Volume 24 * Issue 16 * January 17,  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
Catholic Schools Week
Friday, January 25 - Friday, February 1, 2019

Each year Catholic Schools across the country celebrate all that is special about their Catholic School.  We here at St. Junipero Serra Catholic School have so much to celebrate and so many blessings to be grateful for as a Catholic School. Those blessings start with your children, our students, whom you have entrusted to us.  We are honored to work with them and help them to become faith-filled Catholic leaders for the future. We truly prepare your students to "Learn, Serve, Lead and Succeed."

Our CSW celebration here at St. Serra focuses on our students, giving them some great opportunities to make memories that will last a lifetime. CLICK HERE for information on each day's theme and activities. 

Save the Date: Catholic Schools Week Mass - The Bishop is Coming - Friday, January 25! 
Please join us next Friday, January 25, when  The Most Reverend Thanh Thai Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of Orange celebrates his first Mass at St. Junipero Serra. We are honored to have Bishop for our annual Catholic Schools Week Mass.  We welcome everyone to join us in celebration of our faith at this beautiful liturgical tradition.  PTO will be providing hospitality after Mass; a wonderful, informal way to meet our Bishop Thanh.

Seasons Tuition Assistance Luncheon. 
Kick Off Catholic Schools Week at the Seasons Tuition Assistance Luncheon directly following the CSW Open House on Sunday, January 27. See the article below or  CLICK HERE for more information about this very special luncheon. Don't forget  to stop by the "Giving Garden" in the St. Serra Courtyard to support the tuition assistance program at St. Serra and within the urban schools of the Diocese of Orange. 

Scholastic Book Fair "Dino-Mite - Stomp, Chomp, and Read!" 
The 2019 Scholastic Book Fair will be open in the St. Serra Library January 24-February 1. Parents, guests, and Preschool families are all welcome to shop during Open House on Sunday, January 27. Students TK - Grade 8 will have the opportunity to shop during their classroom's assigned time. Questions?  Please e-mail the Book Fair Chairs at  BookFair@serraschool.org or visit the  BOOK FAIR webpage.

Step Right Up and Join Us for
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School's  
"The Greatest Show" 
24th  Annual Anchor Ball

"All things are possible for one who believes."
-Mark 9:23
  • The invitations have been sent (please check your email)...Step right up and make your reservations now for THE GREATEST SHOW, to be hosted on campus for the first time in school history on Saturday, March 16! We hope you will join us in being part of this fun-filled and history-making evening under the "big top."
  • In addition, don't miss out on the opportunity to get your name or logo on an Anchor Ball table for $350 - these are going fast. Please check out all the GREATEST SHOW UNDERWRITING OPPORTUNITIES, including a chance to help underwrite our Angel Fund, which goes directly to sponsoring Greatest Show Tables at the event for The Greatest Teachers, our St. Serra Teachers.
  • Additional details can be found on the ANCHOR BALL WEBPAGE or reach out to our Anchor Ball Team at abdonations@serraschool.org with any event or underwriting specific questions. Thank you for your support! This showstopping event would not be possible without your generous support and participation.
JOY - Jesus, Others, You - is truly a virtue to practice on our journey with God. To practice JOY is really to just take a few minutes each day just for YOU...to pray to JESUS...to enjoy the beauty of life and the love in OTHERS and to just laugh. Let's be JOYFUL today even in the challenges...we can do this and if we do, OTHERS will feel Christ. 



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

Mrs. Angeline Trudell
President
PRINCIPALS' CORNER
Mrs. Carol Reiss, Principal Preschool - Grade 4
Mrs. Alison Daley, Principal Grades 5 - 8
Morning Tardies
After assessing our morning traffic pattern, we have adjusted our morning tardy time. Effective Tuesday, January 22, 2019 students will not be marked tardy until 7:45 a.m.  If your child is dropped off between 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m., he/she should go directly to class. If your child is dropped off after 7:45 a.m., he/she needs to go to the School Office for a tardy slip.  

The Ned Show 
There's a Champion in Every Kid

NED's Mindset Mission assembly is visiting our school on
Wednesday, January 23There will be two 45-minute assemblies, one for TK- Grade Two, and a second one for students in Third - Sixth Grade. This character education program centers around NED, a cartoon character whose name is an acronym for Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best.

Our school gets the assemblies at no cost because we're hosting a Pay-It-Forward Sale which makes it possible for this program to visit the next school. Yo-yo's and accessories will be available for purchase after the show, and during recess and lunch on the following dates: Thursday, January 24, Monday, February 4, and Tuesday, February 5.

Please look for the order form coming home with your child. For more information, please visit www.thenedshow.com.
SEASONS TUITION ASSISTANCE LUNCHEON
Sunday, January 27, 2019 
                                  
Last year we began a new tradition at our Season's luncheon during Catholic School's Week; we now honor someone within our Diocese that has made a significant commitment to Catholic education, particularly for those students who need assistance with their educational costs in order to obtain a Catholic education. I am pleased to announce this year's recipient of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Award of Commitment is  Mr. Dave Hanna . Mr. Hanna has been instrumental in the lives of many St. Serra students and alumni students through his mentoring programs and financial commitment through a scholarship he set up in honor of his  parents . We will be honoring Mr. Hanna at this year's luncheon and hope that many "friends of Dave" will be in the room to celebrate with us. Tickets are still available if you have not yet purchased your tickets for the Seasons Luncheon.  Reserve your seat  today while you still have a chance. We anticipate this event to sell out. 

Travel Opportunity Raffle Back By Popular Demand! Buy your tickets today!  
The winner of this raffle will have his/her choice of  one of these exclusive travel destination packages .  Choose between Lake Tahoe Ski Getaway, Sonoma Valley Wine and Dine Experience, Punta Cana Paradise or Nashville Weekend Getaway!  For additional information, check out the details  HERE.
 
Tickets are $80 each or you can purchase three tickets for a discounted price of $200. Tickets can be purchased by filling out this  ticket order form and submitting it with your check to the School Office.  All proceeds from this raffle go directly to the tuition assistance fund of St. Serra and will also help support urban schools within the Diocese of Orange.
 
Pre-event Travel Raffle Incentive
Each ticket sold by the dates listed below, enters the St. Serra Family who sold it into a raffle for a $50 gift card. 

The winner of our first pre-event travel raffle incentive is Mrs. Brenda Scialdone.   A $50 gift card to Regal Cinemas will be available for pick up at the School Office Friday morning.   Turn in your order by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23 for the next chance to win.  This week's raffle is a $50 gift card to Nordstrom.

 

Volunteer Opportunities
Please visit our  Volunteer Page and Sign up Genius for available volunteer opportunities. 
 
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Pam Owens in the Advancement office at powens@serraschool.org or Event Chair, Mrs. Elizabeth Yanni at eyanni85@gmail.com.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR COMING SOON!
January 24 - February 1 in the St. Serra Library
  • Students will have the opportunity to shop during their classroom's assigned time. For participating students,
    c ompleted envelopes and payment are due back to your child's homeroom teacher tomorrow,  Friday, January 18 .
  • Parents, guests, and Preschool families are welcome to shop during school hours and on Sunday, January 27, at St. Serra's Open House.
     
  • Volunteers Needed! Please view our SIGNUP GENIUS for volunteer options for setup, cashiering, helpers and tear down. If you would like to volunteer with your student's class, please contact your Room Parent Coordinator.

  • Questions?  Please e-mail the Book Fair Chairs at BookFair@serraschool.org or visit the BOOK FAIR webpage
FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE 
Saturday, February 9, 2019, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.

We can't wait to see all of our St. Serra girls and their dates at the Father Daughter Dance! Reservations are due by Friday, February 1, 12:30 p.m. Our team is again making it easy for you and offering beautiful red Flower Crowns and fresh rose Boutonnieres for purchase. All flowers are conveniently picked up the night of the dance, so be sure to order yours today!  CLICK HERE to see the invitation and more information.



FELLOWSHIP AFTER MASS - JOIN US! 
Friday, January 25, 2019
10:30-11 a.m. in the SJSC Courtyard
 
"...praising God and enjoying favor with all the people ." Acts 2:47

Please join us, immediately following our Catholic Schools Week Mass, for our PTO Parent Coffee Social. Coffee and light hospitality will be provided by the 7th-grade Room Parent team. Let's come together in fellowship with our St. Serra community. See you there!
GIFT GATHERING MADE EASY!
  • Thank you to all of our St. Serra families who have participated in our Gift Gathering efforts for our PTO events so far! Your support is greatly appreciated.

  • If you haven't made a contribution yet, please do so today! And don't forget...every family that donates $50 or more in items by 3:00 p.m. on January 31, will receive a 1) Non-Uniform Dress Pass for all their Serra Bears to be used on February 5, AND 2) Will be entered in a raffle to win 2 tickets to Anchor Ball - $500 value!
     
  • Please do your part to help make our 2019 Anchor Ball, Father Daughter Dance and Mother Son Event fundraisers a success!
COMMON THREAD BOUTIQUE SHOPPING EVENT
Common Thread, a Newport Beach ladies boutique, will host a Pop-up Shop with wine and appetizers on Wednesday, January 30, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at a St. Serra Family home in Coto de Caza. Proceeds will go toward our Anchor Ball fundraising goal. Join us for some fun shopping, socializing and fundraising! A n RSVP is required by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25. Visit the   SERRA SOCIAL CLUB   webpage for more details NOTE: There is no cost to attend this event, the RSVP is only for planning purposes.  
SCRIP REBATE PROGRAM
Ice Cream and a Movie? We are delighted to welcome
a new Local Vendor, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, to the Rebate Program. Handel's cards are  available on both the daily and weekly orders, offering $10 cards at 20% rebate and $6 pint cards (for purchase of a pint of ice cream only) at 25% rebate. Their closest location to St. Serra is in Rancho Santa Margarita, adjacent to Cinepolis, but the cards are valid at all of their locations. After enjoying ice cream, take in a movie at Cinepolis using a  Fandango gift card ( 4% rebate),  available through our weekly order form.
 
Don't miss out on our Quarterly Double Days Bonus by using our local vendors through March 31, 2019. Earn 100% of the rebates towards your educational costs instead of the usual 50/50 split with St. Serra.
 
Ralphs Rebates for Quarter Ending NOVEMBER 30, 2018  are due by Thursday January 31, 2019 - NO EXCEPTIONS. CLICK HERE for new procedures to submit your Ralphs' rebates.

For questions on any of the above, or to place a Scrip Order, contact Tina Maroutian, Rebate Program Coordinator at tmaroutian@serraschool.org.
MESSAGE FROM THE HEALTH ROOM REGARDING ILLNESS
In the past few weeks we have noticed a rise in flu cases (especially stomach flu) and other contagious illnesses at St. Serra and in our local community. The symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and muscle aches. It can take from 5-7 days to recover.

In order to stop the spread of contagious illnesses, it is vital that you do not send your child to school sick. Children taking prescribed medication must take a full round of the medication before they return to school. Our school policy states that students must be fever free (99.6 and above is considered a fever) for 24 hours and no longer contagious before returning to school. If your child has the stomach flu, they must stay home for 24 hours after the vomiting has stopped. Please make sure your child feels well enough to attend school.

Please remind your children of the following flu prevention guidelines:
  • Hand washing is crucial in preventing germs from spreading. Wash hands regularly with warm water and soap. If soap and water are not accessible, use hand sanitizer.
  • Children should be reminded to cover their cough/sneeze and use a tissue.
  • Do not share food or drinks. Drink plenty of fluids.
  • It is highly recommended that children take a daily multivitamin.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Flu shots are recommended. 
If your child has been diagnosed with a contagious illness e.g. flu, strep throat, pink eye, please notify the Health Room as soon as possible. Children who have been hospitalized must have a doctor's note before they return to school. 

If the Health Room calls to report that your child is sick or injured, our policy states that you must pick your child up within 45 minutes of being called. If you are unable to pick your child up within the specified time frame, you will need to contact someone on your emergency form to pick up your child.

We have this policy in place not only for the health and safety of your children, but also for the well-being of our teachers and staff.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
YARD DUTY SERVICE HOURS
If you are in need of service hours, Yard Supervision has Lunch, Snack Bar, Sapphire, TK/Kindergarten, and IN & Out shifts available. REMINDER: the last day to get your service hours in is May 31, 2019  Please contact Rosie Chavez at  rchavez@serraschool.org  or (949) 888-1990 ext. 140 to schedule your hours. 
YEARBOOK GROUP PHOTOS - FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
Altar Servers, Campus Ministry & Jr. Thespian Troupe

All students that participate in Campus Ministry, Jr. Thespian Troupe or serves as an Altar Server at one of our four parishes  that include Holy Trinity, Santiago de Compostela, San Francisco Solano and St. Kilian, will have their group photos taken for this year's yearbook on Friday, January 25. 

This day will also be a Mass day so please be sure your student is dressed in their formal uniform.

7:50 a.m. - Jr. Thespian Troupe Photos - Mrs. Sifers' Classroom
8:00 a.m. - Campus Ministry (in front of the chapel)
8:05 a.m. - Altar Servers (inside the chapel) 
YEARBOOK DEDICATION AND SHOUT OUT ADS
Only 17 days left to place your ad! Don't miss your chance to commemorate your student's achievements and important milestones. Order your ad today before the FINAL DEADLINE of February 3, 2019! CLICK HERE to create and order your ad. 

Don't forget to purchase your YearbookThe price goes up on March 4! 
 
For more information on creating an ad  CLICK HERE or contact Cindy Kennedy, Marketing Creative Director at  ckennedy@serraschool.org
GOLF SQUAD SPRING SESSION SIGN-UPS
Golf Squad is for both new and  continuing students  and provides weekly opportunities for your child to learn the technical swing mechanics (e.g. putting, chipping, full swing, etc.), as well as the social skills required to enjoy golf, the clubs, and golf course (e.g. vocabulary, etiquette, rules, history, etc.) all under the instruction of an LPGA or PGA Professional. Even if your child already plays, it is great to enjoy weekly, convenient lessons from the pro. 

CLICK HERE to read more on how and why your child can benefit from continuing professional golf practice with Golf Squad at your school.

CLICK HERE to sign up for Golf Squad Spring Session.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
Holy Trinity Youth Night

Youth Night TOMORROW, Friday, January 18 at
 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Holy Trinity Parish Hall. 
All 6th - 8th grade students are welcome for an evening of games, snacks, and fellowship. It's a great opportunity to make new friends and also have some fun!  
San Francisco Solano- "Parenting in the Digital World" Speaker
Do you every worry or wonder what your children are viewing on their smartphone or tablet? 

You won't want to miss, Cybersafety Cop, Clay Cranford as he empowers and equips parents to protect and monitor their child's technology, while fully understanding the inherent risks of social media and other web-based platforms. See flyer for more information.   

Date: Jan. 24, 2019 
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: San Francisco Solano Church

This is an adult only event.  Childcare will be provided for ages 5+.  CLICK HERE for a flyer with more information. 
JSerra High School  - Winter Open House
Experience the Lion Spirit at the JSerra 2019 Winter Open House on Tuesday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the JSerra Pavilion. Students, faculty, coaches and administration will be in attendance to answer questions. Bring the whole family! 
Mater Dei Admissions - Information Night Rescheduled
Due to poor weather conditions, Future Monarch Information Night will be rescheduled to Thursday, January 24.