APRIL

 

A FRESH START FOR THE FINISH!

As we head into the final quarter of the school year, we know this time can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming for students and families. In the middle of busy schedules and end-of-year pressures, 2 Corinthians 5:17 offers a comforting reminder: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” No matter how the year has gone so far, this is a fresh opportunity to reset, refocus, and move forward with hope. It’s never too late for a new beginning, and every small step forward matters.

Our goal as JPII Counselors is to support and encourage you every step of the way. Whether you need a boost in confidence, help managing stress, or just a reminder that you’re not alone, we’re here for you. Finishing the year strong doesn’t mean being perfect!  It simply means continuing to try, grow, and take things one day at a time. We’re cheering you on as you finish this school year with resilience, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose.

2026-27 CHOICE OF SUBJECT

Most students have made their selections for next year.  If there are any changes, please stop by to see your counselor on updating your requests.

The FINAL DAY 

to make any course request change 

is Friday, May 29!

SUMMER SCHOOL 2026

Check out the FLYER below for more info!

AP UPDATES

2026 AP Exam Day Information for Students

Who:  AP students

What:  AP Exam day information

When: Week #1–May 4th-8th/Week #2–May 11th-15th (previously approved late testers–May 18th-22nd)  

What time:  7:30 am for morning exams/11:30 am for noon exams

Where:  Room assignments will be posted on campus by April 24th

Students should bring the following to every AP exam:

*2 #2 pencils and 2 pens (with Black or blue ink) for Section II and note taking on scratch paper

*College Board account sign-in credentials

Students should also bring to digital/hybrid digital exams:

*Fully charged device with BlueBook installed and updated (digital/hybrid digital)

*Charging cord for device (digital/hybrid digital)

*external keyboard (optional for digital/hybrid digital)

*Calculator with extra batteries (if needed for exam)

Items Not allowed in testing rooms:

*cell phones, smartwatches, airpods, headphones, any other electronic equipment other than charged laptop/device

*mechanical pencils

*watches with alarms

*backpacks/snacks

Lunch Information:

*8:00 am exams:

*AP students will be dismissed to go to lunch at the end of the exam–then will follow the school schedule for 3rd and 4th/7th and 8th periods.

12:00 pm exams:

*AP students who have “A” lunch will eat at normal time and then report to their testing room at 11:30 am. 

*AP students who have “B” or “C” lunch will be dismissed from their 2nd/6th period class at 11:00 am to eat lunch then report to their testing room at 11:30 am.  

*AP students who have two AP exams on the same day (one at 8:00 am and one at 12:00) will be required to bring their lunch and eat quickly between the exams

Important Reminders

*Be on time to your exams–no make-ups for being late or absent! Absence will affect final exam exemption

*No food is allowed in testing rooms and drinks are not allowed at students’ desks and around devices and testing materials during testing 

*Afternoon exams may end after the school day is over so plan transportation accordingly

*All students will be dismissed from testing rooms by proctor at the same time

Contact Becky Heslep/469 229-5137 or beckyheslep@johnpauliihs.org if you have questions.

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
• Wednesday, April 1
• 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Join us for “Rooted & Rising,” (click to see presentation) an engaging and practical parent session designed to help you guide your teen with confidence as they prepare for life beyond high school. We’ll explore essential skills such as financial literacy, time management, self-care, communication, and personal responsibility, along with simple, real-life strategies you can begin using at home right away. Through discussion, reflection, and a faith-centered approach rooted in Scripture, this session will encourage and equip you to gradually release responsibility while continuing to support and strengthen your teen. Together, we’ll focus on raising capable, confident young adults who are prepared not just for graduation, but for life.  
This will be our final Coffee with the Counselors for 2025-26, so we hope you will join us!

PARENT CORNER

As the school year comes to a close at JPII, our students are often balancing finals, projects, and end-of-year activities while also looking ahead to summer plans. This is a great time for parents to stay connected with what’s happening at school by checking Cardinal Connect for grades, encouraging attendance, and helping students stay on top of deadlines. Many teachers provide end-of-year schedules and review materials, so encourage your student to take advantage of those resources and any teacher tutoring or review sessions before exams.

In the midst of a busy schedule, help your student create a realistic plan for finishing strong. Sit down together and map out what’s left, final exams, major assignments, and any missing work, and break it into smaller, manageable goals. You might encourage a daily routine that includes a set study time, screen breaks, and a consistent sleep schedule. In a high-achieving community like JPII, it can be easy for students to feel pressure, so remind them that effort and growth matter just as much as final grades. Your encouragement can help shift their focus from stress to steady progress.

It can also be helpful to look for local opportunities that support both learning and balance. Whether it’s celebrating Mass on Sunday, spending time at a local park for fresh air and stress relief, or planning a simple family walk after dinner, small breaks can help reset a student’s mind. If your student is feeling overwhelmed, remind them of their available JPII school counselors they can talk to.  Support is always within reach!

Finally, as you look toward summer, take time to talk about goals and rest. Whether your student plans to catch up on sleep, get a summer job, volunteer, or prepare for the next school year, this is a great time to reset. Celebrate how far they’ve come this year and encourage them to finish strong. With your support, they can end the school year with confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment! 

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