Category: SJP Home

Please join us for an engaging and informative presentation on “Raising Resilient and Self-Reliant Children” with International Formation and Education Consultant, Sister Pat McCormack, IHM, EDD.

A self-reliant, resilient character is the by-product of daily life practices that nurture security, autonomy, initiative, and industry. When parents apply these practices with consistency, repetition, and continuity, positive identity formation takes root in the child. Over time resilience, self-reliance, and positive self-esteem evolve as byproducts.

This presentation will “unpack” these elements and communicate practical advice, gathered from parents of children in grades K-12 who were recognized for positive self-esteem and character.

This adult event is free of charge and will take place on Monday, January 15, at 6 p.m. at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in the Cathedral Center. The Center is located in the main Church building. will be available. When you enter, please proceed up the stairs or elevator and the center is straight across. Wine and cheese will be served. All are welcome!

St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.

Preschool students from Notre Dame of De Pere Catholic School and St. John Paul II Classical School are well on their way to learning about the Mass and God’s love in a successful program called the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The program started three years ago at NDDP and has grown to include all four sections of the preschool population. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a program for the faith and spiritual formation of the child. Its focus is to deepen the child’s existing relationship with God. It encourages a personal prayer life, full participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, and the development of a deeper understanding of Catholic identity and tradition. This is accomplished through the use of materials, prayer, song, listening to the Word of God and giving each child time to work with provided materials. There is a short group lesson and then time is given for individual prayers and play.

This CGS initiative at Notre Dame of De Pere is led by Mrs. Jane Charneski, Discipleship Coordinator and trained catechist teacher and assisted by Mrs. Jennifer Kopp, trained catechist teacher for Level I for NDDP three- and four-year-old students. One or two days each week, these students meet in the Atrium classroom, which is set up with child-sized religious education materials. The CGS program is a tie-in with the school’s community and curriculum. The liturgical calendar is observed with colors and songs, and Bible verses are read and reviewed from the weekly scripture from Mass each week.

Mrs. Charneski shares, “All four sections are thriving with little learners on their ourney of falling in love with Jesus.” The student and family response to this program has been overwhelmingly positive. Families are invited to observe or help out and to sit in on class periods to see the students in action. Many compliments and kind words have been shared throughout the years, and parents have truly loved the large candle ceremony at year’s end. Both schools are looking forward to training more instructors and assistants in the future as more sections are added.

St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.

The Fall 2023 GRACE newsletter is here! Learn how the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is teaching students about the Mass and God’s love, discover what the middle days elective program is all about, read about how one school is carrying on a 15-year-old tradition at the monthly Mass, and more!

St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.

The 2023-2024 GRACE Voice of the Customer Survey is now open until December 10th to all GRACE families! You received an email earlier this morning containing the link. We’re excited to hear from you! Thank you for your help.

St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.

Enrollment at Chesterton Academy of St. John Paul II Classical School is now open! This is a great opportunity for families to stay within the GRACE system after grade 8!

We invite you to learn more about the admissions and application process. Visit the website by clicking here for more information!

St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.

Chesterton Academy of St. John Paul II Classical School invites you to Advent Lessons and Carols!

This event will be taking place on Saturday, December 16, at St. Norbert Abbey. The Abbey is located at 1016 N. Broadway in De Pere.

The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the concert will begin thirty minutes later at 6:30 p.m. No RSVP is needed to attend! See you there!

St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.

Each year, schools in the GRACE System select a very special volunteer from their community to receive the outstanding volunteer award. This award was presented at the back-to-school mass. St. John Paul II Classical School is pleased to recognize Mrs. Amanda Matczynski for the award this year.

Mrs. Amanda Matczynski is an active parent and school aide at St. John Paul II Classical School and Chesterton Academy of SJPII. Amanda’s three children all attend SJPII. Amanda also serves on the Site Advisory Council, recently vacating the role of Chair for the past 2-years and currently serves as the fundraising chair/liaison for the site’s fundraising events. She has led the schools “Two Wings Gala” for the past 2-years and will do so again this spring. Not only is Amanda involved within the school, she is also an active parishioner at St. Bernard Parish and participates in many events within the parish including cooking for shelter meals, organizing the child and infant loss memorial Mass and lectoring at Mass. If that isn’t enough, Amanda also is the Executive Director of her family’s non-profit organization, the Marvin & Debra Cherney Family Foundation, and holds board positions with other non-profit organizations throughout northeastern Wisconsin.

St. John Paul II & Chesterton Academy’s Headmaster, Mr. Patrick McKeown, stated, “Mrs. Matczynski has been a pioneer parent from the inception of the school as well as an outstanding volunteer in so many capacities. We are thankful and grateful for all her time and dedication.”

Thank you Mrs. Matczynski!

St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.

Thank you for a well planned, very special field trip to Our Lady of Champion. We are absolutely thrilled our kids got to experience this and think it speaks to the mission of our school and its priorities that this is such an important event to attend, despite the stress involved of having so many little ones at a huge event. It surprised us that it didn’t look like any other school group was there! 

God bless you! 

-The Ullmers

St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.

The Compass recently highlighted October 9’s inaugural Solemnity Mass at Our Lady of Champion. The mass took place at the national shrine in her honor and had a great turn out of 3,500 despite the chilly weather!

Read more here.

St. John Paul II Catholic School and Chesterton Academy are of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. They are private Catholic schools serving Preschool and Elementary through high school, adding one grade per year. They have with open enrollment and provide an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. Learn more by scheduling a visit.