Graduation Parent Letter

March 24, 2023

Dear Senior Parents,
As graduation approaches, we would like to pass along some graduation information that should help our plans go as smoothly as possible.  Please post this information in a prominent location. All details can also be found at xaviersaints.org/2023

• Senior Decorum:  As the final weeks of the school year approach, please work with us to help the students conduct themselves well. Our seniors have had an outstanding year and we would like to see them finish on a positive note.  Keep in mind that any seniors who have not served required detentions will have to report after graduation. Also, there will be no camping allowed on school premises.  
• Senior Meeting:  All seniors will meet with Ms. Olson and Mr. Geilenfeld on Tuesday, April 18 and Tuesday, May 2 during Xcel to go over all graduation details for the month of May.  
• Caps and Gowns:  Xavier provides a cap, gown and tassel that will be distributed to each senior on Tuesday, April 18 during Xcel.  Students are responsible for all items distributed.
• Senior Honors Assembly:  Parents of graduating seniors are invited and encouraged to attend the Senior Honors Assembly on Tuesday, April 25, beginning at 12:45 p.m. in the Ron Thillen Gymnasium. The major Xavier scholarships and honors will be awarded at this time.  All seniors must attend this assembly.  Please remember that all seniors will be in dress code and seniors will wear their graduation gowns (no cap, no tassel) throughout the Honors Assembly.

Please also remember to submit to Mrs. Anne Wallraff in Student Services documentation of any scholarship your student has been offered from any school or organization.  The email sent to all senior parents on March 20 can be found at xaviersaints.org/2023.  Deadline is Friday, April 21 at 3:00 p.m.  

• Senior Class Picture:  Seniors must wear their graduation gowns, no cap, no tassel for their class picture at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25 in the gym.  The photo will be taken prior to the Senior Honors Assembly. 
• Senior Retreat and Senior Walk:  The senior retreat will be held on Friday, May 5th at St. Patrick Parish Hall from 8:00am – 2:00pm.  This is a required school day, attendance will be taken.  Xavier Kirkwood Regional students with class on Friday who take morning classes will report to the retreat after their class.  Students who take Kirkwood afternoon classes will leave at 1:30 pm.  Seniors are to bring their own lunch and dress is casual.  Following the retreat, seniors will report to the Xavier Catholic elementary school they attended for our annual "Senior Walk."  Seniors will wear their cap and gown.  If your senior did not attend elementary school in the Xavier Catholic School system, they will be asked to attend a specific XCS elementary to best even out numbers at the various locations.  Seniors will be visiting All Saints, LaSalle Elementary, St. Joseph, St. Matthew, and St. Pius X.  Following their walk at each school, seniors will be officially dismissed for the day.
• Senior Exams:  On May 15 & 16, seniors will take final exams for class blocks 3 and 4.  Seniors will report to their morning classes for review.  On May 17 & 18 seniors will take final exams for class blocks 1 and 2.  After their second block class they are dismissed for the day or to make up any exams or work.  Monday May 15 seniors are encouraged to wear college t-shirt/sweatshirt with dress code pants.  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are normal dress code days. 
• Baccalaureate for Graduates and Parents:  One of the highlights of the graduation activities is the Baccalaureate Mass for seniors and their parents on Wednesday, May 17, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Ron Thillen Gymnasium.  Members of the senior class have planned the liturgy with Campus Ministry Directors, Fr. Richmond, Jody Esker and Jaclyn Richmond.  Parents and students should sit together during Mass. The evening will consist of Mass and two speeches, there will be an intermission after Mass to allow participants to stretch their legs, visit the art show, mingle with the community and take a picture. A faculty member and member of the senior class will address the graduates and parents in the gym following the intermission.  This is a dress-up occasion, but no caps and gowns.
• Graduation Practice for Seniors:  All seniors are required to attend graduation practice on Friday, May 19, beginning at 8:30 a.m. sharp in the Schubert Commons.  The Regis-LaSalle-Xavier Alumni Association will serve a complimentary continental breakfast for the graduates at 8:30 a.m. on the balcony of the gym prior to practice.
• Graduation Ceremony Decorum:  The tradition of Xavier’s graduation ceremony is one that we are proud of.  We ask that all guests help us to maintain the dignity of the event by refraining from calling out or creating other disturbances when your graduate’s name is announced.  Not only does this take away from the formality of the ceremony, it also robs the next graduate of the attention that he/she deserves.  Thank you for your help in this regard.  
• Graduation: Graduation is scheduled for Sunday, May 21, at 2:00 p.m. in the Ron Thillen Gymnasium. All seniors are required to be in cap, gown and tassel in the theater no later than 1:30 p.m. Senior boys must be dressed in dress slacks, dress shirts with collars, a tie, socks and dress shoes.  Senior girls must be dressed in a dress or dress blouse with a dress skirt or dress pants and dress shoes. 

Each family will receive two reserved seats based upon the student’s last name.  Due to gym seating conditions, we cannot offer you any more than the two reserved seats.  However, there will be plenty of non-reserved seating available in the bleachers to accommodate your needs.

If your family needs special seating arrangements due to physical handicap, please feel free to contact Meg Hansen at 294-6635 ext. 309 or email her at [email protected] by Friday, April 28.  There is limited chair seating on the floor behind the graduates. Our graduates will be seated:

Allen - Koopmann  on the right side of the gym

Kramer - Zerpa  on the left side of the gym 

Each row of graduates will stand and then individually process to the stage to receive his or her diploma.  In order to ensure the best view of your son or daughter, the reserved parent seats will be in the chairs on the opposite side from where the graduate is seated.  Graduates will receive their diplomas and walk toward the reserved family seating.  Additional seating in the bleachers is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. sharp.

• Graduation Photo:  Read Photography has been contracted to take a professional photo as each graduate receives their diploma.  Each student will receive a complimentary color proof of that photo in the mail on an order card approximately two weeks after the ceremony.  If the student does not wish to order an enlargement he/she may keep the proof at no cost.  Prices vary according to enlargement size and package chosen.
• Credits/Service Requirements:  Only those who have met all credit and service requirements for graduation from Xavier will be recognized as graduates.  It is important to realize that students, at a bare minimum, still need to pass Theology, English, Economics and Government.  There are others who must also pass other classes to receive enough credits and to pass all other graduation requirements.  Stay in touch with the teachers, the Student Services department, and your son/daughter as the year begins to wind down.  If you have any questions concerning credits or service requirements, please call Katie Hamilton in the Student Services office at 294-6635 ext. 311 or email [email protected].
• Outstanding Balances:  All tuition, fees, activity uniforms and equipment, and related obligations must be met in full before your graduate can participate in the ceremony and before Xavier will release a diploma or a school transcript.  Please contact the business office if there are any questions concerning outstanding balances.  With no exceptions, all payments must be completed by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18.

It has been a pleasure working with you and your student during this past year.  We are planning for a beautiful Senior Honors Assembly, Baccalaureate Mass, and Commencement Ceremony.  It is our hope that you will be able to share all of these special moments with your graduate.  If you have any questions concerning any of these details, please give us a call.

Sincerely,

Angela Olson Chuckie Geilenfeld

Principal Associate Principal