It was a joy-filled and busy week at John Paul II Catholic School as we celebrated the Advent and Christmas season together as a faith community. From giving back to our neighbors in need to celebrating beautiful liturgies, our school truly embraced the spirit of Advent hope and Christmas cheer!

Advent Family Donations: Through our annual Advent Family collections, JPII students, families, faculty, and staff came together to provide gifts and gift cards for families in our community who might otherwise struggle to celebrate Christmas. Our Houses worked tirelessly to gather thoughtful and much-needed gifts, while faculty and staff added blessings in the form of gift cards.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Mass and Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Mass: We honored our Blessed Mother with two special Masses, lifting our prayers to her as we prepared our hearts for the birth of Christ.

JPII Choir and Band Performances: Sharing the gift of music, our JPII Choir brought joy to residents at Okatie Pines Retirement Community and together with our awesome band led us in music during the beautifully moving and toe-tapping Christmas Concert. (See photos)

Ugly Christmas Sweater Day: On December 13, students and staff donned their most creative (and hilariously festive!) Christmas sweaters, spreading laughter and holiday cheer throughout campus.

Christmas Door Decorating: Our classrooms transformed into festive scenes as students and teachers decked their doors with creative Christmas decorations. Judges Caylin Gecy, Spencer Murphy, Andrew Boyden, Lillian Termini, and Kam Brayboy had the tough task of choosing the most festive creations! (list of winners below)

JPII Family Advent Mass: The week culminated in our very first Family Advent Mass on Sunday, December 15. The JPII Choir blessed us with beautiful songs during Mass and a prelude, while families gathered afterward to enjoy treats and refreshments.

In this sacred season of Advent waiting and Christmas joy, we thank God for the gift of community and the opportunity to grow in faith together.

Wishing all of our JPII families and friends a blessed remainder of Advent and a joyous, peace-filled Christmas season! May the light of Christ fill your hearts and homes with love and hope.

WINNERS of the Door Decorating Contest 2024:

OVERALL- 3 categories of Creativity, Neatness, and Integration of Christmas theme each had a high score of 5 points. Total points available for overall award was 15 points. Scores were averaged across each category. Once averages established, each category was added together to make a final overall score. 

1st place (score of 13.8): Mrs. Solomons in collaboration with her math classes with “12 Days of Christmas ROOM # 146,  Also, honorable mention in the “Most Creative” and “Most Interactive” Superlative Categories

2nd place (score of 13): Mrs. Sklarin, painted by Trice McClure, “Starry Night Christmas” ROOM # MC7, Also, honorable mention in the “Most Creative” category. Also received specific praise for being hand painted!

3rd place (score of 12.8): Mrs. Kizer and Mr. Gaylets along with middle school students, “Snowball fight” ROOM #134-136, TIED for winner of “Most Creative” Superlative “On the Nice List” nomination 4/5 judges 

SUPERLATIVES
Most creative: TIED between 134-136 and 231 
Most interactive: TIED between 146 and 134-136
Most Catholic/Religious: WINNER 236

All scores: 
146 “12 Days of Christmas” 13.8
MC7 “Starry Night Christmas” 13
134-136 “Snowball Fight” 12.8
236 “Angels” 12.6
149 “Grinch” 12.4
231 “Village” 11.8
246 “Chemist-tree!” 11
122 “We’re All Unique” 10.8
147 “Santa” 10
MC9 “Snow” 9.2
MC 1 “no name” 8.9
142 “no name” 7.6
242 “Candy Cane lane” 7.4 
MC3 “no name” 7