There have been some questions about the second semester calendar; it has not changed. Xavier Catholic Schools are scheduled to return from Christmas Break on January 4 and end the school year on May 28. Spring Break is scheduled from March 15-19. There are currently no COVID travel restrictions. Families should follow general COVID guidelines which include monitoring symptoms and temperature and staying home when sick.

Crochet Club is starting up again. It is for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, and you do not need to know how to crochet to join us. We will meet on Thursdays, starting October 22, at 7:20 am in the Library. Students participating need to bring a size G, H, I or J crochet hook and a skein of yarn. Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics, or Wal-Mart are good places to pick up these supplies and will have many choices of yarn colors. Mrs. Staudacher will also have some extra yarn if you are unable to pick some up. Students who knit are also welcome to join us. Please email Mrs. Staudacher at kstaudacher@stmatthewcr.org if your student is planning to join us and with any questions you might have. Students who would like to participate do not have to come every week...Crochet Club is come when you are able. Students will also be able attend breakfast if they are interested. 

Our annual Red Ribbon Week will be coming up at the end of October to help our kids learn more about being drug-free. To make this a fun, educational week for the students, we will be doing some themed dress up days. This is meant to be fun and not require families to go out and purchase additional items. Get creative! As always, what they wear should be school appropriate. We wanted to share these now so you can plan ahead. We will send more information as the week approaches. 

Monday 10/26--"Follow Your Dreams-Be Drug Free"--wear pajamas to school! (must be school appropriate and shoes must be worn)

Tuesday 10/27--"Be a Hero-Stay Drug Free"--dress like your hero or a super hero

Wednesday 10/28--"Stay in the Game by Being Drug Free"--wear dress code pants and a shirt or a jersey from your favorite sports team

Thursday 10/29--"Orange You Glad You're Drug Free"--wear an orange, black, or Halloween shirt with comfy bottoms

First semester non-public transportation reimbursement forms for the area school districts are due on November 24th.  Click the district in which you live to find the form you need to submit.  Remember Cedar Rapids school district forms need to be turned in to the school office. This applies to all families this year as we are able to offer busing. So please fill this out. 

65% Tax Credit Too Good to be True? 

Not at all. If you file an Iowa Income Tax Return, your contributions to the Our Faith School Tuition Organization (STO) receive a 65% tax credit. That means for every $1000 you donate, you receive an Iowa income tax credit, not a deduction, of $650, which would lower your Iowa tax bill by $650. In addition, your gift may qualify for federal deductibility. And that gift you made? It’s going to provide $1000 in need-based assistance to families in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. And your out of pocket cost for that gift? No more than $350 and will be less if you itemize and are able to take the federal charitable gift deduction! It really is that simple. Visit www.ourfaithsto.org or call the Archdiocese of Dubuque at 800-876-3546 ext. 219 to learn more