Volume 24 * Issue 09 * November 1,  2018
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
ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS
Remembering the Saints - Becoming a  Saint

Thank you to all who joined us today for our beautiful annual Memorial Mass, commemorating the Saints and remembering our faithfully departed family and friends. We give a special thanks to our School Chaplain, Father Jim Dunning for reminding us all that our departed loved ones are waiting for us to one day be picked up by Gods loving arms to join them in heaven. 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 please help me follow their footsteps, and help 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 

TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
NO SCHOOLTomorrow, November 2

Each year the Diocese of Orange sponsors a professional development day for our teachers to expand their mastery of different teaching strategies in a variety of areas. This Friday, we are blessed to participate in a meeting focused on strengthening our Catholic Identity in all subject areas. We are looking forward to partnering as a staff along with a few other schools to ensure our foundation as a Catholic School permeates all we do to serve our students spiritually, academically and emotionally. Please keep your teachers and administrative staff in your prayers and we will remember your intentions in ours at Mass tomorrow morning celebrated in our beautiful chapel at 8:00 a.m. before the Diocesan in-service.

TRAFFIC REMINDER
As stated in last week's SerraDIPITY, for the safety of our students, dropping off or picking up students in the neighborhood is  never allowed . I have witnessed this continue to happen this week and I'm very concerned for the safety of our students. CLICK HERE to review our traffic procedures.
FOOD FOR FRIENDS - DRESS THE TURKEY HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE
As you are out grocery shopping this weekend, keep in mind our upcoming "Dress the Turkey" Food for Friends food drive next Friday, November 9. Help needy families enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving season by donating some of the traditional holiday food items such as  s tuffing, cranberry sauce, boxed potatoes, canned gravy, yams, broth, evaporated milk, canned pumpkin, pumpkins, along with the regular "staples" needed on a daily basis. 

On this beautiful day of All Saints Day, as we honor those Saints whose lives help us to live our life, this is my JOYFUL wish for you for the month of November. May the God of hope fill you with JOY & Peace. 


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

Mrs. Angeline Trudell
President
DON'T FORGET TO LOG YOUR SERVICE HOURS

Did you volunteer for Harvest Festival or another opportunity? CLICK HERE to record all of your regular service hours on the 2018-19 Service Hour Portal.
 
As a reminder your credentials for the Service Hour Portal are:
Username:  Your family's preferred email address
Password:  Your family's 3 or 4 numerical family ID
 
For questions, contact Francine Stotko at [email protected] or ext. 194
BOY SCOUTS & AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRL YEARBOOK PHOTOS
Thursday, November 8

Group photos will be taken for the yearbook next Thursday, November 8 for the following scouting and American Heritage groups: Boy Scout, Webelo, Cub Scout, Cub Scout Wolf, Lion, Tiger Scout, American Heritage Girl Explorer, Pioneer, Tender Heart and Pathfinder.  Middle School Boy Scouts and AHG's Explorers and Pioneers photos will be taken at 7:45 a.m. on the Chapel steps. 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]
THE 2018-2019 ANNUAL FUND IS FULL STEAM AHEAD!

Don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of this year's Annual Fund incentives. We encourage you to give and give early! You will find a full description of these incentives, and how you can help your child's grade win the Grade-Level Participation Competition, in today's monthly envelope. 

Donate to the Annual Fund today! 
SCRIP REBATE PROGRAM
   
Get a jump start on your holiday shopping with the  SJSC REBATE PROGRAM HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Please check your monthly envelopes today.
 
THANKSGIVING SCRIP SALES SCHEDULE
CLICK HERE for important deadlines.

For questions or to place a Scrip Order, contact Tina Maroutian, Rebate Program Coordinator at [email protected].
SEASONS TUITION ASSISTANCE LUNCHEON

It will be here before we know it! The 6th Annual "Seasons" Luncheon, one of our most important events within the St. Serra community supporting our students who need financial assistance, will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2019!

To buy your ticket, keep an eye open for an electronic invitation going out early next week. All are welcome! Please spread the word and feel free to pass the invitation along to your friends and church family. Buy tickets early as it will SELL OUT.

We are still looking for committee members and a few more table hostesses. There is such a GREAT need to grow this event to support Educational Assistance for so many!

All skills are needed - "many hands make light work". Most of the volunteer positions can be done from home on your own timing. So grab a friend and share the JOY.

Have questions? Contact Pam Owens at [email protected], 888-1990 ext. 165 or 949-933-2521 (cell) or Event Chair, Elizabeth Yanni at [email protected].

BOX TOP WINNERS!

Thank you to all our St. Serra families who have been clipping Box Tops to help earn extra money for St. Serra programs. Congratulations to the winners of our first Box Tops Incentive Drawing: Gabriella G., KD, and Mrs. Catherine Tirado, Merchandise & Receiving Coordinator. They each received a $25 Target gift card. Pumpkin City tickets were awarded to the homerooms that submitted the most Box Tops - 1D, 3B, KD and 5B.  
 
Thank you again for participating and keep clipping! Our next incentive drawing will be in February. Visit the    BOX TOPS HOMEPAGE  for more details.

2018 HARVEST FESTIVAL

Thank you to our St. Serra community and friends who came out to celebrate "Homecoming" at our 24th Annual Harvest Festival last Sunday, October 28. Mrs. Trudell and our PTO would like to thank our Harvest Festival Event Chairs, Mrs. Sue Deek-Ahmadi and Mrs. Carrie Mulvee, led by PTO VP-Harvest Festival, Mrs. Teacia Andrew for all of their hard work, dedication and care to make this 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 VOLUNTEERS who worked the event. This event simply doesn't happen without you!!!
 
Thank you to our wonderful UNDERWRITERS AND DONORS, and our families who participated in the Harvest Festival Raffle...you helped make this a successful fundraiser for our school.
 
Don't forget...Crazy Sock Day is Tuesday, November 6, and the Harvest Festival Raffle Non-Uniform Dress Incentive Day is Tuesday, November 13. Check the  PARENTS ONLY>PTO News and Information  section of the website for names of qualified students.
 
And the winners are...
  • Harvest Festival Raffle 1st Place Winner: The Schuster Family
  • Harvest Festival Raffle 2nd Place Winner: The Guaida Family
  • 1st Place Most Tickets Sold - $500 Cash: The Himes Family
  • 2nd Place Most Tickets Sold - $250 Cash: The Sprague Family
PTO HAPPENINGS

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our Harvest Festival last Sunday. We hope everyone had a wonderful time! We look forward to sharing some special upcoming PTO events with our St. Serra community, including Santa's Secret Christmas Shop and our Adopt-a-Family Program. Visit the  PTO SECTION  on the St. Serra Website or download our SJSC App and select Parents>PTO Events or "Ready Set Go" to learn more about these and other events!  Questions?  Contact us at [email protected].

November 2018
  • 1st-30th: Anchor Ball Minted.com Fundraiser
  • 3rd: St. Serra Social Club College Game Day event - Sold Out
  • 5th: PTO Meeting (9:30 a.m. at the Parent Hub on campus) - All parents welcome!
  • 6th and 12th: Moment in Time for Moms Book Study cont. (9:30 a.m. at the Parent Hub on campus)
  • 9th, 16th, 30th: Parent Rosary at the Blessed Mary Statue (7:50 a.m.)
  • 26th-December 6th: Santa's Secret Christmas Shop
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
...Where You Will Find the True Hear of Our School

Come and Pray the Rosary With Us
Friday Mornings, 7:50 a.m.
 
"And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." Luke 2:19
 
Pray the Rosary with us in our beautiful new Rosary Garden. Friday mornings right after drop off at 7:50 a.m. Please contact Veronica Thompson at [email protected] with questions or to be added to the Parent Rosary e-mail list.
 
Partners in Prayer
Be a Prayer Warrior!
 
Pray for our St. Serra community! Please contact Anastacia Escoboza-Henry at [email protected] with a prayer request or to be added to the Partners in Prayer e-mail list.
SUPPORT SJSC WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS CARD PURCHASE

NEW! Help support SJSC by ordering your Christmas Cards with minted.com during the month of November. Use the promo code FUNDRAISESTSERRA for orders placed between November 1-30.

You will receive 15% off your cards and 15% will go back to our school. Your participation in this fundraiser will directly support the PTO Operating Budget and keeps educational costs down for all students at SJSC!

Hey Serra Bears - SHOW US YOUR CARDS! Send in your minted 2018 Christmas Card to your child's homeroom and we will display them on our Christmas Card Wall of Thanks in the School Office. All families who participate will receive a special thank you delivered to each child's homeroom. Cards need to be received by Thursday, December 13, to qualify for the non-uniform dress pass.
SANTA'S SECRET CHRISTMAS SHOP
...Is Coming to St. Serra!

Our 2018 Santa's Secret Christmas Shop  will open on Monday, November 26! The PTO is pleased to announce that PTO - VP Campus Events Mrs. Cheryl Redfern and Event Chairs Mrs. Joan Baird and Mrs. Heather Boyajian , along with their team, are busy at work to once again bring our students an exciting and festive shopping experience!
  • The Santa's Secret Christmas Shop event flyer, class schedule and money envelope will be distributed in TODAY'S Monthly Envelope
     
  • Envelopes for participating students are due to your Homeroom Teachers by Friday, November 16

  • We are excited to offer many CATHOLIC GIFT ITEMS this year!
     
  • VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please consider giving your time this Advent Season as a cashier, gift wrapper or floater. If interested, e-mail [email protected]. If you are interested in helping your child's homeroom with their shopping trip, please e-mail your Room Parent(s)
     
  • Questions? Visit SANTA'S SECRET CHRISTMAS SHOP for more information, or contact the event chairs at [email protected]
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ANNIE JR

Do you need to fulfill volunteer hours for SJSC? Would you like to help the cast of Annie Jr. with their hair, makeup, and costumes? We need volunteers backstage November 6-10 after school. Please visit  Sign-up Genius for specific times and if you are interested in helping. Thank you!

Don't forget...tickets are on sale now for the show at  serraschool.seatyourself.biz  
If you have a member of your party who is in need of a floor or handicap seat please contact Mrs. Giraudi at [email protected].  Tickets should be purchased through the website first then Mrs. Giraudi will work on accommodating seating requests.  

See you at opening night!!!
NOVEMBER PTO MEETING NEW DATE
Our November PTO meeting has been changed to  MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in  the  Parent Hub.  All parents are welcome to join!
 
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
San Francisco Solano Church - Movie Night!
Friday, November 9

Join San Francisco Solano Church for a night of "Incredible" fun at Family Movie Night Incredibles 2 will be presented on November 9 at 6:30 p.m. CLICK HERE for the flyer. 
JSerra High School
JSerra Theater Company Presents - 
Peter and the Starcatcher
Performances of Peter and the Starcatcher will be held November 7-10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre. JUST ADDED: Saturday, November 10 matinee at 2:00 p.m.!
 
Peter and the Starcatcher is a play based on the 2004 novel Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, adapted for the stage by Rick Elice. The play provides a backstory for the characters of Peter Pan, Mrs. Darling, Tinker Bell and Hook, and serves as a prequel to J. M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy.
 
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students, children, and senior citizens. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. 
JSerra Athletics Open House - Experience the Lion Spirit! 
Monday, November 5, 2018 - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 
JSerra Pavilion

Head coaches, athletic administrators and student-athletes will be in attendance to answer questions. Bring the whole family to learn what it means to be a JSerra Lion!
Santa Margarita Catholic High School - Athletics Information Night
Monday, November 12, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Santa Margarita Catholic High School
22062 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita
For more information go to:  www.smhs.org/mysmchs or  or call 949-766-6076.  CLICK HERE for a flyer with more information.

Note: Guests may come anytime during the time listed, and reservations are not required.
Rosary Academy High School Open House
Rosary Academy will host Open House on Monday, November 5, 5:30-8:00 p.m. for girls in grades 5th-8th. Guests will learn why families choose Rosary and hear from Christina Hernandez '10, Assistant Director of Admissions at Chapman University. Ms. Hernandez will share insights to the college application process and discuss how Rosary Academy provides an all-girl advantage that prepares students for success in college and beyond. CLICK HERE  for a flyer with more information. Families may register at  www.rosaryacademy.org/openhouse .