Dear Parents and Guardians,
This is the last full week of school for our first semester! Final Exams begin next week and we are launching them with a special schedule on December 15 that allows students to meet with teachers or use the day to study in preparation for the exams. Exams are 20 percent of a student's grade, so preparation is key.
While we only have two weeks left until Christmas Break, these weeks are certainly full of events. We have the state championship football game in Mission Viejo on Saturday and will send information along to our community as to how you can watch the game from home. Basketball, soccer and wrestling have begun and our team schedules have been packed as well.
Students are invited to our first semi-formal on December 17 at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame.
Ticket information can be found below.
Our music students hosted a wonderful Christmas Concert on Monday night that received a standing ovation from the audience. Congratulations to our talented musicians and singers for their amazing show!
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Serra Padres To Play in State Championship Game on December 11 |
The Serra High School Varsity Football Team will play the Mater Dei Monarchs in the State Championship Game on Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m. at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.
Anyone is welcome to purchase game tickets for by using the public CIF link below. General Admission is $17. Tickets for children, students and seniors 65 and older are $10.
Parking is free for the championship games at Saddleback College. RV’s or other vehicles not fitting in a traditional parking space must use the overflow parking lot dedicated as Lot 10. Please note that Saddleback College restricts tailgating in the parking lots.
Serra will compete in the Open Division against Mater Dei High School, a private, Catholic, school in Santa Ana. The Mater Dei Monarchs football team is rated No. 1 in the country by MaxPreps. Go Padres!
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Final Exams To Be Held December 16- December 21 |
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Final exams will be held from December 16 to December 21 and comprise 20 percent of a student’s semester grade in the class. Since this will be our first final exams in two years, we will be conducting a special schedule on December 15 that will focus on preparation for final exams, which includes study time, office hours and wellness activities. This is a regular school day, beginning with homeroom at 8:15 a.m. and ending with a second homeroom at 11:50 a.m. Students will be dismissed at noon.
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.
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Students Are Invited to the Winter Ball Semi-Formal Dec. 17 at The Hyatt |
Date: Friday, December 17, 2021
Time: 7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Doors close at 7:30 p.m. and re-open at 9 p.m.
Location: Hyatt Regency SFO, 1333 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, CA 94010
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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:
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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.
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Need the Perfect Gift? Check out the Zoph Library Blog for Ideas |
Visit Zoph Library’s latest blog post for a host of new reading recommendations--including many from Serra faculty and staff--all helpful for buying gifts or for finding something to read over Christmas break! |
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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 on the week of December 15.
Merry Christmas and Go Padres!
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Important Senior Dates -- 2021 - 2022 |
Below you will find major dates for senior families during the upcoming school year. For the most current calendar information, please visit our website at serrahs.com.
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Immersion Trips Are Back! |
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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.
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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.
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Calling For Donations of Gift Cards and Canned Food |
Campus Ministry is still collecting gift cards and canned and non-perishable food items for the Redwood City Catholic Worker House. Please drop all items into the bins outside of Campus Ministry.
Please support this important cause!
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Sign Up For Upcoming Sophomore, Junior and Senior Retreats in the New Year |
It is time to sign up for retreats!
Seniors have the opportunity to attend Kairos, a four day retreat held at Vallombrosa in Menlo Park. Kairos 29 will take place from January 25 to January 28, 2022. Kairos 30 will be from March 15 to March 18, 2022.
Juniors have the chance to sign up for a new two-night retreat experience at Redwood Glen Camp in Loma Mar. The two options for the junior retreat are January 12 to 14, 2022 and February 23 to 25, 2022.
Sophomores will be able to attend the Sophomore Overnight Retreat at Mission Springs in Scotts Valley on either February 8 to February 9, 2022 or March 29 to March 30, 2022.
All retreats are completely free, and permission forms can be picked up in the Campus Ministry Office. Any questions should be directed to Steven Olujic.
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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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