Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,
It has been an exciting few weeks at Serra! We congratulate our football team on their game against Mater Dei, the number one team in the country in Southern California last Saturday. The attention the Serra football program has received has been incredible and we are so grateful to all of our coaches, student-athletes, parents and fans for their support!
Last weekend was a busy one! We had a basketball tournament on campus, soccer games, and we welcomed prospective Serra Padres on campus to take their HSPT exams for the first time since the pandemic halted the testing.
Our students begin final exams tomorrow and spent today mentally preparing for them by utilizing the time for wellness activities, collaboration and office hours with their teachers. Grade books will be closed after December 16 until grades are posted on January 7.
We are also proud of four of our student-athletes who signed today to play at the next level. See the story below.
We are so grateful to our outstanding Serra community for all of the partnership and support.
Sincerely,
|
|
|
Congratulations to our Serra Student-Athletes Who Signed Today |
Congratulations to four of our student-athletes who formally signed with their chosen school to play in college. The move to start signing prospects in mid-December rather than waiting until the traditional February signing period gives programs a leg up on trying to score commitments from some of the nation's top recruits.
Congratulations to Tommy Rodgers, who signed with Santa Clara University to run cross country; Andrew Azzopardi, who signed with San Diego State University for football; Hassan Mahasin, who also signed to play football for San Diego State University and Nathan Elu, who signed to play football for Oregon State University.
Check out our gallery and the live-streamed event here. |
|
|
Attention Senior Parents: Yearbook Recognition Ads On Sale Now! |
|
|
Junipero Serra High School Yearbook Recognition Ads are now on sale. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to recognize your son for for his successes and milestones. These personal ads are a lovely way to honor your son in the yearbook.
All recognition ads must be submitted no later than February 1, 2022. Go to www.jostensadservice.com to create your full color ad today.
|
|
Final Exams Begin Tomorrow Through December 21 |
|
|
Final exams will be held from December 16 to December 21 and comprise 20 percent of a student’s semester grade in the class.
Attendance will be taken at both homerooms:
Homeroom: 8:15-8:20 a.m.
Office Hours No. 1: 8:20-9:35 a.m.
Wellness/Break 9:35-10:35 a.m.
Office Hours No. 2: 10:35-11:50 a.m.
Homeroom 11:50-noon
During the office-hour sessions, teachers will be available to assist students in their classrooms. We encourage students to meet with as many teachers as possible between the two different Office Hour sessions. During the Wellness Break, there will be a range of activities including physical activities as well as quiet areas for meditation, prayer and study. We feel that it is important for students to remember to take care of themselves both physically, mentally, and socially during this stressful time of year.
|
|
Building Resilience: Preparing Teens for Uncertain Times |
On January 25, 2022, Common Ground presents 'Building Resilience: Preparing Our Teens to Thrive in Uncertain Times,' featuring Marc Brackett, Ph.D, moderated by Scott Erickson, Ph.D, head of schools at Phillips Brooks School.
Tapping into our emotions and naming them can help us make better decisions, build stronger relationships, perform better academically and professionally, and improve our health. In this talk, Dr. Brackett will discuss how giving our children and ourselves permission to feel our feelings and name them can increase our ability to regulate tough emotions and be our best selves in addressing day to day stressors.
This lecture, which will be hosted on an online livestream Zoom webinar will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Details. Registration Coming Soon
|
|
|
Christian Service Hour Reminder - Due Dates in Early 2022 |
Just a friendly reminder that Christian Service Hour are due in 2022.
Due date for service hours: Seniors - Friday, February 11, 2022; All other classes - Friday, March 25, 2022. It's a good idea to use the Christmas break to work on your hours. You must complete at least 10 hours each year. Make sure to submit your hours on x2vol. Here are some agencies you can volunteer with:
|
|
|
Time to Begin Financial Aid Applications for January Deadline |
It is that time of year again to start your 2022-2023 financial aid applications, as the TADS portal is now open. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2022. Please submit your applications before the deadline as late applications could hold up or reduce your financial aid award, depending on funds available.
Serra has provided supplemental aid the past two years to support those impacted by the effects of the COVID pandemic. These funds were meant as a bridge to assist families in the short-term, and were not meant to be an ongoing source of financial aid. For the 2022-2023 school year, COVID related financial aid will be reduced, and will be made available in limited circumstances. If you believe that this applies in your case, please complete the supplemental COVID aid application.
|
|
|
Applications Being Accepted for Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program |
The Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program is designed for college-bound Black and African-American students in the United States. Eligible high school seniors can receive a needs-based scholarship grant of up to $20,000 per year.This program offers one-on-one mentorship, year-round training and development, internship opportunities and if requirements are met, an invitation to join Visa full-time after graduation. Last year, Visa welcomed 50 talented students to the program from all around the country. This program is being delivered in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF).
Applications for the Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program are open for the 2022-23 college academic year. Visit Visa for more information. The deadline to apply is January 10, 2022.
|
|
Madres and Padres Apparel Pick Up Times Extended! |
Attention Mothers and Fathers Club Members: If you have not yet picked up your gear, it will be available for pickup in the main lobby by you or your sons on the following days.
Thursday, Dec. 16 - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 17 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Monday Dec. 20 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 21 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.
|
|
|
There's Still Time To Give A Gift That Lasts a Lifetime! |
A gift to Serra is a gift that keeps on giving for years to come. We know that you have options when it comes to year-end giving. Why not choose a gift to Serra where educating a Padre is a gift that lasts a lifetime?
Additionally, there are some special tax saving opportunities that you may want to consider in your year-end plans:
In 2021, cash gifts made to qualified charities can be used to offset up to 100% of your adjusted gross income. In 2022, deductibility will be limited to 60% of your adjusted gross income. This means you can save more in taxes if you make a cash gift to Serra before December 31, 2021.
Also, people who choose to take the standard deduction on their taxes generally cannot claim a deduction for their charitable contributions. However, a temporary change in the law now permits them to claim a limited deduction on their 2021 federal income tax return for cash contributions made to qualifying charitable organizations. Serra is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization. Under this provision, individual tax filers, including married individuals filing separate returns, can claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made to qualified charities during 2021 and is increased to $600 for married individuals filing joint returns. Please check with your tax advisor when filing your return.
If you wish to mail a check, it must be dated and postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service on or before December 31, 2021, to qualify for a tax deduction this year. If you prefer to use a credit card, the gift is considered to be made on the date of the charge, regardless of when you pay your credit card bill. Online donations are great too by clicking on: www.serrahs.com/padrefund.
We thank you for your support and commitment to Serra and wish you a blessed holiday season!
|
|
|
Learn More About the Family Christmas Creche in the Zoph Blog |
Inside our homes, where we display our more precious decorations, we often find the family Christmas crèche. The blessed nativity scene comes in so many forms. Visit the Zoph Library’s recent blog post on the craft and devotion of the Christmas crèche.
|
|
|
Serra 2021 Christmas Ornaments For Sale For $10 Each! |
When you're decorating your tree this year, consider adding to it a little blue and gold!
Serra 2021 Christmas ornaments are just $10 each and can be picked up in the Advancement Office this week and next.
Merry Christmas and Go Padres!
|
|
|
Immersion Trips Are Back! |
|
Service Immersion trips are coming back! Grow in Faith, Community, Wisdom, Service and Leadership. . . Immersion trips are a great way to experience the Serra Brotherhood by connecting with communities in need, either locally or nationally over Easter Break or in the Summer. Trips are open to sophomores, juniors and current seniors before they graduate. Find out more at the Service Immersion Information Night on January 11, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the chapel. For more information, contact Immersion Coordinator Mary Dowden via email at mdowden@serrahs.com or by phone at 345-8207 x 507.
|
|
Juniors: Urban Plunge To Take Place in January Through Theology Classes |
Juniors will participate in the Junior Urban Plunge with his Theology Class in early January. The Junior Urban Plunge is a day in which each class goes to St. Anthony’s Foundation in the San Francisco's Tenderloin and learns about homelessness, addiction, food insecurity, and the interrelated struggles that affect the clients.
Serra has been doing this one-day immersion experience for more than 15 years and it is an opportunity for our students to delve into Catholic social teaching and follow Jesus’ example of loving all people, especially those on the margins with the greatest need. Our students participate in providing some of the resources offered through St. Anthony’s and have an experience of dining and talking with the clients of St. Anthony’s.
St. Anthony's requires all volunteers to show proof of vaccination. It is suggested to have the second shot by Christmas in order to be cleared when we return in January.
|
|
|
Shop Padre Family Businesses! |
If you would like to add your Padre-family business to our list, email us here.
Thank you for your community support and remember to shop small, shop local and shop Padre!
|
|
|
|
Download our free Serra App TODAY!
Select your mobile app store below and download directly to your device. Or, search for the app on your phone. Once you download the app, you can log in with your last name and email address.
|
|
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Aimee Lewis Strain
Director of Marketing and Communications
|
|
Junipero Serra High School | 451 West 20th Avenue | San Mateo, CA 94403 | serrahs.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
