January 14, 2025

All School Mass

We will have All School Mass Friday, January 17. Students should wear their full-dress uniforms. There will be an optional daily Mass before school on Wednesday, January 15, in the Chapel at 7:10 a.m.

PreK Service Project- Cereal Box Challenge

Our school is collecting boxes of cereal for those in need in our community. However, before we donate the cereal, we will build a GIANT DOMINO LINE throughout our school with the boxes. The

more donations, the longer our domino line will be! Please bring the cereal boxes by the end of January. Drop off boxes are placed by the PreK classrooms.

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

5th Grade Gets a Sneak Peek at Middle School During "Meet the Middle"

This week, our 5th-grade students had the exciting opportunity to participate in "Meet the Middle," a special event during the school day designed to give them an in-depth introduction to life in middle school. Hosted by our amazing 6th-grade teachers, this interactive experience showcased the many ways middle school at StJPII is both a new adventure and a place to grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

Students learned about the differences between elementary and middle school, including increased responsibilities and expectations. They also got a preview of electives, from band and chorale to journalism and more, sparking excitement for the variety of opportunities awaiting them.

Our 5th-grade saints discovered how middle school is not just different, but also great—a time for exploring new interests, making friends, and becoming more independent. We’re so proud of the curiosity and enthusiasm our 5th graders showed during "Meet the Middle" and can’t wait to see them embrace their middle school journey next year! Click the slideshow below to see more about their special day!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

StJPII will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Current Student Re-Enrollment 2025/2026

The online re-enrollment contract and forms for the 2025/2026 school year were emailed to the primary email address listed for your child(ren). Check your spam, trash, and all gmail tabs for the email if you do not see it in your inbox. The link within the email will contain all of your current StJPII student's re-enrollment information. Read the entire email before filling out and signing the online re-enrollment contract.

The online re-enrollment contract & deposit are due by 3pm Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Late fees will be added to your tuition if submitted after this date/time.

Please email Jessica Ande at jande@jp2.org if you did not receive the email or have any questions.

Limited Edition StJPII Yard Sign

Show your StJPII pride with our exclusive yard sign, celebrating all four of our National Blue Ribbon Award years! This is a limited-time offer, and no extra signs will be printed—pre-order yours today to secure your sign. Sales close on January 21.

Signs will be available for pick-up during Family Bingo Night on January 27. Don’t miss out!

Smart Families

As Christians, prayer is the source of faith. It is the lifeblood of our souls, nourished by the Word of God. Smartphone and social media use is directly attacking our prayer life and our relationship with God. Technology has stolen the two most important things we can offer God, our time and attention. Boredom should be an invitation to turn to God in prayer, instead we quickly turn to our phones to be entertained. God isn't going to follow you on social media; He wants you to come to Him in prayer. He desires a real connection and it takes time to cultivate that relationship. Please click on the buttons below for the Smart Families monthly newsletter.

Several amazing community events are on the horizon, mark your calendar and stay tuned to Saints Weekly.

• January 22 - For Every Saint Capital Campaign Close-Up Cocktail Party
• January 25 - Saints vs. Seminarians Basketball Game
• January 26 - Catholic Schools Week begins
• January 27 - Family Bingo Night
• February 8 - Steps for Students
• February 24 - Bidding with Bernie opens
• March 27- International Festival

StJPII Catholic Schools Week 2025

Click on the button below to view all of the fun events to come!



STEPS for Students

Thanks to everyone who has signed up as of December, we are at 505 participants. If we get 50 more people we are eligible for the Archdiocesan Spirit Award. If you have not yet signed up, please do so today! We have 4 classes that have earned the pizza party and there is still time for all classes to earn a reward. Every student that signs up will get a free dress pass!

Please make plans to join us on Saturday, February 8 for music, snacks, games, and prizes. We hope to show all of the other Houston Catholic Schools our StJPII pride and spirit. Click below to register and remember to choose StJPII as your school.

Bidding with Bernie

“Bidding with Bernie,” StJPII’s Online Auction, is coming soon! The auction will begin on February 24th and end on February 25th. Be sure to save the date and stay tuned for more information! 



International Festival

The International Festival is back and will be held on March 27! If you're interested in helping with a country booth, please click the button to fill out the form. All responses are due by January 17.

Camp Invention 2025

Join Us for Camp Invention® at St. John Paul II Catholic School! We’re thrilled to bring back the nationally acclaimed Camp Invention® program from July 7–11, 2025 for students entering K–6th grade! Directed by Ashley Wetwiski, this inspiring weeklong adventure will engage young minds with hands-on exploration in science, technology, engineering, and more. Campers will collaborate, think creatively, and solve real-world challenges through exhilarating, confidence-boosting activities.

Here’s what’s in store for our young innovators:

• Claw Craze: Create a custom claw machine, explore physics, and become budding entrepreneurs.
• Optical Odyssey: Dive into the science of optical illusions and design moving props like a special effects expert.
• Road Trip Ready: Invent your way through a one-of-a-kind road trip with custom dashboards and problem-solving fun.
• Eco-Expedition: Explore Antarctica with a robotic assistant while creating planet-saving prototypes.
• 

Register early and save! Use FUN25 by 3/20 to save $25.

Don’t miss this unforgettable summer of inspiration, innovation, and discovery!

We are also excited to offer opportunities for volunteers, leaders (grades 10–college), and leadership interns (grades 7–9) to join and support our camp! If you're interested in learning more about these roles, please reach out to Ms. Wetwiski for details. Click on the button below for more information

8th Grade Yearbook Recognition Ad

Want to give your Class of 2025 graduate something to commemorate their time at StJPII? Order an 8th grade Yearbook ad for your graduate. Flyers will be sent home in students’ weekly folders. Payments and ad design will be completed through Jostens's website. You will be able to design your own ad by selecting a template and adding your own pictures and message.



A pdf version of the flyer can also be accessed by clicking the button below. The deadline for orders is Friday, January 31, 2025! Thank you for honoring your 2025 8th grade graduate and supporting The Spirit Yearbook! Questions? Contact Mrs. Abad at kabad@jp2.org.  

National Junior Honor Society

On December 21, approximately 20 NJHS students visited the Houston Food Bank to support those in need of food in our city. The organization distributes food and other essentials through a network of over 1,600 community partners, and we are honored to contribute our time and efforts to such an incredible cause.

Used Uniform Drop Off Dates and Upcoming Sale

We hope to see you on Thursday, January 16 from 8:30-9:30 am in SJH for the Used Uniform Sale. Now is your chance to stock up on pants and sweaters for the winter! 

Gear Up for Catholic Schools Week!

Gear up with St. John Paul II spirit wear in time for Catholic Schools Week, which starts January 26th! Save 25% with code: NCSW. Order your spirit wear by January 17th to ensure it will arrive by January 26th!  

 Join the Birthday Club!

Celebrate your child's special day in style! Choose from several fun packages that include a special birthday t-shirt, birthday recognition on the marquee, ice cream, and more! Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Gifts will be delivered to your child's homeroom teacher.

Spirit Night at Russo’s

Forgo having to guess what’s for dinner and let Russo’s do all the work. Join us for Spirit Night at Russo’s NY Pizzeria TOMORROW, January 15 at 13346 Briar Forest Drive #100. Russo’s will donate 20% of the proceeds to StJPII. To-go orders placed all day also count! Call 281-497-9800 to place your order.

Make sure to let them know you are from StJPII so the credit is attributed to the school! Russo’s has a delicious menu with something for the whole family that includes salads, pasta, sandwiches and pizzas. Don’t miss out on this chance to support our school! 

Elementary Athletics

Elementary Basketball tipped off this past weekend so let the games begin! We have almost 200 athletes participating with a total of 21 teams! Way to go Saints, and way to go Coaches!

Middle School Athletics

Middle School basketball is still in full swing, with only 2 weeks left till playoffs! Wishing the best for the boys and the girls teams to finish strong.

Middle School Spring Sports are starting in just a few weeks! 

As always remember we expect athletes to confirm both days of tryouts, and, if you have not submitted a physical to Mrs. Rhoden yet this school year you must do so before tryouts! We ask parents to adhere to the "closed-door policy" and not attend tryouts. Thus far we have confirmed the following sports tryout dates. Please refer to the athletic website's main page for any other additional information.

Varsity Baseball & Varsity Softball: Tuesday, Feb 4th & Wednesday, Feb 5th @ MALL/MAGSA (Memorial Ashford Little League/Girls Softball Association 12900 Westmere Drive) from 4:00-5:30 pm. You must have a helmet, bat, cleats, & glove to try out. Parents, you must pick up your child from school dismissal and transport them to the MALL/MAGSA fields for tryouts. Also, if you make either team you will be responsible for the season to transport them for these 2 sports as we practice and play games at these fields. 

Boys Lacrosse: Thursday, Feb 6th & Friday, Feb 7th @ St JPII field from 3:30-5:30 pm *If you have equipment bring it, if you do not we will supply it for tryouts. If you make the team you will then be required to purchase any necessary equipment. 

Girls lacrosse: Not yet confirmed as Coach Kurt will still be in Basketball season! I would look for the girls' tryouts to be in mid-February!

Track & Field: Open to 5th graders, this is also a non-tryout sport! Tuesday, Feb 18th ~ They will have both their 1st practice (3:30-5:30 pm) & parent meeting from 5:30-6:00 pm. We encourage you to do your very best to attend the parent meeting as T&F is different in many ways compared to other MS sports programs. Running shoes are encouraged!

**If you are a current basketball player and any of the tryout dates conflict with basketball playoffs, you will simply come to a separate tryout after playoffs**

***All of the above dates are subject to change due to weather being outdoor sports***

Share Your Sports Photos

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

After School Activities

Check the school calendar for the schedule.

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

·         Robotics & Coding  (K-6th Grade) - register online with American Robotics Academy

Explore, Create, and Thrive at the St. Agnes Academy Veritas Discovery Program!

This summer, give your child the opportunity to discover new passions and expand their horizons at the St. Agnes Academy Veritas Discovery Program. Designed for rising 6th through 8th grade boys and girls (with select classes for rising 4th through 6th grade students), this exciting and dynamic camp offers a wide range of courses in STEM, arts, pop culture (think Taylor Swift), humanities, computer skills, and physical education. With a “choose your own adventure” format, students can select from one to four courses and dive deep into subjects that spark their curiosity.

The program will run for two weeks:

June 2-6, 2025

June 9-13, 2025

with two sessions each day:

Session 1: 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Session 2: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.



Whether your child is experimenting in the lab, unleashing their creativity, or learning teamwork and problem-solving skills, they’ll thrive in a supportive and fun environment. The Veritas Discovery is open to all rising 6th through 8th grade boys and girls (with select classes for rising 4th through 6th grade students), offering a chance for them to explore, grow, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable summer experience—sign up today!