 |
| |
Dear St. John Paul II Parents,
It's so hard to believe that it is already July, and I hope that you all are enjoying your summer! As you can see, we have a new format for the Tuesday Newsletter, now known as “Saints Weekly”. It will be sent electronically, is conveniently accessible to view on your phone, and it has active embedded links for easier use! I am excited for you to become familiar with it, and I trust you will find it to be a helpful tool throughout the year!
I am very grateful to Mrs. McCurry, all the staff, alumni, and student volunteers for a successful Summer Enrichment Program that has been receiving great feedback from our parent community. The staff, curriculum, and fun days created a truly beneficial experience for everyone.
It is with great pleasure to now share with you the latest news on the horizon...purchases for new Math textbooks and resources for Kindergarten-8th Grades have been ordered to allow for teachers to further dive into the curriculum with interactive and hands on materials to expand learning within their classrooms.
A huge thank you to our PTO for presenting the school with $35,000
to purchase famous “wish list items”. These funds are providing several science investigating kits, hands-on and engaging supplemental math activities, Spanish materials for differentiation, 36 iPads, a class set of Chromebooks, and many other classroom supplies to enhance learning!
This year, I am thrilled to invite you to participate in our school theme, "Forming Families of Disciples". As I prayed about how I wanted to enter this year, my heart kept leading me to focus on the “family”. A term that resonates throughout our community here at SJPII is that we are a “family”. Our school has a “family” feel when you enter. The Board, faculty, staff, students, and volunteers all serve and care for one another like a “family”! So...we are going to leap into this school year and expand our mission through focusing on families and becoming disciples, followers of Christ!
How can you participate? We will feature a family in “Saints Weekly” each Tuesday. This is your opportunity to share with our school family how YOUR family is leading each other to be followers of Christ through prayer, service, or simple acts of Christ’s love. We can feature your family, extended family, Ambassador Family, Saints Family, athletic team...you name it! Send in a picture of your family and a small summary of how you have formed your family of disciples to advancement@jp2.org.
As a faculty, staff, students, and SJPII community, one way we are committing to a life of discipleship is by attending First Friday Masses together. According to the words of Christ, special graces and promises will be given to those who attend Mass on the First Friday of the month, for nine consecutive months. I will reveal more information about this as the year unfolds; however, I am looking forward to this journey with you as we form disciples among us!
NOW...Check out below the newest members of our SJPII family, our first featured family in Saints Weekly, and all your "need to know" School NEWS!
In Him we trust,
|
|
|
Welcome to the SJPII Family...
|
|
Suzy deLeon, Assistant Principal Pre-K though 3rd Grade
My name is Suzy deLeon and I have been in education, both in the public and private sector, for over 15 years. I have served in various roles throughout that time including: Primary-3rd Grade Teacher, Math and English Language Arts (ELA) Campus Facilitator, Summer School Administrator, Curriculum Coordinator, Reading Specialist, and ELA Specialist.
I received my undergraduate degree from The University of Houston in Broadcast Journalism, and earned my teaching certification and Master's degree in Educational Leadership from The University of St. Thomas.
My goal as an educator is to build a community of learners, not just for students, but for teachers as well. I believe that we are all on a unique journey and my role is to support and create an environment in which every child and educator can reach their full potential. Meeting these varying needs is what motivates and inspires me to remain a life-long learner, so that I may always stay current in best practices and research relating to all areas of education.
On a personal note, God has blessed me with a wonderful husband of 12 years and two amazing boys, ages 9 and 2. As a family, we enjoy attending sporting events, watching movies, playing board games, and attending mass at St. Faustina in Katy. Our family is also passionate about giving to and serving various organizations relating to Down Syndrome in support of my youngest son who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth.
I am excited and feel blessed to now join this amazing community and look forward to learning, growing, and collaborating with teachers who have a great love for teaching and children. I am excited to meet all the students and families at SJPII and am certain that we will have a great year!
|
|
Annette Colgan, Receptionist
- Mrs. Colgan has been part of SJPII since 2003, as a parent, sub and PTO President.
- Mrs. Colgan is looking forward to greeting everyone with open arms this August!
|
|
Jordan Fama,
7th & 8th Grade History
- A native Houstonian, Ms. Fama is a recent graduate of Baylor University.
- She is excited about creating interactive lessons that challenge students' thinking and prepare them to be global citizens.
|
|
Kelly Hughes,
Theater Arts/Choir/
Music & Movement
- Mrs. Hughes has taught in parochial schools in both Texas and Oklahoma for the past 15 years.
- She plays several instruments and loves music from Beethoven to U2 (and almost everything in between!).
|
|
Ashley Wehrly-Kearney, Director of Development
- Ashley Wehrly-Kearney brings a wealth of marketing, event-planning, community outreach and PR experience to SJPII.
- She's a native Houstonian, entrepreneur, HLSR committee member, and mom to one of our youngest Saints.
|
|
Cecilia F. Resweber, Computer Teacher
- Ms. Resweber is a 26-year teacher and a life-long learner with a great passion for technology!
- She stays busy as a grad student, attending tech conferences, sharpening her coding skills, finalizing her Google Educator Certification and earning a certificate in Youth Ministry.
|
|
Stacie Sudkamp,
2nd Grade Assistant
- Mrs. Sudkamp is so excited to be working at SJPII.
- She taught Kindergarten for 14 years in Alief ISD, and has been an active volunteer at SJPII for 7 years.
- Fun Fact: She taught with Mrs. Byers their very first year out of college!
|
|
Fr. Eamonn Shelly LC, Chaplain
- As a missionary priest with the Legionaries of Christ, Fr. Eamonn has studied and worked in Mexico City and throughout Europe.
- He has previously served as a school Chaplain in Dallas and Atlanta.
- Once asked, "Have you ever been to the Holy Land, Father?" To which Fr. Eamonn replied, "Of course, I was born there, I’m from Ireland!"
|
|
Fr. Tom Lam,
Board Member
- Fr. Lam is our newest Board Member.
- He is the Pastor at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community in Katy.
- He says, "SJPII's Staff, Board and Students have been tremendously welcoming as I begin the wonderful ministry of learning and contributing to the life and mission of the School."
|
|
|
Other Staff Reassignments:
- Kendall Hibbs - Full-Time Elementary Counselor, PreK-5th Grade
- Nora Garcia - 1st Grade Teacher
- Martha Acosta - 1st Grade Assistant
|
|
|
Forming
Families
of Disciples
|
|
|
|
|
A couple of years ago, we decided to adopt a family motto. We ended up choosing a saying from our Jesuit alma mater. (Go Marquette!) As a family, we try to live by the words, "Be The Difference". We feel these words are truly what Jesus wants us to achieve. It can be something major like going to Mass when it would be easy to sleep in, or it could be something small like including a friend who feels left out, we try to do it. Being the difference to us means doing what may not be easy or the most popular, but doing what a member of God's family should do. This is how our family strives to be followers of Christ.
|
|
|
Please refer to the online handbook, for important Handbook changes or additions for the upcoming school year:
Please refer to the following sections in the handbook for MAJOR changes or additions:
- Missed assignments one day late will be accepted for half credit – PG 20
- Pre-K/K report card letter grades are transitioning to a developmental growth scale – PG 20
- Special Needs Learners and Referrals information – PGS 23-25
- Manderly walkers will only be for Elementary Students – PG 32
- Boys and Girls may wear solid white, black and navy socks – PGS 47-48
- If tuition and family commitment are received five days after the due date, student(s) will be removed from the roll – PG 59
|
|
|
Carpool Driveway - St. Zita's Way
|
|
|
Our Carpool Driveway for
student drop-off and pick-up is
appropriately named "St. Zita's Way" this year, a title chosen by the Gomez Family. St. Zita is the Patron Saint of Servants. She was an incredibly hard worker who won people over with her P
atience...which is just what we all need the first few weeks of school when it comes to carpool! Here are a few reminders and changes to our process:
- Parents are only allowed to walk their children into the school building on the first day. After the first day, parents must use the carpool line.
- The first week of school, students in PreK-2nd Grades should be sent to school with a name-tag listing their full name, homeroom teacher, Family ID# and how they are going home (carpool, Brimhurst, Manderly, BASP).
- All PreK and Kindergarten students waiting for older siblings will be kept in Mrs. Layfield's Kindergarten classroom. Please instruct older siblings to retrieve them and escort them to their dismissal location.
- Write your Family ID# on the outside of your student's backpack.
- Morning carpool typically starts at 7:35 a.m., but the first few days of school we will begin a few minutes early.
- School officially starts at 8:00 a.m.; tardies will not be counted the first week of school.
- Biggest change: Middle School students can no longer dismiss at Manderly. They may use Brimhurst or Carpool. This allows Middle School students to depart school quickly and efficiently.
Please allow extra time in August as we all get adjusted to the routine...and thank you in advance for your patience. You may read our handbook posted online for a complete overview of carpool line procedures, including rainy-day carpool.
|
|
|
Prepare for the 1st Days of School
|
|
|
- Supplies - most school supplies for the beginning of the year are included in your tuition, there is no need to buy anything. PreK-1st Grade will also receive a tote bag (only Grades 2-8 may bring backpacks from home). Students in Grades 4-8 will need to purchase binders.
- Uniforms - all uniforms must include "St." on the embroidery. Casual uniform orders can be picked up during the Ice Cream Social or Meet and Greet. All other uniforms can be purchased from Millswear.
- BASP - You may sign up for our Before and After School Program at the Ice Cream Social and/or Meet and Greet. For more information, click here or contact Leticia Velasco.
- School Nurse - please contact Nurse Jeanne Aertker to alert the school of important medical needs.
- Summer Reading / Math - remember to complete the assigned summer packets for reading and math, which are posted online.
|
|
Join the PTO
SJPII is blessed by wonderful volunteers who share their time and talents with our community through a variety of committees. While many of their efforts focus on fundraising, the PTO also provides fellowship opportunities and ways to get involved in the classroom. As a parent, you are automatically a member of our PTO.
|
|
Join the Dads Club
Join other SJPII Dads for fellowship and spiritual growth. Dads play basketball on Saturdays, and meet monthly for a Bible Study. Be on the lookout for more information after school starts.
|
|
Volunteer Approval Process
In order to volunteer, you must attend Virtus training and submit paperwork to the school office. As a courtesy for our parents, SJPII will offer a "Protecting God's Children" class on campus on Sept. 12, 9:00 a.m.-noon. This class is also open to the Archdiocese. We are letting our parents know about the class now so you can mark your calendars. If you would like to attend the class at SJPII, watch the Archdiocese website the first week of August for the date to be posted. You must sign up through the website to attend. Spots will fill up quickly, and once the class is full we cannot add any more spaces.
Please
click here
for information on our website about how to become volunteer-approved.
|
|
Sponsors Needed
We are currently seeking sponsors to underwrite
Run with the Saints
, our
November Raffle, and the
Crawfish Boil.
If you or your company are interested in advertising and participating, please contact
advancement@jp2.org
|
|
RWTS Volunteers Needed
Our annual 5K, which benefits children's cancer in memory of SJPII Alum Lauren Lockard, is scheduled for October 29th. We need volunteers to plan and make this the best race yet! Running experience is a bonus, but not required. Please contact
Bernie Weber
if you you are interested in helping and getting to know other SJPII families.
|
|
Student Directory - Ads & Art
Now is the time to sell ads for the 2016-2017 Student Directory! 75% of the cost of each ad you sell will count towards your Family Commitment. Please see the attached flyers
for more info. So we do not duplicate efforts, before soliciting ads, please review the Company List posted online which specifies businesses with their associated SJPII families. Businesses not listed are free to approach.
We also need a beautiful new cover for our directory! Student artists are encouraged to submit their designs during the first week of school using the
attached format
.
|
|
Ice Cream Social
All NEW families and Ambassador Families are invited:
Sunday, Aug. 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the BAC (gym)
Orient new families, get uniforms/carpool tags, register for BASP, get information for after-school clubs, sign up to volunteer for PTO Committees, snack on ice-cream and meet our family!
|
|
Meet and Greet
ALL families are invited:
Monday, Aug. 15, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Visit the classrooms, meet your teachers and handle school business (uniforms, carpool tags, sign ups, etc.) in the BAC. Used Uniforms will be sold in St. Jude Hall.
|
|
Boo Hoo / Yahoo Breakfast
On the first day of classes, all NEW families are invited:
Come commiserate, celebrate and meet with other new families! This is a casual & fun way to kick off the school year with moms and dads feeling the same range of emotions as you!
|
|
Parent Night
Sept. 7 - PreK, Kindergarten, Middle School Parents
Sept. 8 - 1st-5th Grade Parents
Parents are invited to attend and learn more about SJPII. You will have the opportunity to hear about your child(ren)'s academic year with their teachers in the classrooms. This event begins at 6:00 p.m., and is for parents only, so please make plans for your children to stay at home.
|
|
SJPII is a member of the West Houston Christian Sports
Association (WHCSA), a skill-building league. Registration for fall soccer opens on July 11th, and closes shortly after school starts on Aug. 23rd. You must register online. Pra
ctice is once or twice a week, depending on age, with games on Saturdays.
We also need volunteer-approved parents to coach each team. All athletic parents are required to attend PCA (Positive Coaching Alliance) training on Aug. 24. For more information, you may contact Deanne Gordon
|
|
Please view the tryout schedule posted online and on the school calendar for fall sports (football, volleyball, soccer and cross country). Every student trying out must have a new physical on file in the nurse’s office prior to trying out. Physicals must be dated after June 1, 2016. For more information, you may contact Mary Beth Hewitt.
Football schedule:
8/1 -
Training camp begins (Mon-Fri 6:00-8:30 p.m.)
8/17- After-school practices begin (Mon-Thurs 3:30-6:00)
|
|
|
|
8/1 Football Training Camp begins
8/14 Ice Cream Social
8/15 Meet and Greet (first official day of school)
8/15 Directory Ads due
8/17 First Day of Classes and
Boo Hoo / Yahoo Breakfast for new families
8/17 Football Practice begins after school
8/19 Directory Cover Art due
8/23 Elementary Soccer - Online Registration Closes
8/24 PCA Coaches Meeting
9/7 PTO Meeting
9/7 Parent Night Meeting PreK, Kinder, Middle School Parents
9/8 Parent Night Meeting 1st-5th Grade Parents
9/12 Virtus Class at SJPII
10/29 Run with the Saints
Oct. Annual Fund Kicks Off
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
St. John Paul II Catholic School
|
1400 Parkway Plaza,
Houston, TX 77077
281-496-1500 •
281-496-2943 (fax)
|
|
|
St. John Paul II Catholic School prepares all students spiritually
and academically to succeed in life and to do God's will.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
