Stop
in anytime and spend sometime with
the Lord.
Lent 2017
Our school theme this year is “Make Me
an instrument of YOUR peace”. Our
morning prayer will be looking deeply
into the Prayer of St. Francis and how
we all are called to be instruments of
Peace.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy – March 1 at
9:50 a.m.
Reconciliation
Check your local bulletins for Communal
Reconciliation times and dates.
(There will be reconciliation offered on
Thursday March 23 at Xavier for the
seniors and freshmen, or anyone else
who desires to go. The juniors and
sophomores had their class reconcilia-
tion service 1st semester.)
TEC
Senior parents: Please encourage
your student to attend one of the TEC
(Teens Encounter Christ Weekends)
held throughout the Archdiocese of
Dubuque. This three day retreat centers
on the Paschal Mystery. TEC is a great
opportunity for seniors to reflect on
their relationship with Christ as they
complete their high school career and
move forward as young adults. Dates
and online registration for upcoming
TEC retreats can be found here .
Senior Mentor
Senior Mentor applications will be going
out to all juniors. This is an opportunity
for current juniors to apply for a leader-
ship role as a senior mentor. Please
look for these applications the first of
February.
Women’s Conference
Ladies....a special event just for you
on Feb 4 at St. Pius. Take time out of
your busy schedules to attend this very
worthwhile women’s conference. Click
here to see more details.
Jesse Romero
National speaker Jesse Romero will be
addressing Xavier student of Wed Feb
15 at 9:50am. All are welcome to at-
tend.
‘Put on Christ!’ in your life,and you will
find a friend in whom you can always
trust;‘put on Christ’ and you will see the
wings of hope spreading and letting you
journey with joy towards the future;‘put
on Christ’ and your life will be full of his
love; it will be a fruitful life.”
-Pope Francis at World Youth Day Rio 2013

8. 8
Gudiance Office Update
Online Scheduling for 2017-2018 Begins at
5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30
Access to online scheduling in PowerSchool for current Xavier freshmen, sophomores and
juniors opens today, Monday, January 30 at 5:00 p.m. The deadline to complete online
scheduling is 5:00 p.m. Monday, February 6th.
This process is critical to our planning for the 2017-18 school year. Textbook, materials
and staffing decisions are all tied to an accurate number of students registered for courses.
Directions for the online process will be emailed to the students today and are available
here. Online scheduling resources with course sequence information can be found here.
Incoming Freshman Scheduling Night
When: Monday, Feb. 6, 2017
(Doors Open: 6 p.m. | Program at 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Xavier High School, 6300 42nd St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411
XHS CLASS OF 2021: REMEMBER TO PICK UP YOUR FREE XHS CLASS OF 2021
KEYCHAIN WHEN YOU ATTEND SCHEDULING NIGHT!
Students planning to enroll as freshmen at Xavier High School this fall are invited to attend
Scheduling Night. Families will learn about course offerings and meet with a teacher to
decide on classes. Doors open at 6 p.m. with programming beginning at 6:30 p.m. Please
contact the XHS Guidance Office with any questions at 319-739-7313 or Cara Joens at
cara.joens@xaviersaints.org.
This is a required event!

9. 9
School choice gives parents the freedom to choose their children’s “best fit” educational setting. As the State of
Iowa begins its legislative session, we want to make sure that your voice, as a parent, is heard regarding this issue.
There are a variety of educational options that are thriving and possess an outstanding track record of success,
such as Xavier Catholic Schools.
What are the Goals of School Choice Programs?
• To put parents in the driver’s seat when it comes to education
• Parents freely choose from all educational options
• To not limit families to educational solutions based on where they live or what they earn
• To ensure that children can be educated in a way that meets their individual needs and equips them for success
What Would an Education Savings Account (ESA)
Program Look Like?
The creation of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) would do the following:
• Allow any parent enrolling his or her child in a non-public school to receive a deposit of public funds into special
savings accounts
• Parents would receive an amount equal to the state’s per pupil funding
• This deposit could be used for non-public educational options — tuition, fees, tutoring, virtual courses, etc.
Click here to view the informative School Choice Legislative Kickoff webinar which was presented to parents.
9

10. 10
School Cents: Last Minute Reminder!
Congratulations to XHS senior, Alicia Miltner, who was among area high school students honored by the Cedar Rapids
Downtown Rotary as a recipient of the Service Above Self Award! Honorees were recognized for demonstrating
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s honorable characteristics through their volunteer work, school attendance and positive behavior.
Alicia embodies these characteristics and more as she goes above an beyond to serve others in our community.
Congrats again Alicia on this well-deserved honor!
facebook.com/CRXavierCatholicSchools
10

11. Good News!
1111
<<< Barnes Accepts Nomination
to West Point
Xavier senior, Ryer Barnes, received a surprise phone call
from Congressman Rod Blum on Tuesday, January 17th,
to notify Ryer of his appointment to West Point United
States Military Academy.
<<< Robotics Win League Championship
The XHS Xcentrics Robotics Team won their League
Championship competition on January 21st at Marion
High School. Additionally, Xavier won the Control Award
for demonstrating innovative thinking in the control system
to solve game challenges such as autonomous operation,
enhancing mechanical systems with intelligent control, and
using sensors to achieve better results on the field. The
Xcentrics advance to the Iowa Super Qualifier on
February 11th.
<<< 15 of 17 Speech Groups Earn Division I
Ratings
Fifteen (out of 17) Xavier Speech groups earned a Divi-
sion I rating at the District Large Group Speech Contest in
Monticello on January 21st. These groups also qualified
for State (which will be held on February 4th)!
<<< Gerke is Xavier’s First 2x MVC
Wrestling Champion
Xavier Wrestling’s Josh Gerke (145 lbs) is Xavier’s first two-
time MVC champion after pinning his way to a champion-
ship at the MVC Tournament in Waterloo on January 28th.
<<< Jazz Band Earns Division I Rating
Xavier’s Jazz Band One received a Division I rating the
State Jazz Festival at West Delaware on January 23rd. The
Saints earned their rating with scores of 48-49-49 out of
50.
11

12. Xavier High School | 6300 42nd Street NE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52411 | (319) 294-6635 | XavierSaints.org
facebook.com/XavierSaints @XavierSaints
12
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.