February 4, 2025

Dear Saints Families,

What an incredible Catholic Schools Week we had! It was a joy celebrating our St. John Paul II Catholic School community. A heartfelt thank you to all the families who helped share the good news at your parishes and during our Open House! The week was filled with excitement—from Bingo and Candyland to an unforgettable basketball game where our dads claimed victory over the Seminarians! We also proudly awarded our first House Cup to the House of Mark!

While February may be short, it’s full of exciting events! Tomorrow evening, all are welcome to gather in St. Jude Hall as we share the good news about the future of St. John Paul II Catholic School. Join us to learn more about the progress of our For Every Saint Capital Campaign and what’s ahead! If you can’t make it, we’ll have another opportunity to connect right after Mass on St. Valentine’s Day. Your presence means so much—our vibrant and engaged parent community is truly one of our greatest blessings!

This weekend, we look forward to seeing many of you at the Steps 4 Students 5K! Thanks to Mrs. Kim, we have our highest registration ever in the 20-year history of the race! Our school has earned an award and will kick off the race with confetti cannons—don’t miss it! Let’s show our StJPII spirit by wearing our Blue Ribbon shirts as we continue celebrating this remarkable year.

As we journey through February, please keep us in your prayers as we welcome new students and conduct admissions testing. This month, we focus on the virtue of Prudence—making wise decisions in every circumstance.

Thank you for being a part of this blessed community!

Principal

Capital Campaign Close Up Events

Join us for two special opportunities to learn more about StJPII’s bright future! On February 5 and February 14, we’ll share our vision for the school, provide updates on the For Every Saint Campaign, and discuss exciting plans for continued growth—including recent improvements like the new fence, with more to come! Please feel free to extend this invitation to your friends and family who are passionate about Catholic education. Everyone is invited!

RSVP for your preferred date below. We look forward to seeing you!

First Friday Mass

Please join us for our First Friday Mass this week on Friday, February 7. According to the First Friday Devotion given to us by Saint Margaret Mary, we will receive special graces from Jesus by attending Mass on 9 consecutive First Fridays. In keeping with this tradition, we all have an opportunity to receive these special graces through our All-School Masses.

Students should wear their full-dress uniforms. There will be an optional daily Mass before school on Wednesday, February 5, in the Chapel at 7:10 a.m.

Girl Scout Food Drive

StJPII’s 2nd and 4th-grade Gurl Scout troops are hosting a food drive from Feb. 10th-14th. They will be giving all the donations to the Houston Food Bank. Send in your non-perishable food starting Monday, Feb. 10th. There will be collection boxes in the hallways. Thank you for your Corporal work of mercy - feeding the hungry! 

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

Upcoming Important Dates

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

February 17 - Student Holiday in observance of Presidents' Day

February 25- Early Dismissal (2:00/2:15/2:30 p.m.)

From the Business Office

Invoices for the school year 2025-26 will be sent at the end of this week to your primary email. Please check your email and spam folders, it comes from Intuit E-Commerce Service.

Please note:

• You can start sending payments towards the 2025-26 tuition
• $100 a week late fee will be applied for TUITION received after 3:00 p.m. on May 2, 2025.
• For Tuition Loans applications, please send an email to business@jp2.org. A loan authorization letter is needed to request a loan.
• Tuition Assistance applications are available under the Admissions tab on our website. 
• The due date for Tuition Loans is April 4, 2025.

Go Texan Day

February 28 - 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 should wear full dress (this is NOT a free dress day). Please follow the general dress code guidelines which are noted in the Student Handbook.

Lunch Account Balance

Please make sure your student has adequate funds in their lunch account. Check your child's 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!

STEPS FOR STUDENTS

The time is finally here. Steps for students is this Saturday! Thanks to all of our participants, we get to shoot off the confetti cannons at the beginning of the race. The ten winners will be notified soon. Even if you don't plan on running or didn't sign up, we'd still love to see you come out and cheer on our runners and enjoy the fun at all of the tents in the village. '

*Students who are running Saturday, Please wear your Blue Ribbon t-shirt to show our StJPII pride. 

BAKERS Needed!

Our Steps for Students booth is looking for bakers. This year's theme is “How Sweet It Is” and we are looking for volunteers to bake cookies, brownies, or other sweet treats for our booth. You can drop them off at school on Friday, February 7, or take them to the booth on Saturday morning. Even if you are not participating in Steps for Students, you are welcome to send in treats. Please email Mrs. Kim at ckim@jp2.org if you are interested in helping.

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! 



Crawfish Boil 2025

Plans are already underway for our 9th Annual Saints @ Sunset Crawfish Boil! Mark your calendars for the evening of Friday, April 11, 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 Alumni Events Officer, Lauren Pace, at lpace@jp2.org. Tickets will go on sale in March!  Laissez le bon temps rouler!

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

Art Show Award Winners

The “Annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Student Art Contest” is considered the most honorable Student Art Event in the State of Texas! I am extremely proud of our St. John Paul II Art students as this year our Middle School students have exemplified what it means “To Be Greater.” These ten students not only “exceeded expectations” but their hard work, extra studio art time, and desire to be greater have resulted in the highest level of statistical performance in rank of ribbons awarded in the 20 years of StJPII participation in this prestigious art event! Ranking for Ribbons for the combined middle school category of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are:

Champion, Reserve Champion, Special Merit, Finalist – Turquoise: note all finalists are considered for the first three top awards, 1st Place – Blue, 2nd Place –Red, 3rd Place White.

First, Congratulations to Cayenne Barrios for her Ink Etching titled “Texas Diamond in the Blue” and Amanda Lee for her Acrylic Painting titled “Texas Migrating Wood Duck.” Both girls have been awarded Special Merit Medals and have a week of Art Classes at the Glassell School of Art associated with the Museum of Fine Art Houston - a $285.00 value! Both their artworks were also selected to participate in

the Grand Prix Auction at N.R.G. If sold, the students will receive payment for their Artwork and be recognized at the upcoming awards ceremony during the Rodeo which is televised. Both artworks will also be on display at the Hayloft Gallery on the first floor at N.R.G. during the “Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo” upcoming events.

Congratulations to 7th grade: Avani Pati, and 8th graders: Veronica Alejos, Rachel Benedict, Cristina Carrillo, James Freeborg, Mimi Lim, Caroline Nguyen, and Omar Villesca. These students achieved the Finalist Awards! They all were pulled to be judged in the final round for the top three awards!

*Congratulations to our amazing StJPII Art Students! The Finalist Students' Artwork will be on display on the first floor between the computer labs for two weeks and then sent home with your student.

February PTO Meeting

All parents are invited to join us for our monthly PTO meeting on Tuesday, February 11 from 8:30 - 9:30 am in St. Jude Hall. Why should you attend? 

• Learn how students and teachers benefit from the work of the PTO.
• Be the first to hear about school news and upcoming events.
• Ask questions.
• Connect with parents.
• Learn how to volunteer your time to positively impact the school community.

Spirit Store Sale: Cozy Up & Save on Pajama Pants!

This is the last week for the 1st Place Spiritwear sale! Pajama pants are 25% off now until February 9!

Sign Up for First Friday Lunch!

Let's shower our wonderful teachers and staff with a delicious First Friday Lunch on Friday, February 7, 2025. This is the last First Friday lunch for this school year. We will have a delicious chili bar. We are calling all the cooks to show off your favorite chili recipes. Drop off the chili by 10:15 am.

Thank you so much for your contribution and support of our wonderful staff and teachers. 

Please send items in disposable containers. Please label your crockpot and pick up by Monday at 3 p.m.

 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.

Brick Paver Sale Price - Middle School Students

CALLING ALL CURRENT 6TH-8th GRADE PARENTS

Commemorate your student’s time at StJPII with an engraved brick paver in the Pope Garden!  Traditionally, we have reserved this honor for graduating 8th graders; however, they can’t enjoy their brick for long before graduating.  Your middle schooler will enjoy his/her brick for years to come!  Engraving includes the student’s name and graduating year, with placement in the Pope Garden. Funds from the sale support our garden.

Please print and fill out the order form and turn into the front office with payment.  You will receive a photograph when the paver is installed, and your student will be able to see and enjoy this lasting legacy on campus!

Reduced Pricing for Middle School Students

4”x 8”- 2 lines* $50 per brick (reg. $75)

*16 character maximum per line of engraving

*Sale price for name and graduation year only

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! 

Elementary Athletics~ 

Thank you to those that have already registered for Elementary Spring Sports! Please remember it closes on Friday, Feb 14th! Coach Lindhardt will host a 2 day VB clinic for 4th & 5th grade girls on Wednesday, Feb 26th and Thursday, Feb 27th from 3:30-5:30 pm. Please wear athletic attire for the camp. Students will report directly to the gym at school dismissal. Cost is $20 per day, you can pay Coach Lindhardt directly by Zelle or cash!

Middle School~

Our Boys Varsity Basketball team made it to the GHCAA Playoff's! They will travel today to play St Anne Tomball in the 1st round, and if they win they will play again in the semi finals this Thursday. Please check the Athletic calendar for more details! Good luck to our team ~ GO SAINTS!!!

Also, if you are wanting to register for Chapelwood Volleyball please go to the Acceptiva link on the Elementary page on our website. 

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***

Also, if you are wanting to register for Chapelwood Volleyball please go to the Acceptiva link on the Elementary page on our website. 

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

St. Thomas High School Academic Skills Camp

for Middle School Girls and Boys

Pathways to Independent Learning