September 10, 2019
School Business
Optional Wednesday Morning Mass
Our first daily Mass in the chapel is  Wednesday, September 11 at 7:10 a.m . All students, parents, and staff are invited to join us. Please enter through St. Jude Hall as the office will not be open at that time.  Students will be released to go to their homerooms when the bell rings at 7:40. This is not required, but an optional opportunity for holiness!
Attention Parents with students in Grades 2 and Up: Especially New Parents
Please join us for our annual Study Skills Parent Workshop on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 6:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m. in St. Jude Hall.
 
What is the Study Skills Program?
Study Skills is a school wide curriculum woven into our current subjects from grades 2 and up that includes listening, note-taking, test-taking, writing reports, memorizing, reading improvement, organization, time management, and more. These key strategies are delivered through the library program as well as integrated into the classrooms.

Why are these Study Skills important?
All students successful or struggling can benefit from learning strategies taught in our Study Skills program.  

Who should attend?
All parents should attend to learn about these techniques to help their child be the best learner they can be at school as well as at home. This success can overflow to home, sports, and all areas of family life. 

How do I sign up?
Please RSVP to Ms. Lamb at slamb@jp2.org. Please remember this is for parents only.  
 
Reserve your spot soon!
Annual Fund Kick-Off
2019-2020 Annual Fund Drive
Don’t forget! Your students may wear their favorite sports team jersey or shirt tomorrow (September 11) to kick off our Annual Fund Drive! Gifts from our fans (parents, faculty, board members, grandparents, alumni and friends) form the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts. Let’s band together as a team to reach the end zone and meet our goal! Be on the lookout for your Annual Fund mailer this week!
Matching Gifts Opportunity
As Mr. Carlos Hernandez mentioned at our Parent Nights, most companies match your charitable donations! Shell is currently running a double match program and we’ve already had several of our families take advantage of this! Follow the link to see a list of companies that have given to the Archdiocese in the past and check with your HR department to see if they participate in matching gifts. Every gift matters and matching is a great way to maximize your gift!
* Please note this is not a comprehensive list, please check with you Human Resources department for details on matching gift opportunities.
Worth Repeating
Love and Logic Class in September
Parents of our newest and youngest Saints are asked to attend one of two upcoming Love and Logic Workshops presented by former Assistant Principal Dan Courtney (who is currently serving as Principal at Christ the Redeemer Catholic School). One or both parents are encouraged to attend the session that best fits your schedule:   September 17 at 9:00 a.m. OR 6:30 p.m. in St. Jude Hall. "Be not afraid..." to attend this course, where you will learn about how StJPII develops accountability in our students. You will walk away with a better understanding about how StJPII partners with our parents; and take home some practical tips that will help you stay calm and avoid un-winnable power struggles with our children. Even if you have attended in the past, you are welcome to join us for a refresher. 
After School Clubs and Activites
After-School Activities
Check the  school calendar  for the schedule.
 
Click on the various links to see club flyers, contact information, and online registration.
 
Calling All 5TH-8TH Grade Girls
The StJPII Challenge Club invites interested girls and their parents
to our Parent/Daughter Information and Kick-Off Meeting on Friday, September 13 from 3:20 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. in St. Jude Hall. We will have a special presentation on what Challenge Club has to offer you! Parents are encouraged to attend; you will have the opportunity to meet with the Consecrated Women, the missionaries and the High School team leaders who will be working with the girls. You will also learn about this year’s theme and other Houston-area Challenge events. We can’t wait to see everyone!! If you have any questions, email Annette Higgins at sjp2challengeclub@gmail.com.
StJPII Homecoming Festivities
StJPII Homecoming
All current and former families are invited to our Homecoming football game against Western Academy on Thursday, September 19 to kick off the school year! Fun and festivities will abound as we cheer our Saints to victory. We’ll have food trucks in the parking lot, so gather your friends and bring your tailgate gear for what promises to be a great new StJPII tradition. Stay tuned to Saints Weekly, Facebook and the website for more details.
PTO Spirit Store- Spotlight Item of the Month
PTO has the BEST seats in the House! Show your School Spirit and sit in comfort at the StJPII Homecoming game on September 19. Purchase your stadium seat online on the StJPII website. This item is now on sale for only $35!
StJPII All- School Reunion Alumni Mass
Are you an alum, parent of an alum, former faculty or staff member? If so, mark your calendars for the All-School reunion Mass on Sunday, September 22. All alumni, past parents and former faculty and staff are invited to attend. Visit StJPII All-School Reunion Mass web page for more information , including how to RSVP and nominate someone for the Distinguished Alumni Awards.

If you are an alumni parent, former or current staff member and would like to serve as a Eucharistic Minister or a Reader, please email Kaela Lewis. For questions or to RSVP please email reunion@jp2.org.
Upcoming Events
Volunteers needed for our Booth at the SJV Bazaar!
Middle School Students and parents are needed to help sell cotton candy and snow cones! Saint John Vianney supports our school in many ways. Please help support their Bazaar by volunteering to work in our school's booth. It is a fun way to see your friends, have some fun, and give service to others. 8th graders will receive service hours for your work. Sign up by clicking on the button below. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Richard.
Run with the Saints (RWTS ) Fall Festival
Run with the Saints- Friendly House Competition
Did you know there is a friendly competition between the Houses who will have the most runners in Run with the Saints this year? If at least 20% of the House is registered for the race - the entire House gets a free socks & shoes days. The House with the most registrants get a free dress day!

Make sure to register to support your child's House - the winning House will get a free dress day! Go to www.jp2.org/rwts to register.  
Just in case you missed it...Trunk or Treat and the Pumpkin Patch is part of Run with the Saints Fall Festival this year! October 26 is going to be an exciting day for the StJPII community and you won't want to miss out. KidsK participants can run in costume and everyone is invited to enjoy Trunk or Treat and the Pumpkin Patch. 
  • To register for the race and buy your t-shirt, click the registration button below.
  • The event is open to the public and it's free to attend Trunk or Treat. (There is no need to pre-register to attend Trunk or Treat.)
  • To secure a spot in the parking lot, decorate a trunk, or to help with the Trunk or Treat/race day party, please contact Sandy Russell.
  • To volunteer to help with the PTO Pumpkin Patch, please contact Khristine Salvatierra.
If you have questions regarding the Run with the Saints Fall Festival, please contact Events Officer   Kaela Lewis    for more information. Please use the buttons below to register or volunteer.
RWTS Volunteers Needed
We also need volunteers to plan and make this the best race yet! Running experience is a bonus, but not required. Please contact RWTS Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator Jeanne Aertker for more information on Volunteering or sign up below!
Gala
The StJPII Mardi Gras Masquerade Gala Committee cordially invites you all to laissez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll)! Join in for an evening of coming together to celebrate our community and to support our school's mission. For more information about this year's gala, please visit the gala's website or click on the buttons below.
Parent Corner
PTO
The Box Tops House Contest
Start bringing in your Box Tops and digital app screen shots on September 20. Please write your child's name and name of their House or Tuesday shirt color so they can get credit for the contest.

If you haven't already, please download the Box Tops app and start scanning your grocery receipts. The app is easy and fun to use!

Take advantage of the Box Tops "double dip" during the packaging transition by clipping/sending in the original Box Tops AND by scanning your receipt containing those
participating products.

Here are some promotions going on now...

Walmart Double Box Tops - earn an additional Box Top on every Box Tops participating product at Walmart. (purchase by 10/31/19)

Earn 10 Bonus Box Tops at Costco - per product when you select Box Tops participating products. (purchase by 9/30/19)

Earn 12 Bonus Box Tops at Sam's Club - per product when you buy specially marked Box Tops participating products. (purchase by 9/30/19)

Earn 80 Bonus Box Tops at HEB - when you purchase 10 Box Tops participating products. (purchase by 9/17/19)
Beat the Heat with a StJPII Cooling Towel
Whether you are an athlete that needs to keep your core body temperature at a safe level while training, or a fan in the stands at humid events, this instantaneous cooling towel will cool your body temperature when it contacts your skin. 
Exercise can do wonders for your overall health, but if you are over-heating, or profusely sweating, then you may put yourself at risk for heat exhaustion or injury from slipping on your perspiration. However, using a cooling towel will reduce your body temperature and keep sweat from dripping. This, in turn, helps you avoid injury, stay cool, and allows you to continue your normal exercise routine.
 
Now on sale at the Spirit Store website. Click the button below to purchase your towel today.
Dads Club
Dads Club
All StJPII dads are invited for the first Faith & Ale of the school year on tonight , September 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Watson's House of Ales. For more information about Dads Club or Faith & Ale, please email Dr. Weinman at dads@jp2.org.
International Festival
Athletics
Elementary School
soccer_goal.jpg
Elementary soccer is up and running! We have 21 teams and we have the best group of volunteer coaches in the entire world! Uniforms will be in this week, I will inform the coaches and they will give them out prior to the first game on the 21st. The coaches will attend a WHCSA meeting on September 17 and that is when they will receive their schedules. Parents please be patient with your coaches, they have a lot going on and this is a volunteer position! Without our coaches we would not be able to be a part of this league!
Middle School
Middle School Athletics was very very busy to kick off their 1st week in District!

Our Cross Country team participated in the Bellaire Invitational and placed 6th overall for our boys and the girls received 3rd overall! Football played against St. Laurence and displayed incredible defense and offense despite losing 6-0 in a hard fought game. Our Lady Saints have been very hard at work starting their district games as all four teams are already putting "Ws" on their records!
Community Events
Middle School Nights
St. Thomas High School is introducing  Middle School Nights ! These experiences are tailored to individual student’s interests and are perfect opportunities for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to be a part of extracurricular activities happening at our school. Middle School students will be able to attend any of these events and interact with current students and faculty. They will also have the opportunity to participate and learn more about clubs and organizations of their interest. 
 
For a list of Middle School Nights and to register online. There is no limit to how many Middle School Nights for which a student can sign up.

St. Thomas High School cannot wait to welcome prospective students to their school!
Calendar
St. John Paul II Catholic School
1400 Parkway Plaza, Houston, TX 77077
281-496-1500 • 281-496-2943 (fax)
St. John Paul II Catholic School prepares all students spiritually
and academically to succeed in life and to do God's will.