SerraDIPITY

Volume 22 · Issue 13 · December 1, 2016

 

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In This Issue
A Message from Our President
Principals' Corner
Advent Retreat
Santa Grams!!!
In-N-Out® News
Tuition Assistance Luncheon
Semi Annual Tuition and iPad Program Program Direct Debit (EFT) Reminder
Student Store News
Santa's Secret Christmas Shop
Scrip News
After School Computer Science Class
Community Programs of Interest
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
  
A Message From Our President

As we begin this Advent Season there is so much to look forward to. Join me in prayer today for all that you have to HOPE FOR and let us be alert so that we can see God's presence and Jesus' love as we wait and enjoy his true blessings.
Parenting in a Digital World Presentation
Cyber Safety, Threats & Solutions

The faculty and staff of SJSC understand the challenges you and your children face in today's digital world. To help support you, we offer an important presentation Parenting in a Digital World. This is a 2-hour cyber safety seminar that will prepare parents to effectively supervise their child on social media sites and protect them from online threats. The class explains the current technology and applications children are using to access the Internet and social media networks. Cyber-bullying and other online threats are defined with current trends and real world examples that Clay Cranford has investigated in schools. Participants will be given tools and an action plan that they can immediately begin using to help keep their children safe online. Participants will receive an Internet Safety Contract and the Cyber Safety Checklist. This class is for parents ONLY. Children are not permitted. Please check today's Weekly Envelope for a flyer with more details. Y ou may also view the flyer by  CLICKING HEREClay Cranford's book, Parenting in a Digital World, will be available for sale at the event. $20.00 (cash or credit card)

Please join us on December 12, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Student Activity Center for this very important and informative presentation. 
Annual Household Goods Drive Next Week
During this Advent Season, we once again have the opportunity to partner with St. Kilian's Community Outreach Program by holding our Annual Household Goods Drive the week of December 5-9, 2016.  All donations received go to the St. Kilian Community Outreach Program and will be given to families in need. Household Goods include items such as: dish soap, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, shaving cream and razors, shampoo and conditioner, paper towels, Kleenex and more. Please help support this worthy cause by sending any donations into your child's homeroom. Your generosity during this blessed Advent Season is greatly appreciated, thank you!
scarf_and_hat_santa.jpg Christmas Accessories in December
Students are invited to show their holiday spirit by wearing Christmas accessories  ONLY  on the day their grade will be hosting their Christmas party/celebration. Just what are Christmas accessories? Christmas accessories represent the 'flavor' of the holiday season with Snowmen, Angels, Santa Claus, and Reindeer.

Parents are asked to help their children select the appropriate, joyful accessories to wear, using the following guidelines:
  • Students must wear uniform bottoms including belt, if appropriate. (if they have PE, then they must wear their PE shorts)
  • All students must wear shoes that meet the school's dress code.
STUDENTS MAY WEAR THE FOLLOWING:
  • Christmas and Holiday-themed shirts/sweatshirts and socks
  • Christmas and Holiday-themed earrings, bracelets, headbands, bows, ribbons, and rings
  • Christmas and Holiday-themed hats which may have to be removed while in class
STUDENTS MAY NOT DO THE FOLLOWING:
  • Wear any make-up (other than that which is outlined in the Parent Handbook for students in the Eighth Grade)
  • Have hair that is dyed, colored, tinted, bleached, and/or painted any color, not even to go with the Holiday season.
You may find the dates of the Christmas parties/celebrations for the various grades on the parent calendar on the website. All parties/celebrations take place the week of December 12.
Interactive Advent Calendar 
A big thank you to Ms. Beth Thomas for preparing and keeping current our 3rd annual Advent Calendar. As we prepare for the Birth of Jesus, please enjoy the Advent Season through the eyes of our St. Serra students by CLICKING HERE to view this beautiful Advent Calendar. The calendar can also be found on our website under the Quicklinks. 
2017-2018 Intent to Return and Sibling Applications
Please look for an important Constant Contact coming next Tuesday, December 6 regarding Intent to Return and Sibling Applications. 
UPDATE - 2016-2017 Service Hours Parent Portal Launch - Scheduled for Thursday, December 8th  
Thank you for your continued patience during the delayed launch of this year's Service Hours Parent Portal. Please note that the new portal is scheduled to be launched next Thursday, December 8 .  Families will receive their Service Hours Instruction Card and login credentials in next week's Weekly Envelope. 
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Please join us on Thursday, December 8 at 9:30 a.m. in the Muzzy Family Student Activity Center, as we celebrate the feast day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. At this beautiful Mass we celebrate one of the most important events in salvation history. We will remember how our Blessed Mother was born into this world free from all sin and we will honor her devotion to her Son, our Lord.

ALL students in TK - Grade Eight are to wear Formal Uniform that day.
We do have a permit parking exemption for this day so your are able to park in the neighborhood, but NOT in the Memorial Healthcare Facility parking lot.

Missionary Childhood Association- MCA Collection at Mass
At each of our school-wide Masses, the students of St. Junipero Serra support Missionary Childhood Association by making a small donation into our collection baskets. These monies do not go unnoticed as we serve the poorest children around the world. Thank you for remembering to support this ministry as this donation will be our Christmas gift to MCA.
Talk2me Postcard
We appreciate your patience. Talk2me@serraschool.org is now a working email. 

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, Principal, Preschool - Grade 2 &  Mrs. Julie Tipton, Principal, Grades 3-8

Honor Roll List
Parents, please join us at the Feast of Immaculate Conception Mass on  December 8 at 9:30 a.m.  Our Honor Roll, Principal's Honor Roll and Citizenship Honor Roll students will be recognized immediately following Mass. 

Students who are enrolled in Grades Five through Eight are eligible for academic recognition. CLICK HERE to read more about the requirements for academic recognition.

 

nativity_scene.jpg
Christmas Concert Information

This year's Christmas performances will all be held in the Muzzy Family Student Activity Center on the following dates:


  • Grades 5-8 - Thursday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. 
  • Grades 2-4 - Tuesday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m.
  • TK, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 - Friday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Preschool - Thursday, December 15 at 11:00 a.m. 
All students Preschool through Grade 8 should wear their Christmas best! 
We ask that you please abide by the SJSC uniform dress code.  
  • Nice dresses, skirts, or dress pants for girls
  • Nice pants and dress shirts for boys; ties are optional
  • Christmas accessories should be kept to a minimum
  • No shorts, jeans, leggings, or open-toe shoes
For the two evening concerts, students should be in their assigned waiting areas  no later than 6:30 p.m. The waiting areas will be opened at 6:15 p.m. and the doors to the SAC for family seating will also open at approximately 6:15 p.m.

*REMINDERS*
Dismissal of students:  
In order to safely dismiss students at the conclusion of the concert, the students will return to their choir or home rooms following the performance. Parents please remain seated until students have exited the SAC. Mrs. Trudell will then invite parents to pick up their children from the classrooms.

Refreshments: 
Refreshments will be provided by our PTO for the evening concerts outside the SAC and parents are invited for refreshments after the preschool - Grade 1 concerts in the homeroom classrooms.

PARKING FOR PERFORMANCES
Both Evening Performances ( Grades 5-8 and Grades 2-4)
Inner Road:  Enter the main parking lot from Banderas via the road near Kindergarten. There will be no access off of Antonio. The Banderas entrance will be marked with a cone/flashing light and a staff member in a reflective vest who will be holding a flashlight. Please watch for them and follow their direction. 

Neighborhood: As the hours of our performances are after the Permit Parking Program, you are free to park in the adjoining neighborhood, but as always, we ask you to please be respectful of our neighbors. 

Memorial Care Parking Lot: Available AFTER 6:10 p.m. We will have a staff member at each entrance to their lot until that time, so please honor Memorial Care's request.
 
Parking Grades TK/K/1
Inner Road: Enter the main parking lot from Banderas via the road near Kindergarten. There will be no access off of Antonio. The Banderas entrance will be marked with a cone/flashing light and a staff member in a reflective vest. Please watch for them and follow their direction.

Neighborhood:  We DO have Permit Parking on this day so you may park in the adjoining neighborhood, but as always, we ask you to please be respectful of our neighbors.

Memorial Care Parking Lot: NO PARKING in the Memorial Care lot as they will be open for business and need the spaces for their staff and patients. 

Preschool Parking  
Inner Road:   Enter the main parking lot from Banderas via the road near Kindergarten. There will be no access off of Antonio. The Banderas entrance will be marked with a cone/flashing light and a staff member in a reflective vest. Please watch for them and follow their direction. 

Neighborhood: We DO NOT have an exemption to the Permit Parking Program on this day, but you are free to park in the neighborhood beginning at 9:00 a.m.
 
Memorial Care Parking Lot: NO PARKING in the Memorial Care lot as they will be open for business and need the spaces for their staff and patients. 

If you missed the opportunity to donate on Giving Tuesday here is your chance!
We've raised $5,000 week already! 

You Make A Difference!
Advent Retreat at SJSC with  Immaculée Ilibagiza 
December 9 & 10

Would you like a little spiritual "pick me up" this Advent?  St. Junipero Serra Catholic School will be hosting a very special retreat this Advent Season. Our guest speaker will be world renowned Immaculee Ilibagiza, the Rwandan genocide survivor who will speak on Forgiveness & Hope. This retreat will be held in the Student Activity Center beginning the evening of  Dec.9 at 5 p.m.  and will then continue the morning of  Dec.10  with mass at  8:30 a.m.  and ongoing testimony from Immaculee concluding at  12:30 pm . Ilibagiza's entire family, except for one brother, was killed during the genocide in the 1990's when members of the Hutu militia slaughtered about one million Tutsis - Ilibagiza's tribe. llibagiza survived for 91 days with seven other women in a 4-by-3-foot bathroom in the home of a local pastor. She chronicled the experience in her first book "Left to Tell," which sold more than a million copies. She tells a very compelling story of love for our Blessed Mother. We hope you will join us for this amazing experience.   CLICK HERE  to register and for more information. 
Extended Care News

There is NO AFTERNOON Preschool or TK - Grade 8 Extended Care on 
Friday, December 16 . This is a minimum day and the last day of school before Christmas Break. Extended Care will be open the morning of  December 16 . Please plan accordingly!
Santa Gram
Santa Grams are HERE!

Student Council is now selling Santa Grams on the Student Council web page.
  • Santa Grams are $1 each and include a peppermint candy cane as well as a personalized message. If you do not wish to give candy, but would like to give a note, please indicate "no candy" on the back of your order form.
     
  • You may pay with cash or check (payable to St. Junipero Serra Catholic).
     
  • All printed forms and payment are to be turned into the School Office with attention to "Santa Grams".
     
  • Orders will be accepted until Friday, December 9.
     
  • Santa Grams will be delivered to classrooms the week of December 12.  We cannot accommodate individual requests for delivery dates/times.
In-N-Out® Ordering is Now Open!
Month of January and Annual (Jan - May) Orders
  
Monthly ordering for January is now open. In January, In-N-Out ® lunch will be served on Thursday, January 12, 19, and 26.  This will also be your last chance to place the Annual In-N-Out order for the remainder of the school year(January - May) All In-N-Out® ordering will close on  Friday, December 16.

Please note the early close date due to the Christmas break.  In-N-Out® will not be served on Thursday, January  5, so please plan accordingly.  CLICK HERE to visit our In-N-Out® page to place your order.

As previously announced, there will be NO In-N-Out® lunches during the month of December.

Tuition Assistance Luncheon


EARLY BIRD PRICING STILL AVAILABLE FOR 1 MORE WEEK!  
Don't miss out on the early bird price of $80 for the Tuition Assistance Luncheon to be held on January 29. You may wish to attend by yourself and meet other ladies from our St. Serra community, or perhaps consider forming your own table of 8 and come as a group. We will even decorate your table for you!  Purchase your tickets HERE  today so you don't miss out.  

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
There are also several opportunities to be a part of this amazing event as a volunteer. To help you identify which volunteer opportunity might best suit your needs, visit our volunteer webpage and Sign Up Genius.  All "server" volunteers are given DOUBLE HOURS for both their training on Saturday, January 28 as well as the day of the event, Sunday, January 29. There is also this link to service-hour-eligible opportunities for SJSC alumni students who are currently attending high school. As a community of giving, time and talent is just as important as treasure. Your investment of these is very much appreciated and truly makes an impact.     

2016-2017 Semi-Annual Tuition and iPad Program Direct Debit (EFT) Reminder
 
December 1st and 7th Semi-Annual Tuition Direct Debit (EFT) Deductions have been submitted for payment.
 
TK-8 iPad Program Semi-Annual Direct Debit (EFT) Deduction Schedule: December 20.
 
Semi-Annual 1:1 iPad Program Direct Debit (EFT) deductions are scheduled for December 20, or as designated on your 2016-2017 Direct Debit (EFT) authorization.
 
EFT Banking Information Record Changes
Please note that ALL EFT record changes require a minimum five (5) business days' notice to the Business Office.  CLICK HERE  for Preschool - Grade 8 EFT Record Change Authorization Form for banking information changes.  
 
CLICK HERE  for Grades TK-8 rates. 
 
For questions, please contact Dana Hardenburgh, Senior Accountant at  dhardenburgh@serraschool.org  or extension 181.
Student Store News
Need ideas for Christmas gifts?  Come stop by the Student Store!  

We have Serra novelty items, at reduced prices, such as our adorable Serra Bears ($6), Serra Tervis Tumbler ($10), Serra Coffee Mugs ($3), Serra License Plate ($4) plus crayons, color pencils, beautiful rosaries, and many choices of novels ($2) for every child. For Serra adults, we have Serra Spirit Wear still available, at reduced prices, including Men's Serra T-Shirts, Polo Shirts, Ladies' T-shirts, and a variety of Serra hats. All Spirit Wear proceeds will benefit our future St. Junipero Serra Catholic School Chapel.

NOTE: The Student Store is now selling Student Planners for $8.

Plus, we still have available inventory of the True Grits uniforms - priced at $15.00 each.  Last year's PE uniform shorts - boy's $10 each; girl's $8 each; PE shirts $6 each; limited sizes. No refunds, no exchanges.

Student Store Hours:
Monday through Friday...................................7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Plus, Tuesday afternoons.................................1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Our Student Store will be closed, starting December 12 through January 3 for year-end inventory.  We will reopen Wednesday, January 4.

Questions? Contact Catherine Tirado, Student Store Coordinator, at 888-1990, ext. 122 or email at ctirado@serraschool.org .
Santa's Secret Christmas Shop
is Here!
Embrace the Spirit of Giving
 
Our 2016   SANTA'S SECRET CHRISTMAS SHOP  Event Chair, - Carrie Mulvee - and her hardworking committee of elves are busy hosting this special event, which is currently open on our campus through Thursday, December 8. As a reminder, Santa's Secret Christmas Shop envelopes for participating students are due to your Homeroom Teachers as soon as possible. Please visit PARENTS ONLY PASSWORD-PROTECTED SECTION  for the student shopping schedule. 

Santa's Helpers Needed! Mrs. Bonin, Mrs. Mulvee and their parent elves are looking for a few more helpers.  Please visit our SSCS SIGNUP GENIUS page for more details or send an email to sscsvolunteers@serraschool.org

Questions? Contact Santa's Secret Christmas Shop Event Chair,  Carrie Mulvee at carrieandpat@cox.net.
Parent Fellowship & Coffee Social
Thursday, December 8, 2016
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. in SJSC Courtyard

Please join us next Thursday, December 8, immediately following St. Junipero Serra's Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass, for a PTO hosted parent coffee social in the SJSC Courtyard. Light hospitality, coffee and water will be served!
SerraStrong in Prayer  
Pray the Rosary with St. Junipero Serra's Weekly Rosary Group TOMORROW at 7:50 a.m.

Did you know? Each Friday  ST. JUNIPERO SERRA'S WEEKLY ROSARY GROUP gathers to pray the Rosary at the Blessed Mother statue near Extended Care. Everyone is welcome! Never prayed the Rosary before? No problem! We are happy to teach you, or to help refresh your memory. On non-Mass Fridays the Rosary Group meets after drop-off, at 7:50 a.m. However, on Friday's when we have Mass, we gather at 8:45 a.m. Questions? Contact Anastacia Escoboza at partnersinprayer@serraschool.org.

St. Serra's Adopt-A-Family Advent Program is Here!  
Gifts & Gift Cards Due by Friday, December 9

Each homeroom was recently sent information on their assigned family for the optional ADOPT-A-FAMILY OUTREACH PROGRAM .  If you are able to help, please send your wrapped gift donation with your child to their homeroom classroom no later than Friday, December 9.   Questions? Contact Carol Lawson at mandc_lawson@me.com . Thank you for helping make this Christmas special for these families. Your kindness and compassion are very much appreciated.
Scrip News
 
SCRIP SALES SCHEDULE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
 
Please help us fill your scrip orders by planning accordingly during this busy time of year. There is only ONE Weekly Order remaining before the Christmas Break. 
 
Virtual and Reloadable Cards available online, year-round
As a reminder, our two online programs are a great tool to keep earning rebates during this time as they offer e-cards and online shopping. Please contact us on or before Friday, December 16 to set-up your account so you will be able to shop and earn rebates over the Christmas Break. Account activation is immediate on Scripsense.com, and 2-3 days on shopwithscrip.com. Please email Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator, at tmaroutian@serraschool.org
 
Weekly:
Monday, December 5, 8:30 a.m. (FINAL order before Christmas Break)
Regular Weekly Orders will resume on Monday, January 9
 
Monday, December 12 - NO WEEKLY ORDER
 
PRESTOPAY PHYSICAL CARD Orders placed on shopwithscrip.com after 7:30 a.m. on Monday, December 5 will be processed on Monday, January 9 and available for pick up on Thursday, January 12.
 
Daily:
Wednesday, December 14 (Final Daily order before Christmas Break)
Daily Box Sales will continue through Friday, December 16 from 7:40 to 8:30 a.m. and will be limited to inventory on hand.
 
Weekly/Daily Sales Update:  
 
Tutto Fresco - Currently unavailable
 
Chuck E. Cheese - Temporarily Unavailable
 
Special Denominations (Starbucks $5, Regal $10 and Amazon $10)
 
These special denominations are back for the holidays with an added twist:  
  • Available through December 5 via the Daily Sales while supplies last and also through Weekly Order sales using the special Christmas Weekly Order form (see instructions below)
  • New! Gift Card Wrappers 
    Pack of 10 assorted card wrappers, $2/pack (10% rebate). Only available through weekly sales through the special Christmas Weekly Order form (see instructions below).
 
Weekly and Special Christmas Order Forms
Both the regular and the special Christmas order forms can be downloaded from the St. Serra website at http://www.serraschool.org/parents/scrip-programs .   The forms are located at the bottom of the page, under Forms to Download TK-8. These order forms are also available for pick-up in the Scrip Office.
 
Please make sure you are using the most current (10/25/16) order form, as there have been several changes over the past few weeks.  Not using the correct form can result in your order not being filled or being delayed. 
 
For questions, contact Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator at tmaroutian@ serraschool.org.
Christmas Present
'Tis the Season! 
Gifting made easy with Scripsense.....Shop online or purchase e-gift cards to make shopping less stressful this year and earn money towards your family's Chapel Fund donation! Over 450 Merchants to choose from and you shop from the comfort of your own home without the crowds!  

Looking for a spot to celebrate Christmas cheer. 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.  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. 

Login and shop now at  www.scripsense.com

You Earn with Every Purchase! 
After School Computer Science Class
Come and learn the basics of computer programming using Scratch!


Next session choose between two themes: Sports or Animation
Dates:  January 23 - February 16, 2017
Mondays & Thursdays,  2:45-4:00 p.m. in the PEB tech lab.

CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Thomas at bthomas@serraschool.org
Community Programs of Interest

Advent Celebration at St. Kilian Church
NEW this year! Prepare your heart for Jesus this "See-Son"
 
Saturday December 3, 9-10:30 a.m.
St. Kilian Church~Hughes Hall
For children, parents and grandparents.  ALL ARE WELCOME!
Refreshments, Carols, Crafts,  Service Project, Prayers
  • Sponsored by the RE Office
  • Hosted by Confirmation 2 Candidates
  • Special Presentation for Parents by Pam Hurwitz and Teresa Oliver with a Take-Home Family Activity
For more information: ( 949) 586-4550  or skre@cox.net