* Mrs. Chriss' class will plan the Mass.

January Gospel Value:   PATIENCE

The ability to accept and remain calm in difficult situations.

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart."

- Psalm 27:14

Wednesday's first reading was the story of David and Goliath.  Father Marshall reminded us that David put his trust in God knowing that God would win the victory for him.  Father told us that we, too, should trust God to win the victory for us.  When was the last time that you really put your trust in God to help you with something that was difficult?  Did God help you?

Dates to Remember

NOW      SPX Stewardship Intention Cards due to parish office

1/24   SPX Night at Chile Verde - See Scrip News for Info

1/27   Winter Carnival - 6:30-8:30 pm in Ross Hall & school

1/27  Middle School Dance - 6:30-8:30 pm in school gym

1/30   Hobby Show

2/10  PTO Meeting - 9:00 am in school library

2/10  Teacher Friday  1:00/1:15 pm dismissal

2/11  Trivia VI: All is Fair in Love and Trivia!

2/17   Professional Day - No School for students

2/20  Presidents' Day - No School (Snow Make Up Day, if needed)

3/1    Everybody Counts

3/9    Teacher Friday 1:00/1:15 pm dismissal

3/16  PTO Meeting - 9:00 am in school library

3/16  End of 3^rd Quarter (47 days)

3/23-4/1   Spring Break

SPX Car Magnets

Do you need a new purple and gold oval SPX car magnet?  Want to put one on your fridge at home?  Magnets are available at the school office for $3 each.  Contact Cathy Nickerson or the school office to get yours!

We are organizing another fun-packed semester of SPXtras!  Review the SPXtra class listing here. Registration forms are due to school with payment by Tuesday, January 24th.  You can find the registration form here .  Please send in registration forms and payment to school in an envelope marked "ATTN:  Erin Dorsey, SPXtras." 

The SPXtra class listing here is updated from the one we received in the Parent Email on January 13^th.  Scrabble has been added!  Tuesdays starting Feb 7^th for 5 weeks (no session on Feb 21^st) includes a snack for $35. 

If you have any questions, please contact Erin Dorsey or Christine Marsella.

Scrip Update

Don't miss an SPX Night Out!  Chile Verde  is a locally owned Mexican restaurant that participates in the St. Pius X Scrip program.  The restaurant graciously provides us a 30% discount on Scrip gift certificates.  Chile Verde is further helping SPX's Scrip by supporting a fundraising night. TOMORROW NIGHT, Tuesday, January 24 SPX will receive a 40% rebate of the total food AND beverage spent at Chile Verde's two Indianapolis locations: 7369 N. Shadeland or 8345 Pendleton Pike. 

To guarantee SPX rebate, customers will need to print the attached document (preferably) or mention SPX at the time you pay the bill. Some points to keep in mind:

   1.   Scrip gift certificates will NOT be honored for purchases that evening

   2.   Encourage all your friends, family and neighbors to participate as well...just send them the attached document.

   3.   The restaurant is willing to make this a monthly fundraiser, so let's blow this first outing out!

Please feel free to reach out to Ken Taylor or Lorrie Manuszak with any questions regarding Scrip.

 Any questions about Scrip?  If you are having trouble logging into the new system, or if you have questions in general about the program, please contact Lorrie Manuszak or Ken Taylor.  Thanks for supporting Scrip and helping our school!

Youth Ministry!

Jr. High Group - Wednesday, January 25th at 4:00-5:30 pm in Youth Room

North Deanery Gathering - Friday, February 3^rd at 7-9 pm at Immaculate Heart

     Please contact Angie Hyre (ahre@spxparish.org) if you can help chaperone!

6^th Grade Drop-In - Monday, February 6th at 11:55-12:30 pm in Youth Room

Jr. High Group - Tuesday, February 7^th at 4:00-5:30 pm in Youth Room

6^th Grade Drop-In - Monday, February 13th at 11:55-12:30 pm in Youth Room

Jr. High Youth Council - Thursday, February 16^th at 6-7 pm in Youth Room

Ash Wednesday Soup & Bread Supper - More information to follow.

Jr. High Group - Wednesday, February 29^th at 4:00-5:30 pm in Youth Room

SPX Vacation Bible School

Do you love to share your faith with children?  Planning for VBS 2012 starts now and needs of a couple coordinators.  "Sky; everything is possible with God" is scheduled for June 18-22, 2012.  Call the parish Religious Education office or email Sue Thompson (sthompson@spxparish.org) for information.

SPX Parish Fish Fry on Friday, March 9^th

Save the date for the SPX Parish Fish Fry scheduled for Friday, March 9^th .  Join us during Lent for a delicious fish fry dinner!  Watch the school newsletter and parish bulletin for more information.

PRINCIPAL'S CORNER

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Ruth Vignati, grandmother of Lucas and Sam Ferrugia, who generously arranged for the Indianapolis Opera Company to make a presentation to our students last Thursday.  This talented group entertained the K-5^th Grade students with the operatic version of Jack & the Beanstalk.  Short vignettes from various operatic pieces were presented to the 6-8 Grade students.  All of the students listened intently to the beautiful range of voices, to the different languages, and to the different storylines.  At the end, they were able to ask some very good questions.  This was a wonderful way to introduce our students to the beauty of the opera.  Thank you so much, Mrs. Vignati! 

Last Tuesday evening St. Pius welcomed interested families to our school Open House.  During this time, the families learned about the school from parents and students who led tours of the building and teachers who were available to answer questions.   Seeing the enthusiasm from everyone is a terrific way to let visitors know about the kind of school that we have!  We want to thank Marcella Burnell who served as the chairperson for the evening's activities.  What a wonderful showing! We also want to thank the members of the School Commission who welcomed visitors, led tours, and wrote Thank You's, the numerous parents who led tours and answered questions, and the students who modeled the school uniforms and enthusiastically told visitors about our school.  Finally, we want to thank the teachers who had their rooms sparkling and shared their curricula with the visitors.  All of you were vital to the success of the evening.  Your smiles, spirit, and information let everyone know that St. Pius School is the place for their children's education. 

Make sure that you put the "Big Top" as one of your "places to be" on Friday evening, January 27^th from 6:30-8:30 P.M.  The Carnival Committee and the Middle School Dance Committee have been hard at work putting together a great event.  Everyone will have a great time playing games, enjoying snacks, and sharing fun with all of your friends!  Pre-sale ticket orders for the Winter Carnival are due Wednesday, January 25^th!  Don't miss out!

-Blessings, Bill and Theresa

Tuition Deposits for 2012/2013

To ALL school families who plan to return to St. Pius X next year:

As you probably remember, if you use FACTS for your tuition payment, you will not have a withdrawal from your account for the month of January.  This is because we ask ALL returning families to pay a $200 deposit per child (grades 1-8) to hold their child's spot for next year.  If you would like to reserve a spot for your child for the 2012/2013 school year, please read and complete the attached form  and send it, along with your deposit to Sharon Wagner, Business Manager by February 1^st.  The form must accompany your check.  You can also find Registration Forms on Edline.  You can review the Tuition Policy here.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter!

Glee Club Information

Rehearsals will begin on TODAY, Monday, January 23^rd.  Please remember to turn in your student's permission slip, you can still bring them to Mr. Hennes.  The last day was on Friday.

Congratulations to Students earning Honor Roll for the 2nd Quarter!!

See the list here!!

SPX School Lunch Box - Lunch Orders due TOMORROW!

Lunch orders for February are due TOMORROW, January 24^th at 11:59 pm!  Check out the February lunch menu here .  You won't want to miss the SuperBowl Tailgate Lunch on Feb 3, and our two Panther Pick/Pilot lunches at the end of the month.  Back by popular demand is the Chili lunch with all the toppings on the Fruit and Dairy Bar.  Leap Ahead with Breakfast on Feb 29 and order the Breakfast Burrito for Lunch.  Please also note that some lunches have been modified for Lent.  We did not send home lunch payment envelopes so please put school lunch in the check memo section when you send in your payment/receipt.

Subs Needed:  If you are able to sub for one of our lunch crews please contact Kathleen Prechtel.  Extra hands are always needed during our winter months!

SPX Fuel Up to Play 60 Health Fair

Volunteers are needed to work the 2012 SPX Fuel Up to Play 60 Health Fair on Thursday, February 9th.  There are two shifts available: one at 8:30-11:00 am and the other at 12 noon-2:30 pm.  Please contact Cindy Franz or Kathryn Ferrugia. Food donations are also needed :  breakfast bars, dried fruit packages, bottled water and small G2 bottles.  If you have questions, please contact Christine Marsella.

The Hobby Show

Entry forms for the Hobby Show are due TOMORROW, Tuesday, January 24^th .  Every year, the Hobby Show is a great opportunity for students to show what they do when they're not in school and a fun way to kick off Catholic Schools Week!  This year's categories are Baking, Collections, Fine Arts, Crafts, Model Building, Technology, and Literature.  Remember it can be really fun to enter the show with a partner.  Parents, the entries will be available during the day for you and all the school to enjoy.  If you want to participate, please complete the entry form, which you can find here .  If you have any questions regarding entry forms, please contact Heather Douglas.

More Volunteers are needed on the day of the Hobby Show.  Please contact Lisa Doyle if you can help with check-in (7:00-8:15 am), judging (8:15-10:00 am), or monitoring the room for an hour or two (10:30 am-3:00 PM).

Winter Carnival is almost here...

Pre-School through 5^th graders get ready for a circus themed night under the SPX Big Top!  Grab some food at the Snack Shack, play lots of games, play Bingo, take a turn around the Cake Walk, win lots of prizes and much, much more.  Don't miss this year's Greatest Show on Earth! 

Volunteers: Please contact Gracie Whitlock (gracie@teamwhitlock.com ) if you are able to help and have not already signed up!  High school students can use this opportunity as service hours. 

Tickets: It's not too late to order presale tickets to get the discounted prices! You can find the order form here.  Please get these returned by Wednesday, January 25 ^th.  All tickets will be available at will call the night of the carnival.  None will be sent home.  This means no forgetting them on the way out the door or leaving them in a backpack!  Just show up for a night of fun and they will be there waiting for you! 

Family Donations: We are asking all SPX families with K - 5^th graders to please donate a 2 liter bottle of soda and a $5 bingo prize.  A Donation Box will be in the lobby to collect your donations.  We will also need cakes, cookies and goodies for the cake walk which can be brought in the last few days before the carnival.  If you plan to donate an item for the cakewalk, please email Erin Dorsey ahead of time to let her know.  Thanks for all of your help and generosity to make this a great night for the kids!  

Winter Carnival Family Checklist:

__ Contact Gracie Whitlock if you or your high school student can volunteer!

__ Bring in a 2 liter bottle of soda and place in donation box in lobby

__ Bring in a $5 bingo prize and place in donation box in lobby

__ Contact Erin Dorsey if you can to donate an item for the cake walk  

For questions, or if you would like to help with this event, please contact Kim Wilson or Meg Rondinella.

Is the Middle School ready for a great time?  Mark your calendars for the "Hawaiian" Middle School Dance scheduled for Friday, January 27th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm (which is the same date and time as the Winter Carnival).  We are accepting $5 gift cards for the raffle that will occur throughout the evening.  Please send your $5 gift card in an envelope to the front office and mark the envelope "Middle School Dance".  Dinner will NOT be served but snacks and drinks will be provided.  We are looking for some Hawaiian-themed decorations so if you have something, please contact Melinda or Rebecca.  If you have any questions, please contact Melinda Nash or Rebecca Carl.

Trivia VI in 2012:  All is Fair in Love and...  Trivia!

Presented by Johnson Melloh Solutions

Important Registration Deadline:  Friday, February 3^rd!

This is the sixth and BIGGEST version ever of this casual social event and St. Pius X Parish Fundraiser.  If you love the game, get reunited with your team, or share your love of trivia with someone new from SPX or beyond.  Adults 21 and over are invited to form a team of eight people to play ten rounds of live trivia.  Cash prize for first place, and special recognition for the team which has the most fun and the lowest score.  Cost is $25 per player / $200 team, includes 1 Marco's pizza per table (additional available for purchase), adult beverages, water, and soft drinks.  Please bring "loverly" decorations and appetizers/dessert for your table! 

To register, complete the registration form found here and return it to the school office by Friday, February 3^rd . If you have never been to Trivia Night, or haven't been in several years this one's going to be a blast!  This event has limited space, register early!  No refunds after Feb 3. 

Our Current Challenge-Volunteers: If you don't like to play the game, WE NEED YOUR HELP!  Experience the fun atmosphere by helping with on-site check-in, mulligan sales, servers, answer checkers and people who can help setup on Friday, Feb 10^th in the afternoon.

If you have questions or if you can volunteer, please contact Amy & Kevin Beausir.

Girls Lacrosse Informational Meeting

When:  Tuesday, January 24^th at 7pm

Where:  IHM Gathering Space (next to church, enter from parking lot)

Who:  Open to grades 5^th - 8^th

If you are unable to attend the meeting please call/email John Turchi, Coach and IHM parishioner (jturchi@sbcglobal.net.

SPX Sports Schedule Information

It's Boys' Basketball tournament time!  Cheer on the Panthers!

Thanks to all of the Boys' Basketball teams players and coaches for all your hard work this season!  Good Luck in your tournament play!  Go to the CYO website at www.cyoarchindy.org and look under the Tournament tab to see the status of the SPX teams in their respective tournaments.  SPX is typically scheduled in the American League brackets.

Boys' Basketball Tournament :

4^th Grade:

Lee (White): 1/17 vs St. Maria Goretti @ 5;00 pm @ St. Michael

       If win, 1/22 @ 1:30 pm @ St. Michael

       If win, 1/25 @ 7:00 pm @ St. Michael

       If win, 1/27 @ 5:00 pm @ St. Michael

      Championship 1/27 @ 8:00 pm @ St. Michael

Scherrer (Purple): 1/19 vs St. Louis de Montfort @ 5:00 pm @ St. Michael

       If win, 1/22 @ 3:30 pm @ St. Michael

       If win, 1/26 @ 5:00 pm @ St. Michael

       If win, 1/27 @ 5:00 pm @ St. Michael

      Championship 1/27 @ 8:00 pm @ St. Michael

5^th & 6^th Grade:

Treece (A-White) : 1/19 vs Immaculate Heart @ 7:30 pm @ St. Jude

       If win, 1/22 @ 3:00 pm @ St. Jude

       If win, 1/24 @ 6:00 pm @ St. Jude

       Championship 1/25 @ 7:00 pm @ St. Jude

Albright (B-White): 1/16 vs St. Jude @ 7:30 pm @ Little Flower

       If win, 1/21 @ 10:00 am @ Little Flower

       If win, 1/22 @ 12 noon @ Little Flower

       If win, 1/24 @ 5:30 pm @ Little Flower

       Championship: 1/26 @ 6:30 pm @ Little Flower

Fredrickson (B-Purple) : 1/20 vs Immaculate Heart @ 6:30 pm @ Little Flower

       If win, 1/21 @ 4:00 pm @ Little Flower

       If win, 1/22 @ 3;00 pm @ Little Flower

       If win, 1/24 @ 6:30 pm @ Little Flower

       Championship: 1/26 @ 6:30 pm @ Little Flower

Pahl (C-White): 1/17 vs St. Simon @ 7:00 pm @ St. Luke

       If win, 1/21 @ 2:00 pm @ St. Luke

       If win, 1/22 @ 2:00 pm @ St. Luke

       If win, 1/23 @ 6:00 pm @ St. Luke

      Championship: 1/24 @ 6:00 pm @ St. Luke

Berry (C-Purple): 1/18 vs St. Luke @ 6:00 pm @ St. Luke

       If win, 1/21 @ 11:00 am @ St. Luke

       If win, 1/22 @ 1:00 pm @ St. Luke

       If win, 1/23 @ 7:00 pm @ St. Luke

      Championship: 1/24 @ 6:00 pm @ St. Luke

Cadet:

Treece (A-White): 1/22 vs St. Luke @ 12 noon @ Chatard HS

      If win, 1/29 @ 12 noon @ Scecina HS

      If win, 2/4 @ 9:00 pm @ CYO Center

      Championship: 2/7 @ 8:00 pm @ Scecina HS

Okcomon (B-Purple): 1/17 vs OL Greenwood @ 8:00 pm @ Christ the King

      If win, 1/23 @ 6:00 pm @ Christ the King

      If win, 1/25 @ 5:00 pm @ Christ the King

      If win, 1/26 @ 6:00 pm @ Christ the King

      Championship: 1/27 @ 6;00 pm @ Christ the King

Knoth (B-White): 1/20 vs Christ the King @ 9:00 am @ Christ the King

      If win, 1/24 @ 5:00 pm @ Christ the King

      If win, 1/25 @ 7:00 pm @ Christ the King

      If win, 1/26 @ 7:00 pm @ Christ the King

     Championship: 1/27 @ 6;00 pm @ Christ the King

Pluckebaum (C-White): 1/21 vs St. Lawrence @ 12 noon @ OL Mt Carmel

      If win, 1/28 @ 11:00 am @ OL Mt Carmel

      If win, 1/29 @ 1:00 pm @ OL Mt Carmel

      If win, 1/30 @ 6;00 pm @ OL Mt Carmel

      Championship: 1/31 @ 6:00 pm @ OL Mt Carmel

High School:  Fr. Soph-

Nondorf (White): 1/17 vs Christ the King @ 7:00 pm @ St. Monica

      If win, 1/21 @ 9:00 am @ St. Monica

      If win, 1/22 @ 1:30 pm @ St. Monica

      If win, 1/25 @ 6:30 pm @ St. Monica

      Championship: 1/27 @ 6:30 pm @ St. Monica

Godlevske (Purple):  1/19 vs Immaculate Heart @ 9:00 pm @ St. Matthew

     If win, 1/23 @ 7:00 pm @ St. Matthew

     If win, 1/24 @ 7:00 pm @ St. Matthew

     If win, 1/25 @ 8:00 pm @ St. Matthew

    Championship: 1/26 @ 8:00 pm @ St. Matthew

Jr/Sr: Carter (Gold) : 1/16 vs Holy Spirit @ 8:00 pm @ Central Catholic

      If win, 1/21 @ 11:00 am @ Central Catholic

      If win, 1/23 @ 6:00 pm @ Central Catholic

      If win, 1/25 @ 6:00 pm @ Central Catholic

      Championship: 1/29 @ 1:00 pm @ Central Catholic

Searight (White) : 1/19 vs OL Mt Carmel @ 8:00 pm @ Central Catholic

      If win, 1/22 @ 3:00 pm @ Central Catholic

      If win, 1/24 @ 7:00 pm @ Central Catholic

      If win, 1/25 @ 7:00 pm @ Central Catholic

      Championship: 1/29 @ 1:00 pm @ Central Catholic

Barnett (Purple): 1/18 vs St. Matthew @ 6:00 pm @ CYO Center

      If win, 1/22 @ 2:00 pm @ CYO Center

      If win, 1/25 @ 5:00 pm @ CYO Center

      If win, 1/26 @ 6:00 pm @ CYO Center

      If win, 1/28 @ 10:00 am @ CYO Center

Girls High School Basketball: Dunn (Purple): 1/17 vs St. Louis de Montfort @ 6:00 pm @ St. Joan of Arc

      If win, 1/21 @ 10:00 am @ St. Joan of Arc

      If win, 1/22 @ 2:00 pm @ St. Joan of Arc

      If win, 1/24 @ 7:00 pm @ St. Joan of Arc

      Championship: 1/27 @ 7:00 pm @ St. Joan of Arc

Check out the new website at CYO!  Go to www.cyoarchindy.org.  Then, go to the "Athletics" tab and then choose "Schedules and Standings."  Pull down the sport then choose "St. Pius."  For end of season tournament, go to the "Tournament" tab and pull down the tournament standings.

Come cheer on your SPX Panthers!

Sports Team Pictures Needed

Don't forget to turn in the sports team pictures!  Please take a team picture to send in to the school office to be included in the SPX Panther Yearbook!  Team pictures (including coaches!) in uniforms are so much more fun to include!  Please send your team picture with the names of the students and coaches in the order of the photograph to the school office and mark the envelope "(Name of Sport) Team Picture for Yearbook."