| Virtue for First Trimester: |
| Trust |
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Partner virtues we will work on: Faith and Believe |
for next week's Recess and Lunch Duty Schedule
Serra After School Programs:
Click each title for more information on the exciting After School Programs we offer on campus!
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Lunch & Treats Order Forms
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Community Programs of Interest:
Click each title for more information on programs available in the community. The inclusion of any flyer does not constitute approval or endorsement of the program. Flyers are provided as a service only.
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We've Gone Green!
This week's electronic SerraDIPITY marks our third week of e-mailing our weekly news home to our parents. In addition to caring for our environment, the savings cost in paper and supplies is very evident!
Please take a moment to read each of the summay articles in the SerraDIPITY and follow the "CLICK HERE" to access the links, order forms and flyers. To order hot lunch or Juice it Up, follow the link, print the form, complete, and return with your check to the School's Office in the yellow Weekly Envelope!
Please note: Forms are removed from the website once the deadline has passed.
An archive of the electronic newsletters, complete with links to forms, can be found on our website at www.serraschool.org Visit the Parents menu and drop down to "Weekly Envelope Archives".
In the upcoming weeks, you will notice a decrease in the number of items in your yellow Weekly Envelope. This is intentional and a part of our paperless communications. The envelope is provided to you each week so that you may return items (tuition, scrip orders, In-N-Out and other lunch orders) to the School Office.
If you are unable to print a copy of any of the order forms, a limited number of copies are available in the School Office.
If you have any questions regarding our efforts to go paperless, please contact Kathy Tonokawa, Director of Marketing and Communications by e-mail:
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A Message from the Principal:
ITBS Testing Begins with Practice Tests this Week
and Complete Testing Next Week:
The Diocese of Orange, along with the other Catholic Dioceses in the state of California, administers our annual standardized testing program each fall. In the Diocese of Orange, all students in Grades Two through Eight will be taking the ITBS tests. We will begin testing on Friday, September 25th and will continue through Wednesday, October 7th.
Individual grade levels will follow specific schedules to accommodate both the needs of a quiet, uninterrupted testing environment and the continued academic preparation of the students. Homework will be limited on certain evenings in particular grade levels, to allow the children to rest and relax.
For all families with students in Second Grade and families new to Serra with students in Grades Three through Eight, a parent handbook was sent home with your child today from Riverside Publishing that explains the test in more detail. The handbook opens with a parent letter, gives sample questions in different testing areas (including the answers) and ends with some testing strategies that you as a parent can review with your child. We feel that this is a great tool to help you support your child over the next two weeks and to help you understand better the ITBS testing program.
Serra will maintain a very quiet campus over the next two weeks. Our testing window each day is 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. We will make limited interruptions to the classroom until after all testing is completed. If you are planning to work on campus, you are asked to not disturb the classrooms and to keep all voice noise to a minimum. The classrooms will have posted signs on their doors when they are testing. We will not enter a testing classroom unless an emergency arises. Thank you for helping us to keep this quiet environment on campus. In addition, please help your child to stay healthy and keep all doctor appointments to a minimum or after 1:30 p.m. Testing results will be reviewed with the first trimester Student Learning Assessments during parent conferences.
In closing, please let each of your children know that this test helps us as educators see what they already know and how we can plan to help them learn more - it is important that they remain confident, give it their best shot and know that this is only a small assessment tool in the large assessment program at Serra, which shows us whether or not our students are learning. We, as a community, can join in prayer and say a decade of the Rosary each day for our students. |
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Serving Christ's Children,
Angeline Trudell
Principal |
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October Calendar
This is the last month the school calendar will be distributed through the weekly e-mail. Beginning November 1st, all calendar events will be posted directly on the school website.
For families who wish to download a month-at-a-glance, this option is also available through the website by selecting the "Show Calendar" option.
CLICK HERE to download the October calendar.
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Save the Date
Thursday, October 29th: Serra Summit (evening event)
Tuesday, December 1st: Christmas Program (JK-2)
Tuesday, December 8th: Christmas Program (3-5)
Wednesday, December 9th: Christmas Program (6-8)
** Please note the date for the Middle School Christmas Program has been changed to Wednesday, December 9th. This change was made to accommodate the families who will be attending the Santa Margarita Catholic High School Christmas Program which is scheduled for December 10th, our original Middle School Program date. |
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Technology Update
Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through the transition to our new website. Please note the following:
- There are no documents posted in the "Parent Access" area of the website at this time.
- There are new passwords to the new website. Your old password and your Gradelink password will not work on the "Parent Access" area of the website.
- New passwords were sent home on Business Day or through last week's envelope.
- If you lost your password:
Username: Your family ID # (the first four digits of your Gradelink login)
Password: Serra09
- The Scholastic Reading Program is now available through a QuickLink on our home page (located to the left of the Serra logo). Thank you for your patience as we updated this information.
- For the latest updates, keep an eye on the "News and Announcements" section of the home page.
Beginning November 1st, we will be streamlining our e-mail database to include the one e-mail address you designated during the school registration process.
Watch for the technology login sheet next week for the summary of information for your family. | |
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H1N1 Flu Update
At this time, we would like to update our Serra families on recent developments in our community regarding the H1N1 (Swine) Flu.
We have had reports from families that some doctors are not performing the swab test to confirm the H1N1 virus in children who are exhibiting a high fever and flu symptoms. In some cases, a prescription is called in to a local pharmacy over the phone.
There is a flu strain that is affecting a number of students which is accompanied by a high fever, sore throat and headache, however, we are unable to confirm whether it is the H1N1 strain.
If your child has any flu symptoms and a fever, you must keep your child home and contact your doctor for directions. Do not send your child to school if they have had a fever within the last 24 hours. Your child may return to school once their temperature has returned to normal (98.6) and they have not taken any fever reducing medication in the past 24 hours. All students returning will be re-admitted through the Health Room.
We have installed hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the campus and have extended our policy regarding a student's return to campus after experiencing a high fever.
If we work together, we can help prevent the spread of the flu.
CLICK HERE to review our H1N1 Flu letter which was linked to our first SerraDIPITY for more information. |
 Harvest Festival 2009
Pre-Sale Food and Game Tickets
** See today's Weekly Envelope for your Pre-Sale Tickets Order Form**
Buying your tickets ahead of time is a great way to prepare for the Harvest Festival, and an opportunity to save money! Food and Game tickets purchased in advance of the Harvest Festival are discounted!
Help Us Build the Serra Family Farm!
** See today's Weekly Envelope for your student's colorful template to put their creative touches on and contribute to our Serra Family Farm**
Apples, pumpkins, corn, a barn and silo are just a few of the things that will make up the Serra Family Farm at this year's Harvest Festival. The Family Farm will be a grand display of our children's artwork at our Harvest Festival. The colorful templates for each grade are included in today's Weekly Envelope. Each grade JK - 6 will decorate a farm fruit or vegetable. Our 7th graders will decorate bricks that will be used to create a silo, and 8th graders will decorate planks for the barn.
Attention parents of Seventh and Eighth Grade students: In today's Weekly Envelope, you received a 'cut out' for the Harvest Festival. The rectangle shape is your shape (representing a brick); you do not need to make any cuts to the paper. Talent Show Act Reviews: Mark your CalendarParents and students: Reminder that Harvest Festival Talent Show Act Reviews will take place on Monday, September 30th, 3:15 - 4:15 and Thursday, October 1st, 3:15 - 4:15 in Miss Humbert's Room (C3-215). Talent Show completed forms are due Friday, September 25th. Baked Goods CollectionAnother Harvest Festival tradition is the Cakewalk, which is one of the favorite events for our children. This is your chance to use your baking talents to provide goodies that will be given away as prizes. You also get 1 service hour for every donated item! We need cakes, cookies, cupcakes and those special baked goodies that you make at home! Contact Sherry Portner at sherry.portner@cox.net to sign up. Hannah's Restaurant FundraiserThis is an opportunity to enjoy some great food and help raise money for the Harvest Festival. You can dine at Hannah's between October 1st and October 10th and they will donate 15% of the total check to the Harvest Festival. CLICK HERE for the flyer to bring to the restaurant. Volunteers NeededVolunteers are still needed for the day of the event. This is an opportunity to become part of the Harvest Festival by working alongside fellow Serra families! Middle School students can volunteer as long as they are working together with an adult. Let us know if you are interested in a specific area as volunteers are needed for food and game booths, the Serra Sports Zone, and other activities throughout the day. If you are able to help out, please contact Mary Binning at mbinning@cox.net Donations Wish ListWe are looking for prizes to support our game booths and contests. Some examples are CD's, DVDs, electronics, gift cards, new stuffed animals, unopened "kids meal" toys, unused party favors, etc. Please contact Sue Josipovich at susanj@cox.net or Sabrina Schuck at Sabrina@uci.edu for more information. Together we will count our Bountiful Blessings at the Harvest Festival 2009! Contact Harvest Festival Event Chairs Holly Schwartz at zbookwork@aol.com or Terri Savage at mtsavage4@aol.com with any questions or donations for this year's event. |
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Important Scrip News
Stop By and See Our New Scrip Window Location!
We are now selling daily scrip through the window facing into the Father Serra Courtyard. The window is located outside the new Middle Education Building Administration Wing, between the School Office and the Student Activity Center (Gym).
Daily Sales
Monday through Friday..................7:40 to 8:30 a.m.
Ralph's Shoppers - Mandatory Re-Registration
In order for your contributions to continue, you must register your Ralph's Reward Card. CLICK HERE to register.
Vons/Pavilions Shoppers - Mandatory Re-Registration
You must renew your Vons/Pavilions Club Card by October 31, 2009 or your contributions will not continue. CLICK HERE to renew now.
Daily Envelope Orders (yellow forms with white envelopes) are due back to the School Office by 8:30 a.m. any morning and are returned to you in your child's backpack the next school day.
Weekly Envelope Orders (green forms with manila envelopes) are due on Monday morning by 8:30 a.m. to the School Office and are returned to you on Thursday in your Family Weekly Envelope.
Please contact Dana Hardenburgh, Scrip Coordinator with any questions at dhardenburgh@serraschool.org or (949) 888-1990, ext. 121. |
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Student Store Used Uniform Guidelines
Used uniforms are available for purchase on Tuesday mornings from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. next to the Health Room in the Admin Wing of the MEB.
Take advantage of the great prices with many of the items in excellent condition. Used uniform clothing, in good condition, may be dropped off to the Student Store for either credit towards a future used uniform purchase, or to receive a tax-deductible donation.
Change in Procedure for Monogramming of Used Formal Sweaters: The removal of the monogrammed stitching of the family name will now be the responsibility of the purchaser of the used sweater. The former family's name will need to be removed by the purchaser prior to the sweater being sent in for re-monogramming of the purchaser's family name. It is no longer cost effective for Serra to use our monogramming company to remove the stitching.
Student Store Hours are:
7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday
1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoons
If you should have any questions, please contact Catherine Tirado, Student Store Coordinator, at 888-1990, ext. 122 or e-mail Catherine at ctirado@serraschool.org |
Essential Learning Systems (ELS)
Program has Openings!
Does your child:
* Struggle with school?
* Have difficulty performing at grade level?
* Require modified curriculum?
* Have limited independent learning skills?
* Require additional academic resources and support?
If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, ELS may help! Please call Dr. Mott at ext. 143 to learn more about how ELS can help make learning easier for your child. |
After School Spanish Class to Start
Continue to learn Spanish while having fun! Our extra-curricular "After School Spanish" class will be starting on Monday, October 19th. Classes will be held from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. for students in Grades Three through Five.
The class will run for 10 exciting weeks. Students will have fun with Raccoon Roscoe as they learn the basics in Spanish. First timers and returning students are all welcome. Limited space available. CLICK HERE for registration form. |
 October In-N-Out Order Form
Now Available Online *New* this year: There will be ONE DUE DATE each month, for In-N-Out orders. If there are multiple lunches in a month, each lunch will have the same payment Due Date. Thank you for your cooperation as this assists our parent volunteers with the large volume of orders.
CLICK HERE for the October In-N-Out Order form, due Friday, September 25th. (Please note: after the deadline date has passed, the form is removed from the website) For more information, please contact Jill Kopeny at jkopeny@cox.net. |
 Baja Fresh Lunch Orders
One time only, to assist parents, one Baja Fresh Lunch Order form has been included in today's Weekly Envelope. Use the link below to print additional forms.
CLICK HERE for Baja Lunch Order Form, due TOMORROW, September 25th. (Please note: after the deadline date has passed, the form is removed from the website) For more information, please contact Randa Memo at rmemo@pacbell.net. |
 Your PTO is Here to Serve You
Your Parent Teacher Organization exists to support the teachers, staff, parents and students of Serra Catholic School.
- We oversee major school fundraisers such as the Golf Tournament, the Harvest Festival and the Anchor Ball.
- We work with Serra Catholic School's Mother's Club and Serra Padres to foster a sense of community and fellowship among parents.
- We manage a team of room parents that work with the teachers and staff in the classrooms.
- This year, we will be sponsoring new Family Fun Nights in the new Student Activity Center.
The PTO is only as strong as the community. We are here to serve Serra Catholic School. If you would like to contact any of the board members, please CLICK HERE for a listing of the 2009-2010 P.T.O. Board.
Please check this section over the next few weeks. We will spotlight different organizations and groups that fall under PTO. Please take some time to check them out as they appear. Regular updates will be available on the PTO page under the Parents Tab on the Serra website.
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Anchor Ball 2010
Mark your calendars! The 15th Annual Anchor Ball will be held at The Disneyland Hotel on May 15, 2010. If you are interested in working on the Anchor Ball committee please email Carla Myers, PTO VP Fundraising at rocamyers@aol.com |
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Textbooks for Home Use
We have received a number of requests from parents who wish to purchase a set of textbooks for use at home.
If you wish to purchase a second set of books to keep at home, please check Amazon.com for pricing and availability. You will need to check each of the books you wish to purchase for the 10 to 13-digit ISBN number, which can be found by the bar code on the back of the book.
If your student has an ILP as part of their educational plan, a limited number of books may be checked out through the school. For more information on this service, please contact Gloria Murray at ext. 190. |
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Annual Open House: Sunday, October 18th
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Santa Margarita Catholic High School invites families of Fifth through Eighth Grade students to its annual Open House on Sunday, October 18th. Our campus will be open for guided as well as self guided tours and many faculty, administrators, and coaches will be on hand to answer all of your questions.
Meet our Principal, Mr. Dunne, our President, Mr. Carey, and see firsthand why Santa Margarita remains the school of choice by families seeking a premier, Catholic, college prep education.
Reservations are not necessary; simply drop by any time between 11 and 2. Please call our Admissions Office at 949-766-6076 if you have any questions.
The school is located at 22062 Antonio Parkway in Rancho Santa Margarita. www.smhs.org |
Continuing Adult Faith Formation
St. Kilian is pleased to offer a Six Week series entitled "Watching the Birth of the Church: Explorations in the World of Early Christianity."
The class will be held at St. Kilian on Thursdays from November 5th and December 17th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The cost is $40.00/series or $10.00/week. Childcare is available on a sign-up basis by calling 586-4550. The deadline to register for the series is October 9th.
This series may be taken for individual faith formation or the requirements in the IPM Certificate program: R210-B, Theological Formation. Registration forms are also available in the St. Kilian pews. | |
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