Volume 24 * Issue 31 * May 16, 2019
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

Click the images below to learn more:

PTO Events and Programs

Parish Connections


Volunteer Opportunities




SerraDIPITY Archives

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT TRUDELL
Marian Mass Next Friday, May 24
Please join us for our Annual May Crowning & Marian Mass on Friday, May 24 at   9:30 a.m.  in the Student Activity Center, as we witness this beautiful sacrament for our 2nd-grade students. Mass will be celebrated by Father Tuan of St. Kilian Parish. The 2nd-grade Communicants will also lead us through the Rosary Prayer.
 
ALL students in Grades One -Eight are to wear Formal Uniform. For your convenience, the inner road will be open for parking, plus we do have parking in the neighborhood for this Mass. There is NO PARKING allowed in the Memorial Health Care parking lot. Thank you also for remembering to bring in a small donation to MCA-Missionary Childhood Association, as this will be our final collection for the year.

Plan to arrive earlier and join other parents as they pray the Rosary before Mass beginning at 8:45 a.m. in front of the Blessed Sacrament inside of our Chapel. Everyone is welcome! Please join us for Parent Fellowship and Coffee Social in the St. Junipero Serra Courtyard immediately following Mass. 
At-A-Glance Calendar for the 2019-2020 School Year
 
CLICK HERE  to view the At-A-Glance Calendar for the 2019-2020 school year or visit our website
Congratulations to our Knights of Columbus Youth Poster Contest Winners! 
 
Every year the Knights of Columbus at St. Kilian Parish sponsor a youth art contest open to all Catholic elementary students. This year's theme was the scripture verse from the Gospel of Matthew: "Whenever you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me."
 
We are so proud of the three winners from our school this year:
  • Natasha P. is the 1st place winner in the grades 5-8 category. She was presented with $150 for her winning entry.
  • Ashley H. is the 2nd place winner in the grades 5-8 category. She was awarded with a $50 check.
  • YoYo W. is the 2nd place winner in the grades 1-4 category. She was also awarded with a $50 check.   
Thank you to Mrs. Shannon Baine and Ms. Sheela Rao, our incredible art teachers, for inspiring our students to  express and develop their creativity.
 
We would also like to thank Mr. Robert Knoke and the Knight of Columbus for their continuing support of the arts and their generous awards to the winning students. 
Reminder: Love for Laura's House Toy Drive
Celebrating Mothers and Their Children  -  Ends tomorrow, Friday, May 17  

Tomorrow is the last day to bring in a new toy to support Laura's House, a women's shelter which promotes life and offers support to those affected by domestic violence. Please have your student place their toys in the designated box in their homeroom.  A listing of suggested donations can be found by CLICKING HERE
We find great comfort and peace in prayer. Remember each time you stop to pray, whether it is a prayer to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, a saint or our Blessed Mother Mary, all of whom love us unconditionally. With all of our imperfections and sins, they listen to us and help us. Prayer time each day truly is the best time of the day.



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
Parents of Incoming Three-year-old through Eighth-grade Students
The St. Junipero Serra Catholic School team is about to begin our homeroom class placement and curriculum review process. We would like to once again partner with you so that we can provide the best learning environment for your child in the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. 

Please complete a  separate survey for each student enrolled at St. Junipero Serra Catholic School for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. Please use the links provided below.  ALL SURVEYS ARE DUE BY Friday, May 17 at 3:00 p.m. Surveys submitted after May 17 will not be considered. Homeroom lists will be posted  on our website on  Friday, August 16.
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.
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)
St. Serra Summer School
Don't let your child's math skills slide this summer!  

Do you want help having your child to complete that Summer Solutions Math book? Enroll in "Problem Solved - Math Review and Enrichment" class this summer. Each day, part of the class time will be devoted to the Summer Solutions book with extra practice building confidence in math fundamentals. This course will also review the previous year's math concepts using hands-on and enrichment activities designed to help students strengthen their math skills before entering the next grade. 


Early Bird Discount Ends Friday, May 24!
TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION TEAM THANKS YOU!




The St. Serra PTO and Teacher Appreciation Week Team - Mrs. Lisa Cavanaugh, Mrs. Kay Relvas, 
Mrs. Megan Hayden, and Mrs. Lindsay Hakimi, would like to thank the following individuals for helping making our "Destination Appreciation" week a success and a reflection of love for our teachers and staff.
  • Special thanks to Room Parent Coordinators Mrs. Tina Clarence, Mrs. Gwenne Kooman, Mrs. Angie Miller, and PTO - VP Communications Mrs. Mary Broomfield for their amazing support. Thank you to Mrs. Kathy Bonin and Mrs. Dana Maas for their wonderful guidance.
  • Many thanks to our Room Parent Teams and parent volunteers for their time, talent, grace and help with coordinating each day's events.
  • Thank you to our administration, teachers and staff who support us every day.
  • And thank you to our St. Serra Community for your generosity, support and time in making Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week 2019 a memorable week!
FINAL DAYS - YEARBOOK ONLINE ORDERING CLOSES MAY 22!
Order your yearbooks HERE!

What do I do if my student does not receive a yearbook on distribution day?  If you placed an order, please forward your Jostens confirmation e-mail to Mrs. Cindy Kennedy at  [email protected] A yearbook will immediately be delivered to your student or students' homerooms upon proof of purchase.

If you did not pre-order a yearbook, they will be sold first come, first served by specific grade levels on designated days following pre-order distribution. Yearbooks will be sold in the front lobby by the School Office for $70. Please read the May 30 SerraDIPITY for sale dates and times.
SERRAVISION CREW 2019-2020
Current 6th and 7th-grade students

Current 6 th and 7 th- grade students interested in being a part of the 2019-2020 SerraVision Crew must complete and return the application received at yesterday's lunch meeting to Mrs. Ziemer and Miss Thomas by Wednesday, May 22.

Students will need to sign up for an audition after school on either Tuesday, June 4 or Wednesday, June 5.

Please use this link CLICK HERE to sign up for an audition.

We anticipate our auditions to be approximately 5-10 minutes each.  Please sign up for a time that both parent and student will be on campus.  Although parents will not be included in the audition, they do need to accompany their child while on campus.
RECORD YOUR SERVICE HOURS -  MAY 31, 2019 IS FAST APPROACHING!
Only 16 days remaining to log all completed volunteer hours
 
To ensure your family receives credit for all completed service hours,  record all completed regular service hours on the 2018-19 Service Hour Portal.
 
For questions, contact Mrs. Dana Hardenburgh at [email protected]  or ext. 181
SCRIP REBATE PROGRAM -  REDUCE YOUR EDUCATIONAL COSTS!
 
Vendor Update
COMING SOON - Pizza Press in Rancho Santa Margarita will be joining our family of local vendors at 10% rebate. These community partners offer some of the highest rebates available.

5% 
McDonald's

10%
Hanna's 
Santa Margarita Ford/Toyota
Spa Gregorie's

15% 
Ballpark Pizza
Parkway American Grill
Peppino's
Riptide

20% 
Handel's
Simply Cakes and Cupcakes
Spike's Fish House   
Tutto Fresco

25%
 Handel's Pint Card 

Volunteer Opportunity
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] .
SUMMER GRAMS

Student Leadership will be selling Summer Grams on  Tuesday, May 28   & Thursday, May 30 during recess and lunch.  Summer Grams are $1 each and include a Hawaiian Punch drink packet, a tropical drink umbrella, and a Dum-Dum lollipop.
  • CASH ONLY  
     
  • Summer Grams will be delivered to homerooms the week of June 10.
  • Student Leadership will donate a portion of the proceeds to a local charity to help families over the summer.
Thank you for your support, St. Junipero Serra Catholic Student Leadership
UNIFORMS & SPIRIT STORE
 
PE Uniforms for the 2019/20 school year
  • Pre-Order your PE Uniforms for next year! Order Online or on SJSC APP.
  • SKETCH BOOKS and a limited supply of ROSARIES are in stock! Order yours TODAY!
SERRASTRONG Shirts
  • Limited inventory available for all grades! Grade colors will stay the same for next year. Order your student's future grade so you always have an extra on hand.
BOX TOPS DUE TOMORROW!
  • The last chance to turn in Box Tops for this school year's incentive drawings and homeroom contest is tomorrow, Friday, May 17.
  • Send the box tops in a zipper bag or envelope labeled with your child's full name and homeroom. 
  • Thank you for helping us earn extra cash for our school programs. Our school earns 10 cents for every coupon!
  • Questions? Visit the BOX TOPS HOMEPAGE for details.
PTO INTRODUCES OUR 2019-2020 BOARD
  • Thank You...A heartfelt thank you to our 2018-2019 Board Members for your service! Many of the SJSC events and activities that have occurred this past school year were made possible through the leadership and dedication of a very talented PTO Team
     
  • We are excited to welcome the 2019-20 SJSC Parent Teacher Organization Board. Thank you for answering the call to serve our St. Serra community! If you'd like to get more involved in PTO, please contact PTO President Elect, Mrs. Allie Bertocchini[email protected]
ANNUAL FUND

Class Competition is looking TIGHT!  Several grade levels are approaching 50% family participation!  Now's the time to take it to the next level and get to 75%.  First one there WINS the ice cream sundae party with Mrs. Trudell!         

Donate  TODAY.  Every dollar counts.
2019-2020 LAPTOP BOOT CAMP SIGN-UPS - NOW OPEN

This summer our exciting Laptop Boot Camps will return for students entering Third Grade, and all  NEW students to St. Serra entering Grades Three to Eight in 2019-2020.

Boot Camps will be held on August 6th, 7th, and 8th. Sign-ups are now open. CLICK HERE to register. Please note, families must create (or already have) a Jumbula account to sign-up for Boot Camp.

Registration in Boot Camp sessions will be first-come, first-serve, with a limit of 15 students per session. All Boot Camps will be held on the St. Serra campus.

If your family will  not be able to attend any of the dates listed above, please email  [email protected]  immediately so that we can work with you to schedule your family on another date.

Important information regarding Boot Camps:
  • Students must attend the Boot Camp in order to check-out their laptop
  • One parent must accompany students at the Boot Camp
  • Each Boot Camp session will last between 1-1/2 and 2 hours
  • Morning, afternoon, and evening sessions will be offered
  • Registration is required for Boot Camp; walk-ins will not be accepted
  • Laptops are required when school begins
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IMPORTANT LIBRARY DATES
  • The library will be closed for summer as of Monday, May 20
  • 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 date, will be charged a non-refundable replacement cost of the book
ESSENTIAL LEARNING SYSTEM (ELS)
Parent Information Meeting for 2019-2020. 
 
REMINDER: A parent information meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. in the ELS lab, PEB room, 230.  For more information about the ELS program visit our  web page .   If you would like more information or to attend this informational meeting, e-mail Dr. Lori Quigley  [email protected]  
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
Santa Margarita High School Summer Youth Camps

Santa Margarita Catholic High School invites your children to participate in the Eagle experience this summer through a variety of youth camps! CLICK HERE for more information. 
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!
Mater Dei Admissions
CLICK HERE for a flyer with information and dates from Mater Dei Admissions.