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Dear St. John Paul II Families,
It is almost here! A much needed break for all!
Before we take that break, there are two things that I need to share in order for us all to work together to resolve a dilemma and function more efficiently:
- Our parking lot – we will always need more parking...however, we can work with what we have together as a family. Please understand that we have limited parking and a large faculty. If you are coming to the school, and all the visitor parking spots have been filled, then please park along Parkway Plaza so that our faculty can park in the lot. Also, please remember to follow the proper traffic flow while in our parking lot: cars should flow in a counter-clockwise pattern, going east to west in front of the building at all times.
- Dismissal – It is important that all families adhere to dismissal times so that we can ensure efficiency, safety and proper supervision for all students. If your elementary child does not have a middle school sibling, we need you to pick up your child no later than 3:30 p.m.
Thank you for all of your support in partnering with us!
Most importantly, as we approach our time off, I pray that each of you allows for intentional family time to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for His abundant blessings. Sometimes, it is easy to focus on our busy lives and our things "to do", while rushing around losing sight of what is most important….the PEOPLE God has blessed us within our family and friends!
Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless,
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Forming Families of Disciples
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The weekend of October 21-23, some of our StJPII families had the unique opportunity to participate in the 2016 Texas Retreat for Families in Huntsville, TX. This event tied to our annual theme, "Forming Families of Disciples" and was also remarkable because it fell on St. John Paul II's Feast Day. Some of the families who are pictured here shared their thoughts about the weekend:
"Spending time with family is one of the most precious gifts God can give us. The retreat gave us the opportunity to share ourselves with one another by praying and playing together." ~ The Esqueda Family
"One of the quotes we remembered & liked from Father Nathan was: 'The key to happiness is
JOY'
.
J
esus first,
O
thers second, &
Y
ourself last." ~ The Quickfall Villar Family
"Since our retreat, we pray more together and pray together as a couple every day. The kids are asking God to help others, not just themselves, and frankly, I think we are a happier family! We have made some small changes, started working on a small Altar, done Adoration together and enjoyed Mass even more."
~ The Negron Family
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Fall Raffle Tickets
Your family's Raffle Tickets will be sent home today! Proceeds will benefit our school, but most importantly, this fundraiser is the biggest way you can earn your Family Commitment. 75% of your Raffle Ticket sales are applied to your Family Commitment balance. Please see the Raffle Ticket Sales Guide for all the details.
Each family will receive 10 books of tickets to sell over the next month, which includes Thanksgiving Break so you can sell to friends and family. Mark your calendars...all sold stubs and money will be due to the front office by December 16.
Prizes include a $10,00 Luxury Trip, $3,000 of American Express Gift Cards and a 55" Curved TV. Winners will be drawn after Mass on January 6, 2017.
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Giving Tuesday - November 29
In the spirit of #GivingTuesday on November 29, we ask those of you who have not made a donation to the 2016-2017 Annual Fund Drive to consider doing so on this day. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving, falling on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which is November 29th this year. #GivingTuesday truly launches the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end of year giving. Giving to the StJPII Annual Fund Drive helps provide much needed resources for our school. Giving is as EASY as 1,2,3:
1. Simply complete the Pledge Form to make your donation now, or pledge an amount to be paid over 10 monthly installments
2 Give the form to the Development Department
3. OR…pay online with PayPal! Just click on ANNUAL FUND on the right side of the home page at www.jp2.org to donate.
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Grandparents and Special Friends Day
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We are looking forward to our 21st Annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day THIS Friday,
November 18 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. A few things to note:
- Grandparents & Special Friends Day is a day reserved especially for grandparents and special friends only.
- The program will begin at 9:00 a.m., and will feature the 7th and 8th grade Advanced Band, Middle School Chorale, and all of our Elementary students, (grades Pre-K through 5th).
- The program will conclude at 10:00 a.m., when Grandparents and Special Friends will leave the GSC and meet their student(s) in the classroom(s). They are welcome to visit the Book Fair together and take a photo in St. Jude Hall.
- Grandparents are allowed to sign-out students directly with the teachers.
- School will be dismissed early at 11:00 a.m. on November 18.
- There will be no lunch service and no BASP after early dismissal.
- Students should wear their full dress uniforms.
- Grandparents and Special Friends may RSVP by calling 281-496-1500 or RSVP online.
Thanks to ECI, Shipley Do-Nuts, Kolache Factory and Beans Cafe Coffeehouse for providing our refreshments. Back by popular demand...Parents are welcome to get a sneak-peak of the action and are invited to attend the student dress rehearsal on Thursday, November 17 at 8:30 a.m. in the GSC.
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4th Grade Service Project Ends Tomorrow
StJPII 4th graders are collecting items for the homeless now through tomorrow, Wednesday, November 16. Donations will be distributed on Thanksgiving Day after a feast provided by the Breaking Bread Homeless Ministries. 4th graders will assemble bags of personal items. Please help by donating blankets, sleeping bags, travel-sized toiletries and socks.
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After-School Art -
It's “Go Texan” Time!
S
tudio Art times for 3rd-5th grade students who received a “Parent Note” may continue coming for morning art on the following dates:
- Wednesday 11/16
- Thursday 11/17
- Monday 11/28
- Tuesday 11/29
- Wednesday 11/30
Middle School students may come after school until 5:00 p.m. for Studio Art on the following dates:
- Tuesday 11/15
- Thursday 12/1
- Friday 12/2
After these dates, the first round of “Go Texan” judging will occur...good luck to all of our StJPII artists! Please contact Mrs. Stieber if you have any questions.
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Optional Casual Uniform Orders
You must place your order for optional casual uniform orders by THIS Friday, November 18th. Orders will only be accepted online through the link here or by going to our website. All orders will be sent home with the students in late January. Please keep a copy of your receipt. (The next time to order won't be until April 2017, for pick up at the August 2017 Meet and Greet.) We will not have another time to order this year...so don't delay!
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Mills Uniform Sale
Speaking of uniforms, Mills Uniform Company's 2016 Winter Sale is going on now. Customers get 10% off, and $5 shipping on orders $75+ placed online. The sale is from ends November 19. Click here for the coupon code.
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Rome Pilgrimage
You are invited to a ROME PILGRIMAGE 2017 during Spring Break, (March 11 - 18, 2017). Participate with all of your family on this Pilgrimage, learning more about our Catholic faith and where it all started. For more information, please contact: Fabiola Zellek.
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Dad's Night Out - An Advent Retreat
As we continue our journey toward "Forming Families of Disciples", we invite all dads of our StJPII community to our quarterly Dad's Night Out to be held on Wednesday, December 7. Click here for more information.
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From Our Library
Attention Thirsty Readers! The Book Fair is open for business through Friday, November 18. The Book Fair will be open each day from 7:40 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., except for Grandparents and Special Friends Day when we close for early dismissal. We accept Mastercard, Visa, cash and checks made payable to St. John Paul II Catholic School. Students will have the opportunity to browse and make wishlists to take home. We look forward to seeing you at the Fall Book Fair! Thank you for your support of Reading and the School Library Program. Happy Reading! ~ Ms. Lamb
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StJPII – Car Decals Available
Are you proud to show your StJPII spirit? New car decals are available for pick up for only $3 at the tardy table (across from the front desk) every morning after drop off for the next two weeks. This is a great way to show your school spirit and promote our Saints community! Thank you again for your ongoing support of our school.
Snacks with Santa
Our annual “Snacks with Santa” will occur Saturday, December 3 and will be a jolly good time for all our StJPII Saints! Crafts, games, snacks and a visit with Santa are included in your $7.00 ticket. Please see the attached flyer for more details and to register. We hope to see you there!
Holiday on the Parkway
This year, the PTO will sponsor a craft fair for parents and outside vendors on Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3. Last year, we had over 35 booths fill the Bramanti Athletic Center! The students and faculty are able to shop for holiday presents on Friday. Parents and students are welcome to shop during the annual Snacks with Santa festivities on Saturday. If you are interested in reserving a table for your business or know someone that may be interested in having a table, please complete the reservation form attached and return it to the school with the booth reservation fee as soon as possible. Space is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email Olga Saenz
with any questions.
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ELEMENTARY
Basketball: Registration is now closed for the 2016-2017
Elementary Basketball program. Teams are being formed
and coaches will be notified this week. Pr
actices will start after Thanksgiving, and you should
hear from your coach(es) at the end of the week with your
practice times.
Game schedules will come out in January.
GO SAINTS BASKETBALL!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Last week, our boys' and girls' basketball teams were "hoopin' it up" in their games! The boys started off their week against St. Francis de Sales where 6th grade & JV unfortunately lost, but Varsity walked away with a great win! Then, they traveled to Presbyterian for a scrimmage and the 6th grade team won, while JV & Varsity both suffered losses.
The girls played St. Francis as well and all 3 teams had huge victories! We ended the week playing St. Vincent de Paul with JV & Varsity winning their games, but 6th grade suffered a tough 1 point loss.
Please look at the school calendar and come see our Saints in action!
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Dear Parents,
One big piece of a school counselor's time is often spent helping students navigate friendships. As adults, we know they can change as a part of life for so many reasons, but when you are a kid, those changes can feel like your world is falling apart. I came across an article I'd like to share here with all of you on this topic. Although the title refers to middle school girls and their friendships, I believe the advice holds true for boys as well as high school and college aged students. I hope you find it as helpful as I did. I encourage you to talk with your kids about how your friendships have changed over your life - even into adulthood.
Happy Reading,
StJPII Middle School Counselor
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Thank You from Mrs. Kollar
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The AWEBOTS robotics team and Mrs. Kollar wish to thank Marilyn Hawthorne for the awesome hand- crafted dog costume! At StJPII, if you ask, you receive! Woof!
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11/15 MS Girls' Basketball away vs. St. Laurence, 4:30 p.m.
11/16 Optional Daily Mass in Chapel, 7:10 a.m.
11/16 Parent Bible Study, 8:15 a.m., SJH
11/16 MS Boys' Basketball home game vs. St. Vincent de Paul, 4:30 p.m.
11/16 Dads' Basketball Open Gym, 7:30 p.m., BAC
11/17
STUCO Store Open before school
11/17 Grandparents & Special Friends Day Rehearsal, 8:30 am, GSC
11/18 Last day to order optional uniforms
11/18 Grandparents and Special Friends Day, 9:00 a.m., GSC
11/18 Early Dismissal;, 11:00 a.m. - NO BASP
11/21 - 11/25 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
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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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