July 2020 Newsletters

JULY NEWSLETTERS
July 30, 2020

Good afternoon Warrior families!!
We are hard at work preparing for the return of our students and staff!  We know you still have questions and we are working to prepare answers!  We appreciate your patience and ask that you remain watchful for new messages from us on a regular basis.  Below is our most recent update-MUCH more to come very soon! Thanks so much! 
​

Communication from the Office:  Email addresses for both families and students will be VERY important as we begin the year.  It is very important that both parents and students are checking email on a regular, daily basis.  If your email address changes anytime during the year, please log into your PowerSchool account and update it there.  If you aren’t sure what your log in is, please contact Mrs. Bohr or Mr. Lee.  It is more important than ever that you are able to log into PowerSchool on a regular basis. 

Welcome back Warrior families! Are you looking for a way to become more involved at St. Pius X during these interesting times?  We have several committees of the School Board that could use your help.  Whether your expertise is in technology, academics, marketing, finance or building and grounds, we may have a committee for you.  The time commitment is usually only an hour and a half every other month.  If you or anyone you know would like to help make St. Pius X the best high school it can be, or have any questions, please contact Joe Monachino at jmonachino@spxkc.org or Jennifer Taylor at jtaylor@spxkc.org for additional information. 

New Method of Sending Messages to families:  We will soon be implementing a new system of family contact utilizing PowerSchool capabilities.  Please be sure your email and cell phone numbers are correct, and that if you want more than one email address receiving notifications that all email address are up to date in PowerSchool.  Please keep your login information handy so that you are able to log in regularly.

Welcome Another New Teacher:

Another new Warrior -- or really a returning Warrior is Joseph Niblock.  Joseph is a Warrior--a 2016 Pius graduate!   After graduating from Truman State with a degree in Business Administration, he attends Rockhurst University and is working on his Masters in Education.He is excited to return to SPX and will be teaching Personal Finance, Business Management, Current Events, Accounting and Business Law. We are very excited to welcome Mr. Niblock back!  #foreverwarrior

Some Back To School Details
Cafeteria & Armoury Deposit: - ONLINE HERE
Armoury:  We have REOPENED the uniform link to Cumpys online store.  Please note this closes on Sunday, August 2. This link includes APPROVED MANDATORY MASK, as well as other shirt options.  Please also note these orders might not be available to pick up before school starts on August 19th.  SPX Uniform Store.  

School Supplies: Here is the link to this year’s school supply list. School Supplies  

Immunizations (incoming freshman and seniors):  Please consult the state mandated immunizations below.  Please contact your doctor if you are unsure whether you student has had the required immunizations.  If you have a medical or religious exemption, please contact the office for further instructions BEFORE CLASS BEGINS.  YOUR STUDENT MUST HAVE THESE IMMUNIZATIONS TO BEGIN CLASS THIS FALL.

 

Seniors: 

• Seniors are reminded that they must have 45 service hours toward graduation to have transcripts sent from SPX.  Each senior's spreadsheet was shared with them as freshmen and should still be accessible in Google Drive:   Type Last name, comma, then first name, then a dash, then 2021.  
  So it would look like this:   Murphy, Richard -- 2021

• Please note the in person college visit protocol.  

  • Two College visits are excused for seniors, provided proper protocol is followed.  Procedure is:  Parent note given to Mr Murphy (not Mrs. Bohr in the main office--this only slows the process), College visit slip acquired, and student has each teacher sign it.   Student then turns in both to Mrs. Bohr prior to the college visit day.

• In order to begin classes this Fall you MUST have the required immunizations taken care of.  If you are not sure if your student has the immunization, please contact your doctor.  You are welcome to have the documentation sent via email or fax to the school, or your student can bring it on orientation day or the first day of school. 

 

Dress Code:  (from the 2020-2021 Student Handbook as of June 2020)
At St. Pius X High School, the dress code is designed to minimize students' attempts to compete with one another through style of clothes and fashions.  Furthermore, the school is convinced that the uniform has a direct impact on the learning environment.  With that in mind, parents are expected to reinforce the uniform code as printed below.

The school dress code is meant to help avoid extremes in student dress, hairstyle (no shaved hair for girls, etc).  Specifically, girls may wear earrings in earlobes only, with a maximum of three per ear. (No gauge earrings.)  Boys may not wear earrings.  No other pierced areas should be adorned or visible.  (No tongue rings.)  Tattoos are not allowed to be visible.  In addition, all students must have natural-colored hair, one color only.  Boys and Girls hair must be clean and neat. All students must practice/maintain good personal hygiene.

The school uniform is to be purchased from an authorized uniform company.  Since all items of the uniform are available through the uniform company or the Warrior Armoury, the school reserves the right to interpret standards of dress for the individual that deviates from what is prescribed in the code.  Parents who shop at other stores for uniform items are to purchase only close "look-alikes" to the official uniform; the school administration will be the final judge in the substitution of items.

For those who are in violation of the dress code, any of the following consequences may be imposed.  Demerits may be given for the purpose of warning for minor dress code violations such as untucked shirts, no belts, etc.  Discipline referrals may be given for repeat offenders or for other violations.  Students may also be sent home or asked to have appropriate dress provided at school before being allowed to return to class.

Girls Uniform consists of the following:

1. Girls may wear khaki (military tan) or black dress slacks or capri style pants available for purchase through the uniform company.  Look-alikes must be comparable in color, fit and style to those from the uniform company.  No lycra or spandex materials - no other slacks will be permitted.  Exterior pockets and/or rivets are not allowed.  

2.  Any pants with belt loops must have a belt that fit through the belt loops.  Novelty belts are not permitted.  

3.  Students will be allowed to wear tennis shoes all year.  Tennis shoes need to cover the entire foot.  (No open toes or heels.)  Dress shoes may also be worn (no boots, sandals, clogs, crocs, slippers, open toe or shoes without backs).

4.  Socks must be worn in the solid color of gray, black, white, blue, or brown.

Boys Uniform is as follows:

1.  Khaki (military tan) dress slacks are to be worn with a belt.  The slacks may be purchased from a uniform company.  Look-alikes must be comparable in color, fit and style to those from the uniform company.  No other slacks will be permitted.  Exterior pockets and/or rivets are not allowed.  

2.  Belts must be worn; athletic or novelty belts are not permitted.

3.  Socks are to be worn in the solid color of gray, black, white, blue, or brown.

4.  Students will be allowed to wear tennis shoes all year.  Tennis shoes still need to cover the entire foot.  (No open toes or heels.)  Dress school shoes may also be worn (no boots, sandals, clogs, crocs, slippers, open toe or shoes without backs).

5.  Boys are not to wear earrings at school or school functions.  Boys' hair should be short, tapered box haircuts and crew cuts are acceptable. No unusual or exaggerated hairstyles including, but not limited to, spiked or mushroom styles, pony tails, “faux” hawks, mohawks, lines, designs, or shapes cut into the hair. When combed down, hair must be off the eyebrows; at least a portion of the ears must be visible; hair length in back may not overhang the collar. Hair should be of natural color with no designs cut into the hair. No hair accessories allowed. No “man buns”, ponytails or dreadlocks. Sideburns should be trimmed to the bottom of the ear.  Boys who are unshaven will be asked to shave or will be asked to return home.  Repeat offenders will also be asked to shave and will receive a detention.  Disposable razors will be provided at a cost of $2.00 each.

Boys and Girls:
Tops

1.  White, light blue, or navy polo shirts may be purchased at the Warrior Armoury or through the uniform company with the SPX logo or initials.  White, light blue, or navy polo shirts may be purchased from any store with no logo, pocket, or different type sleeve.

2.  White or blue oxford shirt/blouses (with collars and buttoned down the front) are to be worn when the student is in the school building, before, during and after the school day.  Shirts and blouses are to be tucked inside of slacks or capris; they should be clean, ironed, and free of holes.

3.  Navy, white, gray or natural sweaters, purchased from the uniform company or at the Warrior Armoury, may be worn as part of the uniform.  Sweatshirts and polos with embroidered St. Pius X logos, purchased in the Armoury, may also be worn.  Hooded sweatshirts of any kind are prohibited.  Screen prints shirts are not allowed as part of the uniform.

4.  White, light blue, navy or black turtlenecks may be worn under long-sleeved shirts or blouses.  Long sleeved undershirts or t-shirts may be worn as part of the uniform under long-sleeved shirts.  

5.  No accessory scarves or wraps around the neck or waist are permitted.

Jackets and other coats are not to be worn in the building during the class day unless allowed by the principal because of cold weather.  Hats may not be worn inside the school building.  

Students will be evaluated for dress at the beginning of each day during 1st hour.  Students who are out of dress code at that time will be referred to the assistant principal and sent home to change if necessary.  Students must either contact a parent and get permission to go home and change or in the case of non-driving students, parents must either bring a clothing change to school or pick the student up to take home to change clothes.  Time missed from class due to clothing problems is not considered excused and the student will take a zero on the work missed. Students who violate the dress code repeatedly will be assigned detentions.  Continued violations will result in suspension from school and a conference will be held with the assistant principal, the student and the parents.

Out of Uniform/Jeans Day:
Students may wear clean, neat black or blue jeans or blue jean capris (not worn, torn, or with holes) on approved Jeans Days. Shirts advertising alcohol/drugs, rock groups, or shirts with obscene symbols or language are not allowed.  Normally, SPX t-shirts are required to be worn on jeans day unless otherwise stated.

HOT WEATHER UNIFORM UPDATE:  During the entire school year, khaki walking shorts purchased only through the Armoury or Land’s End may be worn.  The khaki shorts must have the school seal on the left leg; the seal must be visible at all times -- shorts are not to be rolled.

BOOKBAG, BACKPACK AND CARRYALL POLICY:
Students are not allowed to carry books, electronic devices, or other items into classrooms in book bags, backpacks or carryall bags.  There is adequate passing time between periods.

PowerSchool & Student Schedules:
PowerSchool links and apps:
With the release of a new version of PowerSchool, new interface, and the PowerSchool app, do the following:

• If PowerSchool is on your computer, go to "settings" and clear the Cache and Cookies Data.  Delete the link if your have one and then go to this PowerSchool.  Then sign in and you can bookmark the new link.

• If you have the PowerSchool app, delete the app, then reinstall it.  If you do not have an account, create one.

Code is MMNK.  
If other questions, email PowerSchool: Mobile.Support@powerschool.com

 

Student Schedules:
A couple of items of importance:

1) Schedules may still change up until the start of school, so pick up a copy of your schedule, during orientation.

2) If you find an error on your schedule (missing/blank hours, hours that are double booked), please call Mr. Lee @ 816-453-3450 ext. 150  immediately.

3) If you need to make a change in your schedule, you should consult with Mr. Murphy and get his feedback before making a schedule change request.

4) You may not drop an AP/ACCP class.  Drop date was 5/22/20, after that you would receive a W/F  on your transcript.

5) You can't request to change the hours and or teachers you have for a particular course, so that you can have classes with friends or to be with a certain teacher.  You also do not need to try to make sure all classes are the same from Sem 1 to Sem 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.

Orientation:

New Parent:  Details COMING SOON

Freshman & Transfer Students:
August 18th.  
Times and details COMING SOON

Sophomore, Junior, Senior Students:
August 18th.
Times and Details COMING SOON

MUST DO: Reed Portrait Group (order form below and on website HERE)
Student Planner, Schedule, Demerit cards
OPTIONAL:  Armoury INFO COMING SOON, Family Sports Passes COMING SOON

SERVICE HOURS:
Hillcrest Hope House
Contact: Lisa Korte-Wilson -  lisa@hillcresthope.org or call/text 816-529-5047.
Large pile of mulch that needs spreading and four apartment doors that need to be painted (outside only). Flexible on days and times! 

HELP WANTED:
The PLKC needs more officials for the Fall 2020 season. 
The Kansas City Parochial League volleyball program is looking for high-school-aged boys and girls as well as adults, who are interested in refereeing in our league.  Some knowledge of volleyball and/or previous volleyball experience would be helpful.  We offer graduated skill programs for 3rd grade through 8th grade so we can use referees with varying experience.  Our volleyball rules are based on National Federation High School rules with age-appropriate exceptions.  All pertinent information is provided to our referees prior to the beginning of each season.  Our league offers the perfect learn-as-you go opportunity for those just starting out or those interested in getting involved again.  If you enjoy volleyball and expand your horizon while being paid, the PLKC volleyball program is the answer to your prayers.  If you’re interested or just want to learn more, please contact Maureen Dahnke at 816-231-5117.

Christ Lutheran After School Care:
Part-time After School Care Staff positions are now being recruited for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Looking to hire 2 people to work from 3-5pm Monday through Friday.
Christ Lutheran Pre-K’s primary concern is with the spiritual development of the child. A child’s spiritual development inter-relates with his or her physical, mental, social, and emotional development. Each child will be treated as such an individual with specific traits for learning through developmentally appropriate activities. Our written curriculum includes both academic and play experiences that will grow the child spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.

Job Functions:

• Creating and maintaining a fun and safe environment.
• Supervision to students during activities, games, and play.
• Ability to instruct games and lead engaging play activities.
• Help the student(s) follow behavior rules and express themselves appropriately.
• May be on a rotating schedule.

Requirements:

• Must be age 16 or older
• Experience working with children preferred
• Strong communication skills
• TB test
• Current physical
• Must pass a background screening

July 23, 2020

July 13, 2020
Good afternoon Warriors!  
Please take a look at the attached letter just released from the diocese re: our return to school this fall. Please stay tuned for additional information as we get closer.  Thank you!
July 8, 2020
UPDATE - WARRIOR SPORTS PHYSICALS
We will NOT be able to do mass sports physicals at the school this summer. We apologize for the inconvenience, but the health and safety of all involved is our priority. Please schedule your sports physical with your primary care physician. 
Please contact Courtney Wohlwend with questions.  cwohlwend@spxkc.org

July 8, 2020
AN UPDATE FROM MR MONACHINO:

SPX Families,
We are working hard to prepare for the 20-21 school year, and wanted to share a status update with you. This video will provide you with some specifics of how we think the school day will look, considering the changes that need to be made regarding COVID-19 precautions. 

We anticipate a lot of new information will become available in the weeks before school starts, so expect regular communication from us as additional plans are made.

https://youtu.be/8Eh-1tFUDHI

WARRIOR FAMILIES-OUR PLANS FOR THE FALL WORKING TOGETHER
As we enter the school year in person, it’s very important that we partner to keep our community safe and healthy.

• Our SPX task force is utilizing information from the CDC, The American Academy of Pediatrics preparing for students, faculty, staff and families on campus this fall. https://www.aap.org/en-us/Pages/Default.aspx

• Parents will need to closely monitor their children for symptoms and remind them of the importance of frequent handwashing, face coverings, and staying home when they are not feeling well. 

SUMMER:
Armoury Sale:  

• July 14th from noon to 4 pm @ SPX. 

• ALSO, an online store is available through Cumpy's. Click here to order. The Store CLOSES on 7/26 @ 11:59pm.  Once store closes, allow 10-14 business days for production. All order will delivered to St. Pius X for pick up.  

• Heads up there will be an approved uniform required SPX mask which can be purchased here.  

Kateri Tekakwitha Tribe (Gold Tribe) will meet 1-2 PM
St. Joan of Arc tribe (White Tribe) will meet from 2-3 PM
St. Vincent de Paul Tribe (Blue Tribe) will meet 3-4 PM. 
All should wear masks when they enter the building.

Are you looking for Summer Reading Lists?  2020-2021 Calendar At A Glance?  2020-2021 School Supply Lists?  Other info?  Click HERE.

WAIVERS:  
ALL students on the campus this summer MUST have completed the COVID waiver and it MUST be on file in the office.  No exceptions.  It is HERE.

Report Cards were mailed to families.  If you haven’t received one, please contact the office.

A new survey for students was emailed re: Prom. Students please check your email!

IMMUNIZATIONS:  
Incoming seniors don’t forget you MUST have your immunizations UP TO DATE to begin classes this Fall. Take care of this over the summer please.

POWERSCHOOL:

• PowerSchool is currently being updated for the 20-21 school year and may not be accurate at this point. We will send an email out when PowerSchool is updated for next year and schedules are available.

• If you haven’t completed PowerSchool demographics since enrollment began please take care of before returning to school.  If you aren’t sure, go ahead and log in and check. Be sure to check email addresses for all parents.  

A MESSAGE FROM OUR TRAINER, COURTNEY:
Important Information Regarding Paperwork for Student-Athletes

MSHSAA requires pre-participation documents to be completed yearly which includes: medical history, physical examination, consent forms, insurance verification, etc.; the only exception is physical examinations are valid for two years instead of one. These requirements must be completed prior to the first day of official practice. If you are a fall sports athlete, then you would need to get these completed by Monday, August 10th. You can find the physical examination forms here: https://www.mshsaa.org/resources/PDF/Current%20Pre-participation%20Physical%20Evaluation%20-%20PPE-History%20Form-English.pdf

All MSHSAA requirements will be completed online using Dragonfly Max where you and your son/daughter will e-sign and upload the physical examination. This allows the coaches and athletic trainer to access medical information quickly if needed as well as allow you to keep up with any medical treatment your son/daughter is receiving at the school. 

New Student-Athletes: A parent will need to create a Dragonfly Max account using the school code: QK5BK8. You will be approved by school administration, but you should have access to all the required documents that need filled out as you wait for school approval. 

Returning Student-Athletes: If you are a returning student-athlete, you should have created an account last year. You will need to log-in to that account and update the yearly documents for the 2020-2021 school year. When you access those documents, you might see "waiting for administration approval", this is an error. You will need to click and select "fill out another copy electronically". I have been working with the IT department at Dragonfly Max to fix this error, but unfortunately they have not found a resolution yet. Sorry for the confusion!

In addition to MSHSAA requirements, St. Pius X High School requires all student-athletes to complete a baseline ImPACT concussion test every two years. We will use the baseline test as a tool for concussion management. This testing must be completed on St. Pius X High School account, so all tests must be administered by Courtney Wohlwend (athletic trainer) or other SPX staff members.The cost for the test is $10, which helps pay for the database and any post-injury tests that might be needed. For those that need ImPACT testing we will do them by teams. Courtney will be in contact with each coach to select a date that works best to get those that need an ImPACT test completed. 

Typically, we do mass sports physicals ($10 per athlete) and baseline ImPACT testing ($10 per athlete) during the summer, but due to COVID-19 and restrictions put in place, we have not finalized a date. The team physicians and I will revisit this option in July with hopes to have an opportunity for you to get a sports physical if needed, but there is no guarantee that this will happen. I highly encourage you to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to get your sports physical examination completed in case we are not able to do it at the school this year. As a reminder, all ImPACT tests must be completed by the school and those dates to do testing will be provided by the coach at a later date. 

Please reach out to Courtney Wohlwend at cwohlwend@spxkc.org with any questions. 

SWIM:
Boys Swim Parent Meeting - July 15th - SPX Commons @ 6:00 p.m. Please wear mask per KCMO ordinance.  Questions, contact Liz Stallone: estallone@spxkc.org

Welcome new teachers to SPX! Watch here for introductions of our new Warriors!

• Our new Spanish teacher is Elizabeth Bruemmer and she hails from Jefferson City, MO. After graduating from UMKC with a degree in Spanish, she has been teaching high school Spanish throughout the country. She is excited to return to Kansas City and will be teaching Spanish 1, Spanish 1 Honors, and Spanish 2. Her favorite KC restaurant is Jackstack and she loves playing volleyball. We are very excited for her to join the Spanish department!! 

IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM MURPH:
2020-2021 ACT Testing Dates:    Additional dates just released--www.actstudent.org  https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html#dates

Sept 12
Oct 24
Dec 12
Feb 6
Apr 17
Jun 12
Jul 17

2020-2021 SAT Testing Dates:
Aug 29
Sept 26
Oct 5
Nov 2
Dec 7
Mar 14
May 2
Jun 6

Incoming Seniors:

• A video was sent, and a Google Doc shared that entails a series of docs about the college application process.  Take a look and  talk about this soon.  Murph’s video HERE

• The college admissions process for 20-21 will have some changes and modifications, going forward. Some schools have gone ACT optional, some have stated that the ACT will have less influence in the admissions' process.  The National Association of College Counselors has designed a set of guidelines for admissions, given the coronavirus of 2020. They are saying that criteria such as core curriculum courses taken, cumulative GPA, essay writing, and testaments to character through letters of recommendation will be more of a determining factor.

• With the virus still in place, virtual tours have become more commonplace.  Links to these are in your child's Junior Spring & Summer Shared folder sent to your son/daughter a couple of times since April. Before school begins, take the opportunity to look at these with your children.  As referenced in the earlier emails, ZOOM meetings or Google Meets are available upon request, or you may email me or call at the school.  

HELP WANTED:

The PLKC needs more officials for the Fall 2020 season.  

The Kansas City Parochial League volleyball program is looking for high-school-aged boys and girls as well as adults, who are interested in refereeing in our league.  Some knowledge of volleyball and/or previous volleyball experience would be helpful.  We offer graduated skill programs for 3rd grade through 8th grade so we can use referees with varying experience.  Our volleyball rules are based on National Federation High School rules with age-appropriate exceptions.  All pertinent information is provided to our referees prior to the beginning of each season.  Our league offers the perfect learn-as-you go opportunity for those just starting out or those interested in getting involved again.  If you enjoy volleyball and expand your horizon while being paid, the PLKC volleyball program is the answer to your prayers.  If you’re interested or just want to learn more, please contact Maureen Dahnke at 816-231-5117