Middle School
Weekly Newsletter
5/20/20
Heavenly Father,
On this Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down
their lives for the cause of freedom. May the example of their sacrifice
inspire in us the selfless love of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their
lives with your strength and peace.
In union with people of goodwill of every nation, embolden us to
answer the call to work for peace and justice, and thus, seek an end
to violence and conflict around the globe.
We pray through Christ our Lord.
Amen
e-Learning Update
e-learning will officially end this Friday, May 22nd. However, students and families are still asked to check emails and specific learning platforms (Google classroom, PowerSchool Learning, etc.) until June 5th for information regarding different end-of-the-year activities and announcements.
 
Dr. Ravizza shared information regarding when families would be able to return school items back to XMS and have an opportunity to collect items left at XMS. All XMS families will have an opportunity to return items and collect items June 1st through June 4th. Details regarding this process for XMS were emailed to all families on May 19th. Please remember to select a time slot in the SignUpGenius for when you are planning on arriving at XMS to return school related items and to collect your child’s personal items that were either left in the classroom and/or the lockers. Please use the SignUpGenius to select a time slot. If you have any questions regarding the drop-off & pick-up procedures, please contact Mr. Bires.
 
During this time, please know that the Xavier System is posting " Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates ", accessible through a link at the top of the System homepage. This includes teacher webpages, contact information for administrators and technology staff, information on free meals for children and families, and more - including recent System emails. Most is now also available in Spanish. Thank you all for taking care of yourselves and your families, and for your prayers and help for neighbors and friends!
Report Cards
Report cards will be mailed to families on Friday, June 5th. Due to the transition that happened in March, students did not receive a hard copy of the 3rd quarter grades. The end of year report card will contain the specific grades received in all 4 quarters of the school year. For more information regarding final grades and/or report cards, please contact Mrs. Meyer.
8th Grade Graduation
The 8th grade graduation will still take place Tuesday, June 2nd. However, the honoring of the 8th grade students will have a slightly different look and feel this school year. The graduation will be a curbside festivity that will honor and acknowledge the students in the safest way possible during this unique time. A letter with details will be sent to all 8th grade families. For more questions regarding the 8th grade graduation, please contact Mr. Bires.
XMS Yearbook
As of right now, we are still working on the yearbook. However, there have been many set-backs during the yearbook production process, mostly out of our control. We are planning on having the yearbook finished for distribution early to mid summer. The details regarding ordering a yearbook and collecting the yearbook will be shared in the coming weeks. If you still have photos that could be used in the yearbook or have questions about the yearbook, please contact Mr. Jerger ( mjerger@xaviercatholicschools.org ).
Two More Masses
Fr. Bill will continue to welcome the Xavier community for Tuesday mass on May 26th and June 2nd at 8:30am. June 2nd coincides with what would have been the last XMS mass and graduation. Fr. Bill will recognize this as our final communal gathering for the year. A blessing of the graduates is planned. Please join us!
 
May 26th and June 2nd at 8:30am. Mass with Fr. Bill - stmaryparish.org
XMS Course Selections for the 20/21 School Year
This year, the course selection process will look a little different, but the overall goal of including families and students in the process of picking XMS classes for the upcoming school year will remain the same. On Friday, May 1st, an email outlining the XMS course selection process was sent to incoming 5th through 8th grade families. A Google Form has been created for families and students to use when picking classes for next school year. Specific information on courses can be found in the XMS Course Catalog on our webpage. As always, please contact Mr. Bires or Mrs. Meyer if you have any questions regarding the course selection process.
What is Xavier Day?   It is the opportunity for our parents, alumni, dedicated faculty and staff, current and future students, friends of the Xavier community, and newest alumni: the Class of 2020 to join us and celebrate the pride we all have for Xavier Catholic Schools.  
Our Decision
We have decided to move forward and on Wednesday, May 27th, XCS will be hosting our 4th annual Xavier Day. When planning began, we never imagined that our school and global community would be dealing with the challenging environment that we are experiencing today.
After much thought and prayer, we decided to move forward with this celebration. We do so knowing that these are times defined by uncertainty for many. However, one thing remains certain: when the Xavier community sees a need, they step in to lift up one another. This year, we host Xavier Day for those who have asked “How can I help?” and with prayers for those who may be needing the assistance.
We ask that you also remember all of our current Xavier students and especially those who are graduating this year at various levels. The Class of 2020, despite having experienced a loss of so many valuable experiences, will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. A message or gift in honor of them on Xavier Day would make a wonderful tribute.
We express our sincere gratitude to all in the Xavier community who are in a position to provide financial support, and for those of you who are able to spread the word and show your school pride on Xavier Day. While our hearts are heavy, we are also overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion that defines the Xavier spirit.
Even though we are apart, Hawks remain and fly together! 
There are several ways you can participate:
• Celebrate by wearing your favorite Xavier gear. 
• Unite with others and show your Xavier pride on Twitter and Instagram using #XavierDay2020. Like us on Facebook @xaviercatholicschools to see our own shared posts throughout the day.  
• Support , if you are able. Please prayerfully consider making a donation to the Angel Fund and/or other funds. Please also note that your contribution could be eligible for a match by one of our several amazing gift-matching donors! 
Click here to visit the Xavier Day webpage for more information.
St. Bernadette Bus - 2020-2021 School Year Sign Up
The St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System will once again offer busing for the 2020-2021 school year from the St. Bernadette parish to the middle and elementary school campuses. The bus leaves the parking lot at St. Bernadette at 7:40 am and arrives back after school by 3:55 pm. There is no cost to our families for this shuttle service. Please click here to register.
Fox Valley Community Resources
Many families are dealing with difficult financial situations at this time. If you need help, consider the organizations in the attached document . If you are able to give, consider donating to a favorite cause. Either way, thank you for being part of our generous and strong community! God bless.

Recursos en la Comunidad
Muchas familias están lidiando con situaciones financieras difíciles en este momento. Si necesita ayuda, considere las organizaciones en este documento . Si puede dar, considere donar a una causa favorita. De cualquier manera, ¡gracias por ser parte de nuestra comunidad generosa y fuerte! Que Dios los bendiga.
Xavier Strength and Conditioning Club Summer Lifting Program
Let’s get ready for Summer and get active! You can still sign up for the Xavier Strength and Conditioning Club Summer Lifting Program. Whether your child is a long term athlete and well versed in lifting and conditioning, or this is all new to your child, this is a great opportunity. The primary focus of the program is to teach proper form on the core lifts in resistance training, improve technique through agility, speed drills, and learn proper weight room etiquette.  Click here for more information. It is also located on the Xavier Website under High School Athletics. You can print the registration and mail it to:
 
Xavier High School 
1600 W Prospect Ave
Appleton, WI 54914 
Attn: Kathy Bates
 
Please add a parent email to the registration. If we are unable to start the program as scheduled, a home based training program will be provided. If you have any questions please contact Becky Oszman, the Xavier athletic trainer, at Rebecca.Oszman@ascension.org .
Students Supporting Students
Is your student struggling with isolation or in need of a peer to talk to during these difficult days? A group of Xavier upperclassmen are offering some fun and supportive ways to reach out to fellow XHS and XMS students. Click here to learn more . Please note - this is entirely student-run. No faculty are supervising the events. Students will, however, reach out to counselors if any urgent topics are brought to light.
Check out the new Xavier Business Directory
A few weeks ago we started the Xavier Business Directory in an attempt to highlight all of the business connections within our Xavier family. It is especially important to support small and family-owned businesses right now. We are pleased to let you know that we already have 84 businesses signed up and in the directory! Please be sure to check the directory first when you need a good or service to see if there is a Xavier-affiliated business you can support.  
If you have a business that you would like to add to the directory, click the link above to go to the directory to check it out and to complete the form to be included.  
Questions? Please email Lisa at lpfaff@xaviercatholicschools.org
From the Scrip Office
SCRIP NEWS - PHYSICAL GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE  
With the Scrip Office still closed, we wanted to give people the opportunity to purchase physical gift cards again.
We will now offer mail delivery of scrip orders to your house and curbside pickup of scrip orders at the Scrip Office entrance.   

ORDERING: The scrip process will be the same as before - you will place an order on the ShopwithScrip website
  • $100 minimum order - if your order is being mailed to you
  • If you do not have a ShopwithScrip account and want to place an order, please email rclark@xaviercatholicschools.org or call 920-702-5510 and leave a message.

PAYMENT: It is preferable to pay for your order on the ShopwithScrip website with Presto Pay, MasterCard or Visa.
  • If you can not pay online, please mail a check to Xavier Catholic Schools at 101 E Northland Avenue Appleton, WI 54911
  • When we have your payment and the cards are ready, we will send you an email to let you know that the order is ready for pickup or to be mailed  

MAIL DELIVERY: After you have placed your order, please email your complete home address to rclark@xaviercatholicschools.org . 
PICK UP: Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until Noon at the Scrip Office entrance: 101 E Northland Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911
When you arrive call 920-702-5510 and we will bring out your order
 
We will let you know when the Scrip Office will open again for walk in business.
   Thank you for your continued support of St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System.
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