APRIL

What were we up to in March?

March was all about Spring Break and Course Request Meetings.  We've enjoyed meeting individually with all of our students to help prepare them for next year!  We have a few more meetings the first week of April and will then start meeting with students that haven't met with us.  If you have NOT met with your counselor yet, please reach out to set your appointment ASAP; otherwise, we'll be tracking you down!

ECLIPSE--April 8

What a moment to be in the path of the Solar Eclipse 2024!  HERE is some great information about this event from NASA.  It looks like JPII will be in totality around 1:07 p.m.  What a neat experience for all of us!  Make sure you read the special notice from our principal, Kayla Brown, on our viewing of the eclipse that day.  Eclipse glasses will be provided!

SUMMER SCHOOL

Summer School registration with JPII will start March 1 with our rising juniors (CO 26) and seniors (C/O 25).  Our rising sophomores (C/O '27) can begin registering March 29,  See the FLYER for additional information about courses, calendar, and cost.  If you have any questions, please see your counselor.

AP UPDATES:

AP Exam Day Information for Students

Who:  All AP students

What:  AP Exam Day information

When:  May 6th through May 15th (late testing is May 22nd through 24th for approved testers)  7:30 AM morning exams and 11:30 PM afternoon exams

Where: Here is the AP exam schedule. Testing room assignments will be available the middle of April.

What to bring to each exam:

• #2 pencils, pens (with black or dark blue ink), erasers
• Calculator–for Biology, AB/BC Calculus, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Macroeconomics, Physics, and/or Statistics (extra calculator batteries as needed)
• Water bottle and snack for break (optional)
• Sweatshirt/jacket in case you get cold

Cell phone/electronics/backpack information:

• phones/smartwatches/other electronics must be powered off and placed in backpacks during exams
• backpacks will be placed in designated areas in testing rooms, not at students’ desks

Lunch information:

Students who have 8:00 am exams will be dismissed after their exam to go to lunch, then report to their 3rd/7th period classes. Depending on the length of the AP exam, students may be required to bring their lunch on exam day, eat in their testing room or dining hall, then go to class (this is due to the dining hall closing at 12:30 pm each day).  The above schedule of exams includes which exams require students to bring their lunches. 

For 12:00 pm exams, students who have “B” or “C” lunch will be dismissed from their 2nd/6th period classes at 11:00 am to eat lunch, then report to their testing room at 11:30. “A” lunch students will eat their regularly scheduled lunch and report to their testing rooms. 

Questions??--Contact Becky Heslep beckyheslep@johnpauliihs.org 

AP/DC UPDATES:

Unsure about the differences between Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit (DC)?  How do these courses earn credit for college?  What are the requirements to enroll?  What are the costs involved?  How do high school students transfer their credits to their university?  Plan on attending the AP/DC Information Meeting via Zoom on March 20!  

No worries if you missed the meeting!  Here is the LINK to a video recording of the meeting.  Check it out!  Also attached below are the presentation slides.  Let your counselor know if you have any questions!

AP/DC Presentation

CALENDAR ITEMS:

• Coffee with the Counselors
• Thank you to our special guests, licensed professional counselors (LPC) from THE GROUNDED GROUP, who shared their insights on how they are supporting teens and families in the current culture of cell phone usage and social media.  Thank you to all of our families that stopped by to discuss this important topic!
• Check out our guidance presentation on CELL PHONE ADDICTION

PARENT CORNER:

As a precursor with our Coffee with the Counselor topic coming up in April, these are great reads regarding potential addictiveness of cell phones and social media and how it affects adolescent well-being.  Check it out!     

• What Happened After I Stopped Letting My Teens Have Their Phones In Their Rooms At Night   
• Teenage Cell Phone Addiction:  Are You Worried About Your Child?   
•  "A Dangerous Substance":  The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health
• Phones Are Distracting Students in Class                                        

RESOURCES:

• 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 TeleHealth
• 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