February 13, 2018

Dear St. John Paul II Families, Happy Valentine’s from StJPII! Last Friday we had a beautiful Mass with the Cardinal! The readings called us to remember that we are ‘lights’ and we need to continue to shine our light to spread God’s love in all we do! The Cardinal asked a few questions of our students and our SAINTS made us all proud and truly impressed him. It truly was a testament of the formation your children are receiving here at StJPII. One other blessing the Cardinal allowed was to waive one make up day! This was given to us due to our community persevering through a difficult year and yet exemplifying “fortitude” throughout the year dedicated to make each day count together as a SAINT family. I hope that many of you will be able to join us for Mass tomorrow as well as receive ashes as we begin the Lenten Season, my favorite as I shared last year. This is a time that we are charged with growing closer to Jesus; join him during the 40 days to embrace the cross and grow in “faith”(our virtue this month). Pope Francis states, “ In our preparation for Easter, God in his providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a “sacramental sign of our conversion”. Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.” I pray that each of you engage with the Lord and experience his grace and love during this Lenten season to bring you new JOY! In Him,

Principal P.S. – Check out our cross on the field with a purple cloth to show all we enter into this special season of Lent.

School Business

February 14: Ash Wednesday - FULL DRESS UNIFORM The StJPII community will observe Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, with an All-School Mass tomorrow, Wednesday, February 14  at 8:30 a.m. in the GSC. Students should wear their full dress uniforms. Mass will include the imposition of Ashes.

Go Texan Day February 22 - StJPII will observe Go Texan Day. Students may wear western-style rodeo attire (please leave your spurs ,whips, guns, and handcuffs at home). “Go Texan” attire can be as simple as jeans, a t-shirt or western shirt, with boots. Cowboy hats are allowed. If you choose not to dress “Texan,” then students may wear a spirit shirt with their uniform bottoms (this is NOT a free dress day). Please follow the general dress code guidelines which are noted in the Student Handbook .

Worth Repeating...

February 16: Parent-Teacher Conferences Spring Parent/Teacher Conference Day is this Friday, February 16 . These spring conferences are required for ALL new students, OR if a teacher or parent requests a conference. ALL students will have class-time in the morning; dismissal will take place at 12:00/12:15/12:30. There will be NO AFTERNOON BASP and no cafeteria service; students may bring a sack lunch or snack.  Conferences will be scheduled for 1:15-4:00 p.m. Be on the lookout for a sign-up link from the teachers after February 6.

February 19: Ice Make Up Day February 19 has been designated as a make-up day for the icy weather we had earlier this month. This day was originally scheduled as a Teacher In-Service day as well as our New Student Testing Day. Now however, we will have a half day of school and continue with new student testing in the afternoon. ALL students will have class-time in the morning; dismissal will take place at 12:00/12:15/12:30. There will be NO AFTERNOON BASP and no cafeteria service; students may bring a sack lunch or snack.

8th Grade Yearbook Ads  Do you want to share how much you love your graduating eighth grader or how proud you are of them? Then the StJPII yearbook is the place! Eighth grade yearbook ads are now on sale, and if you are a parent, grandparent or friend that would like to leave a message for your StJPII graduate that will last forever, the perfect place is an ad in the yearbook! Forms have been sent home in the Tuesday folder. The deadline is  February 23,  and ads are sold on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited and once we are sold out, there is no more room, so get your ad in today! If you have any questions, contact Journalism Advisor Shari Hiltbrand .

Save the Date - Dads Retreat All StJPII dads are invited to attend the upcoming Dad's Retreat, which will be held at StJPII in the All-Saints Chapel on March 3, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The retreat will be led by campus Chaplain Fr. Eamonn Shelly. Click here for more information which is also going home in today's folders. There will be a nominal registration fee to cover food and supplies. For more information, you may email: dads@jp2.org.

February 20: Raffle Tickets Go Home Your family's raffle tickets will be sent home soon! Each family will receive books of tickets to sell starting February 20. All sold stubs and money will be due to the front office by March 6, so mark your calendar. Proceeds will benefit our school, but most importantly, this fundraiser is the biggest way you can earn your Family Commitment. 75% of your sales will be applied to your Family Commitment balance.

Communications Corner

Photos from the Cardinal Mass Many have asked about the photos from the Cardinal Mass on last Friday. The wait is over! The photos from the Cardinal's Mass are now available here! Join the St. John Paul II- Houston Facebook Page Are you an avid social media goer?! Have you heard from other StJPII families saying "Hey did you see that new StJPII post on Facebook? Do you want to share with your family and friends all the great things happening around school?! Like StJPII on Facebook today !

Family Commitment

Steps for Students - Family Commitment Opportunity Students may participate in the Archdiocese's Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk this Saturday, February 17 next to the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. Money raised will be applied to your 2017-2018 Family Commitment balance. Not only is Steps for Students a great community event supporting Catholic education, but Steps for Students also offers an easy, virtual tool for you to collect pledges and raise money. To participate, simply visit steps4students.org. After registering, participants will create personalized fundraising pages that can easily be forwarded to friends and family asking for their support. StJPII is delighted to offer this as a means of earning Family Commitment, but it is VERY IMPORTANT that you designate StJPII as your school of choice for the funds to be allocated properly. Don't delay... registration is now open! Thank you in advance for your efforts to support this important event that helps all the Catholic schools. See you this weekend!

30th Anniversary Gala - February 24

Countdown to the party of the year! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Online Auction & bought their Gala tickets. Nearly 550 tickets were sold! We can’t wait to see everyone on February 24!

PTO Corner

Glow Skate Party Save the Date for a g l o w i n g afternoon at the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink! *Update* the event is planned for Thursday, February 15 from 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., DARR is hosting a GLOW SKATE DAY for StJPII! Break out the neon. Click here for more information

Coaches Corner

Elementary Athletics Registration is OPEN for both Spring Volleyball and Baseball/Softball. Spring Volleyball is open to girls in grades 4th-8th. Registration will close on February 16 at 5:00 p.m. Please see the following links to register: Baseball/Softball Registration Volleyball Registration We are in desperate need of Volunteer Approved Coaches. ​Kinder and Second grade boys currently does not have any coaches. Please consider volunteering. If you have taken photos for the Fall and Winter Sports, please share them with our Journalism staff her e:   StJPII WHCA Sports     REMINDER PARENTS If you are attending a practice for your child and are brining siblings, please make sure they are sitting down next to you. For their safety and the safety of the players we cannot have them running around the gym, climbing on the blue mats etc. They need to be under adult supervision. Thank you!and if you have any questions, please contact Deanne Gordon .

If you are attending a practice for your child and are bringing siblings, please make sure they are sitting down next to you. For their safety and the safety of the players we cannot have them running around the gym, climbing on the blue mats etc. They need to be under adult supervision. Thank you for understanding and if you have any questions, please contact Deanne Gordon .

Middle School Athletics Boys Lacrosse    ~ will officially start on  Thursday, February 22  when our team will play at home against River Oaks Baptist School at  4:30 p.m. Come out and support our SAINTS!   Girls Lacrosse   ~ clinics will continue on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. through Friday, February 23 .  If you would like to participate in the clinic you must have a lacrosse stick, goggles, and a mouth guard. Tryouts will be February, 27  from 3:30-5:00 p.m. All clinics and tryouts will be held here on our SJPII field.   Varsity Baseball   ~    will have their 1 st  game on February 14    at 4:30 p.m. at Home which is at Memorial Ashford LL field’s…..all of our Home games will be played at MALL. Come out and watch our boys as they try to defeat the Indians from St. Cecilia!   Track & Field  ~  will have our parent meeting tonight,  Tuesday, February 13 at 6:00 p.m . in St. Jude hall ~ please make every effort to attend this meeting if your child is going to participate in T&F. The first T&F practice will be on Tuesday, February 20 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. T&F is open to 5th - 8th grade boys and girls.   Varsity Softball  ~ tryout’s are over and our Lady Saints team has been formed! We are ready to start the season with our first game at Home (the MAGSA fields) against St. Laurence on Thursday, Feb 15  at 4:15 p.m.

 Middle School Cheer tryouts are around the corner! We will have Varsity Cheer tryouts the week of March 5 through the 9 in the BAC from  3:30-5:30 p.m . ~ there will be a parent meeting for those interested on  February 20  in St. Jude Hall from 6:00-7:00 p.m. We encourage you to attend this meeting so you are aware of the commitment and the expectations of joining our Cheer squad. We look forward to seeing you there! **We also ask that parents refrain from attending any of our tryouts and adhere to our "closed door" policy, thank you!**

Community Events

Sacred Heart Society On March 11, 2018, the Sacred Heart Society will celebrate the centuries’ old Sicilian tradition of venerating St. Joseph, patron saint of Sicilia and the poor. A three tiered altar is adorned with decorative baked goods, fruit, religious articles for the meatless feast honoring San Giuseppe. A delicious, traditional Sicilian meal will be also be served. Proceeds from the Altar and donations feed Houston’s poor. Please click here for more information.

St. John Vianney Lenten Dinner at SJV - This  Friday, February 16 from 5:30-7:45 p.m.  in the Activity Center. Shrimp Scampi catered by  Piatto Ristorante  - Sautéed Shrimp in a white wine butter herb sauce over pasta served with a green salad, bread, dessert, tea and lemonade. $12 per person. Kids 10 and under receive a free Fish Sticks Meal. The Fish Stick Meal is available for $5 for ages 11 and up. Reservations required for the dinner by tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, February 14 . To reserve and pay online go to their website,  St. John Vianney's website  and look for the Lenten meal promo. You can also reserve by calling  281-497-1555  or email  sjvrsvp@stjohnvianney.org   and pay at the door. Looking ahead:  Friday, February 23 , will be a Fish Fry! For the complete list of meals, daily masses, stations of the cross and confessions during lent at SJV, visit  www.stjohnvianney.org .

St. Thomas High School Round-Up 2018 Middle school students are invited to join St. Thomas on Sunday, March 4 for Round-Up. Round-Up consists of a raffle, carnival, food court, marketplace, games and more. All proceeds of Round-Up supports financial aid for students that attend St. Thomas. For more details, please click on the flyer or email the StJPII' Parent Ambassador, Stacie Sudkamp.

Calendar

2/13 Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. 2/13 T&F Parent Meeting 6:00 p.m. 2/14 Ash Wednesday All-School Mass (Full Dress Uniforms) 8:30 a.m., GSC 2/14 Dads Basketball, 7:00 p.m., BAC 2/15 PTO Skate Party, 4:00 p.m., Dairy Ashford Roller Rink 2/16 Early Dismissal 12:00 / 12:15 / 12:30 p.m. (No afternoon BASP or cafeteria service) 2/16 Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-4:15 p.m. 2/17 Steps for Students 2/19 Early Dismissal 12:00 / 12:15 / 12:30 p.m. (Bring Sack Lunch,No afternoon BASP or cafeteria service) 2/20 Raffle Tickets go Home 2/20 Cheer Parent Meeting for Tryouts, SJH 2/21 Daily Mass 7:10 a.m., All Saints Chapel 2/21 Parent Bible Study, 8:15 a.m., SJH 2/22 Go Texan Day at StJPII 2/23 All School Mass 8:30 a.m., GSC 2/23 PTO Art-a-la-Carte and Book Club 2/24- 30th Anniversary Gala, 6:00 p.m. Westin Memorial City

Admissions      Calendar        Give       Saints Weekly Archive      Halo News       Parent Portal

St. John Paul II Catholic School 1400 Parkway Plaza, Houston, TX 77077 281-496-1500 • 281-496-2943 (fax) www.jp2.org

St. John Paul II Catholic School prepares all students spiritually and academically to succeed in life and to do God's will.