February 7, 2023

Happy February!  What a great Catholic Schools week last week!  We had a blast celebrating being part of St. John Paul II Catholic School!  We are so grateful for the families who helped us share the good news at your parishes and during our Open House kicking off the week!

While this month is short, we are busy with many events!  I hope that many of you can join us this weekend in representing StJPII at the Steps 4 Students 5K! Then, here on campus, we are hosting a VEX robotics tournament. We are so excited to have so our robotics teams see their hard work pay off!  

As we close out the month, I ask for your prayers as we administer new student testing and begin to discern and accept new saints into our saint family.

This month of February we are studying the virtue of cheerfulness - looking on the bright side…probably one of the greatest things my mom taught me…to find the blessings that truly are all around us all the time if we are willing to see them. We are fortunate that StJPII gives us so many opportunities to experience blessings every day!

Principal

All School Mass Friday

We will have All School Mass Friday, February 10. Students should wear their full-dress uniforms. There will be an optional daily Mass before school on Wednesday, February 8, in the Chapel at 7:10 a.m.

Dad's Club Retreat

February 7, 2023

St. Jude Hall

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

The night will include a Mass celebrated by Chaplain, Fr. Eamonn Shelly

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

January Service Project - THANK YOU!

Thank you to all of those who contributed to the January Service Project. We collected over 700 cereal boxes to donate to various food banks.

Guest Speaker - Jessie Funk

Please join us on February 14 for Jessie Funk. She is a therapeutic coach and the Kindness Crew director for the nonprofit organization, Think Kindness. Jessie will be speaking about emotional well-being and knowing your worth. She will be speaking throughout the day to students as well as a special lunch session cut out for parents. Her parent session will be in Saint Jude Hall from 11:30-12:30 p.m. We hope you can join us!

Upcoming Important Dates

February 14- StJPII will observe St. Valentine's Day. Students may wear red or pink shirts with uniform bottoms. 

February 20- Student Holiday in observance of Presidents' Day

February 24- 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 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.

February 28- Early Dismissal (2:15/2:30/2:45 p.m.)

Sweaters and Jackets (cold weather attire)

Students are required to wear a StJPII sweater or sweatshirt on campus on cold weather days. Additional outerwear may be used over, but not in place of StJPII sweaters/sweatshirts when students are outside for recess or PE. Burgundy sweaters or vests are required on dress uniform days and must be worn in the buildings or as the 1st layer over dress uniforms when it is cold. No other sweaters, sweatshirts, or jackets may be worn on dress uniform days inside the buildings, or going to another building. Students may wear additional coats and jackets over the StJPII sweater/vest on cold days for recess and P.E. All jackets, including StJPII jackets and outerwear must be hung in lockers or closets during the school day.

Leaving School/Early Dismissal Reminder

In order to minimize school interruptions please adhere to the following procedures:

1. Please send a note in the morning with your child stating the time you wish to pick him/her up for early dismissal.
2. Remind your child to take the note to the office before school starts for an early dismissal pass.
3. Please do not e-mail Early Dismissal notes to your child’s teacher or the office. We can’t guarantee that someone will see the e-mail in time.
4. Please do not call the office or just show up and ask to have your child come to the office. Please make doctor and other appointments in advance. Last minute changes and interruptions are a disruption to the entire class and the learning taking place.
5. Please do not call the office and request the school to pass on last minute carpool changes. Please make arrangements in advance and have backup plans with other families, sharing carpool numbers, etc.
6. When you are a field trip chaperone and you return from the field trip, please do not ask to pick up your other children. This is not considered an acceptable absence and points will be deducted for work missed. Children need to know that you value their education and the importance of being in class.
7. You must come to the office to sign your child out of school.
8. 2:45 p.m. is the latest a student may be picked-up for early dismissal, so as not to interfere with regular carpool procedures. (2:15 on early dismissal days)
9. Students who arrive at or leave school other than the designated times must do so through the front office or nurses office if parents are contacted by the nurse.

From the Business Office - Update

Invoices for the school year 2023-24 have been sent to your primary email. Please check your email and spam folders.

Please note:

• You can start sending payments towards the 2023-24 tuition
• $100 a week late fee will be applied for TUITION received after 3:00 p.m. on April 28, 2023.
• Tuition Loans and Tuition Assistance applications are available under the Admissions tab on our website. 
• The due date for Tuition Loans is April 7, 2023.
• The due date for Tuition Assistance was February 6, 2023 to be considered in the first round. Applications will still be considered.

Art Show Award Winners

The “Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Student Art Contest” is a prestigious major art contest event for the greater Houston area. Our private school division show was held on Monday, January 16th. 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 shows and reflects mastery with Rodeo Themed Drawings.

Finalist: (Media - Ink Etching/Drawing) Mark Dominy, Olivia Hildebrand, Maxwell Quant

First Place Blue: (Media - Ink Etching/Drawing) Huey Kim and Mateo Pruneda

Second Place Red: (Media - Prisma Color Drawings) Keira Barrios, Maite Gallart, Valeria Rodriguez, Fabiana Santana

Third Place White: (Media - Prisma Color Drawing) Sophia Jimenez

Finalist! This is above 1st place Blue. These students’ artworks were in the final cut to be considered for the top two spots of “Best in Show” - overall first place and “Gold Medal” - overall 2nd place” winners for the Middle School age category. From this group of combined 6th /7th /8th grade finalists, the top Five artworks are then pulled to decide the top two overall winners. This year the Rodeo committee decided to honor the top three finalists who were runners-up with a “Special Merit Award." We are proud to announce that two of our students achieved this award. Congratulations to Mark Dominy and Olivia Hildebrand! What amazing accomplishments all our artists achieved! All Artwork will be on Display for 2 weeks between the first floor computer labs and then sent home. 

*Updated with corrections from 1/31/23 Saints Weekly.*

Spring Semester Art Club

It is now time for students to join Art Clubs for the Spring Semester. These are after school clubs open to boys or girls who enjoy making a variety of challenging creative art projects. Click the buttons below for more information and to sign up.

Don't miss your chance to bid on these cool experiences! Take your pick from several teachers and work side by side as Teacher for the Day! Or have your time in the spotlight as Guest Anchor on Halo News! "Bidding with Bernie, StJPII's Online Auction, will begin soon! Click the button to preview all of the packages!

Crawfish Boil

Plans are already underway for our 7th Annual Saints @ Sunset Crawfish Boil! Mark your calendars for the evening of Friday, March 31, here on campus. We had over 800 people attend last year!

If you would like to volunteer, send an email to Communications@jp2.org. We are also looking for corporate sponsors!  If your business is interested in helping sponsor the event and receiving advertising and promotion opportunities, please contact Communications and Events Officer, Lauren Gerland, at lgerland@jp2.org. Tickets will go on sale in March!  Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Steps for Students

**Registered racers as of 1/31 will receive their Race Bibs and t-shirts TODAY. **

Race Day Information - February 11

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 9-10, from 12 noon to 7:00 pm 

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

*Any student who registers gets a free shoe pass and a chance to win

P.E. Teacher for the Day!*

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

Mardi Gras Pancake Breakfast

Kick off Shrove Tuesday, February 21, with a belly full of pancakes and a Mardi Gras themed celebration! Students are invited to join our Admin team for breakfast before school! We will serve up a pancake bar with lots of toppings! Laissez les bons temps rouler!



Open to all current StJPII students and faculty. Please be sure to drop off no later than 7:30am 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! Click the button below to purchase tickets today.

Join the Birthday Club

Birthday Club packages are selling fast, some t-shirts sizes are sold out, don’t forget to order yours soon! Remember that orders are honored on a first come, first served basis and must be received at least 2 weeks before the birthday to guarantee prompt delivery.

Spirit Store

Get the latest athletic gear and represent StJPII! Order today at the Spirit Store.

STREAM Challenge Activity

Looking for something fun and creative to do as a family? Try the StJPII monthly Family STREAM Challenge! On early dismissal Tuesdays or the last Tuesday of the month, look for a STREAM Challenge in Saints Weekly to complete with your family. The challenges will use easy-to-find materials around the house and follow the engineering design process to complete. 

How do you participate in the STREAM Challenge? Click on the button below to go to this month’s challenge. Complete the challenge and share what you’ve done on social media using the hashtag #StJP2STREAM  

This month’s challenge is to create a rolling shoebox Mardi Gras float. To kick off the StJPII STREAM Challenges, this month there are TWO options for sharing:

1) share what you’ve created by emailing pictures to communications@jp2.org

2) bring your family’s rolling shoebox float to your homeroom teacher by Thursday, February 16 to have it be part of a StJPII Mardi Gras parade on Fat Tuesday through the hallways of the school.

Questions? Email Dr. Hiltbrand at sehiltbrand@jp2.org  

Summer Enrichment Program

Start making plans now for the summer. Sign up today for StJPII's Summer Enrichment Program. Students going into PreK-4 through 8th Grade are welcome. Click the button below for more information.

Elementary Athletics

Elementary spring sports opened for registration on February 1 and will close on February 15. Please click the button below to register.

Middle School Athletics

Our Varsity Baseball & Softball teams are formed and they are ready to goooooo!

• Boys Lacrosse will have day 2 of tryouts TODAY,
• Girls will have their tryouts tomorrow and Thursday! Please refer to the Athletic calendar for all info!
• Track & Field starts on Monday February 13 from 3:30-5:30 pm right here on campus. Parent Meeting will immediately follow. If you are new to Track please make every effort to attend.

Continued reminders:

*You must have your own equipment for all sport tryouts.

*You must attend both days of tryouts.

*You must have a physical on file with Mrs. Aertker.

*We kindly ask parents to remember that for ALL MS sports, tryouts are closed to parents attending.

Spring Chapelwood Volleyball is open for registration!!!!

We are hoping to see interest from 4th through 8th grade girls to play in the league! It is run in the same format as WHCSA sports, practices are 1-2 days a week, games are on Saturdays, coaches are volunteer parents!

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. All grade level sports pictures are needed and appreciated.

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.