Hello everyone,
I hope you have been able to continue to find rest and peace this summer. As we get closer and closer to the start of the year, there is lots of information that is important for you to know!
I have added the 2023-2024 school year calendar as a page on this blog. It will remain their all year. There is also a prayer for teachers that I hope you like as much as I did!
Stephanie Boone – Spanish Teacher
Stephanie is excited to return to her home state after being away for several years. She has been teaching Spanish for more than two decades and is looking forward to sharing her faith journey with students and getting involved in everything JPII has to offer. She enjoys reading, running, and spending time with her family. She is so thrilled to be part of the Cardinal family!
Roberto Chavez - Director of Facilities - TD Industries
Roberto Chavez was born in Chalatenango, El Salvador. Roberto was 8 years old when he was brought to live in Dallas, Texas in 1985. He went to Fannin Elementary where he learned how to read, speak, and write English. Roberto’s dad was roofing since he migrated to the U.S. you can only imagine how thrilled he was to go work on weekends, school vacations, and middle of summer while school was out. Roberto graduated from W.W. Samuell High School in 1995. He has been working in the construction industry for more than 25 years. In 2007 he joined TDIndustries corporation and has been employed there for 13 yrs. Roberto is married to Teresa Chavez for 26 years, has a 24yr old son Abel, a 20yr old daughter Karen and Kaylin who is 16 years of age. Kaylin is enrolled into Lassitter High School Early College program offered through El Centro Community College and will graduate with her associate degree and high school diploma. TDI facility team has also been rewarded
with our partners Ed Badjan and Wesley Matous who have joined our team to help lead us in the right direction. We are honored to be given the opportunity to support staff, students, and visitors of this great organization. Thank you for having us!
Matthew Duffy – English Teacher
Matthew Duffy has taught English and a variety of other courses in the humanities in Catholic and Anglican schools for four years. He studied philosophy and English and competed in wrestling at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he earned his bachelor's degree, and went on to study English at the University of Dallas for his masters. His current interests include lyric poetry, philosophy, theology, Irish and American folk music, and carpentry.
Dr. Jackie Dunn – Science Teacher
Dr. Jackie Dunn holds a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Texas Christian University. She has spent the last 17 years teaching physics and astronomy at the university level at Midwestern State University. After teaching online for the past year, she is greatly looking forward to being back in the classroom full time this fall. Dr. Dunn enjoys the occasional working visit to McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, TX, where she has been a guest researcher since 2000. Her favorite moments in her career all center around introducing people to the fields of physics and astronomy, whether with students in the classroom or with visitors at the observatory. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys volunteering at her parish (St. Martin de Porres in Prosper), practicing speaking French, and exploring new places with Austin, her husband of 22 years, and Aston, their 12-year-old son.
Steve Fountain – Journalism & Yearbook
Steve Fountain joins the Cardinal Family after two years as the journalism, yearbook, and printing and imaging teacher at Lehman High School in Kyle, Texas. Fountain earned his teaching credential last November. He entered education after more than 25 years in the newspaper business. He started out as a sports writer and ended up as a publisher. His career took him from his native California to North Carolina, Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and three stops in Texas. This year has been marked by milestones beyond the new job. He and his wife, Jennifer, will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in November. Their middle of three children, Patricia, presented her parents with an early present in May with the birth of Emmi. Their youngest child, Shane, graduated in June and will leave in August to study cyber security at the University of North Georgia. Their oldest child, Alexis, became what is believed to be the first documented case of a person leaving Texas for New York City, where she works as the assistant to the director of the city’s public library children’s programs.
Veronica Garcia – Spanish Teacher
Veronica Garcia is excited to be part of the Cardinal Family! She is originally from the Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas. She attended high school in San Antonio, Texas, at Incarnate Word High School and received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and an American Politics concentration from the University of Dallas while representing her school on the NCAA DIII women’s soccer team all four years. Right after graduation, she received her Master of Arts in Spanish from Baylor University on a full scholarship. While at Baylor University, she was a professor for first-year Spanish classes. She is passionate about working with students and being a role model for them. Helping each student advance their love for the Spanish language and culture is an honor and she feels fortunate to be a part of it daily. As an educator, she strives to create a community that nurtures a student’s academic and spiritual development in a positive and fun environment. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and having a great year!
Fernando Hernandez - Athletic Trainer
Fernando grew up in McKinney TX, where he graduated from McKinney High School. He recently received his Masters in Athletic Training from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is excited to be a part of John Paul II High School and excited to be able to work with all the amazing students and staff!
Brent Hugg – Math Teacher
Brent Hugg brings to the JPII Mathematics Department an established teaching career. Brent grew up attending Catholic schools, graduating from Immaculate Conception Elementary School and Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock, Arkansas. Both schools established his values of Catholic Education. After a record-setting college soccer career at Lyon College in Arkansas where he received a BA in Mathematics, Brent moved to the DFW area and began teaching Math and coaching football and soccer at W.T. White High School in 2007. In 2014, he moved to McKinney North High School where he continued teaching and coaching until accepting his new position at JPII. Brent is excited to be a Cardinal! The opportunity to integrate faith and education allows him to make a meaningful impact on the lives of his students. The supportive community and shared values create a positive and inspiring environment that brings him joy. Brent Hugg is married to Caroline Hugg. Together they have four children at All Saints Catholic School: Madison, Charlotte, Luke, and Wesley. Their family has been active parishioners at the church for 15 years and very proud parents at the school since 2013.
Amanda Lee – Head Volleyball Coach and Social Media Specialist
Amanda Lee has been coaching volleyball for the last 25 years in both Fort Worth and Houston. Coach Lee has tallied 493 coaching victories and won 5 SPC Championships during her tenure. She played collegiately at UTA where she earned her BA in Exercise and Sports Studies and later, her masters in Educational Leadership. Coaching is her passion, and she has enjoyed the opportunity to work with so many amazing young women. She is married to head boy’s basketball coach, Dan Lee and they have six children together. Their daughters, Kansas, Tatum and Trinity have all graduated college and their sons, Trajan, Logan and Griffin are still in school. They enjoy spending time with them when they are not in the gym. Amanda says “I am beyond excited to be joining the Cardinal family and their strong athletics program. I’m honored to be heading up the volleyball program and I’m looking forward to getting started working with the girls. Go Cards!”
Manfred Manson - TD Industries
Manfred was born in Los Angeles, California. He finished high school at Crenshaw
High School, graduated in 1982. He later signed up for trade school and soon after joined the Labor Plumbing Union. Manfred started doing plumbing at 14 years old, helping his dad with multiple projects. His father was a master plumber, who showed Manfred the value of challenging work and delivering within project deadlines. Manfred has been servicing plumbing tasks for 40 plus years and is still going
strong. Manfred has been married to Alicia Manson, for 30 years. They have 4 wonderful children names: James, Renika, Manfred Jr., and Marcel. Manfred recently moved to Cedar Hill, Texas where he has been residing for the past year. We are pleased to have him onboard the TDIndustries Facility onsite team taking care of John Paul II High School.
Nicolas Polourd - TD Industries
Nicolas Polourd was born in Plano, Texas back in 1994. Nicolas graduated Lewisville High School Class of 2013 and started working at Amazon warehouse. Nicolas joined TDIndustries HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) building maintenance as technician in December 2020. His father would teach Nicolas, knowledge of motor engines which has transferred to diagnose electrical, heating, and cooling equipment to his advantage. Nicolas enjoys hunting and fishing, in his spare time, when he is not fixing A/C units, he is sitting on a tree-stand observing wildlife. Nicolas is currently enrolled in North Texas Construction Education Foundation where he is studying to gain his associate degree in construction applied science. We are excited to have him as partner to our building facility maintenance team, serving John Paul II High School.
Melissa Riccio – Attendance Clerk
Melissa joins us this year as our Attendance Clerk, previously she was the Assistant Principals' Secretary at Curtis Middle School in Allen. While this is her first year working at JPII she is not new to the Cardinal Family. Melissa is mother to three children, Mia (2023 JPII graduate), Dominick (JPII Junior) and Teresa (6th grade). Originally from New Jersey, Melissa is a graduate of St. Peter's University. She and her husband Phil quickly made their home in North Texas. Her hobbies are spending time with her family, traveling (her and Phil have been to all 50 states, the kids have been to 49), and cheering on the New York Yankees.
Dr. Laura Ripley – Dean of Academics
After spending 20 years in NJ, Laura returned back home to the south five years ago. She left a job as Dean of Faculty in NYC and returned to the classroom full time at ESD, where she has been for the last five years. She holds a doctorate in Teacher Education and Teacher Development, so she is excited to return to administration and work in her dream role as a Dean of Academics! She is the mother of two grown sons, one in Seattle and one in NYC; she visits them as often as she can! In her spare time, she loves to cook (pretending she is the next MasterChef), swim, read, watch sports (she is a rabid Villanova, Razorback, and NY Giants fan!), travel near and far, and be outdoors. She is thrilled to be part of the Cardinal family!
Viviana Ruiz - Admissions Coordinator Viviana is originally from Dallas, TX but lived in Minnesota the last three years, where she lived the polar opposite of Texas summers, Minnesota winters. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas and had the opportunity to study Theology in Rome this past spring. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading Thomas Aquinas, and trying different coffee shops. Viviana is thrilled to be joining the Cardinal family this year!
Anu Talreja - General Ledger Accountant
Anu Talreja grew up in the Garland area and attended the University of Dallas at Texas where she received her Masters in Accounting. She is a licensed CPA with income tax audit and property accounting experience. Most recently she was a stay at home/homeschooling mom. She is excited to join the accounting team at JPII and looks forward to using her talents to support the mission of the school. She and her husband, Neal, have been married for 15 years and have three sons, Jude, Levi, and
Gabriel, who proudly attend All Saints Catholic School. They are also first-time pet owners to a 5-month-old labradoodle, Forrest. In her spare time, Anu enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and spending time with her family. She is thrilled to be part of the Cardinal family!
Dr. Karen Tatum - English Teacher
Dr. Karen Tatum has a Ph. D. in English from The University of Alabama and over twenty years of experience teaching various Literature and Composition courses to college students across the southeastern United States, from The University of Alabama to The University of Texas at Arlington. Her experience in higher education also involves advising and mentoring students in several capacities including academics, career, and service learning capacities. Since 2020, Dr. Tatum has taught English 1 (at Legacy Freshmen High School in Midland, TX and at LV Berkner High School in Richardson), English 3 and 4 (at Texas Leadership Academy), and earned teaching certification in secondary English. She is thrilled to be a part of John Paul II High School’s English department where she will teach dual-credit and AP Language and Composition—but most importantly be valued for the “dual” knowledge and experience she brings to the role. She loves learning from her students – she finds meaning in her life by helping others find meaning in theirs through reading, thinking, discussing, and writing.
Greg Taylor – Math Teacher
Greg Taylor will be starting his 31st year in teaching. He has spent the last 30 years in public school and looks forward to the opportunity to share his faith here at JPII. His wife, Denay, and he have a blended family of 6 kids and 6 animals (no not the same). In his free time he loves building Legos and even has a room dedicated just for that. He cannot wait for the new year to start and knows that it is a great time to be a Cardinal!
Susan Whelton – Social Studies Teacher
Susan Whelton feels blessed to be joining the Cardinal family as a teacher in the social studies department! She is originally from the Chicago area and just graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She loves being outside and hiking. For the past few summers, she worked as a wilderness adventure camp counselor in Northern Michigan. She is so excited to start a new adventure at John Paul II by exploring the world’s past and present in the fullness of our faith.
New Roles 2023-2024
Please help me in congratulating the following people for their new roles at JPII!
- Dean of Academics - Dr. Laura Ripley
- Dean of Arts and Athletics - Mr. Michael Browning
- Dean of Formation - Mrs. Allie Choiniere
Counselors
Beginning this year, Mr. Mickey Saloma will be the Director of College Counseling and Mrs. Rhonda Ramirez will be the Director of Student Counseling.
Student Activities Coordinators
We will have two Student Activities Coordinators. Erin Harper will oversee all-school events, such as pep rallies. Tiffany Russell will oversee clubs and organizations.
Fine Art Department Chair
I am pleased to announce that Terry Tuck will be the new Fine Arts Department Chair at JPII. Ms. Tuck has a wealth of experience, having been a long-time faculty member at JPII and chair of the fine arts department at South Garland High School. Her warm, student-centered approach to teaching and leadership has been instrumental in growing the theater department and the school.
Student Orientation
Please remember that student orientation will be a little different this year.
Cardinal Camp for new students will take place on Thursday, August 10th. All returning students will be on campus for two-hour blocks on Friday, August 11th. This means that when you do not have cohort responsibilities you have those two days to get ready for the first day of school on Monday, August 14th.
Also remember that Monday, August 14th will be our first late arrival day and classes will begin at 9:00 AM.
Student Orientation Schedule
Thursday, August 10th
Unless you have been contacted by Allie Choiniere, Erin Harper, or Julia Miller, you do not need to participate.
- Doors open for New Student Orientation - “Cardinal Camp”
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
- Freshman Cohort Leaders report to Dining Hall to meet Freshman Cohort Students
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
- Freshman scavenger hunt throughout the building. Those of you not with a Cohort, please be in your classrooms for students to meet you as they tour the building.
Friday, August 11th
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
- Sophomore Cohort Leaders report to Large Gym
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM *Lunch Duty Training*
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Junior Cohort Leaders report to Large Gym
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
- Senior Cohort Leaders report to Large Gym
Lunch Duty Training Attendees
Baker-Nelson, JaymeBass, Kendall
Brown, Kayla
Browning, MichaelGriffin, John
Hernandez, Fernando Jackson, Jeff Larson, Jeanne
Lee, Amanda
Lee, Dan Love, Jermaine Schiele, Nick Soto, Alexis Teague, George
Teacher Evaluation Update
We have updated the evaluation process slightly this year. Please review this document so you are aware of the process and who your supervisors will be.
Raptor Video and Mandatory Training
In 2 weeks, you’ll be receiving training on Raptor Alert.
Login & Account Setup (TODAY THROUGH AUGUST 7th BEFORE TRAINING)
Training/Go-Live (August 7th)
Next Steps:
- Download the Raptor Alert mobile app: https://vimeo.com/790978963/8e3ae19ea1
- Login with your JPII email address
- Complete Account Setup (video included)
- First Time Login Training Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqV5ofXHFcs&t=0s
- In-App Training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ySuzfCZ8so&t=0s
