Xaverian High School | Back to School

Check back regularly for updates on the 2020-2021 school year!

Back to School. Back to 7100 Shore Road.

The Reopening Plan for Xaverian will be updated in coming weeks with more information regarding opening week schedules, specific information on remote learning protocol and more. We will notify you when the document is updated, but make sure to bookmark this page and check back for all things back to school!

Updated 8.28.2020

Formal Communications Regarding the 2020 - 2021 School Year

Guidance Updates
Reopening Updates
MyMedBot Information, cohort designations, orientation times and information.
Genesis Opening Information
New Harbor Login Information and Schedule Access
President's Letter - August 28
Healthy Habits Campaign; Extended Orientation Schedule
President's Letter - August 3
Initial Reopening Plan Information
President's Letter - July 23

Important Links for the 2020-2021 School Year

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

NEW: How do I contact the School Nurse?

Our School Nurse is Ms. Amy Waters, RN. She can be contacted via email at awaters@xaverian.org or at 718-836-7100 x.140
NEW: How do I find out about prepayment options in the Cafeteria?

You can add money to your cafeteria account through myschoolbucks.com.

For more information, you can visit the cafeteria website here.
NEW: What do I do if I didn't get the invitation from MyMedBot?

If you did not receive an email invitation from MyMedBot to join our school, please email Mr. Patrick Snyder '10, Network Administrator at psnyder@xaverian.org.

While parents can fill out the daily health screening forms for their children, each student must download the MyMedBot app on their own device. Upon arrival to school, students will be asked to show their completed form. This can be done with the students cell phone or iPad.
When will Senior Portraits be taken?

Mr. Ron Natoli, from Natoli Studios, will begin to photograph our seniors for your yearbook and graduation portraits. Natoli Studios will be mailing out appointment cards starting later this month through early September.

If you are unable to make your appointment or need to re-schedule, please contact Natoli Studios at (718) 797-1913.

In order to comply with social distancing regulations, we are asking that the student and only one parent or guardian come on the day of your appointment. Please be on time and enter through the Genesis doors in the parking lot. Students and parents are reminded that they must wear a mask when entering the school building.

Natoli photographers will be wearing masks and will ensure that the gowns, tuxedo jackets and all other materials are disinfected for each student. Please be guided by the instructions regarding attire for your portrait.
What do I do if I need a cohort accommodation?

If a student needs a cohort accommodation, please contact Ms. Kristen Hayes, Assistant Principal for Student Support at khayes@xaverian.org
Where can I access the school calendar?

The school calendar can be accessed at www.xaverian.org/calendar.

Please note:
• Please note that any and all calendar dates are subject to change.
• Many traditional Xaverian events have been kept off the initial release of the calendar due to city and state restrictions and current health guidelines. As situations evolve, we will notify you of any events that are added to the calendar.
• For questions regarding upcoming dates, please contact Ms. Stephanie Lorenzo P'26, Director of Communications, at communications@xaverian.org

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

NEW: Are there still college application fees?

Our application fee for each college your child applies to will remain as $5.00. In lieu of paying each application fee as your child applies, the fee will be collected at the end of the application process. The total fee for your child’s application will be added to your SMART Tuition account in January. For any subsequent applications, these fees will be added in February.

What is the schedule for the Freshman, 6th grade, and Transfer Orientation on September 10th?

What is the schedule for Orientation Days from September 11 - September 15?
We will have cohort orientations from September 11 - September 15 for all students grades 6-12 in the Genesis, Academy, and Honors Programs. Students must be in full Fall Uniform, and wear a mask.

Ryken Student Orientation will be on September 11 for all grade levels.

Remote Student Orientation will be on September 14. Information will follow.

Orientation Schedule, which can also be found on the calendar:

September 11
SILVER COHORT ONLY - Genesis, Academy, Honors
(All students in the Ryken Program will attend as well)

8:45-10:45 AM: Freshmen & Seniors & 6th graders
Students in the morning session may arrive no earlier than 8:15AM

12:15-2:15 PM: Sophomores & Juniors & 7th & 8th
Students in the afternoon session may arrive no earlier than 11:45AM

All students will be granted clearance to enter the building by using the MyMedBot App.
- Students will arrive and be directed to their homerooms.
- Academy and Honors students will enter through the front doors on Shore Road.
- Students in the Ryken Program will enter on McKay Place.
- Genesis will enter through the Genesis entrance in the parking lot.
September 14
BLUE COHORT ONLY
(Students in The Ryken Educational Program will begin classes)

8:45-10:45 AM: Freshmen & Seniors & 6th graders
Students in the morning session may arrive no earlier than 8:15AM

12:15-2:15 PM: Sophomores & Juniors & 7th & 8th
Students in the afternoon session may arrive no earlier than 11:45AM

All students will be granted clearance to enter the building by using the MyMedBot App.
- Students will arrive and be directed to their homerooms.
- Academy and Honors students will enter through the front doors on Shore Road.
- Students in the Ryken Program will enter on McKay Place.
- Genesis will enter through the Genesis entrance in the parking lot.
* Please note that students who are opting to begin the year fully remote will also participate in orientation on this day, remotely. More information to follow.

September 15
GOLD COHORT ONLY
(Students in The Ryken Educational Program will have classes)

8:45-10:45 AM: Freshmen & Seniors & 6th graders
Students in the morning session may arrive no earlier than 8:15AM

12:15-2:15 PM: Sophomores & Juniors & 7th & 8th
Students in the afternoon session may arrive no earlier than 11:45AM

All students will be granted clearance to enter the building by using the MyMedBot App.
- Students will arrive and be directed to their homerooms.
- Academy and Honors students will enter through the front doors on Shore Road.
- Students in the Ryken Program will enter on McKay Place.
- Genesis will enter through the Genesis entrance in the parking lot.

Hybrid / Remote Learning FAQ

List of 16 frequently asked questions.

In a hybrid model, how can a teacher share content with both students in the physical classroom and those students who are remote?
The two terms with which teachers (and our students, in fact) are most familiar are “Zoom Screen Share” (giving Zoom participants access to content that teachers want to share) and “Airplay” (having our MacBook screen mirror on the TV screen in the classroom). Under a hybrid learning model, the approach would be to combine the two, which can also be paired with the webcamera.
- Students in the classroom will be able to see what the teacher mirrors onto the TV screen in the classroom.
- Students remoting in from home will be able to see what the teacher is mirroring on the TV screen and whatever camera perspective the teacher has set on either the Macbook Air camera or the webcamera perspective of either their classmates or the whiteboard.
How does the webcamera work?

Webcams, mounted on a tripod, work seamlessly with Zoom to expand the classroom space, giving students who are remoting into the lesson, a broader view into the physical classroom. They allow for perspective positioning either on a portion of the student in the class or onto a whiteboard for teachers to demonstrate a problem or write notes. Depending on the instructional purpose and learning objective, teachers may reasonably opt not to use a webcamera for particular lessons.
What is the nature of physical education class?

Until further notice, students will not be allowed to enter into the locker rooms or fitness centers and will not be permitted to change for gym classes. Therefore, students will remain in their school uniform. On days when a cohort is on campus for PE class, students will report to the designated areas of the gymnasium to meet their PE teacher for attendance. In the mild weather of the fall, the early winter months, and the spring, physical education teachers will take students outside for walks along Shore Road or in Shore Road Park across from the school, away from large public crowds, of course. This also affords students a mask break opportunity. In the colder temperatures, students must dress accordingly and will be permitted to wear coats on their outdoor PE day. In inclement weather, students will remain indoors to work on an PE-related assignment. The PE department will require no more than two reasonable assignment choices for all students to complete based on physical education skills and content in each quarter. Remote students on scheduled PE days will be encouraged to take a physical education break for exercise in their homes, backyard spaces, front of their homes or apartments, or a short walk (if age-appropriate and permitted by a parent or guardian) for a well-needed “Zoom break.” As a reminder, sophomores take health class for one semester in place of PE: Some students are scheduled for health from September to January; others from February to June.
Are there privacy concerns with regard to students in the class being seen by anyone watching the live stream?

The live instruction is not a livestream to the public, just to the students at home. Administrators and department chairpersons, as in a traditional live learning environment, may visit classes to support teachers and students.
How will science labs be conducted?

As cited in a July 13 Board of Regents report, for the 2020-21 school year, “lab experience may be met through a combination of hands-on and simulated laboratory experience." The science department has been gathering resources for implementing inquiry-based, interactive, and/or virtual lab experiences. Science lab teachers may also conduct live lab demonstrations for student engagement, as well as provide opportunities for safe, at-home hands-on labs, using basic instruments and tools, to challenge students to develop skills, ask questions, collect data, perform calculations, and draw valid conclusions
How will my child receive academic communication regarding his or her assignments?
Our school portal, The Harbor, will continue to serve as the primary means of communication between teachers, students, and parents. Parents are encouraged to check The Harbor regularly and to set up the notifications feature by clicking on the “set-up” options next to “Announcements” and then checking off “Academics,” “Advisory” and “Community” in “My Groups” and “My Child’s Groups” (if applicable). Teachers will continue to use following features on The Harbor to communicate with their students and parents:
- Bulletin Board Announcements: Teachers will continue to lay-out distance learning expectations, work objectives, and Zoom appointments.
- Assignments: Teachers will continue to post work that their students are required to submit. Students must adhere to the teacher’s submission deadlines. If a student is having difficulty with doing so, an email to the teacher is necessary in keeping the lines of communication open.
- Topics: Teachers will continue to use this storehouse for resources (i.e. teacher notes or presentations, videos, links, etc.) that apply to a unit of study or topic.
- Discussion Board: Teachers may use this feature to post class discussions on a given topic or question.
Our teachers will continue to monitor their email from Monday through Friday. If a student or parent has a concern or question, our teachers are ready to help and will make every effort to respond to a student or parent email within 24 hours during regular school hours.
Do students who are present in the physical classroom need to Zoom into the class as well?

It is not necessary for students who are physically in the classroom to join Zoom, unless a teacher requests them to do so at some point in a lesson that requires collaboration from students on both platforms.
Will teachers assess students when they are scheduled to be in the physical classroom?

Although an assessment can be administered in the physical classroom, our teachers are mindful of not using the time that students are in the building simply for assessment purposes.
How can I assist my child in the school transition process during this unprecedented time?
Parents and guardians are our students' best advocates. Working closely with the counselors and teachers, parents continue to be valuable partners in encouraging our young men and women to take care of themselves as much as possible and not to be anxious or overly stressed about school and academic performance. These are very different times for all of us, especially our young people. We encourage them to speak with their parents, their counselors, or a teacher/administrator and to know that they are not alone. On a daily basis, we also strongly recommend that they follow normal routines as much as possible to maintain:
- proper waking hours for a regular school day whether remote or hybrid.
- sufficient sleep, regular physical exercise, and a healthy diet to help boost their immune systems to stay safe and healthy in the days ahead.
- the completion of academic work during normal school hours as best as possible.
- the practice of proper hygiene for health and wellness.
What other tech platforms will teachers use?

In addition to The Harbor and Zoom, our teachers are integrating other technology platforms that best align with their course content and student skills-reinforcement. Not exclusive to others which teachers may prefer, the following are common EdTech “go-to” tools that will complement teacher instruction and student learning for more effective student engagement, assessment, and feedback before, during, or after a lesson or module: Edpuzzle, Flipgrid, Pear Deck, Google Suite, and Floop.
How will I know when classes meet?

The school calendar on The Harbor will indicate the day of the 9-day cycle. As each class will meet at two different times over the course of the nine days, students are responsible for consulting the Bulletin Boards of their classes, on which teachers will post the Zoom invitations to their respective class meetings. Core classes (and high school electives) meet every 2 out of 3 days or 6 out of the overall 9 days in the cycle
How will the 55-minute period be managed in a hybrid model?
Unlike the Spring 2020 Distance Learning schedule, our new schedule accounts for more contact time and fewer breaks between classes. As indicated by the new schedule times, classes are 55-minutes in length. To account for virtual travel time (for students who are fully remote or remoting in with their cohort) or physical travel time from one classroom to another (for both teachers and those students who are in the school building with their cohorts), a class will not start at the exact start time.

For example, the 9:50 time block will more reasonably start approximately 3-4 minutes thereafter, allowing teachers and students to settle into their next class, and for teachers to greet the students who are physically in their class and to admit the students who are remoting in via Zoom. This window of transition permits remote students to also decompress before “making their way” to their next virtual class. Please be patient with teachers as they are not late to class.
- Teachers will enable the Zoom waiting room so that students can “arrive” early if they are able. It is perfectly acceptable for teachers to start the Zoom meeting on time if they are able to do so, knowing, of course, that their students still have the 3-4 minute window to enter.
- Teachers will take attendance EARLY in the period and EVERYDAY!
- In terms of “lateness,” if a student arrives after the 3-4 minute window, technically that student is “late.” Teachers will exercise patience at the start of this new schedule and work with their students. Regular patterns of lateness are unacceptable.
Our creative, compassionate, and collaborative teachers will frame their lessons around a “5 and 10 Rule” -- relying on providing instruction and learning experiences within the 55-minute period in digestible chunks of 5 and 10-minute components, which allows them to build in checkpoints, in which they will attend to the remote students directly to check on their progress and address questions.
If my child is scheduled to report to the building but is under the weather, can he or she choose to remote from home that day?

Under these extenuating circumstances, a student who is well enough to remote into a class may do so. Parents must still alert the attendance office that their child will not be entering the building but that he or she will be remoting in. This is an acceptable form of attendance under these circumstances because the student does not want to fall behind in his or her studies.
How will teachers administer exams under a remote or hybrid model?

There is no easy solution to the administration of assessments under a remote or hybrid model. Therefore, assessments within each academic department will be consistently evaluated and re-evaluated. Our LMS, The Harbor, and other tech platforms offer assessment variety for teachers, which include the traditional exam approach (i.e. multiple choice, short answer, essay) as well as shorter assessments and alternative assessment types such as open note, project-based, research-oriented, and student-generated options. In the case of a remote assessment, we ask that our students exercise academic integrity and complete the assessment without collusion or cheating to the best of their ability.
How will “group work” look?
“Working together” cannot occur in close proximity, but teachers can foster collaboration through Google Drive and other tech platforms. Utilizing the Zoom breakout rooms for those students who are remote and “distant teams” for students who are in-person is the best solution. The students are essentially working on a task and editing and contributing to a shared document for eventual presentation and/or submission. There are ways to continue to have students in school work in groups -- at a distance -- which will depend on:
- Seating arrangement: Even though teachers cannot sit students in close proximity, they can have "clusters" of students in the physical classroom collaborate at a distance.
- When students are remoting in from home, teachers will use Zoom breakout rooms while the students in class “work together at a distance” on a shared document.
- For obvious safety concerns, sharing materials (i.e. markers, paper, art supplies, etc.) is prohibited.
What happens to the schedule if the school has to move to remote learning for a short or extended period of time?
In the event that we have to “flip the switch” and resort to a fully remote model, our new schedule flexibly accommodates such a change without interruption to the rotation of days in the cycle.

We are all aware of “Zoom-fatigue,” exhaustion resulting from hours upon hours of consecutive Zoom meetings or classes. Therefore, we all have to be cognizant of managing transitions between periods with respect for our students and teachers. To better facilitate the transitions, we need to work together to ensure cohesion, communication, and ultimately, compassion:

Considering that students and teachers must “virtually travel” from one Zoom class to another:
- Teachers will end a Zoom class 3 minutes early to allow students and themselves to decompress before “making their way” into the next Zoom class.
- Teachers will officially start Zoom class 3 minutes into the period to account for transition. They will enable the Zoom waiting room so that students can “arrive” early. It is perfectly acceptable for teachers to start the Zoom meeting on time if they are able to do so, knowing, of course, that their students still have the 3-minute window to enter.

Music at Xaverian FAQ

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

How do I know what time I have Music?

Your schedule will tell you what letter period your school day rehearsal is: A,B, C, etc. School day rehearsals will be happening in person, and those students that are learning remotely for that day will follow the Zoom protocol put in place by Xaverian. Students that are on campus should report to the auditorium or rehearsal space on the 3rd floor, depending on which group you are in.

Some music groups meet before or after school, which is called the “0” (usually at 7:45AM) or “7th”(usually at 2:30PM) period. Currently, if you have a “0” or “7th” period music class, they will be held at 4:00 (”0”) or 4:30(“7”) remotely each day for the first two school cycles, until October 13th. The teacher of record will send information home on the Harbor to explain how this will work.
How do we set up students in each rehearsal space to properly social distance?

Spacing Plans are in place for All Music Group rehearsal spaces as per the following distance:
Brass 12 feet
Woodwind 12 feet
Chorus/Singing 12 feet
Percussion 6 feet
String 6 feet
http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/reopening-schools/nys-p12-school-reopening-guidance.pdf (P. 99-100)
Do students have assigned seating?

Students will have assigned auditorium/rehearsal space seating based upon the social distancing criteria and will sit and rehearse there each time they are in rehearsals.

All Instrument storage areas will have no more than three students in a room at one time picking up or returning their instruments.
Are instruments shared?

No. Students will have their own wind, brass, or string instrument through a Xaverian rental. All percussion students will have their own sticks or mallets. Piano players will share the rehearsal space instrument.

Private instruments are allowed but must be clearly marked with the student name on the outside of the instrument case.
Are students required to wear facemasks during music?

Yes, we have specific music face masks for brass and wind players from United Sound that allow students to play their instruments without uncovering their nose or mouth. All String and Percussion instruments can wear regular-use masks while rehearsing and performing. See the link below for details of the wind and brass mask.
https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/coronavirus/bespoke-masks-coverings-brass-musicians/
Will students receive the items listed for safeguarding their music experience?

All products listed above will be given to the students who rent Xaverian instruments at the start of the school year. For students who have private instruments there may be a fee associated with the above listed instrument products.
How do we disinfect, sanitize, and clean before and after playing our instruments?

All music teachers will demonstrate the proper procedure for coming into a rehearsal space.

Students will sanitize their hands before entering a music room and leaving it with the school supplied hand sanitizer at stations in front of each music classroom and or corridor.

We have specific sanitization products for each instrument classification from woodwind to brass to string instruments for sanitization. Keyboard students will sanitize their hands before each use and we will have the piano keys sanitized before and after each use.

Each woodwind and brass instrument case will have individual bottles of sanitizer for mouthpieces and for the instrument.

String instruments: the teacher of record will have the sanitizing solution for the students and disseminate it as required. For all other instruments, the music office will have the needed products to sanitize instruments.

All products are recommended by NAfME and NAMM, the National Association for Music Educators and the National Association of Music Merchants.
https://www.namm.org/sites/www.namm.org/files_public/resources/COVID-19%20Instrument%20Cleaning%20Guidelines.pdf
This site is also the one that New York State uses as its protocol.

All music teachers will demonstrate how to sanitize each instrument in every group before rehearsals start. All products that are given out stay in the instrument cases.
Is there safety measures in place in terms of the instrument itself?

We have bell covers for all Brass instruments and Instrument Bag covers for all woodwind instruments to insure non-aerosolization along with the music face masks. https://www.mccormicksnet.com/Instrument-Bell-Cover-p/3070010.htm
What should I do if I am not sure about something with my instrument?

Bring the instrument to the teacher or music office and let them show you what to do from a sanitization, repair, and playing standpoint.
What happens if better protocols and/or products come out during the school year?

As new information and best practices become available for music programs we will implement those practices to make sure the music program is doing the best it can to safeguard all within the school and music program in general.

Healthy Habits Overview

Established in 1957, Xaverian is one of thirteen schools nationwide sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers.

Homeroom	Blue	Silver	Gold
203	203	204	1
102	102	205	3
103	103	211	4
104	104	213	5
105	105	212	6
106	106	206	306
108	108	207	303
201	201	214	304
202	202	215	305
Auditorium	216	10	11
114R	114(all students)
115R	115(all students)
Transfers	217