Second Semester Schedule Changes

Schedule changes for next semester begin this week. Second semester schedules were made available in PowerSchool on Friday, December 6th. Students must log into PowerSchool, review their courses, and check the Master Schedule to see if their change will work or if it is possible. They will then complete the online form that was emailed from Student Services on Wednesday, December 4th. For complete guidelines and links, please refer to the email titled “IMPORTANT INFO - Second Semester Schedule Changes!”.

If a student cannot find an acceptable solution, they may meet with a counselor between classes this week:

• December 10th - Only Seniors will be able to meet with a counselor
• December 11-12th - all students can meet with a counselor

Hy-Vee Receipt Reminder

Please remember to keep bringing in your Hy-Vee receipts for their Cash 4 Students program. Hy-Vee donates $1 for every $200 in receipts collected.

• You can drop them off at the Xavier front desk during school hours or in the business office drop box outside the main office after hours.
• Receipts need to be dated from April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025.
• The deadline to turn these in is March 31, 2025.

Thank you for your help with this great fundraiser for our school!

Semester Final Assessments

Semester Final Assessments will take place the last school days in December. Students are expected to report to all classes for final exams. Any planned absences during finals must be scheduled in advance with Mr. Geilenfeld.

Click HERE for more detailed information regarding the schedule in December.

• December 16 - A Day Exam Prep
• December 17 - A Day Final Exams
• December 18 - B Day Exam Prep (Regular 7:50 start time)
• December 19 - B Day Final Exams
• December 20 - Review Day, Xavier Spirit Dress Day, 11:15 Dismissal

Battle of 42nd Street Blood Drive

Xavier Health Club will be hosting the Annual Battle of 42nd Street Blood Drive on Monday December 9 and Tuesday December 10th from 1:30pm to 6pm at the Oakland Church of the Nazarene.  Proceeds from this blood drive will go toward a scholarship for Xavier student, Benny Jongquist. 

Click HERE for more information. 

Scan QR code for an appointment or click one of the links below:

• Monday, December 9th  
• Tuesday, December 10th

Questions, please contact kris.naeve@crxcs.org.

24/25 Yearbooks

2024-2025 yearbooks can be purchased now through Jostens for $75.  Yearbooks are available for purchase until the end of May, but the price goes up the longer you wait, so get yours now!

Saint Shop December Hours

The Saint Shop will be open:

• December 9-13: 1:30 - 3:00 PM
• December 16-17: 1:30-3:00 PM

Saints Shop End of Year Sale

Our 12 DAYS of CHRISTMAS SALE continues through December 17th. More info found on:

• Facebook, https://facebook.com/XavierSaintsShop
• Twitter, @shop_saints
• and Instagram, @xavier_saints_shop

The Saint Shop will be closed after December 17 and will reopen in mid-January.

Xpress Newspaper

Click here to view the latest edition of the Xpress Newspaper

Advent

Advent is here! To celebrate this important liturgical season, we have an online Advent guide here, with lots of opportunities for prayer and reflection. Morning Prayer will be based around Word on Fire’s Advent Gospel Reflections, and we will reflect on Advent through activities in our Community houses.

Communal Reconciliation times for Advent are:

• Tuesday December 10 at 6:30pm at St. Paul Newhall
• Saturday, December 14 at 10:30am at All Saints
• Tuesday, December 17 at 6pm at St. Matthew
• Saturday, December 21 at 10:30am at St. Pius X

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated on December 9. This year, for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, it is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation, but we encourage you to still celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Conception by going to Daily Mass at one of the parishes in the Cedar Rapids area!

'Double the Blessings' Year-End Challenge

On Giving Tuesday we introduced our ‘Double the Blessings’ Year-End Challenge for our Xavier Catholic Schools. Thanks to a generous dedicated donor, every dollar donated now through December 31 will be matched—up to $25,000!

We invite you to reflect on the many blessings our schools have provided our families and our community. Your gift directly supports two priorities in our XCS schools:

• Building Faith: Providing resources for Catholic spiritual training, sacred spaces, and spiritual artwork to deepen the faith lives of our students, teachers, and staff.
• Building Improvements: Enhancing security and maintenance to create safe, Christ-centered environments for learning and growth.

Together, we can ensure that Xavier Catholic Schools continues to fulfill our mission of “Creating disciples unafraid to follow Jesus Christ.”

Gifts of all sizes are appreciated! Visit CRXCS.org/Give to make your gift today or mail your donation to XCS Foundation, PO Box 10956, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410. Thank you for your generosity, and may the joy of Christ’s birth fill your hearts with peace this season!

Help Spread the Word! XCS Foundation is Hiring!



The Xavier Catholic Schools Foundation is currently seeking a full-time Campaign Manager. The full job description can be found at CRXCS.org/employment.

Connect with Mary Harken (mary.harken@crxcs.org) if interested or have questions about the Campaign Manager position.

Help Spread the Word! XCS Foundation Seeking Volunteer Grant Writers



The Xavier Catholic Schools Foundation office is seeking a volunteer grant writer. This is a volunteer role that can be done on your own time, at your own pace, from your own home, as able. Contact us at advancement@crxcs.org if you or someone you know may be able to assist. We appreciate the consideration!