HAPPY EASTER Saint families!
I hope that you all had a blessed Triduum and a Holy Easter! I am sure it was different from your normal Easter traditions, however I am hopeful that you were able to treasure your family and create new memories! A huge thanks goes out to our 7th graders and our teachers who supported the efforts to provide a virtual Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. Thank you for participating with us and I pray it offered your family reflection on His death.
I want to thank all of our families for their patience with all of us as we continue to troubleshoot, re-evaluate and make changes to our Distance Learning Plan (DLP) in order to do our best to support learning at this time. Continued efforts are being made and adjustments are forthcoming to best serve all students remotely. My apologies for any confusion about continuing with a school day yesterday. When we moved to remote learning, we had communicated that we would return to school on Monday, April 13th. As this pandemic has changed, many dates on our school calendar have become fluid and we decided to keep the day as we continued with our DLP. Moving forward, I will do my best to communicate more clearly about any inevitable date changes that will continue to alter our schedule.
We are still hopeful that we will be together again soon on May 4th! As I have said before, as soon as I know further details on the remainder of the school year, I will share with you. We are currently working through planning for 8th Grade Graduation and our Summer Enrichment Program and will be in communication soon!
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3rd Quarter Saints Award Winners
Congratulations to our 3rd Quarter Saints Award Winners! Each quarter, homeroom teachers nominate students in their classrooms who exemplify good citizenship. Typically they are honored with a Saints Breakfast before school, but this quarter we are recognizing them with the attached video and a special treat from Russo's Pizzaria! Click the video below to find out who the winners are in your homeroom! Thank you to these student leaders who are showing Christ's love through good citizenship!
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Middle School Electives for 2020-2021 School Year
Take advantage of the time at home with your kiddo and discuss all of the exemplary elective programs offered by our school. Elective choice sheets will be provided to parents via Google Forms on
Monday, April 13. Be on the lookout for showcase links to explain elective programs a bit deeper under Academics-->
Auxiliary for Distance Learning on
StJPII webpage. Elective forms are due on
Friday, April 24.
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Optional Casual Uniform Orders
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".
Last day to order is
May 5 to pick up at Meet N Greet.
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StJPII Coronavirus Resources (COVID-19)
StJPII will continue to update all parents regarding Coronavirus and how it impacts our school community. Please make sure you check your emails regularly and visit the StJPII Coronavirus webpages below. These webpages will house all communications and resources from StJPII, Catholic Schools Office as well as Federal, State and Local government entities.
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Virtual "Christ's Love is the Key"
Our love bulletin board is growing! As you know, our school theme this year is "Christ's Love is the Key". When we were together as a student body, we took this idea to heart, and learned about ways that we can show Christ's love to others. We have an oversized key that visited many homerooms that provided a daily reminder about the importance of showing Christ's love through compassion, courage, service and faith - which also happen to be the cornerstone virtues of our House System. Here are a couple or recent ways that our students have been Christ to others:
- Mariana Rondon has donated masks to local hospitals
- Alyssa Ziedan, Francesca Halter and their families are sewing masks for a group called “‘Masks of Hope”
- Faith O'Connor has been learning how to sew masks to donate
- Our 3rd grade girl scout troop donated their cookie money to buy gift cards for families in need!
Students can still earn hearts even while they are at home! Help us grow our "virtual bulletin board" by adding more yellow hearts to our wall! Please submit how you are sharing Christ's love to:
communications@jp2.org
.
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We have been called into service by Catholic Charities! They are asking for donations of homemade face masks. Catholic Charities has no specifications for the masks but we suggest they be at least 2 ply material and washable. Here is a link for making a mask without sewing
here. Please feel free to sew your face masks if you like. There are plenty of different options or patterns you may use. After making a mask please put the mask in a ziplock bag for donation. We will have a drop off box available at StJPII on
Tuesday, April 28 from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. for your donations. This goes without saying... if someone at your home is ill please opt out of this service project! We hope this will be a stress free, optional, fun-filled project for the families at StJPII. Thank you in advance for your time and talents!
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Library Book Return
Do you have library books you would like to return? There will be bucket for drop off on April 28 to return books.
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Tuition for 2020-2021
Please note that in acknowledging all the changes our families are experiencing, tuition for the 2020-21 school year will be due May 1, 2020, however no late fees will be applied until after May 31st.
Families interested in applying for a tuition loan for the 2020-2021 school year through Allegiance Bank may do so online using the bank's standard loan application form. Please remember to start this process at least three weeks before the due date, and note that the bank will need an authorization form and a tuition invoice from our Business Office to process your application. To obtain these, you may email your request to the Business Manager at
businessoffice@jp2.org. Please note at this time, the lobby at Allegiance Bank is closed. You must use the drive-through to submit your paperwork, or you may leave your documents in the night drop box after business hours. For more information, visit:
https://jp2.org/tuition-loans
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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.)
While we are continuing to offer our summer program at this time, we are making a few changes to due dates and payment. Registrations will be accepted through May 8th. The early registration fee will also be offered through May 8th. Please hold payments until further notice. Send your registration forms directly to
Mrs. McCurry's email. Once we are back at school Mrs. McCurry will reach out to all registrants. If the dates or how we will offer our summer program changes we will contact you as soon as possible.
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Class of 2020- High School Acceptances
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StJPII's Celebrating Class of 2020 Virtually
It's hard to imagine, but regardless of what happens with the corona virus situation, in two short months you will be high school students! I know - so hard to believe!
We're all anxious to hear about your plans for the future. It keeps us looking forward and solidifies in our minds and heart that our current situation is not forever.
Please send us a picture of yourself holding a sign, wearing a t-shirt, or somehow identifying where you're going to high school. The development office wants to celebrate you and highlight all of your futures on the school social media pages.
We can't wait to see what you've decided!
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Story time with Principal Bogard
Join Mrs. Bogard in Story time as she reads
"The Parable of the Lily".
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Be not afraid...to Showcase your Saints
We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to send us pictures or videos of your saints in action at home! Studying, playing their instruments, praying, helping around the house - whatever you think might brighten someone's day! Your submission may be included on the school's social media. If you do not follow the school's social media accounts, please click on the links below.
In keeping with our daily routine, you can start your day by saying the Saint Family Prayer. It is listed below. We would also like to feature our students praying the Angelus each day at noon - so send us those videos too! All submissions can be sent to:
communications@jp2.org.
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6th Annual Crawfish Boil- Cancelled
Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets to
the 6th annual Saints at Sunset Crawfish Boil. At this time we have decided to cancel the crawfish boil. For our families and community supporters who have purchased tickets we ask that you graciously consider donating your ticket sales to StJPII. If you are a sponsor and would like to carry over your sponsorship to another event please let us know. If at this time, you want a refund for your tickets/sponsorships, please email our Communications and Events Officer Kaela Lewis at
Communications@jp2.org
to begin processing your refund.
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Birthday Club
Please join us and wishing our Saints a very Happy Birthday 🎁🎂🎉🎉💙🥳! Saints family, please enjoy our virtual marquee to wish our students a very Happy Birthday while we are participating in
#distancelearning
.
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Box Tops- Online Shopping
To earn for StJPII make sure you have a Box Tops for Education account (you can create one via the Box Tops app or website). Forward your email receipt to
receipts@boxtops4education.com using the email that's associated with your Box Tops for Education account.
The following email receipts are currently eligible- H-E-B, Instacart, Jet.com, SamsClub.com, Sam's Club Scan & Go, Shipt, Target.com, Target Pick-Up/Drive-Up, Walmart Grocery, Walmart Pay and Walmart.com
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Ambassador Families- Sign up link now live!
A wonderful tradition we have at StJPII is our Ambassador Family program, welcoming new students and their families into our Saints community. Every incoming family is assigned an “Ambassador Family” to help guide them during their first year at StJPII. Volunteers are needed from all grades, and we need LOTS of volunteers in order to find a match for each of our new families.
Families with PreK and K students will comprise more than 60% of our volunteer needs!
Families with elementary students in grades 1-5 comprise almost 30% of our volunteer needs!
Families with middle school students in grades 6-8 comprise more than 10% of our volunteer needs! If you are willing to assist, please sign up -- we need you! Go to the button below for more information and to sign up today!
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Join the PTO Team!
The PTO is looking for volunteers to chair several of the key activities and programs for the 2020 – 2021 school year. These volunteers are needed for the Book Club, Brick Pavers, Garden and Holiday on the Parkway. If interested, please reach out to PTO President -
Andrea Dvorachek.
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Elementary and Middle School
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WHCSA spring sports refunds will begin this week. Please allow time for the refund to show on your account, whatever form of payment you used to register on Acceptiva will reflect the refund.
In regards to GHCAA Middle School spring sports we still have not received any confirmation from the CSO that we will or will not continue athletic events based on a tentative return date of May 4. I again ask for your patience and pray we can have some form of closure to our various sports. I am thankful that we got through half of the season!
Please continue to read SW for updates!
Please this week's PE video below.
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Now that schools have closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, how can parents best help their children learn and complete work while avoiding counterproductive power struggles?
Much of the answer involves sharing control within the boundaries of firm yet loving limits. It’s an old concept made even more relevant by the current situation. Most of us feel that our lives have been turned upside down. We’re experiencing little or no control over so many things.
Do we all yearn for control? What happens when we feel like we’ve lost it?
Obviously our kids are also experiencing many difficult feelings, including a sense of losing much of their freedom. That’s why small choices around schoolwork represent one of the most powerful ways of minimizing the chaos during these already difficult times. Listed below are some examples. Please remember that the choices you provide will depend on your unique situation and value system.
- Will you be starting your schoolwork now or in five minutes?
- What do you want to start with? Math or reading?
- Do you want to make a goal of working for 30 minutes before your break, or would 25 minutes be better?
- Will you be doing your work while sitting or standing?
- Do you think it would be best to draft something on pencil or paper… or begin your work directly on the computer?
- Would you like my help or would you prefer working alone?
- Do you want to learn in the kitchen or in the family room?
- Will you be working while keeping your body still, or would you rather see how much you can wiggle while still getting it done?
- Should we start with the hardest part first or the easiest?
- Would you rather help me with chores or get started on your schoolwork?
The key to success with this technique involves remembering three things:
- Give most of your choices before your child becomes resistant… not after.
- With each choice provide two options, each of which you like.
- Be prepared to choose for your child if they don’t select an option you provided.
While these ideas can’t solve all of the parenting challenges we face right now, they’ll increase the odds of getting through each day with fewer power struggles.
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Prayer Requests
Our community is a united family of believers and we want to pray for you, your family, and friends during this difficult time. Please keep the following people in your prayers:
- Ron Abraham
- Geri Atwood
- Keshia Barnett
- Charles V. Cusimano
- Vic Hughes
- Phillip Langer
- Shirley Levy
- Richard Miranda
- Mary Pat Phillips
- Anne Pierce
- Denise Richards
- Bobby Scelfo
- Terri Wyker
Though we cannot be together physically, our faith binds us together in Christ. If you would like to add a name to this list, visit
jp2.org/pray
. Please list anyone for whom we can pray. These intentions will be listed in
Saints Weekly
until school resumes. For questions or to remove someone from the list, please contact
jcook@jp2.org
.
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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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