Welcome back, Cardinal Family!
We are so excited to welcome you to a brand new school year! Whether you're stepping onto campus for the first time or returning for another year, know that you belong here. JPII is a place where you'll be challenged to grow academically, encouraged in your faith, and surrounded by people who genuinely care about you.
A new school year brings new opportunities to make new friends, discover new passions, overcome challenges, and create memories that will last a lifetime. There will be moments that stretch you, but there will also be moments that remind you just how capable you are. Remember, you never have to navigate those moments alone. Your teachers, counselors, campus ministers, coaches, and classmates are all here to support you every step of the way.
Most importantly, God walks with you through every class, every conversation, every success, and every setback. As Joshua 1:9 reminds us, "Be strong and courageous...for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Here's to a year filled with learning, laughter, friendship, faith, and growth. We can't wait to see all that God has in store for you.
Welcome back!!!! Let's make 2026-27 an incredible year!!!!!
MEET YOUR COUNSELING DEPARTMENT:
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- Peter Frein, Alpha A-E
- Brandy Gass, Alpha F-K
- Becky Heslep, Alpha L-Q
- Rhonda Ramirez, Alpha R-Z
- Mickey Saloma, College Counselor
- Michelle Reyna, Administrative Assistant
- Lauren Easterwood, Registrar
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- October 19 for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders
- Does your student have a College Board account? Make sure it is set up! If you need help, stop by the Counseling Office.
- JPII will be administering the PSAT 8/9 for our freshmen and the PSAT/NMSQT for our 10-11th graders.
- The PSAT will be administered in a digital format that will provide an overall easier testing experience for students.
- Please note that your child will take the PSAT with the Bluebook Digital Testing App using their personal laptop.
- We will help new students download the Bluebook App during Cohorts in September. Please make sure that your student's device set-up on that day allows for the download.
- Scores will be released in mid-November.
We always receive questions regarding schedule changes from our students. Student registration is a critical function at John Paul II High School. Based upon the registration data, courses are scheduled, and teachers are employed for the next year. Student schedules received in the summer are considered permanent for the academic year. Here are some Q&As about the process.
I have a hole in my schedule. Yes! Come see your counselor immediately!
Can I change my schedule if I changed my mind about a class? No, students had the opportunity to change classes during the spring semester and summer. Master Schedule, teacher assignments, and leveling of classes has been completed based on those student requests.
I tried out or auditioned for a class. Will you change my schedule? Yes, those coaches and directors will send counselors a list of those students. We will contact you should you need to drop a class to be enrolled in this new class.
I requested an on-level class, but now I feel like it is too easy. Can I request to be moved to a more rigorous level? Yes, students will talk to their current teacher first. If the teacher agrees that the placement is not correct, the student and teacher will complete the Google Form requesting the level change.
I requested a rigorous class (H/DC/AP), but now I feel like it is too difficult. Can I request to be moved to on-level? Yes, that request form will open the third week of school to request those changes. Students will need to have attended tutorials, teachers will need to have visited with parents, and all assignments must be complete prior to the form being submitted. The next schedule change window for rigor will be at the end of the 1st cycle. The final time to request to be moved to an on-level class will be at semester.
Can I change my teacher? No, teacher changes are not usually considered. The current teacher and parent will need to have a conference to alleviate any concerns.
Can I just move class periods around? No, we have tried to level teacher classes, and we want to be fair to all students by offering the smallest classes that we are able.
***If any schedule change is approved, keep in mind that several classes in the current schedule may change, to include teachers, lunch period, etc. While counselors will try to accommodate as little disruption as possible, new class placement will be based on available seats.
- Service Fair, August 13
- All School Mass, August 18
- Meet the Teacher/Counselor Night
- Early Dismissal, 2:00 p.m.
- August 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
- Cohorts start August 25
- Freshmen Retreat, August 26
- Pep Rally, August 28
- PSAT information for all 9th, 10th, 11th graders (Oct. 20 Test Date)
- Minute Meetings (counselor one-on-one meetings with each student)
- BREAKTHROUGH All School Assembly, September 15---Breaking Through the Noise!
- Coffee with the Counselors! September 2, 8:45-9:45, President's Conference Room---Are They Okay? Reading the Signs When Your Teen Says "I'm Fine"
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- Need to see your Counselor? Email or stop by! Our doors are always open!
- The Shade (Elijah's Story from 1 Kings 19)
- Calming Room in the Counseling Office (check-in with counselor first)
- Reset, Relax, Recharge, Refresh, Return!
- Fidgets, Aromatherapy, Sound Machine, Cozy Chairs/Blankets, Journal, Coloring Books, & More!
- 20 minute limit....and then return to class
- Children's TCHATT
- 6-8 FREE weekly therapist appointments scheduled during non-core periods during the school day (referral through your counselor)
- Mental Health Navigation Line
- 972-525-8181, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Helpline sourced through Grant Halliburton to assist families with finding therapists (based on need, insurance, etc.) in the DFW area
- Coffee Days (mom support group for mothers of young people with mental health and emotional health conditions, offering opportunities to share experiences, resources, and information.)
- granthalliburton.org for upcoming meetings
- Additional Community Resources
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the John Paul II Counseling Office is to provide a proactive, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate program to address students' academic and career goals in addition to supporting their personal and social needs. This is accomplished through a partnership with parents/guardians, staff, and community members to enable all students to become successful, productive citizens and lifelong learners in a diverse and changing world.
VISION STATEMENT
The John Paul II High School Counseling Office is guided by our commitment to provide a safe, nurturing environment where the entire learning community addresses the unique needs of students to ensure students reach their fullest potential and successfully manage their lives as healthy, responsible, competent and productive citizens who respect themselves and others. Collaborating with students, parents, faculty and staff, we will foster the development of the entire person – mental, spiritual, academic and social. School counselors believe that every student can succeed through the collaborative efforts of school, home, and community leading to responsible and productive citizenship
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