August 2020 Newsletters

AUGUST NEWSLETTERS

2020 Catholic Schools Diocesan Theme
Returning God’s Gifts
August 27, 2020

-- A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM MR. MONACHINO RE: ATTENDANCE @ SPX ATHLETIC EVENTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGatLraIFmE
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT:


FROM THE OFFICE:
Travel: 
If you are traveling outside the state, please complete the form below and return to SPX at least 72 hours before departure. Thanks so much!

Forgotten Items:
We are limiting parent visits to school!  If your student forgets an item and it is an emergency you may bring it to school and place it on the table just inside the glass doors at the main entrance. Please put your child’s name on the item.  Please encourage them to remember their assignments, practice clothes and lunches as these things are not emergency items. 

Leaving for Appointments:
Please email Mrs. Bohr at least 24 hours before you will be leaving school so your student can get a “green slip” and have it signed by all teachers whose class they will miss.  This limits the extra trips to the office by students.  Also please remember doctor’s notes when your student returns….if you forget your doctor can email or fax the notes that same day. 
2020-2021 YEARBOOK ORDERING IS OPEN NOW!

SENIOR ADS (2020-2021 YEARBOOK):
MURPHS MESSAGES:

• Wed Oct 14th is all School Testing Day for our students.  All but seniors will take a practice ACT that day.
• Wed, Oct 14th is also national PSAT testing day.  So sophomores and juniors who wish to take the PSAT test will use an alternate testing date of Sat, Oct 17th, here at Pius.
• Mr Murphy needs to know by September 5th which sophs and juniors would like to take it.  $20 fee; use the online payment tab and note that it is for the PSAT.  Kids will be required to have masks and will be socially distanced.
  • Traditionally, sophs who take this assessment have higher cumulative GPAs.  This PSAT assessment is used for the National Merit Scholarship.

Let Mr Murphy know if you have any questions.


CELEBRATING OUR WARRIORS:
Congratulations to our debate team of Cole Harms and Ted Brull who placed placed fourth overall in Kansas City parliamentary debate last spring.  We face many large schools in this competition, and are very proud of our Warriors!


FROM OUR CAMPUS MINISTERS:
Please join us! 
Restore: A Night of Adoration
Tuesday September 29th, 7:00pm-8:30pm, SPX Football Field.
A night of praise, adoration, and meditation. Come worship with the St. Pius family on the football field with Eucharistic Adoration, listen to a student witness, and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.




August 18, 2020
A Special Message from Mr. Monachino and Mr. Lynch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcKaJWtrPCA
Armoury:   
THE ONLINE STORE IS OPEN UNTIL 08.23.2020.  
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL - THIS IS INDICATION THAT YOUR ORDER HAS BEEN PROCESSED.  YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE ORDER IS IN AND CAN BE PICKED UP. THANK YOU! We will be carrying limited additional “school supply” items in the Armoury this year such as white poster board, spirals, pens, pencils, highlighters and index cards to help if a student forgets something during the school day.
Armoury/Cafeteria Deposits:  Please make sure you make an online deposit into BOTH your student’s cafeteria and armoury accounts so that they have $ in case they forget their lunch or masks.  You may make deposits HERE.
This Week’s Schedule:
Wed: Early Dismissal 7:50-12:18
Thurs: MTF Schedule  7:50-2:42
Fri:  Special Mass Schedule 7:50-2:42
You can find the schedule each day on the Academic Calendar located on the SPX Main Page.
New Parent Orientation Information:
https://spxkc.org/new-parent-orientation 
Service Hours:
To clarify:  60 hour total---20 limit @ SPX---20 limit @ parish
No limit on community hours from approved agency or organization (see spx website)
Seniors: 45 hours toward graduation requirement needed in order to send transcripts
Immunization Exemption:
Over the past year, a diocesan committee has been reviewing the Immunization Policy.  Reviewing the medical, theological, and ethical issues as well as related Church teachings, the committee developed a new exemption policy. The policy went into effect July 1, 2020.  The policy continues to allow medical and religious exemptions.  However, the religious exemption has been restricted to some very specific moral issues related to vaccinations which were derived from aborted fetal tissue.  In addition, the pastor determines if the moral objections meet the policy criteria, not the principal. Please obtain the Religious Immunization Exemption Form and visit with your pastor.  Your pastor will need to sign the Exemption Form before you submit it to SPX.  We  understand the timing of this is less than ideal, but if you can please take care of this as soon as possible we would greatly appreciate it.  These cards are available only through the local health department or a licensed medical provider office. Unimmunized children are subject to exclusion from school when outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases occur. Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks very much!
From the Cafeteria:  
From the Cafeteria:  We will start the 2020-2021 academic year with some changes to help everyone navigate easily through the lunch line.  The "lunch tray" menu items will be served as a box meal only - no longer as a la carte for the time being (additional sandwich can be purchased with the lunch).  The lunch box will include a sandwich, chip, fruit/veggie and dessert for $4.25.  The exception to this will be pizza day and Chick-fil-a.  Some additional items will be available a la carte every day (chips, fruit, water, milk, granola bars...).  We plan to offer more menu items in the near future. 

The cafeteria is looking for volunteers to help serve lunch Monday-Friday beginning in September - your student receives a free lunch on the day you volunteer.  Please email Vicki Malott vmalott@spxkc.org or Marcia Witherow mwitherow@spxkc.org
Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please email Marcia Witherow @mwitherow@spxkc.org
What about parents/visitors coming to the office?
We are limiting visits to the office!!  We know your student will do their best to be prepared for class, and that there may be an OCCASIONAL slip up.  Please do not bring items to the office unless it is an emergency. IF your student forgets something (assignment, cleats or other sports equipment, etc., we ask that you call and then leave the item outside the front doors). They will be gathered and distributed as is necessary.  We will be carrying additional “school supply” items in the Armoury this year such as poster board, spirals, pens, pencils, highlighters and index cards to help with this possible need. 
If your student forgets their lunch please plan on them having a hot lunch that day.  The exception is ONLY if there is an allergy to what is being served that day.  
What about appointments?
Please email Mrs. Bohr at least 24 hours in advance for your student’s appointment.  We are trying to streamline the process and lessen the pieces of paper across the front desk. 
A green slip will be given to your student who will have their teachers sign.  They bring that slip to the office when they sign out of the building. Then bring a note back (from doc/dentist/ortho) when they return to sign back in.  
What happens if I forget my mask?  
There will be masks available in the Armoury for purchase.  

Welcome New Campus Ministers!
  My name is Samantha Baker and I am joining the St. Pius X community as a part of the campus ministry team! Charles Mwaura and I are going to be the campus ministers here at SPX. I am excited to begin this journey of sharing the faith and putting together events for students, families and community here at SPX.
  I am originally from Dayton, Ohio and am the oldest of three to Kathy (Witherow) Baker, SPX grad 1985, and Todd Baker. I attended a public high school and played volleyball and basketball all four years. During my senior year, I decided to pursue playing college basketball and decided to play basketball at Georgetown College. Then, I transferred back home and finished my college degree at Wright State University, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. I decided to move to Kansas City and teach summer school in Kansas City Public Schools for a summer while pursuing a teaching job. I was blessed to be offered a teaching job in North Kansas City Schools, where I taught 2nd grade and 3rd grade during my 3 years there. While there, I also coached JV girls’ basketball at Pius for a year, so I may be a familiar face to some! I then moved to EPiC elementary in Liberty to teach 3rd grade for a year. From there, God called me to pursue this position as a campus minister.
In my time here in Kansas City, I have grown my faith tremendously. Upon moving here, I heard about a young adult community called City on a Hill and I fell in love with the community and the mission they lived out every day. I have made lasting friendships that have called me higher to holiness. I desire to bring that to Pius--Christ centered friendships that call each other higher to holiness. 
I am PUMPED to be a part of the Pius community because I believe we are here to set the world ablaze with Christ’s love for us and others. I’m excited to share my love for our faith with the SPX community. I hope to get to know each family throughout the year! If you see me at an event, please stop and say, “Hi!”

Hello! I was born in Kenya, but I have been a Kansas Citian since I was five. I graduated from Oak Park High School in 2014, spent a year in Arizona studying to be a professional pilot, before I spent two and a half years in the seminary, and finally finished my degree at St. Louis University with a Bachelors in Philosophy, and a minor in Flight Science and Catholic Studies. I love all things outdoors, playing soccer, and rock climbing. I’m excited to start doing the Lord’s work at Pius, he’s gonna do great things! In Christ--Charles Mwaura
“So now faith, hope and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love.”- 1 Cor. 13:13” 
Celebrating our Warriors
Mia Ryan attended the AAU Junior Olympics this summer, competing in the 100 M hurdles, 100M and shotput.  She came away an All American and placed 4th in shotput nationally!  Way to GO Mia! 



August 7, 2020

2020 Catholic Schools Diocesan Theme
Returning God’s Gifts
2020-2021 BACK TO SCHOOL 411
Vital to the mission of the Catholic Church, St. Pius X High School works in partnership with our
community and parents, who are the primary educators of our children, to educate the whole person
through unique attention to academic and spiritual formation based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  
We come to you in partnership to share our vision for education during a challenging time.  The COVID-19 pandemic presents the most serious public health crisis the world has experienced in generations. 
Since last March, we have been and will continue to be hard at work preparing to welcome everyone very soon to our safe environment!  We thought it might be helpful to have a quick reference into some of the important things specific to this year’s back to school experience.  Because there is so much information to pass along, we will continue to share bits of information and resources over the next several weeks. Thank you for your patience, and diligence with your student. Together we make a great team working for our Warriors.
Return to School is scheduled for August 19, 2020
Orientation is August 18th, 2020 (more info below and to come)
PARENT RESPONSIBILITY:   In accordance with KCSJ Diocesan guidelines, St. Pius X parents are expected to:

1. Sign and return the Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19.
2. Monitor your child’s health each day prior to his/her participation in any school or school sponsored activities.  This included taking your child’s temperature everyday before coming to school (and filling out the Daily Health Screening Log for first hour teachers to check) and extracurricular activities and keeping your child at home if he/she meets any of the following conditions:
   1. Exhibits any symptoms of COVID-19 including but not limited to the following list (CDC, MOSBA):
      • Fever 100.4 or greater
      • Cough
      • Chills
      • Muscle or body aches
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • Fatigue
      • New loss of taste or smell
      • Congestion or runny nose
      • Nausea or vomiting
   2. Tests positive for COVID-19.
   3. Recently, the child has had close contact  (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes or in the same room for over 2 hours) with someone with COVID-19.
   4. Has recently traveled outside the United States.
   5. Traveled to a high risk area as defined by the CDC. 
3. Notify St. Pius X if your child exhibits any COVID-19 risk factors. 
4. Provide an approved uniform mask for school wear. 
5. Notify St. Pius X at least 24 hours in advance if the need should arise for your student to move to distance learning (self quarantine or other family health issues), so staff can be informed and arrangements be made for your family.
6. Educate and expect your child to comply with the physical distancing requirements and mask protocols while at school.  These are designed to promote the health and well-being of your child and others.  
7. Develop plans to support Distance Learning in case the health risk rises to the level that will require students to remain at home.  This includes:
   1. providing physical (space) and emotional support for their children so effective learning can occur.
   2. increasing the level of communication with teachers and the school should the need arise 
   3. expecting their student(s) to comply with our distance learning protocols (attendance, dress code, etc.).
   4. planning to check in with their students daily to ensure that technology is functioning, that work is being submitted properly, and grades are being monitored.  

MASKS & FACE COVERINGS:  Masks will be required during all times while students are in the building with the exception of eating. Through a generous donation, we will provide one uniform approved mask to each student. Masks will also be available to purchase in the Armoury. Teachers will be given shields to wear during instruction, but will be required to wear a mask in hallways or if individual help is being given to one or a group of students. 
VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTION:  Parents who choose this option to begin the year must contact Mr. Monachino (jmonachino@spxkc.org) by August 10, 2020. Students will be required to participate with their class for the entirety of the school day via a livestream. Students who choose this option will be enrolled on-line for the length of the semester and will not be able to participate or attend any of  our extracurricular programs.

TEMPERATURE & HEALTH SCREENING: It is important for the health of our entire community that parents check their child for Covid-19 symptoms daily. We are asking our parents to take your child’s temperature each morning and if it is above 100.4 degrees, please keep them home until fever free for 24 hours (without the aid of medication). Please help keep our community safe and healthy by doing your part on a daily basis.  Thank you.
SOCIAL DISTANCING--CLASSROOM SEATING:   Classroom seating will be arranged to maximize social distancing and to limit face-to-face contact. There will be 4-6 feet between desks in classrooms. Dividers will be installed in the cafeteria and there will be a limit to 6 individuals per table.
CLEANING & DISINFECTING:  Enhanced cleaning protocols have been established to disinfect the campus daily. High touch surfaces will be regularly disinfected throughout the school day. Teachers will be provided the necessary cleaning and disinfecting materials for use before each class period.  Hand sanitizer will be in each classroom and stationed in high traffic areas and entrances and exits.  
LINKS FOR PARENTS:
Waiver of Liability Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19
Daily Health Check Form
News from SPX
CDC
State of MIssouri
Clay County MO
Children’s Mercy (as of 08.05.2020)
Considerations for Testing and Management of Children Returning to School-CMH 
An Update from Bishop Johnston:
In English:  https://vimeo.com/444339007
En Espanol:  https://vimeo.com/445040316
ORIENTATION NEWS:
August 18th, 2020
Freshman Orientation from 8-11.  Specific schedules of stations to follow.
Grades 10-12 in for pictures 11-2:30
VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE CHANGE:
Volleyball Tryouts Aug 10th-14th
Aug 10th-12th Mon-Wed 6:00-8:30am
Aug 13th-14th Thur-Fri 3:00-5:30 
Aug 15th Sat 9:00-11:00am (parent meeting after)
Please see Coach Danies with questions cdaniels@spxkc.org 

Welcome A “New” Teacher:
We are so excited to welcome Judy Koster.  Judy is a former SPX parent and you may recognize her last name as she is Fr. Koster’s Mom! She has helped at SPX for many years with plays, music at Mass, and as an accompanist for state music competitions.  
Judy received her Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia and her Bachelor of Music from Ithaca College in New York. Judy has taught private violin and viola students since 1982 and has been an educator at the elementary, high school and collegiate levels since 1983. In addition to her teaching, Judy has performed extensively on violin, viola, and harp. She was Principal Viola for the St. Joseph Symphony for 15 years as well as for the Northland Symphony, Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City, Liberty Symphony, Starlight Theater, Independence Messiah Orchestra, and Kansas City Ballet Orchestra. She also served as Assistant Principal Viola for the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra and was a featured soloist (Viola) for St. Joseph Symphony, Northland Symphony, and Kansas City Chamber Orchestra.
Judy has also done commercial and concert tour work for various artists and advertisers. She  has a deep love for sharing the joy of music with young people and helping them discover and nurture the God-given talent within each of them. She is also a Professor at Benedictine. Welcome back Mrs. Koster!
Class Schedules/PowerSchool:
A couple of items of importance:
1) Please tell your child that schedules may still change up until the start of school, so have them pick up a copy of their schedule, during orientation.
2) If they find an error on their schedule (missing/blank hours, hours that are double booked), have them call Mr. Lee @ 816-453-3450 ext.150 immediately.
3) If they need to make a change in their schedule, have them consult with Mr. Murphy and get his feedback before making a schedule change request.
4) Please note, they may not drop an AP/ACCP class at this time. Our drop date was 5/22/20, after that date, if they choose to drop, they  would receive a Withdraw/Fail grade  on their transcript.
5) Also, they can not request to change the hours and or teachers they have for a particular course in order to have classes with friends or to be with a certain teacher.  They also do not need to try to make sure all classes are the same from Semester 1 to Semester 2.  Classes are balanced, based on the fact that some classes are semester only classes and numbers are as good as they can be at this point.
Armoury/Cafeteria Deposits:  Please make sure you make an online deposit into BOTH your student’s cafeteria and armoury accounts so that they have $ in case they forget their lunch or masks. You may make deposits HERE.
ACT & Other News From Murph:
Additional ACT testing dates: Sept 13, Sept 19, Oct 17, Oct 25th  (two of these days are Sundays -- Sept 13, Oct 25)
PSAT testing day Saturday October 17, 2020   At Pius 8:00 am
Juniors & Seniors:
2020-2021 Procedures for College Visits for Seniors and Juniors 

• The student or student’s family calls the admissions office of the respective school to schedule the visit or does it online. Once confirmed, the student brings a note from the parent to Mr. Murphy, detailing the date and school to be visited.
• Upon receiving the parent note, Mr. Murphy issues an ORANGE “College Visit” slip which is stapled to the parent note. The student secures the approval signature of all the teachers for the day(s) to be missed.
• The stapled notes are turned into Mrs. Bohr or Mrs. Hennen in the main office no later than the day before the scheduled visit. 
• If this procedure is incomplete, the student is given a regular absence for the classes of the day. 
• Emailed notes are acceptable, but we are not excusing emails the morning of or the day of the visits (unless extenuating circumstances prevail). The students have been made aware of the procedure; it is the student’s responsibility to take care of this.
• Every Fall, the military recruiters ask us for a list of juniors and seniors that they might contact about military careers.  Typically, it is just a phone call.  If you would NOT like your son's / daughter's name included in the list Mr Murphy provides, let HIM know [rmurphy@spxkc.org] by Wednesday, Aug 12th.

 Asbestos Information:
This school participates in a formal Asbestos Management Program. If any parent would like to get more information on this program, please come to the school office. Thank you.

August 3, 2020 
Happy Monday Warrior families!
Well as I mentioned last week, there will be lots more information re: ALL Back To School Information--today we talk Fall Sports.  We are moving forward with an anticipated August 10th start date for practices and tryouts (if applicable).  
All COVID precautions that have been in place this summer will continue.  If you have COVID symptoms, are exposed to someone who has COVID please STAY HOME.Bring a mask to wear and social distance at all times. 
PLEASE READ ON FOR VERY IMPORTANT, TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION.  DEADLINE FOR PHYSICALS TO BE UPLOADED TO DRAGONFLY IS AUGUST 10TH.
Please contact Courtney with all physical or DragonFly questions and your coach with any SPX practice or tryout questions. Their contact information is listed below. 

Physicals and playing Fall Sports:  
MSHSAA requires sports physicals to be able to participate in athletics. All MSHSAA requirements will be completed online using Dragonflymax.com where you and your son/daughter will e-sign and upload documents. This allows the coaches and athletic trainer to access medical information quickly if needed, as well as, allow you to keep up to date with any medical treatment your son/daughter is receiving at the school. 

If you do not have an account, you will need to make one. Please go to dragonflymax.com to create one. When prompted, the school code is QK5BK8. If you created an account last year, you will need to log back into that account. Please do not create a new account if you do not have to. 

Once you are logged in, you will see the requirements needed for the 2020-2021 school year. The physical examination form from your physician is valid for two years unless noted otherwise. The system will reflect this. The remaining documents need to be done annually. For those returning, you will see "waiting on admin approval" this is an error in the system. Please click on it and "fill out another electronic copy". The only document that gets approved by the admin is the physical examination form. 

Fall sports athletes must complete all the paperwork for sports physicals prior to practice on Monday, August 10th. They are not allowed to practice if the paperwork is incomplete. Please try to get this done as soon as possible to allow coaches and athletic trainer time to review and prepare for any medical conditions that your son/daughter might have. 
If you are in need of a baseline concussion ImPACT testing. We will finish testing the week of August 10th. This does not need to be done prior to practicing, we just want to get it done as soon as possible. 
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Courtney Wohlwend at cwohlwend@spxkc.org

Fall Sports:
Football:
Coach Anthony Simone:  asimone@spxkc.org
8/10 12am - 2 am “Midnight Madness”
8/11-8/14 5pm-8:15pm
8/15 7am-10am
8/17-8/18 5-8:15pm
8/19 on regular school schedule 3-6pm
Meet SPX football field 
Mens Soccer:
Coach Todd Ashby:  tashby@spxkc.org
Mon-Fri 3-5
Meet at SPX football field
Mens Swimming:
Coach Elizabeth Stalone:  estalone@spxkc.org
Platte City Y on Mondays 7:30-8:45 for starts & turns
NKC Y Tuesday-Friday 4-5:30 arrive by 3:45 
Subject to change per YMCA phases. Coach Stalone will update via "Remind"
Cross Country:
Coach Andy Keefer:  akeefer@spxkc.org
Practice plan until school starts.  Meet @ locations listed below.
August 10-12th @ SPX complex 7-8:30am
August 13th @ English Landing Park 7-8:30
August 14th @ SPX Complex 7-8:30
August 15th @ SPX High School -practice- 7:30-8:30 and then our community service at Angel's Attic 9-11am
Volleyball:
Coach Krista Daniels:  kdaniels@spxkc.org
Volleyball Tryouts Aug 10th-14th
Aug 10th-12th Mon-Wed 8:00-10:30am
Aug 13th-14th Thur-Fri 3:00-5:30 
Aug 15th Sat 9:00-11:00am (parent meeting after)
Meet at the gym.
Women’s Tennis:
Coach Rick Ringel:  rringel@spxkc.org 
M/Tues: Aug 10-11  8:30--10:00
W/Th/Fri Aug 12-14  3:00--4:30
M/Tues:  Aug 17-18  3:00--4:30
Meet @ the SPX courts at the Sports Complex.
Women’s Softball:
Coach: Steve Jochems:  sjochems@spxc.org
Softball will be practicing 3:15-5:00 Monday through Friday beginning on August 10th at the SPX Sports Complex.
Cheerleading:
Coach Camin Wilcox:  cwilcox@spxkc.org
8/11-8/18: Monday-Thursday 3-5 pm
School Schedule: Monday/Wednesday 3-5:30pm Tuesday/Thursday 4-6pm

Dance Team:
Coach Molly Keily:  mkiely@spxkc.org
Dance team will be practicing 6-7:30am Mon-Fri starting Aug 10.  After our first football game, we will change to Mon-Thurs 6-7:30am! Meet in the big or small gym, whichever is available for use.