SerraDIPITY

Volume 22 · Issue 30 · May 4, 2017

 

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In This Issue
Message from Our President
Principal's Corner
Extended Care News
In-N-Out
Recording Service Hours
Anchor Ball
iPad Sales
2017-2018 Board Members
PTO Happenings
Yearbook Deadline
Scrip News
Summer Programs in the Community
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

In this Easter Season Jesus rose from the dead so that we could live.  He challenges us to help others so that we too can rise with him. Who needs you to lift them up today...to be kind and loving so that they know Jesus is with them?


Prayers for a St. Serra Family
It is with a heavy heart that our community continues to pray for the King Family on the sudden loss last week of Barclay King, father of N. King (2D) and an incoming kindergarten student. If you wish to join us in prayer for the family, please visit the Spiritual Bouquet that has been set up. Thank you to the second-grade families who have been of great support to Mrs. King and her sons. 
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week Thank you
On behalf of myself, our faculty, staff and the PTO, we would like to thank Mrs. Robin Torriero, PTO VP Outreach, along with Mrs. Jaime Medley and Mrs. Joyce Stinson, our Teacher Appreciation Week Co-Chairs, and all of the many parents who contributed their time, food, flowers and talent to make this week so special. Their hard work in planning and executing a beautiful and successful Teacher Appreciation Week have made our teachers and staff truly aware of how much our community appreciates them. Their gracious service and attention to detail made everyone on campus feel very special. 

Thank You For Our PTO Seasonal Faculty and Staff Lunches
I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the faculty and staff, to offer my deepest gratitude and appreciation to our PTO and the many parents for the Staff Treat Days they provide for us throughout the year. We thoroughly enjoy the abundance of delicious lunches and goodies they set up for us. These "Treat Days" provide us with a wonderful opportunity to sit and visit with our peers while enjoying the festive atmosphere and great food!
 Spring Concert

I wish to thank Mrs. Janess Sifers, Ms. Peggy Armenta and our incredibly talented choir groups for putting on a fun-filled concert this past Tuesday night. 

Over 120 students from grades 1 through 8 performed at the concert. Showtime Dance, Tiny Trebles, Serra Singers, Serranade choir, and Bellissima choir all performed in front of an audience of family and friends. The choirs put on their leis and joined together at the end to perform "How Far I'll Go" from Moana. It was an entertaining evening filled with the beautiful voices of our Serra Bears. 
2017-18 Annual At-A-Glance Calendar, Preschool - 8th Grade
Our 2017-18 Annual At-A-Glance School Calendar for the upcoming school year can be found by CLICKING HERE
Student Council Elections 
Students running for Student Council will deliver their speeches on a special 
SerraVision broadcast at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning! You can watch the speeches live from home by CLICKING HERE then scrolling down to locate SerraVision Broadcast. This link will take you to the Parents Only/Protected Forms. Please remember that you will need the password to enter this password protected area of our website.
Plan Ahead For Our Last Food For Friends Drive
Next Friday, May 12 will be  our final  " Food for Friends" food drive for this school year.  We would like to extend a prayer of gratitude to our community for supporting this outreach program at St. Junipero Serra in conjunction with the food banks associated with our parishes. Your last contribution will continue to feed hungry men, women, and children in our communities while we are away this summer. What seems like a small amount can truly help a family in need. Food drives also strengthen our community by giving us an opportunity to live the Gospel teachings of Jesus, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
Not sure what to donate? Non-perishable canned goods or dry foods are welcome.
  • Cereal
  • Canned Fruit
  • Canned Corn
  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Canned Green Beans
  • Dry Beans
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Cereal
  • Toilet Paper
  • Paper Towels 
HeartRun 2017-Results Are Amazing!
Although we previously acknowledged our wonderful chairs and volunteers of Heart Run 2017, we are now very pleased to announce the net proceeds from that fun-filled day. Thanks to the generosity of our SJSC parents and students in both time and treasure, the HeartRun net proceeds were over $8,000; with $6,000 to benefit the American Heart Association and $2,000 to support the students of St. Junipero Serra Catholic School. Thank you for being FIRED UP!
Mrs. Kristina Bielkevicius on Maternity Leave

We are so grateful to Mrs. B for her love and continued support of so many of our students in grades 4-8. Mrs. B is now on maternity for the remainder of the school year awaiting the birth of her baby daughter. 
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

Renaissance STAR Testing
The Renaissance STAR testing windows for the 2016-2017 school year are:
  • September 6 - September 16
  • January 9 - January 20
  • May 15 - May 26 (Kindergarten)
  • May 22 - June 2  (Grades 1-8)
Please read more about STAR™ Assessments in the Parent's Guide to STAR™ Assessments.  CLICK HERE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • Please CLICK HERE to view the STAR testing schedule. Grades K-4 will take the STAR assessments in the Mac Lab. Grades 5-8 will take the Reading STAR assessment during their ELA class and the Math STAR assessment during their math class. 
  • The Spring assessment schedule takes into account  the Marian Mass on May 26, Memorial Day on Monday, May 29, and scheduled field trips.
  • Please be sure to review your child's January scores between January 20and May 15.
  • Kindergarten will take the STAR Early Literacy and Math assessments during this window beginning May 15 through May 26, with make-ups occurring the week of May 29, if needed.  
  • If your child will be absent on the scheduled day, please notify his/her teacher by email so that your child can be scheduled for a make-up session.
HELPFUL TEST TAKING NOTES
  • Make sure your children have eaten well on test days. Studies suggest that good nutrition is related to improved attention and concentration.
  • Help your children by encouraging a good night's rest.
  • Ensure that your children make it to school on time so that they do not miss any instructions and are allowed ample time to settle in and relax before the test begins. 
  • Please do not schedule dental or doctor appointments on testing days.
  • Although it is important to let students know the tests should be taken seriously, it is also important not to increase any test-taking anxiety.

End of the Year Parent Surveys from the Principals

Thank you for taking the time to complete a survey below for each of your children that will attend St. Junipero Serra next year. It is an important part of our process for improving student learning and establishing homeroom lists. St. Junipero Serra Catholic School devotes a great deal of love and time developing homeroom lists that reflect the unique gifts of each student. Former and future educators evaluate placement based on these parent surveys, individual learning and social needs, and administration, faculty, and staff professional contributions. Once established, moving even one student can disrupt the delicate balance and St. Junipero Serra will not be making any further homeroom changes after homerooms are finalized.

The surveys will CLOSE at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 26.  

Homeroom lists will be posted at www.serraschool.org on Friday, August 11.  

Please use the following links:

Extended Care News
There will be NO afternoon Extended Care on the last day of school, June 14. This is an adjusted minimum day where the students are dismissed at the conclusion of our end-of-the-year Mass (approximately 10:30-10:45 a.m.). Please plan accordingly! Extended Care will be open during their normal hours the morning of Wednesday, June 14 
May In-N-Out® Ordering Closes This Sunday!

In-N-Out® lunch will be served on   Thursday, May 11,   May 18,   May 25. Ordering for May closes  Sunday, May 7 at 8:00 p.m. These are the final dates for In N Out this school year.  

CLICK HERE to visit our In-N-Out page and place your order for May. 
Recording of 2016-2017 Service Hours and May 2017 Invoice Schedule
 
We apologize to those families who were unable to access the Service Hours Parent Portal on Sunday, April 30. We experienced some program difficulties that disabled the ability for families to login. Please note that the Service Hours Parent Portal is currently closed in preparation for our end of year tallying and invoicing (5/1/16 to 4/30/17).
  
Families who missed or were unable to record their hours by April 30 will have one final opportunity to provide and return a written tally (to include: hours, description and date of volunteer hours) along with their final 2016-2017 Service Hours invoice. 

Please DO NOT e-mail your missing hours to the Business Office.
 
For questions regarding your Recording of Service Hours, please contact Vera Nitinthorn in the Business Office at  [email protected]  or ext. 183.  

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

Reservations Deadline is Extended!
Have you purchased your tickets yet to the party of the year?  Join us for an incredible evening of friends, silent and live auctions, dancing, great food, and so much more, all in support of St. Serra.  RESERVATIONS are extended to Tuesday, May 9.  Make yours now, before we sell out!

Kendra Scott Gives Back Party on May 11
Join us for a Kendra Scott Gives Back Party on Thursday, May 11, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Enjoy sips, sweets and jewels at KENDRA SCOTT Fashion Island, 235 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.  Treat yourself or shop for Mother's Day gifts while helping our school: 20% of the proceeds benefit St. Serra's Annual Anchor Ball event!

Help Support Anchor Ball, Even If You Are Not Attending!
Pre-purchase a LIGHT OF CHOICE RAFFLE  ticket, an OPPORTUNITY DRAWING ticket, and NOW AVAILABLE a ticket to MOMS & MARGARITAS , our Buy-In Party for St. Serra moms. The pre-purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 16! Please note, you do not need to attend Anchor Ball to participate in any of these pre-purchase opportunities

Questions?  Check out the Anchor Ball HOMEPAGE or  FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE to view the latest news and updates.
 
iPad Sales
 
iPads in the St. Junipero Serra Catholic School 1:1 program will reach their end-of-lease in June, 2017. Our leasing company is offering faculty, staff, and parents the opportunity to purchase iPads which have been issued to them personally by the school.
 
iPad sales will be open until May 14. Any iPads which are not purchased by the close of sales on May 14 will be returned to the leasing company without exception.
  • All iPads will be sold in "as is" condition
  • iPads will not include Apple Care+ or any other warranties
  • Cases issued with the iPad will be included in the purchase
  • iPads will be wiped and removed from the school's management system before being sent home with the student by the last day of school (June 14)
The cost to purchase iPads is $213 per device.
 
Please CLICK HERE to purchase the iPad issued by the school. Only payment by credit card will be accepted.
 
Special Note: A limited number of extra iPads will be available for purchase beyond those issued to students and/or faculty and staff. Families may request one (1) additional iPad.
  • Faculty, staff, and families interested in purchasing an additional iPad must register on the RandomPicker website to enter a drawing for the available iPads
  • CLICK HERE to register
  • Terms and Conditions for the drawing are available on the RandomPicker website.
Additional information and clarification regarding the iPad sales:
  • Faculty, Staff, and Students will be purchasing the iPad that was issued to them and is currently in their possession
  • The model is the iPad Air 1 and devices are two to three years old
  • Instructions for preparing the iPad for removal from the school's management system will be sent before the end of the year
Please email  [email protected] if you have any questions.
Congratulations to our 2017-18 Board Members



Thank You...
A heartfelt thank you to our 2016-2017 Board Members, whose term will end on Monday, June 5. Many of the SJSC events and activities that have occurred this past school year were due to the leadership and dedication of a very talented PTO Team. Our sincerest gratitude for your service! 

Introducing...
We are excited to welcome the 2017-2018 SJSC Parent Teacher Organization Board - many of whom are already busy planning for next school year. Thank you for answering the call to serve our St. Serra community as part of this blessed ministry! If you'd like to get more involved in PTO, please contact PTO President Elect, Dana Maas at [email protected]

PTO President-Dana Maas   
President Elect-Shannon O'Connor
Parliamentarian-Cristen Lebsack
VP Outreach Ministries- Kathy Bonin
VP Volunteers- Candis Brady
VP Donations- Shelly Soenen
VP Golf/Book Fair- Courtnay Flick        
VP Harvest Festival/Heart Run-Teacia Andrew                                     
VP Anchor Ball- Open Position     
VP Community- Stephanie Angelos
VP Parent/Child- Shannon Johnson
VP Parent Education- Alessandra Brus
VP Communications- Mary Broomfield    
SSCS Box Tops Field Day- Cheryl Redfern           
LEAD Room Parent Coordinator PS-2-Allie Bertocchini
R oom Parent Coordinator PS- Lea Martone
RPC TK- Kate Fenton
RPC Kindergarten- Faith Agius
RPC 1st Grade- Heather Wilson
RPC 2nd Grade- Charise Medeiros
Lead RPC 3-5-Kay Relvas
RPC 3rd Grade- Jennifer Zalle
RPC 4th Grade- Shannon Smaldino
RPC 5th Grade- Jill Kopeny                       
Lead RPC 6-8- Megan Hayden
RPC 6th Grade- Aimee Stevenson
RPC 7th Grade- Kim Gallaway
RPC 8th Grade- Melissa Fosdick    
Lead Ambassador- Allison Finnigan
PTO Secretary-Lisa Zawistoski
PTO Treasurer-Alecia Hedge
PTO Hospitality-Alexandra Simon
School President-Mrs. Angeline Trudell
VP Parent Services-Mrs. Debbie Dubeau
AP Student Services-Mr. Corey Overton
Teacher Representative PS-2- Susan Turner     
Teacher Representative 3-8- Elaina Stokes 

PTO Happenings
The Months of May/June At-A-Glance

Thank you to everyone who attended our third & final All Parent PTO Meeting yesterday! We so enjoyed celebrating the hundreds of PTO Committee volunteers from the year! Watch for a link to our agenda & Powerpoint next week. Questions?  [email protected]

Blessings ~ Cristen Lebsack, PTO President 2016-2017

May 2017
  • 19 th : Final collection day for Box Tops
  • 20 th : Anchor Ball 2017 (Newport Marriott) - RSVP Deadline extended to Tuesday, May 9!
  • 23 rd : New Family Information Night (hosted by PTO)
  • 26 th : Marian Mass & Parent Social in SJS Courtyard (host: 3 rd grade)
June 2017
  • 6 th : 8 th Grade Prayer Service (9:00am in SAC) All are welcome!
  • 6 th : Graduation Dance (7 th & 8 th Graders) - Thank you Alecia Hedge!
  • 12 th : Leap Day (Grades 1-7 explore next year's classrooms!)
  • 13 th : Field Day (NEW fun this year!)
  • 14 th : End of Year Closing Mass
Room Parent "Team" SignUps!  
NEW THIS YEAR!

All Room Parent "Teams" will be selected before the end of the school year.  

We are looking to have teams of 8-10 parents per grade level for Kindergarten - 8th Grade (less for Preschool and TK).  Each Room Parent Team will consist of Homeroom Liaisons, Grade Level Ambassadors, a Birthday Celebration Coordinator, a Class Party/Social/Field Trip Coordinator, a Crafts/Decorations/Class Projects Coordinator, a Photo Parent/Box Tops, a SignUp Genius (SUG) Coordinator, and a New Parent Team Member.

JOIN THE TEAM!
Please visit our   ROOM PARENT SURVEY  and submit your name, the grade/grades you would be interested in serving and your area/areas of interest.  Selection will be based on the applicant's interests and talents and the needs of each grade level.

Student Store - Used Uniform Update
  1. Please join us this Saturday, May 6, 9:00-11:00 a.m. for a special Used Clothing sale here on our SJSC campus near Extended Care (enter through the Extended Care gate).
     
  2. Reminder: Effective May 29, the 2015-16 school uniforms will no longer be sold in our Used Uniform store. We are no longer accepting True Grits Used Uniforms; only Dennis Uniforms will be accepted. 
     
  3. Questions? Contact Catherine Tirado, Student Store Coordinator at [email protected].
Order Now! Only 11 Days Left Until Yearbook Pre-orders Close.
 
If you haven't yet placed your yearbook orders, now is the time! A limited number of yearbooks will be available for sale after the shipment arrives and those will only be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot not be reserved. The surplus yearbooks do sell out quickly, so please order your student's yearbook now to guarantee them a yearbook that will be delivered to their homeroom on the day of pre-order distribution. 
 
Follow the instructions below or you may CLICK HERE to purchase your yearbooks online.
 
To place your yearbook order(s): 
  • Go to www.jostensyearbooks.com
  • Click on "BUY YOUR YEARBOOK"
  • Enter "St. Junipero Serra Catholic School - RSM" from the drop-down menu
  • Click on "Yearbook"
  • Add Recipient's Name (Student's Name) Student's Last Name, Grade, Homeroom, Recipient's E-mail (would be your own and not the student's e-mail address)
Note: to place multiple yearbook orders, you will have to click on the "Continue Shopping" button to add additional forms to complete for each student's yearbook order you would like to place.

Can't remember if you ordered a yearbook? CLICK HERE to view a list of 2017 yearbook orders in the Parents Only section of our website.  
 
Questions? Please contact Cindy Kennedy at [email protected]
  Scrip News
 


SCRIP YEAR 2017-2018 May 1, 2017 - April 30, 2018:
Scrip is the easiest and most effective fundraiser at St. Serra, benefiting both families and our great school.  Participation keeps tuition costs down for all families. In addition, when your family exceeds the $275.00 Family Participation Fee (FPF), you will be giving back to our school while lowering your tuition for the next school year!
Sign Up for Online Programs and Place Orders in the Scip Office.
You will now be able to sign up for both of our online programs at the Scrip Office, and place orders online.  Our online programs are an effective tool in earning rebates over the summer. Contact Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator, for details. 
 9 Month Earning Template
For suggestions on how to easily meet and exceed your $275 FPF, please Click Here or go to the Scrip Program Page on the St. Serra website.  Scroll down to the bottom and click on "How To Meet Your FPF".

For questions, contact Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator at
2017 Grandparents and Special Friends Day Photos 
Friday is the last day to pick up your photo from Grandparents and Special Friends Day from the School Office, if you did not receive it in last week's Weekly Envelope. After Friday, the photos will be returned to the Advancement Office. Contact Mrs. Cindy Carpino at [email protected] to make arrangements to receive them. 
Summer 2017 Programs in the Community

San Franciso Solano VBS 2017 
J uly 10-14, 2017
Vacation Bible School

Who: Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Where: San Francisco Solano Church
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

CLICK HERE to register today! Contact Marjorie Kollen [email protected] or (949) 589-1709 for more information.

JSerra High School
Lion Engage - Designed for students in grades 6-8, Lion Engage is a great summer opportunity to dive into experiential learning. CLICK HERE for more information about the Lion Engage summer program.

Youth Sports Programs -  JSerra offers a number of sport camps for prospective students throughout the summer. CLICK HERE to learn more about the summer sport programs offered. 

Mater Dei High School 
SummerCamps - Sign up for Youth and High School Camps at Materdei.org/camps

Summer School - Incoming Freshmen can sign up today! materdei.org/summerschool 

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