January 23, 2025

Exposition, Adoration and Benediction

In lieu of All-School Mass this Friday, January 24, we will participate in the sacred Catholic devotion of Adoration and Benediction. Even though our littlest saints in PreK and Kindergarten will not participate, all students are to wear full-dress uniforms.  

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.

7th Grade Parent Meeting

There will be a meeting for current 7th grade parents TODAY, January 23 at 6:30 p.m. in St. Jude Hall to prepare for the 8th grade year, including information on the Washington DC trip in the fall and graduation. We ask that at least one parent from each family please attend this important meeting.

Current Student Re-Enrollment 2025/2026 DUE TODAY

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, TODAY, THURSDAY, January 23, 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.

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.

Cafeteria Balance 

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

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

• January 26 - Catholic Schools Week begins
• January 27 - Family Bingo Night
• February 1 - Saints vs. Seminarians Basketball Game (NEW DATE)
• February 5 - For Every Saint Capital Campaign Close-Up Cocktail Party (NEW DATE)
• 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!



RSVP by TONIGHT if you are planning to attend Family Bingo Night!

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! 



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.  

Spirit Store Sale: Gear Up and Save Big!

Check out the latest deals from 1st Place Spiritwear and snag your favorite styles at amazing prices:

• 1/20 – 1/26: Stay cozy with $10 off Quarter-Zips
• 1/27 – 2/2: Keep it classic with $10 off Crewnecks
• 2/3 – 2/9: Lounge in style with 25% off Pajama Pants

Don't miss these limited-time promotions to show off your StJPII spirit in comfort and style!

 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.

Save the Date for Fun in the Sun! 

This year’s Fun in the Sun Day (FITS) is happening on May 16, 2025. Stay tuned for more information! 

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.

·         Mini Art Club (3rd & 4th Grade) – registration here

·         Art Club (5th-8th Grade) – registration here

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!