Tuesday, September 3, 2024

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

— Eleanor Roosevelt

As a 9-year-old, I never imagined becoming a school principal. My dreams back then ranged from becoming an actor or professional soccer player to veterinary medicine or psychology. Science was my passion, especially when it came to animals and finding a way to help people. 

Life has a way of surprising us. I ended up following through with the science part—becoming a research scientist after college—but things shifted when I started volunteering at church. I switched to teaching and, ultimately, to my current role as a Catholic school principal. This journey, while unforeseen, has been incredibly rewarding.

Back then as a student, I was focused on friends, playing soccer, learning my new paper route, and getting good grades. Now as a principal, I am invested in making St. Pius X School the best it can be by keeping our staff at the forefront of educational practices, utilizing current technology and curriculum, and ensuring our campus is safe, comfortable, and an inviting place to learn. Back then, the one Macintosh computer we all shared was the height of technology, and now, we have 1:1 devices for all students and classrooms are equipped with Smartboards. Back then, spending time with friends and enjoying playground games like four-square and tether ball was my favorite thing to do at school. And now, well, that part hasn't changed much!

When I look back at my childhood photo, surrounded by classmates and my beloved teacher, Miss Mandel, I'm reminded that a school's responsibility is education, but also cultivating relationships. We do that here at St. Pius. What truly makes me grateful is seeing our students grow, achieve, and build lasting, positive relationships within our school community. This is the heart of St. Pius.

Our school is that place where dreams take root and flourish. Together, we're shaping a future filled with potential, and guided by the beauty of our shared dreams.

Peace,

Mrs. Farewell

Watch Our New St. Pius X School Video!



Check out our NEW video on the homepage! Visit www.stpx.org or click the video thumbnail above to watch.

Curriculum Night!

Meet the Teachers & Explore the Year Ahead!

Tuesday, September 17^th

Mark your calendars! All St. Pius X school families are invited to join us for Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 17th, at 6:00 PM.

We ask that at least one parent or guardian attend. This is your chance to meet your student’s teachers, dive into the exciting curriculum for the year, and connect with our wonderful St. Pius X community. Don’t miss out on this important and informative evening!

Reminders 

• Prepare your students for PE this week! Please ensure that all Preschool through 8th-grade students wear tennis shoes and bring a water bottle. New this year: 7th and 8th graders will change into spirit wear shirts and shorts or sweatpants (blue, black, or gray only) for PE.
• Dennis Uniforms has informed us that some families may be affected by recent shipping delays. They are working around the clock to fulfill orders. If you recently purchased uniforms from Dennis Uniforms and haven't received your order yet, please call our office at 425-778-9861 and speak with Mrs. Garcia to see how we can assist you in the meantime.
• Please note: the domain for all emails has changed for Finalesite. Please save our new address to your contacts <info+stpx@fsenrollment.com>.

New Guidelines



Please take a moment to review the following updates and reminders:

Tardy Policy:

Students arriving after 8:45 AM must stop by the office to pick up a tardy slip before heading to class. For every three tardies, students will lose a free dress day.

Visitor Protocol:

All visitors must sign in and out at the office and obtain a visitor badge.

Water Bottles:

Please send your child to school with a reusable water bottle. They can refill it at the drinking fountain near the gym. The office will no longer provide water bottles or cups.

Snack Reminder:

Ensure your child has a morning snack (K-8). If they forget, they will need to eat something from their lunch. Please include any necessary utensils, as the school will no longer supply disposable utensils. Teachers will have a very limited supply of snacks.

Lunch Guidelines:

Pack a cold lunch for your child that doesn’t require heating. Microwaves will no longer be available. Lunches in thermoses are allowed. Remember to include any needed utensils, as the school will no longer provide them.

Full Dress Uniform:

Join us for our first school Mass on Wednesday, August 28th at 9:00 AM. All are welcome to participate in this cherished tradition. Please ensure your child wears their full dress uniform on August 28th and every Wednesday for School Mass.

Spirit Wear: Just a friendly reminder: Spirit Wear is reserved for Spirit Days only and is not part of the regular uniform.

Parent Portal Account: Please log in to your Parent Portal account to ensure your student is ready for school on Tuesday, August 27th. Complete or upload any pending items through your Parent Portal account. Access the portal here: https://stpx.schooladminonline.com/portal.

Safe Environment Requirements for Parents:

To drive on field trips, volunteer at events, coach, or participate in class activities, you must complete your Safe Environment requirements. Visit www.virtusonline.org to sign in or create a new account. If you have questions or need to check your compliance status, contact Joan Sullivan at jsullivan@stpx.org.

2024-2025 School Pictures

Wednesday, September 18^th 

School pictures for all grades, Preschool-8th, and staff will be taken on Wednesday, September 18, in the morning, with all students in uniform. Both individual and classroom photos will be taken. A make up day will be scheduled later for individual photos only.

To order school pictures:

• Click on the following link to order:  2024-2025 School Pictures
• Parents can order for more than one student on the same order.
• You will receive an email confirmation of your order.
• Photos will be delivered to school and sent home with each student.
• PICTURE ORDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 20.



If you have any questions about ordering, please contact KIDS Photography at 425-954-8762 or hello@KIDSschoolPhotos.com.

Friendly Reminder

To ensure your child can participate in Soccer and Cross Country this fall, at least one parent or guardian must complete the 1-hour Parent Like a Champion Workshop. This is a one-time requirement. Please find registration information and further details below!

Parent Like A Champion Workshop™  

Play Like a Champion Today™ (PLACT) incorporates all the stakeholders in Catholic education – athletic administrators, coaches, parents and athletes. The goal is for all members of a parish/school community to work together to make sports the spiritual and character-building experience that it is meant to be. 

How to Register:

To register a child athlete in a CYO Athletics sports offering (Grades K-8), it is mandatory that one parent/guardian register and complete the 1-hour Parent Like a Champion Workshop. This is a one-time requirement. The workshop is now offered virtually online.  



• Click Use "Coupon Code" and Enter "Parent2025"
• DO NOT PAY FOR THE COURSE
• Once registered you will be promoted to the home page which includes a welcome and instructions to help you navigate the course. 
• There is a full language translation tool in the upper left corner.
• Click the "Select Language" drop-down to choose from several different language options if needed. 
• Once you have completed the course you will receive an automated email with a link to your certificate of completion. 

Course Link: https://www.teamsideline.com/sites/seattlecyo/content/34433/Parent-Like-a-Champion-Today

Soccer Updates!

Get ready for Soccer...

Practices are starting soon!

K/1^st Grade Team: We are excited to announce Coach Luis Vasconcelos has

generously volunteered to lead our youngest eagles on the K/1^st grade team this fall. Practices are scheduled for Wednesday & Thursday from 4:30-5:30pm on the St. Pius X field. Coach will be reaching out soon to registered families with season details and the specific start date for practice. 

2nd/3^rd Grade Boys Team: We are still looking for a volunteer coach to lead this combined team of players from St. Thomas More & St. Benedicts. Practices will be held at either St. Thomas More or St. Pius X (Coaches Choice) Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this is a fantastic opportunity to get involved, make a difference, and earn volunteer hours. No prior experience is required—CYO provides comprehensive training to get you ready. Register as a volunteer when signing up your player for the season. Step up, join us, and help our team thrive!

Cross Country Updates!

Practices Starting Next Week!

We are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Cross Country coaches will be the dynamic duo Ms. Melton and Ms. Vu! After a successful Track season, she has graciously volunteered to lead our cross-country runners this fall. Please help us support both coaches and get the season off the ground by volunteering to assist at practices and meets. Many hands make light work and these hours will count towards your families service requirement.

Practices: Tuesdays & Fridays, 3:30-5:00 PM, starting September 10th! Additional details will be emailed to all registered athletes.

Meets: Held on Sundays at Woodland Park 

• Meet 1: September 22, 2024
• Meet 2: September 29, 2024
• Meet 3: October 6, 2024 (Championship)

*NEW* CYO BASKETBALL

Registration Now Open  

Interested in playing basketball this winter? 

Register today at: https://www.teamsideline.com/seattlecyo 

Register Early! Registration is open now through October 2nd, 1 month only!

Register to secure your spot, Spaces are limited. If enough students don't register by the CYO deadline we aren't able to form teams so sign up today!

• Open to students in grades 4-8 (3rd grade plays in the spring)
• Practices start in October
• Games start in November
• Volunteer coaches wanted!

Get a Head Start on Your Volunteer Hours!

Get Involved! The 2024-2025 school year at St. Pius X School is full of exciting volunteer opportunities—whether it’s in the classroom, at events, or supporting extracurriculars. Sign up online to be part of the action!

Join Us for the First Parent Meeting & Potluck! 

Tuesday, October 1^st 

Join us for the first Parent Association meeting of the year on Tuesday, October 1st! This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with our school community and stay updated on everything happening at St. Pius X School.

We’ll start the evening with a delicious potluck at 5:30 PM, followed by an engaging meeting at 6:00 PM. Bring your favorite dish to share and enjoy a great time with fellow parents. Plus, we’ll have a movie night for the kids during the meeting, so they can have fun too!

Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with other families, hear important updates about our children’s education, and be a part of exciting school projects and events. We can’t wait to see everyone there!

Jog-a-thon Kickoff Assembly!

Friday, September 13^th

Get ready to kick things into high gear! We’re starting the excitement with all school kickoff assembly on Friday, September 13th. Your student will be bringing home all the info you need, so stay tuned!

Join the Jog-a-thon Fun!

Friday, September 27^th

Get ready to sprint, skip, and cheer as we launch our first school fundraiser of the year on Friday, September 27, 2024! We’re racing towards an exciting goal of $12,000, and if we zoom past our stretch goal of $15,000, the whole school will celebrate with a surprise party!

It’s all about fun and friendly competition—let’s see which class brings the most spirit!

Want to get in on the action? Click the button below to volunteer!

SCRIP Gift Cards are available for almost all your needs!

Gas, Gifting, Groceries, Travel and More! Explore the 750+ brands that are available! Visit our website for more information: https://stpx.org/scrip-gift-cards

Beginning of School Dates & Times

Preschool and PK ONLY:

• Tuesday-Friday September 3-6: Full Days

Kindergarten through 8th grade:

• Tuesday/Friday, September 3-6: Full Days – 8:40 AM to 3:20 PM

Calendar Highlights

September 2024

• Friday, September 6: Back to School BBQ Potluck
• Sunday, September 15: All School Sunday Mass at 11 AM. Students should wear their school uniforms and volunteer as readers, greeters/ushers, gift bearers, and sing in the children's choir. Students singing in the choir should arrive at 10am to practice. Please contact Mr. Guzman to sign up at mguzman@stpx.org​
• Tuesday, September 17: Curriculum Night at 6 PM
• Wednesday, September 18: School Picture Day & All School Mass at 9 AM. Students should wear their full school uniforms. Students should wear their full school uniforms and volunteer as readers, greeters/ushers, or gift bearers. All are welcome to join us!
• Sunday, September 22: STPX Cross Country Meet #1
• Friday, September 27: STPX Fall Jog-a-thon Event 2024
• Sunday, September 29: STPX Cross Country Meet #2

The St. Pius X School's Full 2024-2025 pdf/printable calendar is here or on our website at www.stpx.org.

Stay Connected with us!

Connect with us on social media to stay up-to-date on school happenings! Please follow us on:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpxschool
• Instagram: @stpxschool

We look forward to keeping you informed! ✅

St. Pius X Catholic School is a diverse community providing a stellar academic education through Catholic discipleship and service.

Phone: 425.778.9861 | Email: Office@stpx.org