Garden of Stewardship - Good Decisions

This month we are focused on the Garden of Decisions. "Get all the advice and instructions you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life." Prov. 19:20. The opportunity to make decisions is a gift from God and a great responsibility. The Old Testament scripture shows a long history of God's faith community being called to make decisions.

*Please check out http://stpiusxauction.org. Ken H. has created us a wonderful auction website! It is still being constructed but it is very informative.*

School Tours - If you have friends and/or relatives interested in attending St. Pius X School, please have them call the school office. Mrs. Andrews and Mrs. Foisy are available to give tours and acquaint people with our strong academic program in a faith-filled environment. We are enrolling for the 2009-2010 school year. If you have any questions, please call the school office at (425)778-9861. Come Join Us !! St. Pius X Catholic School is now enrolling students for the 2009-2010 school year. Give your child the gift of an excellent Catholic education. We provide opportunities for students to be successful by:

School Open House - Come visit our school for an Open House on Sunday, January 31 from 9:30-12:30 PM. Our school provides:

March for Life - On Tuesday, January 19, students in grades 7 and 8 will participate in the march for Life in Olympia. We join many other Catholic Schools, Bishops and priests, and families in this peaceful display of solidarity to speak up for the unborn and elderly who cannot speak for themselves. Catholic Daughters of America has provided a bus for the students and any parents who would like to attend. Please let the school office know if you would like to join us and we will reserve a seat for you.

Catholic Schools Week - Our kick off to Catholic Schools Week begins with an Open House and doughnuts on Sunday, January 31 from 9:30-12:30 PM. The 3rd and 4th grade class will do the readings and the Children's Choir will sing at the 11:00AM Mass. I would like the students to wear their uniforms at Mass so the parishioners can identify our St. Pius students. Please bring friends, neighbors, and interested families to our open house. The rest of Catholic Schools Week is filled with fun activities. A flyer will go home in next week's family folder outlining the week's events.

Sunday Envelopes for Students - Sunday envelopes have been sent home with your children. This is a good opportunity to teach children to be good stewards for Our Lord by sharing their time, talent, and treasure with the churdch and its ministries.

Auction - We are gathering procured items in the school office to a value of $100 with a receipt, plus $50 in cash donation by January 5, 2010. This is one of our major fundraisers of the year. Flyers will be enclosed in the family folders giving suggestions and ideas for auction items that people would be interested in biding on. Our goal is to find items that people will want to bid on more than the value. Happy shopping!

Snow and Emergency Closures - St. Pius X closes for snow days because the students we serve come from many different areas. When it is necessary to close, please listen to one of the following TV and radio stations: KOMO 4 (1000 AM), KIRO 7 (710 AM), and KING 5 TV. This information will also be posted on the school website at www.stpx.org. If school is open on snowy days, please use your discretion as to whether it is safe for you to get your child to school.

Perpetual Adoration - It is the time of year to give thanks to our Lord for all of the blessings He has given us. Please take time to visit the chapel or consider committing to an hour a week to experience the peace of knowing that Jesus is always there waiting to spend time with you. Twenty-four hours a day someone is praying in the chapel.

SCRIP - The SCRIP program is one of the major fund raising programs of St. Pius X School. SCRIP cards are sold during the school hours from Monday through Friday in the school office and after Masses on weekends in the social hall. Please help make this program successful by inviting family members, friends and neighbors to purchase SCRIP cards. There is no extra charge, and our school earns funds from the money you normally spend. We appreciate your continuous support!

Fulcrum Grant - The Fulcrum Foundation is offering tuition assistance grants for the 2010-2011 school year to families in need. The grants are based solely on financial need. The applpication form must be completed online and make a copy to be submitted through the school. You may access the application at www.fulcrumfoundation.com. If you have any questions, please call the school office.

Study Hall - Study hall is offered to students in grades 4-8 on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:00 PM beginning Wednesday, Sept. 23. The teachers will supervise the students and assist them with their homework needs.

Reading Volunteer Program - We have several reading volunteers that will read with students in grades 1-4. The program begins on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 9:00-10:15 AM.

Math Club - Math Club will be offered to students in grades 5-8. It will begin Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7:50-8:30 AM. David and Robin S. and Mrs. Walker, our Math teacher, will be presenting fun math activities for students. It is a great way to engage students in mathematical critical thinking skills while having a good time.

Hot Lunch Program - We are pleased to announce that we will have a hot lunch program this year. For the past 10 years, Mrs. Velasco has assisted with a hot lunch program at another school. She has offered to provide our students with the same opportunity. she will have snacks available at recess and hot lunch beginning on Monday, Sept. 21. This is information in the family folder about the hot lunch program. If you have any questions, please call the school office.

Illness - The flu season is ahead. Jeanne Johnson will speak with us on Curriculum Night regarding ways to keep healthy. If your child is going to be absent from school, please phone the school office between 7:00-8:00 AM. Please remember that your child must be fever free for at least 24 hours before sending them back to school. Upon returning to school, please send a note with your child indicating the nature of the absence.

Nut Free School - Due to an increasing number of allergies, we are a 'NUT FREE' school. Children with these allergies can have severe reactions to nuts. Please do not send peanut butter sandwiches or any nut products to school with your child. Soy butter is okay. Thank you for your kind consideration.

School Hours - The school day begins daily at 8:40 AM with the dismissal time of 3:15 PM. On the second Monday of the month, school is dismissed at 12 noon for faculty in-service. Mass is celebrated at 8:00 AM daily and we encourage you and your children to attend Mass.

Extended Student Services (ESS) - We are fortunate to have Mrs. Raney as the Director of Extended School Services. ESS will be available at 7:00-8:35 AM and from 3:15-6:00 PM daily. On days that school is dismissed at noon, ESS is available from 12 noon-6:00 PM for your convenience. We are thankful to Mrs. Raney for her wonderful services in making the ESS program successful for parents. Please be considerate and pick up your children before 6:00 PM.