Portae (newsletter) from 26 November 2012

Click to download a one-page copy of the newsletter for the week of 26 November 2012.

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The text of the newsletter is copied below:

•••• Updates for week of 26 November 2012 ••••

Principals Retreat: As announced a month ago, we are again hosting the Archdiocesan Principals Retreat here at John Paul II; it is Friday, 30 December. The speaker is Marcellino D’Ambrosio, and our choir will be providing the music at the Mass at St. Joseph’s and some of our students will be greeters and servers at lunch.

Thanks to Suzie Torrez and Theresa Berger, and a group of parents for supplying and serving the food and snacks during the day. We are still in need of some cookies, bars, and brownies. Anyone who can help with that, please call the school office to let us know. The goodies can be dropped off Friday morning.

Parent Meeting - 10 December, 6:30 p.m.: We will have our monthly parent meeting on Monday, 10 December 2012, at which we will work on the strategic plan for the school.

8^th grade High School Placement Test: Note that the HSPT for 8^th grade students is this week Saturday, 1 December 2012. The test starts at 9 a.m.

Final Exams: Note that on Wednesday–Friday, 19-21 December 2012, we will be on a noon dismissal schedule. That day, students will be taking final exams, two per day. Students can be picked up at noon. Teachers do run study sessions that week in the afternoons, and some students find it helpful to study here on campus in the afternoon. The media center is open for those who need it. There is no lunch service.

Note that on Wednesday morning, we will bring back a year one tradition, at the request of the Class of 2013. Back in 2009, Mr. Iliff set up a few borrowed electric skillets in room 105 (known then as the “locker room”) and cooked eggs and bacon, which along with some tortillas & OJ, made for a nice pre-exam breakfast. It also attracted the attention of the Comal Elementary staff, as most of the school had the fried bacon and coffee aroma of a Denny’s. We are going to be doing the same thing this year again for all the students. Mr. Iliff is looking for some parent help in serving up eggs and bacon for 150. Parents, let him know if you can volunteer, starting at 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday, 19 December in the cafeteria kitchen.

Catholic Life Raffle: Christmas parties are the perfect time to sell tickets! We rely on all our families, to help us reach our budget goal for sales. This fundraiser is not extra revenue; we count on it!

Program ads: Don’t miss out on your chance to participate in this yearly activity. Support student activities at JPIICHS. The order deadline has been extended to Friday, 30 November 2012.

Advent Decorating: On Saturday morning, 1 December 2012, we cordially invite parents and students up to the school to assist in decorating the lobby and front of school for Advent and Christmas. That morning, as you have read above, is also the HSPT. We are asking for help starting at 9:15 a.m.; that will allow the test takers to arrive and get started, and then there will be space and time to decorate.

Advent Brunch: Don’t miss out on this yearly gathering – Wednesday, 12 December 2012, 8:15 a.m. for Mass – the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – with Monsignor Stuebben as the celebrant, followed by the Christmas card photo and a nice brunch.