SerraDIPITY

Volume 22 · Issue 10 · November 3, 2016

 

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In This Issue
A Message from Our President
Harvest Festival 2016
PTO Happenings
Santa's Secret Christmas Shop
Adopt-A-Family
Box Tops
Scrip News
Article Headline
Community Programs of Interest
Living Our Faith

 

 Prayer Partners &

Prayer Requests

 

Please CLICK HERE for more information about Outreach Ministries.

Parish Connections Update
CLICK HERE to view this month's Parish events.
  
  
Weekly Rosary
Please join us for  our weekly, Friday morning Rosary.   CLICK HERE for more information.
  
  
Volunteer
    Opportunities    

Please CLICK HERE to view the many volunteer opportunities that are available here at Serra Catholic
  
A Message From Our President

Our virtue this year was chosen to help us live our motto Siempre Adelante...Always forward.  With HOPE, no matter the circumstances or challenges we face in our lives and as our SJSC community, we always can overcome and move forward.  I am confident that each seed of HOPE that we plant brings more good and blessings to our lives

Advent Retreat at SJSC with  Immaculée Ilibagiza 
December 9 & 10
Would you like a little spiritual "pick me up" this Advent?  St. Junipero Serra Catholic School will be hosting a very special retreat this Advent Season. Our guest speaker will be world renowned Immaculee Ilibagiza, the Rwandan genocide survivor who will speak on Forgiveness & Hope. This retreat will be held in the Student Activity Center beginning the evening of  Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.  and will then continue the morning of  Dec.10  with mass at  8 a.m.  and ongoing testimony from Immaculee concluding at  12:30 pm . Ilibagiza's entire family, except for one brother, was killed during the genocide in the 1990's when members of the Hutu militia slaughtered about one million Tutsis - Ilibagiza's tribe. llibagiza survived for 91 days with seven other women in a 4-by-3-foot bathroom in the home of a local pastor. She chronicled the experience in her first book "Left to Tell," which sold more than a million copies. She tells a very compelling story of love for our Blessed Mother. We hope you will join us for this amazing experience.   CLICK HERE  to register and for more information. 
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School 2016-17 Parent/Student Handbook TK - 8,  is Now Online. 
The handbook can be found on our homepage either under Quicklinks or in the Parent section . The handbook is not a parent protected document. When opening the handbook you will see items highlighted in yellow. These items are areas that have been amended for the 2016-17 school year.  All families are asked to find the Acknowledgement on page 79 of the handbook, print, sign and return to the School Office by Monday, November 14.

2017-2018 Early Admissions Meet and Greet for Prospective New Families
Next Wednesday, November 9, we will be hosting an Early Admission Meet and Greet for prospective new families from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please share this information with any family you know who may be interested in enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year.

 




TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON  
Tuition Assistance Luncheon

Sunday, January 29, 2017
12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School
Muzzy Family Student Activity Center  
 
We are pleased to announce the Fourth Annual Tuition Assistance Luncheon, to be held on January 29, 2017.
 
This women's luncheon is dedicated to Catholic Education for those in need. Now in its fourth year, this event will help support families within our St. Serra community, as well as the Marian Alliance of Schools in Santa Ana: The School of Our Lady, St. Anne Parish School and St. Joseph School.  We even have tables decorated to celebrate these schools where you and your friends can choose to sit. 
 
Your participation and support of this event helps makes a very real difference in the lives of students. The assistance provides a bridge to assist St. Serra families who are experiencing unforeseeable or emergency circumstances.  It also supports those students of the Marian Alliance schools who do not have access to the same financial resources as we do, but who work hard to excel in school with the hope of earning a better future for themselves and their families.
 
We are called to help those in need as part of our Catholic tradition (Mt 25:35-40). There is no greater investment, nor greater return than to provide children with access to the tools to build a better world, particularly within our Catholic faith community. 
 
Early bird registration & Underwriting Opportunities
 
Our registration site is now open! This event sells out well before the deadline every year. Tickets are $80 before December 9, 2016, and $95 thereafter. 
 
Underwriting minimizes event expenses and allows 100% of purchases and donations at the event to go directly towards the children's educational needs. 
 
CLICK HERE  to reserve your seat or provide underwriting support for this event today!

*Note New Date*
Thanks-for-Giving Food Drive
Help Needy Families enjoy the upcoming holiday season by donating food to our next drive.
New Date : Thursday, Nov 10
Most-needed holiday food:  Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Boxed Potatoes, Canned Gravy, Yams, Broth, Canned Evaporated Milk, Canned Pumpkin, Pumpkins
CLICK HERE for more information.

Calendar Reminder
Tomorrow is a Diocesan In-Service Day for our teachers at Mater Dei High School. School will not be in session. 

God is Good...All the Time.
  
Christ's Blessings,

Angeline Trudell
President     



 
 


"Be brave, take heart, all who put their HOPE in the Lord." - Psalm 31:24

Harvest Festival 2016
 
Thank you to our St. Serra family and friends who came out to "Be ONE" at our 22nd annual Harvest Festival which took place last Sunday, October 30.  Mrs. Trudell and our PTO would like to sincerely thank our Harvest Festival Event Chairs, Mrs. Melanie Contreras and Mrs. Sandra Rahnama, led by PTO VP-Harvest Festival, Mrs. Corey Lindsay for all of their hard work, dedication and care to make this special day for our community. 
 
This year's Harvest Festival was bigger and better than ever...with families and friends on all sides of the campus, from the Camel and Pony rides on the holy ground to the "Bountiful Boutique" in the SAC, from the Fun Zone on the field to all of the goodies in the "Taste the Globe" food area! We all had a fabulous time...riding rides, listening to music, enjoying great food, playing games, watching our children perform, and just coming together as the strong community we are to just "Be ONE". 
 
A BIG thank you to each of the committee chairs who took time to share their individual talents, and for their special touches, to make this beautiful day happen. Thank you to the more than 500 volunteers who worked the event. Your service made this memorable event possible. Thank you to all of our underwriters and donors, and our families who participated in the Grand Prize Raffle, without which our event would not be a successful fundraiser for our school.
 
Don't forget Crazy Sock Day is Wednesday, November 9. CLICK HERE for the "Parents Only" webpage and then click on the Crazy Sock Day Student List tab for the names of qualified students.
 
And, the winners are...
Grand Prize Raffle (GPR) : Pleasant Hawaiian trip to Maui: Jeff Johnson
 
The most GPR tickets sold won gift cards to Irvine Spectrum:
1st place: The Himes Family
2nd place: The Porchas Family
 
Two $1,000 CASH incentive prizes for selling a minimum of 12 GPR tickets:
The Vallone Family
The Himes Family
 
Golden Ticket for 40 Service Hours exempt for this school year:
Cristopher Cole
 
Parking Space for One Year:
The Kopeny Family
 
Thank you  to our 2016 Harvest Festival Committee Chairs:
Arts & Crafts - Christy Sanders
Boutique - Kerry Hebble & Heather Boyajian
Cakewalk/Desserts - Jan Menegio
Class Projects - Jennifer Raffety
Decorations - Shannon Mooney and Carie Sauritch 
Entertainment - (Mob Dance) Aileen Padilla and Joanna Nigro 
Entertainment - (Talent Show) Dana Maas and Rebecca Yaghi
Finance & Budget - Jeff Johnson, Jill Kopeny and Karen Tredwell
Food - Gabrielle & Rod Peloquin and Steve Silva 
Fun Zone - Jeff & Alyssa Flynn and Bill Gast
Games/Prizes - Heather Kirk and Jennifer Mostero 
Luck of the Draw - Trisha & Nguyen Duong
Program - Mary Broomfield 
Pumpkin Patch - Sherrie Kershaw
Sponsorship & Opportunity Raffle - Hilary Basciano
Grand Prize Raffle - Teacia Andrew and Megan Walters 
Reserved Parking Raffle - Angela Merchant   
Security - Mike Thalken 
Set Up/Tear Down - William Caison and John Jensen 
T-Shirts - Corina & Todd Henricks 
Tickets - Andrea Kozak 
Volunteer Coordinators - Hilda Glenski and Pam Lattanzio 
Boy Scouts and American Heritage Girl Yearbook Photos - Tuesday, November 15
 
If your child is a Boy Scout, Webelo, Cub Scout, Cub Scout Wolf, Tiger Scout, American Heritage Girl Explorer, Pioneer, Tender Heart and Pathfinder, their group photos will be taken for the yearbook on Tuesday, November 15. Middle School Scouts and AHG's photos will be taken in the afternoon during their 8th period. All other student's photos will be taken between 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Please have your student come to school wearing their Boy Scout or AHG uniform, or students may bring their Boy Scout or AHG uniform to change into prior to their scheduled photo. Students may also wear their Boy Scout or AHG uniform the remainder of the school day if they choose to do so. 

If you are interested in volunteering to help out with the morning photo shoot, please contact Cindy Kennedy at ckennedy@serraschool.org.
PTO Happenings

The month of November is here! We hope everyone is able to focus on that for which they are grateful and enjoy a little extra time with those they love. We look forward to seeing you on campus very soon!  Thanksgiving Blessings, Cristen Lebsack (PTO President 2016-2017)
  • November 10 - Harvest Festival Lollipop Pull CRAZY SOCK DAY: Qualified Students Only (see Parents Only Password Protected Page for Student List). 
  • November 11 - Rosary Friday. Meet in Extended Care at 7:50 a.m.
  • November 21 - November 25: Thanksgiving Break. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
  • November 28 - Santa's Secret Christmas Shop Opens
  • November 28 - December 9: Adopt-A-Family Gift Donation Drive
Please see our PTO EVENTS AND PROGRAMS HOMEPAGE for more information. Thank you!
Santa's Secret Christmas Shop
Shopping Dates:  November 28 - December 8 

'TIS THE SEASON!
The official Santa's Secret Christmas Shop event flyer, class schedule and money envelope were distributed last week in the October 27 Weekly Envelope.  If you have more than one child participating, please submit a separate completed envelope, with payment enclosed, for each child.  Please note that completed shopping envelopes are due to your child's homeroom teacher by Friday, November 11 (prior to Thanksgiving break).
 
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please consider gifting your time this Advent Season by volunteering as a cashier, gift wrapper or floater.  If you would like to volunteer, please email sscsvolunteers@serraschool.org.
 
QUESTIONS?  NEED ADDITIONAL SHOPPING ENVELOPES?  Contact Carrie Mulvee, SSCS Event Chair, at patandcarrie@cox.net or visit our SANTA'S SECRET CHRISTMAS SHOP webpage for more information about this wonderful Christmas event.
The Adopt-A-Family Advent Program is Here! 
Gifts and Gift Cards Due by Friday, December 9
 
The SJSC PTO is thrilled to announce that Mrs. Carol Lawson will again coordinate St. Junipero Serra's 2016 ADOPT-A-FAMILY ADVENT PROGRAM !
 
Over the years, our St. Serra community has generously supported the Adopt-A-Family Program through Catholic Charities of Orange County.  This holiday season, with your help, our school will be able to provide a better Christmas for 41 families.  The requests this year are very simple, and any amount is appreciated.
 
Please be on the lookout for a special Adopt-A-Family email with information about your child's Homeroom and Family Assignment.
 
Questions? Contact Carol Lawson, Adopt-A-Family Advent Program Chair, at mandc_lawson@me.com . Thank you!
Our First Collection Brought in Over 6,600  Box Tops Tickets!

Thank You For Being SerraStrong with Box Tops!
 
AND THE WINNER IS... As you know, for every 5 valid Box Tops submitted, students received one entry into our first drawing for a $25 Visa Gift Card.  CONGRATULATIONS to A. MACKEY for being our first drawing winner!
 
DON'T LOSE ALL BOX TOPS HOPE! We have 4 more drawings to go before summer vacation.  The next collection period ends February 17, 2017, so make sure to keep clipping.  For more information, see our BOX TOPS HOMEPAGE. Questions? Please contact Kelly Smith Parker, Box Tops Chair, at kspusc@gmail.com  
An Important Message from the Library

The Library will be closed during Santa's Secret Christmas Shop from  November 14 through December 9.  Books needing to be returned can be placed in the book return bin located in front of the Library.  New book check-outs will not be allowed during this time. eBooks will still be available through the Destiny Discover app on the student's iPads.  CLICK HERE for help logging into Destiny Discover. If a student needs a book renewed, please have them email Ms. Mascorro at  mmascorro@serraschool.org. The Library will reopen from  December 12 through the 16
  Scrip News





Family Scrip Rebate Statements were sent home in last weeks Weekly Envelope (10/27/2016)
  • If your family's Weekly Envelope was missing or had not been returned in time, we will make another attempt to deliver the statement in today's, 11/3/16 Weekly Envelope. 
  • Please review your scrip statement carefully and report any discrepancies to the Scrip Office.
Thanksgiving/Christmas Sales Schedule:
 
There are only 3 Weekly Orders remaining before the Christmas Break.  Please plan accordingly.
 
 
Scrip Sales Schedule before Thanksgiving
 
Scrip Sales Schedule before Christmas
 
 
 
 
 
WEEKLY
 
 
Monday, November 7, 8:30 a.m.
(Last weekly order before Thanksgiving Break)
 
 
 
 

PRESTOPAY PHYSICAL CARD Orders placed on shopwithscrip.com after 7:30 a.m. on Monday, November 7 will be processed on November 28 and available for pick up  on Thursday, December 1.
 
 
Monday, November 28, 8:30 a.m.
 
Monday, December 5, 8:30 a.m.
(FINAL order before Christmas Break. Regular weekly
 Orders  will resume on Monday, January 9)
 
PRESTOPAY PHYSICAL CARD Orders placed on shopwithscrip.com after 7:30 a.m. on Monday,  December 5 will be processed on Monday, January 9
and available for pick up on Thursday, January 12.
 
 
 
DAILY
 
 
Monday,  November 14 (Last Daily Order before  Thanksgiving Break)
 
 
Wednesday, December 14
(Last Daily Order before Christmas Break)
 
 
DAILY SALES
7:40-8:30 am
Limited to
inventory on hand
 
 
Will continue through Thursday, November 17
 
Will continue through Friday, December 16
 
shopwithscrip.com Prestopay Virtual and Reloadable cards will continue as usual through the Thanksgiving and Christmas Breaks.
 
 
Weekly/Daily Sales Update:  
 
Special Denominations (Starbucks $5, Regal $10, Amazon $10)
 
These special denominations are back for the holidays with an added twist:
  • Available through December 5 via the Daily Sales while supplies last and also through Weekly Order sales using a special Thanksgiving/Christmas Weekly Order form (see instructions below)
  • New! Gift Card Wrappers
    Pack of 10 assorted card wrappers, $2/pack (10% rebate).  Only available through weekly sales through the special Thanksgiving/Christmas Weekly Order form (see instructions below).

 


 

 
Weekly and Special Thanksgiving/Christmas Order Forms
Both the regular and the special Thanksgiving/Christmas order forms can be downloaded from the SJSC website at  http://www.serraschool.org/parents/scrip-programs .   The forms are located at the bottom of the page, under Forms to Download TK-8. These order forms are also available for pick-up in the Scrip Office.
 
Please make sure you are using the most current (10/25/16) order form, as there have been several changes over the past few weeks.  Not using the correct form can result in your order not being filled or being delayed. 
 
For questions, contact Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator at tmaroutian@ serraschool.org.
Holy Trinity Dinner Dance
& Auction
Saturday, November 5, 2016
5:00 p.m - 12:00 a.m.
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club 


Please join one our parishes, Holy Trinity, on Saturday, November 5, for their Dinner Dance and Auction. Tickets are going fast, so be sure to order yours today!

For more information and to order your tickets, please CLICK HERE.
Community Programs of Interest

San Francisco Solano Church - Life in the Spirit Seminar
Saturday, November 12, 9:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Come and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit!   Deacon Steve Greco will lead this amazing seminar full of praise music and inspiring talks. Tickets are $20 (includes lunch). Register in the office or CLICK HERE to register online and for more information. 

Join JiJi and MIND Research Institute at the Math Fair! 
On Saturday, November 5, we're bringing the  Math Fair   back to Orange County! Join us at the OC Fair & Event Center for a free fun-filled day of math delights and activities. From mathematically-themed exhibits to family math workshops, kids and adults alike will experience the beauty and power of math at the Math Fair. Come meet JiJi and experience your favorite ST Math games in real-life!

For more information about the Math Fair  CLICK HERE.

Spread the Word - Invite your students, colleagues, friends and family to share in the fun.   Download Math Fair flyer.  (Download the Math Fair flyer in Spanish)
Any questions? Contact us at  MathFair@mindresearch.org 

SMCHS Athletic Information Night
Santa Margarita Catholic High School would like to invite all interested families to attend our Athletic Information Night on Tuesday, November 15, 6:30-8:00 p.m. CLICK HERE for more information.