Middle School
Weekly Newsletter
9/16/20
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Protection from Coronavirus
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
~ Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles  

September 15th begins National Hispanic Heritage Month and it runs through October 15th. This month-long observance is a celebration of histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. It is a time to honor the contributions of Latino and Hispanic communities, highlighting diversity, culture and traditions.
Weekly Mass
Tuesday, September 22nd at 9:30am.
Join us via livestream here Campus Ministry - XMS
Virtual Parent Night!
We have had a great start to the school year, and we would like to introduce you to the wonderful Xavier Middle School staff that is working with your children. Due to the present circumstances, Parent Night will be virtual this year. You will still get to meet your child's teachers, but in a different way. Look for the Parent Night link to be sent out on September 21st!
XMS School Day Start Time
Please remember that the Xavier Middle School school day begins at 8:00 am. This means that all students should be in their homerooms and seated at 8:00, not being dropped off at that time. It allows all students to start the day together with prayer, pledge, and announcements. Thank you!
STAR Reading Test & Accelerated Reader
All XMS students took the STAR reading test the past two weeks to determine their Accelerated Reader goals for the first quarter. If you are new to XMS and would like more information on these programs click here.
2020-2021 MAP Testing
XMS Students are participating in standardized tests called Measures of Academic Progress™ (MAP). Xavier Catholic Schools will administer student MAP tests during the fall and spring for grades 2 thru 10 to determine a child’s instructional level and to measure academic growth in the areas of reading, language arts and math. At XMS, each grade will be testing over 3 separate days. This week is testing for 7th and 8th grades. Next week, grades 5 and 6 will be testing. Please help the children do their best by making sure they have a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast. Please do not schedule appointments during these days.

As a way to say thank you to all of the 7th & 8th grade students for doing their best on the MAP tests during this week, the 7th & 8th grade students can be in casual clothes tomorrow (Thursday) for their last scheduled MAP test of the week. Only 7th & 8th grade students should be in casual clothes because the 5th & 6th grade students will get their chance to do their best on the MAP tests next week. Please remind your child to follow the casual day dress code guidelines in the handbook.
From the Attendance Office:
If your child will be missing school due to illness, an appointment, or a planned vacation, please call Brenda Verhagen in the school office at 730-8849, ext. 4102. All calls should be made by 9:00 am the day of the absence. Please do not rely on email communication only. Thank you!
Attendance Guidelines
We are following the guidelines provided to us by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in order to keep our schools healthy and open for as long as possible.

Students will be sent home and must remain home if:
  • They have a fever (temperature 100 or above) and/or have taken any medications (for example, ibuprofen, Tylenol) to reduce fever in the last 24 hours.
  • They have tested positive for COVID-19, with or without having symptoms, and have not yet finished their isolation period per public health recommendations.
  • Within the last two weeks, they have come in close contact with anyone who has СOVID-19.
 
OR within the last 24 hours:
  • They have experienced any ONE (or more) of the following symptoms above their baseline:
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty breathing
  • New loss of smell or taste
 
  • OR at least TWO of the following symptoms:
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Students MUST remain home until they are symptom free for 24 hours without the help of any medication. Children with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting should remain home until they are symptom free for 24 hours, even if it is unrelated to COVID-19.
Xavier Middle School: VEX Robotics Club
Middle school is the most formative time in a young student's life. The best way to instill a lifelong interest in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) is to provide a fun, engaging, and hands-on opportunity to explore and experience it for themselves.

Come and join the VEX Robotics Club! If your child is in 7th or 8th Grade, they can participate in a robotics competition called VEX Robotics. Please click here to learn a little more about VEX VRC/EDR Robotics.

Teams are led by Parent Coaches. (We can always use parents willing to coach a team.) The club fee is $100 per student. The club fee covers the registration fee for the team, tournament registration, and parts/equipment. 

If you are interested in participating in the VEX Club, please attend the Zoom Meeting on September 21st at 7:00 pm. Many aspects of the VEX Club will be discussed and the changes to this VEX season. The Zoom Meeting link is https://zoom.us/j/92574248793?pwd=VllTMlI1dVRIaGRLSjBtSmw2NytpUT09 
At this time, our VEX Robotics Competition for 5th and 6th Grade (VEX IQ) is not able to get started. We will be revisiting our ability to safely start this part of the club in the future. If you have any questions, please contact Brian McKinnon (bmckinnon@xaviercatholicschools.org) or Suzie Kroner (skroner@xaviercatholicschools.org).
XYBA Information
Xavier Youth Basketball Association (XYBA) is moving forward with our 2020-21 basketball registration. Please attend our information session via a google meet link this year:
 
Please share our program with any family that may be interested in Xavier Youth Basketball. Please contact the following individuals if you should have any questions this 2020-2021 season:
Box Tops for Education
We just wanted to remind you of the changes that the past year brought to the Box Tops for Education Program! Participating brands have changed their packaging from the traditional Box Tops clip to the new Box Tops label.

Going forward, you can still turn in the clippable Box Tops but now you can use the Box Tops mobile app to add to your school's earnings online. 
 
If you still have traditional Box Tops Clips at home, be sure to send them to school.  We will still earn cash for all clipped Box Tops until they expire. The next expiration date is November 1, 2020. 
 
Go to BTFE.COM for step by step instructions on how to install/use the new App. Remember to choose "ST FRANCIS XAVIER MIDDLE SCHOOL"  when downloading your app!
 
Thanks for helping our school!!
From the Scrip Office:
  • KWIK TRIP - Special Rebate for the Month of September 10%
  • ThankScriping Day is coming - September 17th. Families earn up to 20% with 85+ bonuses on eGift cards and reloaded gift cards. 1 day only Bonuses apply to eGift cards and money added to your reloadable gift cards only. Families must have an online account to participate. You must have Presto Pay or use a charge card on the website to participate
  • Physical Gift Cards Available - With the Scrip Office still closed to walk in business, we wanted to give people the opportunity to purchase physical gift cards again. We now offer curbside pickup on Monday to Friday from 8:00 am until Noon at the Scrip Office entrance on Northland Ave.
  • Ordering - The scrip process will be the same as before: you will place an order on the ShopwithScrip website. If you do not have a ShopwithScrip account or need help placing your order, please email rclark@xaviercatholicschools.org or call 920-702-5510.
  • Payment - It is preferable to pay for your order on the ShopwithScrip website with Presto Pay, MasterCard or Visa. If you cannot pay online, please bring a check when your order is ready for pick up.
  • Curbside Pick Up - Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. until Noon at the Scrip Office entrance: 101 E. Northland Ave. When you arrive, call 920-702-5510 and we will bring out your order.
  • Orders can go home with your children - As we are continuing to deal with the Covid-19 virus, we are limiting people who may enter our buildings. With that in mind, you will not be able to come into your school to pick up orders. You can have your child bring home your orders. However, you must first sign and return the permission slip. Please click here for the permission slip which allows your child to bring home orders throughout the current school year.
Lunch Payments
With the new school year beginning, this is a reminder that our hot lunch program is a pay as you go system and we ask that you keep a $10 minimum balance at all times. There are a few different ways you can make lunch payments this year:               
  • You can bring a check or cash to the Scrip Office (101 E Northland Ave), Monday thru Friday 8:00am until Noon
  • There is a Drop Box at the Business/Scrip Office by Door #5
  • You can mail a check to: Xavier Catholic Schools 101 E. Northland Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911
  • You can send a check with your child and they can turn it in to their Kids Group Teacher
Information on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program was sent home in the family envelopes. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Roy Clark at rclark@xaviercatholicschools.org.
Upcoming Events
Tue., Sep. 22
  • 9:30 am - Liturgy