Knight Notes

2022-2023 Semester Calendar We are happy to share with you the calendar for the next school year listing important dates by semester, i.e., the first day of school, fall break, holidays, spring break, etc. You can access it here. NOTE: the calendar was UPDATED on 3/4/22. 

Beneficial to Donate to Pope Prep Do you know that if you currently use the standard deduction for taxes, you can claim an additional deduction of up to $300.00 (couples can claim up to $600.00) for cash donations to places like Pope John Paul II Preparatory School? As always, check how this ruling impacts you personally with your tax advisor. Make a gift to Pope Prep here. Thank you!

Estate Planning Now is a good time to establish a plan for you and your loved ones or update an existing plan. You can also make a difference in the lives of others by including Pope John Paul II Preparatory School in your plan and possibly take advantage of some unique tax-saving opportunities available for the remainder of 2021. Interested? If so, please contact Michelle Barber, Director of Advancement, at 615-772-1331. 

Armory Instagram Follow us on Instagram (armory_popeprep) for official product releases and updates. We are also restocking our popular items and styles weekly.

Spring/Summer Purchase the new spring/summer line today Purchase online at Armory Online Store! The release includes original designs by the class and features spring and summer colors, some of which are limited releases. Follow the Armory on Instagram (armory_popeprep) for more new designs coming soon. 

Pope Parent Communication - Stay Informed! We are continuously evaluating options for the best ways to keep our parents informed of current happenings at school. To stay current, get your questions answered, and for weekly/daily reminders, make sure you are following these social media resources.

Facebook Pages

Official Pope John Paul II Preparatory School- https://www.facebook.com/JPIIKNIGHTS

Parent page- All Things Pope Prep- https://www.facebook.com/groups/467513546736793

Instagram

Official Pope John Paul II Preparatory School- https://www.instagram.com/jpiiknights/

Pope Prep App

The Pope Prep App is available in the App Store. The weekly schedule is always current and listed on the front page, and the full school calendar is listed under "school events." Visit your app store and search for Pope Prep. 

SchoolMessenger - Pope Prep's emergency text alert service New parents and returning parents with new cell phone numbers received a text from School Messenger on 9/15 asking you to opt-in to receive emergency messages. If you did not receive the text message on Wednesday, September 15, please complete the Contact Information Form so we can update your information in Veracross and School Messenger. If you have other family members who need to receive emergency text messages from Pope Prep, ask them to text YES to 67587 to opt-in. Note: To avoid 3rd party call blocking systems from interfering with your receipt of important messages from Pope Prep, save 67587 to the contacts on your phone.

Pedestal Foods - all about dining services, meal plans, and MySchoolBucks.  To create a Declining Balance Account, visit MySchoolBucks. *The student ID # is found in Veracross next to the student's name (see image). New registering parents should use DOB as 01/01/2000 to create a student account.

If you have questions or concerns about your MySchoolBucks account or other needs concerning the dining hall, please email Dining Hall Manager Jeffrey at jeffrey.hennen@pedestalfoods.com.

Easter video message from Karen Phillips, Interim Head of School. Please take a moment to view it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/8IrrcuvNa4U.

KAC Board Members 2021-2022 (Term begins July 1, 2021, and ends June 30, 2022) The KAC would appreciate representation from each of our sports teams. Anyone interested can contact Athletic Director John Dempsey at john.dempsey@popeprep.org.  

• President – Mike Donovan mdonovan814@gmail.com
• First Vice President – Molly Barbuto
• Second Vice President – Jenn Sutton jennifer.l.sutton@vumc.org
• Treasurer – Andy Arbuckle
• Secretary – John Penhollow jpenhollow@mac.com
• Alumni – Rachel Harrison Grisard rachel.grisard@jp2hs.org
• Members at Large – Lee McNair, Kristi Huffine, Dana Denton, and John Delaney

COVID Reminder We do not accept at-home COVID Tests. COVID tests need to be PCR rapid or regular PCR tests, please. Email the nurse at nurse@popeprep.org or susan.snyder@popeprep.org with the following information: 1) What day did symptoms start? 2) What are the symptoms? 3) What day did the student get tested? 4) What day did the test come back? 5) Has your student been vaccinated? Please send in a copy of your test and /or doctor notes with your student or email them.

Illness and Return to School Policy Please follow the guidelines in deciding when to keep your student at home: If your student has a fever > 100.0 F, diarrhea not caused by diet or medications, vomiting, or has been diagnosed with the flu, you will need to keep your student at home for 24 hours AFTER symptoms resolve and your student is fever-free. Currently, there is a stomach virus circulating, and students are returning to school within 6 to 12 hours after diarrhea/vomiting and spreading the virus. Please keep your child home for 24 hours after symptoms resolve. Contact susan.snyder@popeprep.org with questions. 

Water Bottles All students are encouraged to bring a personal reusable water bottle daily. We are experiencing a shortage, and we are limited, in the number of cases of water we are can purchase. The water in the clinic is reserved for ill students visiting the clinic. We can also protect the environment! 

COVID Protocols We have returned to normal operations for athletics, the classroom, and the lunch-time process. For details, visit the COVID webpage.

Illness and Absence Policy As we approach cold and flu season, please be reminded of our health policies for illness and return to school. Specifically, if a student wakes up feeling sick, is vomiting, or has a fever, the student should stay home. Students must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school. If a student misses three or more consecutive days of school for an illness, they will need a doctor's note to return to school. Visit the Nurse webpage for more information. Contact Nurse Snyder about health questions at susan.snyder@popeprep.org and Mrs. Grisard about school policy questions at rachel.grisard@popeprep.org.

Game Day We are having a great turnout for athletics this year for both high school and middle school. Please remember that parents are responsible for their students during athletic events. Although it is a school event, our staff is involved with other duties or are attending as fans. 

Wednesday Late Start Faculty meetings take place on most Wednesday mornings, so school starts at 8:25 a.m. The building still opens at 7:15 a.m., bus routes do not change, and middle school students will still be supervised. Any week we do not have a late start, we will let you know. Parents should not alter their morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up routine on Wednesday unless they choose to.

Fine Arts Booster (FAB) FAB partners with parents, school administration, alumni and community supporters, and the fine arts faculty to promote and financially support the visual and performing arts programs at Pope Prep. FAB supports the arts programs by supplementing the non-budgeted aspects of the programs, such as improving facilities and providing wish-list items and materials for all arts programs. To register for FAB, please complete a FAB Membership Form for $30 (annually per family). Please visit the FAB webpage for a letter from FAB President Kelly Smits and more information about FAB.

Knight Athletic Club (KAC) KAC is the sole supporter of athletics at Pope Prep. The KAC strives to improve the programs through equipment and facility upgrades and any other needs that may arise during the year. The KAC works closely with the administration and coaches to identify and fulfill these needs. There are many ways you can support the KAC. Membership packages are detailed on the KAC webpage and can be purchased at KAC Membership. Please visit the KAC webpage for a letter from KAC President Mike Donovan and more information about membership, events, and marketing opportunities.   

Parent Association Committee (PAC) The Parents Association Committee (PAC) supports the Pope Prep Community in many ways throughout the year. The PAC works concessions and ticket booths, helps with the annual gala, provides refreshments at special events, acts as a welcome committee for new parents, among many things. The PAC is an essential part of our community, and we couldn't get by without their support. If you are interested in volunteering your time and talent, please contact Cherie Cline, PAC President at tctj99@gmail.com. Visit PAC webpage for more information and meeting dates.