Dear Saint families,

Happy Tuesday! We did it! September is here! I want to thank you for your support in our reopening, your understanding of material delays, and your trust as we work diligently to provide a wonderful learning environment.

As we embarked on this school year, we knew everyone would be teaching and learning differently. Our teachers were entrusted with having to completely recraft and transform how they deliver instruction. This charge to serve in-person learners and remote learners at the same time is no small task. The planning and preparation is a true undertaking that requires teachers to devote much added time and thought as they strive to meet curriculum objectives, foster engagement, and implement progress monitoring measures.

We are a blessed community to have dedicated teachers who pour their hearts and souls into not only teaching content, but also molding the social, emotional, and spiritual growth of each of their students. I have witnessed our teachers rise to the occasion and I’m so very thankful for their efforts. It’s important that we take a moment to recognize their commitment and sacrifice as they go above and beyond each day. This is what makes St. John Paul II Catholic School so special. While we briefly dipped our toes into the pool of distance learning during the fourth quarter last year, we are now swimming swiftly with all of our students, both on campus and virtually, each deserving of great care. Please be patient, kind, and understanding of the mission and assignment our teachers have been called to do in such challenging times. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for each of them for living their faith and demonstrating love and commitment to your children. I am also so very proud of how far we have come as a community and the many ways we are continuing to grow and improve as we progress this school year.

I know that our StJPII families will continue to show gratitude and support in all of our efforts and walk with us as partners. When we work together with grace and mercy, all things come together for good.

StJPII offers Optional Uniform pieces for students to wear any day of the week that is not designated as "House Shirt" or “Full Dress”. The Casual Uniform Link is active on the website under "Community".

The last day to order is September 8 to sent home later this Fall.

All prices include state sales tax. Orders will only be accepted online through the Acceptiva link on our school website.

*UPDATE* Our upcoming Virtual Parent Nights is approaching. Please mark your calendars for the following:

For those who miss Mrs. Bogard's message on September 9, a replay of the All School Message (pre-recorded) will be available.  Please plan to log on to hear from the Administration and your child(ren)'s teachers. This is your opportunity to learn about important updates and what to expect of the coming academic year. Links will be coming soon!

To keep families informed as to the health and well being of our campus, to this date, we have had no positive cases of COVID19 nor have we had students or staff with any symptoms of COVID. In the event that your student was exposed to COVID at school you would be notified by e-mail. Please continue to submit the COVID questionnaire every school day. If your child or a family member has symptoms of COVID please stay at home and follow the COVID handbook guidelines on page 11. The students at school are doing a great job wearing masks, washing hands and physically distancing. Remember to praise your children for following these precautions. 

The school cafeteria opened yesterday, August 31. Please refer to the email you received from ECI to set up your child's account. Lunch orders must be placed online so that they may be delivered to the classroom the next day. For more information about lunch service at StJPII, please contact: eci@ecimanagementgroup.com.

The Before and After School Program (BASP) began yesterday, August 31. If you are interested in enrolling your child(ren) into BASP or more information, see the Parent Student Handbook or contact BASP Director Leticia Velasco.

After-School Activities

·     Robotics Online Schedule & Robotics Online Class Flyer (K-5th) - register online with American Robotics Academy

·     Challenge Club Registration Form (5th-8th Grade Girls) - contact Annette Higgins

·     Conquest (3rd-8th Grade Boys) - contact Miguel Cardenas

·     Cub Scouts (K-5th Grade Boys) – contact Dean Dominy

·     Girl Scout Daisies Troop #149168  (Kindergarten Girls) - contact Laura Richard or Lidia McMahan

·     If you are interested in Girl Scouts (any age/grade level) please contact the StJPII Girl Scout liaison Tiffany Doucette at tifslater@hotmail.com.

The StJPII Challenge Club invites all 5th-8th grade girls to join us this year! Challenge Club is an all-girls club which fosters a deeper friendship with Christ, while having fun and serving others in our community. Our Club program is led and mentored by high-school team leaders (mostly StJPII graduates) and college-aged missionaries. Due to present circumstances, we will be meeting via Zoom during this first quarter of school. ALL students (both in-person and virtual learners) are welcome to participate! Zoom meetings will begin in mid-September. Click here for the Challenge Club registration form. If you have any questions, email Annette Higgins at sjp2challengeclub@gmail.com.

Calling all StJPII Houses, the time is now to participate in the first House competition of the school year while giving back to a great cause. StJPII will be participating in the Drive by Food Drive that is put on by the Social Concerns Committee at St. John Vianney.

Students from each House are asked to bring non-perishable items to donate on next Wednesday (September 9) and Thursday (September 10) only. Please place the items in the students' House color.

The House that donates the most items will be awarded a Free Shoe day on Tuesday, September 15!

The elementary league that our school participates in is the West Houston Christian Sports Association, or WHCSA. Although WHCSA is moving forward with the Fall soccer league, we have chosen to follow our middle school governing league which is the Greater Houston Catholic Athletic Association, which is part of our diocese. Elementary school will also follow the mandated cancellation of all Fall sports so elementary soccer this season won't occur. We are hoping, and praying, that we will be able to follow the schedule in place for the winter sport/season of basketball.

Due to the GHCAA and Catholic Diocese decision to forego having any sanctioned Fall sports, we will not participate in the Gulf Coast Football season as well. This decision was made to stay consistent in our effort that we abide by throughout the school day of keeping every student's health and safety a priority. The goal will be to integrate soccer into the winter basketball season, as well as Cheer will have tryouts in November in time to prepare for the winter sports season. Volleyball will be played in the spring along with all of our spring sports. Unfortunately, there will not be a Cross Country season but we will however have Track & Field starting in its regular time slot in February.

Mrs. Bogard has approved a new rule for the current situation of the athletic calendar that a middle school student WILL BE allowed to participate in 2 "tryout" sports i.e. soccer and basketball, or volleyball and softball. I have spoken with all of our middle school coaches and we will be able to work through this change for the athletic calendar. I will send out a more detailed announcement as we get closer to December 1st which is the current date we have been given by the diocese to begin tryouts for soccer and basketball. Keep in mind that could change, hopefully for a November 1st start date!

Lastly, I would like to thank all of you for your patience and understanding. It is very difficult for all of us to not have any type of after school athletics, but it is especially hard for our athletes. We ALL miss the community spirit, the camaraderie, the excitement, and the overall joy it gives us to watch our "SAINTS" in action! Please continue to pray that we are able to follow through with this new schedule and watch for future additional information that we will send out as we receive clearance from the diocese.

Sincerely,

MaryBeth Hewitt,

Athletic Director

Welcome Parents to the 2020-2021 school year! I would like to personally invite you to join us for the First PTO meeting of the year on September 2, 2020 via Zoom at 9:30 a.m. by clicking on the button below.

Sincerely,

Victoria Forkner,

PTO President

You may visit the online Spirit Store to order your StJPII branded merchandise. All proceeds benefit the PTO. This year the Spirit Store will have limited access to fill orders. Orders placed after August 12 will be available for distribution in October with the exception of the StJPII Masks. The StJPII masks can be filled more frequently since they are coming from the vendor and are not on campus. Thank you for understanding and supporting StJPII spirit store. Click the button below to view the catalog and place your order.

The PTO has a Birthday Club fundraiser that helps you celebrate your child's birthday. Click on the button below to order your birthday t-shirts, school kits, or name on the marquee. Birthday t-shirts can be worn on the actual birthday, except if it falls on Full Dress day. The Birthday Club is now ONLINE! Place your orders today by using the button below.