Volume 23 * Issue 10 * November 2,  2017
In This Issue





Stronger together... we lift each other up. We are SERRASTRONG! 
And let us consider how to lift up one another, to love and good works
- Hebrews 10:24


A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT TRUDELL
 

To Everything There is a Season
Tuition Assistance Luncheon

We are pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Tuition Assistance Luncheon,  being held on Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. in the  SJSC Muzzy Family Student Activity Center!
 
This women's luncheon is dedicated to Catholic Education for those in need. Now in its fifth year, this event will help support families within our St. Serra community, as well as at St. Polycarp Catholic School in Stanton and the Marian Alliance schools in Santa Ana: The School of Our Lady, St. Anne Parish School and St. Joseph School.   
 
Your participation and support of this event helps make a very real difference in the lives of many students. The assistance provides a bridge to assist St. Serra families who are experiencing unforeseen or emergency circumstances.  It also supports those students of St. Polycarp and 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 faith (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. 
 
Reduced ticket price of $65.00 for Early Bird registration!
 
Our registration site is now open! This event sells out well before the deadline every year. Tickets are $65.00 until November 30, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. and $85.00 thereafter.  Y ou do NOT need to be invited to sit at a table... please grab a friend and choose a table theme that sparks your interest...ALL ARE WELCOME!
 
Underwriting Opportunities
 
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!

Remembering the Saints-Becoming a  Saint
Thank you to all who joined us for our beautiful annual Memorial Mass in commemorating the Saints and remembering our faithfully departed family and friends. We give a special thanks to Father Sebastian from St. Kilian Parish for reminding us all that YES, we too can all be saints by; loving God and desiring sainthood. May the following prayer help you on your journey.

"We give thanks to Our Lord for the example of the Saints and this  desire to join in their company, worshiping You forever in Heaven. Lord Jesus p lease help me follow their footsteps, and  h elp me to conform myself to Your image, seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did. Lastly  help me to devote myself, and all that I do, to Your glory, and to the service of my neighbors". 
Amen
2017-2018 Family Directory
Our Family Directory is now available to view and can be found in the Parents Only section of our website, which is a password protected area. You will need your passkey information to access this section which was sent home the first day of school. 

You may also  CLICK HERE to login.
 
Parents, please know that the Family Directory is provided as a service to our St. Serra families. The directory, as authorized by our families during the registration process, is only available during the academic year in which authorization was given. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you print out a copy of the directory for use after the academic year.
 
Please also know that all St. Serra families may not be included, as some families requested the omission of their information from this directory.
 
CONDITIONS OF USE:
By downloading the 2017-2018 St. Junipero Serra Catholic School Family Directory for viewing either electronically or by output, as a St. Serra parent, you agree to utilize the information for your own personal use; information contained in the directory may NOT be used for commercial use or mass distribution.

Thanks-for-Giving Food Drive
As you are out grocery shopping this weekend, keep in mind our upcoming "Thanksgiving" Food for Friends food drive next Friday, November 10. Help needy families enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving season by donating holiday food items such as  Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Boxed Potatoes, Canned Gravy, Yams, Broth, Canned Evaporated Milk, Canned Pumpkin, Pumpkins, along with the regular "staples" needed on a daily basis. 
Calendar Reminder
Tomorrow is a Diocesan In-Service Day for our teachers and school will not be in session. 

This is a beautiful acronym for Blessings with each sentence ringing true. This is a great one to pass on

God is Good All the Time...All the Time God is Good.


Mrs. Angeline Trudell
President
SANTA'S SECRET CHRISTMAS SHOP
Embrace the Spirit of Giving!
 
  • Our 2017 Santa's Secret Christmas Shop will be on campus November 27-December 7.  The SSCS Event Flyer, Class Schedule and Money Envelope are in today's Yellow Monthly Envelope. 

  • Please note that completed shopping envelopes are due to your child's homeroom teacher by Friday, November 17 (prior to Thanksgiving break).
     
  • VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please consider giving the gift of your time this Advent Season by volunteering for the event as a cashier, gift wrapper or floater.  View our SIGNUP GENIUS for all available opportunities.  If you have questions please send an e-mail to [email protected].
     
  • Questions?  Contact SSCS Event Chairs, Joan Baird and Heather Boyajian, at [email protected] or visit the SSCS WEBPAGE. 
2017 HARVEST FESTIVAL
 
Thank you to our St. Serra community and friends who came out to celebrate "The Great American Harvest" at our 23rd Annual Harvest Festival last Sunday, October 29.  Mrs. Trudell and our PTO would like to thank our Harvest Festival Event Chairs, Mrs. Sue Deek-Ahmadi and Mrs. Alexis Weddingfeld, led by PTO VP-Harvest Festival, Mrs. Teacia Andrew for all of their hard work, dedication and care to make this such special day for our community.
 
A BIG THANK YOU to each of the COMMITTEE CHAIRS who took time to share their individual talents to make this day happen!  Also, thank you to the more than 300 VOLUNTEERS who worked the event.  This event simply doesn't happen with you! 
 
Thank you to our wonderful UNDERWRITERS AND DONORS and our families who participated in the Grand Prize Raffle...you helped make this a successful fundraiser for our school.

Don't forget...Crazy Sock Day is Tuesday, November 7, and the Grand Prize Raffle Non-Uniform Dress Incentive Day is Thursday, November 9.  Check the PARENTS ONLY section of the webpage for names of qualified students.
 
And the winners are...
 
Grand Prize Raffle (GPR)
  • Pleasant Hawaiian trip to Maui: Marti Michalis (sold by the Peloquin Family)
  • $1,000 Cash incentive: The Chumentowski Family
  • Golden Ticket for 40 Service Hours: The Jung Lee Family
  • VIP Parking Raffle  - The Farhadi Family
  • 1st Place Most Tickets Sold - Irvine Spectrum GC:  The Himes Family
  • 2nd Place Most Tickets Sold - Irvine Spectrum GC:  The Polana Family
  • Apple Pie Contest Winner - Mrs. Sintson
  • Chili Cook Off Winner - Mrs. Stinson
LIBRARY NEWS 
The Library will be closed during Santa's Secret Christmas Shop from November 13 through December 8. 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 and laptops. CLICK HERE for help logging into Destiny Discover. If a student needs a book renewed, please have them email Mrs. Ella Bummer at [email protected]. The Library will reopen from December 11 through the 15 and close again for the Christmas break. Please check the Library Schedule by CLICKING HERE.

Celebration Book Club
The season of giving is here!  The Celebration Book Club is the library's main funding for new books.  Celebrate your student's birthday, special accomplishment, First Communion, favorite holiday, or  dedicate a book in honor of your child's teacher. If you would like to participate in the CBC simply fill out the form online. Students may choose their new book from the selection.  CLICK HERE for more information. 
BOY SCOUTS & AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRL YEARBOOK PHOTOS
Thursday, November 16
 
If your child is a Boy Scout, Webelo, Cub Scout, Cub Scout Wolf, and Tiger Scout, or an American Heritage Girl Explorer, Pioneer, Tender Heart and Pathfinder, their group photos will be taken for the yearbook on Thursday, November 16.  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 [email protected].
PTO HAPPENINGS

Months of November/December At-A-Glance
Your PTO is busy preparing for fun-filled winter months.  Our Adopt-A-Family Program, Santa's Secret Christmas Shop, and exclusive Community Events to see the Nutcracker and Star Wars are the highlights.  Visit our PTO EVENTS AND PROGRAMS HOMEPAGE for more details.  Questions?  Contact Dana Maas, PTO President at  [email protected]
 
November 2017
  • 7th: Harvest Festival Lollipop Pull "Crazy Sock" Pass Day - for qualifying students
  • 7th: PTO St. Serra Mom's Book Study Series
  • 9th: Harvest Festival GPR Non-Uniform Dress Day - for qualifying students
  • 10th, 17th: Parent Rosary at the Blessed Mary Statue
  • 27th: Santa's Secret Christmas Shop Opens (through December 7)
December 2017
  • 1st, 8th, 15th: Parent Rosary at the Blessed Mary Statue
  • 7th: PTO Meeting - All parents welcome!
  • 8th: Mass for Grades 1-8 (Rosary prior to Mass); PTO Parent Fellowship & Coffee Social
  • 10th: Special seating for St. Serra families at The Nutcracker
  • 15th: Private Opening Day Screening of STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI 
Community Events
  • The Nutcracker - Come join fellow SJSC families and create holiday memories by attending The Nutcracker at Irvine Barclay Theater on Sunday, December 10, at 1:00 p.m.  Also available are a few seats for a pre-show Nutcracker Tea Party.
  • STAR WARS Movie Premiere - We invite you to join the rebellion and your fellow SJSC families for a private screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi at Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 on OPENING DAY, Friday, December 15, at 3:00 p.m.
     
  • Visit the  PTO COMMUNITY EVENTS webpage for details on both events and to purchase your tickets!
Keep Clippin' Box Tops!

Thank you to all our St. Serra families who have been clipping box tops to help us earn extra cash for our school programs. Congratulations to the winners of our first Box Tops Incentive Drawing:   L. Moussa, 7A and Mrs. Jackie White, KD Teacher.   They each received a $25 VISA Gift Card. Thank you again for participating and keep clippin'! Our next incentive drawing will be in February.  Visit the   BOX TOPS HOMEPAGE  for more details.

SCRIP NEWS

FAQs:
  • How can I earn credit towards my tuition? CLICK HERE for details and then click on the Spending Model tab.
  • What are Scrip Sales Hours?  Daily 7:40 to 8:30 a.m., Thursdays 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.  If you need assistance outside of these hours, please contact the Scrip Office.
Vendor Update:
SPECIAL DENOMIATIONS now available while supplies last, via weekly order ONLY. Please feel free to add them to the green weekly order sheet. 
 
$5 - Barnes & Noble, Panera, Starbucks
 
$10 - Albertsons, Amazon, Applebee's, CVS, Olive Garden, The Home Depot, IHOP, Outback, Red Lobster, Regal, Target, Walmart
                                                                       
Thanksgiving  Schedule:
WEEKLY
Monday, November 6, 8:30 a.m.
Monday, November 13, 8:30 a.m. (Last weekly order before Thanksgiving Break)
 
**shopwithscrip.com Prestopay physical card order. The delivery schedule for the physical cards ordered directly on shopwithscrip.com via Prestopay is similar to our weekly orders.  Therefore, any physical cards ordered after the cut off of 7:30 a.m. on Monday, November 13 will be processed and delivered after the Thanksgiving Break. Virtual and Reloadable cards will continue through the break.
 
DAILY
Wednesday, November 15 (Last daily order before Thanksgiving Break).
Daily Sales, 7:40 - 8:30 a.m. will continue through Friday, November 17, but limited to quantity on hand.
 
Volunteer Opportunity:
We have a sales spot open at the Scrip Office.  If you are looking for a steady schedule to earn your volunteer hours in a fun environment and meet other St. Serra families, please contact the Scrip Office.
 
For questions on any of the above or to place a Scrip Order, contact Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator at [email protected] .
SCRIPSENSE 
Around this time of year, it is nice to think about those who are in need. Shop at Safeway when shopping for donations for our Food for Friends food drive and earn money for St. Serra at the same time. 

St. Serra earns with every purchase!

Login and shop now at www.scripsense.com
LOOKING FOR GOOD LAWYERS!
Selected students from our 7th and 8th grade will be participating in JSerra's Inaugural Mock Trial.  Students will meet 1-2 times per week during 8th period. The Mock Trial Tournament will be held on a  Thursday  in March 2018 at JSerra High School. Our team coach will be Mrs. Benudiz.

We are looking for parents to help advise and attend meetings when able.   Service hours will apply.  If you are interested, please email  [email protected] . 
2017-2018 SERVICE HOURS PARENT PORTAL NEWS  
As previously announced, the 2017-2018 Service Hours Parent Portal is now available.  Thank you to the many families who have already begun submitting their hours performed.  Families who volunteered at the Harvest Festival along with all other volunteers, please submit all regular service hours performed since May 1, 2017.   

The credentials needed to log in to the Service Hours Portal are:
Username: Your family's preferred email address
Password: Your family's 3 or 4 numerical family ID
 
To be taken directly to the 2017-18 Service Hours Portal CLICK HERE  or go to the school website  Record Service Hours page for more information and instructions.
 
For questions, contact Francine Stotko at  [email protected] or ext. 194
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
JSerra High School Pride Receptions For Prospective Families JSerra High School
Sixth, seventh and eighth-grade  families are invited to attend a personal reception with current  JSerra  families, students, faculty and administration. Come and meet the heart of Lion Nation and get answers to your questions in a casual relaxed environment. 

JSerra Catholic High School Pride Reception
At the home of: Tony & Renee Guinane
Tuesday, November 14, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
 
Hosted by the Griffith, Guinane, Hendrick & Manning Families
Please RSVP to  jserra.org/visit

City of Rancho Santa Margarita
Art Contest ~ New Year's Eve Event

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita is enthusiastically preparing for their "Celebrating Family & Friends" New Year's Eve event, which will take place on Sunday, December 31 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Central Park. One of the highlights of the event is the Children's Art Contest - which will be displayed in the Bell Tower Community Center.  CLICK HERE for more information on both the Art Contest guidelines and the New Year's Eve event. Flyers are also available in the School Office.