Dear Saint families,
I want to express my deep gratitude to our parent community for providing many volunteers today. They served and allowed us as a staff to attend today’s funeral services in honor of StJPII alumna Regan Moger.
The community of StJPII is very special. This was evident today as I witnessed alumni, faculty, former faculty, friends, and many members of the StJPII community come together to remember and honor a classmate. This is at the heart of our Catholic School, we are one body of Christ. Our faith is the foundation of who we are and who we are called to be. We are all called to listen and follow Him with an immense amount of trust, and today the Lord was alive in our community!
Today my Jesus calling states……
POUR ALL OF YOUR ENERGY into trusting Me. It is through trust that you stay connected to Me, aware of My Presence. Every step on your life-journey can be a step of faith. Baby steps of trust are simple for you; you can take them with almost unconscious ease. Giant steps are another matter altogether: leaping across chasms in semidarkness, scaling cliffs of uncertainty, trudging
through the valley of the shadow of death. These feats require sheer concentration, as well as utter commitment to Me.
Each of My children is a unique blend of temperament, giftedness, and life experiences. Something that is a baby step for you may be a giant step for another person, and vice versa. Only I know the difficulty or ease of each segment of your journey. Beware of trying to impress others by acting as if your giant steps are only baby ones. Do not judge others who hesitate in trembling fear before an act that would be easy for you. If each of My children would seek to please Me above all else, fear of others' judgments would vanish as would attempts to impress others. Focus your attention on the path just ahead of you and on the One who never leaves your side.
Next week, our Class of 2019 will be heading off to Washington, DC. Let us keep them in our prayers for safe travels and trust in the Lord to watch over and protect them.
In Him We Trust,
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Annual Fund -Kick Off
It’s almost time for our Annual Fund Drive! In order to kick off our drive with some momentum, students will be allowed to wear their favorite sports team jersey or shirt on Wednesday, October 3rd! Gifts from our fans (parents, faculty, board members, grandparents, alumni and friends) form the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts. Let’s band together as a team to reach the end zone and meet our goal!
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Aim For Success Programs- Bullying Prevention Program
Aim for Success, Inc., will present their nationally-acclaimed program to the students and parents of StJPII. The Aim for Success motivational programs have educated over 2.5 million teens, parents, and educators across America. The Radical live presentation teaches students to have a radical perspective, words and actions for working together to stop bullying at their schools. This program is designed to reach their hearts and minds with real-life stories and powerful illustrations to turn them from bullying to being “up-standers”. The Parent Program is a preview of the student presentation where parents will receive information on prevention and ideas to help their children make a radical difference in the world around them. Parents, please join us on
October 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the GSC. Student presentations will take place on
October 17 during the day.
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Early Dismissal
Tomorrow,
Wednesday, September 26 is early dismissal. Pre-K and Kindergarten students are dismissed at 1:45 p.m., 1st - 5th graders are dismissed at 2:00, and Middle S
chool is dismissed at 2:15. We have early dismissal once a month, typically on the last Wednesday of the month, to allow time for monthly faculty meetings. Typically on these days, students may wear school appropriate blue jeans and a StJPII spirit t-shirt or school sponsored t-shirt. Please refer to the
Parent/Student Handbook for more guidelines. All early dismissal dates are posted on the school
online calendar.
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StJPII Inaugural Homecoming
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StJPII Homecoming
We are looking forward to seeing our current families and welcoming back alumni at our first Homecoming game tomorrow evening right here at HOME! Our Saints football team will play RAIN or SHINE! Here are a few important reminders to get you game-ready:
- Kick off is at 5:30 vs. St. Laurence - arrive early to reserve your spot
- Wednesday morning the lane closest to the Pavilion will be blocked off for the food trucks
- Satellite parking will be available at Bush Elementary (do not park at Kindercare)
- Bring your tailgate gear and money (for concessions, the PTO Spirit Store, Mingos Latin Kitchen taco truck, and Kona Ice snow cones)
Special thanks in advance to our athletes, coaches, volunteers, and the Boy Scouts for making this special evening possible. The event promises to be a great new StJPII tradition...see you soon!
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Middle School News
Middle School parents, check out the
All Sailors on Board, StJPII Middle School Newsletter below.
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Library News
The STUDY SKILLS evening parent workshop is tomorrow,
September 25. Learn more about the study skills we teach across the campus. We discuss organization and time management, listening and taking notes, writing research papers and essays, memorizing strategies, ways to improve reading abilities, digesting information in school textbooks, and strategies for taking tests along with tips and hints. This parent only time is filled with useful approaches to tackle common frustrations for students. This is perfect for families with students with learning challenges and especially new parents to St. John Paul II Catholic School. Please click on the Study Skills Workshop below to learn more. Please RSVP to
Ms. Lamb. Please join this informative 90 minute time learning new actions to promote success!
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Online Spanish Book Fair
Hola Mis Amigos! We are having an online book fair for our Spanish Speaking Families. This online fair will be from
October 1 - 8. This is a great way to add Spanish titles to your home libraries. Proceeds from this fair go toward buying additional Spanish books for the school library. I hope you enjoy this new opportunity. Happy Reading - Ms. Lamb
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Love and Logic: Date Changed
Parents of our newest and youngest Saints are asked to attend one of two upcoming Love and Logic Workshops presented by former Assistant Principal Dan Courtney (who is currently serving as Principal at Christ the Redeemer Catholic School). One or both parents are encouraged to attend the session that best fits your schedule:
this Thursday, September 27 at 9:00 a.m. OR 6:30 p.m. in St. Jude Hall. "Be not afraid..." to attend this course, where you will learn about how StJPII develops accountability in our students. You will walk away with a better understanding about how StJPII partners with our parents; and take home some practical tips that will help you stay calm and avoid un-winnable power struggles with our children.
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Men's Retreat
StJPII's Father’s Ministry is designed to focus on strengthening the fathers of our students in faith and love, to help them bring the Catholic faith home to their families, and support the mission of the school. As a father of a child(ren) at the school, you are a member of this Ministry. Our ministry includes retreats, Mass, and other events that enrich and encourage your faith and witness as a man of God, all in the model of St. Joseph. Our next retreat of the year will be at on
October 4 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in St. Jude Hall. We will discuss service projects, our presence on campus and t-shirt ideas for our Dads club. All StJPII dads are invited to attend. Please RSVP to
Assistant Principal Dr. Mike Weinman.
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Grandparents Day 2018- Please Submit Contact information
StJPII's annual Grandparents and Special Friend's Day will be on November 16; invitations are mailing SOON! Have you submitted your names and addresses yet? If not, please do so by
FRIDAY, October 5. Even if we had your names last year in the former parent portal, we need you to refresh the information...this is the only way to ensure that your family will receive their invitation(s). It's quick and easy, just click the link below! Please contact our
Events Officer Kaela Lewis for more information.
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SJV Fall Bazaar: Volunteers Needed (All Parents and 8th Graders are Eligible)
St. John Vianney Catholic Church will host their annual Fall Bazaar on
Sunday, October 14. All are invited to attend and enjoy a fun day of "Family, Food, Fun & Fellowship. Bingo, Silent Auction & Big Board, BBQ Dinner from Mikeska’s, Merchandise Mart and the Raffle with a chance to win $10,000 in Visa Gift Cards benefiting Parish Charities." More information about the event can be found by clicking
here. StJPII has the opportunity to lead the Cotton Candy / Snow Cone booth and volunteers are needed to work 1-hour shifts. This is also a wonderful time for 8th graders to earn service hours, but they must be accompanied by a parent. To sign up for a shift, please register on the
Sign-Up Genius. Thank you in advance for supporting our neighborhood parish!
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Trunk or Treat: Save the Date!
Join the StJPII community for our annual Trunk-or-Treat festivities in the parking lot on
Friday, October 26! Kids and parents are encouraged to dress in costume for safe trick-or-treating, games, and photos. Volunteer to decorate your trunk and you just may win a prize.Sign up below! We welcome cars of all shapes and sizes – no trunk is too small!
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RWTS- Sign up today for Registration/Shirts or to Volunteer
StJPII's annual 5K, which benefits children's cancer in memory of StJPII student Lauren Lockard, is scheduled for
Saturday, October 27
. If you are a runner, would like to sign your child up for the Kids K, or want to buy a shirt visit the button below. We also need volunteers to plan and make this the best race yet! Running experience is a bonus, but not required. Please contact RWTS Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator
Annette Colgan
for more information on Volunteering. If you have questions regarding the Run with the Saints event, please contact our Events Officer
Kaela Lewis
for more information.
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StJPII International Festival
We are thrilled to announce StJPII's International Festival which will be held on
January 25, 2019. We are excited to celebrate the many nationalities we have in our wonderful school and want to make this a sharing and learning experience for our students.
We are currently looking for International Festival Committee Chairs to manage decorations, printed materials, country booths, performances, etc. If you are interested in becoming a Committee Chair, please sign up below. Questions? Please contact
StJPII International Festival Committee
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WHCSA ~ Elementary Soccer
WHCSA Soccer got off to a rainy start but we were all able to participate in our 1st games of the season! Thank you to all the coaches that are volunteering their time to teach our kiddos!
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Middle School
GHCAA ~ Middle School Sports
IT’s HOMECOMING week! We are so excited for our Football team and our cheerleaders to lead the way for our Homecoming game tomorrow against St. Laurence! Our Football team is UNDEFEATED with a 4-0 record and 1 more victory will put us as the top seed for the GHCAA Championship game! Please come out to support our team and enjoy all the festivities we have planned!
Our Soccer team had an incredible week scoring wins in every game for both the Varsity & JV teams defeating St. Francis de Sales, St. Anne Houston, and St. Vincent de Paul! This week we will play St. Laurence and Corpus Christi with both games being at home so check the
athletic calendar
for more information and come cheer on our SAINTS!
Volleyball had a very busy week playing four games and a Varsity Tournament at St. Agnes Academy on Saturday! Varsity placed 4th at the SAA tourney with the following players receiving recognition for All Tournament team ~
Hannah Dvorachek and Mariana Flores
. Last week in District play, Varsity split their wins and losses 2-2, JV won both games, and the C Team split as well with 1 win and 1 loss. Congrats to all of our Lady Saints!
Cross Country did an excellent job this past weekend at the Second Baptist Soaring Eagle XC meet! XC placed 3rd in the in Girl's Open Division 6th grade and under with 49 other girls, 4th in the Girl's MS Division, 7th & 8th graders with 95 girls, and the boys placed 3rd in the MS Division with 62 boys.
Medals were awarded in each division to the top 15 runners to finish.
Girls who medaled:
- Averi Garrity – 4th
- Nicole Halter – 16th
- McKay Lawless – 17th
- Lizzy DeGeeter – 24th
Boys who medaled:
- Liam Smith – 4th
- Peter Rider – 8th
We are so proud of our runners!
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Garden Brick Pavers
Brick pavers are a great way to recognize the amazing teachers, dedicated coaches, strong leaders, faithful volunteers, enthusiastic staff and many other role models in our children’s lives. Order your garden brick pavers today to celebrate your graduating 8th grader, or make your mark in the StJPII garden courtyard. As you walk through the courtyard, you will see the many memorable pavers from years gone past. Support your school garden and create a legacy! Please contact
Amber Leech
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PTO Spirit Store- open for Inaugural Homecoming Game
Planning on attending the StJPII Homecoming Game this Wednesday but you are all out of StJPII Spirit Gear? Our PTO Spirit Store is happy to announce that it will be open for your convenience an hour before the game starts tomorrow, September 26 (4:30 - 7:30pm). You can choose from our newest UnderArmor™ dry-fit shirts and baseball caps, to travel mugs and coolers. We also have a few stadium seats left as well! The Spirit Store is accepting cash or checks. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at the pavilion.
The UnderArmor™ shirts may also be purchased online through the StJPII website under the heading “
Spirit Store”. We offer adult sizes for parents who want to show their Saints spirit and are allowing boys to wear the dry fit shirts on Wednesdays for Spirit Day. Available in royal blue or burgundy, order yours today and receive within one week.
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First Friday Lunch- October 5
Let's show our appreciation to the teachers and staff by dropping off delicious foods for their First Friday Lunch. Our theme will be "YOUR SIGNATURE DISH". If you have a special dish you that your friends and family love, you'll want to bring it to this lunch. And... if you are one who shares your best recipes please send a copy of that with your dish too. Please be sure to drop off your items at the front office after morning carpool. If you have hot items, please try to have them delivered as close to 10:30 as possible. A Signup Genius has been created to ensure we have ample types of food. If you would like to volunteer your cooking talents to the First Friday Lunches please email
bsholden@sbcglobal.net to be added to the signup distribution email.
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Box Tops Reminder
Classroom contests started Friday, September 21st. Please remember to clip those box tops! Turn in your Ziploc bags labeled with your child’s name and homeroom teacher by
October 5.
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Texas Conquest Father/Son Campout
Father Michael Sullivan invites fathers and sons ages 5 and up to a campout experience of activities, sports, and talks.
October 12-14 in Buda, Texas. The cost is $150.00. For more information, please see the
flyer. To register go to
www.TexasConquest.com.
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Save The Date: STH Home Gathering
All 7th and 8th Grade Boys and their parents are invited to a St. Thomas High School Home Gathering on
Sunday, October 14 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Ernie and Michelle Williamson's home. If you have any questions, please contact StJPII's Parent Ambassador,
Stacie Sudkamp.
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Farm and Art Market this Saturday
All are invited to attend the Energy Corridor Oktoberfest Art Market this
Saturday, September 29. This farmers and artists market is a free, family friendly event and will be held at Grisby Square/Watsons Pub from
11:00-6:00. The Houston SPCA, TWRC Wildlife Center, live music, and more than 90 farmers, artists, and food vendors will be there! Please see the attached
flyer for more information.
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Did you know...that every image/likeness of our patron, Pope St. John Paul II, around our campus is from 1988! That is intentionally done to honor when our patron became a Pope!
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9/25 Study Skills Workshop, 6:00 p.m., SJH
9/26 Blue Jean & Spirit Shirt Day/Early Dismissal (1:45/2:00/2:15 p.m.)
9/26 Daily Mass, 7:10 a.m., All Saints Chapel
9/26 StJPII Homecoming Game, 5:30 p.m.
9/27 Love & Logic New Family Presentation, 9:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., SJH
9/28
All School Mass, 8:30 a.m., BAC/GSC
10/1-10/5 8th Grade DC Trip
10/1 Tintaleo Online Book Fair Opens
10/3 Daily Mass, 7:10 a.m., All Saints Chapel
10/3 Adoration, 7:40 a.m., All Saints Chapel
10/3 PTO Meeting, 8:15 a.m., SJH
10/4 Dad's Retreat, 6:30 p.m., SJH
10/5 Box Tops Ends
10/5 PTO First Friday Staff Lunch
10/5 First Friday All School Mass, 8:30 a.m., BAC/GSC
10/8 Student Holiday/Teacher In-Service
10/8 Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
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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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