We have had an incredible start to school year 2026-27! It is so nice to see and hear our students in the halls again. As the temps start to cool down a bit, and we prepare for pumpkins, scarecrows, and apple ciders, I was reminded of this verse above. This year is a great time for harvest! We are excited to see how we can bless and encourage each other this year. Happy Fall!
- If a student needs to drop a more rigorous course (Honors/DC/AP) to a regulars course, those request forms will be available August 31 through September 3. Students can pick up this form from their teacher. The completed form will be returned to Mrs. Kelly Slate, Dean of Academics.
- To finalize the form, three items must be completed.
- parent/teacher conference discussing the best placement for the student
- student has attended 3 tutorials with the teacher
- no zeros or missing assignments in the gradebook as the grade transfers to the new class
- No other schedule change requests will be honored at this time.
- If students are wanting a schedule change past the September 9 deadline, students can apply again during October 10-17. The next time to request a schedule change will be during semester exams in December to be reflected on their spring semester schedule.
Attention 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade Families: Digital PSAT Information
JPII will be administering the Digital PSAT/NMSQT for all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors on the morning of Monday, October 19th.
What You Need to Know
Parents, please ensure that your student has completed the necessary preparations outlined in the PSAT Student Checklist below. Details on testing rooms will be provided to students soon.
What to Bring on Test Day:
Pen/Pencil
Charged Device
Device Power Cord
Approved Calculator(optional)
Bottled Water
Student Checklist:
1. Verify College Board Account:
9th grade students will be setting up their College Board Account with their Cohort in September. 10th and 11th-grade students need to log in to their College Board account to verify their login and password by October 1st, 2026. If unable to log in, students should call 866-433-7728 to reset their credentials and write down the new login/password for future use.
2. Download Bluebook App:
All students must upload Bluebook, the College Board testing app, to their personal laptop by October 1st, 2026. For students who have not yet downloaded Bluebook, or for students who have parental controls on their devices and whose parents would prefer to complete the download from home, here is a short instructional video with step-by-step instructions.
3. Check Device Compatibility:
If a student's personal device is a Chromebook, they must inform Kris Thurston, Director of Technology, ASAP, as Chromebooks are not permitted by College Board. A donor device will be made available for those who need it.
4. Ensure Battery Life:
Students need to check their device's battery life to ensure it can stay charged and operational for at least 3 hours.
5. Familiarize with Bluebook:
Students should log in to Bluebook using their College Board account and explore the new tools and practice tests to become comfortable with the testing platform.
6. Test Day Preparation:
On October 19th, students must arrive at school with their fully charged device and power cord.
7. If students need help with any of the steps above, please stop by the JPII Counseling Office for assistance.
DUAL CREDIT UPDATES:
Dual Registration has begun for those taking Dual Credit classes! Please see your email from Mr. Frein sent on August 24 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.
- Coffee with the Counselors, Sept. 2
- Professional In-Service/Student Holiday, Sept. 4
- Labor Day, Sept. 7
- Q1 Transfer Lunch, Sept. 11
- BREAKTHROUGH Guidance Assembly, Sept. 15
- All School Mass, Sept. 16
- Parent/Teacher Conferences (Student Holiday), Sept. 18
- Minute Meetings (for 9th/12th grades), Sept. 21 to Sept. 25
- Minute Meetings (for 10th/11th grades), Sept. 28 to Oct. 2
- Fall Break, Early Dismissal Oct. 9 and no school Oct. 12 and 13
- Homecoming Activities, Oct. 14 to 17
- PSAT for all 9th, 10th, 11th graders on Monday, Oct. 19
- BREAKTHROUGH Guidance Assembly, Oct. 21
- All School Mass, Oct. 22
- Coffee with the Counselors! October 7, 8:45-9:45, President's Conference Room---Raising Resilient Kids Without Raising Anxious Kids-Failure Is Not An Emergency
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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 citizensh
