St. John Paul II Collegiate
"The Journal" - September 2021 Edition
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
“DEAR YOUNG PEOPLE, LET YOURSELVES BE TAKEN OVER BY THE LIGHT OF CHRIST, AND SPREAD THAT LIGHT WHEREVER YOU ARE.”
-- St. John Paul II
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2021/2022 school year! I appreciate everyone’s help (students/parents/staff) with the smooth start we have had this year.
Losing a couple of our teachers to other provinces, plus an enrollment and staffing increase means we have many new faces at St. JPII this year! Please welcome the following new staff members:
- Emma Diakow – French Science 7-9
- Kelsey Gay – Math 8 & 9
- Catherine Gibbs – Learning Support
- Amy Heggenstaller-Boon – Religion 7-9, LA 7
- Sylvia King – French Science 7, Religion 7 & 8
- Mario Nasturzio – Religion 7-9, Social Studies 8, LA 8
- Guy Paradis – French Math 7 & 8
- Julie Santelli – Educational Assistant
- Lauren Zazula – French Social Studies 8, LA 7, Religion 8
Important upcoming dates:
- Parent Council Meeting – Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00 p.m., all parents welcome! This meeting will be held in Zoom and stay tuned to your email for further details.
- School Photos – Tuesday, September 14th
- Terry Fox Run – Friday, October 1st
On behalf of our entire staff, we look forward to working with you and your children and we thank you for your continued support of our great school!
Saint John Paul II, pray for us…
Saint Jean-Paul II, priez pour nous…
God Bless,
Marco Pacione
Principal
St. JPII School Council Meeting
Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00 pm
All parents welcome to attend – this meeting will be held in Zoom (stay tuned to email for more details)
Attending School Council meetings is a great way to support our school and get involved in our community. We hold monthly meetings with guest presenters (to be announced and posted on our website) and get involved in events such as:
- Potlucks for teachers at Parent-Teacher interviews
- Purchasing and presenting confirmation gifts
- Assisting with end-of-the-year grade 9 BBQ
- Organizing and distributing year-end prayer bags for every student in June
**Note that we have no fundraising activities**
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATON - SEPT 30TH
CTR will soon confirm whether the September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be observed with students in or out of school, and parents will be notified of this decision via email. Regardless of what is decided, students will receive instruction and preparation for the significance of this national holiday in the days leading up to September 30th.
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CTR Catholic is inviting parent and guardians to share their perspective on how to best honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th).
By accessing this form, you can view an embedded video outlining the two possibilities under consideration. Two sessions were held with Indigenous stakeholders, as well as a session with CTR’s Indigenous Lead Teacher group, and their perspectives are summarized in the video.
If you would like to provide input, please complete the survey in the form linked above by Thursday, September 9th at 7:00 pm. After viewing the video, please be sure to respond to the question. Results will be shared with the Board of Trustees on Friday. Thank you for being a part of this important conversation.
PERMISSION FORMS AND PAYMENTS GO FULLY ONLINE!
Registration is easy! Click here to sign in or register if you are a new user.
For assistance please contact Jan Marie Naccarato at 403-938-4600, or by email at jnaccarato@redeemer.ab.ca.
The links below give detailed information regarding permission forms, online payments and using the School Cash Mobile App.
COVID SYMPTOMS AND PROCEDURES
INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED IN SPORTS AT JPII?
If you would love to give back to the school community, please feel free to email our Athletic Director, Matthew Fish, at mfish@redeemer.ab.ca. We look forward to hearing from you!
KEEPING IT HEALTHY AT ST. JPII!
WE ARE SEEKING OCCASIONAL OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
FLAG FOOTBALL TRYOUTS!
- Grade 8 and 9 tryouts begin on Thursday, September 9th. Right after school!
- Grade 7 begins on Tuesday, the 14th, also immediately after school!
Sign up in the Gym windows anytime before the first tryout!
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, 403-938-4600, 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)
- Absences/lates can be reported 24 hours a day at jp2-attendance@redeemer.ab.ca.
General office inquiries can be sent to jp2-office@redeemer.ab.ca.
Thanks for your help with this!
TERRY FOX RUN - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1ST!
As we begin this school year, and celebrate a more normal start-up compared to last year, we are eager and excited to gear up towards our “Annual Terry Fox School Run”. This is an event that creates an amazing buzz around our school for the month of September. Students are encouraged to bring in a “Toonie for Terry”, or to get involved in the event in other ways, if supporting financially is not possible. Our school goal is to raise $2000 in support of Cancer research.
Please note: This is a curricular event that will occur during the school day. Permission forms are required, login to School Cash Online to complete the form.
Interested in donating??? Here is how!
- Send your child with a toonie or any donation to school- Cheques can be made out to the “Terry Fox Foundation”- Tax receipts are available for donations of $20 or more.
- Visit terryfox.org/schoolrun
- Click the menu bar at the top of the page
- Choose “Find a school” and search for St. John Paul II Collegiate
- Click “Donate” to make any contribution
This year’s theme is “Try like Terry”. Terry Fox set an incredible example of leadership that will never be forgotten. We encourage our Gryphon’s to continue to follow in his footsteps, and be empowered to carry on his legacy and set goals of their own.
CAFETERIA REMAINS TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Our school cafeteria was slated to open in October. In partnership with our cafeteria small-business contractor, we have decided to remain in a “month-to-month” mode as we continue to monitor the community health situation. At this time our plan is to open the cafeteria in early November and this decision will be made in early October. We will keep parents notified either way and we appreciate your patience in the meantime!
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.
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/