Volume 1 | Issue 10

Weekly News & Updates

School Calendar

11/3 - 11/9

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Sunday

Adult Basketball Open Gym (Sign up here)

Monday

Spanish Club (K-2; After School)
Basketball Tryouts Walkthrough (Sign up here)

Tuesday

Choir Practice (In School)
Intermediate Band (In School)
Advance Band (After School)
STEAM Academy (After School)
Girls Basketball Tryouts (Evening)

Wednesday

Choir at School Mass (Arrive at 8am)
Beginner Band Practice (In School)
Intermediate Band (After School)
Guitar Club (After School)
Boys Basketball Tryouts (Evening)

Thursday

Spooktacular (In School)
Crochet Club (After School)
Spanish Club (PreK & K; After School)
Knight Crew Practice (After School)
Littlest Knights Practice (Evening)

Friday

Advance Band Practice (In School)
Beginner Band Practice (After School)

Saturday

CCW Craft / Vendor Fair in Social Center

Homework Help

Homework Club is on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15-4. Pick up in front of school promptly at 4:00. Students are welcome to come if they need help with their homework. Ms. B in Room 113 on Mondays and Mrs. Pohl on Wednesdays in Room 207.

A Reminder on the SPX Chromebook Policy

As a reminder to families, chromebooks need to be charged at home every night and brought to school every day for grades 1-8. Teachers are not responsible for providing means of charging chromebooks at school.

There seems to be an uptick in both lack of charging and not bringing chromebooks to school. St. Pius X does not offer a daily loaner program for students. If a student comes to class without their chromebook and it is needed for that day's activity the work will be homework and they will receive a zero for participation for the day.

Mr. Owen's Update

Can you believe we’re already a third of the way through the school year? It’s been a dynamic trimester, and we’re incredibly proud of everything our students and staff have accomplished. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from this semester:

iReady Implementation: Our teachers completed full training on the iReady program, and students took their first diagnostic achievement test, allowing us to customize learning paths and help each student reach their fullest potential.
Curriculum Mapping: Teachers have initiated Curriculum Mapping to streamline learning objectives and ensure a consistent, thorough educational experience across all grades.
Cross Country Achievements: Our Girls and Boys Cross Country teams impressed at the state meet in Normal, IL, exemplifying hard work, perseverance, and SPX pride.
Successful Volleyball Season: Both our Girls and Boys Volleyball teams had excellent seasons, with notable sportsmanship and skill displayed at every match.
After-School Clubs Flourishing: From Robotics to Choir to Dance, our after-school clubs are in full swing, providing students with various opportunities to explore their interests, build skills, and have fun with friends.
Efficient Dismissal: We’ve made great strides in making school dismissal faster and safer for all our students and families.
Montini Math Bowl: Seventh and eighth graders represented SPX at the Montini Math Bowl, showing great enthusiasm and teamwork in math competitions.
Outdoor Education Success: This year’s Outdoor Education experience was memorable, providing hands-on learning and team-building activities that brought out the best in our students.

Looking ahead, we want to remind everyone of an important change coming in the second trimester.

Fifth-grade students will now be included in our Academic Participation Policy. This means that to participate in sports and other after-school activities, students must maintain at least a C grade in all subjects. With basketball tryouts just around the corner, it’s essential for students to keep their focus on academics first.

As the first trimester wraps up on November 8, let’s keep up the momentum and make the second term our best yet!

Go Knights!

From Father Matt

Thank you so much for your valuable volunteer efforts this October! Your participation greatly enriched our Grandparent Day Mass and added to the fun at yesterday's Spooktacular event. We're also grateful to the volunteers who supported our fall sports, particularly as the volleyball and cross country seasons have concluded.

We're excited to introduce a new automated system for tracking volunteer hours, and we'll share detailed instructions on how to use it very soon.

Looking ahead, we have a few openings for our Ornament Painting Fundraiser: St. Pius X PSA: Family Knight Out: Ornament Painting.

Additionally, our next major volunteer event will be next month's Santa's Secret Shop: St. Pius X PSA: Santa's Secret Shop .

We hope to see you there!

Thank you again for your patience and for your dedication to creating a welcoming and positive environment at our school for our students and their families.

God Bless,

Fr. Matt

This Week in Photos:

Capturing our Pride in Pius

Every week at St. Pius X is filled with moments that define who we are as a school and parish community. From the joy of learning to the thrill of competition and the warmth of gathering in faith, these experiences shape not only our present but also our future.

Documenting these moments through photos allows us to preserve the memories that inspire us. They remind us of the dedication, love, and passion that go into building minds, hearts, and souls. Each snapshot tells a story of growth, connection, and purpose.

This week there was lots of amazing things happening at St. Pius X. Miss. James had organized a line dancing P.E. unit. With the help of Fr. Matt and dance instructor, Brenda Perez (consciouschoreoco.com), our students learned some fresh steps and old classics. We also had a special Saint Squad activity along with our All Saints mass and Mrs. Popernik celebrated the Day of the Dead in Spanish Class. Last but not least, all our Halloween events on Thursday

This Week's Photos

All Saints Day Mass

Upcoming St. Pius X Student Performances

As autumn sets in, it’s time to prepare for the exciting performances St. Pius X students will showcase this school year.

-Pre3-2nd Grade will perform in the Christmas Program on Thursday, December 19, in the Social Center.
3rd-5th Grade will join the Sacred Music Concert in the Church on Tuesday, March 18.

New This Year:

6th-8th Grade students are required to participate in a Spring Variety Show on Thursday, May 8, in line with school leadership’s goal of a well-rounded education. Each performance will contribute to students' final grades.

The school community eagerly anticipates a memorable season of music and performance!

Save on Tuition with Manna Gift Cards!

Need to grab groceries, fill up your gas tank, or treat yourself to a meal out? With Manna, you can earn credits toward your St. Pius X tuition while shopping!

Here’s how it works:

Sign up for a Manna account here.
Place your order by 11:00 a.m. every Monday.
Receive physical gift cards on Thursdays, sent directly home.
Get eGift cards instantly for on-the-go purchases.

Plus, a percentage of the face value of each gift card you buy is credited directly to your SPX tuition. It’s a simple way to save while supporting our school!

Have questions? Contact us at: manna@stpiuslombard.org

Butter Braids are Back!

We’re excited to announce the return of a fan-favorite fundraiser—Butter Braids are back by popular demand! This is an incredible opportunity to support our school while enjoying delicious pastries that the whole family will love.

What’s in it for YOU?

We’ve added an extra incentive this year to make it even more fun and rewarding! The grade that sells the most Butter Braids will win a catered Chick-fil-A lunch! It’s a great chance to add some friendly competition while raising funds for our school programs and property improvements.

Important Dates:

Apologies as there is some confusion over what is printed on the paper form and what the dates actually are. There was a revision of our SPX timetable to extend the sale and it is noted reflected on the form:

Start Date: 10/21/24
End Date: 12/2/24
Delivery Date (to SPX): 12/13/24

Here’s how it works:

Order Forms will be arriving soon—be sure to check your email and your child’s backpack!
Orders can be placed directly from the customers and credited to your SPX student a the link below. Share on your social media to your friends and family.
All funds raised will go directly toward maintaining and improving our wonderful school.
We’re hit $10,000 last year and we are aiming for a goal of $12,000 this year, and with everyone’s participation, we know we can achieve it!

Remember, every Butter Braid sold helps support St. Pius X Parish School, and EVERYONE who participates makes a difference.

Let’s work together to make this year’s Butter Braid sale a huge success! If you have any questions or need additional order forms, feel free to contact the school office.

Thank you in advance for your support and for helping us make this fundraiser the best yet!

PS: Don’t forget—there’s a Chick-fil-A lunch on the line for the winning grade! Let the competition begin!

St. Pius X Butter Braids Online Order Site

Be a Part of the Winning Team: Volunteer for the Casino Knight Gala and Help Raise the Stakes for St. Pius X!

Get ready to roll the dice for a great cause—the St. Pius X Parish School Casino Knight Fundraiser Gala is fast approaching! This spectacular event will bring together our community to raise crucial funds for our school’s programs and facilities. To make the Casino Knight a success, we need enthusiastic volunteers to join our committees and help create an unforgettable evening.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering for the Casino Knight is a chance to make a meaningful impact on our school while connecting with fellow families and having fun along the way. Every contribution, big or small, helps bring our vision to life and ensures the night is a success.

Key Committees in Need of Volunteers

Join one of our essential committees and bring your skills and ideas to the table. Here’s where you can help:

1. Marketing

This team will be in charge of spreading the word about the Casino Knight through social media, school newsletters, and community outreach. If you’re skilled in communications or just excited to get the message out, the Marketing Committee is perfect for you.

2. Donations & Sponsorships

Volunteers are needed to secure donations for raffle prizes and auction items, as well as reach out to local businesses for sponsorships. This committee plays a vital role in helping us gather the items and support needed to reach our fundraising goals.

3. Decorating

Transforming the venue into a dazzling casino atmosphere will be the mission of the Decorating Committee! If you have a flair for design or just enjoy bringing a theme to life, this is the committee for you. Volunteers will assist with both setup and breakdown.

4. Food & Drink

The Food & Drink Committee will work with caterers and beverage vendors to ensure our guests enjoy delicious food and refreshments throughout the night. Help us create a memorable dining experience that adds to the elegance of the evening.

5. Entertainment

This committee will manage the evening’s entertainment, including coordinating with game dealers, organizing music, and keeping the energy high throughout the night. If you’re organized and love keeping people entertained, join us here!

Ready to Get Involved?

Or, If you’re interested in joining a committee, please contact the Steering Committee made up our event chair, Mr. Kris Goetz, along with the Directors of each of the named committees. Email: Gala@stpiuslombard.org. or call the St. Pius X Staff Liaison, Mr. Dominick Romano at (630) 627-2325 x223. Whether you have a few hours to spare or are ready to take on a larger role, we welcome all levels of help.

Together, let’s make this Casino Knight Fundraiser Gala the best yet! Join us to make a difference, support our school, and ensure an amazing night for all!

Basketball

Here we go Basketball Fans! Knights Basketball is right around the corner. Save the date on the following events:

Basketball Tryouts

The following grade/genders will have tryouts. Please note: Tryouts are closed to parents. All players on the below teams not able to attend tryouts will be placed on the lower level team unless other arrangements are made with the athletic director.

5th Grade Girls
8th Grade Girls
6th Grade Boys
7th Grade Boys
8th Grade Boys

Tryout Walkthroughs

Monday, Nov. 4 (arrive 15 minutes early) Open to boys and girls registered for basketball. Three time slots:

5-6pm
6-7pm
7-8pm

R.S.V.P for timeslot here

Girls Tryouts: Nov. 5

5th Grade: 4:00 - 5:30pm
8th Grade: 5:45 - 7:15pm

Boys Tryouts: Nov. 6

6th Grade: 4:00 - 5:30pm
7th Grade: 5:45 - 7:15pm
8th Grade: 7:30 - 9:00pm

Tri-County Catholic Conference Athletics

Volleyball

Huge shoutout to our St. Pius X 8th Grade Girls B Volleyball Team! Tonight, they battled fiercely in the TCCC Championship game against St. Francis Xavier, putting their heart and soul into every play.

Though they took second, their teamwork, dedication, and resilience made us so proud! Every point was a testament to their hard work this season, and they’ve truly shown what it means to be a Knight. Way to go, ladies!

Tri-County Catholic Conference SPX Volleyball

Stay Connected with the PSA

We hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

Our Spooktacular event was a big hit for Preschool through 5th grade, and Junior High had a great time playing bingo. Huge thanks to Lori Acuna and her amazing team of volunteers for making this event unforgettable!

We also have a PSA meeting this Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Learning Resource Center. Please join us to discuss all the exciting events happening in November and December, including Family Knight Out, Teacher Appreciation/Holiday Lunch, and Santa's Secret Shop.

Upcoming PSA Events:

11/6: Knights Out to Dinner: Avanzare

11/7: PSA Meeting

11/12: FKO Ornament Painting and pictures with Santa

Lastest PSA Newsletter

Children's Mass

Periodically throughout the year, Religious Education students and St. Pius X School students serve as Lectors, Gift Bearers and Readers of the Prayer of the Faithful (petitions). During these Masses, the homily is tailored for children and families.

Please sign up your children to help in a role of your choice for the appropriate Mass. After you've signed them up and as we get closer to the date of the Mass, you will be emailed with more detailed instructions according to the role you've chosen for your child. In addition to receiving these instructions, we also ask that you arrive 30 minutes before the Mass so that your child has the opportunity to rehearse.

Thanksgiving Food Drive: Giving Back to Our Community

As the season of gratitude approaches, St. Pius X Parish School is once again supporting the St. Vincent de Paul Society with our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. This drive helps feed the hungry in our community, including those in our own parish. We invite each grade to participate by focusing on one essential item:

Grade-Level Donations: