ST. JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARTNERS WITH LOCAL RESTAURANT FOR A SPECIAL SPIRIT NIGHT

Russo’s Pizzeria Gives Back in a Major Way to Local Elementary School
 
HOUSTON- St. John Paul II Catholic School (StJPII) partnered with Russo’s Pizzeria Briar Forest and Eldridge location to host its monthly Spirit Night, however, this time with a special guest.  On Wednesday, September 25 the school’s Principal, Rebecca Bogard, served as Chef Bogard and made pizza with her students all in the name of school spirit, fostering community within the school’s neighboring area and fundraising at the same time.

This is the second year in a row that Principal Bogard and Russo’s participated in “ Spirit Night with Chef Bogard”.  The night also included a behind the scenes tour that is given by the owner, Akshay Patel.  This is one of the highlights of the evening.  The entire Russo’s team provided a warm and entertaining environment to all of the school’s guests.  The idea for the Spirit Night at Russo’s started as a PTO fundraiser but has become a very popular monthly event for the families at StJPII.  It is also an easy way for Russo’s to give back to the community.  Every time a patron shares they are with St. John Paul II Catholic School or StJPII, the restaurant gives a percentage back to the school.  This is for both dine in and to go orders.  Last year, Russo’s donated more than $2,000 back to the school in Spirit Nights and other related activities.  Principal Bogard shared that “Spirit Nights help schools meet fundraising needs while fostering school spirit, what a great way to fellowship and to give back.”

The partnership has continued to support other school events by donating pizzas, prizes and gift certificates. Andrea Dvorcheck, StJPII’s PTO President, said she and the entire PTO Board are extremely grateful for this experience for the students.  “PTO’s Spirit Night with Russo’s is a win-win-win.”  We help our neighborhood business, we help our school, and best of all parents don’t have to cook!” 

Russo’s New York Pizzeria is a nationwide franchise restaurant that was started by a first-generation Italian immigrant, Chef Anthony Russo.  Russo was influenced by growing up in a small, family-owned, New York style Pizza Parlor in Texas. “Russo’s Italian Restaurant” opened its doors in 1978 and is still the core of Russo’s New York Style Pizzeria today. For more information on Russo’s please visit https://nypizzeria.com/.

About St. John Paul II Catholic School:
St. John Paul II Catholic School (StJPII) is an independent Catholic school located in West Houston near Katy at 1400 Parkway Plaza Drive. StJPII was established in 1988 as a private independent Catholic School, is a registered non-profit corporation in the state of Texas, and has three times been awarded National Blue Ribbon Exemplary status in 1997, 2008, and 2018. The school’s mission is to prepare all students spiritually and academically to succeed in life and to do God's will.  Tuition discounts are granted to employees of Catholic organizations. More information about StJPII can be found at www.jp2.org, Facebook at www.facebook.com/jp2houston Instagram at www.instagram/StJPII_Houston and on Twitter https://twitter.com/StJPII_Houston.               
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