SPX Newsletter March 28, 2024
"Stay in the Loop" 2023-2024 16th Edition
Principal's Letter
WOW! Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for the three incredible women pictured: Meghan Swails and Jennifer Harsh, Gala of Giving Co-Chairs and Christina Hall, co-chair in training. These women have worked tirelessly since the spring of last year, and their exceptional leadership was evident during our highly anticipated Gala of Giving! Their vision, enthusiasm, and hard work were instrumental in bringing our community together to raise funds for a new outdoor learning space. Through their diligent planning and coordination, along with the support of volunteers, donors, and attendees, we were able to meet our fundraising goals.
My heartfelt appreciation also goes out to ALL the volunteers who generously contributed their time, energy, and resources to make this event a success. Your dedication and commitment to our school community are truly commendable. Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who donated items, services, and experiences for the auction. Your generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who attended the event. Your support strengthens our school community and enriches the educational experience for all our students. As we look forward to the future, we are excited about the possibilities that our new outdoor learning space will offer our students. It is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together as a community with a shared vision and purpose.
If you were unable to attend the event, our Fund-a-Need is still open and we encourage all families to donate, because these funds will greatly benefit all students. Proceeds from our Fund-a-Need will enable us to provide enriching opportunities in the arts and increase mental health support. If we raise enough money, we are hoping to bring a famous author/illustrator to SPX as well as an artist who will guide students in creating a unique permanent mural. Please use this link to donate: Fund-A-Need
I hope you all have the most blessed Easter with your family,
Lisa Ruth, Principal
Upcoming Calendar Events
Access the Full 2023-2024 Calendar in Your FACTS Family Portal
Friday, March 29 NO SCHOOL-Good Friday
Sunday, March 30 Easter Sunday
Monday, April 1 NO SCHOOL - Easter Monday
Tuesday, April 2 All School Mass
Monday, April 8 NO SCHOOL - Solar Eclipse
Tuesday, April 9 - April 15 BOGO Book Fair
Tuesday, April 9 All School Mass
Tuesday, April 9 8th Graders Leave for Washington, D.C. (5:00 a.m.)
Wednesday, April 10 Home & School Meeting (Library, 6:30 p.m.)
Thursday, April 11 7th Grade Boys at St. Charles
Thursday, April 11 2nd Grade Jesus Day
Friday, April 12 8th Graders Return from Washington, D.C.
Friday, April 12 Newsletter Published
Saturday, April 13 First Communion at SPX (Church, 10:00 a.m.)
Monday, April 15 BOGO Book Fair Ends
Tuesday, April 16 All School Mass
Tuesday, April 16 School Board Meeting Open to All Parents (Library, 7:00 p.m.)
Friday, April 19 Willy Wonka Performances (Students at 8:30 a.m. & Public at 7:00 p.m.)
Saturday, April 20 First Communion (SPX, 10:00 p.m.) (Seton, 10:00 & 1:00 p.m.)
Saturday, April 20 Willy Wonka Performance (Gym, 1:00 p.m.)
Monday, April 22 Battle of the Books
Tuesday, April 23 All School Mass
Thursday, April 25 Dress Down Day
Thursday, April 25 4th Grade Science Fair
Thursday, April 25 4th-6th Pizza With the Pastor
Friday, April 26 No School
Friday, April 26 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat at Damascus
Monday, April 29 APEX Fundraiser Begins
Tuesday, April 30 All School Mass
Easter Triduum
As we begin the Easter Triduum, we encourage you to take advantage of this sacred time to celebrate with your children and deepen their understanding of the significance of these holy days. By spending time together in prayer, reflection, and celebration, you can help your children cultivate a deeper connection to their faith. This website is filled with great resources and activities for families: https://catechistcafe.weebly.com/holy-week--triduum.html
Schedules for SPX and Seton
Holy Thursday • Mass of the Lord’s Supper
March 28
SPX 7:00 PM & SETON 7:30 PM
Good Friday • Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
March 29
SPX 3:00 PM & SETON 3:00 PM
Easter Vigil Saturday
March 30
SPX 9:00 PM & SETON 9:00 PM
Easter Sunday
March 31
SPX Masses 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM
SETON Masses at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM
Gala of Giving
The Gala of Giving had a record breaking number of sponsors this year! PLEASE support these generous businesses and spread the word to your family and friends!
Barb Sharpe Service Award
Wheelchair Lift
Because of the generosity of our families during last year's Fund-a-Need portion of the auction, we were able to install a new wheelchair lift. Now, students and staff who struggle with mobility can easily access our 2nd floor classrooms. Another thank you to Mr. Scott Marsh, facilities director, for guiding this project through its many stages!
Honor Choir
Last week, our SPX Blue Choir spent the day with 11 other diocesan schools at Ohio Dominican University preparing for their evening Honor Choir performance. In addition to performing six songs with the entire Honor Choir, our St. Pius X Blue Choir was selected to perform a song they prepared and Maggie Mertz was chosen for a solo. It was a wonderful experience for our students!
Congratulations to Mrs. Karen Smith!
Congratulations to Mrs. Smith for being the first music teacher recognized during the Diocesan Honor Choir event. While we already knew we had the BEST music teacher, now she has been recognized in the diocese. Here's are testimonies that were submitted for the award:
A parent said, “You not only recognize the potential in every student, but bring out their best with kindness and compassion, creating a safe haven in your classroom.”
A student said, “We feel empowered to take risks and pursue our passions.”
Colleagues said, “You have taught our children and school community the magic and beauty of music. You not only teach them how to read sheet music, play instruments and harmonize with their peers, but also, you give these children the confidence, passion and the sheer joy that music can provide. St. Pius X has been so blessed with the gift of your talents. We can’t help but think you have made a lasting impact that will influence your students long after they leave!”
3rd Quarter Assembly
Our K-3 grade students competed in a Post-It Note challenge with their teachers!
March Madness: Rock Paper Scissors Tournament
Congratulations to Vishav Subedi (2-114) for beating the staff representative, Mrs. Kline, and winning our March Madness Tournament!
Congratulations to Charlie Davis and Iggy Madrid for submitting the winning March Madness brackets. They earned Mrs. Mathys' class a Donuts and Dress Down Day!
7th Grade Damascus Trip
Be sure to check out more photos on our Facebook page!
Last week, our 7th grade students spent three days at Damascus for their Leadership Retreat. Students participated in various activities that taught leadership skills and deepened their relationship with Jesus. Activities included high ropes courses, low ropes ground courses, an escape room, and archery tag. Students attended Mass each day and spent time in prayer labs. They also listened to missionaries talk about their experiences with leadership and their faith. The highlight of the retreat was Eucharistic Adoration with prayer groups.
Food Drive for Helping Hands
Thank you for providing over 1500 items for Helping Hands! They were extremely thankful for the generosity of the SPX community!
Easter Egg Hunt Winners
Congratulations to Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Hayson's classes for bringing in the most food items for Helping Hands and winning an Easter egg hunt sponsored by the SPX Cub Scouts!
SPX Teachers Make Learning Irresistible
K-B celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with several fun activities which concluded with eating Green Eggs and Ham!
Fifth graders examined how friction effects motion by measuring how far a toy car will traveled over various materials while varying the levels of friction.
Eighth grade science students conducted two labs yesterday to observe how mass and friction affect the force needed to move an object.
Growing in Virtue
Lenten Prayer Service and Mary's Meals Speaker
Today, Mr. Bill Gavin, a representative from Mary's Meals spoke with the students about the importance of giving and thinking of others, especially during Holy Week. He shared pictures of the school in Malawi that St. Pius X helped a few years ago! Mr. Gavin's message was that when faced with helping others, the need can seem overwhelming. But, if we focus on helping just one more person, eventually our ripple grows and extends. Mary's Meals feeds starving children in under developed nations. We look forward to partnering with Mary's Meals again in the future.
After the presentation, the Beta Club led the students in a Lenten reflection. Our students prayed together, reflecting on our shortcomings that are made whole by the love and sacrifice of Jesus.
JA BizTown
The fifth-graders had a wonderful time during their JA BizTown field trip last week. This field trip combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to a simulated town. The students were able to operate banks, manage businesses, write checks, and vote. Students were able to connect the dots between what they had learned at school to the real world!
School Board Openings for the 24-25 School Year
The School Board Needs YOU!
The St. Pius X School Board is looking for three new members for the upcoming 2024/2025 school year. The St. Pius X School Advisory Board functions in an advisory role to the St. Pius X School principal and the parish pastors. The Board is comprised of 15 voting members who serve a three-year term. Twelve members must be registered parishioners of St. Pius X, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and/or a parent or guardian of a St. Pius student. Volunteers to the SPX School Board should be over the age of 21 and be able to attend monthly meetings that are held on the third Tuesday of each month between September and May at 7:00 p.m. Because Board members may be involved in school events throughout the school year, volunteers are required to have a BCI check through fingerprinting and complete a Protecting God’s Children workshop.
Parents interested in serving on the board should attend the upcoming board meeting on Tuesday, April 16th at 7:00pm in the school library where you will have the opportunity to meet the current board members and ask any questions. If you are unable to attend and have questions or would like to express your interest please email the incoming school board president, Kat Terry Ujczo, at kittyu@me.com.
K-5 Fun Day Volunteers Needed
BOGO Book Fair Coming Soon!
Volunteers Needed for the BOGO Book Fair
2024-2025 Planning Calendar
August 20 Welcome Back Community Mass (Church, 8:30)
August 20 Open House for Students (School, 9:30-10:30)
August 24 Back to School Carnival
February 20 & 21 Kindergarten Screening - No School for kindergarten ONLY
May 28 8th Grade Graduation
May 29 Last Day for K - 7 Students
SPX Girl Scouts
St. Pius Girl Scouts joined together to work on the Carlo Acutis Modern Saint Series Emblem through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. The girls will be recognized next year at the Scout Day with the Bishop for their work and dedication.
Spring Flower Sale*
This sale is offered as a convenience for our families!
SPX Water Bottles for Sale*
Personalized water bottles are now on sale until 5/31/2024. These are AMAZING quality and using code STPIUSX at checkout will provide 30% back to the current 7th grade class for their Washington DC trip. There are tons of water bottle options and St. Pius specific logos have been uploaded for use. To purchase visit http://www.takeyausa.com/ select your product, choose your color and select customization to create your individualized water bottle. You will receive FREE one-sided personalization. Remember, you MUST use code STPIUSX at check in out for our 7th graders to benefit.
Spirit Wear Store*
Order Spirit Wear and Gym Uniforms at https://www.stpius.printphase.com/
We are excited to announce that the HSA has contracted with a new spirit wear company with several new perks!
**For the 24-25 school year, dry-fit uniform shirts will be acceptable for on gym days. The shirts are on sale now.**
- Orders may be placed at any time
- Orders shipped directly to your home
- Faster turnaround times
- More color options
Jr. Police Academy Offered in Reynoldsburg
High School News
SPX Social Media*
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Link to Preschool Newsletter*
St. Pius X School
Email: stpiusx@cdeducation.org
Website: https://www.spxelementary.com/
Location: 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg, OH, USA
Phone: 614-866-6050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPXSchoolReynoldsburg