Principal's Notes

September Newsletter

St. Xavier High School Principal David Mueller '72

FROM THE PRINCIPAL:  Good communication about progress is so important to the growth of St. Xavier students.    One of the five pillars of the Graduate at Graduation, our statement of graduation outcomes, is “Open to Growth.”   We help students to grow towards adult responsibility by expecting them to be the primary communicators with their teachers.  Parents, your love for your son will prompt you to continue to want to “rescue” him when he experiences disappointment and struggle, just as you did when he was a child.  The “Open to Growth” challenge for you now that your son is an adolescent is to resist rescuing him from messes.  A time-honored principle of Jesuit education is that students learn responsibility only to the extent that they have the freedom to get themselves into messes…and to have first crack at cleaning up messes: mistakes, disappointments, misunderstandings.   Let’s work together by always expecting students to undertake the first communication about school matters with teachers and coaches.  As a parent, you can provide appropriate support by coaching your son about how to approach a teacher or coach in a challenging conversation.  You can also enlist the help of your son’s guidance counselor to advise you or your son about planning a challenging conversation with a teacher or coach.

To help your son develop responsibility, please keep the following communication protocol in mind:

1. For most matters, the first conversation will be between student and teacher.  If the student is reluctant to speak with the teacher, the student will meet with his guidance counselor for coaching about how to meet with the teacher.
2. If a concern remains unresolved after step 1, the parent will speak with the teacher (with or without the student, as decided by the teacher and the parent.
3. If a concern remains unresolved after step 2, the parent or student will speak with Mr. William Sandquist, the assistant principal for academic affairs.  (A student may proceed directly from step 1 to step 3 if Mr. Sandquist approves.

For concerns about athletics, please read “coach” in place of “teacher” and “Mr. John Sullivan, athletic director” in place of “Mr. William Sandquist, assistant principal for academic affairs.”

St. Xavier faculty members teach much more than their subject area.  They like teaching in high school because of the opportunity to help students grow towards adulthood by learning to deal with their successes and their mistakes.  Yet teachers are busy people, and sometimes busy people overlook messages to be returned or important matters to be addressed.  If a teacher or coach does not respond to a student or parent message within two class days, the student or teacher should contact Mr. Sandquist or Mr. Sullivan, who will remind the faculty member to respond.

Here is additional information about communication:

Edline – Teachers are not required to begin to post grades on Edline until the middle of the first quarter.  There are so few grades before then that averages are not meaningful.  Beginning at the middle of the first quarter, teachers are expected to post grades at least every two weeks.   Some teachers also choose to post course assignments and resources on Edline.  Teachers are not required to post these materials on Edline; some distribute them via other means.

Class Night – On the evening of September 9 parents have an opportunity to go through ten-minute sessions of their son’s classes to meet his teachers and hear an overview of his courses.

Conference Nights – Parents of freshmen have an opportunity for individual conferences with their son’s teachers on the afternoon and evening of October 7.   Individual conferences for interested parents of all class years will take place on the evening of November 23.

Calls, E-mails, and Appointments with Faculty Members --  For parents who are at step 2 of the communication protocol above, there is no need to wait for formal conference evenings.  Please contact the teacher soon if your son has not been able to resolve a concern on his own, or if you need to communicate important information about your son to the teacher.

Guidance Counselors – Your son’s guidance counselor plays a critical role in helping you and your son’s teachers understand and appreciate your son’s whole experience at St. Xavier.  Please use the expertise of your son’s counselor.  Please note that professional ethics require guidance counselors to keep your son’s private conversations with them confidential.

Report Cards –  will be given to students in homeroom within 7 days following the end of the first, second, and third quarters.  Target dates are November 2, January 31, and April 4.  Final report cards will be mailed home at the end of the second semester.

CONGRATULATIONS:  Theatre Xavier won 7 Cappies for the fall 2009 production of The Fifth Sun.  The Cappies included Steven Schmidt for Best Male Cappies Critic,  Joe Markesbery for Best Dancer, Tommy Boeing for Best Actor in a Play, and the Mayan Gods Ensemble for Best Ensemble in a Play.

Nick Barnett, Alex Evans, Andrew McLaughlin, Connor Muething, and David Thomas are the officers of the Latin Club for 2010-11.

The track and field team announced its season awards in May: Ryan Schnieber – Most Valuable Field Athlete, Michael Archbold – Most Valuable Sprinter, Eric Gruenbacher – Most Valuable Distance Runner, Andrew Bachman – Most Improved, Cory Ochs – Scholar Athlete, Brian Donahue and Chris Hanson – Captain’s Awards.  The track and field team placed second in the GCL and qualified athletes in ten events at the regional meet.

Nick Augspurger and Priyam Modawal are the officers for the World Affairs Council in 2010-11.

Congratulations to the students who earned a superior rank for their science fair project at the Ohio State Science Fair: John Hess and Ben Krzmarczik completed a study on H1N1 and earned the Best Competition Team award; Scott Cupito and Steve Schmidt completed a project on water treatment evaluation. Nick Barnett earned an excellent rank for his experiment on yeast.

Chris Weber was been named to the 2009-2010 Dexter/United States Bowling Congress High School All-America Team.  This is the first time a St. Xavier bowler has been named to the team.  Selection to the team is based on the student-athlete's bowling accomplishments from the current school year, academic achievement, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and submitted essays and resumes.

St. Xavier High school students competed in the National Spanish Examinations.  Of the 774 St. Xavier students who participated this year, 323 won national recognition for their achievement and proficiency in Spanish.  The following students won gold medals, given to students who place among the top 5% in the nation: Quinn Fredrickson, Avinash Joseph, Phillip Helms, Zachary Morse, Alvaro Pasquel, Mark Boemker, Christopher Hecht, Zachary Tasset, and David House.

Ms. Regina Chambers, English teacher, was one of twenty teachers chosen to attend The Charles J. Ping Institute for the Teaching of the Humanities from July 13-16 at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Teachers representing nineteen schools studied sources of Greek

ATTENTION PARENTS OF THE CLASS OF 2014: Each freshman will receive a Progress Report in the mail during the week of September 20-24. This Progress Report will indicate a grade for each class. Please sign and have your son return to his homeroom teacher the bottom portion of the report. Please remember that your son has been in class for only four weeks, and in some of his classes, he may have very few grades. More detailed information on your son’s progress is available on Edline.   You may contact his teacher with any questions.

Freshman Parent Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 7.  Information regarding scheduling conferences will be available on Edline closer to this date.  If you do not have access to Edline by conference time, please contact Cindy Thomas at 761-7815 ext. 109.  The conferences are intended for students who are experiencing some difficulty with a class.  If your son is doing well, please do not feel obligated to schedule a conference (though you are welcome to do so).

CLASS NIGHT: Class Night will be held on Thursday, September 9.  This will provide you with the opportunity to meet your son's teachers.  After a brief meeting in you son’s homeroom at 7:00 p.m., you will follow your son's daily schedule.  Each class will take ten minutes.  A recent mailing about Class Night included a blank form for your son's schedule.  Please ask your son to fill out the schedule form.  Bring it with you on Class Night so that you know the schedule of "your" classes.

Since Class Night is always very well attended and traffic is heavy, we strongly urge you to drive in car pools.  Please be prompt so that the program can begin promptly and so that you are able to attend all of your son's classes.

This evening is an opportunity for you to meet the teachers and become aware of the texts and methods used in your son's classes.  In addition, various adult clubs and events will have booths in the cafeteria to provide information about their activities and to enlist your involvement.   Refreshments will be served in the cafeteria throughout the evening.

PARENT CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS:  Parent volunteers serve the school by monitoring classes for teachers who are chaperoning student retreats or attending professional meetings.  By performing these services in place of members of the faculty who would otherwise take these duties, they free teachers to meet with students and prepare classes.  No teaching experience is necessary.   Teachers prepare assignments for students to do on their own.  You decide how often you would like to serve.  In addition to helping the school, you will have the opportunity to have an insider's experience of the workings of the school.  An orientation session for parent classroom volunteers will take place on Tuesday, September 14 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m in Room 1560.  Feel free to attend this meeting.  For more information, please call parent coordinator Lisa Good at 936-9986.

ATTENTION JUNIORS AND SENIORS:  Information regarding class rings, graduation announcements, and cap and gown measurements will be on display in the cafeteria on Class Night, September 9 and in the Bookstore after that night until ordering/measurement days.  Graduate Services will be in the Cafeteria on September 21, 22, and 23 during flex from 8:30-3:00 to take ring orders and graduation announcement orders and measure for cap and gowns. 

 BOOKSTORE/SPIRIT SHOP:  Bookstore/Spirit Shop Hours:  The Bookstore/Spirit Shop hours for the school year are 7:45am-4:00pm on regular school days and from 8:00am-12:30pm on Exam Days.  You may call us at 762-7815 ext 706.  The Bookstore/Spirit Shop will be open Thursday evening, September 9th for Class Night.

A REMINDER FROM THE BUSINESS OFFICE - All tuition accounts must be up to date by the end of the school year for seniors to receive their grades, diplomas and final transcripts for college and for underclassmen to receive their grades and class schedules for next year.  If you are having a particular problem making scheduled payments, please call the Business Office, 761-7815 x 134.  Should you prefer to set up “automatic bill payments” for your son’s tuition account, please contact your bank.  We do not accept charge cards for tuition payments. Be sure to include your son’s ID number shown on your tuition statement with each payment.

HEALTH CAREERS SEMINAR COURSE:  Students who are enrolled in the Heatlh Careers Seminar course should plan to attend the first meeting on Tuesday, August 31 at 6:30 PM in room 3558!  (And, there are spaces available for students who have a strong interest in a Medical or Allied Health Field and wish to hear about the experiences of professionals).  Questions?  Email Ms. Doyle jdoyle@stxavier.org.

FROM CAMPUS MINISTRY:  Frosh Retreats   Every freshman will participate in a day of retreat this fall, scheduled for one of five days according to the house to which he belongs:  Sept. 13,14, 20, 21, Nov. 8.  Your sons will be asked to bring home a handout which describes the details of the day and emphasizes the importance of a retreat day which deals with the core beliefs and values of our school.  It is for this reason that the day is a required activity of the freshman year.  When your son brings this handout home in August/September, please read it for your information and sign the permission form to be returned to school by your son.

The focus of the day is the Ignatian one of “finding God in all things”—studies, athletics, extracurriculars, social life and relationships.  The staff at the Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford, some faculty members and Campus Ministry staff will lead the day.  More details about the day will be included in the above-mentioned letter which your son will bring home.

Each retreat day will begin in the school chapel at 8:00 a.m., with subsequent travel by bus to the Jesuit  Spiritual Center at Milford for the day, and return to St. Xavier by 3 p.m. so students can use their regular transportation home from school.  Dress for the day is casual (jeans, T-shirts, etc.) and lunch will be provided at the Jesuit Center.

Retreats for other Grade Levels:  Details about retreats for other grade levels will be published in future newsletters and in classes and on the school website.  But here is some general information which you may wish to save.

Sophomores:  Retreat Experience Days (required) are scheduled in second semester, tentatively in April.  Sophomores will be bringing information and permission forms home to their parents about a month before that time.  There will also be two optional Knightwatch retreats on January 16-17 and February 20-21.  Sophomores will find out more about these retreats in their Faith and Sacrament classes.

Juniors  will participate in one of 10 retreats scheduled throughout the year beginning in September and ending in April.  Details and sign-up procedures will be given in the junior Morality classes in early September.  They will be bringing this information and permission forms home in September to be signed by parents and returned.

Seniors  will learn of their options and the sign-up process at an assembly in late August.  There will be 6 Kairos retreat dates for them to choose from.  Sign-up for the Kairos retreats opens on various dates throughout the year which will be announced in the daily bulletin (which you can find on Edline on the school calendar too).  Your son should watch for these dates if he is interested in making a Kairos retreat since it is first come, first served.  We encourage your sons to participate in this optional retreat as it has been an important part of senior year for many students over the years.  SPECIAL NOTE: The first Kairos retreat this year will run from Tuesday through Friday (Sept. 21-24).  Since that Friday is a Faculty In-Service Day there will be no classes for students.  This presents an opportunity for those students who sign up for this Kairos to miss one less school day than those on the other Kairos retreats later in the year.  We encourage students to sign up for this retreat for this reason and also because there may not be enough spaces on later Kairos retreats if you wait to sign up later.  IN SHORT, IF YOU WANT TO GO ON A KAIROS RETREAT, SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS FIRST ONE!

Descriptions of all retreats mentioned here can be found on the St. Xavier Website, and all retreat dates appear on the school calendar, as well as in the monthly newsletter calendars.  Be sure to check with your son about retreats as the year unfolds and/or call the Campus Ministry office anytime if you would like to talk to someone about any of these retreat experiences.  Typically, St. X retreats are commented upon very favorably by our students each year in their senior exit interviews and so we are looking forward to a year of spiritually enriching retreats for your sons.

One final note:  If your son will be required to take any type of medication while on his retreat this year, he  (or you) should obtain the proper form from Donna Moore in the Assistant Principal’s office.  This form should be returned to her in advance of the retreat.  Also, if your son will have any special dietary needs while on retreat, we can help.  Give Lee Yeazell a call at extension 524 for the procedure to follow.  Thanks.

FROM THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICE: We are looking forward to another great year of student participation in service.  Please encourage your sons to get involved in helping those in need.  Student applications for all service programs are due the first week of September.  All applications are to be completed via the web, and then printed, signed and returned to the Community Service Office.  As always, we certainly welcome parent chaperones for all service programs.  Chaperoning is wonderful way to be involved in a meaningful activity with your son.  Contact Mr. Matt Kemper with questions at ext. 530.  Next month look for information on the annual Big Brothers/Big Buddies Car Wash, as well as the annual CFD Adopt-A-Family sign-up form.

THEATRE XAVIER - Welcome to TX - We're ready to begin this new year.  All are anxious to welcome veterans and new participants. Our ORGANIZATION MEETING is scheduled for Tuesday, August 31, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Performance Center.  Those interested in stage crew, props crew, lighting and sound crew, production crew, costume and makeup crew, as well as all interested in performing in shows should attend this meeting.  You won't have to stay the entire 2 hours if your schedule is tight.  We will talk of all productions being done this school year, calendars will be distributed, and auditions discussed. Here are important dates for the coming year:
Organization meeting for the year, and especially the Fall Musical - "Zombie Prom" - August 31, 4 - 6 p.m., Performance Center.

Fall Auditions - Sept. 14 and 15 (callbacks on the 15th), Performances Center, 4 - 9 p.m..

Fall Performance dates - November 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20.

Winter Organization meeting for the Black Box production - November 30, 4 - 6 p.m., Performance Center.

Winter Auditions - Thursday, December 2, 4 - 9:30 p.m., Black Box Theater.

Winter Performance dates - January 13, 14, 15, 16, 2011 (matinee on the 16th.) Title of the winter production will be announced later.

Spring Musical Organization meeting - Tuesday, January 4, 2011, 4 - 6:30 p.m., Performance Center.

Spring Musical - "Phantom of the Opera" - Auditions - Tuesday, January 11 and Wednesday, January 12, 4 - 9:30 p.m.,     Performance Center and Black Box.

Spring Musical Performance dates - April (2011) 7, 8 9, 10 (matinee), 14, 15, 16.

Much more information will be given in later newsletters regarding the shows.  Right now, we just want you to prep your calendars for the important dates listed above.  Award winning THEATRE XAVIER is looking for those who will carry on our traditions of excellence in performance and personal growth, spiritual growth, sharpening talents and skills on and off stage, and giving to the St. Xavier community and the greater community of Cincinnati.  Come to the organization meeting and begin making new friends and setting new goals.  WE ARE TX.  Join us!

See TX director Ms. Michele Mascari for more information as needed.  Phone 761-7600, ext. 585.   

FROM THE COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT:
All Parents: We are here to help your son (and you) through his high school experience.  Please feel free to call or email us if you have any questions.  Your son’s counselor’s name is on his schedule.  Also, please visit our webpage for helpful information.  To get to our website, go to the St. Xavier website, click on Academics, and then click on Guidance.  We also will be sending you valuable information throughout the academic year by the way of Mr. Mueller’s weekly email newsletter.

College Information: Beginning in early September, the senior counselors will be meeting individually with your son to discuss his college plans.  The senior counselors are always available to discuss personal, academic, and career topics with you.  Your son will be instructed to make transcript requests directly to his counselor.  We ask your son to make his requests  Ten Class Days prior to the time he wishes his transcript packet to be sent out.  There is a $3 processing fee for each record packet sent to a college or scholarship program.

Senior and Junior Parents - College Representatives School Visits: We anticipate hosting representatives from approximately 80 colleges this fall.  A list of the colleges scheduled to visit St. X will be provided to each senior and junior by mid-September and emailed to you by the way of Mr. Mueller’s weekly email, with updates posted in homerooms and on the Guidance Department webpage.  Seniors and juniors are encouraged to attend these meetings to become informed about particular colleges and to become familiar with the admission expectations of colleges in general.  If your son must miss a class in order to attend such a visit, he first must have a signed permission form from his teacher 24 hours in advance of the meeting.  These forms can be obtained from the Guidance Secretaries. Students are responsible for making up any work missed while at a college session.

Junior Parents:  As you are well aware, your son has a new counselor this year.  He met with his new counselor in early May. We will be meeting with your son in small groups soon.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Freshman and Sophomore Parents:  We are in the process of meeting with your sons both individually and during FLEX Time Groups.  If your son would like to meet with us before we have a chance to set up an appointment with him, there are appointment request forms located outside of our office doors.

As you already know, Mr. Matt Keith is no longer a freshman/sophomore counselor.  He has taken on the position of Assistant Principal of Discipline and Student Affairs.  The School would like to welcome Mr. Andy Holmes as the new freshman/sophomore counselor.  Mr. Holmes is a ’96 graduate of St. Xavier and has been a counselor at Ursuline Academy for the past several years

PARENTS ACROSS CULTURES:  The Parents Across Cultures Board extends a welcome to all for the new school year, and announces its 2010-11 board members and officers:  Renée Dunn (President); Ken Lindsay (Vice President); Ami Das (Secretary); Diane Almanza (Treasurer); Lorri Finke; Mauricio Gallegos; Loretta Keeling; Diane Le; Tangie Lewis; and Sunitha Narayan.

FROM THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT:   Fall Sports:  Once again the season is upon us.  Tailgating is highly encouraged and fun for all.  However, we ask that a few simple rules be followed:

1. No alcoholic beverages.  This is an OHSAA, GCL and School rule that must be followed.
2. Please clean up trash and take with you.  Our trash removal capabilities are limited.  Also, please do not leave trash in plastic bags because “critters” tear into the bags overnight and we then have a major mess.
3. If you see unacceptable behavior, please notify the police officers and they will handle it.

X-100 Cards:  There are still X-100 cards available for the 2010-11 sports season. For a donation of $100.00 you receive a Booster Club membership and a card that allows ONE individual entry into ALL HOME athletic events (excluding GCL tournaments and OHSAA Tournaments) for the entire year free of charge. Contact Teri Smith at ext. 127 to purchase a card.
 
The Sports Medicine Department would like to thank everyone who helped out with the mass physicals on June 5 this year.  It went off without any problems and really goes a long way toward helping St. Xavier athletics for this year, and hopefully for continuing years.  Thanks to all of the doctors, nurses, athletic trainers, student athletic trainers, and parents who helped us make it a success!  We had over 250 students participate and hope to have even more in the future.

Want to Get Involved in the St. Xavier Booster Club?
The St. Xavier Booster Club, a service organization that provides financial and volunteer assistance to our sports teams, would like to invite parents, families and alumni to get involved.  You can get involved in one of five ways depending on your time availability.

1. Join as a Member-at-Large: which means you attend our monthly meeting which is usually at 6 p.m. at St. X on the 2nd Monday of each month.  From here you determine how further involved you wish to be.  You can join various committees (concessions, membership, Hall of Fame Banquet event planning, Split the Pot, Sports Program production and advertising, etc…).
2. Just attend the monthly meetings from time to time to learn more and provide input and ideas.
3. Volunteer to provide manual labor as a result of some of the ideas and efforts of the various committees described above.
4. Become a Booster Member: no time commitment just write a check!
5. Place an ad or sell ads in the St. X Sports Program: email Bob Rinaldi brinaldi@zoomtown.com.

The Booster Club also provides funds to help with athletic facility improvements. This is a large undertaking as nearly 1000 students participate in at least one of our 12 interscholastic sports, 3 club sports and intramurals. A significant portion of the financial assistance we receive comes from parents, alumni and friends of St. Xavier in the form of annual membership fees to the Booster Club and Sports Program advertising. We depend on your support to keep our tradition of “excellence in athletics” alive.

BECOME A BOOSTER MEMBER FOR AS LITTLE AS $55.00.  Membership form can be found on the St. X Website (www.stxavier.org > ATHLETICS > ATHLETIC OFFICE > Boosters > Booster Club Membership Form).

ADVERTISE IN THE SPORTS PROGRAM FOR AS LITTLE AS $50.00
Member ship form can be found on the St. X Website (www.stxavier.org > ATHLETICS > ATHLETIC OFFICE > Boosters > Advertising and Program Listings Form)

St. Xavier Cross Country 2010
Meet Schedule and Important Dates

MUSIC PROMOTERS:  The 2010-11 Music Promoters Board of Directors has been hard at work planning this year’s music events. The Board of Directors includes: Jim Hall, President; Mary Hobson, Vice President; Eileen Budo, Secretary; Patty Corona, Treasurer; Beth Powers, Volunteer Coordinator; Donna Broderick, Communications, Choral Liaison; Linda Weaver and Kim Wessendarp, Marching Band Liaisons; Tamara Anderson, Strings Liaison, Lynne Brophy and Kim Garcia, Hospitality Liaisons; Dave Thomas, Band Director; Karl Thomsen, Choral Director; and Isaac Watras, String Director.

Marching Band got off to a great start with camp and is excited to present a new look to their shows this year! If you have not yet seen our Marching Band in action make plans to come to some of the remaining varsity football games. The band plays at all football games; get there early to watch the Xmen sing the national anthem before home games at St. Xavier.

Want LIVE music at your tailgate? Look for the Music Promoters tent – or follow the sound. This year we will organize a tailgate at every varsity home football game. Please bring a side dish to share and your own meat – a grill will be available. The specific location will be listed on the website once it is determined. The marching band will join us at the MP tent.

Tryouts for select chorus (Something Blue & Rhythm and Blue) and strings (Chamber Blues) groups will be held in early September. All interested students should contact the appropriate director for more details.

This fall Xmen will be hosting the St. Ignatius choir from Cleveland. Please volunteer to house a student or two for the night of Oct 22. Contact Beth Powers for details at bpowers@c-power.com if you can help. Please include the number of boys you can host.

Europe anyone? We are officially planning a choral competition and trip to Europe early July of 2011. There will be a limited number of spots so those interested should contact Karl Thomsen in person. Additional details will be forthcoming when available.

If you have not yet received a reloadable Kroger gift card or need another, please contact Gregg Greivenkamp at ggreivenkamp@gmail.com. Thanks to all those who have been using their cards - Music Promoters is receiving monthly revenue to reduce its costs.

We can use your help and your ideas in making this a successful year for our boys. For more information, schedules, and ways to help, please visit the school’s website: www.stxavier.org/musicpromoters.

Upcoming dates:
September 2  Something Blue, Rhythm and Blue auditions
September 6  Chamber Blues auditions
October 22  Combined Concert with St. Ignatius - at St. X

Gearing Up for an X-Cape of Whale-like Proportions:  Every now and then we could all use a little X-cape. That’s why the 2011 X-Travaganza invites you to X-Cape to New England…for a whale of a good time. Whether New England has us thinking of sandy beaches, sampling the succulent seafood, strolling quaint towns, reliving the birth of this nation or losing oneself in the challenge of a mountain hike, there’s something for everyone. That’s X-actly what this year’s X-Travaganza has to offer as well. Here is a taste of what’s taking place:

The very successful LADIES NINE HOLE GOLF SCRAMBLE was August 18 at Maketewah Country Club. Participants were treated to an afternoon of golf followed by dinner and cocktails. We X-tend a big thanks to Katie and John Frey who gave of their time and talent to chair the event. We also appreciate the golfers who had such fun. This outing was the very first of its kind but certainly won’t be the last.

Look for your invitation to a GIFT GATHERING PARTY. Several dates/times/locations are listed on the enclosed flyer. These events, hosted by parents, allow guests to offer donations in a relaxed and fun setting surrounded by friends, family and new acquaintances. Consider making a monetary donation or giving gift cards to restaurants or retail shops; tickets to sporting or entertainment events; vacation homes or resort packages; collectibles, either in mint condition or new; jewelry, unique handcrafted items and more. For additional ideas or clarification, contact the X-Travaganza office at 513-761-7815, extensions 111, 113, or 117. Individuals or businesses may also donate gifts by bringing them to the X-Travaganza office at St. X or arranging for pick-up by contacting the X-Travaganza office.

On Saturday, October 2, it’s the TEXAS HOLD ‘EM TOURNAMENT. Chaired by Dave Hofmeister and co-chaired by Edmonde DeGregorio (’70), this event is a guaranteed X-cellent night. It isn’t just about a card game where you can play alongside celebrity entrants; it’s also about a host of other gaming opportunities, great food and drink and a silent auction full of awesome items. Look for the enclosed flyer for more details and registration information.

The ONLINE AUCTION moves from the winter to late November this year, beginning the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and concluding Sunday, December 5. Just in time for the holiday season, don’t forget to add X-Trav to your online shopping sites. You can pick up some great gifts and skip the traffic and malls or the hassle of worrying whether you gift will be delivered in time for Christmas. Shop, bid, click, win. Chaired by Monica Dieckman with co-chair Susan Hadley, more details about this X-citing X-perience will soon follow.

No matter the activity, X-Travaganza allows everyone the opportunity to come out and support the young men of St. X. All proceeds support tuition assistance and other student programs. Chaired by Mary and Jim Thacker, co-chaired by Claire and Jeff Ehrman and sponsored by The Corporex Family of Companies, X-Travaganza also gives you the chance to meet many people and get involved in terrific events by volunteering your time, talent, or treasure. No matter how much time you can devote or items/cash you can donate, we welcome and appreciate your help. If you aren’t sure what to do but know you’d like to be involved, review and complete the circulating sign-up sheets or call the X-Travaganza office. Director Sara Schindler (513-761-7815 ext. 113) and administrative assistants Heidi O’Connor (ext.117) and Paula Flaherty (ext. 111) are happy to accept your calls and explain how you can help.

Reward yourself for your efforts by enjoying the festivities, food, fun and fellowship of X-Travaganza. Please mark your calendars for FIRST NIGHT on Friday, March 11, 2011 for a Lenten buffet dinner, raffles, silent auction and more, all chaired by Mary Rita Washburn and co-chair Heidi Mechley-Felton.

And join us Saturday, March 12, 2011, for X-TRAVAGANZA 2011. Dress up, party down and engross yourself in the high energy of an evening including a silent auction, a gourmet dinner and Live Auction with some of the most fascinating items you’ll ever see: lavish vacations, celebrity encounters, internships, furry additions to your family and much more. Help make X-Travaganza 2011 the best and biggest it’s ever been. With your contribution and participation there’s no doubt X-Travaganza 2011 is sure to be a whale of a good time - New England style.

More than anything, VOLUNTEERS are the lifeblood of X-Travaganza. Nothing we accomplish on behalf of the boys through X-Travaganza happens without the full support of the St. X parent community. Please fill out the volunteer form in the school packet and join us in this great cause; these are your sons and X-Travaganza is your program to support them in a fun, fulfilling way. We appreciate any and every amount of time you can give and can find you a job to fit any schedule. A successful X-Travaganza directly correlates with the commitment and talent of our volunteers. An event of this caliber requires the individual and collective effort of the entire community.

Everyone can support X-Travaganza in some way and I challenge all families - parents and/or students - to volunteer time, donate a gift or support X-Travaganza in some other way. It would be quite a statement to have 100 percent participation from all current St. X families. No matter how you can help, your help is needed and appreciated.

MESSAGE FROM THE MOTHERS’ CLUB: It is never too late to join Mothers Club! Simply fill out and return our membership flyer in this month’s newsletter (or online at www.stxavier.org/mothersclub) to do so.  In fact, you can join at Class Night, as well.  If you are able to volunteer, check any events/activities which interest you, and a board member will contact you.  If you would like to become a member, but can’t volunteer at this time, please join anyway and receive a complimentary copy of the school directory with your paid dues.

We thank you for supporting the Mothers’ Club goal to provide service, spiritual, and social opportunities to our members. A special thanks is extended to parents who collated schedules and directories and took photo IDs.

All are invited to join us for a welcome, or welcome back, general meeting on Thursday, September 30 in the theatre. Following appetizers and a social hour, we are pleased to present Steve VonHoene of Journey Learning as the evening’s speaker. His topic is “The High School Years – a fun look at how the past ‘shapes’ the future.” Please see enclosed flyer for more details.

Mothers’ Club extends a special invitation to all Freshman Parents to join us for Mass on Monday, October 4 at 9 am in the Chapel.  After Mass celebrated by Fr. Howe, we’ll enjoy coffee and breakfast treats in Room 1558 around the corner. 

Boutique Workshops are now in progress every Wednesday from 9am – 2pm in the South Campus Building across the street behind the baseball fields.  We have sewing and decorating projects that require some experience, as well as projects that begin with a base coat of paint or assembly with a glue gun.  If you want to help but are concerned you have no experience come to “Boutique Boot Camp” on September 15. We will have “how to” sessions in all areas of crafting. Whether you come the first time as a skilled crafter or as a novice, we are sure you will want to return to experience the community we share.  Lunch is provided, and the advice from veteran St. X moms is free too!  For more information, please e-mail: mothersclub@stxavier.org.

STOP AND SHOP!  Our St. X boys are counting on you for help.  Support the Mothers' Club Mission and simultaneously fulfill all of your St. X jewelry needs.  Items for the fall include the classic "X" and Bomber earrings as well as the classic "X" lapel pin and matching earrings in gold & silver. In addition check out the new bracelet, earring, necklace and pendant designs.  Contact Amy Lanzit at my3sons@fuse.net for ordering information or questions or "STOP" by the Bookstore to check out the selections.
 
Upcoming Mothers’ Club Events:
Every Wed - Boutique Workshop - South Campus, 9 am-2 pm   
Sep 9 - Class Night - New Gym Lobby & Cafeteria, 7-9 pm
Sep 15 - ‘Boutique Boot Camp’ - South Campus, 9 am-2 pm
Sep 30 - Fall Speaker & Meeting – Theater, 7 pm  
Oct 4 - Mass followed by refreshments - Chapel, 9 am - all are welcome (Especially Freshman Parents!)
Oct 8 - Walk for “X” - Barrett Center, 9 am    
Oct 15 - Christmas Invitation Preparation - Barrett Center, 9 am   
    
IMPORTANT DATES FOR OCTOBER