St. John Paul II Catholic School 
KNIGHT LIFE 
105 St. Paul Street
Sellersburg, IN  47172
July 27, 2016 
Dear St. John Paul II Catholic School Parent,

Just as the sign in front of the school proclaims: "Welcome to a Blessed 2016-17 School Year!"

If you were able to join us in the gym before school this morning you heard the song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" playing. No, it's not Christmas in July. We just wanted to share how we feel as we welcome the students back to St. John Paul II Catholic School, their home away from home. Back to School time is such a wonderful time of the year! It is a time of endless possibilities and hope for continued success and growth. As one mom who also happens to be a teacher said this morning, "It really is a wonderful time of the year. All the pencils are sharpened, and all of the glue sticks still work!"

Our school has wonderful history of both Catholic traditions, and the tradition of academic success. However, we also take pride in staying current. Beyond sharpened pencils and fully functioning glue sticks, we have many things to be excited about at JPII this year. Here are a few new things we would like to share:
  • We welcome Mrs. Kristin Bean to our faculty to teach Kindergarten. She is a member of our parish, and comes to us with 12 years experience teaching Kindergarten.
  • Our plans for the addition of 7th and 8th grade beginning the 2017-18 school year has brought us to explore expanding our faculty to include teachers with subject area expertise. Mr. Ben Chisman has joined us to teach 6th grade math, and to help us plan for preparing our graduates for the rigors of high school math.
  • Fifth grade students will have a 1:1 device environment in the classroom. They will each have access to a Chromebook in their classrooms each day.
  • The 6th graders will be receiving Chromebooks as take home devices this year. This will allow them to continue their learning and use of technology while at home and at school.
  • Although the 6th graders are excited about their Chromebook, they are equally as excited about having lockers. These lockers in their classroom are the first step to a middle school feel in grades 6th-8th.
  • All students will be enjoying new computers in the computer lab, too!
  • Many facility upgrades took place this summer. Several teachers moved classrooms, and we welcomed a preschool classroom to the Activity Center Building.
Thank you for the opportunity to share this new school year and all of its possibilities with you! We ask God to guide us in our mission and watch over the children in our care for a blessed 2016-17 school year.

Karen Haas

Principal
 
Dates to Remember
August 
3 - Mass 8:30 a.m. (Grade 6) 
5 - School Pictures 
10 - Mass 8:30 a.m. (Grade 5G) 
13 - JPII Color Run
17 - Mass 8:30 a.m. (Grade 4C)
24 - Mass 8:30 a.m. (Grade 2N) 
31 - Mass 8:30 a.m. (Grade 3B 
September 
2 - Walk-a-Thon 
2 - Family Friday (Grade 3)/SpiritWear Day/Early Dismissal 1:40/No Bus Service
5 - Labor Day/No School  
Picture Day - Friday, August 5         
Order forms for school pictures went home with your child today. Orders can be placed online at www.inter-state.com/order. The unique order code for St. John Paul II is 08628SF. 
      
Pool Party
The students had a great time at our annual Back to School Pool Party! Thank you JPII Parent Group!!!!

 
JPII Chillers Day Today  
The Parent Group would like to invite you to St. John Paul II Catholic School Chillers Day on Wednesday, July 27th, from opening to close (yes all day!!).  A small flyer was sent home with students today. You must give Chillers the flyer OR simply show them this newsletter on your phone when placing your order, and then Chillers will donate 20% of your order back to the school! It's a great way to help raise funds for your child's school and enjoy delicious ice cream and good friends all at the same time!  
Be sure to forward this newsletter to all of your friends and family and tell them to visit Chillers today and simply show them this newsletter on their phone when ordering!!
We hope to see you either outside at Chillers or ordering at the drive-thru to celebrate the beginning of a GREAT school year!
cookies_cream_milkshake.jpg      
 
JPII Faculty
The teachers participated in several workshops over the summer.


The middle school teachers had fun learning during training and won a game of Kahoot.  They were crowned King and Queen.

Kindergarten Knight - July 21  
The new kindergarteners and their parents learned the ABC's of starting kindergarten at JPII. The parents were taken on a tour of the school and had questions answered by Principal, Karen Haas and  Kindergarten Teachers, Macy Kist and Kristin Bean. The students participated in activities and were treated to snacks by the JPII Parent Group.
  
 
     
Registration - July 17
Registration was held Sunday, July 17. We had a great turnout.  Registration included a free uniform exchange, JPII spirit wear sales, info from: athletics, JPII parents group, Color Run and JPII After-Care. Thank you to all our volunteers!

 
 
     
SpiritWear  
The new SpiritWear order forms are in the school office.  All orders are due by Wednesday, August 10, 2016 for the fall order.
 
       
Color Run - Saturday, August 13, 2016

Great family fun and fundraiser for JPII!!  Come out and see what all the excitement is about.  
Must register by July 29 to be guaranteed a shirt. 
Click here for Color Run Entry Form
Or Register online:

 
   
Back to School Night   
The students and their parents visited classrooms and met teachers at the Back to School Night Open House.  The sixth graders were very excited about the new lockers in their classroom! 
 
 
   
       
First Day of School 2016-17
Smiles were everywhere in the gym Wednesday morning as the teachers and students prepared for the start of their new school year.

Mrs. Haas read a prayer for the students as the parents raised their hand in blessing over their children.
The students and teachers were dismissed to the classrooms to start their day.

 
The parents went to the Boo Hoo/Woo Hoo Breakfast put on by the JPII Parent Group.

Bulletin Board of the Week 
Grade 1 - Mrs. Jamie Bruggeman