St. Pius X Virtual Learning Week 3: Updates and News

VIRTUAL LEARNING AT

ST. PIUS X

UPDATES AND NEWS FROM YOUR FACULTY AND STAFF

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAPLAIN

Dear Golden Lions,

Early last week, during a visit to the school chapel I was overcome with emotion at the sight of empty halls and a silent breezeway. What moved me was a combination of how much I miss seeing the SPX community and how aware I became of our human frailty. This pandemic has upended our life in a way that few could have ever imagined possible.

That eerie sense stayed with me the rest of the week until Friday afternoon when I heard Pope Francis’s meditation at his Urbi et Orbi address. This was one of those powerful moments when the presence of Holy Spirit was almost tangible. There in an empty St. Peter’s Square the Holy Father delivered an incredible message of hope for the entire world. It truly felt like receiving the warmth of the first rays of sunlight that break through the clouds after a heavy storm. I hope, amid the chaos that has found itself into your life, that you will take a few minutes to be comforted and inspired by his words as he dives deep into our human weaknesses and Christ’s even greater response to our every fear.

We have so many wonderful successes for which to be grateful as we continue to journey together. Our faculty, administration, and student body continues to inspire as we learn how to navigate these complicated times. Still, I strongly believe that high on that list of gratitude is that we are a people of faith and as our motto well declares “We are the Lord’s.”

You can read the full text here .

NEED IDEAS? FUN THINGS TO DO ON BREAK

COUNSELORS SUGGEST ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK PLANS

After three weeks of virtual learning and a number of huge adjustments to our daily lives, spring break is right around the corner! While this break is not traditional by any means, it's still a time to rest and regroup, break from classes and planning, and perhaps participate in some different activities.

For ideas for all ages, click here .

CLASSROOM NEWS...

Mrs.Fish's Algebra/Trig Class:

In both my Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry classes, and my Geometry classes I have been using Zoom to meet with my classes. The photos above are from my class meeting on 3/25/20 in geometry where we went over the quiz they took on 3/20/20. I used the "notability" app on my school issued iPad to demonstrate how to do problems the students struggled with. In my Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry classes I have been immensely pleased with the engagement and commitment my seniors have to coming to class meetings, participating, and completing assignments. I also hold "tutorial/office hours" Monday through Thursday with a Zoom meeting to help the kids who are struggling. My hard working and committed students sometimes come every day to tutorial. I miss seeing my students so much, but these Zoom classes really help my spirit. The challenges of online teaching are mitigated somewhat because we can meet face to face.

Mr. Sabino's Chemistry Class:

The photo above shows me preaching to all of my adoring fans across the Sabino Nation about drawing Lewis structures of different chemical compounds and how to predict the shapes of molecules in three dimensions. The structure of molecules relates directly to their particular physical and chemical properties.

Ms. Bowman's Class:

I have been using Zoom online meeting software all day. My kids adapted in minutes and we got right to work! Here’s a picture of what my life looks like these days.

Mrs. Blackburn's Algebra Class:

I am conducting online classes using Zoom. I'm giving Algebra 2 tests on rational expressions by scheduling emails to be delivered at a specific time, being available for questions through zoom, and collecting PDF scans of the completed tests using google forms. For my lone Honors Analysis class, I like Ms. Bowman, am giving tests over Zoom so I can monitor students visually.

I am recording lessons when we don't have class, and collecting homework as well. I give feedback on homework using the comment feature in the google drive. I have daily office hours in the morning and afternoon using zoom.

I download my collected tests into the notability app on my iPad. I then annotate right on the tests and email a copy to the student with their grade and correction marks included (see screen shot of annotated quiz at left).

SENIOR REFLECTS ON HER TIME AT PIUS

Competitive ice skater Hailey Miller '20 recently compared her experience on the ice to her years as a student at St. Pius X. Hailey gave this speech on March 10 at a St. Pius X function, and we share an excerpt below.

Compare the first axle I landed to receiving my acceptance letter to St. Pius X. This milestone was unprecedented in my life and it felt like destiny. From the moment I was born, St. Pius X was the gleaming goal on the horizon. I knew I would continue the family legacy at Pius, following in my mother’s and brother’s footsteps. And because I was attending Friday night lights from the moment I could walk, I saw attending Pius as a simple stroke of fate, but once I actually reached it and received that acceptance letter seconds before leaving for spring break, everything changed.

For the full speech, please click here .

JOIN FR. REY FOR MASS

Our chaplain, Fr. Rey Pineda, has been celebrating Mass and sharing it live on his YouTube channel. Father is offering Mass on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3 p.m.

Please consider joining him at that time by clicking here . You also have access to previous Masses by subscribing to his channel.

$1,000 Grant Opportunity

Pebble Tossers received a $10,000 grant from Halle Tecco, an entrepreneur+ philanthropist, to provide immediate assistance to families in the greater Atlanta area affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization is starting a ripple of giving with this grant and offering 10 youth a mini-grant of $1,000. Best of all, the grant money will be youth-led, For details on how your student can apply for a $1,000 grant through Pebble Tossers, please click here . The deadline is Friday.

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