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Volume 24 * Issue 29 * May 2, 2019
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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
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Click the images below to learn more:
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A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT TRUDELL
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During this month of May that honors our Blessed Mother, Mary, the St. Serra community supports the rebuilding of the Cathedral of Notre Dame
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., has set up a fund to help the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris rebuild after the recent devastating fire.
In addition to our prayers for the people of France, the Diocese of Orange is directing those who want to contribute to rebuilding the Cathedral of Notre Dame to directly contact
The proceeds of every donation will be used to support the Cathedral of Notre Dame and those affected by this tragedy.
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Parent Survey
Deadline Extended!
The deadline for the Parent Survey for spring 2020 Accreditation has been extended to Tuesday, May 7, 2019.
Please click on the link below to complete the anonymous survey, which
has been re-opened to extended the deadline. We currently have 68% of the parent surveys returned. If at least 75% of the surveys are returned,
all students will receive a week of non-uniform dress starting June 3-June 7.
We sincerely thank you for your valuable input. There will be more opportunities for input in Fall 2019.
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At-A-Glance Calendar for the Upcoming School Year 2019-2020
We are currently finalizing the At-a-Glance Calendar for the 2019-2020 school year and will have it up on our website next week. Look for a link in next week's SerraDIPITY. We previously published the important calendar dates for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year that you can reference in our February 14 SerraDIPITY. However, please note the changes below:
Change:
Monday, Nov. 11 is NO LONGER a Student Holiday
; students do attend school on that day.
INSTEAD, Friday, March 20 IS NOW a student holiday.
Correction:
First Day for preschool students (Mon-Fri) IS Tuesday, September 3, NOT Wednesday, September 4 as previously published.
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 Food For Friends
Schools (Almost) Out - Hunger's Not!
Next Friday, May 10, we will conclude our monthly
Food For Friends collection for this year, assisting South County Outreach Food-bank and the parish of Santiago de Compostela by helping them prepare for the long summer months.
Summer break can mean fun in the sun, but it also means no school
breakfast or lunch for many children within our community. Let's pull together for this last drive and help these children by "Building-A-Breakfast", "Longing-For-Lunch" or "
Snagging-A-Snack."
Please see the recommended list of items. There is also a copy of the flyer in today's Monthly Envelope. We would like to extend a prayer of gratitude to our community for supporting this outreach program at St. Serra throughout the year in conjunction with the food banks associated with our parishes.
Thank you to our Scouts for again assisting with the collection.
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Love for Laura's House Toy Drive
Celebrating Mother's and Their Children -
Monday, May 13 - Friday, May 17
St. Serra will host a new toy drive to support Laura's House a women's shelter which promotes life and challenges domestic violence. Amanda Duffy and Lyndsey Issa, two Santa Margarita Catholic H.S. students and Serra alumni, have created a new SMCHS club known as "Love for Laura's House." Their goal is to aid this women's shelter by providing them with much needed donations for their children and mothers.
Each Serra homeroom class will have a designated box to drop off new toys. A listing of suggested donations can be found by CLICKING HERE. There is also a copy of the flyer in today's Monthly Envelope. Thank you for remembering mothers and their children as we celebrate Our Blessed Mother and all mothers this month.
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Destination.....Appreciation
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week Kicks Off Monday
- Our PTO is excited to announce that St. Serra's Annual Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week will take place the week of May 6-10. This year's Event Chair, Mrs. Lisa Cavanaugh, and our Room Parent Teams have an exciting week planned in celebration of our amazing teachers and staff.
- This is our opportunity to show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate all they do for our families and children throughout the year.
- For more details, please check out the week's SCHEDULE OF EVENTS. See how your student can participate to make this an awesome week for their teachers!
- Questions? Contact Lisa Cavanaugh at [email protected].
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For us JOY means Jesus to Others through YOU. This can be so true, if we follow JOY, follow JESUS, bring him to OTHERS, YOUR life will continue on a path that God our Father wants us to have.
JUST TRUST IN THE JOY OF LIFE AND THE FAITH IN GOD.
God is Good All the Time...
All the Time God is Good.
Mrs. Angeline Trudell
President
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PRINCIPALS' CORNER
Mrs. Carol Reiss, Principal Preschool - Grade 4
Mrs. Alison Daley, Principal Grades 5 - 8
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Renaissance STAR Testing
The third Renaissance STAR testing window for the 2018-2019 school year is May 13-May 24.
CLICK HERE for the May Renaissance STAR Testing Schedule.
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 their test-taking anxiety.
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ACADEMIC PLACEMENT FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School is preparing for academic placement for English Language Arts (ELA) and Math for the 2019-2020 school year. The educational team is continuously shaping the learning environment to consistently promote high achievement of all students. Please see the
Academic Placement Procedure and Policies.
Upcoming dates to note:
- May 24, 2019 - Last day for STAR Testing
- May 31, 2019 - 3rd trimester average on this date will be used in the rubric
- June 21, 2019 - Small Group ELA and Math Recommendation Letters emailed (grades 2-8)
- August 16, 2019 - ELA and Math Placement Letters mailed (grades 2-8)
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ST. SERRA SUMMER SCHOOL
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS MAY 24!
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IMAGINATION MACHINE WINNING AUTHORS
The Imagination Machine was here on Friday, April 12 for our TK though fourth grade students. Once again, this popular assembly did not disappoint as our own St. Serra students saw their creative writing brought to life by professional actors with music, props, and costumes. The audience was able to enjoy seven hilariously entertaining presentations, including "The Plant and the Goldfish," "Queen Pig," and "Pickle and Avocado." The following student authors had their creative stories presented at this year's Imagination Machine assembly:
Grade 1 - Blake B. Jaxon L. and Aston T.
Grade 2 - Kyle B. Trey M. Lucas T. Gabriel K. and Cyrus R.
Grade 3 - Elise A. Breanna B. Elianna D. Elizabeth B. and Ariah W.
Grade 4 - Liam H. Nicholas M. Kellan P. Evelyn H. and Avery W.
Congratulation to these students and their teachers, Mrs. Rodini, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Hoey, Ms. Rivera, Mrs. Jimenez, Mrs. Bowers and Miss Pyle.
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 SCRIP REBATE PROGRAM -
REDUCE YOUR EDUCATIONAL COSTS!
DO YOU WANT TO REDUCE YOUR EDUCATIONAL COSTS?
The SJSC REBATE PROGRAM is your answer. Earn real dollars AND provide your family a tax deduction. No hidden costs, no fees...dollar for dollar buying power will actually reduce your Educational Costs while also supporting SJSC with a tax deductible donation. To date, families have earned approximately $37,000 collectively in rebates, and donated an equal amount to SJSC.
Curbside service - new and improved!
If you have difficulty getting to us, we will come to you. We are offering curbside service every morning from 8:00-8:30 a.m. Call the Rebate Program Office to place your order when you arrive, and we will deliver it to your car.
The Rebate office is looking for long-term volunteers. If you like a steady schedule and working with great people in a fun environment, please contact the Rebate Office.
For questions on any of the above, or to place a Scrip Order, contact Mrs. Tina Maroutian, Rebate Program Coordinator at
[email protected]
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MEMORIAL ORNAMENT PROGRAM
Each year St. Serra offers the Memorial Ornament program to our families. Ornaments can now be purchased to memorialize your loved ones that have gone home to our Lord.
The artwork is always provided by one of our seventh-grade students. Each student submits drawings of their vision of heaven. A winner is selected by our
President, Mrs. Trudell and the  Memorial Committee. We are happy to announce that Dominique O.'s beautiful design (at right) has been selected for our 2019 Memorial Ornament.
At the end of October, all ornaments purchased this year will be hung on the Tree of Remembrance, displayed in the entry lobby. They will be blessed prior to the Memorial Mass held on All Saints Day. The ornaments will remain on the tree for the entire month of November. All ornaments are then sent home with your student prior to Christmas break.
There are two options to purchase an ornament at the cost of $30 each. If you would like to pay by check, please
download an order form
, print, complete and return it with a check attention to the Advancement office. Checks should be made out to SJSC. If you would like to pay with a credit card, please complete
this online form
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Ornaments must be ordered by September 27, 2019 for participation in the November 2019 Memorial Mass. Please contact Mrs. Cindy Carpino at [email protected] or ext. 239 with any questions.
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ANNUAL FUND
This is one of Mrs. Ziemer and Ms. Thomas' wish list items! It can be ours if we continue our successful fundraising for this year's Annual Fund.
 This year's Annual Fund is specifically earmarked to support the cost of the SMARTLABS and the innovative equipment that help our students learn within the scope of STEM education.
PLUS - THE
CLASS COMPETITION
IS STILL FULL STEAM AHEAD. WHICH GRADE LEVEL
IS GOING TO WIN THE ICE CREAM SOCIAL WITH MRS. TRUDELL?
The first class to hit 75%, or the class with the highest percentage of participation at the end of May, will be the winner!
Here are the participation percentages as of today...
8th Grade - 39%
7th Grade - 40%
6th Grade - 39%
5th Grade - 44%
4th Grade - 59%
3rd Grade - 45%
2nd Grade - 47%
1st Grade - 46%
Kindergarten - 43%
TK - 41%
PreSchool 4 - 30%
Preschool 3 - 42%
Increase your grade level participation!
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IMPORTANT LIBRARY DATES
- The library will be closed for summer as of Monday, May 20, only returns will be allowed
- Library Inventory will begin as of Monday, May 27, only returns will be allowed
- The last day to return books will be Friday, May 31. All books not returned by that day, will be charged a non-refundable replacement cost of the book
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IN-N-OUT JUNE ORDERING IS NOW OPEN!
- June orders are now available until Tuesday, May 28 at 3:00 p.m.
- For the month of June there is one In-N-Out lunch date - Thursday, June 6
- Pre-orders only, no walk ups
- Reminder: Third grade has a field trip on June 6. Students will be off campus during the lunch period. IN-N-OUT orders for that day will be considered a donation to the school and will not be available to be transferred to another student.
- ORDER YOUR IN-N-OUT HERE!
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YEARBOOK 2019 - ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT!
HURRY! Order your yearbooks HERE!
Online ordering closes on May 22, once the yearbooks are shipped . Students that had yearbooks pre-ordered for them will receive their yearbooks on distribution day, which will be announced in the next few weeks. Once online ordering closes, the yearbook price will increase to $70 and can only be purchased after all pre-orders are distributed. Any remaining yearbooks will be sold first come, first served. So, don't wait until it's too late!
Not sure if you ordered your yearbooks yet? First check your e-mail for your confirmation from Jostens. All orders received from Jostens can also be found by student name in the Parents Only section of our website. Q
uestions, please contact Mrs. Cindy Kennedy at
[email protected]
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STUDENT LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS FOR 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
If your child is interested in running for Student Leadership please click the link for pertinent information!
Student Leadership 2019/2020
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PTO HAPPENINGS
Thank you to all our St. Serra families who have been supporting our recent PTO sponsored events! Next week we look forward to celebrating Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. Plus, next month our students are in for a special treat - a very exciting Field Day! Students won't want to miss this day (And parents can start earning service hours for next year at the event!).
Visit our
PTO EVENTS AND PROGRAMS HOMEPAGE
for more details about PTO and our upcoming events. Questions? Contact us at
[email protected]
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May 2019
- 3rd, 10th, 17th, 31st: Parent Rosary in the Chapel
- 9th: PTO Meeting (Parent Hub) - All Parents Welcome!
- 24th: Parent Rosary, Marian Mass and Parent Coffee/Social
June 2019
- 3rd: PTO Meeting (moved to the SAC) - All Parents Welcome!
- 7th, 14th: Parent Rosary in the Chapel
- 17th: Field Day
- 18th: Mass (no Rosary prior to Mass or Parent/Coffee social after Mass)
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ESSENTIAL LEARNING SYSTEM (ELS)
Parent Information Meeting for 2019-2020.
A parent information meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. in the ELS lab, PEB room, 230.
ELS is a computerized, multi-sensory, interactive program that improves focus, strengthens information processing skills, and enhances a variety of academic skills (e.g., reading decoding, reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary development, and spelling). If your child is struggling with reading skills, lacks confidence in academics skills, has difficulty understanding or remembering information, takes a long time to complete schoolwork or homework, has limited independent learning skills, and/or benefits from additional academic support, ELS may help. ELS provides a fun environment where students strengthen their skills in a game-like format and earn points and prizes for their efforts. There are two after-school sessions available: 1:50-2:35 p.m. (for students in grades K through 2) and 2:50-3:40 p.m. (for students in grades 3 through Middle School). Students attend ELS 4 days per week (Monday - Thursday) for a minimum of one academic year. Please e-mail Dr. Lori Quigley [email protected] if you would like more information or to attend this informational meeting.
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 SCOUTING INFORMATION NIGHT
Thursday, May 9
St. Serra Cub Scout Pack 818 and American Heritage Girls Troop 818 will host a Scouting Information Night on Thursday, May 9, at 6:00 p.m. in the Student Activity Center.
Come learn about the Cub Scout program for boys going into grades K-5 in the Fall and the American Heritage Girl program for girls going into grades K-8 in the Fall. Scouting is a fun, hands-on learning and achievement program. Activities focus on topics such as hiking, nature, science, citizenship, first aid, sports, leadership, teamwork, and more!
If you are interested in joining or learning more about the adventures of scouting, please mark your calendars for this information session. This evening is geared toward parents, however, interested scouts are welcome. Pizza will be provided. For questions about Cub Scouts, contact Mr. Jonathan Broomfield at
[email protected]. For questions about American Heritage Girls, contact Mrs. Geri Freeman at
[email protected].
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UNIFORMS & SPIRIT STORE
The Spirit Store is collecting all USED UNIFORMS! Do you have a graduating 8th grader? Has your child outgrown their uniform? We would love to take your gently used uniforms and pass them on to someone else!
Remember:
- We accept clean, Dennis Uniform labeled clothing in good condition
- Credit is given to the St. Serra family toward other used clothing
- If you don't have credit, no worries, you can also purchase items for $5.00 each
- Our volunteers are available to assist you in the Serra Spirit Store, located in the School Office, every morning, 7:30-8:30 a.m. and Tuesday afternoon, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Questions? Please email Mrs. Catherine Tirado, SJSC Merchandise Coordinator at [email protected].
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
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San Francisco Solano Vacation Bible School
Life is Wild - God is Good
San Francisco Solano Church is once again offering VBS to children in TK - 8th grade, June 24-28. Registration opens on April 1.
CLICK HERE for the flyer.
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Lion Engage 2019!
Registration is now open for Lion Engage 2019! The marquee camp is scheduled from July 8-12.
Lion Engage offers prospective students the opportunity to explore their passions and prepare for high school life at JSerra through hands-on courses and engaging activities. Students will learn from passionate instructors, build relationships with high school student mentors, and develop their academic interests!
Classes include Business, Engineering, Law, Marine Biology, TV Broadcasting, Graphic Design, Rock Band, Studio Art, Photography, Choir, Orchestra, and Theatre. For more information or to sign up please visit JSerra's website. With just one week of camp offered this year space is limited so don't wait!
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 Mater Dei Admissions
CLICK HERE
for a flyer with information and dates from Mater Dei Admissions.
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