Dear Saint families,
Happy Tuesday! We are already in March which means time is flying here at StJPII. I want to thank you all for a beautiful evening at our Mardi Gras Gala! It was magnificent, and the support of our Saint community is a blessing to the children we serve!
As many of you may know, Lent is my favorite Liturgical Season! It is a time for sacrifice, personal reflection, renewal, and preparation of our hearts and minds to turn back to Him. I always find if I commit to this time and am obedient, the blessings are abundant. My prayer for you is that this truly gives each of you an opportunity to grow in your relationship with one another and our Lord. Someone shared with me that one of our families is working on not complaining this Lent and that it has provided a tremendous peace in their home. At my home parish, the Pastor has charged the church family to participate in a communal sacrifice of abstaining from all electronics (social media, TV, video games, etc.) for three days March 4, 5, and 6. I admit my family is very hesitant mostly from fear of how hard it will be…but we are committed to at least try one day so that as a family we grow in communion with one another as well as with our Lord who has blessed us so greatly. And in closing, I would like to share a reflection/meditation with you that I am following this Lent hoping it will speak to your heart.
Jesus said:
“And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
(Mt 7:26-27)
The rains do fall…and the floods do come…and the winds do blow and buffet. A house built on sand could be completely destroyed – the foundation for a house is important. So is the foundation of your life. There is a difference between living by moral principles and simply the desire to do right. Most people sincerely want to do right, but deciding what is right can be very difficult when there is wind and rain and crisis. The desire to do what is right is swept away by the power of emotion and immediate needs. The rock for the decisions that I have to make in my life comes from the Word of God. This is a sure and solid foundation. Upon what kind of foundation am I building my life? Have I built my life on sandy ground so that when the rains fall, the torrents come, and the winds lash against my house, I collapse? Or is my life solidly set on rock so that come rain, torrents, or wind, I do not collapse but actually put into practice the principles that I believe in?
Lastly, Friday, February 28 was very unexpected and ended with canceling classes due to the water leak in Houston. Please understand that after researching information shared by the city of Houston, being made aware that our school resided in an area that was to boil water for safety; all water usage at StJPII must be taken into consideration to ensure the safety of all students. Knowing that I could not guarantee hand washing, kitchen usage, and drinking water, the decision was made to follow HISD and close school. Currently I am waiting to hear confirmation if this day will need to be made up or not and I will share this information with you as soon as possible.
May God bless you this Lent!
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Corona Virus (COVID-19)
St. John Paul II Catholic School administration along with the Catholic School Office of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston are closely monitoring information from the Houston Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization regarding the Corona Virus. It is the greatest priority of the faculty and staff to maintain the health and welfare of our students and their families. Listed are the measures we have in place to keep our campus healthy:
- Continuously educating students and staff on the importance of frequent hand washing, covering a cough or sneeze, not touching eyes, nose or mouth and proper disposal of tissues.
- Reminding and enforcing the policy of returning to school after illness. (MUST BE FREE OF FEVER WITHOUT MEDICATION FOR 24 HOURS TO RETURN. THIS ALSO INCLUDES BEING FREE OF DIARRHEA AND VOMITING FOR 24 HOURS.)
- Routinely disinfecting contact surfaces on the campus with a cleanser that is effective on multiple bacteria and viruses.
- Continuously monitoring students’ and staff’s health as necessary and appropriate. Students are sent home if they have fever over 100.0 F. In addition, students may be sent home at the discretion of the nurse if they are constantly coughing or not able to deal with nasal drainage appropriately. It is a school policy that students who become ill at school be dismissed from the clinic within 1 hour of the nurse’s phone call.
- Encouraging and facilitating a yearly Flu shot for our faculty and staff. It is not too late to get a flu shot for your family. While it will not prevent the Corona virus, it is certainly better for one’s health not to have the flu when exposed to the Corona virus. Please get a yearly flu shot! It is still Flu Season in Houston!
As families well know, the Corona Virus is an evolving story and one that administration is paying close attention. If local transmission should occur in Houston StJPII will follow the direction of the Houston Public Health Department.
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Annual Fund Update
Thank you to everyone who has already made a gift to the Annual Fund! Your thank you letter from Mrs. Bogard will also serve as a tax receipt for 2019. Together we’ve raised over $444,000 in gifts, pledges, and matches! We have a little more than $100,000 left to raise to meet our Annual Fund goal for the year, and we know with everyone's support we can do it. Every gift makes a difference! For more information, please contact
development@jp2.org.
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Upcoming Special Dress- Go Texan Day Rescheduled
StJPII will observe Go Texan Day on
Friday, March 6 . 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.
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Summer Enrichment Program
Children 3 years old through 8th grade are invited to the StJPII Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), June 1-19 from 9:30-2:30, where we emphasize hands-on exploration in a fun, stimulating and supportive environment. The program features small class sizes and is taught by highly-qualified teachers. (Before and after care is available too.)
The early registration deadline is
April 8, after which date the registration fee increases. Sibling discounts are also available. For more information and to register, click the button below or contact SEP Director
Kim McCurry.
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ECI Catering
Many families have balances that need to be paid. Payments can be brought to school or parents may
pay online.
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From the Business Office
Please remember that Tuition is due by
May 1, 2020. You can start making payments now but the balance must be paid in full by May 1, 2020. For Tuition loans, please remember to start the process at least three weeks before the due date. Funds from Tuition loans must be received by
May 1, 2020 to avoid late charges ($100/week). If you need a Tuition invoice, please contact the
Business Office.
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Casual picture day – Wednesday, March 25
Casual picture day is scheduled on Wednesday, March 25. You may order a package on-line or complete the envelope that will be sent home soon. You will receive an email with details regarding the packages available mid March.
Payments must be made prior to picture day to receive a package.
The students may wear free dress following the guidelines in the StJPII handbook.
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Carpool Reminders: Important Notice
No children should be dropped off at the sidewalk prior to driving into the parking lot or park in Kindercare and cross the street with no crosswalk. This is not safe and not part of our procedures.
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Steps for Students
Thank you to everyone who participated in Steps for Students this year! As promised all students who registered to participate have earned a free dress day on next Thursday, March 12. The following students will receive a free dress pass to their homeroom teacher:
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PreK
Maxson Lewis
Kinder
Liam Haley
1st Grade
Samantha LaLonde
Mika Takagi
Juliana Gonzales
Olivia Gugliotti
Stella Shelton
Melissa Holicek
2nd Grade
Londyn Lewis
3rd Grade
Daniella Ramos
Brooklyn Haley
Lainie LeBas
Kendall Galito
4th Grade
Anthony Almoosa
Sophia LaLonde
Max Nguyen
Matthew Del Rio
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5th Grade
Samuel Homes
Aika Takagi
Teagan Sisemore
Ethan Gugliotti
Carolyn Thorne
Johann Escobar
6th Grade
Alexander Almoosa
Sophie Da Silva
Pious Remigius
Francesca Halter
7th Grade
Rosemary Neslony
Emma Morrison
Mary Yohr
Clare nguyen
Katerina Escobar
Paige Bortner
8th Grade
Miette Dronet
Annabeth Dronet
Kate Thorne
Maksim Strachan
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Grade Level Party Winner: 1st Grade
This grade level earned a mini field day TBD.
PE Teacher of the Day Winner TBD: Londyn Lewis
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Dads' Lenten Retreat- March 10
Join the StJPII Dads Club for their next Men's retreat on next
Tuesday, March 10 at 6:00 p.m. in St. Jude Hall. This year's theme is
Lent: A time to strengthen our resolve in the practice of prayer, fasting and penance as men of God.
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Join Fr. Shelly and the Dads' Club this Holy Week as they participate in the Holy Week Missions West. Missions is an evangelization project that transforms the lives of missionaries, families, and the people whom we serve. It's an amazing experience where missionaries bring the message of Christ to the world during the most sacred weeks of our Catholic Church; Holy Week and Easter Week. Click on the link below to learn more and to register.
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Spirit Night at SJV
Join us
Friday, March 20 at SJV for a Spirit Night Lenten Dinner; 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the SJV Activity Center.
Make sure you show your StJPII pride by wearing a spirit shirt!
What's on the Menu:
- All You Can Eat Fish Dinner
- All You Can Eat Fried Fish, French Fries, Hush Puppies, Coleslaw, Dessert, Tea and Lemonade. $10 per adult. All StJPII students eat free.
- Free Kid's Meal (for ages 8 and under), Mac and Cheese
Please make your reservation by
Wednesday March 18. You must make your reservation to get the special pricing.
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Mark your calendars for April 3, 2020- Tickets are now on sale!
Join family and friends on the Fischer Pavilion for the largest community event this Spring! It's time for our 6th Annual Saints @ Sunset Crawfish Boil! Mark your calendars for the evening of
Friday, April 3, here on campus for a great time. We have already booked the band, BB's catering for the crawfish, Kona Ice and face painting! We had over 800 people attend last year, and it will be even bigger and better in 2020!
Remember tickets are only sold online.
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If you would like to volunteer to help make this event even better, please sign up below.
We are also looking for corporate sponsors! If your business is interested in helping sponsor the event and receiving advertising and promotion opportunities, please visit the Saints at Sunset web page or sign up below. Laissez le bon temps rouler!
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Mother/Son Bowling- Save the Date, May 1
Please save the date for the upcoming Mother/Son Bowling event on May 1 at Bowlmor Houston. The Mother/Son bowling event is open to all current StJPII students from PreK-8th grade. Tickets will go on sale after the Crawfish Boil! If you have any questions, please email
Communications@jp2.org today!
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PTO MEETING
Please join us for our March PTO meeting tomorrow at 8:15 a.m. in St. Jude Hall. We will be discussing our upcoming Spring events. Mrs. Aertker will also talk to us about the Coronavirus. We hope to see you there!
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FIRST FRIDAY LUNCH – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Hello to all our Wonderful Volunteers for the First Friday Lunches
We need some extra help with the upcoming Friday Lunch scheduled on March 6th. If you have already signed up, THANK YOU SO MUCH, if not, please consider to volunteering as we need HOT ENTREES and DESSERTS as well.
Let's continue to show to our wonderful teachers how much we appreciate them. Thanks in advance for your support.
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Dodgeball Sign Up Party
The Dodgeball Sign Up Party for 5th-8th graders is on
Friday, March 27 at StJPII! As soon as your child gets out of school, he or she can go straight to the BAC to get ready for the tournament. Drinks, snacks and a pizza dinner will be provided. Students will also get a team t-shirt (once you have signed up your child, you will be contacted via email for the correct t-shirt size). Winners will get StJPII Dodgeball Champion bragging rights! Pick up time is 7:00 pm.
To sign up, please go to
www.jp2.org/gala and click on the Sign Up Parties icon.
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WHCSA News
~
Basketball has one more week of games, WOW what a season!
Baseball/Softball/TBall teams are now formed, uniforms are ordered, practices will start next week! If you volunteered to Coach you will receive an email by tomorrow with your rosters.
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Middle School
Our baseball team had a great first win last Wednesday when they played here at home against St. Francis de Sales! They also had another outstanding win against St. Laurence yesterday defeating them by a score of 9-6! Last Thursday was a great day for our Lady Saints Softball team as they finally got to play their first game of the season and defeated St. Francis de Sales!! Our boys Lacrosse team played an incredible game over at AOS and they took the win 9-7 over a very defined lacrosse team. Then on Saturday our Lady Saints lacrosse team also opened up their season and played a tough and talented SBMSA Lacrosse Team and took the win! All in all we had a winning week with baseball, softball, lacrosse, and Track! We love our hard working Saints!! Our T&F team finally kicked off their season with a strong performance at their Meet at Barnett Stadium this past Saturday! The following lists our athletes accomplishments:
Over all team scores:
Female: 5th
Male: 4th
Male Medal winners:
Alberto V
1st place: long jump, 2nd place: 200m
Eric W
3rd place: Hurdles
6th - 4x200m relay: 1st place: Carson S, Antonio D, Eric W, and Jonah L
6th - 4x400m relays: 1st place: Eric W, Jonah L, Antonio D, Carson S
7th - 4x100m relays: 3rd place: Peter, Liam, Alberto, Josh
7th - 4x400m relays: 3rd place: Sam H, Christopher P, Josh P, Paul N, David C (alt.)
Female Medal Winners:
Sophie D
: 1st place: 800m, 1st place:1600
8th - 4x400m: 2nd place: Ana Paulina M, Kaden K, Lyndsey G, Sarah D
Male Ribbon Winners: 4-6 place
Chris P: 6th place Shot put
Jonah L: 4th place 100m
Carson S: 6th place 400m
Felipe G: 5th place 800m
David D: 5th place 800m
8th - 4th place 4x400m: Maksim S, Kellen O, David D, Pablo C
8th - 5th place 4x200m: Kellen O, Pablo C, Ethan S, Maksim S
7th - (A Team) 5th 4x200m: Felipe G, Samuel H, Peter R, Mateo V
7th - (B team) 6th 4x200m: Josh P, Paul N, Liam S, David C
Female Ribbon winners 4-6 place
6th - 4th place 4x400m: Avery G, Demide A, Sophie D, Sabrina D
7th - 4th place 4x200m: Viviana D, Katerina E, Eliana C, Madeline E
7th - 5th place (A Team) 4x400m: Viviana D, Julia R, Madeline E, Sarah G
7th - 6th place (B team) 4x400m: Elsa H, Katerina E, Sarah S, Emma S
8th - 5th place 4x200m: Gabi T, Kaden K, Sofia G, Sarah D
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Cheer Tryouts
Cheer tryouts are scheduled for
Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13
from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Please come prepared in school appropriate shorts and a t-shirt with a water bottle as well! No sign ups are needed!
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Prospective Football Parents!
Please consider signing your son up for St. John Paul II 2020 Football team. One of the reasons I am asking NOW is that we will soon place an order for football pants and I desire to have as close to an accurate number of players as possible.
Why should your son play football? Let me count a few of the reasons:
- Develop teamwork skills
- Discipline
- Physical Fitness
- Toughness
- Strategy lessons
- Ability to make decisions quickly in competition
I know many parents are concerned about Football Safety - especially concussions. I too am concerned as your Football Coach. FYI we had zero concussions last year and we specifically train our players to avoid head contact. I cannot guarantee that a concussion will not occur, but a lot has changed in Football, specifically the rules and culture about head contact among players. I encourage you to talk to families of current players in 6th and 7th grade about your concerns so that you can weigh the cost to benefit ratio. We at St. John Paul II try to be as tough as possible while maintaining safety and player goodwill. Any questions please feel free to email me at
rporth@jp2.org
.
Thank you for considering
Coach Rich Porth
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St.John Vianney Community Events
Lenten Dinner at SJV- March 6
Join SJV on
Friday, March 6
from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Activity Center. This week's menu includes Fish Tacos
catered by Cafe Benedicte
the cost is $10 per person. Kids 8 and uder eat free. This week the kids meal is homemade cheese pizza. The homemade cheese pizza meal is available for ages 9 and up for $5. Cash Bar available with beer, wine and soft drinks. Complimentary Tea and Lemonade. Please make your reservation by Wednesday, March 4 by emailing
sjvrsvp@stjohnvianney.org.
For the complete list of meals, daily masses, stations of the cross and confessions during lent at SJV, visit
www.stjohnvianney.org
.
CAMP SJV – St. John Vianney Summer Day Camp
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To view events related to StJPII, please click on the school calendars below.
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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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