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SerraDIPITY 
Volume 15 * Issue 22 * March 4, 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
 
 Lunch & Treat Order Forms 
Juice it Up
Orders due March 12th
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:
 
Cheer on Our Serra Bears!
This weekend, Serra's Academic Decathlon team will be competing with other Diocesan schools at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. I am very grateful to our students and their coaches, especially Mrs. Cathy Muzzy and Mrs. Carrie Fiore, who have all worked and studied numerous hours preparing for this exciting and challenging demonstration of brain power. I am very proud and honored to announce the students who will represent Serra on Saturday:

Alex Ury - Team Captain - Science Individual
Nick Carignan - Math Individual
Katie Myers - Literature Individual
Ryan Shepard - English Individual
Josh Menke - Current Events Individual
Amanda Hays - Religion Individual
Joseph Leonor - Social Studies Individual
Sebastian Reyes - Fine Arts Individual
Ryan Ptak - Super Quiz & Logic Member
Justin Tran - Super Quiz & Logic Member
 
May God bless you and good luck to you all! 
 
Bishop Tod D. Brown to Celebrate 15th Anniversary Mass
I am very excited to announce that Bishop Tod D. Brown will celebrate our 15th Anniversary Mass with us on Wednesday, March 24th at 9:00 a.m. It is truly an honor and privilege to have the Bishop join us for such an exciting celebration!
 
Junipero Serra Awards
Each spring since 1997, Serra Catholic School has honored volunteers that gift our community with their time, talents, and love as representatives of Stewardship in Action! These individuals are presented with the Junipero Serra Award at the annual Anchor Ball in recognition of their efforts in furthering the philosophy, mission, and goals of Serra Catholic School through outstanding volunteer service and Christian leadership. 
     All Serra Parents, teachers and staff are asked to consider and nominate individuals they believe are deserving of this heartfelt acknowledgement. 
     Please take a moment to nominate an individual for this special honor, CLICK HERE to complete the online Nomination Form.  All nominations for the 2010 Junipero Serra Award must be submitted by Friday, April 23, 2010. You may also email your nomination to Sally Palmer at spalmer5@cox.net.  All nominations are confidential.
 
Thank you for Returning your Weekly Envelope!
Congratulations to the following families whose children have all won non-uniform dress for Wednesday, March 10th because their parents returned their Weekly Envelope every Friday in February!
  Patricia Noble (6D)
  Sarah Lacson (1C)
  Abby Davis (1B)
  Dominic Lozoya (8B)
  Alex Lozoya (3D)
  Christopher Tritz (4C)
Registration - 2010-2011 Serra Catholic School Budget Presentations
As a reminder, we have scheduled two parent meeting nights to share with you the goals for the upcoming year, the implementation of our new Strategic Plan, and a budget presentation, including 2010-2011 Tuition and Fees. 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.
Serving Christ's Children,
 
Angeline Trudell
Principal
Come Visit Mrs. Trudell at Holy Trinity!
Mrs. Trudell's parish visits continue this weekend. Mrs. Trudell and some Serra parents will be visiting Holy Trinity to update the parishioners on The Miracle Blossoms Campaign as well as to ask for their community support. Serra continues to reach out to our Serra families individually for their commitment to the campaign. Come see Mrs. Trudell at the Serra table in the courtyard after mass!
Health Screening Reminder
Serra Catholic School's annual health screening (offered by Southern California Sensory Screening) will take place on Tuesday, March 9th and Thursday, March 11th. Kindergarten, First, Third, and Seventh Grade students will have their vision and hearing tested. If your child wears glasses, please remind him/her to bring their glasses with them to the screening. The results of the screening will be sent home in the Weekly Envelope on March 25th.
     The Seventh Grade girls and Eighth Grade boys will be tested for Scoliosis on either Tuesday, March 9th or Thursday, March 11th. The girls may wear either bathing suit tops or sport bras for the testing.
     If you have any questions, please call Mary Hogan in the Health Room at 888-1990, ext. 105.
Do we Have Your Current Information on File?
Have you moved recently, changed phone number, parish, or e-mail address? If you have, please take a moment to let us know so that our records reflect the most current information. Please CLICK HERE or visit Parents > Change of Status Form to notify our Admissions Office of your updates.
2010-2011 Tuition Assistance Application Reminder
Families wishing to apply for 2010-11 Tuition Assistance may request an application by e-mail to Gloria Clifton (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 Wednesday, March 31, 2010. 
     For questions, please contact Gloria Clifton in the Business Office at 888-1990, ext. 147.
Rev. 3-19-09Grandparents and Special Friends Day Reminder
Grandparents and Special Friends Day is quickly approaching! Make sure your guests have their RSVP's in by March 12th.  If you need additional invitations or have questions, please contact Pam Owens at ext. 165
Operation Rice Bowl Continues at Serra
The Church asks us to make the Option for the Poor a commitment in our lives. Through its programs for orphans and vulnerable children, Operation Rice Bowl gives us the opportunity to help children live a better life. Our participation in Operation Rice Bowl unites us in prayer, fasting, and giving with the millions of people throughout the world who are oppressed by poverty, injustice, war, disease, lack of education and other opportunities.
     As we continue our Lenten journey of penance and renewal, let's remember that so many people in the world lack even the basics of life and that we are called to be stewards of what God has given us, and to connect our prayers and fasting with our giving.  Lent demands that we examine our choices in life. What is really important? What has lasting value?
     The traditional penitential practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving help us refocus our lives on our relationship with God, and with our brothers and sisters who are also children of that same Father. Encourage your family members to make a small sacrifice every week, putting their change into the symbolic rice bowls that were sent home with the students a few weeks ago, as the focal point of their prayer and fasting to help people in poverty around the world.
     Operation Rice Bowl continues until March 22nd.
It's About Us - 2010 Census in Schools
Parents, we encourage you to paricipate in the 2010 Census. Watch your mailbox and take the short 2010 Census Questionnaire. Our teachers will also be planning Census-related activities in the classroom as part of this very important process.
    CLICK HERE to see the 2010 Census family letter and take this opportunity to be counted. 
Assistance Program for Students with Disabilities
If your child is between the ages of birth and 22, including children not enrolled in public school programs, and you think that a mental or physical problem exists that may make it difficult for your child to learn, please CLICK HERE for more information and assistance through the South Orange County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA).
KidsArt Fair
Thank you to all of our students for their beautiful artwork which was on display last week at the KidsArt Fair held in our Student Activity Center. All the parents, teachers and staff agree their work was amazing and loved the opportunity to view it.  
     Thank you also to anyone who purchased a framed piece of art at the Fair. We raised over $500 for Serra's art program. If you were unable to attend the KidsArt Fair but would still like to purchase a frame for your child's artwork, parents may do so by stopping by the School Office before March 10th for an order form for the framing package. The frames will be shipped directly to your home address.
Reporting Student Service Hours to go Green!
Beginning in the third trimester this year, we will no longer accept student service hours on the printed NCR forms. All reporting will be required to be submitted online.
     If you have any student service hours which have been verified on the current form, please submit them to the School Office by March 12th. After March 12th, the paper forms will no longer be accepted.
AB 10 Gold LogoCelebrate the Journey... 
Anchor Ball ~May 15, 2010
Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim
 
New*Tuition Opportunity Raffle!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our new Tuition Opportunity Raffle.
See your Weekly Envelope for your tickets to take a chance on winning a tuition credit or CASH!
 
Committee Meeting Tonight!
There is an Anchor Ball Committee Chair meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Library. Please access the Library through the gate by the Extended Care Room.  See you there!!
 
Final Reminder - Art Contest
Entries for the Art Contest are due tomorrow.  Please CLICK HERE for more information...
 
Corporate Matching
Does your employer have a corporate matching program?  If so, consider having your employer match your underwriting contribution to Anchor Ball.  What a great way to benefit the children of Serra Catholic School.
 
A Tisket A Tasket...
Do you have any baskets?  The Anchor Ball Gift Wrap Committee would love to have any new or gently used baskets you would be willing to donate for our Silent Auction. Please drop baskets at the School Office.
 
I'm Going to Disneyland!
The Disneyland Hotel has blocked a limited number of rooms at the Disneyland Hotel for the Anchor Ball Event. The room rate is $216 per night and reservations can be made by calling (714) 520-5005.  Mention Serra Catholic School Anchor Ball when you call to get the special rate.
 
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
 
Learn More About Anchor Ball...
CLICK HERE to view Frequently Asked Questions about our annual gala.

Questions?   
Anchor Ball  Advisory Team:
Kyle Van Boom wesperjac@cox.net
Rev. 3-19-09Order Juice it Up for March

Juice It Up will be Thursday, March 18th. Please CLICK HERE for more information and to access the order form.  Attach payment and return to the School Office by Friday, March 12th.
See's CandySee's Easter Candy Sales...
One Week Remains!
For your convenience, Serra's After School Sports Program is selling See's Candy! CLICK HERE to see the color brochure, order form and information about the candy being offered this year. 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 Logo
PTO Spotlight
   
 
St. Patrick's Day Party...Reservations Due Tomorrow!
Your PTO is inviting all our Serra parents and friends (21 years and older) for a St. Paddy's Day celebration on Saturday, March 13th at 6:30 in our Student Activity Center. It will be a fun filled evening: ticket price of $25 each adult  includes an Irish dinner with all the trimmings, Irish beer and dancing. All the non-beer drinkers please feel free to bring your favorite bottle of wine. What a great time for parents to gather and visit with old friends and make new ones at this Serra non-fundraising event! Reservations are due tomorrow, March 5th.
     *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 tomorrow, March 5th. Remember this night is for adults only.