Some of the basic wants and needs of the staff and students at John Paul II Collegiate are supplied by the school's store, Pope's Corner.
The store sells a wide variety of products to help members of the John Paul II community get through long school days. Products include snacks, school supplies and school clothing. Along with providing these services, Pope's Corner also acts as a life skills educator for the students who work there.
Students in both the Alternate Education Program and the Functional Integrated Program work at Pope's Corner.
"The students work at Pope's Corner to gain skills to work in a community" said Karen Woloshyn, a John Paul II staff member.
Working in Pope's Corner teaches the students involved in the program about social skills, as well as developing their abilities for future employment. It also gives the students working a chance to get to know the general population of students.
Pope's Corner sells multiple products, such as John Paul II Crusaders clothing, bottled water, smoothies made with fresh fruit, school supplies, yogurt tubes, popsicles and many other snacks. Packages for classes such as industrial arts and home economics are available, which include things like safety goggles, rulers, thread, needles and measuring tapes. Everything is sold at reasonable prices, and the profits are put to good use.
John Paul II sponsors a child named Boydui, and some of Pope's Corner's profits go towards him. Some of the profits also go towards field trips for the students who work at Pope's Corner.
"The students enjoy going on field trips and participating in activities outside of the school" said Woloshyn.
When talking to students and staff about Pope's Corner, the feedback is always positive.
"From friendly smiles to delicious treats, Pope's Corner provides students with the things they need to make it through a school day" said Paige Parnitsky, a Grade 10.
"The Pope's Corner staffs' positive attitude really brightens up my day" said Grade 9 student Jesse Schmidt.
Pope's Corner can be seen as having a multipurpose function for John Paul II. It provides basic necessities for the staff and students, as well as being a teaching tool for the students who make up the staff.
