NEW BEGINNINGS

When I was a first-year teacher at St. Pius X, I had a late-night conversation with long-time English teacher Charleen Klister. I vividly remember sitting in her classroom as we got to talking about the life of a teacher. Ms. Klister told me that one of the best parts of education is that “each school year is a new beginning.” An opportunity to start fresh, to improve, and to form a bond with a new group of students. That conversation stuck with me, and it gave an overwhelmed first-year teacher the confidence I needed.

As we embark on the beginning of a new school year, the same energy I felt a decade ago still makes my heart beat a little faster. Students will walk through the gates to a new library and rear courtyard in August. Two hundred and ninety students will enter the hallways for the first time. There will be nervous first-year teachers and excited veteran teachers. The class of 2023 will become the leaders of our school. The beginning of a school year is truly an exciting time in education!

Several years ago, my wife and I took a trip to Italy. In Rome, walking through history and through the Vatican, I began to feel particularly drawn to Saint Peter. As a student of history, I felt drawn to the fact that there is an unbroken link between Jesus and Peter and between Peter and the future Popes. I was also drawn to the fact that Jesus entrusted Peter with the future of the Church. A new beginning for Christianity.

Perhaps the best thing about the beginning of any school year is that students will again fill the hallways. Our students come from over 50 elementary schools and over 80 zip codes. While school comes naturally to some, others will struggle with our curriculum. Some of our students are great athletes, and others are talented in the fine arts. Some will never receive a detention, and others will make frequent mistakes. But, the one thing that all our students have in common is that they all belong to the Lord. Like Saint Peter once was, they are the future of our Church. To me, this is the single best thing about working in a Catholic school. We have the opportunity to lead the future of our Church.

Please join me in praying for our faculty and students as we embark on the beginning of the new school year.

Domini Sumus,

Aaron Parr

Interim President

CAMPAIGN CELEBRATIONS AND EFFORTS CONTINUE

We are very excited to announce that we have met our initial $12 million campaign goal! This is a testament to our generous community and the faith placed in this 64-year-old institution. Our excitement at reaching this major milestone is tempered by the reality of increasing construction costs. As we shared in the April issue of this publication, expenses associated with our Ring the Bells projects have risen significantly since the campaign goal was set in 2019. The campaign projects remain consistent with initial designs; the increased costs are simply indicative of the new market in which we all find ourselves.

We are ever-appreciative of our community’s support and we ask those who have yet to join us in our campaign to help us bridge the gap between our initial goal and the new economic environment. Every part of this campaign benefits our students, from the beautiful new library, to the future locker rooms and classrooms, to a secure main campus with a new front lobby. These improvements increase the value of a St. Pius X education and strengthen the experience for all Golden Lions, current and future.

Costs are being finalized for the new field house and completion of the Seaver Family Sports Complex. The construction of both projects is set to begin this fall. Once these figures are determined, we will announce the new and final financial goal for the campaign. The momentum we have seen throughout our campaign gives us assurance that we will meet our new goal. We have faith and confidence in our financial supporters, our project, and God’s good graces to see us through to ringing the bells of victory for St. Pius X!

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RING THE BELLS CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

Our Ring the Bells projects are progressing quickly! Please follow the Construction Updates page on the St. Pius X website for photos and videos of all of our projects.

We will soon share details on how traffic flow will work once school starts.

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

ST. PIUS X SUMMER CAMPS

SPX Summer Camps create an exciting atmosphere on our campus. This summer we welcomed 1,175 campers at our 18 Fine Arts and Athletic camps, and 161 campers at our 13 Academic camps. Many thanks to our coaches, counselors, faculty, and campers for making our summer camps a success!

NEW SCHOOL YEAR KICKING OFF

On August 4, we will welcome 280 freshmen as well as ten new upperclassmen to campus for orientation. The following day, the entire student body of 1,087 souls will come together for the first official school day of the 2022-2023 academic year. Please pray for our students, faculty, staff, and families as we embark on the 64th year of education at St. Pius X Catholic High School!

2022 ANNUAL FUN(d) PARTY

Join us on Friday, September 23 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. for the Annual FUN(d) Party when Maloof Stadium is transformed into an outdoor concert venue. Simply make an Annual Fund gift or pledge, no matter the size, and then enjoy the evening at St. Pius X. Current parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends are all welcome!

Bring your own picnic dinner and drinks and dress up your table “Chastain-style,” or make it a simple evening by packing a cooler and just sitting back to listen to the live music. Tables, chairs, and bottled water are provided. This is an adults-only event. This party is our way of saying thank you for your generosity!

DID YOU KNOW?

In 1967, St. Pius X students overhauled the school's original alma mater. Sister Marie Claire penned the words, and student Peter Fisher '67 composed the music. The singing of the alma mater was a long-standing custom that has languished in recent years. This St. Pius X tradition is ready for a comeback!