|
|
|
Ms. Kathleen Szabelski teachers our 4th and 5th graders. She is a graduate of Loyola University and has been teaching in Catholic schools for over 40 years, 28 of those here at Five Holy Martyrs/PJPII. She grew up on the southwest side of the city and believes her students to be "friendly, active and they love to learn."
|
|
|
|
Mrs. Ann Harty also works with our 4th and 5th graders. Mrs. Harty is a a graduate of UIC and has been a teacher in the Catholic schools for over 26 years. Among her many tasks at school, she also serves as the school's technology instructor.
|
| Mr. Patrick Cahill guides our 3rd graders. Pat is a 1976 graduate of St. Xavier. Pat believes the students are "extremely respectful and eager to learn"; he is happy that enrollment continues to grow and that the Brighton Park community continues to see PJPII as a real strength of religious education. |
|
|
|
|
for your continued support of PJPII! |
|
| Coming up.... |
Friday, November 7:
Parent/Teacher
Conferences
Tuesday, Nov. 25-Friday, Nov. 28:
Thanksgiving Break
| |
|
|
Greetings!
Along with the beautiful fall color, October has brought much excitement and the beginning of new traditions to Pope John Paul II Catholic School.
We created our first Day of the Dead altar (see below) and participated in a special blessing for our loved ones who have passed away, celebrated Red Ribbon Week with five days of fun-filled activities, and our middle school students attended a captivating anti-gun violence assembly at a neighboring Catholic school.
As part of our efforts to weave the teaching of peace and justice within our curriculum, our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students also visited the Spertus Museum this month. Throughout the numerous interactive activities at the museum, the students were able to experience the values of hard work, the importance of team work and the significance of living in a diverse community.
As October marks the end of our first quarter of school, our teachers have been reflecting on the students' progress thus far in the school year and making adjustments to ensure all of our students are successful. Parent conferences are soon to follow.
In a stroll through the classrooms at PJPII, one finds our newly adopted school motto Learning to love . . . Loving to learn alive and well.
Blessings,
Cynthia Fogarty
Principal
Pope John Paul II Catholic School
(2008 Day of Dead Altar)
|
|
"Lend a Shoulder Day" at PJPII lends a shoulder On Thursday, October 2, PJPII was visited by a number of new visitors to the school. Lend a Shoulder Day allows outside supporters and benefactors to see a Big Shoulders school in action and this year, PJPII was selected as school site. Three of our 7th graders took our visitors on a tour of the school visiting classrooms and meeting with PJPII faculty.
(Kevin Gibbons gets a lesson in measurements from a 7th grade science class.)
|
 PJPII Student speaks at Junior Achievement Gala chosen to introduce Mr. John Rowe, PJPII Patron and Chairman of Exelon Corporation, at the 2008 Junior Achievement's Chicago Business Hall of Fame Dinner on October 7, where Mr. Rowe was inducted. Jorge will be graduating PJPII in May 30 and hopes to attend either Brother Rice or St. Laurence.
The Rowe family has been instrumental in making PJPII a success by providing scholarships and other assistance; on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, Mrs. Rowe is visible throughout the school providing much needed tutoring assistance to PJPII students.
|
|
Kudos to 7th graders
PJPII recently reviewed the 2008 Terra Nova Reading Data; the Terra Nova is the annual standardized test students take each spring. Our current 7th graders ranked at the high end of the mastery range in the four areas of reading. Congrats 7th grade!
|
|
TRICK OR TRUNK ! In an effort to promote a safe Halloween for our students on campus, the PSA (Parent/Student Association) hosted an alternative way for students to get candy. Instead of knocking on doors, students visited a number of decorated car trunks in the school's parking lot. Many fun games and activities followed in the school hall. Thanks to the PSA for organizing this great activity.
|
|
Class of '06 returns to PJPII
Please meet Mercedes Zapata and Elizabeth Galka, both juniors at De La Salle and members of the National Honor Society, and Emily Nelson, a junior at Queen of Peace who is recognized for her drama talent. All girls are graduates of the PJPII class of 2006 and will graduate in 2010 from their respective high schools.
All three returned to PJPII on October 31 to help with preparations for the Halloween party and to visit with their former teachers. All three girls, successful in their own right, each attributed their current successes to their PJPII teachers.
When talking with the current principal, Mrs. Cynthia Fogarty, the students explained that their PJPII teachers taught them more than just academics, but instilled in them respect for others, the importance of communication and to be responsible citizens. As part of the 2005 SOS (Save Our School) team at PJPII, these former students worked with neighborhood groups, church groups and the entire Brighton Park community to enlist funding and support for PJPII.
PJPII teacher, Mr. Bill Osterman, says these girls are "lights out." "They did everything and more," stated Mr. Osterman. Pope John Paul is so proud of its graduates as well as its current students.
(Elizabeth, Emily and Mercedes,
PJPII Class of 2006)
Alumni, we would like to hear more from you. Please let us know where you are: alums from PJPII (including Five Holy Martyrs grads), Immaculate Conception, St. Pancratius or Our Lady of Fatima.
Please help us spread the word on PJPII. Use the Forward Email link below to send this message to others or call Dan O'Brien, Director of Development, at 773-523-6161, ext. 58 to learn about other ways to help promote the mission of PJPII.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
