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Dear St. John Paul II Families,
I hope you all enjoyed a beautiful long weekend. It is with a heavy heart that we are asking for your prayers. Please pray for the repose of the soul for Eugene Resweber IV, Mrs. Resweber’s 28 year old son, who passed away suddenly last evening. While we know many will want to reach out and help, the greatest gift we can give the family now is our prayers. We will contact the PTO if further needs arise.
Yesterday, we welcomed Catholic educators from across the Archdiocese to enjoy and learn together here at our campus. It was a great day to continue learning with each other and everyone enjoyed the blessings St. John Paul II Catholic School has to offer!
We are happy to announce that we are replacing the outdoor marquee sign! We have signed a contract with a new company. After parts are ordered and the installation is completed, we can expect to have a working sign by Christmas. My apologies for those who purchased birthday recognition, our Business Office will process your refund (the PTO has already provided the names). We look forward to resuming birthday orders in January. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we move toward having a fully-functional and efficient sign.
We look forward to seeing you this Friday morning as we join our 3rd graders in praying the Rosary during this traditional month of the Rosary. Finally, welcome back to our 8th graders who returned from D.C.! I truly enjoyed skyping with them!
In Him we trust,
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Forming Families of Disciples
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StJPII Staff "Shawl-a-Thon" Ministry
Over the years, our faculty and staff have lovingly made many prayer shawls to share with family members of students or staff who are critically ill. Two weeks ago, 23 staff members, including some of our retired teachers and alumni, gathered in the Library to make fleece prayer shawls. They completed 11 shawls and have plans to meet again to make more. Our staff family enjoys coming together to help others, but more importantly, those who receive the shawls can feel our love, support and warmth cover them during the times when they need it the most.
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Parent-Teacher Conference Day
Parent Teacher conference day is next Friday, October 21. This is a day we have set aside for you to meet with teachers and discuss your student's progress. This is not a typical day of school. Rather, parents and students are only required to attend a brief conference with your teacher that day.
You must pick your conference time-slot on Sign Up Genius by this
Friday, October 14.
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Annual Fund Drive Launches Next Week!
Please look for details about the 2016-2017 Annual Fund Drive in your youngest child’s Tuesday folder next week. Since our founding in 1988, StJPII has worked hard to faithfully fulfill our mission to prepare all students spiritually and academically to succeed in life and to do God’s will. Each year, we ask parents, volunteers, grandparents, special friends, faculty and staff to make an investment in StJPII through our Annual Fund Drive, which supports every aspect of the school’s mission. The Annual Fund provides StJPII with the resources we need today to deliver a vigorous curriculum that allows us to meet all students’ needs, and to be as accessible as possible to those who want to join our family. Should you have any questions, contact the Development Office.
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5th Grade Camp Allen Trip
5th Grade Parents: The second payment for the 5th Grade Camp Allen overnight field trip is due TODAY! Also, please remember to attend the Parent Camp Allen Meeting on Monday, October 17 at 8:15 a.m. in the Library.
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Casual Uniform Orders
If your family ordered casual uniforms during the Ice Cream Social, Meet & Greet or in September, they have arrived and will be sent home within the next week.
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Prospective Family Early Childhood Open House
Do you know anyone who is interested in sending their child to StJPII next year and in becoming part of our school family? We are hosting a Fall Open House next Tuesday, October 18 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. for families who are interested in Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd Grade for the 2017-2018 school year. We ask our prospective families who wish to attend this Open House to RSVP online. Thank you for sharing the good news about StJPII!
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Ultimate Fan Duel Week
Get ready for "Ultimate Fan Duel" week! Thanks to the Descant Family, who earned naming rights in last year's online auction, next week we all get to be part of the "Fightin' Texas Aggie" family. We will fly the Texas A&M flag all week and play the Aggie War Hymn over the PA system during morning announcements. On Wednesday, October 19, students may wear their Aggie t-shirts (or a StJPII spirit shirt) with their regular uniform bottoms (shorts, skorts, skirts or pants). GIG 'EM!
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Christmas Card Contest - Deadline Extended
The deadline for submitting Christmas Card entries has been extended. Students are invited to submit artwork capturing the holiness of the Christmas season. Entry forms are coming home today in your child's Tuesday folder or you can click here for the entry form (on which the drawing needs to be submitted). All submissions are now due by Monday, October 24. A panel of judges will select the winning designs, which will be professionally printed and used as our “official” StJPII Christmas cards. Cards will also be on sale later this fall for your personal use.
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Middle School Altar Server Training
Students in grades 6-8 who would like to be Altar Servers for school Masses and missed the Altar Server Training in August are invited to attend training on Tuesday, October 25 from 7:00-7:45 a.m. in the GSC on the stage. Students must be active altar servers at their parish.
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Eucharistic Adoration
Here at StJPII, the classes who have received their First Communion will attend Adoration monthly...so, what is Eucharistic Adoration, and why should parents attend? Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament has taken various forms over the past centuries. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament acknowledges the presence of Christ in the Eucharist – this is also known as the Real Presence. Adoration begins with Mass. Then, the Blessed Sacrament, in the form of a Host, is displayed in a monstrance on the altar so that the faithful may view Christ in the Eucharist. Many churches have “Perpetual Adoration” which means that the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and adored around the clock.
Upon arriving at the Chapel, it is tradition to genuflect profoundly (on both knees) and then kneel to pray. Typically, during Adoration, the faithful pray, read scripture, or meditate on the Blessed Sacrament. Once Adoration begins, there must be someone in the Chapel constantly until Adoration ends. This is when parents can help by staffing the chapel. Please note you will not need to assist students in any way; only your presence is needed. So feel free to bring your bible, a favorite prayer, or you may pray the Rosary. The next opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration will be on Wednesday, October 26 from 7:40 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Parents can volunteer for a 30-minute time slot by clicking here.
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Trunk or Treat
Join the StJPII community on Friday, October 28 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for a fun Halloween Trunk or Treat party in our parking lot! Students are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat trunk-to-trunk safely with all of their friends. Weather permitting, cars will line up outside on both sides of the row closest to our Fischer Pavilion.
While you are here, make it an evening for the entire family and stay for the delicious Run with the Saints Spaghetti Dinner.
For those who are interested, you may sign up to decorate your vehicle on
Sign Up Genius.
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Run with the Saints: Easy as 1-2-3
The 18th Annual Run with the Saints will be here before we know it on October 29! This is an outstanding community event and we hope all of our families get involved. On race day, WHCSA elementary soccer games will start after 11:00 a.m. to allow our parents and students to participate. All proceeds benefit the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation and StJPII. To buy your shirts, register and purchase Spaghetti Dinner tickets, visit www.runwiththesaints.com. ** Students who sign up get to wear Red, White and Blue to school on Election Day! **
This fantastic community event cannot happen without YOU! We especially need Course Marshalls, please sign up to volunteer on race day via the Sign Up Genius.
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Save the Date!
Grandparents & Special Friends Day: November 18
StJPII will honor Grandparents and Special Friends on the Friday before Thanksgiving break, November 18.
"Save the Date" postcards were mailed last week to the current grandparents and special friends we have on record. We are looking forward to celebrating this occasion with our extended family! The format will be similar to previous years, featuring performances by elementary students, our middle school chorale and the 7th/8th grade band.
Formal invitations with all the details will be mailed later this month.
If we do not have your grandparents' or special friends' address on file, if their address is incomplete, or if they live out of the country, they will not receive an invitation. If your child’s grandparents cannot attend, then you may invite a special adult friend to come in their place (just not another StJPII parent). Please remember that Grandparents Day is a day for grandparents and special friends only - rest assured that every year
we have children who do not have a grandparent or special friend attend, and they enjoy the day and do just fine! Our students are great about sharing their special guests with classmates whose grandparents cannot attend. Stay tuned to Saints Weekly for more details as the event approaches.
Please contact the Development Office with any address updates or questions you may have.
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STUCO Officers and Class Representatives
Elections were held last week for Student Council Officers and Class Representatives. Congratulations to the following:
Officers:
- President - Alexa Halim; Vice-President - Bella Forkner; Secretary - Itziar Crosa; Treasurer - Carlos Caldentey; Historian - Frankie Finger
Homeroom Representatives:
- 6th Grade: (Cueva) Liezel Baleva and Hannah Dvorachek, (Festa) Ryan Gruen and JD Kollar, and (McBee) Sophia Aramburu and Olivia Bogard
- 7th Grade: (Bowring) Thomas Jewett and MJ Davis, (Fama) Katelyn Clark and Alex Nabors, and (Palmer) Zach Rehfeld and Sally Hall
- 8th Grade: (Drewes) Pablo Flores and Olivia Babasick, (Hartfiel) Jie Chen Hegedus and Robert Garrity, and (Kinchen) Beatriz Eade and Aidan Lynch
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Girl Scout Awards
Last May, several of our 5th grade Girl Scouts in Troop #20322 (now in 6th grade), achieved the Bronze Award, the highest national Girl Scout Award for Girl Scout Juniors! Congratulations to: Cristina Antunez, Callie Benedict, Morgan Brosch, Analiese Carlile, Anahi Codina, Danielle Mancuso, Kathleen Mandola, Ana Sofia Maya, Maddie Morales, Grace Shoemaker, Adison Smith, Kira Soto Gallegos and Emilia Stonaker.
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Spirit Store
Are you looking for some new and exciting StJPII merchandise to purchase for family and friends? In October only, you may order StJPII branded items by completing the paper Spirit Store order form that is included in today's Tuesday folder. The forms, along with payment, are due to StJPII no later than October 21. You may also order your merchandise online. Get some great Christmas gifts and spirit items while supplies last! Thanks for showing your Saints pride and supporting the PTO.
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Halloween Skate Party
You are invited to StPJII's annual Halloween Costume Party at the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink on Thursday, October 20 from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. There will be raffles, sweet treats and prizes - all grades are welcome. We hope to see you there! See the flyer here.
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Pumpkin Patch
Make plans to visit the StJPII Pumpkin Patch on
Friday, October 21
from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The patch will be conveniently located in front of school, so you can visit before or after your Parent/Teacher Conferences. Pumpkins of all sizes will be for sale with proceeds
benefiting
our PTO. Remember to bring your camera to take a cute photo of your kids in the pumpkin patch!
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Middle School Update
SOCCER: Last week, our Soccer teams combined both JV & Varsity players in their games against St. Cecilia and St. Vincent de Paul and were very successful in defeating both teams! Our overall district record for Varsity is now 8-0-1, and for JV it is 4-0. A big shout out to our JV players for stepping up and playing while our 8th graders were gone...great teamwork was shown by all!
CROSS COUNTRY: On
Saturday,
the Cross Country team competed in their eighth meet of their season, the St. John's Mavericks Race. Fifteen out of twenty-two Saints posted either a season best or a personal best time in the two mile run. Congratulations Saint Runners!
Please check the school calendar for upcoming opportunities to cheer for our Saint Athletes.
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Basketball Registration & Try Outs
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Elementary Basketball Registration
Basketball registration will open on October 21 and will close on November 11 for kindergarten through 6th grade boys and girls. Any 6th graders who do not make the Middle School team, and want to play basketball, will be on a combined 5th/6th grade team. Please register early since teams may fill up quickly. A maximum of 10 players will be allowed per team.
Middle School Basketball Try Outs
GIRLS:
Monday, October 17 & Wednesday, October 19
from
5:30-7:00 p.m.
in the BAC
BOYS:
Tuesday, October 18
&
Thursday, October 20
from
5:30-7:00 p.m.
in the BAC
** Please remember that middle school students must attend both days of tryouts and have a physical on file. We ask parents not to attend try outs and respect the "closed door policy." **
Middle School Open Gym Saturdays
There will be two more Basketball Open Gyms for Middle School boys and girls: they will be this Saturday, October 15 and next Saturday, October 22 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in the BAC.
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Westside High School Dance Clinic
The Westside High School Pride Dance Team is offering a dance clinic and football game performance for boys and girls (4 years-8th grade) on October 22. (Pre-registration is due by October 18.) For more information, see the attached flyer.
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10/11 Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.
10/12 Daily Mass in Chapel 7:10 a.m.
10/12 Parent Bible Study 8:15 a.m.
10/12 MS Volleyball at St. Frances de Sales 4:30 p.m.
10/12 Dad's Basketball Open Gym 7:30 p.m.
10/13 End of Nine Weeks
10/13 MS Soccer at St. Frances de Sales 4:30 p.m.
10/14 Living Rosary 8:30 a.m., GSC
10/14 Lunch Bunch (1st - 4th Grades)
10/15 MS Cross Country Faith West Meet 9:30 a.m.
10/15 MS Boys and Girls Open Gym 10:00-11:30 a.m.
10/17 Camp Allen Parent Meeting 8:15 a.m., Library
10/17 MS Girls Basketball Tryouts 5:30-7:00 p.m., BAC
10/18 Fall Early Childhood Open House (PK - 2nd Grade Prospective Families) 9:30-11:00 a.m.
10/18 MS Boys Basketball Tryouts 5:30-7:00 p.m., BAC
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St. John Paul II Catholic School
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1400 Parkway Plaza,
Houston, TX 77077
281-496-1500 •
281-496-2943 (fax)
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St. John Paul II Catholic School prepares all students spiritually
and academically to succeed in life and to do God's will.
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