Dear Parents and Guardians,
We have had some incredible motivational speakers visit our campus in the past two weeks, tackling some heavy subjects that we believe are critical to the overall growth of our Serra Padres.
Today, Ray Lozano presented to the freshman and sophomore classes. Lozano discussed vaping with the boys and used his talent for conveying what could be construed as boring drug prevention information in a fun and humorous way. Ray will also present to parents about drug and alcohol prevention and teens later this semester.
On September 22, parents should mark their calendars for the first of our parent speakers, Ashanti Branch, who was featured in our newsletter last week. Branch will give his “Taking Off the Mask” presentation to our parent community over Zoom. Ashanti has worked with all of our students over the past two years and spoke to our freshman class last Wednesday. More information will be sent home about this parent Zoom, including the link.
We hope you are all enjoying a good week!
Sincerely,
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Charlie McGrath
Principal
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Feeling Sick? Here's what you should do -- Covid Symptom Checklist |
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Father-Son Alumni Legacy Mass Brings Generations Together |
Serra Padres from three generations enjoyed the annual Alumni Legacy Mass Friday morning, a mass dedicated to current Padres and their alumni fathers and grandfathers. The early morning mass began in Mary's Courtyard at 7:30 a.m. and was conducted by new Serra chaplain Father Nicholas Case, whose thoughtful homily highlighted the joys and gifts of fatherhood.
Forty-five dads and sons and six sets of sons, dads and grandfathers attended the event, which ended with a delicious breakfast buffet.
According to Andy Armando '91, the event was a great way to come together as Padres.
"My experience at Serra was unique and it is so fun to be here again," he said. Armando's son Aidan is a freshman and another son will likely attend Serra next fall in the Class of 2026.
"It's great to be back -- Aidan is having a great time and next year we'll have another one here," he said.
Dante Ceccotti '67, Aidan Armando's grandfather and Andy Armando's father-in-law, attended the Mass as well and said he is very happy to be back on campus with his son-in-law and grandson.
"This is such a nice tradition, it is so nice to be welcomed to campus to enjoy this morning together," Ceccotti said.
"I am so happy that Aidan chose Serra," he said enthusiastically.
Chief Advancement Officer Mike Fadelli '88 brought his son Andrew '24 for the first year, an experience he enjoyed so much with his older son Matthew, who graduated in May.
"It is so special to see so many fellow Padre dads, grandfathers and sons at this event each year," Fadelli said. "The legacy of Serra shines bright today."
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College Night for Juniors on September 13
College Information Night for Juniors is Monday, September 13 at 7 p.m.
Parents and students will attend this event virtually. A link will be shared on Friday. This is a mandatory event for the juniors for their College Advising Seminar.
Upper Division counselors will share information about the college process, provide resources, a junior timeline and recent data.
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Common Ground Speaker: Parenting Past the Pandemic:
A Guide to Returning to School
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Common Ground Speaker Series is featuring a special webinar that discusses parenting past the pandemic and how to help your children return to school successfully. The talk features pediatricians Dr. Damon Korb and Dr. Tanya Altmann and will guide parents through the new normal. They will also share advice about how to navigate school, home life and extra curriculars for students at all developmental stages as the pandemic continues. The webinar is Thursday, September 23 at 7 p.m. Registration opens tomorrow and closes two hours before the event. |
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Tri-School Productions presents The Alibis!
When an eccentric billionaire is found murdered, a detective detains eight party guests in an attempt to solve the crime. Each suspect must provide their alibi to prove they did not commit the crime. But who is truly innocent?
Auditions for this Tri-School performance will take place in Serra's Gellert Auditorium on September 14-15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Mass of The Holy Spirit This Friday: All-School Dress Up Day |
Since the founding of the great European universities of the Middle Ages, it has been tradition to mark the beginning of the new school year in a Catholic community with the Mass of the Holy Spirit.
The Serra community will gather this Friday morning to give thanks to God, to pray for the world and the community, and to call upon God’s Spirit for guidance, wisdom, and strength in the new academic year.
Students are expected to be in dress-up dress code for the entire day:
- Dress slacks/Dockers-style pants
- Full-buttoned collared dress shirt, tucked in, with tie, socks and dress shoes
- Tennis shoes, blue jeans, sweatshirts and shorts are not permitted
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Testing Available On Site at Serra on Tuesdays and Fridays by Virus Geeks |
Testing for unvaccinated students is required on a weekly basis and highly encouraged for vaccinated students as well. Testing is being offered on campus as a courtesy to Serra families.
Virus Geeks will be testing every Tuesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All results from testing done on Serra’s campus will be available to Serra before school begins the following Monday.
Drive thru testing is also available at Mercy High School in Burlingame every Saturday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. If your son tests at Mercy, he will need to let the testing facility know that the results are for Serra.
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Notre Dame Belmont Frosh Dance This Friday Night |
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Notre Dame Belmont is hosting an outdoor dance this Friday for tri-school freshman and sophomores.
Representatives from Notre Dame will be selling tickets at lower division lunch Wednesday through Friday outside the cafeteria.
Ticket cost is $10. The dance will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Father Downey Plaza. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
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Advertise Your Business On Serra's Beautiful Campus! |
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Advertise your business with a creative sponsorship opportunity!
Add your company logo and information on a custom-fitted barricade cover that will be placed around Brady Family Stadium and Freitas Field for the entire 2021-2022 athletic season! This includes football, soccer, lacrosse and track & field seasons.
These covers are created with double-sided print and stretchy mesh fabric on perimeter barriers.
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Parents Volunteers Needed
at Serra Home Football Games
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We are looking for a few good volunteers! We will need up to four volunteers per home football game to sell concessions, tickets and merchandise throughout season. This is a great way to meet new people and represent Serra!
Please note that we are using a new sign-up system. We thank you for your consideration!
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Students Interested in Medicine Welcome to Join Medical Association |
The Youth Medical Association is searching for Bay Area high school students who are interested in medicine . YMA members will tour the medical facilities of renowned Bay Area institutions, do hands-on emergency medicine activities, and become informed about medical and STEM-related summer internship opportunities throughout the year. Students will also attend bi-weekly meetings over Zoom during the first semester, which will expand members’ knowledge of the medical field via keynote speakers, mock medical cases, pre-professional exposure, and journal discussions.
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Volunteer Opportunities for Padres |
Padres, interested in service hours? The Vallombrosa Center is searching for volunteers to help maintain their beautiful landscape and are asking for strong Padres to help out!
Pictured above is Robert Santos '23, and Enoch Mun '22 during a Vallombrosa Volunteering event.
The Vallombrosa Volunteering event is an effort organized by Calvin Qian, Christian Service and Justice Club president, and the leaders at the Vallombrosa Center. Students help maintain the grounds by gardening, raking, cleaning paths, and lifting heavy bins.
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Serra's Parent Clubs First Meetings in September - Hope to See You There! |
There are meetings on the calendar for the Madres and Fathers' clubs!
Freshmen Madres are welcome to meet this Thursday to learn more information about Serra High School . This meeting will take place on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m., and will be an outdoor meeting by the pool.
Sophomore, junior and senior Madres will meet on Wednesday, September 15 at 7 p.m. This will also be an outdoor meeting by the pool.
Our first Fathers' Club Meeting will take place Wednesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. on the blacktop area adjacent to the baseball field.
Hope to see you all there!
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Preview of Weekend Games and Ticket/ Parking Information |
For weekend football games, all spectators can park in the parking lot on Stratford Avenue. Once it is full we ask that fans park at City Hall located at 330 West 20th Ave.
Only those spectators with Booster Passes can park in the parking structure. Booster passes can be purchased at the link below.
We are asking fans to NOT park on neighborhood streets and to remember that tail-gaiting of any kind is strictly prohibited. We will not be accepting cash at the gate to purchase tickets. This will be a completely cashless event. Tickets will be validated on a mobile device. Tickets can be purchased at the link below. Below, you will also find a link to the live online broadcast of the games.
Water Polo
Junior Varsity and Varsity water polo battle Menlo School at home today. JV begins at 4:30 p.m. and Varsity plays at 6:30 p.m. Varsity water polo also plays on Saturday at Aragon in a tournament beginning at 8 a.m.
Football
Weekend football games include the JV and Varsity football teams taking on Half Moon Bay High School at home on Saturday. JV will play at 11 a.m. and Varsity will begin at 2:30 p.m. Freshman have a bye week.
Cross Country
Cross Country teams will compete on Saturday in the Lowell Invitational at Golden Gate Park on Saturday beginning at 7 a.m.
GO PADRES!
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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!
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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.
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Wishing you a wonderful week!
Aimee Lewis Strain
Director of Marketing and Communications
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Junipero Serra High School | 451 West 20th Avenue | San Mateo, CA 94403 | serrahs.com
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