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SerraDIPITY 
Volume 15 * Issue 20 * February 18, 2010
 
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 Second Trimester:
Empathy and
 Appreciation
Partner virtues we will work on:

Gratitude, Understanding, Compassion, Courage

Food
 
CLICK HERE
for next week's Lunch & Recess Schedule
 
 
Lunch & Treat Order Forms
 
In-N-Out 
 Orders due Feb. 26th
Serra After School Programs:
Click each class title for more information on the exciting After School Programs we offer on campus!
 

Rev. 3-19-09

Volunteer Opportunities:
to check out a list of the most up-to-date volunteer opportunities available for exciting programs such as
Kids Art Fair,
Mother Son Bowling and Anchor Ball.
A Message from the Principal:
 
Registration - 2010-2011 Serra Catholic School Budget Presentations
We are looking forward to our families returning for the 2010-2011 school year. We are very excited to share with you the goals for the upcoming year, the implementation of our new Strategic Plan, and in an effort to be truly transparent, a full budget presentation, including 2010-2011 Tuition and Fees. We have scheduled two parent meeting nights for these presentations. Please plan to attend on ONE of these evenings:
     Monday, March 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
     Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00 p.m.
   Registration packets will be available at these meetings. We hope that at least one parent from each family will attend one of these important meetings as our goal is to keep you informed and to help you to be an active part of our school.
Serving Christ's Children,
 
Angeline Trudell
Principal
2010-2011 Tuition Assistance Application Reminder
As addressed in Mrs. Trudell's previous SerraDIPITY announcements, families wishing to apply for 2010-11 Tuition Assistance may request an application by email at gclifton@serraschool.org or by CLICKING HERE for more information regarding our Tuition Assistance Program. Please note that completed applications must be submitted directly to Private Aid Service on or before Friday, March 31, 2010. 
     For questions, please contact Gloria Clifton in the Business Office at 888-1990, ext. 147.
Heifer Project Monies Due Tomorrow
The Heifer Project will conclude this week; all monies are due back to the school by tomorrow, February 19th. Donations of coin, cash or check may be returned in the "Heifer Project envelope" previously sent home or in another sealed envelope marked as "Heifer". Thank you for considering support of this opportunity to help those in need.
 
Could we collect enough to buy honeybees, llamas, a flock of chickens, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats, a heifer, a water buffalo....or the Entire Ark?
Operation Rice Bowl to Begin Next Week
Serra Catholic School will be joining Catholic Relief Services from February 22nd to March 22nd, in Operation Rice Bowl, a Lenten program for families, parishes, and schools that calls all participants to:
· Pray with their families and faith communities
· Fast in solidarity with those who are hungry
· Learn about our global community and the poor overseas and
· Give sacrificial contributions to those in need around the world
     Students will be taking home a cardboard Rice Bowl which represents the hunger and hardships faced by our brothers and sisters in the developing world. It is a concrete symbol of hunger around the world, and holds the sacrificial contributions made during Lent.
     Seventy-five percent of your gifts go to CRS to fund development projects overseas and Lenten education efforts in the U.S.  Twenty-five percent remains in dioceses in the U.S. to support local hunger and poverty alleviation efforts.  Operation Rice Bowl provides a tangible opportunity to put our faith into action and help people in communities around the world and here in the United States.
     Let's work together as a faith community to build solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world through the Lenten traditions of prayer, fasting, learning, and giving.
Exciting News for Serra Choirs
Our two Serra choirs, Middle School and Serra Singers, will be participating in two very exciting events.  Please visit our Parent Access > Choral Festivals area of the website for detailed information and the form to be completed and returned to the School Office by March 1st.  You will require your Serra login and password to access this information.
Rev. 3-19-09Grandparent and Special Friends Day Reminder
Thank you to everyone who addressed and mailed their Grandparent and Special Friend invitation to their guest. The RSVP's are rolling in! If you have not already done so, please mail your invitation as soon as possible.
   We are looking forward to a wonderful morning with your special guests! All RSVP's are due March 12th. Please call Pam Owens in the Development Office at ext. 165 with any questions.
Tribute Tiles Still Available!
Over 200 Tribute Tiles have been sold to benefit Tuition Assistance.  Thank you to everyone who has purchased a tile.  We still have tiles available, so if you have not purchased one yet and would like to do so, please contact Pam Owens at ext. 165.  The tiles are $100 each and your donation is tax deductible. 
     For those families who have not colored your tile templates, please contact Pam Owens to schedule a time as soon as possible.
Scrip Update
Attention Albertsons Shoppers!
As a reminder, the Community Partners Program was discontinued effective February 1, 2010. We were notified by Albertsons that they will no longer contribute to schools through their Community Partners Program effective February 1, 2010. You will still be able to receive discounts on your purchases by swiping your Albertsons Preferred Savings card, but the school will not receive a contribution (rebate) based on your purchases.
    We will continue to carry Albertsons gift cards in $25 and $100 denominations at a 4% rebate. Albertsons gift cards are available for purchase at the Daily Box Sales and through the Daily and Weekly Envelope Orders.
 
Weekly Order Form Updates
(Changes are in BOLD and effective immediately)
American Eagle Outfitters $25 (10%)
Lands' End $25 $100 (16%)
See's Candy $16 (22.50%)
 
On-Line Ordering Limitations
Please note that vendors may limit the number of gift cards that are accepted per on-line transaction.

Please contact Dana Hardenburgh, Scrip Coordinator with any questions at dhardenburgh@serraschool.org or (949) 888-1990, ext. 121.
Academic Chess New Session Begins March 4th
Each week your child will get an exciting lesson as well as a chance to play other students in the class!  Chess increases IQ and teaches children to:
· think deeply
· gain confidence
· solve problems
· develop patience
· evaluate positions
· compete well
· visualize results
· strategize and plan
 
Please CLICK HERE for all the details and call us at (949) 348-2892 with any questions!
AB 10 Gold LogoCelebrate the Journey... 
Anchor Ball ~May 15, 2010
Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim
 
Final Cargo Round Up Tomorrow
The Cargo Round Up Team will be in the School Lobby tomorrow, Friday, February 19th for the FINAL Cargo Round Up collection from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. and 1:45 to 3:00 p.m. In order to receive a Non-Uniform Dress Pass for your children, your donation must be made by tomorrow, February 19th by 3:00 p.m.
     Thank you to the many families who have already turned in their family donation during our recent Cargo Round Up collection days. It is really important that the donations be made timely and your assistance with this is greatly appreciated. As a reminder, a donation to our Cargo Round Up is a required part of your Fundraising Agreement. 
     *New this year* CLICK HERE to make your donation from the comfort of your computer by making your Anchor Ball donation online.  If you have any questions, please contact Deeann Halleck (dhalleck@cox.net) or Carrie Gast (carrie.gast@cox.net)   
 
Anchor Ball Student Art Contest Continues!
All Serra students are invited to participate in the Anchor Ball Art Contest!  The theme this year is, "What would Father Junipero Serra see when looking at Serra Catholic School's journey: Past, Present or Future?"  Winning entries will be printed in the Anchor Ball Evening Program and displayed at this year's Anchor Ball and on the Anchor Ball Homepage. CLICK HERE for the flyer, which includes the contest rules.  All students that enter by March 5th will receive a non-uniform dress pass.  For questions, contact Stephanie Callahan (481-9144).
 
Sponsorship Agreement
The Anchor Ball Evening Program Sponsorship Agreement was sent home two weeks ago in the Weekly Envelope or can be found on the Anchor Ball Homepage.  Consider promoting your business or give this flyer to a friend or associate that might consider exposure in our beautiful Anchor Ball Evening Program. Your color or black and white page could be viewed by hundreds of guests. Family tributes can be submitted as well.  For questions, contact Sarah Doyle at ABSponsorship@gmail.com. 
 
Got Baskets?
Many of the items that are packaged together for the silent auction will need a basket or other creative container.  If you have something at home that you could donate, please drop off at the Serra School Office. 
 
Want to Help?
If you are interested in joining the Anchor Ball Team as a volunteer before or on the date of Anchor Ball, please email Karin Hendrick, the Anchor Ball Volunteer Coordinator at karinhen@cox.net

Questions?   
CLICK HERE to visit the Anchor Ball Home Page at www.serraschool.org > parents > fundraising-Anchor Ball. Look for more information in the upcoming weeks.
 
Anchor Ball  Advisory Team:
Kyle Van Boom wesperjac@cox.net
Rev. 3-19-09March In-N-Out Orders Due February 26th
The order form for two In-N-Out lunches in March is now available. Please CLICK HERE to download the form. Orders are due February 26th. As a reminder, the grilled cheese sandwich is available as an alternative to meat during Lent.
     For questions, please e-mail Jill Kopeny at
jkopeny@att.net. 
It's Time for See's Easter Candy Sales
Today in your Weekly Envelope please find a See's Easter Candy Order Form.  This fundraiser for parent convenience benefits Serra's After School Sports Program. The sale begins today and orders will be accepted through Friday, March 12th.  Thank you in advance for your support. Please call Rosie Chavez or Clare O'Brien at 888-1990, ext. 140 with any questions.  
PTO LogoPTO Spotlight 
 
 
Join us Tomorrow for G Force at Serra's Family Movie Night!
Family Fun Night is back for February.  Take the whole family to the fish fry at St. Kilian's (begins at 4:45 p.m.) first and then continue your family fun night by coming to Serra for a MOVIE NIGHT tomorrow, February 19th. The doors will open at 7:00 p.m. and movie begins at 7:15 p.m. so you all have time to find seats and get your treats. This will be located in the Student Activity Center. 
     The movie will be Disney's, G Force.  An animated adventure, combining live action and animation, in which a team of three guinea pigs and a mole, all trained and equipped as government agents by an innovative scientist, work to foil the plans of a sinister industrialist bent on world domination. 
     This movie is rated G and is approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This event is FREE.  There will be popcorn, licorice and other treats to enjoy. Come enjoy the FREE Family Fun Night. Any questions email Tracie Furlong at tracierf@yahoo.com.
 
St. Patrick's Celebration -
A Time to Socialize with Other Serra Parents!
PTO invites all our Serra parents and their adult guests for a St Paddy's Day celebration on Saturday, March 13th at 6:30 p.m. in our Student Activity Center. It will be a fun-filled evening, including an Irish dinner with all the trimmings, libations and dancing. What a great time for parents to gather and visit with old friends and make new ones at this Serra non-fundraising event! Ticket price is $25.00 per adult.
     *NEW* Online Reservation Form - Please register now by CLICKING HERE to complete your reservation, or see the Serra Website Parents > Parent Teacher Organization > -->St. Patrick's Day Reservation. Print the form and attach payment, return to the School Office by Friday, March 5th. Remember this night is for adults only.
JSerra Information Night and Campus Tour 
Prospective Students and their Parents...
Please Join the JSerra Lions for an Information Night and Campus Tour
 
Thursday, February 18th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
JSerra Center Room on the Academic Side of Campus
 
Find out why JSerra is ranked as one of the top 50 Catholic High Schools in the United States for the last three years.
 
Have your questions answered about JSerra's:
· College Preparatory Curriculum
· World-Class Academic and Athletic Campuses
· Focus on Technology in Education
· Outstanding Extracurricular Programs
· Trinity League Athletics
· Exceptional Music Program
 
26351 Junipero Serra Road· San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Phone: (949) 493-9307, extension 2 · Fax: (949) 493-9308
Website: www.jserra.org