SerraDIPITY

Volume 22 · Issue 25 · March 16, 2017

 

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In This Issue
A Message from Our President
Principal's Corner
Hydration Stations
Family STEAM night
Hear Run 2017
Extended Care Reminder
St. Junipero Serra Award Nominations
Parent Fellowship Coffee
Tuition Assistance
Anchor Ball
Scrip News
Lenten Retreat
Mother Son Bowling
Snack bar Volunteers
Box Tops
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

We often look for ways to show our gratitude to others and especially to God.  Staying HAPPY AND JOYFUL about this beautiful life God has given us just gives us that grateful heart and tremendous feeling that with God everything is ok.
UPCOMING - Important Parent Meeting 
State of the School Celebration!

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

We are so thrilled and excited to announce at these meetings the most amazing accomplishments of our students (test scores and more), a new way to pay tuition to make everyone's life easier, an unbelievable tuition announcement, Chapel/STEAM project timeline and groundbreaking April 3, and new 2017-18 programs that will astound you. Look for more in a reminder Constant Contact on Monday, March 20 including the announcement of special raffles for those who attend one of these meetings.  Make plans to attend...it will be worth your while.
Lenten Reconciliation Service, Monday March 20, 2017
Formal Uniform Required
Grades 4-8
 
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one dedicated to experiencing the forgiveness of God our Father. On Monday, March 20,  students will participate in our Lenten Reconciliation. We will begin with a prayer service at 9:00 a.m. followed by confessions for all students who have completed the Sacrament of Reconciliation in grades 4-8. This year we will have nine priests attend confession held in the SAC. Any child who has not made the Sacrament of Reconciliation is asked if they wish to visit a priest for a simple blessing, it is their choice. Due to the limited number of priests in attendance this year, students in Grade 3 will be receiving this sacrament from Father Jim Dunning and Father Pat Rudolph on Thursday, March 23 following our Mass. We are so grateful for this time of forgiveness and preparation of our hearts as we await the celebration of Our Lord's Resurrection at Easter.
Lenten Mass, Thursday, March 23
Let His light shine through you.  

Please join us for Mass at  9:30 a.m. in the Student Activity Center celebrated by Father Pat Rudolph of St Kilian Catholic Church as we reach our halfway point of our 40 day journey of repentance through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. 
 
This is a formal uniform day for ALL students. Once again we will be having a collection at the entrance to Mass for the Missionary Childhood Association, so please encourage your children to do an extra chore around the house so they are able to bring in some change to donate to those in need and to fulfill their Lenten Almsgiving.
 
Plan to arrive earlier and join other parents as they pray the Rosary before Mass beginning at  8:45 a.m. in Extended Care. Everyone is welcome!
 
For your convenience, we do have parking in the neighborhood on this Mass day, but NO PARKING in the Memorial Health Care parking lot.
Just One More Birthday Surprise for Mrs. Trudell...
The staff and students had many surprises and loving gifts for Mrs. Trudell on her 60th Birthday today. She doesn't know we are adding this to the SerraDIPITY, but if you would like to watch a short video of today's fun birthday activities, CLICK HERE to be taken to our Facebook page. 
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

STUDENT LEARNING ASSESSMENTS  ( Kindergarten - Grade 8
ONLY)

Student Learning Assessments - SLAs/Report Cards are posted on Sycamore (under Documents).  Please log on to Sycamore and digitally sign your student's SLA. The Trimester 2  Discipline Records are also posted (Grades 3-8 only).

If you have lost or misplaced your password, please email your family name, student name, and grade to  [email protected] to request a Sycamore username and password.

To access the report card, please log into  https://app.sycamoreeducation.com
  • Click on My Family
  • Click on My Students
  • Click on the Student Code
  • Click on the Documents and select 2016-2017 Grade Card S2 and open and 2016-2017 T2 Discipline Record
  • Please sign digitally and SAVE
st_patricks_day_circle.jpg REMINDER - Celebrating St. Patrick's Day Tomorrow
Please CLICK HERE to read the dress code for St. Patrick's Day in last weeks SerraDIPITY. 
2016-2017 ANNUAL FUND AND CHAPEL SUPPORT
Thank you to all who have donated to the 2nd Annual Fund Appeal...your donation is greatly appreciated!  Have you been on campus and noticed our new Hydration Stations, or have your children told you how great they are?  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.  As of Wednesday afternoon 1,899 bottles have been saved.  Our goal is to add additional units throughout the campus - and Annual Fund dollars will allow us to do so.  If you have not contributed to this year's Annual Fund, you may do so by clicking here. Remember anyone who donates $1,995.00 + will be invited to attend a very special appreciation dinner on May 4!

In addition to making your Annual Fund donation, you can help support the Chapel Fund by purchasing a water bottle for you and or your student(s).  These special St. Serra logo water bottles are now being sold online via a special page  on the school website and all proceeds will go to support  the Chapel Fund.

 
FAMILY STEAM NIGHT 
Tuesday, April 4
  
For more information about this exciting evening, please  CLICK HERE.
 
To register to attend the event, please  CLICK HERE.

FAMILY STEAM NIGHT 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:
  • Activity Stations - All materials, directions, and everything needed for the activity stations is provided.
    • 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Shift 1
    • 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Shift 2
    • 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Both
If you are available April 4 and are interested in helping with Family STEAM Night, your time will be greatly appreciated. Please CLICK HERE and fill out the form. 

This is going to be a great evening for students, parents, families, and the SJSC community! 
Heart Run 2017
"Get Fired Up for the Heart Run!"
Friday, April 7
                                
Want to earn money for raising money?  For every $50 raised or donated per student, not only will you  receive incentives including a Non-Uniform Dress Pass, a Super Pup Keychain to attach to your backpack, and the latest AHA Red "GET FIRED UP" T-Shirt, BUT you will also earn a $10 Target Gift Card! 

Check out the  HEARTRUN HOMEPAGE  to view our incentive options and make your donation today!
Extended Care News
 
There will be NO afternoon Extended Care on Holy  Thursday, April 13. This is a minimum day and the last day before Easter break. Please plan accordingly! Extended Care will be open their normal hours the morning of  Thursday, April 13 

St. Junipero Serra Award Nominations are Open!
Who are you voting for?

Are we still asking this question?  Yes, but now we want to know who you think deserves to be honored with this year's St. Junipero Serra Award! As witnesses, participants and even as organizers of programs and events that go on at SJSC, is there a St. Serra parent who has made a real difference over the years?  We are blessed to have so many incredible people that "make it all happen"!  Let's make sure they know how much they are appreciated!
 
Please take a few minutes to nominate 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!
 
CLICK HERE to complete an online nomination form. Nominations close on Friday April 7. 
 
CLICK HERE  to review the award guidelines and a list of prior recipients. 

Parent Fellowship & Coffee Social
Thursday, March 23, 2017
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. 
SJSC Courtyard

Please join us next Thursday, March 23, immediately following Mass, for a PTO hosted parent coffee social in the SJSC Courtyard. Light hospitality, coffee and water will be served. We hope to see you there!
Tuition Assistance 2017-2018
 
It is a part of our  mission  and vision to provide a Catholic Education within the boundaries of our four parishes for all those who desire to be a part of St. Junipero Serra Catholic School. St. Serra is so grateful of the sacrifices our many families make to send their children to our Catholic School. We are also very appreciative for the significant number of benefactors who contribute to our Tuition Assistance  program  on  a regular basis. We want all current families to be able to remain at SJSC should financial issues present themselves, therefore we will once  again offer tuition assistance to those who qualify through our blind, third party process. 
 
Please note that it is important to your application process that you remain an active parishioner at your parish.
 
We are pleased to announce that we will be working with FACTS, our new online administrator for managing our tuition assistance application process. Most of you who have applied for high school tuition assistance will be familiar with this process.  Please  CLICK HERE for more information and to see how to access our new Online Tuition Assistance Application.
 
Deadline for submission is  Monday, March 27, 2017.
 
Please contact Shannon Smith in the Advancement Office at ext.139 or via e-mail at  [email protected] for application guidance. 

**PLEASE NOTE** If you have already started the application process, they will need to be COMPLETED by  March 27, 2017.
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

*NEW* Just Added...Win a VIP Upgrade!   St. Serra families who bring a donation valued at $50 or greater for the Anchor Ball auctions to the State of the School Parent Meeting on either Tuesday, March 21, or Wednesday, March 22, will be entered into a special drawing to receive a VIP Upgrade For Two at the 22nd Annual Anchor Ball.  VIPs may attend the VIP Hosted Cocktail Party and will receive name recognition as an Anchor Ball underwriter.  For gift ideas and drawing rules, please READ MORE...

Questions? Check out the Anchor Ball HOMEPAGE or  FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE to view the latest news and updates.
Scrip News 
Easter and End of Scrip Year Weekly Orders:
There are only 4 weekly orders left between now and April 30, 2017 (end of Scrip Year):
 
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. 
 
Help! Missing Supporter information
If any of the names below are one of your family's supporters, please contact the Scrip Office.
  • Richard Gareau
For questions, contact Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator at
St. Serra's Lenten Retreat
Thank You for Taking Part in this Special Day!

On behalf of the entire St. Serra Community, SJSC PTO would like to thank Robin Torriero, VP Outreach, and all who attended the annual SJCS Lenten Retreat.  It was a beautiful morning punctuated by Dr. Peterson's touching account of her faith journey and devotion to our Blessed Mother. As her testimony demonstrates, there is no greater investment than that of your faith. May God bless you all this Lenten season as you take the time to strengthen your faith and your walk with the Lord.

If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Cyndi Peterson, or would like to read her book Waiting For A Miracle, please visit cyndipeterson.com.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Robin Torriero at [email protected].
Mother & Son Ultimate Fun
Cosmic Bowling a Great Success
Cosmic Bowling a Great Success!

 

Last Sunday's Mother Son Ultimate Fun Event was a resounding success! Nearly 450 moms and sons put on their best cosmic gear and had a great time creating memories that will last a lifetime.
 
On behalf of the entire St. Serra community, the SJSC PTO would like to thank Allie Bertocchini and Lisa Reed, Event Chairs, along with Shelly Soenen, PTO VP Parent-Child Services, for working so hard to create a Cosmic Fun Event. Thank you also to each volunteer who worked on the event, especially Jenny Hayes who led the Opportunity Drawing and Jill Orrantia who managed registration and special requests like an all-star.
 
Special thanks to Kim Covas and Elena Goodrich who's generous underwriting donations added to the success of the event.
 
Thoughts or ideas for future parent child events? Please email [email protected]. We'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

Snack Bar Volunteers Needed

If you would like to earn your lunch duty hours AND be inside,
consider becoming a regular in the Snack Bar! And if you have already
earned your lunch duty hours, these hours can count for your regular
service hours.  It's great fun to see the children everyday and
complete some of your service hours!  We are looking for Moms or Dads
who can commit to once a week, perhaps every other week and work
alongside Mrs. Brown serving the children. Please contact our Snack Bar
coordinator, Patti Brown at 
[email protected] . Thank you!
Don't Forget About Box Tops
It's not too late to turn in BOX TOPS and qualify to possibly win $275 in Visa gift cards. Our final collection is in May, so keep on clipping to qualify for our drawings.  Questions? Contact Kelly Smith Parker, Box Tops Chair, at [email protected] .  Keep On Clipping!
Community Programs of Interest
 
Entrance Exam Monday, March 18, 2017, 7:45 - 11:30 a.m.
For more information, please CLICK HERE.

Admissions Applications for 2017-2018 school year are available now. Visit Materdei.org/admissions

Athletic Camps - Sign up for Youth and High School Camps at Materdei.org/camps

Mater Dei High School, 1202 West Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, 92707
Materdei.org/shadowprogram  Admissions: (714) 754-1175