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SerraDIPITY 
Volume 15 * Issue 7 * October 22, 2009
 
It takes a TEAM to educate a Serra child.

We're going green and so can you! Please view all of the linked articles for the most up-to-date information on school activities and events, but print only those which you need to return to the school! If you are unable to print any of the linked flyers or forms, a limited number are available for families to pick-up in the School Office.
Virtue for First Trimester:
Trust
Partner virtues we will work on: Faith and Believe
Serra After School Programs:
Click each class title for more information on the exciting After School Programs we offer on campus!
 
(Grades 3-5)
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.
 
A Message from the Principal:
 
Strategic Planning for Serra's Future
Over the past year, appointed members of the Serra community have met with consultants from Catholic School Management (CSM) to help direct Serra's future.
   As part of our planning, the Committee has worked to formulate goals for the school which have been reviewed and approved by the Pastors, the Diocese and the Committee.
   I am pleased to now present to you, our Serra families, the goals for Serra Catholic School for the next three to five years for your review and input.
   Please CLICK HERE to view the goals, which cover a wide range of topics for the school from governance to facilities, curriculum to our Catholic Identity.
   If you would like to provide us feedback on the goals, please CLICK HERE to e-mail me your thoughts.
   Since we are in the process of reviewing the Strategic Planning Goals, we will postpone our Serra Summit until a later date. More details to follow as they become available.
   Thank you for helping to take Serra to the next step!
 
Toby's House
Our collection continues, as you pray for the sanctity of life, please take a moment to contribute to this worthy charity. Your gift will support a young life... a gift from God. 
 
Red Ribbon Week October 21st to 27th
CLICK HERE to view the exciting list of activities for Red Ribbon Week. CLICK HERE to view the list of incentives for students who wear their red ribbon!
 
- - Food Drive Tomorrow - -
 
Serra's Christian Outreach Programs
As I briefly touched on in last week's SerraDIPITY, every year Serra, as a Catholic Community wanting to continue the good works of our  Lord, Jesus Christ, is involved in several Christian Outreach Programs. Your participation in these programs is entirely your family's personal decision.
   Tomorrow we will be having our first food drive of the year. You will notice we will be having a few extra food drives in the upcoming months as the need is greater than ever during these especially tough economic times.
   For your convenience, in today's Weekly Envelope, we have included a recommended list of items the Food Banks could use. Please keep this list so you can refer back to it for future food drives. You may also CLICK HERE for the list, or you may access this on our website under Campus Life > Outreach Programs.   
   Thank you and may God continue to bless you and keep you in His care!
Serving Christ's Children,
 
Angeline Trudell
Principal
Is Your Family E-mail Updated?
As a reminder to our families, beginning November 1st, the SerraDIPITY newsletter will only be e-mailed to the family's official e-mail on record. To update your e-mail, CLICK HERE to download the Family Status Update form. Please complete and return to the Admissions Office.
Parent Conference Request Forms
Parent Conferences will be held on December 15th and 16th. The first conference will begin at 1:40 p.m. and the last conference will begin at 7:20 p.m.
   Please CLICK HERE to download your Conference Request Form to indicate your preference for dates.
   Request forms are due to the School Office by Friday, October 30th.
Assist Serra Through United Way Contributions
October is open enrollment for United Way. Did you know that Serra can be selected as a United Way recipient?  Many of our families assist Serra every year with their United Way contributions. Simply designate Serra Catholic School on your United Way enrollment form and use the United Way Agency Number for Serra #SER600. Your contributions may then be directed to the area of your choice at Serra.
   Please contact Laurie Beach at ext. 171 should you have any questions.
Surfing InternetA Parent's Guide to Surfin' the Web
This year, we have made many changes and improvements to our website. In the upcoming weeks, we will focus on a different section of the website and will present a summary of what you can find on the web.
 
Parents - Web
The Parents Menu
The Parents Menu is designed with the Serra parent in mind. All of the important information that a parent could need is found on this page:
· Annual Calendar
· Disaster Preparedness Plan
   (updates pending)
· Forms
· Fundraisers
· Lunch & Recess Duty
   (including next week's schedule)
· Parent Teacher Organization
· School Handbooks
· Scrip Program
   (including forms and updates)
· Serra Catholic Mother's Club
· Serra Padres
· SerraVision Daily Announcement (upcoming feature!)
· Student Store (updates pending)
· Tuition Policies and Financial Assistance (updates pending)
· Tutoring Reference List for Parents (just updated!)
· Volunteer Opportunities
· Weekly Envelope Archives
 
The information on the drop down menu is alphabetized for your quick reference.
Important Scrip Information
Pasta Bravo RSM to re-open under a new name. This RSM location of Pasta Bravo will be closed for about 3 weeks and will re-open with a new name, Rumbi.  Please note that Rumbi will continue to accept Pasta Bravo scrip certificates.
 
Vons/Pavilions Shoppers - Mandatory Re-Registration by October 31, 2009 See information in the Scrip section on the website.
 
Please contact Dana Hardenburgh, Scrip Coordinator with any questions at dhardenburgh@serraschool.org or (949) 888-1990, ext. 121.
Memorial Mass & Ornament Information
Once again, we will be honoring our loved ones who lie with our Lord at our seventh Annual Memorial Mass on Monday, November 2nd at 9:15 a.m.  Ornaments that were purchased this year, as well as previous years, will be displayed on the Tree of Remembrance in our lobby.
 
Newly Purchased Ornaments: If you purchased a 2009 ornament it will be delivered directly to your student's classroom the week of October 26th and the ornaments will be placed on the tree by the students.  The ornaments will be blessed directly following the Memorial Mass.
 
Returning Ornaments:  If you have ornaments from previous years and wish to have them included on the Tree of Remembrance, please return them in their original box to the Development Office marked with your child's first and last name by tomorrow, Friday, October 23rd.
 
All Ornaments will remain on the tree through the month of November and will be returned to you the first week of December. 
 
Mass Intention Cards:  Enclosed in last Week's Envelope was a Mass Intention Card. Please complete the card and return to the school. All cards received by October 26th will be placed at the altar during the Memorial Mass and then be placed in the PEB Prayer Center. Help us all honor your loved ones by including a card as part of our remembrance. CLICK HERE to download additional cards.
 
During the month of November, if you wish, you may come on campus and spend some very quiet time in the Prayer Center in the PEB, honoring your loved ones and the loved ones of others at Serra.  To do this:
· Sign-in at the School Office.  Put on your badge.
· Go directly to the PEB second floor, (side closest to the toll road) and walk to the prayer center (Since this is the third grade classroom area silence is a must)
· Stay a few minutes for prayer
· When done, go directly to the School Office and sign out.
You are asked not to go to your child's classrooms to visit or peek in.  The educational day will continue; however, we want you to have time in prayer during this special time.  Please honor our request not to disturb your children.
 
We hope you can join us for mass and plan to spend some time in prayer at our prayer center.
 
Should you have any questions, please contact Pam Owens in the Development Office at ext. 165.
TacoBaja Fresh is Back for November 12th!
Take a break from making lunch and order your student Baja Fresh for Thursday, November 12th! Proceeds support sending our teachers to Anchor Ball 2010. Support your teachers, take a break from PB&J, and provide a yummy and healthy lunch for your students! 
   Thank you to all those families who completed the Annual Order Form. The Annual Order Form is no longer available. Please use the monthly form below.
 
Help us stay green...
Have one student to order for? CLICK HERE to print ONE Order Form. Orders are due Friday, October 30th.
   Have more than one student to order for? CLICK HERE to print up to Four Order Forms! Orders are due Friday, October 30th.
Winter Registration for After School Sports
Registration is now open for students who wish to participate in our Winter Sports programs. CLICK HERE for the Registration Packet. The deadline is tomorrow, October 23rd.
Rev. 3-19-09Recycling Pays Us Cash and
Helps Save the Earth! 
All year long, we accept old Cell Phones, iPods, PDAs,  GPS Devices, EMPTY Inkjet/Laser Cartridges, Laptops, Video Games, Video Game Consoles, Digital Cameras and DVDs.  You can deposit the items in the Recycle Box at the School Office. Proceeds benefit Serra Catholic School. If you have any questions, please call Cindy Gabris (459-8174).  
   CLICK HERE for a printable flyer as a reminder!
San Francisco Soalno First Communion Preparation - November Workshop
Our November workshop is filling up quickly! If you have not registered your child at the Youth Faith formation office, please do so this week. 
   You can obtain forms online at www.sfsolano.org . Go to "Faith Formation" then "Children and Youth" then "Sacramental Family Ministry". 
   There is a form for Serra families which can be obtained at the Youth Faith Formation Office at San Francisco Solano Church. The office is open Monday to Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. You may also call or e-mail Martie Williams at martie@sfsolano.org or 589-1709, ext. 139.