St. John Paul II Collegiate
"The Journal" - June 2021 Edition
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear St. JPII Parents,
Without a doubt, the 2020/2021 school year will be one to remember! As much as we may also joke that this year would be one to forget with all the pandemic-related challenges, I know I speak for many at our school in saying that, amid all our trials, there were also many blessings, and much to be thankful for. Drawing inspiration from our Catholic school community and the gift of Catholic education during this past year would be a couple of the blessings I would point to! My prayer for all students, parents, and staff in our community is that this summer provides rest, relaxation and hope toward a better tomorrow, and a better 2021/2022 school year! Please make note of these highlights as we kick off our last month of school:
Year-End Celebration of Faith and Grade 9 Farewell on Thursday June 17th
Thank you to Father Vincent and Father Troy from St. James Parish for their presence with us this year, through many school visits. One of them will lead us in a classroom-based and livestreamed Liturgy of the Word (religious celebration) during the morning of Thurs., June 17th. We will also have our Grade 9’s blessed by one of our pastors as they complete their journey at St. JPII. This will be followed by a fun afternoon for our Grade 9 students, as is a tradition at St. JPII (socially distanced, details being finalized).
Final Exam Schedule
The last day of full regular classes for all students is Thursday, June 17th. Please click HERE for our updated Final Exam schedule, which I ask that you read carefully since students will write at different times, depending on busing. Thank you in advance for scheduling medical or other appointments outside of these times, so students do not miss exams.
Student Recognition and Honour Roll
As per St. JPII tradition, we will recognize Gryphon Awards and Honour Roll at the end of this school year. Students who qualify and/or who are nominated and/or win an award will be recognized and will receive a certificate.
Staff Awards – I would like to recognize the following St. JPII staff members as winners of our annual CTR Staff Awards for 2020/2021:
- Christian Witness: Mlle Rebecca Jalbert
- Above and Beyond Award: Mr. Darren Dornstauder
- Power of One Award: Mrs. Cindy Zarn
- Master Teacher: Mr. Colin MacLeod
Please join me in congratulating all of these award winners. Thinking of our entire staff, we are blessed to have such a committed group of people who work collaboratively to provide an authentic Catholic education for our students.
Staffing Announcements
We bid farewell and best wishes to these staff members who will be leaving St. JPII at the end of June, as we thank them for their commitment and service to our students and school community:
Mrs. Linda Duncan, Mlle Rebecca Jalbert, Mrs. Audrey Kennedy, Mrs. Laurie Klassen, and Mlle Vero LeClair.
Many thanks to all our parents, staff, and students for your ongoing support and prayers as we wrap up this school year!
Saint John Paul II, pray for us…
Saint Jean-Paul II, priez pour nous…
God Bless,
Marco Pacione
Principal
FINAL EXAM INFORMATION
CLICK HERE FOR FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
- As displayed in the above schedule, students assigned to a bus will write the first sitting of the exam, while students who are not assigned to a bus write during the second sitting.
- Buses will run on normal schedules. Students may return to the building at 3:06 if they require bus transportation home.
- Students will enter the building through regular doors 10 minutes before each exam period begins, and they will go straight to their class Students only attend school during their scheduled exam times (i.e. students are not required to attend if they are not writing an exam on that day, or at that time). Please contact our administration if you wish to discuss unique circumstances.
- Some students will write outside of their regular classroom to allow for better spacing (i.e. in a gymnasium or other classroom). These will be appropriate and supervised quiet spaces, and affected students will be notified in advance.
- Students must stay for the entire 90-minute exam block (students requiring extra time for their exam may take up to two hours total).
- We urge students to leave campus by themselves after exams and avoid group activities. This will reduce the amount of people in the building, and make room for sanitizing and disinfecting.
- All students writing exams will be safely distanced (2 metres or more) from other students.
COVID SYMPTOMS AND PROCEDURES
SOBEYS GIFT CARD PROGRAM COMING TO A CLOSE!
The longtime Sobeys Gift Card program at St. JPII will be coming to a close. The purchase of the Sobeys/Safeway grocery cards as a way of ‘fundraising’ for school families to pay for school purchases, has decreased over the recent years due to the variety of grocery store options in our area, together with the absence of school resource fees, and regular school expenses for families.
As such, we have a small surplus of cards available for sale ($50 and $100 cards) with a percentage of the sale going to our school to assist our very own Students in Need. If you’re interested in purchasing any cards to add to our Good Samaritan Fund, please contact Jan Marie Naccarato, jnaccarato@redeemer.ab.ca, or call the school office AT 403-938-4600. Payment can be made through School Cash Online or at the school office.
We appreciate your support!
KEEPING IT HEALTHY AT ST. JPII!
STUDENT PICKUP AND OFFICE DELIVERIES
- If it is necessary to pickup your child during the school day for appointments or illness please call the office ahead of time and we will send your child out to meet you when you arrive. (as much notice as possible is appreciated as it takes time to locate students in certain classes)
- If you must drop off items for your child, please call from outside and we will send your child out to meet you for pickup.
Thanks for your help with this!
WE ARE BUSY PLANNING FOR THE 2021/22 SCHOOL YEAR
If you expect any change in your child’s enrollment with St. JPII next year (i.e. if your family is moving or you expect your child to move to a different school), please notify our office as soon as possible by emailing this information to Mrs. Shar Sylvestre at: ssylvestre@redeemer.ab.ca
Looking for resources to support your French Immersion children?
**Click on the links below to access some great resource websites**
PEANUT & TREE NUT / SHELLFISH AWARENESS
We have students with severe allergies to nuts (peanuts and tree nuts) and shellfish. We will endeavor to ensure that tree nut or peanut products are not served through the school's Cafeteria Services, or used in the Foods classes. St. John Paul II Collegiate additionally requests the assistance and cooperation of staff, students and parents by asking you to please refrain from bringing into the school, peanuts, tree nuts (or products containing peanuts, tree nuts) and shellfish. We realize that it is impossible to guarantee an allergen-free environment, but it is our hope that if we can raise awareness of the issue and receive the cooperation of all parties to this policy, the likelihood of an allergic reaction occurring or someone becoming ill can be significantly reduced.
POWERSCHOOL PARENT PORTAL
An important connection between you, your child and your school. Easy access to:
-Grades/Attendance
-School Forms
-Student schedules
-Teacher email links
-Report Cards
If you require assistance with your username or password, or you have general questions, please contact Sharlene Sylvestre at 403-938-4600 or ssylvestre@redeemer.ab.ca.
2019/2020 YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
St. JPII will not be producing a yearbook for this school year, 2020-2021. We do however have some copies of the 2019-20 yearbook available for purchase on a first come, first served basis.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of last year’s full colour yearbook for $35, please email Jan Marie Naccarato at jnaccarato@redeemer.ab.ca to make payment and pickup arrangements.
St. John Paul II Collegiate
Email: jp2-office@redeemer.ab.ca
Website: http://www.stjohnpaul2collegiate.ca/
Location: 53 Cimarron Drive, Okotoks, AB, Canada
Phone: (403) 938-4600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StJPII/