While your students enjoyed a day off on Friday, Miss Buzenski and I had the privilege of attending a retreat with about 100 other diocesan administrators, reflecting on the theme “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Over the course of Thursday evening and Friday, we spent time in Adoration, attended Mass, and listened to powerful testimonies from several principals who shared how Jesus has been present in their lives and work. Their stories were truly inspiring and reminded me of the many moments and events that have guided me to this vocation in Catholic education.

Before the school year began, I was invited to speak to all of the new teachers in our diocese to share my own journey and emphasize the importance of building strong connections with students. Since many of you have already heard my story, I want to take this opportunity to express how incredibly proud I am of our staff here at SPX. They consistently strive to cultivate meaningful relationships with our students.

In preparation for our upcoming goal-setting meetings with each 8th grader, we asked the students a series of questions, including, “If you were encouraging a friend to come to SPX, what would you say?” Their responses speak volumes about the strong connections our staff has fostered, and I'd like to share a few of those with you:

• I would tell them SPX has a really strong community. Everyone will feel like they belong.

• The teachers are kind and welcoming.

• The students, teachers, and staff are all so nice and you feel connected to everyone, not only the people in your grade.

• Everyone shows love and support.

• I would tell them how kind the teachers are and how much they help us learn and improve our grades.

• The teachers are amazing and they make learning fun.

• All of the staff here are really caring and kind. They will make sure you aren’t left out or feeling lonely.

• The students, teachers, and staff are all really supportive.

• We have a lot of nice teachers who are very smart and very good at explaining what you are learning.

• It’s a great school and all of the staff members are kind and the teachers are kind-hearted.

• You have a lot of activities that you can interact with and the teachers are exciting when they teach; they make learning irresistible!

• The teachers care about you, your grades, and your academic achievements.

• We have the best teachers!

• St. Pius has fun teachers that make your school day better.

• We have the nicest teachers around!

The fact that nearly every student highlighted our teachers or the positive environment speaks volumes about the dedication of our staff. I feel truly blessed to help lead such an incredible group of people who genuinely care for your most precious gifts—your children!

Sincerely,

Lisa Ruth

Monday, October 7 Yearbook Retakes and Candid Photos

Monday, October 7 Diocesan Rosary w/ Bishop Fernandes

Tuesday, October 8 All School Mass

Tuesday, October 8 Raising Cane's Fundraiser (E. Broad, 4:00-9:00)

Wednesday, October 9 Home & School Meeting (6:30, Library)

Thursday, October 10 SPECIAL DRESS DOWN DAY for Boxes of Joy (See guidelines below.)

Friday, October 11 Last Day for Summer Uniforms

Friday, October 11 3rd Grade Grandparents' Day

Monday, October 14 National School Lunch Celebration Week Begins

Monday, October 14 Yearbook Contest Ends

Tuesday, October 14 All School Mass

Tuesday, October 15 8th Grade Visit to Bishop Hartley

Tuesday, October15 School Board Meeting

Thursday, October 17 Pizza With the Pastor (1-113)

Friday, October 18 Candy Money Due

Friday, October 18 Dress Down Day

Friday, October 18 Newsletter Published

Tuesday, October 22 All School Mass

Tuesday, October 22 8th Graders Leave for Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, October 22 Fingerprinting Offered for SPX Families (MFC, 5:00-6:00)

Tuesday, October 22 Protecting God's Children Class Offered at St. Pius X (MFC, 7:00)

Tuesday, October 22 1st Communion Meeting for Parents of 2nd Graders

Thursday, October 24 Kindergarten Pigeon Roost

Friday, October 25 8th Grade No School

Friday, October 25 Friends Across Time (5th Grade)

Friday, October 25 Trunk or Treat (Parking Lot, 6:30)

Thursday, October 31 Halloween Parade (Gym, 8:30) *Parents Invited

Thursday, October 31 Halloween Class Parties (School, PM) *Only room parents assigned attend.*

Thursday, October 31 End of 1st Trimester

Friday, November 1 Last Day to Place a Brick Order for the Mary Grotto

Friday, November 1 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Professional Development

Friday, November 1 Holy Day of Obligation - All Saints' Day

Friday, November 1 Newsletter Published

Tuesday, November 5 All School Mass

Wednesday, November 6 Flu Clinic

Friday, November 8 Trimester 1 Report Cards Sent Home

Monday, November 11 Veteran's Day Program (Gym, 8:30)

Tuesday, November 12 All School Mass

Wednesday, November 13 Meteorologist from WBNS Visit for K & 6th Graders

Wednesday, November 13 Home & School Meeting (Library, 6:30)

Thursday, November 14 Book Fair Begins

Thursday, November 14 Parent-Teacher Conferences (School, 3:10 - 7:30)

Friday, November 15 Trimester 1 All School Assembly

Friday, November 15 Bi-Monthly Newsletter Published

Tuesday, November 19 All School Mass

Tuesday, November 19 School Board Meeting (Library, 7:00)

Thursday, November 21 Pizza With the Pastor (4-212)

Thursday, November 21 Parent-Teacher Conferences (School, 3:10-7:30)

Friday, November 22 Book Fair Ends

Friday, November 22 Dress Down Day

Friday, November 22 5th Grade Friends Across Time

Friday, November 22 2nd & 3rd Grade Balloons Over Broadway (Gym, 11:15)

Saturday, November 23 Drama Club Performance (Gym, 6:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, November 26 All School Mass

Tuesday, November 26 Kindergarten Feast

Tuesday, November 26 Beta Club Induction Ceremony (Gym, 1:15)

Tuesday, November 26 SPX Family Night at PINS Mechanical at Easton

Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29 Thanksgiving Break

We were thrilled to welcome Mr. Ethan Main and Mr. Finn Main as our "Principals for the Day," a special role they won thanks to their parents' winning bid at our Gala of Giving Auction last March. The brothers jumped right into their duties, helping with the morning carline, handing out birthday gifts, and even introducing the Columbus Zoo to our students.

Throughout the day, they evaluated teachers, handed out candy to teachers and students, and put their walkie-talkie skills to good use. They also made school-wide announcements, called for an impromptu dance party, and joined the kindergarteners for time with Jesus in Adoration.

By the end of the day, Miss B and I wondered if we’d been replaced! 😁

Thanks to our Home & School Association for sponsoring our visit from the Columbus Zoo and thanks to Mrs. Farrell for organizing this event! Our Preschool-6th grade students had an incredible time learning about the habitats of skunks, penguins, tortoises, owls, and sloths!

Trunk or Treat is always one of our most exciting community events of the year, but this event counts on parent volunteers and candy donations to be successful. Please use the link below to volunteer for a job or a trunk! We will start collecting candy donations on Monday.

The 1st and 4th grade buddy classes at SPX are working on a service project to provide “Boxes of Joy” for children in poverty in developing countries. This helps to provide Christmas joy for children in need.

In order to raise money for this cause, we will offer a SPECIAL dress-down day on Thursday, October 10. This Dress Down Day is not included in the $10 Dress Down Fee you were billed for through FACTS in September. Please see the donation options below to participate.

• Dress Down = $1.00

• Wear Crocs or slippers = Add $1.00

• Wear a hat = Add $1.00

• Students are welcome to bring in additional money if they would like to contribute to this cause.
  

Please send your total donation in an envelope clearly marked "Boxes of Joy Fundraiser" and your child's name. All money raised will go towards providing Christmas boxes to those in need. Please consider donating as much as you can to this amazing cause. *Please refer to page 41 of your family handbook for out of uniform guidelines.

In order to chaperone field trips, coach teams, or volunteer in any capacity at SPX, you must complete a Protecting God's Children class and have fingerprints on file. You may take care of both requirements at SPX on Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00. Fingerprinting will be available beginning at 5:00 p.m. Please register here: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_list2.cfm?theme=0

If you are a new parent or a new volunteer, please follow these steps to be able to volunteer at St. Pius X:

1. Register for a PGC class. https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_0.cfm?theme=0

2. Complete BCI (if you have lived in OH for 5 consecutive years) Code 2151.86

All reports MUST be sent to:

Safe Environment Office

Diocese of Columbus

197 E. Gay Street

Columbus, OH 43215

The school CANNOT receive them, do not send them to St. Pius X!

WOW! We have awarded over 325 Dress Down Day passes to students for sending in screenshots of a Kroger Rewards account linked to St. Pius X!

If you link your Kroger Rewards Card to St. Pius X and send a screenshot to lruth1@cdeducation.org, your child(ren) will receive a Dress Down Day pass. If your relatives and friends link their cards, your child(ren) will earn more passes (up to ten total). We use all of the money earned to shower our incredible teachers with love throughout the year, so please spread the word!

We've had 50 submissions so we are ready to order our engraved bricks.

If you'd like to be a part of this SPX legacy - don't miss your chance!

Submit all orders by November 1!

Paper copies were sent home with the eldest or only child in each family, or you can follow the link below to see our vision and purchase today! Email Miss B bbuzensk1@cdeducation.org with any questions.

Basketball (4-8th grade) and Cheer Registration (K-8th) is now open to boys and girls . Please visit spxaa.net for more details and registration. Practices begin at the end of October. Any questions please contact us through the spxaa.net.

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 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

This year's flu shot clinic will be held on November 6. Please complete the paperwork in the link below.

Follow us on social media for a peek into your child's school day!

Click on these links and follow us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPXSchoolReynoldsburg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spxreynoldsburg/?hl=en

Email: stpiusx@cdeducation.org
Website: https://www.spxelementary.com/

Location: 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg, OH, USA
Phone: 614-866-6050