SEPTEMBER

 

HAPPY FALL, YA'LL!

We have had an incredible start to school year 2024-25!  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!

WHAT WERE WE UP TO IN AUGUST?

• 168 individual student conferences in the first 11 days of school.
• Our sophomores visited us the most this month!  We love that they see us as a resource!
• Academic questions were the top reason for visits.  This is a typical August at the start of school!  
• We presented in 47 classrooms for August Guidance Lessons, Pop in To See Your Counselors, to all grade levels in the English classes.  
• Meet the Counselor Presentation from August 21.
• Pop in To See Your Counselors

SCHEDULE CHANGES:

• If a student needs to drop a more rigorous course (Honors/DC/AP) to a regulars course, those request forms will be available September 4 through September 11 from their teacher.  This will be the final time to request a class change until December.  Students can pick up this form from their teacher.
• No other schedule change requests will be honored at this time.
• If students are wanting a schedule change past the September 11 deadline, students can apply again in December to be reflected on their spring semester schedule.

PSAT UPDATES:

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 Wednesday, October 9th. 

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

IMPORTANT PSAT Student Checklist:
1. Verify College Board Account:  
9th grade students will be setting up their College Board Account with counselors this month. 10th and 11th-grade students need to log in to their College Board account to verify their login and password by September 20, 2024. 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 September 20, 2024. Instructions for downloading are provided in the video linked HERE.

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 9, students must arrive at school with their fully charged device and power cord.

No Late Testing or Retesting: Please note that there will be no late testing or retesting available, 

so it is crucial that students are well-prepared for the October 9th testing date.

AP UPDATES:

• Email Ms. Heslep if you have any questions at  beckyheslep@johnpauliihs.org

DO YOUR STUDENTS NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO THEIR COLLEGE BOARD ACCOUNT? CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS!

If a student can't access their account or needs to make name, address, or birthdate changes, they will need to call the Student Support Helpline at (866) 315-6068.  Students can also visit with their counselor if they are having trouble accessing their account.

All transfer students need to make the following changes in their College Board account:

School Attending

Email address

Once a student is logged into their College Board account:

• Click on "Account Settings"
• The next screen is "My Info"
• On the "My Info" screen, students can change any information
• Under "Security and Password" click "edit" to change:
•      Email address--JPII email address is preferred
•      Password (write this down somewhere!)
•      Security Phrase  (write this down somewhere!)
• Under "School Information" click "edit"  to change school
• When editing any section--make sure to click on "save changes"

CALENDAR ITEMS:

• Minute Meetings
• Minute Meetings are brief meetings conducted by the school counselors to basically get the pulse of their student caseload. It gives us the opportunity to meet and make an immediate connection with every student in our building the first few weeks of school.
• 9th/12th grade:  September 16 through 19
• 10th/11th grade:  October 15 through 18
• if students were absent or time ran out during the visit, counselors will reschedule with the students
• Parent/Teacher Conferences, September 20 (no school)
• Guidance Lesson
• September 25 and 26 (Theology Classes)
• Mental Health Awareness
• Check out the bulletin board by our office for resources from each guidance topic.

• Coffee with the Counselors
• Our first meeting will be Sept. 11 at 8:45 a.m., in the Athenaeum
• Understanding the Teen Brain:  A Work in Progress
• After September's meeting the rest will be the first Wednesday of each month!

• Save the dates!  See below!

PARENT CORNER:

7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment

7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment

Good parents aren’t perfect, and that’s okay. There’s no formula to follow, but there are ways you can grow every day. This assessment gives you an honest look at your unique strengths, plus some areas that might use a little help.

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 ce

AUGUST

MEET YOUR COUNSELING DEPARTMENT:

• Peter Frein, Alpha A-E
• Brandy Gass, Alpha F-K
• Becky Heslep, Alpha L-Q
• Rhonda Ramirez, Alpha R-Z
• Mickey Saloma, College Counselor
• Melissa Fernandez, Administrative Assistant
• Arabella DeAngelis, Registrar

We had over 3,700 office visits with our students last year and can't wait to welcome you this year!  How will you see us out and about at JPII?

PSAT UPDATES:

• October 11 for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders
• JPII will be administering the PSAT 8/9 for our freshmen and the PSAT/NMSQT for our 10-11^th graders.
• The PSAT will be administered in a new 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. 

SCHEDULE CHANGES:

• 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.

  1. I have a hole in my schedule.  Yes!  Come see your counselor immediately!

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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. 

  5. 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 (from September 4-11, 2024) 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 final time to request to be moved to on-level class will be at semester.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

CALENDAR ITEMS:

POP IN TO MEET YOUR COUNSELORS!

• Guidance Lesson
• August 27 and 28 (English Classes)
• Orientation to the Counseling Office--POP in to Meet Your Counselor!
• Check out the bulletin board by our office for resources from each guidance topic
• 9th Grade Only---Setting Up Their College Board Account for PSAT and download Bluebook
• Meet the Teacher Night
• August 21, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
• Stop by to visit with us at our session!

COMING SOON FOR SEPTEMBER!

• Coffee with the Counselors!  September 11, 8:45-9:45, Athenaeum
• PSAT information for all 9th, 10th, 11th graders (Oct. 11 Test Date)
• Guidance Lesson---Mental Health
• Minute Meetings (one-on-one meetings starting with Freshmen/Seniors)

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 

 

MAY

What were we up to in April?

April brought the start of spring!  Don't you love seeing all the green on the trees and new flowers starting to bloom?

• We had wonderful guests, The Grounded Group, share insights on cell phone and social media usage with our families at our Coffee with the Counselors. 
• Then, we were able to welcome in our new JPII Class of 2028 at JPII 101!  What a fun group of new students!  They are going to do great things!
• We have finished up course requests for the school year 2024-25 and are now tweaking students' final selections.  
• And how about that eclipse?  Wasn't that so cool?  If God can make an eclipse so awesome, just think about how much He loves you!  You're pretty awesome as well!
• We had over 220 individual conferences with students in April and love being able to provide support for each one of our Cardinals.
• Our AP Coordinator, Ms. Heslep, has been gearing up for the AP Testing Window in May.  She has everything organized and ready to go with over 880 exams to be administered in the next few weeks.  If you have any questions at all about AP, please stop by!
• We welcomed our new registrar, Ms. Arabella DeAngelis, back to JPII.  She is an alumni and has been working with our girl's basketball team.  We are so excited to have her full time on campus and helping all of our students with their record needs.  She is located in the sophomore hall, and her email is arabelladeangelis@johnpauliihs.org.  Please stop by to say HI to her!

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 (It's Time!!!):

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 COMPARISONS:

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
• No meeting in May due to AP preparations.  We will see you again next school year in September!
  
• AP Testing Window (May 6-17)
• Check out the all-school calendar HERE. Lots and lots of events happening in the next few weeks!

PARENT CORNER:

Mother's Day and Father's Day will be coming up!  Did you know you're doing a GREAT job?  Parenting is one of the most important blessings and responsibilities that God has given us.  Check out these articles to encourage you!

• Parenting:  The Hardest Job You've Ever Done        
• Where Do You Turn When YOU Need Encouragement?     
• Being a Diligent Parent       
• 6 Biblical Messages of Encouragement for Parents              

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 

 

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