The Guardian Omnia in Excellentia

From the Headmaster…

John Paul the Great Academy is a small, Catholic, college preparatory school that preserves and promotes the sacred traditions of the Roman Catholic Church

Upcoming Events

January 2017

Merry Christmas! During a holy hour late on the feast of the Holy Family, I was praying with one of the readings from Mass, taken from St. Paul's letter to the Colossians. It occurred to me that if St. Paul had been writing a letter to my own family or to the JPG community, he could not have written more beautifully or spoken more clearly words I needed to hear. I read them both as an examination of conscience and as a sign of hope for the kind of school we want to be. I share it with you here in the hope that we can all be challenged and inspired by the words of the apostle St. Paul: Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must do. And above all put on love, that is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:12-17) As I read these words, I think of our Lower School children, singing in the Christmas Play, playing among the oaks, praying in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium, and learning daily from caring, kind teachers. As I read them, I think of our Upper School students, as they travel on pilgrimages, discuss great books, collaborate on science labs, compete in sports, perform in plays, and daily learn to seek truth, goodness, and beauty. As I read them, I think of our parents, grandparents, and all who pray daily in our adoration chapel, who come together to support each other in the formation of our children. In this tenth year since the founding of JPG, let us read St. Paul’s words again and again, and pray for the grace to live them out daily. In the peace of Christ,

Peter Fletcher President & Headmaster

Jan 9 – Spring Semester Begins Jan 11 – March for Life Meeting @ 5p Jan 11 – Mandatory Parent Meeting @ 6p Jan 16 – NO SCHOOL/M.L.K. Day Jan 18 – Feb. Lunch Orders Due Jan 24-28 – March for Life Trip Feb 1 – Track Meeting Feb 2 – Open House Feb 6 – NO SCHOOL Feb 18 – March Lunch Orders Due Feb 18 – District Literary Rally @ UL Feb 27-28 – Mardi Gras Break

January 2017

2 Follow @jpgacademy

John Paul the great Academy

wishes you a

Happy New Year!

Family Picnics ___________________________

Please join us for our monthly JPG Family Picnic and Rosary on January 13, February 3, and March 17! The picnic will begin at 5:30pm under the oaks. Bring rosaries, blankets, chairs, family, and friends!

March for Life Meeting _____________________

There will be a March for Life parent meeting on Wednesday, January 11 at 5:00pm (before the Quarterly Parent Meeting at 6:00pm) in the Chapel.

Kristi Guillory-Munzing will be joining our faculty this semester as the instructor of the 8th grade Louisiana Studies course. Kristi is a musician, songwriter and folklorist. Kristi worked as the first archivist at the Archives of Cajun and Creole Folklore at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Francophone Studies and master’s degree in English Literature and Folklore. Kristi has been a faculty member in the Traditional Music department at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has taught courses in accordion, vocals and Cajun and Creole music history. She has also taught English Composition and Rhetoric at UL. Kristi and her husband Michael Munzing are the proud parents of JPG students Morgan (10th grade) and Hilda (PreK).

Meet...

2016-2017 Registration ___________________________

The deadline to register your returning students for the 2017-2018 school year was December 31. If you have not registered your returning students by filling out the re-enrollment form emailed to you, it is very important that you do so at your earliest convenience to reserve your spot(s) at JPG.

The deadline to pay the enrollment fee of $500/student is January 18.

If you have a new student coming to JPG, please email Molly McCracken at mollym@jpgacademy.org to begin the application process.

Thank you! Because of your generosity, we were able to raise just

under $7,000 for the Faculty Christmas Gift Fund! Thank you so much for supporting us! Know that your generosity

was truly appreciated by all.

Kr ist i Gui llory Louis iana Studies

Used Books For Sale ___________________________

Beginning this month, students and parents may visit the Library to browse our cart of used books for sale, located near the Circulation desk. Authors and titles for sale include: spiritual classics such as True Devotion to Mary, theology books by Pope Benedict XVI and Dr. Brant Pitre, the lives of the saints, classic literature, and children's fiction (The Chronicles of Narnia, the Little House books, and more!). Paperback books are $1 and hardcovers are $2. Cash payments may be turned into Ms. Byers or Mrs. Matis or brought to the Front Office. Proceeds will help to purchase new titles for the Library. Please note that we are not taking additional donations of books at this time.

January 2017

3

Speech & Debate ___________________________

This month, the Guardian Speech & Debate Team has two important competitions: STM, which will be held January 12-13, and the National Speech and Debate Association's Student Congress Qualifiers on the 20th, held in Geismer. Additionally, thanks to all parents, students and community members who assisted with our own JPG tournament, held on January 7th. It it always a blessing to introduce more individuals to our beautiful school, and promote the good of public speaking on our own campus.

Drama club Cast & Crew Announced! ___________________________

Congratulations to the following Upper School students who were cast in our spring Shakespeare play, The Taming of the Shrew:

Philip DeMoura Aidan Fletcher Isaiah Fletcher Paul Fletcher Isaac Friddell Aleeciah Gilley Eli Hindelang Catherine Hollier Daniel Johnson Mia Lormand Brant Moresi Noah Myers Amelia Powell Kate Schexnailder Soren Spiehler Aaron Williams

Thank you to all of the students who auditioned this year! And a huge thank you to the students who have generously offered their time and talents to our Stage Crew:

Nico Broussard Emma Gossen Ryan Langley Garrett Latiolais Emily Lormand Morgan Munzing Ella Salazar Anna Sonnier

The Taming of the Shrew will be directed by Joseph Marcantel and Kari Wexler, and our Stage Manager will be Laurel Herpin. Play performances are on March 16-17.

Adoration

_____________________ We believe that adoration is the lifeblood of our school. Here are the hours that need committed adorers: • Sunday: 12am, 3am • Monday: 12am, 9am • Tuesday: 5am, 5pm • Thursday: 1am, 7pm • Friday: 12am, 2am, 11am, 6pm • Saturday: 2am, 11am, 12pm, 8pm

In Mr. Baker’s Physics class, the seniors built towers to analyze force. JPG is committed to this hands-on approach to science!

A special thanks to the Conquest club for

building us benches! Some of these benches will be used as part of a new Pro-Life Shrine and Prayer Garden that is a

joint venture of Conquest and the

Knights of Columbus!

Each month, the senior class has a service day at St. Joseph’s Diner and Amelia Manor nursing

home. Pictured to the left is the senior class serving

lunch at the Diner.

PSAT ___________________________

Junior and sophomore students who took the PSAT/NMSQT this past October will be receiving their paper score results in their seminar classes. The information included on this report can be connected online with the College Board and Khan Academy, for additional practice and preparation for standardized testing. Families who have any questions can contact Mrs. Mahan at dmahan@jpgacademy.org.

January 2017

4

Follow

Virtus

@jpgacademy

Soccer Basketball

Advent at JPG

Jan 10 – HOME Jan 13 – HOME

Jan 14 – HOME – Senior Night! Jan 16 – HOME

Jan 9 – Away Jan 10 – HOME Jan 12 – Away

Jan 20-21 – ACEL State Soccer Tournament (Moore Park)

Track & Field MEETING

------------------ There will be a Track & Field meeting on Wednesday, February 1 at 3:30pm at JPG for those students who are interested in joining the team. Coach Judge is back this year for another great season!