IMPORTANT DATES

• NOVEMBER 20 - LAST DAY TO ORDER DEC LUNCH
• NOVEMBER 20 - DRESS DOWN DAY
• NOVEMBER 22 - TRIVIA NIGHT
• NOVEMBER 25-26 - PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
• NOVEMBER 25-26 - EARLY DISMISSAL - 1:00 pm
• NOVEMBER 27-29 - THANKSGIVING BREAK
• DECEMBER 19 - LATE START

This week, our Five-Year Strategic Plan was presented to the diocesan Catholic Schools Office. We received very positive feedback on the document and the vision it lays out for our school. I'd like to thank the members of our School Advisory Board and all who served on committees for their help in formulating the plan. I would also like to thank our Board President, Jenny Dees, for her ongoing leadership, especially for her assistance with the presentation. You can find the final draft of the Strategic Plan HERE. This Friday, we have Trivia Night in the main gym, and there's still time to form a team for this fun event!

In Christ,

Chris Milliron

Congratulations to Mrs. Thomason's class! They won this week's Gospel Value Spotting award for showing Compassion. Mrs. Sorg recognized them for being wonderfully behaved as they learned about the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and caringly made cards for the Giving Tree food baskets. Mrs. Thomason's class has earned a dress down day Monday!

We warmly invite all parents and guardians to join us for school Mass! Here is our schedule for this week:



Wednesday, November 20 - 8:45 am - Mass - 1st grade

Thursday, November 21 - 8:45 am - Mass - 2nd-8th grades

The third-grade stewardship focus this year is supporting the hungry. We are working to create a series of meaningful events and activities that will encourage students to help those in need in our community through prayer, service, and sacrificial giving.

The third graders recently learned about the Saint Pius X Saint Vincent de Paul Conference (SVDP) and how it serves the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Mrs. Schmitt introduced the students to the basic principles of stewardship as a way of life, discussing how they can share their time, talents, and treasures to support the hungry. She also shared the story of St. Vincent de Paul and his legacy of service.

Members of the SVDP Conference gave students a tour of the SPX Food Pantry, explaining how the Conference supports those in need. During the visit, students donated food items they had collected.

As a special project, students decorated a framed prayer to bring home. Families are encouraged to keep this prayer near the dinner table and pray together for the hungry during mealtimes. In addition, students created Christmas cards to accompany the food baskets donated as part of the parish’s Giving Tree Program.

The sixth-grade stewardship focus this year is supporting the homeless. This theme is deeply integrated into the sixth-grade curriculum, especially in the study of the Old Testament. As students explore different narratives, they examine the concept of homelessness and make meaningful connections to Catholic Social Teaching, particularly The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable.



Our first activity this year centered on the Center for the Homeless (CFH) in South Bend. Last week, Steve Camilleri, the Executive Director of CFH, visited to speak with students about homelessness in our area and the ways CFH serves those experiencing homelessness. Following his visit, students prepared casseroles for the parish’s CFH casserole ministry, offering a hands-on way to support those in need.

SPX GYM WEAR is now open! To have our November order fulfilled by Lazer Graphics, we need to reach their minimum order requirement. If we don’t meet it, the next order won't be placed until January. Order now to prepare for the colder months! The deadline is TONIGHT. Order HERE.

SPX SPIRIT WEAR orders are now open! We’re thrilled to introduce our new designs and color options. Please note, this order is for spirit wear only. These items are perfect for dress-down days and after-school events but are not a substitute for gym wear. Thank you for your cooperation! Order HERE.

SPX parent, Mr. Kucharski, visited to explain Veterans Day to some of our kindergarten class. He joined the Marine Corps in 2000, serving in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2002 and in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. He was also a member of the Indiana National Guard Long Range Surveillance Unit from 2005 to 2009.

Check out our new Christmas Choir for students in K-2! Find the full schedule and register HERE before November 18.

The ordering window for December lunch is now open. You can order lunches through November 20th.

This service is not possible without volunteers. All volunteers are required to have safe environment training.

Click to volunteer for

November

You can find all of the HASA events and sign-ups HERE on our website!

Starting tomorrow, November 18, we will begin collecting nickels—as well as quarters, dimes, and pennies—in each homeroom to celebrate the story of St. Nicholas and share our blessings with others. On December 6, St. Nicholas will visit each classroom to gather the coins.

All proceeds will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities to help bring joy to families who cannot celebrate the holidays at home this year.

Our next Treat Fairy Tuesday is coming up on November 19! We’re excited to stock the teachers' lounge with delicious snacks and cold drinks for everyone to enjoy as we inch closer to Thanksgiving break. You can sign up HERE!

Thank you in advance for your support!

HASA Teacher & Staff Appreciation

Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 25 and 26. As you know, these are long, busy days for our hardworking teachers! To help support them, HASA will provide meals for teachers and staff so they can grab a quick bite between conferences. The teachers appreciate easy options like pizza and sandwiches, as well as grab-and-go snacks throughout the day. If you're able to lend a hand, there are options to donate snacks, drinks, desserts, and other items, or contribute funds for main dishes. Simply click on the sign-up HERE to see how you can make a difference during these long conference days!

The Cheddar Up link HERE is available for donations to purchase pizza and subs as well as salad, fruit salad, pasta salad for both days.

Be sure to check the athletic calendar HERE for any updates, changes or cancellations.

The Saint Pius First Lego League teams will be competing this Saturday, November 23, at Concord Intermediate School (59197 Co Rd 13, Elkhart, Door 3). Come cheer, watch amazing robots, and learn more about First Lego League! The opening ceremony starts at 1 p.m.