Volume 2 | Issue 10
Sunday, Nov. 9
- Adult Basketball (Evening) - Click to join Signal group here if interested
Monday, Nov. 10
- Trimester 2 Begins
- Homework Club (After School)
- Basketball Practice (After School & Evening)
- Littlest Knights Dance Team Practice (Evening)
Tuesday, Nov. 11
- Beginner & Intermediate Band Practice (During School)
- Veterans' Day Assembly (During School)
- Student Council Executive Meeting (Lunch/Recess)
- Advanced Band Practice (After School)
- Bricks 4 Kidz Engineering Program (After School)
- Basketball Practice (After School & Evening)
Wednesday, Nov. 12
- School Mass - Students to wear faith family color (During School)
- Homework Club (After School)
- Girl Scouts (After School)
- Intermediate Band Practice (After School)
- Basketball Practice (After School & Evening)
Thursday, Nov. 13
- Advanced Spanish (Recess)
- Butter Braid Pickup in on stager (2 - 4pm)
- Art Club (After School)
- Knight Crew Dance Team Practice (After School)
- Basketball Practice (After School & Evening)
- Dads Club Meeting Offsite (Evening)
Friday, Nov. 14
- Pizza Fun Lunch - Click to sign up
- Field Trip to Montini for 6th -8th grade (During School)
- Advanced Band Practice (During School)
- Beginner Band Practice 4th & 5th Grade (After School)
Saturday, Nov. 15
- “Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day” (It's a thing, look it up) — a great excuse to kick back a little, chuckle more, and not take life so seriously for at least 24 hours
Owen's Observations
How to Study Effectively
With the end of the first trimester at our school, I thought it would be a good time to share some study tips. These tips are widely recognized as best practices in the field of studying. Parents might want to review these with their children as we move into the second trimester, while parishioners could apply them to their Bible study. They may also serve as a helpful guide for parents on how long their child should typically spend
on homework and studying.
With the end of the first trimester at our school, I thought it would be a good time to share some study tips. These tips are widely recognized as best practices in the field of studying. Parents might want to review these with their children as we move into the second trimester, while parishioners could apply them to their Bible study. They may also serve as a helpful guide for parents on how long their child should typically spend
on homework and studying.
Studying is a skill that can be developed and refined at any age. The key to effective study is understanding your learning style, setting clear goals, and using proven techniques to retain information. Below, you’ll find general recommendations for the amount of study time based on age and grade, as well as tricks to make studying easier
and more productive.
Recommended Study Time by Age and Grade
- Elementary School (Ages 6-11, Grades 1-5): 15-30 minutes per day is usually
sufficient, focusing on reading and foundational skills. - Middle School (Ages 11-14, Grades 6-8): 30-60 minutes per day is
recommended, with attention to homework, projects, and practice tests. - High School (Ages 14-18, Grades 9-12): 1-2 hours per day is ideal, depending on
workload and upcoming exams. More time may be needed before major tests. - College and Beyond (Ages 18+): 2-3 hours per day is common, with increased focus on self-directed learning, research, and revision.
Tricks to Help You Study Better
- Set Specific Goals: Decide what you want to accomplish in each study session, such as mastering a math concept or memorizing vocabulary words.
- Break Study Time into Chunks: Use the “Pomodoro Technique”—study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break—to improve focus and reduce fatigue.
- Use Active Recall: Test yourself regularly on the material instead of just rereading notes. Making flashcards or practice quizzes works well.
- Create a Dedicated Study Space: Find a quiet, organized area free of
distractions to help you concentrate. - Mix Up Subjects: Switching between different topics can keep your mind engaged and improve overall retention.
- Explain Concepts Aloud: Teach the material to someone else or explain it to yourself out loud to reinforce understanding.
- Stay Organized: Use planners, calendars, or apps to track assignments,
deadlines, and exam dates. - Get Plenty of Rest: A well-rested mind learns and remembers better. Don’t sacrifice sleep for extra study time.
Final Thoughts
Studying doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following age-appropriate recommendations and using simple tricks to enhance your focus and memory, you can make learning more efficient and enjoyable. Remember, consistency is more important than cramming, and finding the right balance will help you succeed at any stage of your education.
Do Not Park in Old Second Bank Parking Lot
We have been contacted by our neighbors to the South at Old Second Bank. They have asked, that for liability reasons, parents refrain from parking in their lot. Going forward, they will begin to call the authorities for ticketing or towing.
Clearly they are not playing around, so please be mindful and respectful of a business's private property and set a good example as parents of St. Pius X by complying with this request.
It is Parent-Teacher Conference Time!
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, November 20th and Friday November 21st. To schedule your conference, please log in to FACTS Family Portal. Select “Calendar” from the left menu, then “My Classrooms” along the top. You will see a link that says “Parent-Teacher Conferences”. Click that link, then click “Register” and select your conference time. Conferences will be held from 4pm - 8pm on Thursday and 8am -12pm on Friday.
Fall Raffle Tickets are in Your Hands
Fall Raffle Tickets went home November 4th. If you don't have them, check your students bag. The completed stubs need to be returned with the $300 in required sales by November 18th. Please be sure to read the letter enclosed in the envelope for all the information. Drawing will be streamed LIVE on Thursday, Nov. 20 from Parent-Teacher conferences! Stay tuned for more details.
The Manna Program:
Get Your Holiday Shopping Planned Now!
It’s that time of year again—time to start thinking about holiday shopping and how your purchases can give back to St. Pius X! The SPX Manna Program is the easiest way to earn money toward your tuition (or help the school) simply by buying gift cards for the places you already shop.
When you purchase Manna gift cards, a percentage of each sale goes directly toward your SPX tuition account—or, if you don’t have a student currently enrolled, it can benefit the school directly. It’s truly a win-win for everyone!
Think of it as: Free Money. Free Tuition. Free Help for Our School.
Whether you’re buying groceries, gas, or gifts, every purchase adds up. With the holidays right around the corner, now is the perfect time to stock up on Manna gift cards and make your shopping count for more than just great gifts.
Don’t miss out—shop smart this season with SPX Manna!
Click Picture to Find Out More
Join today using enrollment code 7L79582C9713.
Questions? Email manna@stpiuslombard.org
Shop smart. Give back. Go Knights!
Questions? Email manna@stpiuslombard.org
Shop smart. Give back. Go Knights!
The St. Pius X Student Council in Coordination with St. Vincent de Paul is Running the
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Mr. V is Looking for MORE Supplies
Beloved art Teacher Mr. Velat is looking for old and unused cd or dvds, with or without cases and old audio cassettes with or without cases. Time to dig to the back of the closet and get rid of those things that are just taking up space to help out Mr. V's art program!
The Week in Photos
Around SPX this Week!
This week at St. Pius X Parish School was filled with faith, learning, and community spirit! Students were spotted hard at work in the classroom and lending a hand around the hallways—proof that academic focus and kindness go hand in hand.
Fr. Matt also took time to bless our Ofrenda Wall for Día de los Muertos, a colorful and prayerful display of offerings that honored loved ones who have gone before us. It was a beautiful reflection of faith, family, and tradition.
A special highlight of the week was our 3rd Grade All Saints Mass. Third grade students spent the month of October learning about their saint. This included researching their feast date, what they are the patron saint of, fun facts, and a memorable story. They also came up with a question they would ask their saint and explained why they admire them. They drew a picture of their saint in Art class, too. After gathering all of their information, they created a poster dedicated to their saint.
It was a week that truly reflected what it means to be a Knight—Building Minds, Hearts, and Souls every day at St. Pius X.
St. Pius X Winter Events!
Butter Braid® Fundraiser
- Pick up Orders on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2-4pm
in the Social Center
Thank you, St. Pius X families, for your incredible support of this year’s Butter Braid® Pastry Fundraiser! Together, we raised an amazing $8,042 toward our $10,000 goal — a true testament to the strength and generosity of our SPX community.
Your efforts directly support our Safety and Emergency Preparedness Initiative, helping us continue to make important upgrades that keep our students and staff safe each and every day.
We’re so grateful for everyone who sold, purchased, or spread the word to make this year’s sale such a success. Stay tuned to the Knightly News for updates on how these funds are being used to enhance safety throughout our campus.
Chess Scholars Returns to SPX this Winter!
(Click flyer to Sign Up - Course Code: SPX1.7.26)
Dates to Remember
2026-27 School Year is OPEN to
Current St. Pius X Families
Secure Your Spot Now!
Financial Aid Information from the
Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools Office
Family Fun Event
(Click flyer to Sign Up)
Knights of Columbus
Turkey Social
Sip & Shop Fundraiser
(Click flyer to R.S.V.P.)
Gala & Fundraiser Auction
Dads Club Watch Party
Of Interest to our 8th Grade Families
Meet Your St. Pius X
School Board
The St. Pius X Parish School Board works in partnership with our pastor and principal to support a long-term plan for the success of our school. Guided by our vision of Building Minds, Hearts, and Souls, the board is made up of school parents who serve in an advisory role, offering counsel, perspective, and support to help strengthen our faith-based community.
A key part of this work is listening. The board helps ensure that parent voices are heard and considered in school planning and priorities. In the coming weeks, families will receive invitations to participate in small-group listening sessions focused on key aspects of school life. The insights gathered will help inform our discussions with school leadership and guide future planning.
To learn more about the School Board, view meeting materials, or share feedback, visit our webpage on the school site or contact us anytime at schoolboard@stpiuslombard.org.
—Stephen Bannon, School Board President
Stay Connected with the PSA
A huge thank you to everyone who made this year's Book Fair a massive success! Thanks to your support, we used Scholastic Dollars to purchase every single book on the teachers' and staff wishlists! Remaining funds will be dedicated to new educational resources for our classrooms.
Save the Date: November Family Knight!
Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 13th! Our Family Knight is FREE for everyone and packed with fun tabletop activities. Highlights include:
- Writing Letters to Santa
- Making ornaments for the Christmas Trees in Villa Park
- Pictures with Santa
- ...and much more!
You won't want to miss this memorable evening!
Knights Out to Dinner
Don't forget our Knights Out to Dinner event at Triano's in Lombard on Wednesday, December 10th!
Winter Sports Season Tips Off at SPX!
The excitement is building as Winter Sports season begins at St. Pius X! Our Littlest Knights and Knight Crew Dance Teams have already started practices, filling the gym with energy, rhythm, and school spirit. Next week, our 11 SPX Basketball Teams take the court to begin their own season of skill, teamwork, and Knights pride.
This winter promises plenty of action and community spirit. Check out our home game schedule below and make plans to cheer on our student-athletes.
Be sure to circle two of the biggest dates of the season—both highlighted on the schedule attachment:
- Jan. 10 - Hoops for the Troops games are indicated in red, our annual charity event benefiting The Fisher House at Hines VA Hospital, supporting military families in need.
- Feb. 21 - 8th Grade Basketball Blackout is indicated in black, the biggest night in middle school sports featuring a packed gym, incredible energy, and Knights basketball at its best.
Stay tuned for a complete list of all the exciting events we’ll be hosting throughout the basketball season—from Dance Team performances to theme nights and more!
Mark your calendars and get ready to support your teams. Let’s make this winter one to remember—Go Knights!
Youth Ministry is Alive and Thriving at SPX!
Youth ministry, you might ask? What exactly IS youth ministry? Youth ministry offers a safe space for teens in our parish to come & gather to learn more about our Catholic faith. Is it like religion class? No, not exactly. The teens develop fellowship, are openly encouraged to ask questions about our faith, dig a little deeper into Catholicism, and have a new outlet to hang out in. They will learn more about who they are, their relationship with God, and gain faith encounters and experiences they may otherwise miss out on. Give YM a try - ya never know what God has planned for YOU!
Contact Gina at gwiedman@spxlombard.org to find out more.
We are excited to share that Chris Stefanick will be speaking at St. Isaac Jogues on November 12, 2025. While we quickly sold out of seats in the church, we do have a limited number of tickets to watch the talk from in the Parish Center via live stream with the chance to get to speak with Chris after. This is the only event he's doing in the state over the next year! Buy Tickets Here
