January 4, 2022

Dear Saint Families,

Happy New Year! I pray that you had a blessed Christmas! We are heading into our second semester of the year and it will be filled with learning, community events, and great JOY! I thank you for all of your continued prayers and support as we continue our journey through keeping our students and community healthy. Please know that it takes all of us working together. 

We are excited this month to learn about the virtue of gratitude and seeing everything as a gift and being thankful. We are so grateful to start the year studying this virtue, especially as we re-enroll our current families for whom we are so thankful (more information on that below)! I was moved to share today's devotion from my Jesus Calling. We all need to be reminded to trust - we tend to say that we trust but maybe not fully put it into practice…

“I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying. “I trust You, Jesus,” in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I am in all My Power and Glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My love for you. This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My sovereign control of the universe. When you view events from this perspective-through Light of My universal Presence-fear loses its grip on you. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.” Psalm 63, 139

So here's to a Happy New Year growing in Trust in Him! Let's join together and be ready for His blessings this coming year!

The sessions will be recorded for parents who may not be able to attend in person. It is an honor to have Dr. Sax visit St. John Paul II Catholic School School - he will speak with the students during the day as well. We look forward to seeing you there!

We will have All School Mass Friday, January 7. Students should wear their full dress uniforms. There will be optional daily Mass before school on Wednesday, January 5 in the Chapel at 7:10 a.m.

Gratitude --seeing everything as a gift and being thankful.

1st Grade Blessing Bags

The Mom's Club invites you to join them at Wisdom and Wine, an evening gathering for StJPII mothers, on Wednesday, January 5 at 7:30-9:00 p.m. at Sylvia's on Eldridge. This is a great opportunity to start 2022 with a spiritual focus! Moms will gather in fellowship and join together in encouragement and prayer led by Charlene Alexander, a consecrated woman, from Regnum Christi. We hope you can join us! Please RSVP to Religion Coordinator Kristi Yohr if you plan to attend.

By the end of the day today, Tuesday, January 4th, online re-enrollment forms for the 2022-2023 school year will be emailed to the primary email address we have listed for each current PK-7th grade student. Check your spam, trash, and all gmail tabs (if you have a gmail account) if you do not see it in your inbox. The email's subject line will contain your oldest or only student's name, but the link in the email will contain all of your current StJPII student's re-enrollment forms. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EMAIL BEFORE FILLING OUT THE RE-ENROLLMENT FORM(S).

If you do not receive the re-enrollment email by midday Wednesday, January 5^th, or if you have any questions, please contact me at jande@jp2.org.

Want to give your Class of 2022 graduate something to commemorate their time at StJPII? Order an 8th-grade Yearbook ad and brick paver for your graduate. Order forms were sent home in Tuesday folders today, January 4, 2022. There are two ways to order: Electronically via balfour.com or check/cash to the school. The Balfour electronic store is live now...just search for "St. John Paul II Catholic School" and the site will walk you through the process. If you order electronically, you can also submit images and messages via the Balfour site for the Journalism staff to retrieve and create the ad. Other image and message submission options are outlined in the order form packet.

A pdf version of the order form packet can also be accessed via the link below.  Order by January 26, 2022 and save $20! Thanks for honoring your 2022 8th grade Graduate and supporting The Spirit Yearbook! Questions? Contact Dr. Hiltbrand at sehiltbrand@jp2.org.  

8^th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Meeting

There will be a mandatory 8^th grade parent meeting on Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 6:00-7:00 PM at StJPII to discuss the upcoming Washington, D.C. trip.

Open to all current StJPII students and faculty. Please be sure to drop off no later than 7:30 a.m. so we don't disrupt carpool. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. All those who purchase a ticket may wear a purple, green, or gold top with their uniform bottom on this day!

Are you a chance taker? Do you like to roll the dice? We have an opportunity for you! Enter to win a $4,000 voucher to be used during the live auction (including Paddles Up) at the Speakeasy Soiree Gala on Febuary 26, 2022 at the Omni Houston Hotel. (You must be present to win.) Only $25 per entry!

Please join us for our PTO meeting on Wednesday, January 12 at 8:30 a.m. in St. Jude Hall. If you have any questions please contact Nicole Lambert at PTO@jp2.org.  Please remember to park along Parkway Plaza if you will be attending the meeting.

Families are invited to patronize our neighborhood Russo Pizzeria on Thursday, January 6 from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Dine in, take out, or delivery, for every order Russo's gives back 20% to the school. Please thank them for this wonderful partnership!

Please save the date for the upcoming Father/Daughter Dance on Saturday, February 5 at StJPII. The Father/Daughter dance is open to all current StJPII girls.

If you are interested in volunteering to help plan this event, please send an email to Communications@jp2.org.