Parent Resources

This web page will be a reference for you as needed. Its intent is to serve as a resource for you as a parent now that your child is entering high school. Hopefully, It will function as an avenue and bridge, given that your child is embarking on a vastly different, busy, and constantly-changing journey through high school.

I consistently update this page (as needed), so you might bookmark it and visit it regularly. There are links at the bottom of this page which are very helpful. Check them!

St. Pius X has two counselors -- one full time (Mr. Murphy) and one part time (Mrs. Mariza Cascone). Mrs. Cascone works primarily with the freshmen.   Likewise, Ms. Krista Daniels, the Inclusive Education Teacher, assists students who have  special learning needs, IEPs, accommodations' plans; in addition, she coordinates efforts with students taking the "Education Practicum" course and function as mentors and helpers of other students. 
    
There is a  S.I.T. (Strategic Intervention Team) that acts as a bridge between struggling students and parents; should an intervention be needed for a student, whether academic or behavioral, teachers collaborate to assist the student in going forward to be more successful.

HOW DOES ONE PREPARE A CHILD FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND THE CHALLENGES IT PRESENTS?   HOW DO I AS A PARENT PREPARE AND GO FORWARD IN A PARENT ROLE?       

A few suggestions:
1) you and your child should set some  mutual goals that are realistic and measurable;
2) encourage a way to  become involved in high school--sports, cheerleading, dance team, Student Council, debate, art / art club, community service, drama, yearbook, art club, broadcast journalism, ministry team, Pro-Life, S.A.D.D., etc.;
3)  visit the St. Pius X website, especially MYSPX,  and  familiarize yourself with its contents; 

                                                     AS A PARENT:
1) KNOW that each day will brings its share of highs and lows, sunshine and storms, and that teenagers never have problems, only crises;

2) MAKE IT A PRIORITY to contact teachers or counselors if you have some concerns about their classes, social adjustment, relationships with classmates;

3) Pay very little attention to what you hear about a troubling situation at school until you seek the proper person(s) to clarify or resolve; your child's story is only one side, and it is often incomplete.

4) Know that a parents' involvement with your children's life in high school will not be as "close", most likely, as it may have been in middle school;

5) Your willingness to listen and be involved in your child's life is critical to their success, decision making, and adjustment. COMMUNICATION will remain important, and parent-child communication is the most important way of staying in touch.

6) KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE ON WEEKENDS. Call and check!   You are not your child's friend, and they don't need your approval!   They have plenty of friends. They need guidance, direction, and discipline.   They need you to help them set parameters.

7) Your kids will be confronted with choices about alcohol, drugs, vaping, sexual activity, dishonesty, internet use whether appropriate or inappropriate, undermining parental authority -- frequently and regularly.  They have multiple social media options; talk to them about how to make wise choices.

8) If your child has a conflict with a peer or teacher, first encourage your child to resolve the conflict; TEACH THEM HOW TO COPE. Please do not "rescue" them or try to resolve it yourself. One of the greatest gifts you can teach your children is how to be self-advocates; they will have to learn this in life, and high school is a good time to start!! Your kids need to learn coping skills and conflict resolution skills NOW so they can do it on their own when they leave home in a few short years.

9) Regarding homework and regular study, YOUR CHILD SHOULD HAVE REGULAR HOMEWORK, but some of this routine may not occur consistently until semester 2; this is because semester 1 is frequently a time when teachers are trying to get all students on the same page in their academic discipline. Hence, a fair amount of material that is covered may be review.

                                                             Schedules:
On each school day that has a regular schedule (Mon, Tues, Fri), there is a 25 minute study hall either at the end of the day OR associated with period 5 [there are 3 lunch periods -- A,B, and C-- and they rotate every six weeks]; study hall time, whenever it is, may not, and most likely, will not be enough time to complete all homework assignments. Friday is consistently a test and quiz day. With the advent of coronavirus-19, lunch periods may expand to four to follow CDC guidelines and social distancing.

Mon & Tues normally have periods 1,2,3,4,5 6, and 7 that are 47 minutes long, beginning at 7:50; Fridays have periods 1-7 with a Mass after period 4 that shortens class periods about six or seven minutes each. Wednesdays start at 8:30; periods 1,2,3 and 4 are 75 minutes long with lunch period 3. Thursdays begin at 8:30; periods 5, seminar (one hour), 6, and 7 are 75 minutes long with lunch period 6. We dismiss 15 minutes earlier on this day. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays dismiss about 2:40.

"Block days"-- Wednesday and Thursday -- are  late start days that are useful for students to make up tests, get extra help from teachers, use the library and computer lab, attend extracurricular activity meetings, etc.  Thursdays also have a "Seminar" period for study, "Tribe Meeting Time", assemblies, class meetings, special trainings, college recruiters, opportunities to work and/or do research in the library, peer tutoring, using library computers, using the computer lab, and socialization.

Four other schedules we have entail classes ending before 2:40.  One (Early Dismissal Schedule) comprises periods 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 with dismissal at 12:20. A second is the Thursday half day "block day" schedule: school begins at 7:50, classes are 75 minutes long, there is no seminar or lunch, and school dismisses about 11:55.   Fridays are a common day for a Pep Rally schedule: classes are 3-5 minutes shorter, and students may go to the gym for a pep rally, short assembly, may be dismissed so the faculty can meet as a group. 

                                        Mass Days and Mass Schedules
Continuing this year, St. Pius will have, once a week, usually Friday, a "Mass Schedule" day when we have Mass after period 4 as noted above (about 10:40 am), depending upon the availability of St. Patrick's Church across the street. On that day, classes are 40 minutes long.  Sometimes on Tuesday mornings at either 7:00 am or during study hall, and on Thursday mornings at 7:30 am, SPX has Mass in the chapel for interested students and teachers.  The above is susceptible to change, depending on the coronavirus-19 impact.
     
Parents are always welcome to come to this.  Likewise, we often have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursdays during the seminar period from 9:55 am to 10:55 am.

                                                     The Learning Center

Parents are advised about the SPX "Learning Center." This is the library during the day-- students may come in the morning or remain after school to study or use computers for research or other assignments.  If a student in on DIAL (Daily Incomplete Assignment List) students are required to come here during their study hall if assignments are missing. The Learning Center, operating before and after school, and is where students must report during study hall.   Failure to do so results in detention and meeting with Mr. Bob Lee the following day at 7 am.   If a student does not complete an assignment within the allotted time, Friday Night School is mandatory (where the student must complete the assignment before leaving the building). 

Regarding tutoring, there is a document on at the bottom of this page entitled MASTER TUTOR LIST.  In addition, SPX has students who are voluntary tutors who work with fellow students on late start days, seminars, and before / after school.     

Another excellent resource for multiple subjects, but mostly math and science, is  www.khanacademy.org.
     
There are other online resources you can access; click Mr. Murphy's name and look for "Free Online Resources / Tutorials for Students."

The High School Placement Test has its own website now.  
http://www.ststesting.com/hsptpg9.html   There is a parent link at the bottom FYI.
     
All students (except seniors) take an ACT test annually sponsored by the Cambridge company.    Results of this test will give students and families a solid picture of skills and needs as the freshman year evolves.  This will take place on this year on Wednesday, October 14, 2020.

You can always call either counselor about any concern:  Mr. Murphy, at 453-3450 x 249, Mrs. Cascone's at 453-3450 x 121.  Ms. Krista Daniels,  816-453-3450 x 413, is a good resource for students who might need extra assistance on a daily basis in the classroom.   Please do not hesitate to call if you need to.

After semester 1 ends, sit down with your freshman and talk about semester 2 goals. Whatever grades have been earned, and whatever habits have been formed, all represent a "benchmark" that the student has established. There is always room for improvement and establishing new benchmarks.