SerraDIPITY

Volume 22 · Issue 24 · March 9, 2017

 

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In This Issue
A Message from Our President
Family STEAM Night
Mandatory Parent Meeting
Hydration Stations
Mother Son Bowling
Health Screenings
Anchor Ball
Scrip News
Community Programs of Interst
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 St. Junipero Serra Catholic School
  
A Message From Our President

I believe this to be as true as true can be...when we love and care for others, no matter who they are, we then show our love for God. 
Congratulations to our Academic Decathlon Team

We are so proud of the commitment and hard work demonstrated by our 2016-2017 Decathlon team! This past Saturday, they along with 16 other Diocese of Orange schools, participated in this year's Diocese of Orange Junior High Academic Decathlon held at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

Our team tied for second place in the Super Quiz, and placed a very close third place in both Logic Quiz and the overall event.

In the individual categories our team members placed as follows:

Literature: A. Brahney - tied for first
Religion: S. Laster - second place
English: A. Duffy - tied for first
Math: A. Staff - third place
Social Studies: J. Quinlan - first place
Current Events: D. Wang - first place
Science: C. Gasper - third place

Congratulations once again to our team and a big thank you to Mrs. Barb Franz and the staff members and parents who worked diligently with this fine group of young ladies and men!

Food For Friends - Your Lenten Almsgiving

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me." Matthew 25

"Food for Friends" is back, tomorrow, Friday, March 9. This week we will be supporting the food bank of St. Kilian Parish. Our Catholic faith inspires us to be merciful to others and to be motivated by love.   Hopefully we are striving to reflect God's unconditional love and, during Lent, practicing this sacrificial love that embraces all, especially those in need. Can we each show His love by serving the "least of these" on this earth as Christ challenges us to do in the above scripture? Our prayer at St. Serra is that through God's grace, and with your support, we can continue to feed those in need and bring hope to the hopeless.

Thank you for feeding the hungry and for using the food bag included with the Weekly Envelope.

Not sure what to donate? Non-perishable canned goods or dry foods are welcome. Here are just a few suggestions:

Canned foods such as meats, fish, soup, fruits and vegetables, as well as pasta, hot & cold cereal, macaroni & cheese, beans, rice and peanut butter.
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

Next Friday, March 17, is St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick's Day falls during Lent, but we would like to honor St. Patrick on his Feast Day by allowing students to wear green accessories with their uniform bottom on Friday, March 17.

Parents are asked to help their children select the appropriate accessories to wear, using the following guidelines:
  • Students must wear uniform bottoms including belt, if appropriate. (if they have PE, then they must wear their PE shorts)
  • All students must wear shoes that meet the school's dress code.
STUDENTS MAY WEAR THE FOLLOWING:
  • St. Patrick's Day-themed shirts/sweatshirts and socks
  • St. Patrick's Day-themed earrings, bracelets, headbands, bows, ribbons, and rings
  • St. Patrick's Day-themed hats which may have to be removed while in class
STUDENTS MAY NOT DO THE FOLLOWING:
  • Wear any make-up (other than that which is outlined in the Parent Student Handbook for students in the Eighth Grade)
  • Have hair that is dyed, colored, tinted, bleached, and/or painted any color, not even to go with the Green season.
SJSC Family STEAM Night
Tuesday, April 4    
5:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

"5 Senses of the Human Body"

Students and parents are invited to SJSC's second Family STEAM Night! Discover the fun of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) through hands-on activities for the whole family!
  • Invent It! Build It!
  • Have fun with your family
  • FREE admission
  • Raffles, prizes, & refreshments
Registration and a list of activities will be coming soon.
 
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
E-mail Beth Thomas at  [email protected] to get involved in Family STEAM Night. We have lots of ways for you to help:
  • Help with Check In on the day of the event
  • We're looking for more volunteers to help facilitate one of the activities at this event, no experience necessary. Training will be provided.
  • If you work or have worked in optics/vision or have been involved in a profession dealing with any of the 5 Senses, we would love to have you involved. 
  • Recruit a friend for one of the activities at Family STEAM Night.
Family STEAM Night 3D Printer Design Challenge
"5 Senses of the Human Body"

We invite you to join "The Challenge" by using your  3D design skills to create a tool, device, or instrument that relates to any one of the 5 senses: sound, sight, taste, touch, smell. One winning design for each grade level and a winning design for Faculty & Staff will be 3D Printed using St. Serra's 3D Printer and displayed at Family STEAM Night.

For the rules and more information CLICK HERE .
 
QUESTIONS: please contact Beth Thomas at [email protected].
SAVE THE DATE: Important Parent Meeting 
State of the School /2017-2018 School Year Presen tation

Tuesday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. & 
Wednesday, March 22 at 9:30 a.m.

Exciting Announcements as there is so much to celebrate at SJSC! You won't want to miss it!
God is Good... All the Time,

Angeline Trudell
President     



 
 


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

Principal's Corner
Mrs. Carol Reiss, Principal, Preschool - Grade 2 & Mrs. Julie Tipton, Principal, Grades 3-8

END OF TRIMESTER 2 (TK - Grade 8)
Sycamore will close at n oon, tomorrow,  March 10 with the conclusion of Trimester 2 and will reopen on  March 16 when report cards are posted. Thank you.

GOT CONFERENCES?
Please know St. Junipero Serra Catholic School administration and faculty are available to meet with parents most school days. We are here for you and your student. Although conferences are assigned days in November, please feel comfortable reaching out at anytime with questions, concerns, and feedback via email or phone message  It is our goal to return your message  within 24 hours during the school week. Parents are welcome to request a conference any time during the school year.
Welcome St. Junipero Serra Catholic Chapel Fundraising Campaign Supporters

Some of you have already registered with scripsense and have started earning, great job! For others, your invitation is just an email away.  Simply email [email protected] to register today. Once registered, every time you shop online or buy eGift cards on the scripsense site, a percentage of each purchase will be rebated back in your family's name to the St. Serra Chapel fund.

Put your everyday spending to great use! Think of items you purchase each week from stores, restaurants, coffee shops, gifts, travel, etc. You can now earn while shopping online as well as when you purchase gift cards for any gifting occasion. You can even store your gift cards on your scripsense mobile wallet for "on the go" use! Easier, safer, faster and a win-win for everyone.

As a thank you for supporting the St. Junipero Serra Catholic Chapel Fundraising Campaign through
scripsense, spend $100 on any eGift Card and take $5 off with promo code "WELCOME".
"Get Fired Up for the Heart Run!"
Friday, April 7, 2017
                                
It's time to "Get Fired Up" for our annual Heart Run!  PTO would like to welcome back our returning Event Chairs, Mrs. Gina Christiansen and Mrs. Michele Polana, for another fun-filled day supporting a "heart"felt cause!
 
Students are invited to be a part of the school-wide HeartRun "Red Out
" day on Friday, April 7 by wearing ANY red t-shirt with their PE uniform bottoms!
 
Want more days to wear red?   Here's how: Beginning Wednesday, March 15, students may wear only their new 2017 AHA Fired Up t-shirt on PE Days with their uniform bottoms until the end of the school year.
 
How do you get this new 2017 AHA Fired Up t-shirt? Each student who contributes a minimum $15 donation will receive one (1) non-uniform dress pass for Wednesday, April 12th, one (1) Super Pup key chain, AND one (1) NEW 2017 AHA  "Get Fired Up" red t-shirt. Thank you for supporting the American Heart Association and SJSC.
 
Please help your students to understand the importance of good heart health by encouraging them to participate on this day!
 
Visit the HEART RUN WEB PAGE to read all of the details to support AHA, St. Serra and view the variety of incentives and donation amounts.

There is something new at SJSC...
Hydration Stations Are Here!
The 2016-2017 Annual Fund HAS once again provided a wonderful asset to our school!  Not only does this positively affect the health and productivity of our students, staff and guests on campus, but it allows us to be more environmentally friendly. CHECK OUT THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF THESE UNITS. 
 
The two stations are located on the exterior of the MEC and PEB buildings - one being located in the St. Junipero Serra Courtyard between the team locker rooms and the other is located in the PEB Lunch Area to the left of the servery windows.   

To kick off the addition of our hydration stations, we began selling SJSC logo stainless steel water  bottles last Friday at Grandparent's and Special Friends Day. 
 
The bottles are now being sold online via a special page on the school website and all proceeds will go to support the Chapel Fund.
 
Mother & Son Ultimate Fun
COSMIC BOWLING
THIS Sunday, March 12, 2017
Forest Lanes Bowling 

  • All registered guests, please watch for an email from Mother-Son with important details about this event.

Questions? Contact Mother & Son Event Chairs Allie Bertocchini and Lisa Reed at [email protected].

After School Classes
St. Serra Catholic School has many after school classes available to our students. Below is a list of the classes offered this Spring: 
  • Academic Chess
  • Showtime Dance
  • LEGO
  • Super Soccer Stars
  • Piano lessons
  • Young Rembrandts Art class
  • Golf Squad Robotics
CLICK HERE  for more information and to sign up.
Health Screenings - March 14 - 16

Our annual vision and hearing screenings will be held on  Tuesday, March 14 , Wednesday, March 15 and Thursday, March 16. The health screening is conducted by Southern California Sensory Screening. The grades being tested are Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 7th. If your child wears glasses, please remind them to bring them to the screening. If your child is absent on the day of his/her screening, the makeup day will be on  Thursday, March 16

Scoliosis Screening for 7th and 8th Grade Students:
All 7th-grade girls and 8th-grade boys will be screened for Scoliosis on  Thursday March 16. The Scoliosis screening is conducted by Southern California Sensory Screening.
 
All screening results will be sent home in the Weekly Envelope within a couple of weeks of the screening. Please call the Health Room if you have any questions (949) 546-8705.
22nd Annual Anchor Ball
Rooted in Faith

Saturday, May 20, 2017
Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
900 Newport Center Dr. Newport Beach, CA
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." - Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Art Contest News: Congratulations to J. Miyashiro from KA, the winner of the Art Contest Incentive Drawing and lucky recipient of a $50 gift card to Regal Cinemas and gift basket of popcorn and candy.  Stay tuned... Art contest winners will be announced on SerraVision later this month.

Upgrade to an Anchor Ball VIP!  Gift Gathering Continues...St. Serra families who bring a donation for our Anchor Ball auctions valued at $50 or greater to the State of the School Parent Meeting on either Tuesday, March 21, or Wednesday, March 22, will be entered into a special drawing for a chance to receive a VIP upgrade for two at our 22nd Annual Anchor Ball. Please note, previous contributions do not apply when determining eligibility for this special drawing. For gift ideas and Anchor Ball 2017 VIP Upgrade Drawing rules, please READ MORE...

Sponsor a Teacher to Attend Anchor Ball: Please consider sponsoring a teacher to attend our 22nd Annual Anchor Ball through the ANGEL FUND . Participation in the Angel Fund is a wonderful way to say thank you to a special teacher, whether or not you are able to attend Anchor Ball yourself on May 20.
 
Questions? Check out the Anchor Ball HOMEPAGE or  FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE to view the latest news and updates.
What Are the St. Junipero Serra Awards?

Since 1997, SJSC has honored parent volunteers with the ST. JUNIPERO SERRA OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP AWARD. This prestigious honor is for parent volunteers who have blessed our community with dedication and hard work above and beyond the required volunteer commitment. They represent "Stewardship in Action!" Potential recipients are nominated by parents, faculty and staff. Winners will be presented with the award at our annual Anchor Ball event on May 20, 2017.
 
Myth Busters:
  1. "This is a PTO award."  While the process is facilitated by the PTO, the award is for any parent in the SJSC community. 
  2. "Surely this parent will be nominated!" Not necessarily!!  If everyone is thinking that and no one is actually submitting a nomination, then that person is not eligible. 
  3. "I volunteered so many hours last year and still didn't win." This is a cumulative award. We look for candidates who have consistently given of their time over the course of their years at SJSC.
Please take a few minutes to complete an online NOMINATION FORM  for at least one parent who has blessed our community with their dedication and hard work.  St. Junipero Serra Catholic School appreciates all of our parent volunteers, and this is a wonderful opportunity to recognize those who have done an outstanding job!
 
Nominations close at 3:00 p.m. on April 7.
Volunteer Hours Countdown

The deadline to submit your 2016-2017 required hours is approaching! Upcoming PTO events are in need of your time and talent. Please view our current VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES and get involved today.
 
REMINDER: **NEW THIS YEAR** Volunteer Recognition for everyone who records 100+ hours in the 2016-2017 school year! There's still time, so be sure to get those hours recorded. Thank you for all that you do!
Scrip News 
Easter and End of Scrip Year Weekly Orders:
There are only 5 weekly orders left between now and April 30, 2017 (end of Scrip Year):
 
Monday, March 13
Monday, March 20
Monday, March 27
Monday, April 3 - LAST WEEKLY ORDER BEFORE EASTER
Monday, April 10 - NO WEEKLY ORDER
Monday, April 17 - NO WEEKLY ORDER - EASTER BREAK
Monday, April 24 - LAST WEEKLY ORDER BEFORE END OF SCRIP YEAR
 
A copy of the April Scrip Sales Calendar is posted on the St. Serra website for your convenience. CLICK HERE to view this calendar. 
 
Online Programs:
It is never too late to sign up to participate in our online program to boost earning rebates.  To set up an account on scripsense.com and/or shopwithscrip.com, please contact the Scrip Office.
 
For questions, contact Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator at
Tuition Assistance Luncheon
If you attended the luncheon this year and made a donation of any kind (with exception of the St. Teresa Treats) during the event, you will find your thank you letter and tax receipt in today's Weekly Envelope. If you do not receive a letter/tax receipt and feel you should have, please contact [email protected] .   
Student Store News
Uniform Update
Friday, March 24 is the last day to purchase 2015-16 school uniforms, as well as St. Serra Catholic logo items; which are available in very limited quantities in the Student Store. Complete the Purchase Form on the Student Store HOME PAGE, attach with check payment and return to the School Office. Items will be delivered through your student's classroom. Store hours are: Monday-Friday 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Tuesday 1:45 to 3:00 p.m. Reminder, we have 3 months remaining in the first year of allowing the 2015-16 school uniforms to be worn by our students. Students are being allowed to wear the 2015-16 school uniform until June 2018.
 
Used Uniforms
We are no longer accepting 2015-16 Used Uniforms for credit. 2015-16 Used Uniforms will only be available for sale until May 29.  All 2016-17 Used Uniforms will be accepted at any time. Used Uniforms store hours are Wednesday 7:40 to 8:30 a.m., and Tuesday 2:15 to 3:00 p.m. 
Community Programs of Interest
 
Entrance Exam Monday, March 13, 2017, 4:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. (Mater Dei Applicants Only - registration required). For more information, please CLICK HERE.