SerraDIPITY

Volume 22 · Issue 03 · September 15, 2016

 

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In This Issue
Principals' Corner
School Pictures
Golf Classic
Harvest Festival 2015
Box Tops
After-School Classes
Scrip News
Join the Choir
OT ILAUGH Social Skills Classes
Essential Learning Systems (ELS) Program
Chapel Fund Campaign
Family Portrait Fundraiser
Living Our Faith

 

 Prayer Partners &

Prayer Requests

 

Please CLICK HERE for more information about Outreach Ministries.

Parish Connections Update
CLICK HERE to view this month's Parish events.
  
  
Weekly Rosary
Please join us for  our weekly, Friday morning Rosary. CLICK HERE for more information.
  
  
Volunteer
    Opportunities    

Please CLICK HERE to view the many volunteer opportunities that are available here at Serra Catholic
  

Community Programs
of Interest

 

Click each title below 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.
       

 

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A Message From Our President
Serving others as St. Teresa of Calcutta and other saints have shown us is our little way to help share the light of Christ. Together the light shines brightly; separately it is dim. Today let us each reach a hand out and brighten Christ's light to those in our families and those here at St. Serra





Parent Shuttle Bus Service - Update for Non-Operating Dates
In last week's SerraDIPITY, we announced our 2016-2017 Parent Shuttle Bus Service, listing the departure times from the Off-Campus Parking Lot and From St. Serra. As stated in that article, the shuttle will not operate at all or will operate on a modified schedule on days school field trips are scheduled. Below are the dates of when the shuttle service will not operate over the next few weeks. 

Friday, September 16
Thursday, October 6
Wednesday, October 12
Friday, October 14

We will continue to send monthly updates via SerraDIPITY to let you know when the shuttle will not be operating due to field trips.


Welcome Letter From our Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Please take a moment to read the yearly Welcome Letter from our Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Orange, Mr. Greg Dhuvetter. You can do so by CLICKING HERE.

Important Traffic Reminders
  • To keep the flow of traffic moving in a timely manner during morning drop-off, please make sure your children are ready to exit the vehicle, backpacks and lunches in hand, when it is time for them to unload. 
     
  • Please DO NOT exit your vehicle as we have Traffic Officers available to assist your child. We know at the start of a new school year both parents and some younger students might be a bit overwhelmed with the traffic procedure, but now that we are settling in, we ask you to please refrain from leaving your vehicle as we need to keep the traffic moving. 
  • DO NOT pull out from the flow of traffic. You stop when the car in front of you has stopped, your child will exit the vehicle at this time NO MATTER where in the pattern you have been stopped, and your child will then walk to their designated waiting area. ONLY Preschool students are dropped off in a designated area. ALL other students will exit their car from the point the flow of traffic has stopped.
     
  • DO NOT stop where you feel like it - our traffic procedures have been put in place to keep everyone as safe as possible and have been successful in doing so for several years now. Please follow the procedures to continue to keep everyone safe!
  
God is Good...All the Time.
  
Christ's Blessings,

Angeline Trudell
President    
 
 


"Be brave, take heart, all who put their HOPE in the Lord." - Psalm 31:24

Principals' Corner
Mrs. Carol Reiss, Preschool-2 & Mrs. Julie Tipton, Grades 3-5

We have been made aware of some issues with the Sycamore Education App.  Currently, the app does not allow for detailed viewing of homework assignments or attachment downloads. Please continue to access your student's information through the Sycamore website at www.sycamoreeducation.com. There, you will be able to check grades, view classroom news, access Pass-a-Note features, see homework assignments and download any attachments. The app should only be used as a means of quick reference, and not as a primary source of information.  Thank you so much for your patience as we all learn this new system and Sycamore continues to implements upgrades.  

Please see the following videos as a quick tutorial on accessing Sycamore through the website:

Sycamore Parent Tutorial

Sycamore Student Tutorial

Renaissance STAR Scores
The Diocesan testing window for Renaissance STAR testing ends this Friday, September 16.  Your child's scores will be available after the testing window closes. Please click on this link and follow the directions to view your child's current Renaissance STAR scores and the Parent's Guide to STAR Assessments. The guide will answer many questions you may have regarding the test and its scores.
 
Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Lator Gator
Homework Time
Students who qualify for the Lator Gator free service are students in Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First or Second Grade who take the bus after school, or who have siblings or carpool buddies in Grades 3-8.  Lator Gators remain at school after the 2:00 p.m. dismissal time and are supervised by the Instructional Assistant from their homeroom classroom. 

As an added convenience, beginning next Monday, September 19th, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade students will be supervised by the Instructional Assistant while they work on their homework during Lator Gator time. This new procedure will not apply to Transitional Kindergarten students because they do not have homework. To be excused from doing homework, a parent must write a letter to the child's teacher stating that they do not wish their child to do homework during Lator Gators. If you send a letter stating that you do not wish homework to be done at Lator Gator time, your child will be allowed to read quietly while others are doing homework.  Instructional Assistants will have students work on homework assigned for that day. If students complete their homework, they will be allowed to read quietly.  If a student does not have a book, they will be given a book.  If all students complete the daily homework, the group will participate in other activities such as Walkabouts until the 2:40 p.m.dismissal begins. The Lator Gators will be at the Primary Education Building lunch tables for dismissal.

Please remember the Instructional Assistants will monitor the children while they do their homework.  Parents will need to review the completed homework with your child every evening.  Please do not assume that it was done completely or correctly. If your child needs the assistance of a teacher to complete homework, you may wish to consider enrolling him/her in the Homework Club.  Information can be found on the school web site by CLICKING HERE.
SJSC Photo Days - Grades TK-7

Get ready to smile!

Formal Sweater Reminder: Please know we want to ease all parents concerns about formal sweater/vest for School Picture Days, this year. Your student is welcome to come for their school pictures with or without a sweater/vest. If they wear a formal sweater, it may be blue or green, with or without a Serra logo, and with or without monogramming. This is a transition year for our uniform and your child's smile is the most important part of it!

SIGN UP NOW! We are in need of volunteers to help on the days of our student photos. Volunteers will assist with collecting and organizing photo forms and preparing students for their pictures.

In today's Weekly Envelope, you will receive a school picture order form for students in Grades TK to Seven. Please return your order form, on or before, your child's picture day to his/her homeroom teacher. Order forms for our 8th-grade graduates will be sent out after school pictures. All students must wear formal uniform on their scheduled picture day. Students not in formal uniform will be asked to call home to have a formal uniform brought to school. Should your child miss his/her picture day, a make-up picture day will be held on Wednesday, October 19. 
 
Please visit the Parents Only section of our website to see what day each class is being photographed. You will need your login credentials to access the Parents Only section of our website, which was sent home in the first Weekly Envelope on 9/8. If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer to help with school pictures, please e-mail Mr. Corey Overton, Assistant Principal, Student Services, at coverton@serraschool.org. 
 
Preschool Photos
Mike Gilmore will be coming back on Monday, September 26 and Tuesday, September 27, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to take the children's individual and group pictures.

Congratulations to Christopher A, 6C for winning the Ball Drop Raffle incentive last week! We still have two more Friday Student Incentive Drawings left; make sure to purchase golf balls for a chance to win! 
Don't golf? Please join us for dinner and live music, great food and incredible St. Serra Friends. We hope to see you on the course. Read more...


 

Thursday, September 15 is our first restaurant fundraising night at Casa Ranchero. Don't miss out-- it's going to be a blast!

  • Harvest Festival VIP Parking Raffle fliers are included in today's Weekly Envelope. Don't want to wait in the daily pick-up line?  Imagine how easy life would be if you were able to pull into your very own parking spot in the SJSC lot minutes before dismissal each day. Read More...

My name is Kelly Smith Parker and I am thrilled to be St. Serra's Box Tops Chair again this year!

 

Clipping Box Tops is such an easy way to earn cash for our school.  Last year we raised over $3,200 through this program alone!

New prizes and more chances to win. Read More...
 
After-School Classes

St. Junipero Serra Catholic School has many after-school classes available to our students. Registration for most classes is available on our website. 

CLICK HERE to learn about Academic Chess.
CLICK HERE to learn about Showtime Dance.
CLICK HERE to learn about Mandarin.
CLICK HERE to learn about Piano lessons.
CLICK HERE to learn about Young Rembrandts Art class.
CLICK HERE to learn about Golf Squad.
CLICK HERE to learn about Super Soccer Stars
 
Keep reading the SerraDIPITY for more information about future classes.
 
Please note that parents are not permitted in the room during class but are asked to pick up their students in front of the MEC immediately following after school classes, unless otherwise noted on the registration form.  
Scrip News





St. Serra has 5 ways to help you earn rebates and attain or exceed your $275 Financial Participation Fee: (Grades TK-8)

1.

Online program CLICK HERE
2.

 
Online program CLICK HERE 

 
3. Electronic Programs (Ralph's) CLICK HERE

4. Daily Sales CLICK HERE

5. Weekly Sales CLICK HERE


Daily/Weekly Sales Update:
Tutto Fresco - We are temporarily out of stock due to their relocation to the Kohl's shopping center.   We will be restocking once they reopen at their new location, which is currently scheduled for the week of September 26, 2016.
 
Kohl's Account Payment Restrictions - As a reminder, account payments must be made in person at store locations.  Kohl's scrip gift cards cannot be used for online account payments.

Ralph's Renewal and Rebate Reporting:
Participants are required to register for the new term online at www.ralphs.com or by calling Ralph's at 800-443-4438 starting now. Even if you registered as recently as June, July or August 2016, you are required to register again beginning September 1.
 
As a reminder, the Ralph's Scan Bar letters are no longer valid and will not work at the register.
 
For your convenience, step-by-step website registration instructions can be found at www.ralphs.com, click on Community, click on Community Contributions, click on 'Enroll Now'. If you don't have computer access, please call Ralph's at 1-800-443-4438 for assistance.
 
Ralph's rebates for Quarter ending 5-31-16 are now due. All rebate information for quarter ending 5-31-16 must be e-mailed to the ScripCoordinator by 9-23-16. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE FOR LATE REPORTS DUE TO RESTRICTIONS FROM RALPH'S. CLICK HERE for St. Serra's procedures to obtain your family's Ralphs rebate information.

For questions, please contact Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator at 888-1990,
ext. 121.
Come Out and Join the Choir, Handbells
& Junior Thespian Troupe

Serranade Choir (Grades 5-8)
The Serranade choir is open to all students in grades 5-8.  It is a no-audition, year-long activity.  Rehearsals are Tuesday and Thursday morning from 6:50 a.m. -7:30 a.m. in 7D (Mr. Napoli's room).
 
The choir prepares for performances including school Masses, Harvest Festival, Christmas and Spring concerts, 8th grade Graduation Mass and Commencement, and Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day.  They will also attend a Disneyland performance workshop in the spring as well as the annual Choral Festivals in March and May. 
 
Regular attendance at the weekly choir rehearsals is required. Choir is a fee-based program and participant fees are due on September 30, 2016.  All interested and enthusiastic singers will be admitted.  A participation agreement is required from each student. For more information about this ensemble please visit the Choir and Handbells page on the St. Junipero Serra Catholic School website or email Janess Sifers at jsifers@serraschool.org.
 
Bellissima Handbell Choir (Grades 5-8)
The Bellissima Handbell Choir is open to interested students in grades 5-8.  The ensemble is a year-long activity. Rehearsals will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays during 8th period (1:50 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in the 7th-grade hallway. Additional after school or lunch rehearsals will be scheduled as needed for performance preparation.  The ensemble prepares for performances at school Masses, Christmas and Spring concerts and the annual Concordia Spring Handbell Festival, in Irvine CA.  
 
The Bellissima Handbell Choir is a fee-based program and participant fees are due on September 30, 2016. A participation agreement and fee is required from each student. For more information about this ensemble please visit the Choir and Handbells page on the St. Junipero Serra Catholic School website or e-mail Janess Sifers at jsifers@seraschool.org.
 
Junior Thespian Troupe (Grades 6-8)
The Junior Thespian Troupe is a group of 6th-8th-grade students who enjoy learning about theatre, performing monologues, and meeting new people with similar interests.  This group meets about once a month after school and attends a State Festival in February where they interact with other Junior Thespians from around the State. This group works with Mrs. Sifers as well as students from SMCHS.  Interested students should come to the first meeting on September 21 from 2:40 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in the School Library.  If you have any questions please e-mail jsifers@serraschool.org.

Occupational Therapy & ILAUGH Social Skills Class

Specializing in sensory integration, Tricia Collins, a pediatric Occupational Therapist, addresses the following areas in individual and group therapy sessions: organization of behavior, postural and motor control, attention, social skills, motor planning, handwriting, and sensory processing. In addition to providing school-based screenings, assessments, and on-going treatment, Tricia is now offering a social skills class called ILAUGH. You can find the ILAUGH registration form by CLICKING HERE. 

Classes begin Sept. 23! 

Tricia may be contacted by calling (949)394-1553 or at jumpforwardot@gmail.com for more information on fees for services.

Essential Learning Systems (ELS) Program 

ELS has openings in both after-school sessions! 

Younger students who are struggling with letter recognition, letter sound association, decoding skills, reading fluency, reading comprehension, attention and memory may benefit from this program. Older students struggling with these skills or who lack confidence in their academic skills, have difficulty understanding and/or remembering information, take a long time to complete schoolwork and homework, have limited independent learning skills, and/or benefit from additional academic support can also benefit. 

ELS is a computerized, multi-sensory, interactive program that improves focus, strengthens information processing skills, and enhances a variety of academic skills (e.g., reading decoding, reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary development, and spelling). ELS provides a fun environment where students strengthen their skills in a game-like format and earn points and prizes for their efforts. Two after-school classes are available:  1:50-2:35 p.m. (for students in Grades K through Two) and 2:50-3:40 p.m. (for students in Grades Three through Eight). Students attend ELS four days per week (Monday through Thursday) for a minimum of one academic year. 

Please e-mail Dr. Lori Quigley at lquigley@serraschool.org for more information or to enroll your child.

Chapel Fund Campaign

In addition to using scripsense to meet your financial participation fee, many of you have already taken advantage of participating in the Chapel Fundraising Campaign through scripsense as well. Not only is scripsense an easy way to raise money for our chapel, but you can do it 24/7-365 days a year when you shop online or purchase eGift Cards.

If you haven't already, now is the perfect time to start building your family's chapel fund. With fall comes home improvement time, candles, Halloween costumes, and the beginning of the holiday shopping season, all of which can be done via scripsense while giving back as well.

If you haven't signed up yet, e-mail scripsense@serraschool.org and request a registration link.

Don't forget our Local Merchant program when dining at Hanna's. With your scripsense local merchant icon, 10% of anything you eat or drink at Hanna's supports the chapel fund. No hard card necessary - be spontaneous! All you need to do is present your mobile device with the scripsense Local  Merchant icon to your server to scan upon paying your bill. 

Family Portrait Fundraiser
 
Mike Gillmore Photography, one of Orange County's top portrait photographers, will photograph your family, including any sub-groups, at Diver's Cove in Laguna Beach for a Sunset Portrait (or a mutually agreed upon location).
 
This $315 value is a great bargain at $40. The photo sessions will take place now through December.  Every photo session comes with 1 - 8x10 portrait from the pose of your choice.  Extra photographs will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds given to St. Serra Catholic. All appointments will be made by Gillmore Photography on a first-come, first-served basis once your coupon and payment are received and processed at SJSC.
 
CLICK HERE to print the order form.