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

I will consistently update this page, 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).

How does one prepare your child for high school?

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, FCA, debate / forensics, art, drama, yearbook, newspaper, ministry team, Pro-Life, Letters of Compassion, S.A.D.D., etc.; 3) visit the St. Pius X website and familiarize yourself with its contents;

HOW DO YOU AS A PARENT PREPARE FOR THIS EMOTIONAL ADVENTURE THAT CONSTANTLY DEMANDS TIME AND ENERGY ON YOUR PART?

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

2) make it a priority to contact teachers if you have some concerns about their class;

3) pay very little attention to what you hear about a troubling situation, i.e., the grapevine, and 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 parent involvement with your children's life in high school is not as "close" 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 and adjustment. Communication remains important; however, parent-child communication is the most important way of staying in touch.

6) Know where your kids are on weekends. Call and check !

7) Your kids will be confronted with choices about alcohol, drugs, sexual activity, dishonesty, internet use, undermining parental authority -- frequently and regularly. Talk to them about how to make wise choices.

8) If your child has a conflict with a peer or teacher, encourage resolution of the situation themselves; teach them how to cope. Do not "rescue" them or resolve it yourself. Your kids have to learn coping skills and conflict resolution skills NOW so they can do it on their own when they leave home.

9) Be your child's parent, not their friend. They have plenty of friends. They need your guidance, direction and discipline.

10) Regarding homework and regular study, your child should have regular homework, but some of this routine may not occur until semester 2; this is such because semester 1 is frequently a time when teachers are trying to get all students on the same page in their academic discipline. On each school day that has a regular schedule (Mon, Tues, Fri), there is a 25 minute study hall that coincides with period 5 and lunch; however, that may not, and most likely will not be enough time to complete all assignments. Friday is consistently a test and quiz day.

Mon, Tues & Fri normally have periods 1,2,3,4,5 (lunch & study hall),6, and 7 that are 47 minutes long, beginning at 7:50. Wednesdays start at 8:30; periods 4,3,2, and 1 are 75 minutes long with lunch period 2. Thursdays begin at 8:30; periods 7, seminar (one hour), 6,and 5 are 75 minutes long with lunch period 6. We dismiss 15 minutes earlier on this day. Mondays will start later, too, with a slightly longer day, dismissing about 3:00 pm.

"Block days", Wednesday and Thursday, are late start days that are useful for students to make up tests, get extra help from teachers, attend extracurricular activity meetings, etc. Thursdays also have a "Seminar" period for study, ministry team meetings, student ambassador training, visits from college recruiters, opportunities to work and/or do research in the library, using library computers, assemblies, etc.

Four other schedules we have will entail classes ending before 2:40 and possibly early dismissal. One (Early Dismissal Schedule) comprises periods 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 with dismissal at 12:20. A second is the Thursday "block day" schedule without the seminar and we dismiss around noon. 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 minutes shorter, and students may go to the gym for a pep rally, short assembly, or they may be dismissed at that time so the faculty can meet as a group.

St. Pius will have, once a month at least, a "Mass Schedule" day when we have Mass after period 3 or 4 (about 10:00 or 10:30 am), depending upon the availability of St. Patrick's Church across the street. On that day, classes are 35 minutes long.

http://mathonline.missouri.edu is a great website for math help. It is user-friendly. Some parts require a fee, but there are plenty of free resources.

If you need a tutor for your child, check the "Master Tutor List" link on Mr. Murphy's "Counseling page."

An excellent article from The Washington Post about 9th grade adjustments to high school and the enormous importance of this year can be found at this website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/12/AR2005121201203.html There are also some other interesting articles there, too.

The EXPLORE exam 8th graders take has its own website now. You might wish to visit it, especially if you have questions about the score your child earned. Website: http://www.actstudent.org/explore

You can always call me, Mr. Murphy, at 453-3450 x 249, about any concern. Mrs. Cascone's number and extension is 453-3450 x 121. Please do not hesitate to call if you need to.

Good Study Habits

Sample 4 Year Plan of Classes

Sample 4 year Plan of Classes with 4 Years of Foreign Language

Sample 4 Year Plan of Classes with 4 Years of Art and 2 Years of Foreign Language

Sample 4 Year Plan of Classes with Advanced / Most Challenging Classes

An increasing concern for kids in high school is Internet safety. The organization I-SAFE has extensive information and resources about keeping children safe from predators and adults who use the internet as a vehicle of contact with children. Go to their web site: http://www.isafe.org

Another site is http://www.netsmartz411.org I encourage you to visit one or both of these regularly.