March 2015 | Volume 17 | Number 7The official monthly newsletter of Xavier High School

InsIdePrincipal‘s Corner/Business Office Update: 2 | Annual Report: 3 | Activities Report: 7 | Holocaust Survivor Presentation: 9 | Pound the Ground 2015: 10 | March Gallery: 11 | The Miracle Worker: 12 | Xavier Receives Kucera Grant: 13 | Saints Earn Accolades: 14 | Students/Faculty of the Month: 15

AnnuAl RepoRt edItIon

PrinciPal’s cornerAs we do each year at this time, we would like to present you this month with our annual report to the Xavier commu-nity. Throughout this issue of the Navi-gator you will find a detailed overview of many of the school’s programs. This report includes information about the students, the staff, the curriculum and much more.

We invite you to carefully examine the information presented. We think you’ll agree that Xavier is an outstand-ing school. The data presented would certainly support that claim. While we are pleased with the progress that Xavier has made, we hold firm to the belief

that, “Each day we get better or worse; we never stay the same.” As a result, we continue to look for ways to improve our programs in order to fulfill our mission – to educate the total person in a Catholic environment.

This also seems like an appropriate time to thank all of you for your input throughout the year. We depend on your positive feedback as well as the concerns you raise to provide us with a barometer of how we’re doing. Your comments encourage us to constantly examine our school and look for ways to make it better.

Thanks for taking the time to look over the information. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to con-tact me. Sincerely,

Tom Keating, Principal

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Business office uPdate

Tuition Reminder

Tuition accounts must be paid in full by May 10. Seniors with

unpaid balances will not be allowed to participate in

graduation ceremonies. Students will not be permitted to

return for the following academic year until any outstanding

balance is paid in full in accordance with the Xavier Board of

Education Policy #3241.

April 2 – Holy Thursday/Stations of the Cross

April 3 – Good Friday (Campus Closed)

April 4 – Holy Saturday

April 5 – Easter Sunday

April 14 – Renata Laxova, Holocaust Survivor Presentation

April 16, 17, 18 – Spring Play: The Miracle Worker

Tom KeatingXavier Principal

Xavier HigH scHool Mission stateMent

The mission of Xavier High School is to develop the total person in a Catholic environment.

annual goals

These goals must be measurable, utilizing normed-based testing. As do most other schools in the state, we use the Iowa Assessments (formerly the Iowa Test of Educational Develop-ment) to measure success. This test is administered annually to grades 9-11 in the fall and measures growth and success in Reading, Math, Sci-ence and Social Studies. The results of the test given in October 2014 are included on page six. Please note that the tests were renormed this year so results may not fully reflect a change in performance.

This year, Xavier High School established the following three goals:

1. During the 2014-15 school year, our school will increase the percentage of 11th grade students scoring at the high performance level in reading as measured by the Iowa Assessments. In 2013-14, the percentage was 31%.

2. During the 2014-15 school year, our school will increase the percent-age of 11th grade students scoring at the high performance level in math as measured by the Iowa Assessments. In 2013-14, the percentage was 38%. 3. During the 2014-15 school year, our school will increase the percent-age of 11th grade students scoring at the high performance level in science as measured by the Iowa Assessments.

Each year Xavier High School establishes a set of goals to help us focus our academic efforts.

annual rePort 2014-2015

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Xavier HigH scHool PHilosoPHy

Xavier High School is a part of the tradition and mission of the Roman Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Dubuque. As a part of that tradi-tion we are committed to:

• Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus in a Catholic faith-filled environment that motivates each student, staff member, parent/guardian and supporter to share in that mission,

• Developing each person’s spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical gifts,

• Respecting each individual person’s unique value and talents, • Building God’s Kingdom through service to our community, nurturing family relationships, and modeling Christ in our everyday actions, • Creating an atmosphere of justice and trust through embracing the Gospel in our decisions and actions,

• Fostering stewardship through personal commitment, responsibility, and accountability to one another and to our world,

• Providing a learning atmosphere where creativity and innovation are honored and celebrated.

Xavier HigH scHool Budget 2015 - 2016

RevenueTuition (Net of Prepaid Discount)

3,641,355 Tuition Assistance (161,300)Parish Subsidies 1,436,028Fees 122,398Foundation Support 1,412,500Fundraising 32,250Investment Income 5,000Other Income 7,782 Total Revenue 6,496,013

ExpensesInstruction 2,505,800Administration 886,100Facilities 749,970Transportation 29,350Religious Faculty Support 3,500Employee Costs and Benefits 575,750Capital Expenditures 320,000Bond Debt Service 1,377,455Other Expenses 48,000 Total Expenses 6,495,925

NET INCOME (DEFICIT) 88

• 100 percent of Xavier students are involved in community service

• 100 percent of Xavier students complete the core curriculum (4 years English, 3 years math and science)

• 98 percent of the Class of 2014 went on to post-secondary education

• 94 percent of Xavier students are involved in at least one co-curricular activity; 78 percent are involved in three or more co-curricular activities

• 90 percent of Xavier students complete four years of science

• 88 extra-curricular programs to choose from

• 70 percent of Xavier students complete four years of mathematics

• 40 percent of Xavier students complete four years of a foreign language

• 40 courses at Xavier are honors and AP courses

• 2 dual credit courses are offered through St. Louis University

• 16:1 is the student to faculty ratio

• 14 is the average number of years that faculty members have devoted to Catholic education

Xavier HigH scHool fast facts

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The Theology Department and Campus Ministry work together to lead in the faith formation of the students here at Xavier, but every member of the ad-ministration, faculty, and staff share in this responsibility. In keeping with our Catholic tradition, we seek to engage both the head and the heart of the stu-dents in this process of formation.

The Theology curriculum includes top-ics such as Old and New Testament, Religious Foundations, Church History, Ethics and Morality, Christian Lifestyles, Comparative Religions and Apologet-ics. Our curriculum is in transition to align with the required curriculum developed by the USCCB. Next year

the freshmen curriculum will be based on USCCB. All students who are mem-bers of one of our eleven participating parishes are required to take four years of Theology. All other students are required to take at least two years of Theology. By the time students have graduated from Xavier, they will have had over five hundred clock hours of direct faith formation in a Theology classroom. The Theology curriculum follows the guidelines established by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Campus Ministry Department at Xavier offers a wide variety of spir-itual opportunities and all students are encouraged to become involved in any

or all of these opportunities. Some of these offerings are class retreats, mis-sion trips, liturgy committee, Eucha-ristic Adoration, Community Service Day, music ministry, daily prayer, liturgies, prayer services, reconciliation services, Stations of the Cross, Kairos retreats, TEC retreats, Aid to Women, Kids Against Hunger, Lifesavers (pro-life committee) and Ministry in Service class. Xavier has provided support to the Catholic Worker House, Birthright, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and numerous other charitable organi-zations. Our goal is to provide oppor-tunities for our students to make their Catholic faith come to life.

Our Catholic faith is the foundation of everything we do here at Xavier High School.

We understand that as parents, you are the first teachers of your children in the ways of faith.

We strive to support you in your efforts to raise faith-filled young adults.

catHolic faitH -- our foundation

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• Affiliated with the eleven area Catholic parishes and the Archdiocese of Dubuque• A member of the National Catholic Education Association• Accredited by the State of Iowa • All administrators and teachers are certified in their areas of responsibility• 64% of faculty have an M.A. or Ph.D. • 726 students• Complete co-curricular program

• Partnerships with:• American Heart Association• Columbia University• Downtown Kiwanis Club• Grant Wood AEA• Iowa Wireless• Junior Achievement• Kirkwood Community College• KMRY Radio• Knights of Columbus• Linn County Physical Therapy• Mercy Medical Center

• Mt. Mercy University• Rockwell• St. Louis University• University of Northern Iowa• Viola Gibson Elementary• Workplace Learning Connection

• 60-acre campus• 146,500 square foot facility

Xavier facts

Average Scores for Xavier HS 2014 Graduates

Pct. Taking English Reading Math Science Composite Xavier 98% 24.7 24.6 24.1 24.6 24.7 State 68% 21.5 22.5 21.4 22.2 22.0 National 57% 20.2 21.1 20.9 20.7 21.0

The average composite for top 68% (state participation level) of Xavier students is above 26.

Xavier class of 2014 act results

Student National Percentile Rank (NPR) is a score that describes the relative comparison of the average Xavier student’s perfor-mance to other students in the nation who are in the same grade and were tested at the same time of year. An NPR of 80 means that the average Xavier student’s performance was better than 80% of the students who took the test.

School National Percentile Rank (NPR) is a score that describes the relative comparison of Xavier as an entire grade level com-pared to other schools in the nation who were tested at the same time of year. An NPR of 80 means that a particular grade of students at Xavier performed better than the same grade of students at 80% of the schools in the nation who took the test.

Proficiency Percentage is the percentage of Xavier students in a grade level who met the state’s guideline to be considered “proficient.”

iowa assessMents 2014 results

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Reading Science Math

co-curricular activities PoPular at Xavier!

XHs students are involved in successful activities at Xavier!

Xavier students are involved in successful activities at Xavier! The following data is from the spring of 2014 up through the winter of 2015:

• 57 students participate in speech (8%)

• 140 students participate in choir (19%)

• 140 students participate in show choir (19%)

• 62 students participate in band (8%)

• 110 students participated in intramurals: (boys basketball & girls soccer) (14%)

• More than 300 students participated in a drama production (42%)

• More than 500 students will participate in at least one sport during the school year (69%)

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Boys Track 4A State: Nick Stark 6th Place 100 Meter Dash (2014)

Girls Track 4A State: Molly Breitbach 7th Place 100 Meter Dash (2014) 4x100 7th Place (Sydney Oakley, Allison Schwach, Taylor Skala & Molly Breitbach) (2014) Boys Tennis 1A State Singles Kyle D’mello 6th Place (2014) Girls Tennis 1A Team State 3rd Place (2014)1A State Singles Allison Jasper 3rd Place & Kylie DeWees (dnp) (2014) Girls Golf MVC Division Champions (2014)4A Team State Champions (2014)4A Individual State: Maddie Bertsch State Champion & Grace Winker State Runner-Up (2014) Boys Soccer 2A State 4th Place (2014) Girl Soccer 2A State Semifinals (2014) Softball MVC Division Champions (2014) Girls Cross Country Individual 3A State Qualifiers: Jenny Dickes (2014)

Boys Cross Country Individual 3A State Qualifier: Steven Culpepper (2014)

Football 3A District Champions (2014)3A State Semifinals (2014)

Girls Swimming State Qualifiers: Lauren Havertape & Sarah Gannon Marching Band State 3A Division 1 Rating (2014) All-State Vocal Michaela Brown, Matthew Hovda, Emma Keefe, Noah Lauer, Tristen Perreault, Nolan Pithan, Erin Pitz, Faith Sattern, Anna Zittergruen & Hannah Zwanziger / Alternate: Noah Manternach (2014)

All-State Band Jingyu Lucy Liu / Clarinet (2014) Freshmen OPUS Honors Concert Lauren Flory, Curt Lengemann, Grace Miller, Michael Muhlena, Tristen Perreault & Nolan Pithan (2014) Jazz Band State 3A Division I Rating (2015)State Qualifier (2015) Large Group All State Speech Festival Jacob Hansen & Josh Hansen (2015)

Pom Squad ISDTA: 2nd in Class XI Pom Division, 3rd in IV Jazz Division & 3rd in Class II Lyrical (2015)

Boys Swimming George Durin (200FR, 100B & 100F) & Evan Bednar (200MR) (2015) Wrestling 3A State Qualifiers: Clint Lembeck 3rd at 132 (2015) Boys Bowling MVC Division Champions2A State Team Runner-Up (2015)2A Individual State Caleb Miller 3rd Place (2015)

Girls BasketballMVC Division Champions (2015)4A State Qualifier (2015)

Individual All State Speech Jacob Hansen & Rylee Wegmann (2015)

Boys Basketball3A State 3rd Place (2015)

Activities RepoRt (continued) 8

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On Tuesday, April 14, Xavier High School will have the honor of hosting Holocaust survivor, Renata Laxova. Ms. Laxova will speak to Xavier students in the Regis-LaSalle Theatre beginning at 9 a.m. and her presentation will be streamed live at XavierSaints.org/Live for public viewing and for the benefit of students at

other schools around the country to hear her important message. A short question-and-answer session will take place following the presentation — questions may be submitted on Twitter using the hashtag #XavierLive.

Xavier welcoMes Holocaust survivor, renata laXova

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Read more about Renata Laxova at XavierSaints.org/LIVE.

in need of Prayers?

Send your requests to prayerchain@xaviersaints.org. These requests will be offered at Friday morning Mass and prayed for intentionally during Adoration, as well as part of the daily prayers of Campus Ministry.

9LIVE STREAMING EVENT

Miss a “good news” eMail? Xavier’s weekly “Good News” email newsletters are now being archived on XavierSaints.org at:

XavierSaints.org/GoodNews

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101010

Saturday, June 6, 2015 NEW Location; NEW Event!

ALL EVENTS HELD AT XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL

Xavier catHolic scHools

5k road race (all ageS)

kidS’ run (gradeS 5 & under) Spirit Walk!

(all ageS)

NEW this Year!

The 2015 Pound the Ground 5K will be run on streets in the surrounding neighborhood. Register as an individual or as a team (3-5 runners). Entry fee: $20 before 5/23/15.

The Kids’ Run (formerly the “Puppy Pound”) will be run on the Xavier High School track (1 lap). All finishers will receive a medal. Entry fee: $15 before 5/23/15.

New for the 2015 Pound the Ground, the Spirit Walk, will be held on the campus of Xavier High School. Students, parents, grandparents, friends and relatives are all invited to join us for this event! Entry fee: $15 before 5/23/15. Spirit Walk registra-tion is free to Kids’ Run participants.

All proceeds Support

regiSter today at crpoundtheground.com

Banner sponsors:

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MarcH 2015 gallery

XHS junior/artist, Zach Detterman continues to work on his beautiful renderings of the Stations of the Cross.

Boys Basketball earned a 3rd place finish at the state tournament - the best finish in the program’s history.

Girls basketball poses with their state quarterfinalist trophy.

XHS Math students enjoying pie on “Pi Day.”

Girls golf head coach, Julie Kadlec with her 2014 Class 4A Coach of the Year award.

Dick Breitbach honored as Xavier’s “Fan of the Game” before the boys basketball game vs. Pella at State.

Mrs. Emily Moses joined other XHS faculty and dressed like Mr. Tom Lilly on his 60th birthday.

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The Xavier High School School Board is the recipient of $5,856.25 from the Archbishop Kucera Grant Awards from the Archdiocese of Dubuque Educational 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 minority students who qualify for National School Lunch Program. Awards for these two programs totaled $485,000 for the 2014/15 program year. The Archbishop Kucera Grant Awards annually provides $80,000 for faith formation resources and leadership de-velopment for faith formation leaders, 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 twenty-eighth year that grants have been awarded. Over 8.9 million dollars have been distributed since the Archdiocesan Educational Development Fund was established. Grants are made pos-sible through the generous donations of contributors and parishioners throughout the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Daniel Kucera

Xavier awarded arcHBisHoP Kucera grant for tuition assistance

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Xavier Meal PrograM reMinder Xavier uses EZ School Pay to make lunch payments online as well as giving parents a way to track how much is available in their student‘s lunch account. We highly encourage you to log onto https://www.EZSchoolPay.com to sign on or register as a new user.

Students with negative balances greater than $25 will not be allowed to purchase additional meals. They will be provided with a peanut butter sandwich and milk until their balance is brought current.

Parents may still apply for free and reduced price meals. Income eligibility guidelines and applications can be found on the Xavier website at http://www.xaviersaints.org/services/food-service/

If you have questions, please contact Lorraine Gaffney at lorraine.gaffney@xaviersaints.org.

Congratulations to Xavier Basketball’s Adam McDermott on being selected First-Team All-State by the Iowa Newspaper Association & Foundation!

Congratulations to XHS Math students, Lucy Liu, Tina Wu, Megan Korbel and Lauren Korbel (Regis Middle School), who have qualified for the Great Plains State Math Compe-tition in April!

The team competed at Loras College on 3/14 and took 3rd place overall for small schools, and tied for 1st place as a varsity squad. Individually, Lucy took 2nd place among seniors in the Target round, and 4th place overall. Megan placed 1st individually among sophomores, with a 1st-place finish in the Target round and 3rd-place finish in the Sprint round. Congratulations to all, and good luck at State!

Congratulations to Xavier Speech’s Jacob Hansen and Rylee Wegmann on receiving all-state nominations! Jacob and Rylee performed at the All-State Speech Festival at UNI on Monday, March 30. This was Jacob’s 5th all-state speech nomination, which set a new school record!

SaintS earn accoladeS

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Xavier High School • 6300 42nd Street NE • Cedar Rapids, IA 52411 • (319) 294-6635 • www.xaviersaints.org

Brian iversenJeanne BoucHard Kelli sweHla russ caMacHo

students and faculty of tHe MontH

“For leading Jazz Band to a 3rd place finish at NEIBA Jazz Fest and qualifying for state championships.“

“Leading Bowling team to a runner-up finish at State Tournament”

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“For his outstanding participation in band!“

“For their commitment to faith, service and leadership in Campus Ministry.“

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registration oPen for Xavier HigH scHool suMMer caMPs

Registration is now open for Xavier High School summer camps and clinics for volleyball, wrestling, track, theatre, girls soccer, show choir, boys basketball, girls basketball, Coach Tom Lilly’s “Shoot Like a Champion” clinic. Softball Camp registration will open after May 1.

To register or learn more about each camp, head to: XavierSaints.org/Camps.

annual Band garage & BaKe sale saturday, aPril 25, 20158 a.M. – 2 P.M. - coMMons

Don’t have the time to organize your own garage sale? Why not consider donating items to the annual Xavier Band Garage and Bake Sale Fundraiser.

Donations of clothing for infants, children and adults, toys, games, books, household items, small appliances, and hand-held electronics are welcomed. We are unable to accept large furniture items.

Donations are to be dropped off at Xavier High School on Friday, April 24, 2015, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. A donation tax receipt will be available. All unsold items will be donated to area charitable orga-nizations. Proceeds from this fundraiser will assist in pur-chasing new equipment for the band program.

For further information contact Carol Vester at 329-4566 or cavester@mchsi.com.

claire BoucHard