May 9, 2023

All School Mass

We will have All School Mass on Friday, May 12. Students should wear their full-dress uniforms. We will be recognizing our First Communion recipients after Mass with a reception for second-grade families in St. Jude Hall. There will be no optional daily Mass for the remainder of the school year.

*Click on the button below for more Faith Focus information. You can find the monthly virtue, Saints of the month, and service projects.

2023 StJPII Parent Survey

Please take a moment and complete the 2023 StJPII Parent Survey. Below is the survey link. Your feedback is truly important as we continue to grow as a school community. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete, it is anonymous, and your responses will provide valuable insights about how we can continuously improve and maintain excellence. We look forward to hearing from you! Thank you for your feedback.

Outstanding ECI Balance

We continue to have a large number of students who have large overdraft balances in the cafeteria. Please make sure your student has adequate funds in their ECI lunch account. Check your student's ECI balance and add money when needed. You can send a check with your student or click on the button below. When sending a check, please make the check out to ECI. Thank you!

Carpool Reminders

Even though our school days are numbered, we still need to keep safety in mind during the morning and afternoon carpool. Please remember the following: 

• No cutting
• No blocking side streets
• Middle School lines up on Tapper Hill: do not pull forward until the green line ends or 3:30 p.m., whichever is later.

5th Grade Parent Athletic Meeting

Current 5th grade Parents ~ Save the date for Tuesday May 23, in the BAC at 6:00 p.m. The Athletic Team will host an informational meeting to help make the 2023-2024 new school year transition into Middle School Sports as easy as possible. We will cover information regarding protocols, tryouts, communication with parents, obligations and responsibilities of the athlete and the parent, as well as commitments and team sportsmanship. We welcome you to bring your upcoming middle school child as well.

Used Uniform Sale

There will be a used uniform sale held in St. Jude Hall on Thursday, May 11 from 8:30AM-11:30AM. If you have any MillsWear uniform pieces you would like to donate, please drop them off at the front office. For questions, please email useduniform@jp2.org.

Art Award Winners

On Saturday, April 29th, the “Performing Arts Houston” held their “25th Annual Student Art Contest Ceremony” at Miller Outdoor Theatre for students attending public, private, and home schools within a 50-mile radius of downtown.

The Contest encouraged students to explore their surroundings and reflect on their passions, inspired by exceptional artists whose work broadens our understanding of the world around us with this year’s theme, “Limitless” as relates to the mainstage performances of DIAVOLO, New/Now- Houston’s commissioning project and Our Planet Live. All Artisan and Art 1 students participated in creating their ideas for this most prestigious art contest and for the 18th year in a row – St. John Paul II has had major winners in this event.

Congratulations to two students who placed in the combined 6th /7th /8th Grade - Middle School Category! 2nd Place – Maxwell Quant – who won a cash prize of $200.00 and Art Supplies from the art department. Educational Staff Selection Award- went to Sofia Jimenez who won a Dick Blick gift card and Art Supplies from the art department.

*An Additional honor was both of our students were two of three students selected to read their compelling “Artist Statements” at the awards ceremony as their artworks were displayed. Both Maxwell’s and Sofia’s artwork will be displayed at Jones Hall during performances and tour several key locations around Houston over the summer. The winning students and their families were invited to stay and enjoy the evening concert featuring Ak Dan Gwang Chil

All Artisan and Art 1 artwork is on display between the computer labs on the first floor through next week. Congratulations to our talented and creative Artists!

The Enchanted Bookshop

Come see Dorothy, Tom Sawyer, Pollyanna, Sherlock, and more classic friends in "The Enchanted Bookshop," presented by TARTS tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. You don't want to miss this!

Auction Items: Big Board and Live

Our Gala includes both Big Board (Silent Auction) and a Live Auction. Packages will include trips, baskets, school items, and experiences. We need lots of help to have robust offerings! If you have any celebrity connections, vacation homes, experiences, or airline miles that can be donated, please contact GalaFundraising@JP2.org.

Fun in the Sun-Friday, May 19th

Fun in the Sun is ALMOST here!!!!

Parent Volunteers, please make sure you registered to volunteer on our Sign Up Genius. If you are not on the list and approved as a volunteer you will NOT be allowed on school grounds. This is school policy, if you have any questions or concerns please contact FITS@JP2.org. Thank you! It’s going to be an Amazing Day and SO MUCH FUN!

Still in need of a FITS shirt? Please contact FITS@jp2.org. They still have various sizes available.

If you would like to donate to Fun in the Sun, please drop of any donations at the front office. Thank you!

End of the Year Faculty and Staff Gift

The PTO is collecting money for the Faculty and Staff End of Year gift. If you are interested in contributing, a suggested amount is $10 per teacher. Please put your gift in an envelope labeled “Faculty & Staff Gift” and bring to the front office by Monday, May 15. We thank you in advance for your generosity.

If you are looking to give a more personal gift, there is a binder in the front office with teacher gift ideas.

The Birthday Club

We have a few birthday packages left, we also have water bottles for only $10 each and the marquee, don’t forget to celebrate your kid’s special day! June and July birthdays will be delivered on the last week of school. Thanks for supporting the

PTO.

THANK YOU

Thank you to all the Teacher Appreciation Week sponsors: Hungry's, Tres Market, Blue Willow Book Shop, Little Flower Catholic Book Store, Tiffany Doucette, Pecan Creek Grille, Arturo Paiva, and Niko Niko. Also, a big thank you to all the parent volunteers!!!! 

Elementary Athletics

We are coming to the end of our Spring Sports season! This weekend officially ends the season, however, WHCSA is still looking to make up a rainout day from the earlier part of the season on Saturday May 20th. Your coaches will let you know if your team will be scheduled for a game on that date. 

Middle School Athletics

Thank you to everyone that attended the Athletic Sports Banquet! What an incredible evening we had to celebrate our athletes and Coaches! Thank you for your patience and extra kindness when we began the evening, but my goodness by the time the awards started we were together as ONE in a great fun filled evening! 

Congratulations to ALL of our athletes and a special congratulations to our

St. Sebastian Award winners Jessi Davila and Johann Escobar.  

Share Your Spring Sports Photos

We love to see your photos of our saints in action! If you get a great shot at any spring sports function, practice or game, please share with StJPII! Your photo(s) may be featured on social media or in The Spirit yearbook. Please upload them directly using the button below. All grade-level sports pictures are needed and appreciated.

Families Wanted to Host International Students

at St. John XXIII College Preparatory

Are you interested in becoming a host family for an International Student at St. John XXIII College Preparatory? Are you interested in introducing your family to the global community outside of the enclave of Katy, Texas, U.S.A.? We are looking for families to host students from all over the world for our International Program for the 2023-2024 school year. The host families will provide room, board, and transportation to and from school and school activities. There will be a monthly stipend for 10 months a year, paid by the student’s parents. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ms. Susie Kramer, Director of the International Student Program, at skramer@sj23lions.org for more information.