THIS WEEK AT SPES
Your Weekly Parent Bulletin for November 7th - 11th
THE SPES FUND: A CHANCE TO SHOW YOUR BELIEF IN THE EDUCATION YOUR CHILDREN RECEIVE
Our question related to THE SPES FUND this year is "DO YOU BELIEVE?" Do you believe in the education your child receives at SPES? Do you believe in the Eucharistic Spirituality of the school based in the mission of "bringing the presence of Christ to others? And finally, do you believe enough to become an active part of THE SPES FUND by contributing at whatever level you feel you can?
There were several "God Winks" we received this week that help us to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that St. Pius Elementary School is a special place that offers students special opportunities. One of those "God Winks" was related to our All Saints Day All-School Mass and our tradition of having our Kindergarten "Saints Procession." (A video of the students recessing behind Fr. Steve after Mass is posted on the website on our password-protected Parent Portal. Click on the link found below and, when arriving at the Parent Portal, log in using your RenWeb log-in information). The students were precious and they were so serious about their responsibility to learn about their saints and portray them Pictured above are some of our little saints doing their presentation in Ms. Mary Comiskey's class for their parents.
It just so happened that one of our staff members sent an email volunteering to be an honorary chairperson for THE SPES FUND on All Saints Day. With the request came two words "I BELIEVE" and her thoughts on what makes St. Pius Elementary Special:
As I sat in all school Mass for The Feast of All Saints, I was surrounded by community of Christ's presence through our St. Pius family. I could hear angelic voices singing "Alleluia," watch sweet parents in attendance holding future cougars, and see teachers lovingly and patiently taking care of their little saints as their costumes needed readjustments over and over. I am blessed with the daily duty of ensuring the best possible learning for students, but as I looked around the packed gym, I couldn't help but think,
THIS is what SPES is about.
THIS is why I am here and not at some other school.
So fittingly that morning our community sang, "Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house, better is one day in Your courts, than thousands elsewhere." That message has resonated in my heart this week.
Better is one day being present in our SPES community than thousands elsewhere--to serve in His court, to be surrounded by learning and faith in His house-- is better than a thousand days elsewhere.
This is why I believe in SPES.
SPES FAMILY DAY NEXT SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12th
TUESDAY is the last day we will be taking orders for wristbands for $15. After that point the only place to purchase wristbands will be in the breezeway upon entering SPES FAMILY DAY on Saturday and cost of the wristbands will be $20 at that point. Remember, the wrist bands are necessary for attendees to participate in any of the events and activities. Tickets for individual activities and fun jumps will NOT be sold. A $15 wrist band entitles the wearer to participate in all Wacky Olympic games, jump on all fun jumps as much as he/she desires, play in the Kid Zone, participate three times in the Cake Walk, get his/her face painted, complete a take-home art project AND get a TWINS Burger bagged lunch with chips and cold drink. The only cash sales available on the day of the event will be for concessions and additional chances at the cake walk(BUT only if the purchaser has a wrist band). Wristbands may be purchased by clicking on the SPES FAMILY DAY ORDER FORM link at http://www.stpiuselementary.org/pto/spes-family-day.cfm followed by a click on the payment link made available after submitting your order form OR by clicking on https://sp-la.client.renweb.com/renweb/donateonline/Web/System_campaign.cfm?District=SP-LA&SchoolCode=&CampaignID=42. Remember, our online payment program asks for "Donation Amount" next to SPES FAMILY DAY....not "Purchase Amount." We are still working with the company to get that changed! (Children three and under are admitted FREE but their free admission does not include a bagged lunch or art project.)
Pictured above are sample "SPES ROCKS" which will be our art project at SPES FAMILY DAY. Each student will be able to join the "LAFAYETTE PARISH ROCKS" movement by making a rock with our own SPESial touch. This movement is one that shares happiness, brings a smile to faces and inspires. Students with a wristband will get to make their own creation or use one of the many inspirational samples we'll provide as their guide.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
2:20 - 3:45 p.m. Robotics Mtg. in Rm. 209
2:30 - 4 p.m. Girls on the Run
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th
NO BUS SERVICE -- ELECTION DAY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9th
2:30 - 4 p.m Fall Art Clinic - preregistered students only
2:30 - 4 p.m. Girls on the Run
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10th
2:20 - 3:45 p.m. Robotics Mtg.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11th
7:30 a.m. 4th - 8th Grade Mass in Church - Parents/grandparents invited
8:20 a.m. 1st - 3rd Grade Mass in Church - Parents/grandparents invited
FOURTH GRADERS WORK AT ST. JOSEPH'S DINER TODAY
2:20 - 3:30 p.m. After School Basketball Clinic for Registered 2nd - 4th graders
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OUR FIRST AGAVE SPES SPIRIT NIGHT -- AND THANK YOU AGAVE FOR YOUR $440 DONATION TO THE SCHOOL
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE MILES PERRET GLEAUX RUN
To learn more about the race that will take place beginning at 5:30 p.m. in River Ranch Town Square on Wednesday, November 23rd, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2016/7706/camellia-crossing-2016
STEM I CLASS CHATTING LIVE WITH SCIENTISTS
THE GETZ ICE SHELF
STEM I CLASS HAS INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE THIS PAST WEEK
The pictures above show the students standing in front of the chat screen. The map in the background bears aircraft information. The data regarding latitude, longitude, direction, speed, altitude, etc. was updated every few seconds so the class could see the plane moving toward its destination - the Getz Ice Shelf (also pictured above).
Yes - just one more reason that WE BELIEVE the education our children get at SPES is special!
KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS MONITORING CHURCH CONSTRUCTION
This week, students got a HUGE SURPRISE when who other than the architect for the church, Mr. Wayne Corne, happened to be on site. Mr. Corne graciously took time out of his very important schedule to speak to the children, explain many aspects of the architectural end of the plan, answer their questions and top it all off with an extra treat -- introducing them to the artist who will be in charge of liturgical painting inside the church! Yes, this was one of those "God Winks" we received this week that reminds us of just how special the education our children receive at SPES is!
ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED AT ST. PIUS X CHURCH
ST. PIUS X MOTHERS MINISTRY
If you have questions or want to learn more, email stpiusmothers@gmail.com
THIS WEEK'S LEADER IN ME MOMENT - SEEING THE PROCESS COME TO LIFE
As you will see in the video you receive, our students thought out every possible scenario and, when speaking to Ms. Lemaire about the proposal, used "Leader in Me"/"Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" language including being "proactive" and making this a "win-win" situation while "beginning with the end in mind." (On a personal note, while observing and taking pictures of the class' dialogue with Ms. Lemaire, it was difficult to fight back tears as all that came to mind the entire time was "There is no other place where you would see this. Every bit of it, and everyone involved, is doing exactly what our mission speaks about...."bringing the presence of Christ to one another." jnh)
Give yourself a treat....watch for the email later this week that gives you the video link and more pictures of this "Leader in Me" moment! Seeing the children listen so attentively and take their signing the contract so seriously left a great impression on all present. Yes, every student AND Mrs. Broussard signed the contract with Ms. Lemaire which was "witnessed" by Ms. Marlene, Ms. Lemaire's administrative assistant. We suspect that this is the first of many proposals to come as we watch our students empowered to become the best versions of themselves now and as they grow physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually in the future!