2014-15 Panther Parent

The Panther Parent The 2014-15 Guide for St. Pius X High School Parents

Table of Contents General Information................................ 3 Absences Announcements

Anticipated Absences Books

Bring Your Own Device

Building Open Carpooling

Emergency School Closing

Faculty/Staff Directory

Financial Aid

Financial Commitments Liturgies Meals

General Information (continued)............ 4

Permission Slips

School Calendar

School Pictures

School Times

Senior Pictures

Student Parking

Student Transportation Uniforms Yearbooks Celebrate the Arts.................................. 4

Band/Campus Singers/Choir

Theatre SPX

TAPPS Art/Academic/Music Competitions

Help for Students.................................... 5

Counseling Office

Peer Helpers Tutoring

Progress Reports Grades College & Career Preparation............... 5

PSAT, ACT/SAT

Expanding Student Horizons.................. 5 Office for Campus Ministry Retreats

School Events......................................... 6 Academic Rally Homecoming

Project Prom

School Dances

Senior Prom

Honoring Achievements......................... 6

Veritas Ring Ceremony

National Honor Society

Senior Awards

Sports Awards

Underclass Awards Athletics.................................................. 7 Eligibility Cheerleaders Pantherettes

Letter Jackets

Managers and Scorekeepers

Practice Times

Sports Uniforms

Summer Camps

Weight Room

Fall Sports & Winter Sports................... 8

Spring Sports.......................................... 9

Student Clubs & Organizations.............. 9 Advancement........................................ 10

Advancing the Mission

Annual Giving Programs

Annual Gala Enrollment

Set the World Ablaze

Other Support Parent Involvement............................... 11

Parent Association

Booster Club

Meet the Teachers Parent Association Calendar................ 12 Reference Sources............................... 13

Drug Testing Policy

Anti-Bullying Initiative

General Information Absences

The parents/guardians (not the student) are requested to notify the school attendance office between 7-9 a.m. in the event of a student’s absence; otherwise, parents will be called. A note, signed by the parent/guardian, stating the date and reason for the absence must be presented to the dean of students or the attendance office on the day the student returns. Failure to bring a note will result in disciplinary action. If the absence is unexcused, two points will be subtracted from the quarterly average of all classes in which the student is enrolled.

Announcements

Students receive information about school schedules, activities, free dress, club meetings, etc. during the announcements in homeroom period and at the end of the school day before they are dismissed from seventh period.

Anticipated Absences

3 must If a student anticipates absence from school,Page he/she bring a note, signed by a parent/guardian at2012-13 least 2-3Panther days prior to the anticipated absence. The note should be brought to the dean of students or the attendance office by 8 a.m.

The student will receive a form for all subject teachers to sign and to write assignments to make up for the day’s absence. If a note is not brought in prior to the absence, the student will receive an unexcused absence and the penalties which go with that.

If a student must leave campus for any reason, he/she must present a note to the school office stating the reason for the departure and signed by his/her parent/guardian. If the note is not brought in by 8 a.m., the student will not have an early dismissal. At the departure time, the student will sign out at the attendance office. If he/she is returning to school the same day, he/she is to report to the attendance office and sign in with the time of return. Reminder: Students who are returning from the doctor or dentist must bring a note from that office specifying they were there during the time out of school.

Books

Books may be purchased online at www.mbsdirect.net.

Book lists are also posted at www.mbsdirect.net. Summer reading lists are posted at www.stpiusx.org Teachers give students school supply lists during class on the first day of school.

Bring Your Own Device

The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program allows students to utilize their personal technology (iPads, KindleFires, laptops, smart phones, notebooks, etc.) within the context of approved curriculum in supervised classrooms. New ninth grade and transfer students are asked to bring a device at least 7 inches in size. Cell phones do not satisfy the requirements for sure in the classroom. Devices may be used in the classrooms only when permitted by the teacher. They may

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not be used during passing periods, but may be used during lunchtime and homeroom (at the discretion of the homeroom teacher). Students will receive consequences from the Dean of Students, Jeff Donaruma for misusing a device. See the Student Handbook for more information.

Building Open

The school building is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students must be out of the building by 6 p.m., unless they are participating in an organized school activity. Students who arrive at School before 7:45 a.m. must report to the Frost Cafeteria for breakfast. The Bramanti Library is open for student use from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. A security officer is on duty from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Carpooling

Carpool information, listed by zip code, is available from Cindy Flores ‘80 at 713.579.7506.

Parent Emergency School Closing

St. Pius X follows Houston Independent School District (HISD) emergency closings.

Faculty/Staff Directory

A complete faculty/staff directory can be found on the school website.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is administered by the School Board Financial Aid Committee. Financial Aid packets are available online after January 1. Applications for current students are due in mid-February for the following school year. Notification of Financial Aid awards are made in March.

Financial Commitments

Students must be current with all fees and tuition for each semester before exams will be administered.

Liturgies

All-school liturgies, including prayer services, are scheduled throughout the year. Dress uniform is required on these days. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend.

Meals

The School has one 45-minute lunch period for all students.

Students may buy lunch or bring it from home. Debit cards for lunches may be purchased from the cafeteria. Breakfast is also available from 7:15-7:45 a.m. Students may not have lunch delivered to the School by a delivery person.

2014-15 Panther Parent

General Information Permission Slips

Uniforms

The school calendar is available on the website at stpiusx.org/calendar. Log in to the school website for access to the full SPX calendar.

(See the Student Handbook for details) Dress uniform is required of all students on certain days as indicated on the school calendar. Students not in compliance will receive a demerit and are sent home. Students must remain in dress uniform all day. Free dress is a privilege given to students for particular achievements. Students should follow the guidelines listed in the Student Handbook for what is appropriate on free dress days. Students in physical education (P.E.) classes must wear P.E. uniforms.

School Pictures

Yearbooks

Students wishing to leave campus for a school function must have a permission slip signed by his/her parent/guardian. Permission slips are required for each field trip. Athletes sign one permission slip per sport.

School Calendar

Pictures are taken at School during the first quarter of the year. All students receive a school I.D. card.

School Times

St. Pius X follows one of seven schedules during the year. A list of schedules is posted under the “Bell Schedule” tab on the parent portal of the school website and are available at the receptionist’s desk. Regular schedule school days begin with the first bell at 7:55 a.m. and dismissal at 3 p.m.

Senior Pictures

St. Pius X uses one photographer for all senior pictures.

Senior photos are taken the summer before senior year. A formal picture, with the official St. Pius X photographer, is required for the yearbook. Students may opt to take other poses.

Student Parking

Two lots are available for student parking during the school day. Reserved spaces are available in the main parking lot in front of the stadium and student entrance at a cost of $200 for the 2014-15 school year. Secure parking is also available in the lot adjacent to the softball field at a cost of $120 for the 2014-15 school year. Students are encouraged to use the secure parking available to them. Street parking is not secure and cars parked illegally on West Donovan will be towed without warning.

Please note that the Circle Drive is for visitor parking only and not for drop-offs. Students should only be dropped off and picked up using the new roadway accessed via Brinkman Street. Overflow visitor and volunteer parking is available in the parking lot across the street from the School on Donovan.

Student Transportation

St. Pius X provides student transportation for school activities for its students. The School owns one 40-passenger bus, one 31-passenger bus, one 22-passenger bus, and a 12-passenger van. At times, coach buses and minivans are rented for transportation.

Drivers for the buses are required to have a C driver’s license. All drivers have passed Texas Department of Safety minimum requirements.

The Del Sarto yearbook is available in the fall. The cost of one yearbook is covered by tuition.

Celebrate the Arts Band/Campus Singers/Choir

Students may participate in music at St. Pius X in a variety of ways. Members of both the Choir and the Band earn academic credit. Chorus I-IV classes meet at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday. The Concert Chorale, the combined talents of the Campus Singers and members of the Chorus, serves in music ministry at school liturgies and special events and offers a variety of classical and pop performances, both on and off campus, throughout the year. Selection for the Campus Singers is by audition only and is open to grades 10-12.

The St. Pius X Band performs at home football games and in concerts throughout the year. St. Pius X supplies some musical instruments; often, students provide their own.

Theatre SPX

Theatre SPX will stage four drama productions this school year. Students audition for parts in the plays, orchestra, chorus and stage crew. The Stagecraft classes produce the sets for the shows. Students are encouraged to participate in the productions, whether as a member of the cast or crew, or as an audience member. Show times are announced on the school website.

TAPPS Arts/Music/Academic Competition Teams

Students may apply to be members of the Arts/Music/Academic teams and represent St. Pius X in TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools) competitions.

Team members also are recommended by their teachers. Competition categories are Languages, Mathematics, Painting, Photography, Drawing, Science, History, Speech, Drama, Vocal and Instrumental Music and more. St. Pius X has a winning tradition in these competitions. Students are encouraged to participate in all levels of competition and in many areas of study.

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Help for Students

College & Career Preparation

Counseling Office

It is the policy of St. Pius X to assign each student to the same counselor for all four years of high school. This personal insight of each student enables counselors to better assist the students with post high school choices.

PSAT

Counselors work with parents and students on course choices, academic progress and adolescent issues, which might arise. The Counseling Office is always available for students. An additional college counselor is available to ease the college admission and scholarship process.

ACT/SAT

Peer Helpers

The School offers a Peer Counselor group two Thursdays each month during lunch. Students can discuss current issues with their peers in a non-threatening, supervised environment. There is no charge to be a member of the group and attendance is optional.

Tutoring

Sophomores and juniors take the PSAT test on October 15.

This exam is particularly important for juniors, as it is the basis for National Merit Scholarship consideration.

College Entrance Exams are administered throughout the city at various times during the year. SPX is a test site for the September, December, February, and June ACT tests.

Counselors advise students as to which exams are appropriate for their plans.

Expanding Student Horizons

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The National Honor Society offers free tutoring in all subjects. Students must sign up ahead of time with Gary and Susi West ’69, NHS sponsors. All teachers also offer tutorials. Tutorial schedules are posted on the website. Students experiencing difficulties may take advantage of this offering.

Teachers generally announce additional test or exam tutorials during class.

Progress Reports

A progress report may be accessed on NetSPX for parents and guardians at the middle of all quarters of the academic year. Ongoing access to student grades is also available throughout the year through NetSPX. Parent-teacher conferences are held on September 16, 2014, and February 11, 2015.

Grades

Report cards are available online at the end of each quarter.

Students can achieve honor roll status at two levels: Honor Roll, with a semester Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.3 to 3.9; and Head of School’s Honor Roll, with a semester GPA of 4.0 or better.

The St. Pius X school year is divided into two semesters with each semester divided into two quarters. Student numerical grades are issued at the end of each quarter. Semester grades appear on transcripts and permanent records and are used to determine Grade Point Average (GPA).

Office for Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry, integral to the mission of St. Pius X High School, witnesses to the School’s philosophy that spiritual development is as valuable as academic education. By its very nature, the mission of Campus Ministry at St. Pius X embodies a commitment to youth, Catholic education, our Dominican heritage and traditions, the Church and the community. In the exercise of Campus Ministry, four dimensions of activity emerge as essential to the integrity, identity and mission: pastoral care; spiritual life; liturgical ministries and services; and social justice awareness, education and outreach. The presence of a full-time campus minister as minister, individual, pastoral presence, professional and teacher renders service to the entire school faith community, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents/ guardians, alumni, benefactors and their collective families.

Retreats

All students are required annually to attend a retreat as part of the theology curriculum. The freshmen and sophomore retreats are one-day, while the junior and senior retreats are overnight. Class retreat dates are posted on the website.

Semester exam schedules are posted on the website.

Please remember to arrange for student transportation on exam days.

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School Events Academic Rally

St. Pius X hosts the Middle School Academic Rally. Preliminary rounds are held in mid-January with final rounds on January 10. Middle school students from all of metropolitan Houston attend. The event is sponsored by the National Honor Society. Many ninth graders volunteer to help with the event.

Homecoming

Homecoming Week begins October 27. Each year, Student Council selects a theme for the week and plans activities pitting classes against each other to raise school spirit to new highs. Seniors are nominated for Homecoming Queen and King by popular vote of the senior class; the top girls and boys are named to the Homecoming Court.

During Homecoming Week, the entire student body votes on the Queen and King. The Booster Club hosts a Homecoming dance primarily for current students. Dress is semi-formal. Mums and garters are worn at School on the Friday of Homecoming Week. That day, students also may wear their Homecoming shirts, which may be purchased from Student Council. The site of the dance and the cost of tickets will be announced in September. Please check the School website for the most current information.

Project Prom

Project Prom is a safe, adult-supervised, drug and alcoholfree party sponsored by St. Pius X High School. The goal is to involve parents in a formal program to keep their children safe during the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. after Prom.

Students will enjoy refreshments, entertainment and will have the chance to win great prizes they may want to take to college.

School Dances

Campus organizations sponsor various dances throughout the year, from a back-to-school dance in August to the Senior Prom in April. School dances are for St. Pius X students and their guests only. Students may be allowed one guest if permission is received from the Dean of Students at least one week prior to the dance.

Honoring Achievements Veritas Ring Ceremony

The Junior Veritas Ring ceremony will be held on May 3.

The ceremony, at which juniors receive their class rings, is incorporated into Mass and marks the point at which juniors formally take on the responsibility of being leaders of the School. Refreshments are served after the event (coat-andtie/church-dress attire). Rings are available for purchase in November of the junior year from a vendor approved by the St. Pius X administration. Only the St. Pius X class ring is presented during the Liturgy.

National Honor Society

In the spring, the National Honor Society (NHS) initiates its new members. Students are “tapped� or selected and then are formally inducted into NHS during the Induction Ceremony on April 28. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend.

Senior Awards

Senior Awards Day is May 22. Seniors, their families and the entire St. Pius X student body attend the event, which is held in the Herzstein Gym. Underclassmen wear dress uniform, and seniors wear cap and gown. A reception hosted by the Parent Association is held afterwards for graduates and their families.

Sports Awards

Athletic awards are given three times a year. Athletes from sports recently concluded assemble, and awards are given in each sport. The Booster Club sponsors an awards dinner for participating athletes before each ceremony. Parents/ guardians are welcome to attend the dinner for a nominal charge. Contact the Booster Club to assist with these events.

Underclass Awards

Underclass Awards are given prior to spring/semester exams in an all-school assembly on May 18. Recognition is given for honor roll and in each course for academic accomplishment. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend. This is a dress uniform day for students.

Senior Prom

Senior Prom, a formal dance, will be held on April 10. Guests of St. Pius X students must be cleared with the Dean of Students at least one week before the dance.

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Athletics Eligibility

Students must be academically eligible to participate in athletics (see Student Handbook for rules of eligibility). In addition, athletic fees must be paid, permission slips must be signed and students’ health records must be current.

Students must also be in good disciplinary standing to participate.

Cheerleaders

The coach is Gloria Kimball. Tryouts are held in April each year. Junior varsity and varsity squads are chosen by a panel of outside judges. Cheerleaders perform at pep rallies and home football, basketball and volleyball games and outside competitions.

Managers and Scorekeepers

Each varsity team has managers and scorekeepers, who travel with the team. Managers/scorekeepers are selected by the coaches.

Practice Times

Normal practice time for most sports is 3:30-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some sports practice before school.

Sports Uniforms

St. Pius X provides uniforms, except shoes, gloves and extras, for all sports. (Girls sometimes must provide their own shorts.) Other equipment is often required. Students are charged an athletic fee when selected for a team and listed on the roster at the first game for the remainder of the Pantherettes season. The athletic fee for football is $100 and $75 for all Page 3 are the The team director is Amber Benn. The Pantherettes other sports. The fee must be paid prior to a student’s parSt. Pius X drill and dance team. Tryouts are 2012-13 in April and are Parent Panther ticipation in that sport. open to all grade levels, including freshmen. The team is chosen by a panel of outside judges. The Pantherettes perSummer Camps form at pep rallies and home football and basketball games.

Summer camps are posted on the website. Usually, students receive letters at home announcing summer schedules.

Letter Jackets

Letter jackets are supplied to athletes by the Booster Club for those students who have played two varsity sports for a minimum of two consecutive years or one sport for three years.

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Weight Room

The weight room is available to all students at scheduled times (unless in use by SPX sports team or organized extracurricular club) with SPX faculty/staff/coach supervision.

Contact Athletic Director Jason Kimball for more information.

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Fall Sports

Football

Coach: Stephen Hill Freshmen, JV, and Varsity Teams Practice begins - Early August Competition ends - November Practice location - St. Pius X football field Games - Freshmen/JV - Thursday Varsity - Friday or Saturday

Volleyball

Coach: Preston Smith Tryouts - Early August Practice begins - Early August Competition ends - November Practice location - St. Pius X gym Competitions - Two games a week plus

some tournament play Approximately 14 girls per team are selected.

Cross Country

Coach: Erin Van Wassenhove Any student is eligible.

Practice begins - Early August Competition ends Late October/Early November Practice location - St. Pius X and

surrounding neighborhood Competitions - Friday afternoons,

Saturday mornings

Winter Sports Soccer

Coaches: Boys - TBD

Girls - Erin Siantong Boys and Girls varsity soccer teams have approximately 20 players each.

Practice begins - Early October Competition ends - Early February Practice location - St. Pius X football field Competitions - Two games a week plus weekend tournaments

Basketball

Coaches: Boys - Russell Carr

Girls - Mary Gleason Tryouts - October (Freshmen, JV and Varsity Teams) Practice begins - Late October Competition ends - February Practice location - St. Pius X gyms Competitions - Two games a week plus weekend tournaments

Swimming

Coach: Richard Butler Tryouts - January Practice begins in January (practice is before school) Competition ends - March Competitions - Meets on weekends

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Spring Sports Golf

Baseball

Tennis

Softball

Coach: Jim Hardy Tryouts - February (Boys and Girls Teams) Practice begins - March Competition ends - May Practice location - Area golf courses Competition - Tournaments are held on school

days.

Coach: Hernan Guerva Tryouts - February Practice begins - February Competition ends - April Competition - Matches are during the week and weekend tournaments.

Track and Field

Coach: Elijah Barefield Page 3

Tryouts - late January (Varsity only) 2012-13

Practice begins - February

Competition ends - April or May

Practice locations - St. Pius X campus

and surrounding neighborhood

Coach: Adam Massiatte ‘01 Tryouts - Sophomore, JV and Varsity teams Practice begins - February Competition ends - May Practice location - St. Pius X baseball field Competitions - Two games a week and

weekend tournaments Coach: Nellie Kelly Tryouts - February (JV and Varsity teams) Practice begins - February Competition ends - May Practice location - St. Pius X softball field Competitions - Two games a week and weekend tournaments

Rugby

Boys Coach: Lowell Locke

Panther Parent Girls Coach: Leslie Taft-Pauls

Tryouts - late January (Boys and Girls)

Practice begins - late January

Competition ends - April or May

Practice locations - St. Pius X campus

Student Clubs, Organizations & Ministries Please consult the student handbook for additional information on clubs and organizations. Students are encouraged to actively participate in School organizations. Most organizations meet monthly or bi-monthly, at lunchtime or just after school.

Before joining a club, students should decide if they are able to fulfill club membership requirements. Listed below are St. Pius X clubs and their faculty sponsors.

Anime Club: Mildred Johnson ‘77 Art Club: Alida Harville ’88 Band: Robert Carlin w Black History Club: Eva Dix ‘08 Concert Chorale: Patrick Spedale w Campus Singers: Patrick Spedale w Cheerleaders: Gloria Kimball Close Up: Victor Takacs Del Sarto Yearbook: Georgi Beissner ’87 w French/Italian Club: Hannah Dyer-Holzhauer Girls Rugby Club: Leslie Taft-Pauls History Club: Jeff Galligan Honor Board: Chip Burgin and Judy Cusimano International Club: Kathryn Anderson International Thespian Society: Jeff Galligan JCDA: Angela Stinner-Trimble & Denise Lloyd Latin Club: Tim Wood Liturgical Ministry: Patrick Spedale

wCo-Curricular Credit

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National Honor Society: Susi ’69 and Gary West Pageturners: Deborah Mosichuk Peer Helpers: Jennifer Boyles Preaching Team: Patrick Spedale Robotics: Trisha Dunn Retreat Ministry: Patrick Spedale Science Club: Trisha Dunn Spanish Club: Conchita Barquin-Moreno Student Cabinet: Laurie Thompson Student Council: Alida Harville ’88 and Kim Holik ‘91 Theatre SPX: Jeff Galligan TAPPS Teams:v

Academic: Michelle Broussard and Mildred Johnson ‘77

Art: Alida Harville ’88

Speech: TBA Video Game Club: Mildred Johnson Dr. Who Club: Mildred Johnson Writer’s Club/Literary Magazine: Michelle Broussard

v

Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools

2014-15 Panther Parent

Advancement How Can I Advance the Mission of St. Pius X High School?

When the Dominican Sisters of Houston founded St. Pius X High School in 1956, it was with the goal of providing an affordable Catholic education in the Dominican tradition to the young women and men of Northwest Houston. Today, while the demographics of the School have changed, and it now mirrors the face of the city, the mission remains the same: Prayer, Study, Community, Preaching - this is Dominican education at St. Pius X High School. Inspired by Veritas, young men and women embrace academic excellence and integ-

rity, celebrate the community’s diverse gifts and heritage and embody social justice and service. The School Board seeks to balance reasonable tuition charges with the costs necessary to retain an outstanding faculty and to implement the programs which make the School unique. The resources for other necessities, such as capital improvements and expanded programs, come from other sources. Here are ways in which you can help augment these additional resources.

Annual Giving Programs

budget. Students are offered incentives, such as holidays and prizes, to reach certain sales goals. Raffle season begins in January and concludes with the Raffle drawing in March.

St. Pius X High School focuses its fundraising on the SPX Fund Drive and the Raffle.

The SPX Fund supports the general operating budget of the School that helps pay for tuition, maintenance to the grounds, and facilities and utilities. Launched in the fall of each year, it is an opportunity for alumni, current and past parents and friends of the School to offer their financial support of the daily mission of St. Pius X. Donors who contribute at the St. Pius X Society level ($1,500) receive a Leadership Marble Apple and an invitation to our annual Pillars Society Event. Benefactors who join the Leaders in Veritas Circle through a donation of $5,000, receive the following benefits: • Invitation to an evening with the Head of School • VIP seating and parking at Fine Arts events • SPX Regular Season Football Pass (home games only) • Invitation to selected donor events The Raffle is the student equivalent to the SPX Fund Drive.

Each year students are expected to sell a minimum of $320 in raffle tickets. The proceeds benefit the general operating

The Annual Gala

The St. Pius X Gala: An Enchanted Evening on the High Seas will be held on Saturday, October 25. The black-tie optional dinner/dance features live, silent and big board auctions. The event benefits the Foundation endowment.

Enrollment

Promote St. Pius X among your friends, fellow parishioners and coworkers as an environment in which children are challenged to grow and test their talents. A healthy enrollment supports the growth of the School.

Set the World Ablaze

The Set the World Ablaze campaign is the School’s most ambitious fundraiser yet. The campaign is raising funds for a new science building, additional classroom space, a new student entrance on the west end of campus and modernization of the core campus. The support of the entire School community is integral to its success.

Other ways to support St. Pius X High School Matching Gifts

Many companies will match their employees’ contributions to nonprofit organizations. Should your employer be a matching gift company, you may double or triple the amount of your gift to St. Pius X.

Restricted Gifts You may direct your gift to a specific interest at St. Pius X such as baseball, choir, library, in

memory of a loved one, etc.

Planned Gifts

If you are interested in leaving a gift to St. Pius X in your will, there are several options available.

Volunteer Your time and dedication to St. Pius X are invaluable gifts and can be utilized in many areas of the School.

If interested in any of these opportunities, please contact the Office of Advancement at 713.579.7512.

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Parent Involvement Parent Association About

The Parent Association of St. Pius X High School is an organization which provides parents and guardians an opportunity to meet and get to know one another while performing valuable services for the SPX community. While volunteering, parents and guardians play an important role at SPX, sharing their knowledge and talents, and serving on the various committees. Our volunteer activities range from working at New Family Night to serving lunch at Grandparent’s Day. Come and be a part of the Raffle Committee or help host our Junior Ring Ceremony or the Senior Breakfast. Whatever your interests may be, you are investing in your child’s future by being involved and setting a wonderful example of your willingness to sacrifice your time and talents to offer your student the best possible secondary educational experience.

Meetings

All St. Pius X parents are members of the Parent Association. The group provides an excellent opportunity to meet fellow parents and work on projects to benefit the School.

The Parent Association meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Lilly Conference Room.

Officers

Officers are elected in the spring for the following school year. This year’s officers are: President - Kristin Guthrie Vice President - Michael Paneral Secretary - Naomi Rodriguez Treasurer - Michelle Archer Hospitality - TBA Fashion Show Chair - Jonette Whitley

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Booster Club Meetings

The Booster Club conducts business to support St. Pius X Athletics. St. Pius X parents, alumni and friends of St. Pius X make up the Booster Club. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Please check the website for location.

The St. Pius X Booster Club Golf Classic will be on April 17 at Wildcat Golf Club. Tournament planning begins in September. To volunteer, please contact Lisa Buss, the Booster Club president.

The Panther’s Den

Officers

The Booster Club has a store, the Panther’s Den located in the Frost Cafeteria, filled with lots of Panther merchandise and apparel. The Panthers’ Den will be open on Fridays during lunch.

President - Lisa Buss Vice-President - Bob Choate Secretary - Sherrell Yarborough Treasurer - Jackie Vitulli Elections for new officers will be held at the final Booster Club meeting of the year, usually in May.

Concession Stands

Golf Tournament

The Booster Club retains proceeds from concession stand sales at all home games. Parents volunteer to work concessions. If you are interested in working a game, please contact the Booster Club. Parents with children in a sport are encouraged to work at least one game a season.

Panther Den clothing is not St. Pius X High School dress code apparel unless stated in the Student Handbook.

Please refer to the Student Handbook for proper uniform dress code.

Meet the Teachers Parents are invited to visit with teachers informally at any St. Pius X function and can schedule a parent/teacher meeting when needed. Parents have the opportunity to meet all teachers at Follow the Schedule Night, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. Parents are asked to communicate any concerns directly to the teacher. Email is a great way to keep in regular contact with teachers. All teachers’ email addresses are lastnamefirstinitial@stpiusx.org (ei. John Smith, smithj@stpiusx.org).

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2014-15 Parent Association Calendar of Events August 11 Transfer Orientation

New Family Night 12 Ninth Grade Orientation 27 Follow the Schedule Night

6:30 p.m.

Auditorium

6:30 p.m.

Auditorium

September 3 Parent Association Meeting

9th Grade Parent/Counselor Meeting 4 12th Grade Parent/Counselor Meeting 16 Progress Report Conferences

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

4-7 p.m.

Lilly Conference Room Auditorium Auditorium

October 1 Parent Association Meeting 8 College Night

6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Lilly Conference Room Strake Jesuit

November 5 Parent Association Meeting 6 p.m.

13 Open House 7 p.m.

18 Grandparents Day 11:30 a.m.

December 3 Parent Association Christmas Party

6 p.m.

January 7 Parent Association Meeting 6 p.m.

11th Grade Parent/Counselor Meeting 6:30 p.m.

28 10th Grade Parent/Counselor Meeting 6:30 p.m.

February 4 Parent Association Meeting 11 Progress Report Conferences 28 Fashion Show

Lilly Conference Room Herzstein Gym Lilly Conference Room Lilly Conference Room Auditorium Auditorium

6 p.m.

4-7 p.m.

11 a.m.

Lilly Conference Room

6 p.m.

Lilly Conference Room

April 1 Parent Association Meeting 14 Freshmen Registration

6 p.m.

3:30-9 p.m.

Lilly Conference Room

May 3 22

10:30 a.m.

10 a.m.

Auditorium The Commons/Frost Cafeteria

6-8 p.m.

The Commons

March 4 Parent Association Meeting 16-20 Spring Break

Veritas Junior Ring Ceremony Senior Breakfast

June 3 Meet and Greet

Westin Memorial City

If interested in volunteering for any of these events, please contact Cathy Pawlowski in the Office of Advancement at 713.579.7515, pawlowskic@stpiusx.org.

For the most up-to-date calendar, visit stpiusx.org/calendar.

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Reference Sources Student/Parent/Guardian Handbook

The Student Handbook, with the complete set of rules and regulations, is printed at the front of the student Time Tracker organizer and can be found online. Students are issued this book at the beginning of the school year and are encouraged to use it as directed. Parents must sign the acceptable computer use policy and the AlcoholEdu release form and return it to their theology teacher in mid-August.

Pius X News

Pius X News is the St. Pius X High School magazine published two times a year with a spring and summer edition. Published by the Office of Advancement, it highlights events and people during the school year, including students, faculty/staff, alumni, current parents and friends of the School. Please contact Deanna Werner at wernerd@stpiusx.org for newsworthy information you would like submitted to the magazine.

Alumni Class Notes should be submitted for these publications to Lauren Lucas Power ‘05 powerl@stpiusx. org.

St. Pius X Website

The Administration of St. Pius X is committed to making the website a viable resource for students, parents, alumni and donors. Please remember this as a source of the latest information St. Pius X needs to commuPage nicate. Sports schedules, lunch menus, the3school calendar and virtually everything else relating to St. Pius X is posted on the website. In addition, teachers postParent homework assignments on their online classrooms.

2012-13 Panther Go to the St. Pius X website, stpiusx.org, for more information.

Other Information Drug Testing

St. Pius X High School has a random drug testing program in place. The program seeks to promote the health and safety of our students, to weaken the effects of peer pressure by giving a student a legitimate reason to refuse to partake in drug use, and to encourage students who uses illegal drugs to seek appropriate help and treatment.

Anti-Bullying Initiative

In fulfillment of the mission of St. Pius X High School to “celebrate the community’s diverse gifts and heritage” each person is recognized as a unique individual bringing gifts and talents to share and having a right to be respected and bearing the responsibility to respect others. Therefore, we do not tolerate bullying or harassment in any form. All members of our community are committed to ensuring a safe and supportive environment which promotes personal growth and fosters positive self-esteem. We aim to maintain a setting in which everyone feels valued and respected and where individual differences are appreciated and accepted.

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2014-15 Panther Parent

St. Pius X High School Mission Statement Prayer, Study, Community, Preaching - this is Dominican education at St. Pius X High School. Inspired by Veritas, young men and women embrace academic excellence and integrity, celebrate the community’s diverse gifts and heritage, and embody social justice and service.

811 W. Donovan Street Houston, TX 77091-5643 Phone 713.692.3581 Fax 713.692.5725 stpiusx.org