JANUARY

 

A SEASON OF NEW BEGINNINGS

As we begin a new year together, I’m reminded of Lewis Carroll’s beautiful words: “I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently… and perhaps it says, ‘Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.’” Winter has a way of inviting us into stillness, into rest, reflection, and quiet renewal. In this season, God gives us the gift of fresh beginnings and the chance to be gently made new.

A new year and a new semester offer us that same invitation: to pause, reflect on where we’ve been, and look ahead with hope. Whether last semester ended just as you hoped or came with challenges, this spring is a fresh start. It’s an opportunity to recommit to your goals, lean into growth, and trust that God is at work in ways both seen and unseen.

As we journey through this spring semester together, my prayer is that you feel supported, encouraged, and confident in your ability to finish strong. May we approach the months ahead with faith, perseverance, and gratitude—knowing that each day is another chance to grow in wisdom, compassion, and purpose. Welcome to a new beginning.

2026-27 CHOICE OF SUBJECT :

Can you believe it's time to start choosing classes for next year?  This year is racing by!  Students will receive an appointment link the week prior to the grade level window to make an appointment with their counselor.  Appointments cannot be made during core classes, and students will be responsible to make up any missing work.  Students will use their calendar reminder as a pass to leave class for their appointment.

Counselors will sit with each student to review GPA, graduation credits, teacher recommendations for rigor, post-secondary plans, and more.  Please make sure to review the 2026-27 Course Guide prior to the appointment.

Scheduling Windows:

11th  January 20-30

10th  February 9-20

9th  February 23-March 6

SCHEDULE CHANGES:

• The only schedule change requests for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year will only be for SEMESTER classes that students are enrolled in this spring.  This process will open at the first progress report date.  Stay tuned for details!

PSAT UPDATES:

PSAT Testing Success!

Our PSAT administration was a great success with over 500 students completing the exam on October 20. We are proud of our students’ hard work and focus throughout testing day.

PSAT results have been available since November. Students can access their scores in several ways: by logging into their College Board account, using the BigFuture School mobile app, or obtaining a printed score report from their school counselor.

We look forward to celebrating our students’ achievements and helping them use their results to plan for future academic opportunities.

AP UPDATES:

Total Registration Website

Total Registration Instructions

DUAL CREDIT UPDATES:

Dual Registration has begun for those taking Dual Credit classes! Please see your email from Mr. Frein and complete your registration soon as possible. If you have any questions or need help registering, please reach out to Mr. Frein at peterfrein@johnpauliihs.org.

CALENDAR ITEMS:

• Coffee with the Counselors
• Our NEXT Coffee with the Counselors is Wednesday, January 7 at 8:45 a.m. in the Athenaeum.  The topic will be College, Career, and Military Readiness as we present it to your students.  JPII has purchased an incredible resource to help students determine their strengths, weaknesses, interests, job outlooks, and more.  Come learn about how your students can access this resource and how you can support at home!

PARENT CORNER:

January invites fresh starts, renewed routines, and a refocusing of priorities. As we begin the spring semester, each grade level experiences this season a little differently. Below are ways you can support your student this month (academically, emotionally, and spiritually)as we continue to trust God’s guidance in all things.

9th Grade:  Building Foundations

January is a key time for freshmen to settle into expectations and build confidence.

Helpful focuses this month:

• Help your student re-establish consistent routines for homework, organization, and sleep.

• Encourage use of planners or checklists to manage assignments.

• Normalize mistakes and learning curves. High school is a big transition.

• Remind them that growth takes time and that God walks with them in every step.

Faith encouragement:
A simple prayer before school or tests can remind them they are never alone and that effort matters more than perfection.

10th Grade:  Growing Independence

Sophomores are developing greater independence but still benefit from structure and encouragement.

Helpful focuses this month:

• Encourage them to self-advocate by reaching out to teachers with questions.

• Review grades together and discuss strategies rather than outcomes.

• Support involvement in activities that build confidence and connection.

• Talk about long-term goals in a low-pressure, exploratory way.

Faith encouragement:
Invite reflection on personal strengths and gifts, reminding them that God has uniquely created them for a purpose.

11th Grade:  Planning & Perseverance

January is a pivotal month for juniors as academic demands and future planning increase.

Helpful focuses this month:

• Discuss upcoming standardized testing, college visits, and course planning.

• Encourage balance between academics, activities, and rest.

• Help them break large tasks into manageable steps.

• Reinforce resilience.  This is a demanding year, and effort truly matters.

Faith encouragement:
Encourage them to place worries about the future in prayer, trusting God’s timing and plan even when the path feels uncertain.

12th Grade:  Finishing Strong

For seniors, January brings both excitement and the challenge of staying focused.

Helpful focuses this month:

• Encourage continued academic effort.  Finishing strong sets a meaningful tone.

• Help them manage deadlines for college decisions, scholarships, and next steps.

• Talk openly about emotions surrounding transition, change, and independence.

• Celebrate milestones while reinforcing responsibility.

Faith encouragement:
Remind them that God goes before them into this next chapter and that their worth is not defined by outcomes, but by who they are in Him.

As we move through January together, thank you for your partnership, encouragement, and prayers. May this month be one of renewal, perseverance, and quiet confidence as your student continues to grow in faith, character, and purpose. Please know we are here to support your family in any way we can.

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 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 in the 21st