February 6, 2024

Dear Saints families,

Happy February! What an incredible Catholic Schools Week we had last week! It was a joyous celebration of our belonging to St. John Paul II Catholic School. We're immensely thankful for the families who helped us spread the good news in your parishes to kick off the week. A big shout-out to our StJPII dads and the many families who joined us for the inaugural Seminarians vs. StJPII dads basketball game to close out the festivities!

Despite this month being short, it's packed with exciting events! I'm eagerly anticipating seeing many saints at the Steps 4 Students 5K and later celebrating with our saint community at the Haute in Havana Gala. The Gala committee has poured over a year of effort into crafting what promises to be an unforgettable evening!

As we navigate through February, I humbly ask for your prayers as we conduct new student testing and welcome new saints into our school family. This month, our focus is on the virtue of cheerfulness—always looking on the bright side. Let's remember that regardless of circumstances, there's always room for joy when we choose to recognize our blessings.

Principal

All School Mass Friday

We will have All School Mass on Friday, February 9.  Students should wear their full-dress uniforms. There will be an optional daily Mass before school on Wednesday, February 7, in the Chapel at 7:10 a.m.

Moms Book Club

Calling All Book-Loving StJPII Moms! You’re invited to our next Moms Book Club Meeting on Monday, February 12. We will be discussing the incredible story of Oanh Ngo Usadi’s journey from Vietnam to Texas. Discuss, connect, unwind!

When: Monday, February 12 at 7-8 pm

Where: StJPII School Cafeteria

Who: Any StJPII mom!

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

PTO organizes and facilitates a number of fundraisers(Snacks with Santa, FITS, and Holiday on the Parkway) that benefit our school community by directly impacting the classrooms through teacher wish lists. Approximately $20K is used to purchase items such as laptops, art kiln, Generation Genius online resources, Stem science kits, whole group classroom carpets, small group tables, extra recess equipment, teacher chairs, floor cushions, etc.

Upcoming Important Dates

February 19 - Student Holiday in observance of Presidents' Day

February 27- Early Dismissal (2:15/2:30/2:45 p.m.)

Nails, Tails, and Tennies - 2/8

Please support our 8th grade fundraiser by purchasing a pass for $6 to wear nail polish, untucked shirts, and any color tennis shoes on Thursday, February 8. Click the button below to buy your pass. All proceeds go towards the 8th grade class.

St. Valentine's Day & Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler

This year, as a campus, we will celebrate Valentine's Day on Tuesday, February 13, to allow us to appropriately participate in the solemnity of Ash Wednesday on February 14. Students can wear a pink or red shirt with their uniform bottoms on Tuesday, the 13. Since it's also Fat Tuesday and our pancake breakfast, some students might be in Mardi Gras colors if they attend the pancake breakfast, which is also allowed.

Go Texan Day

February 23- StJPII will observe Go Texan Day. 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 should wear full dress (this is NOT a free dress day). Please follow the general dress code guidelines which are noted in the Student Handbook.

New Uniform Provider

For several years, Mills Uniform Company has been a trusted provider for our saint community. However, we recently received notice of their acquisition by another company. This prompted us to start exploring alternative uniform suppliers to guarantee a seamless transition and uphold our commitment to exceptional customer service and high-quality products.



We're pleased to announce our partnership with Risse Brothers. They are diligently working to supply all the required uniform pieces with minimal changes. Any adjustments to the uniform pieces will not be mandatory until the 2026-2027 school year, ensuring ample time for all families to acquire any necessary new items. More information to come soon.

See attached flyer

Summer Enrichment Program

Start making plans now for the summer. Sign up today for StJPII's Summer Enrichment Program. Students going into PreK-3 through 8th Grade are welcome. Click the button below for more information.

Lunch Account Balance

Please make sure your student has adequate funds in their lunch account. Check your child'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!

Art Show Award Winners 

The “Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Student Art Contest” is the most prestigious major art contest event in the Texas South-Eastern Region and Houston area. Our private school division show was held on Monday January 15th. We are extremely proud of our Middle School St John Paul II students who through the years have consistently exceeded expectations to “high standards of performance” against the competition in this annual event. Students select their type of media which show and reflect mastery with Rodeo Themed Drawings. Middle School Artisan and Art 1 students need to come to the stage when their name and rank is announced:

* For the first time “ever” we have had two students whose pre-submitted still life drawings were selected to participate in the “Quick Draw Competition” held Sunday January 21st – Elise Hajati-Garcia and Cristina Carrillo. Students drew using Ebony Prisma Color a Still Life in fifty minutes, then were judged. Congratulations to Elise Hajati-Garcia for winning 3^rd Place in the combined Middle School category! She received a check for $200.00 and her artwork will be on display in the Hayloft Gallery in N.R.G. during the Rodeo Event.     

Finalist: Higher than Blue, from which the two top artworks: Champion and Gold Medal in the combined Middle School Category are selected- Keira Barrios- media: India Ink Drawing in six colors and Stephan Baros- media: Ink Etched Drawing

First Place Blue: Sophia LaLonde- Media: Ink Etched Drawing, Rachel Benedict- media: Prisma Color Drawing, Cayenne Barrios- Media Prisma Color Drawing

Second Place Red: Roselyn Da Silva- media: Oil Pastel Drawing, Ellie Freeborg- Oil Pastel Drawing, Veronica Alejos – Ink Etched Drawing, James Freeborg- media: Permanent Marker Drawing,

Third Place White: Cristina Carrillo – Media: Prisma Color Drawing 

*What amazing accomplishments all our artists achieved!

*All Artwork will be on Display for 2 weeks between the first floor computer labs then sent home.

Race Day Information - February 10

Participants, please plan to stop by our StJPII tent on Saturday morning to get a special treat from Mrs. Bogard. Please wear your race shirt or your StJPII attire. Here is a schedule of events for the morning:

7:00 A.M. – Sunrise Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

7:00 A.M. – Catholic School Village Opens

8:15 A.M. – Presentation of the David Guite Spirit Award & President’s Cup

8:30 A.M. – Timed 5K Start

8:40 A.M. – Untimed 5K & Family Fun Run Start

9:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. – Post Race Party

There is still time to register and participate for the Steps for Students Race. If you register before Saturday or need to exchange your size, go to the address below to get your shirt(s) and race packet(s):

Chancery at St. Dominic Center

2403 Holcombe Blvd., Houston,  Tx. 77021  

February 8-9, from 12 noon to 7:00 pm 

*Please bring your registration confirmation email with you to make your pickup quick and easy. 

Good luck! Can't wait to see you all there! Let's go Saints!

**Registered racers as of 1/28 will receive their Race Bibs

and t-shirts TODAY and TOMOMORROW. **

Fat Tuesday Sign-Up Party - Pancake Breakfast

Kick off Shrove Tuesday with a belly full of pancakes and a Mardi Gras themed celebration! Allow your kiddos to join our Admin team and teachers for breakfast before school on February 13! We will serve up a pancake bar with lots of toppings (syrup, whipped cream, chocolate chips, cherries, and sprinkles) so you can make them how you like them! Students who purchase this breakfast will also get to wear a purple, green, or gold shirt with their uniform bottoms. Laissez les bons temps rouler! Open to current StJPII students (no parents).

Date: Tuesday, February 13

Time: 7:00 am

Location: StJPII GSC

Sponsored by: Admin and Development

Price: $15

Gala Attendees

Gala Attendees be on the lookout for the Haute in Havana Gala Guide. We will be sending this out soon with all of the event information. This will include parking, Saints Sweepstakes, Liquor and Wine Pull, and much more! Can't wait to see you all on Saturday!

Volunteers Needed!

The 2024 Gala is HERE, and we need parent volunteers! The event is only possible thanks to the efforts of our many volunteers. You are invaluable to the success of this year's gala, so please consider volunteering to help our wonderful school. If you can give an hour while at the gala, it would make all the difference. If you are not attending, but can volunteer*, we would appreciate your assistance. You can volunteer for one shift or for the entire night. We cannot do it without you, and you will have fun too! Thank you for your time, energy, and dedication to StJPII!

*All volunteers should wear Haute in Havana attire, or nice pants with a dressy shirt. Volunteers who are not ticketed guests and who are working before 8PM will be provided with a complimentary meal. 

Thank you to our Haute in Havana Sponsors

PTO Meeting

Our PTO plays an important role at St. John Paul II Catholic School. We are not merely a fundraising machine; rather, we strive to create a stronger community, an enriched experience for our students as well as a more pleasant environment for our teachers and staff. Attend the next meeting to learn more about what PTO does and hear first hand what plans are in store for the rest of the year! And remember, all funds gained by PTO events go back to the school in various ways.

First Friday Lunch - Thank you!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all our parents who signed up to donate the food for the the Faculty First Friday Lunch held on Friday, February 2, 2024. Our teachers and staff deserve ALL of this and more. THANKS to your generosity the teachers and staff enjoyed a delicious baked potato bar with various toppings, salads and delicious desserts.

Diane Gonzales, Payton Donoghue, Thomas Payne, Terri Bryan, Leticia Shirley, Kathy Forbes, Kike Oyediran, Christine Bartolo, Victoria Forkner, Nicole Lambert, Elizabeth Feldpausch, Sarah Shea, Ana M. Esteva Parra, Leticia Shirley, Joyce Holicek, Misty Monckton, Gail Anderson, Sarah Moore, Megan Sarvarian, Margarita Hernandez, Danille LaLonde, Emily Miller, Sara Gomez, Ana Palmai, Tricia Nino, Sarah Scafide, Rejani Slaiby, Tiffani Le, Laynne Martinez, Valentina Bracho-Rodon, Megan Sarvarian, Danille LaLonde, Liliana Medina, Ervina Widjaja, Maria Gobea, Rocio Morales, Maria Alecia Klemprer-Bello, Liliana Medina, Theresa Adegbesan, Ervina Widjaja, Sandra Vreedenburgh, Noha Tuma, Ofelia Hernandez, Lorena Van Metre, Analia Gugliotti

Spirit Night at Russo's

Please join us for school Spirit Night at Russo’s NY Pizzeria on Wednesday, February 7. Russo’s is located at 13346 Briar Forest Drive #100; 281-497-9800. All orders whether dine in or delivery count all day. Just let them know you are from StJPII! Russo’s has a delicious menu that includes salads, pasta, sandwiches and pizzas.

Spirit Store

Start the year with some BLING! Stay warm and cozy with a Bernie plushie and a snuggly school logo blanket! Orders will be sent home with your youngest Saint through their homeroom.

The Birthday Club - Celebrate Your Child’s Special Day!

The Birthday Club is taking orders for February Birthdays or any other month! (T-shirt, Squeezies, Marquee). Place your orders now and let the celebration begin with us! Thanks for supporting the PTO. 

Fun in the Sun

Fun in the Sun (FITS) is an annual Field Day at StJPII and the largest PTO fundraiser of the year! Parents should know that, though it is not a typical day at school, student attendance is expected and cafeteria service is not available. T-shirts will be available for purchase soon. Not only can students wear these shirts at FITS, but they may be worn by students during the school year on “Spirit Shirt” Days! Be on the lookout for information regarding the purchase of FITS wrist bands and lunch as well. The wrist bands will give students access to all the FUN planned!

Middle School Athletics

Congratulations to our 2024 athletes that are now on our Lady Saints Softball team!

We have Baseball, Girls Lacrosse, Boys Lacrosse, and Track all starting in the next 2 weeks! If you are a current basketball player you are expected to finish the basketball season and then you will attend tryouts (except for Track) for your choice of spring sports. All information is on the Athletic calendar!

Elementary School Athletics

We have 20 teams this year in the various grade levels from Kinder through 5th grade, and they are all working hard AND having fun! Please remember Spring Sports registration will close on 2/16 so be sure to check out the Athletic page for all information for our Spring sports!

Share Your Basketball Photos

We love to see your photos of our saints in action! If you get a great shot at practice or a 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.

After School Activities

Check the school calendar for the spring semester schedule.

Click on the various links to see club flyers, contact information, and online registration.

Sewing Circle (3rd-8th Grade) - register online with Molly Richard

STH Spring Academic Skills Camp

St. Thomas High School is pleased to announce details for its Spring Academic Skills Camp, Pathways to Independent Learning. In this course, students are given tools and strategies to take charge of the learning process. They will be able to take full responsibility for choosing effective approaches to long-term learning. Students need the skills and strategies of independent learning in order to excel in any learning environment or situation. Research has proven that the facility and practice of executive functioning skills and critical thinking are a greater predictor of student success than IQ. Students who develop independent learning skills are better able to adapt and succeed when they encounter obstacles. Click the button below for more info.

St. John Vianney Men’s ACTS Retreat 2024

Retreat Location:  St Agnes Le Thi Thanh (LTT) Retreat Center, Waller, TX

When: Thursday, February 22nd at 5:30 pm - Sunday, February 25

Math+: Advanced Mathematics Learning Opportunity Gain an edge – with skills that matter

This is Reynold D’Souza, a Mathematics Instructor at Strake Jesuit. I have joined RedwoodPrep to teach an Advanced Mathematics class, Math+, this Spring for boys and girls in 6th to 8th grade. This Spring’s course focuses on Infinity.

I strongly believe in Math+ and would encourage your family to participate. Each Math+ course explores 1 major idea included in Stanford University’s introductory math sequence. This is world-class content tailored to younger students. I continue to be impressed by how students get excited and passionate about math during

Math+. We want students to be excited about math – and Math+ does a great job doing just that.

This season’s course will be taught at Strake Jesuit on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm starting on Tuesday, March 19th for six weeks. The program will cost $250. Families can sign-up at www.RedwoodPrep.com.

This Spring, the Math+ program will be focused on the concept of Infinity. Infinity can be defined as “something without any limit”. The concept has applications across disciplines but is particularly critical in mathematics where the concept has been at the center of the field since 1655 when John Wallis, a leading mathematician, defined its mathematical symbol.

Most interested students can succeed in Math+. I find that students with a gift for math or a real desire to participate can succeed and learn a lot. Students interested in advanced math classes, high performance on standardized exams or general math ability will particularly benefit.