UPDATE: March 24, 2020: Learning

Xavier families, below are details as they relate to learning opportunities we are launching for our Saints starting tomorrow! Please help us in encouraging your student to check his/her email daily.  Learning and other information will be sent regularly to students through their @beasaint email. We are also creating a student resource page for all important information to reside in one spot (which will also include information such as "virtual office hours" for each teacher). Once that page is live, we will share it with students and families.  ACADEMICS/"COURSES" Over the past two days, XHS teachers have been hard at work to develop learning opportunities for our Saints. These opportunities will help students be prepared for whatever their next step may be when they return (again knowing that we may remain closed beyond Easter). For each course, teachers were tasked to identify the following: The essential questions teachers are asking students in this course What students will know and be able to do The activity students will engage in The resource(s) students will need How to check due dates/submit activities As example of what a course (“Hearing God’s Voice” in this instance) would look like is as follows:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
The list of student learning opportunities is now available (found here: Xavier High School COVID-19 School Closure Schedule). Categories include the following:

• Students interested in continuing to learn in a course currently in their schedule.
• Students intending to advance to the next level in this subject. 
• Dual Credit Classes (SLU, AP, Kirkwood, Univ. of Iowa)
• New Topics of Interest (Mini-Courses)

Students should “register” for their “courses” at this time: Xavier COVID-19 School Closure Learning Opportunities


GRADING & CREDITS
Students will have the opportunity to continue to earn credit should school closure extend beyond Easter. We will be sharing more information as it relates to credit for Xavier courses AND dual credit courses tomorrow.


CANVAS FOR PARENTS
Parents may wish to see learning being done online in Canvas courses. The following link is a reminder of how to sign up for Canvas Parent Observer Account: How do I sign up for a Canvas account as a parent?


“SELF” CLASSES START TOMORROW (3/25)
Starting tomorrow, teachers will begin meeting with groups of students in a weekly online “SELF” (Social. Emotional. Learning. Faith.) class. As mentioned in yesterday’s update, this is an opportunity for teachers to check in on students and simply see how they are doing. Being away from friends can be hard, so this gives our Saints a chance to be together as a class virtually. No academics will be involved (no homework, no grading, no pressure) … this is just a chance to see each other and reconnect during this time of social distancing. Teachers will be sending out invites to students with a Zoom link via email today. SELF classes will gather at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. If a student is not present during a Zoom, the teacher will follow up individually with that student simply to see how things are going in their world. 


SERVICE
The opportunities to serve during this pandemic are many and students should embrace this time to be Christ's hands and feet to our community. We know that the mighty Saints will be reaching out to those in need -- be it via prayer or direct service. We will NOT be actively tracking service hours as we have in the past. For the duration of the school year, the traditional service requirement is waived BUT we trust that our Saints will be looking for opportunities to serve. Coming soon, there will be a collection site of various service opportunities.  Be looking for information on that in the future.


STUDENT SUPPORT
The Student Services Department would like to inform parents and students that we will be providing a variety of services during the current school closure. Our department will be setting up office hours so you can contact us with specific questions.  

Cara Joens is our expert on post-high school questions (particularly for our current seniors).  She will also be available to provide guidance for juniors who want to know what they should be doing now in preparation for senior year.  [email protected]

Ally Callanan is your resource for help with students who have special learning accommodations. [email protected] 

Kris Naeve will be tracking the Coronavirus and its impact on Xavier and will be available to answer questions about the virus.  [email protected] 

Liz Donner and Dave Schemmel will be available to work with students who may be struggling with academics or social-emotional situations.  If we don’t have an answer, we will direct your questions to the person who should be able to help you. We can also provide you with mental health resources, if necessary. [email protected] [email protected] 

Anne Wallraff is able to email transcripts to schools and students who need them for scholarship purposes.  [email protected] 

Look for information coming soon concerning our department hours and how to contact us. Seniors curious about final transcripts from Xavier, SLU, Kirkwood or Iowa - please wait to send transcript requests as all schools are working on the best process for this.  More information to come.