The Gift of SPES: Our Annual Fund Campaign 2009 

In 1993, parishioners of St. Pius X Catholic Church pledged to begin a new Catholic elementary school. That year, Our Lady of Life Pre-School was born. Five years later, parishioners committed to build a great facility for the young school. In the fall of 2000, a new St. Pius Elementary School, SPES, opened its doors for the first school year of the new millennium. 

Because of their belief in the value of Catholic education, the parishioners of St. Pius X shared their resources and provided a truly wonderful gift for the children of the parish and for generations to come. 

A Thriving Gift 

Our school presently serves 500 families, educating a full capacity of 732 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. A dedicated staff of fifty professionals provides classroom instruction, guidance and academic support.

Our students are challenged to develop their gifts through a diverse curriculum of core academic instruction, visual and performing arts, athletics, leadership roles, academic clubs and service organizations. 

Following our first review in 2008, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools awarded our school accreditation and membership.  

Every Child is a Gift, Every Child is Gifted

At St. Pius, every child is a gift to us, sent by God, nurtured by families who believe in the value of Catholic education. Every child is gifted, each blessed with his or her own special talents. We are focused on teaching and guiding our students as they discover, develop and learn to share their unique gifts.

Developing Our Gift

Just as our children are called to develop their gifts, we are committed to developing the gift of SPES. Beyond the scope of tuition, we seek to enrich SPES in four project areas this year. Gifts gathered through this Annual Fund Drive will go directly to these projects.

1. Academic Mastery Programs

We strive to provide academic programs that far extend textbook basics. The best in instructional methods and assessments are sought and implemented by our SPES faculty. These programs make it possible for our teachers to tailor instruction to meet the needs of each child, enabling each child to successfully master skills.

2. Technology Integration

Preparing our students to be successful in the Information Age challenges us to equip them with state-of-the-art tools of technology and the skills to use those tools. On-line resources, classroom software, parent/teacher communication, interactive boards, laptop labs, and a new fiber connection, plus an information technology team to train and support teachers are but a few examples of our ever-evolving needs.

3. Tuition Assistance Grants

Each year, unexpected hardships will challenge a few of our families, making them unable to meet tuition expenses. In the spirit of taking care of our own, a Tuition Assistance Fund was established early in our school’s formation. Families are able to apply for one-time grants from this fund. Based on need, qualifying families are awarded a portion of their tuition expenses for one school year.

4. SPES Endowment Trust Fund

The SPES Endowment Trust Fund was established to ensure our school’s success in the future. Building the endowment is one of our school’s key development goals this year. It is the means by which we will preserve and grow the gift we have inherited, providing the opportunity for a Catholic education to SPES students in years to come.

A Call to Share Your Gifts

“I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts He has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 1:4)

Each of us is gifted with time, talent and treasure. Prayerfully consider how you may want to share these gifts to develop St. Pius Elementary this year.

• Can you offer some time in prayer for SPES and its mission?
• Do you have some special talent or resource to share in a volunteer capacity?
• Can you contribute a part of your treasure in the development of our truly remarkable school?

Contributing to the Annual Fund

The goal of our Annual Fund Drive is to have 100% participation of all of our families, faculty/staff and supporters to develop the gift of SPES.

Please complete the details of your gift on the Pledge Page. Gifts of treasure may be pledged now, and paid in one or several payments now through April, 2010.

• A gift may be made as an honorarium or as a memorial. What a beautiful way to commemorate the life or achievements of someone special.
• You may choose to direct your gift to one or more of our four project areas.
• All those who pledge a gift will be remembered in our weekly Masses. All pledges received will be acknowledged in our school’s newsletter, The Anchor.

We are so blessed with the gift of SPES. Join us in contributing a gift to SPES.

Pledge Page