Happy November!! How did we get here so quickly?!?!?
Benefits Reminder (from Mark Crawford)
It’s that time of year again—Benefits Open Enrollment will begin November 4th and run through November 11th. This is the one time of the year that employees can make benefit changes effective January 1, 2025
I have placed Benefits packets in everyone's mailboxes.
Open enrollment is passive, meaning all benefits except Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A’s) will rollover to 2025. If you would like to re-enroll in Medical and Dependent Care FSA’s this must be done during Open Enrollment and elections will be effective January 1, 2025.
**Note: If you currently have elected Medical or Dependent Care FSA in 2024, please ensure all 2024 claims are incurred by December 31, 2024 and all 2024 claims are filed with Optum by March 31, 2025.**
All employees are required to login to ExponentHR and review and resubmit their benefit elections for 2025. Please take the time to review your options (Medical, Dental, Vision, etc.) and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you and your family have the coverage you need.
Please reach out to ExponentHR if you need help logging in or making changes to benefits at 866-612-3200. Additionally, for any benefits specific questions, please reach out to Jackie Couture jcouture@cathdal.org, the Diocesan Benefits Manager, or myself.
Day of the Dead ofrenda (from the World Languages Department)
We welcome all Faculty and Staff to come and visit the ofrenda for El Dia de los Muertos and bring a photo of your deceased loved one to place on the ofrenda to be honored and remembered during this very special celebration.
Events Next Week
Monday, November 4th
- A Day
- Strategic Plan Faculty Meetings 7:30 AM
- Daily Prayer - 8:00 AM - Chapel
- College Visit - 8:00 AM
- University of Colorado (Boulder)
- Basketball - Boys JV Navy vs Dasche 4:30
- Basketball - Girls JV Red vs Brighter Horizons Home 5:00 PM
- Soccer - Boys JV vs HSAA 5:00 PM
- Basketball - Boys JV Red vs Dasche 6:00
- Soccer - Boys Varsity vs HSAA 6:45 PM
- Basketball - Boys Varsity vs Dasche 7:30 PM
Tuesday, November 5th- B Day
- Daily Prayer - 8:00 AM - Chapel
- Bible Study - 8:00 AM - Administrative Conference Room
- Progress 3 Grades Due
- Election Day
- Sophomore Class Meeting - Cardinal Break
- Technology Lunch-N-Learn
- Basketball - Girls JV Red @ Celina HS Away 5:00 PM
- Volleyball - Varsity vs TCA TAPPS Playoffs 6:00 PM
- Basketball - Girls Varsity at Celina HS 6:15 PM
Wednesday, November 6th- A Day
- Coffee with the Counselors - 8:00 AM
- Weekly Mass - 8:00 AM - Chapel
- Praise and Worship - Cardinal Break - Chapel
- Ministry Afternoon Activity
Thursday, November 7th
- B Day
- Daily Prayer - 8:00 AM - Chapel
- Cohorts - Cardinal Break
- Basketball - Girls Varsity vs Dallas Coaches Assoc Tourney vs. Roosevelt 6:00 PM
Friday, November 8th- A Day
- Daily Prayer - 8:00 AM - Chapel
- College Visit - 8:00 AM
- Drumline Friday!
- Basketball - Girls Varsity vs Dallas Coaches Association Tourney TBD
- Football - Varsity vs Bay Area Christian 7:00PM - Senior Night
Saturday, November 9th- Basketball - Girls Varsity vs Dallas Coaches Association Tourney TBD
- Basketball - Boys Varsity at Cowtown Classic - Lake Highlands North Crowley High School 12:30 PM
Halloween Contest Winner
I cannot thank everyone enough for making Halloween so much fun at JPII! The costumes were amazing and I am already looking forward to next year! Here are the results of our winners! I am placing Spirit Store Gift Certificates in your mailboxes! (for the groups, I hope you can share!) Congrats to:
- Funniest Costume - Rock Band/Spinal Tap??
- Kelly Schueler
- Paul Lyons
- Grant Miller
- Bryan Duncan
- Scariest Costume - Darth Vader
- Most Creative Costume - Air Fryer
- Best Department - Nerd Clusters
- Lauren Westerfield
- Viviana Ruiz
- Becky Guevara
Matt Larson Update
Matt Larson ('17) is doing quite well! The operation removed a little over 80% of the brain tumor. After biopsy, they believe the rest can be quelled by chemotherapy, through a pill taken once a day for a year.
Side effects are typically mild, so he should keep his hair. Matt will have a scan in mid January to see how successful the operation and the healing process truly was and to assess the exact treatment going forward.
A very interesting aspect of all of this is that the doctors believe his bi-polar disorder was a symptom of the tumor. In fact, one of them is interested in studying this further. Of course, we appreciate continued prayers!
Nurse's Pass (from Ginny Spurrier)
Every student coming to the nurse's office needs a pass. If they arrive without one, the student will be returned to get one. This not only provides documentation for their visit but holds the students accountable for the time they are out of your class. If you need any clinic passes please email the nurses and they will put some in your box.
Open House Reminder (from Admissions)
In two weeks, our office will host the largest and most comprehensive event of the admissions cycle—Open House! Join us on Saturday, November 16th, from 3:30-6:30 PM.
Here's a brief overview of what the event will look like:
- Mock Classes - Math, English, Science, and Social Studies
- Department Tables - Staffed by Chairs - stationed in commons areas throughout the building
- "Cardinal Fair" - Tables for co-curricular programs - staffed by coaches and sponsors
- Presentations - Campus Ministry, Cardinal Support Services, Counseling, Leadership
- Performances - Band, Choir, Theater, Orchestra, Belles, Cheer
- Dining Hall Menu Sampling
This year, all faculty are required to attend Open House. Some of you will be assigned a specific role and will receive an email outlining the responsibilities of said assignment soon. If you absolutely cannot be there, please email Kayla.
We will communicate a more detailed outline of assignments on Monday. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please let me know.
Roberto - Time Off
On November 7-8 Roberto will be off-campus. During his absence, Ed Badjan will oversee the building facilities maintenance. Any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ed.
