PRINCIPAL’S CORNER
One week from today, students in grades 3-8 will start the first day of ISTEP+ testing. Most of you already know that ISTEP+ (Indiana State Test of Educational Progress Plus) is the state test used to gauge students success in meeting the Indiana English/Language arts and math standards (students in 5th and 7th grades are also assessed in science). While the purpose of the test is to measure proficiency not progress, a careful examination of test results allows schools to, among other things, consider areas of curricular strength and improvement. I look forward to keeping you abreast of these results and what they mean for the school.
Depending on the grade level, we spend anywhere from one to two hours each morning testing students (Monday-Thursday for most grades, although 5th and 7th grades test on Friday morning as well). Typically, we have students take 2-3 sections of the test each morning with English/Language arts comprising the first four tests and math comprising the last four. While the "specials schedule" for students in grades 3-5 will remain roughly the same, ISTEP+ testing requires us to make significant changes to the middle school schedule that, often times, results in classes meeting less frequently than they would during a typical week. You should also know that, during this week, we will celebrate mass on Friday, September 21st at 1:30pm in lieu of the normal date and time. Feel free to contact me or one of the teachers if you would like more specific information regarding the ISTEP+ or class schedules for the week. You may also consult the Indiana Department of Education web site (http://www.doe.state.in.us/; click on "ISTEP+ Info Center) for more information on the format of the test and the academic standards on which it is based.
SPXtravaganza Meeting Reminder
DON'T FORGET! The Xtravaganza planning meeting will be held tonight Sept. 10th at 7 pm at the Northside K of C. Call a co-chair with questions. Leslie Schrader, Anne Hurley, or Connie Eckert
Please Support the SPX 8th Graders!
Every year, the 8th grade class organizes and participates in various fundraising events to fund their St. Meinrad Retreat and the traditional8th Grade Class Trip.Thank you for your support!
We appreciate everyone who purchased flowers at the Mum Sale this past weekend! Thanks also to Sullivan’s Hardware for their continued support!
Upcoming
8th Grade Fundraiser
October 5th thru 15th
Just a little advance notice… The 8th grade class will be selling WRAPPING PAPER, GIFTS, AND CANDIES next month (from Paragon Promotions) just in time for your holiday shopping. An 8th grade student should be contacting you about your "paper needs"; if not, the students are easy to find… just look for the navy uniform shirt and they will be happy to help you with your order! For questions, contact Edie Witchger - see phone number in parish directory.
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Parent Resource Group & Kick Off Meeting
The Parent Resource Group was organized several years ago as a support and idea building group for parents who have children at SPX School who struggle with learning, in one way or another, in the classroom. We provide each other with positive exchange of information sharing lots of help, support, and empathy.
We meet on the 2nd Thursdays of the month (Teacher Thursdays) from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm to share information on different topics. These meetings are open to all families of SPX whether you are currently using the resource department, want to know what it is, or just want to hang out and have good mid-day munchies! Snacks are provided and young children are welcome. If you have a suggestion on a topic or guest speaker, please share your ideas with Maura Lee (mauralee@comcast.net). We have a few open spots for guest speakers this year and we’d like YOUR input! We hope you’ll join us!
Our Kick Off Meeting is scheduled for
WHEN: Teacher Thursday, September 13th from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
WHERE: Church Social Rooms 1 & 2
TOPIC: "How to Organize Your Child for School." At this meeting, we will detail what’s new and different this year (i.e. binders), discuss the speakers’ slate and open the floor to questions and suggestions. We hope to see you there!
An informed parent is a child’s best advocate!
If you have questions please call Maura Lee - see phone number in parish directory.
Get ready to Bag ‘Em!
The SPX youth ministry office isselling LARGE yellow trash bags for $10 per roll!They will be on sale after masses on September 15&16. You can also purchase them directly from Corene Ihrie in the Youth Ministry office during office hours! Thanks for your support!
In order to volunteer at the school, three conditions must be met. Volunteers need to sign two forms, one that authorizes a background check (a fee of $15 is required) and another that certifies you have read the Archdiocesan Child Protection Policy. You can obtain these forms from Mrs. Cates in the main office. Volunteers also must remember to complete Virtus Training. Here is a list of upcoming training sessions held in the Indianapolis area. For more information on availability, go to virtusonline.org and click on "Registration."
UPCOMING VIRTUS TRAINING DATES:
*August 29 @ 6:30pm at St. Jude
*September 4 @ 6pm at St. Simon
*September
10 @ 6:30pm at St. Pius X
*September 19 @ 7pm at St. Christopher
*September 22@ 9am at Holy Spirit
*September 24 @ 6pm at St. Gabriel
*September 24 @ 6:30pm at St. Monica
IMPORTANT: During your training day, you will provide an email address for access to continued training. For those of you who have completed your Virtus training day, please log on to virtusonline.org and click on the "My Training" tab to check the status of your Training Bulletins! Please keep these training bulletins up to date!
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8/24-9/4 Work on Spellathon Pledges! 8/28-30 Dibels Testing, Grades K-3rd 8/30 Back to School Night - K-5th Gr 6:30 pm in church 8/31 Spellathon Spelling Tests 9/1-9/3 Collect Spellathon pledges 9/3 Labor Day - No School 9/4 Turn in money raised for Spellathon 9/10 Virtus Training at SPX 6:30 pm in Church Conf Rooms 9/12 Progress Reports issued 9/12 School Commission Meeting 7:00 pm in library 9/13 Teacher Thursday 12:45/1:00 pm dismissal 9/17-21 ISTEP Testing, Grades 3rd-8th 9/26 School Pictures 10/11 Teacher Thursday 12:45/1:00 pm dismissal 10/12 End of First Quarter (41 days) 10/13 PTO Middle School Party 10/18-19 St. Meinrad 8th Gr Retreat 10/23 Principal-Parent Night 6:30 pm in Church 10/24 Report Cards Issued 10/25 Parent-Teacher Conferences K-8th grades - No School 10/26-29 Fall Break - No School 11/1 All Saint’s Day Mass 8:30 am (no Mass on 10/30) 11/5 SPX Blood Drive 1:00 pm in Ross Hall 11/7 Veterans’ Day Mass & Reception 8:30 am in church & Ross Hall 11/8 Teacher Thursday 12:45/1:00 pm dismissal 11/10 PTO Auction & Dinner Dance 11/12 First Reconciliation 7:00 pm in church 11/14 Progress Reports issued 11/14 School Commission Meeting 7:00 in library 11/21-23 Thanksgiving Break 12/3 Advent Prayer Service 2:15 pm in church 12/5 Advent Penance Service 8:30 am in church (no Mass) 12/8 Breakfast with Santa 12/10 Advent Prayer Service 2:15 pm in church 12/13 Christmas Play 7:00 pm in Ross Hall 12/17 Advent Prayer Service 2:15 pm in church 12/17 Holiday Happenings-4th & 5th Gr 12/20 1st Grade Nativity Pageant 9:30 am in church 12/20 Christmas Break begins 11:15/11:30 am dismissal 12/20 End of 2nd Quarter (42.5 days) 12/21-1/6 Christmas Break 1/3 PTO Bowling Party 1/7 SPX Classes Resume 1/9 School Commission Meeting 7:00 pm in library 1/15-17 Dibels Testing - K-3rd Grade 1/16 Report Cards Issued 1/21 Martin Luther King Day No School (Snow Make-up Day) 1/22 New Family Open House 1/28 Catholic Schools Week begins 1/28 Hobby Show in Ross Hall all day 2/1 PTO Winter Carnival 2/6 Ash Wednesday 2/7 Teacher Thursday 12:45/1:00 pm dismissal 2/8 Stations of the Cross 2:15 pm in church 2/13 Progress Reports issued 2/15 Stations of the Cross 2:15 pm in church 2/15 K & 1st Grade Mid-Yr Conferences
2/18 President’s Day No School (Snow Make-up Day) 2/22 Stations of the Cross 2:15 pm in church 2/29 Stations of the Cross 2:15 in church 3/5 Everybody Counts 3/6 Teacher Thursday 12:45/1:00 pm dismissal 3/7 Stations of the Cross 2:15 pm in church 3/9-14 Book Fair Week 3/11 Exchange City - 5th & 6th Grades 3/12 School Commission Meeting 7:00 pm in library 3/14 Stations of the Cross 2:15 pm in church 3/14 End of Third Quarter (48 days) 3/17 8th Grade Living Way of the Cross 7:00 pm in church 3/21 8th Grade Living Way of the Cross 9:30 am in church 3/21 Good Friday 11:15/11:30 dismissal 3/24 Technology/Media Fair 3/24 Nat’l Catholic Education Assn Conference begins in Indy 3/26 Report Cards issued 3/28-4/6 Spring Break - No School 4/7 Classes Resume 4/15 Principal-Parent Night 6:30 pm in church 4/19 PTO 7th Grade Dad’s Dinner 4/25 1st Grade Grandparents Day 4/25 SPX Art Show 7:00 pm in the SPX Halls 5/2 PTO Flower Sale 5/4 First Communion 1:00 pm in church 5/5 SPX Blood Drive 1:00 pm in Ross Hall 5/8 Teacher Thursday 12:45/1:00 pm dismissal 5/9 May Mothers’ Mass 8:30 am in church 5/9 Class Picture Day 5/13 New Family Mentor Night 6:30 pm in school 5/13-15 Dibels Testing - K-3rd Grade 5/14 School Commission Meeting 7:00 pm in library 5/26 Memorial Day - No School 5/29 Last Day for 8th Grade 5/30 8th Grade Graduation & Dinner 6/4 Last Day of School 11:15/11:30 dismissal 6/4 End of Fourth Quarter (50 days) 6/4 Report Cards issued - K-7th Grade 6/5 Professional Day - No Students 6/12 Report Cards Mailed
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Spell-a-thon We really got the kids enthused during the Spell-A-Thon Kickoff last Friday! What a fun afternoon! This week, please encourage your children to work on obtaining sponsors and don’t forget to have them study their spelling words! Participating students will be eligible for daily prizes which include a Wii gaming system, an iPod, and a Playstation 2! Students who return their money raised on or before September 4th AND who raise $100 or more will be included in a GRAND PRIZE drawing for two lower level Colts tickets! If you have questions, contact Tracy Sanders. |
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Calling All Singers! Mrs. Kirch is in the process of forming a St. Pius the X School Choir. It will be open to all students in grades 4-8. There will not be any tryouts—all you need is enthusiasm and a commitment to the group. It will meet for one hour after school each week. The day of the week is yet to be determined. The choir will perform out in the community and also for school masses occasionally. An informational meeting for parents and students will be held on Thursday, September 13th at 7:30 A.M. in the music room. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Mrs. Kirch. I hope to see many of you at the meeting! |
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ThinkGreen
Program Thanks so much for everyone's support of our recyclinglast year. Our program earned $1,227.90 for our school's technology program, plus SPX receivedfree laser color printer!THANKS and GREAT JOB!Keep those recyclables coming in: We need cell phones, ink and laser printer cartridges. You may drop them off in the school computer lab or the church narthex.So far this year, we have earned $242!Let's help the environment while earning money for our school. Business owners, we welcome your old cell phones & used cartridges! Please direct questions to Julie Dunn - see phone number in parish directory. |
Helpful Resources Gab-From-The-Lab |
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PTO Information NEW
TIME FOR Please note that the PTO meetings are open to everyone-we would love to have you come and participate in the meetings! All PTO meetings are the second Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m.the church meeting rooms 3&4. Come learn about what the PTO does for the school and whatyou can do for the PTO! Come this THURSDAY, Sept 13th at 10:00 am! |
