Dear Parents and Guardians,
This weekend will be a busy one here at Serra! On Saturday, we will come together as a community to celebrate Polynesian Day, an annual event that celebrates family and the great sport of football. This event also highlights the importance of diversity, culture, and inclusion within our school community.
We expect more than 4,000 visitors to campus that day between both the junior varsity game at 11 a.m. and the varsity game at 2:30. The varsity match-up against the undefeated Padres and the undefeated St. Francis Lancers is one of the most popular football games in Northern California. The winner of this game will be crowned the champion of the WCAL.
On Sunday, we have invited many to our campus for our annual Open House. This year, we have limited the attendees to only eighth graders and their parent (s).
As with all events on our Serra campus, we hope that our visitors will show respect to our neighbors by avoiding tailgating and driving or parking irresponsibly on or near their residences.
Please consider parking at City Hall or the Elks' Club on 20th Avenue. Also, remember our tickets are all digital. See the ticket link at the bottom of this section to secure your tickets. This event might sell out, so please purchase your tickets soon.
We look forward to a fun and safe weekend at Serra and thank you for your partnership in making it a success. Go Padres!
Sincerely,
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Charlie McGrath
Principal
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Poly Day is just a few days away and you can still be a sponsor of this exciting event!
Every year we have the privilege of representing and appreciating the Polynesian culture through the wonderful sport of football. This year the tradition will take place during our home games against St. Francis High School on Saturday, November 6.
One of the most important values in the Polynesian culture is family. We ask you to embrace this opportunity for our kids, our school and our community by joining together as One Family to make this day special for our Padres. This game will be a huge game--one of the biggest in our school history-- and we need the support of our entire community.
All proceeds go directly to our football program. We need as many sponsors as possible, so please consider being a sponsor of this amazing event. Thank you for all you do for our Serra community.
Poly Day Sponsorships:
Pasifika (Platinum) $500
As a Pasifika sponsor of Poly Day, you will receive two “live” announcements as a sponsor of Poly Day (one during the JV game and one during the Varsity game) four complimentary meals, one preferred parking spot and two Poly Day commemorative T-shirts. Unfortunately, the deadline for banner advertising has passed.
Ali'i (Gold) $250
As a Ali’i sponsor of Poly Day, you will receive two live” announcements as a sponsor of Poly Day (one during the JV game and one during the Varsity game), two complimentary meals and one preferred parking spot.
Mana (Silver) $100
As a Mana sponsor of Poly Day, you will receive one “live” announcement as a sponsor of Poly Day (one during the JV game and one during the Varsity game) and one complimentary meal.
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Volunteers Desperately Needed For Poly Day! |
We are looking for volunteers to help out with the Football game Saturday.
Please click on the link below and sign up if you are available!
We are so grateful for all the parents and students who have signed up to help us this season!
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Students Will Be In Distance Learning Thanksgiving Week |
The week of Thanksgiving we will be conducting Distance Learning through Zoom on Monday and Tuesday. Students will not be allowed on campus.
Students will login to their classes using the teachers’ Zoom links that can be found in Google Classroom as well as on the Faculty Info and Links section of PCR. Classes will be held at their normal times and students are accountable for their prompt attendance.
Since many students may not have used Zoom recently, they should make sure that their devices are updated to the most current version of Zoom. For directions on how to update Zoom - click HERE. |
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On-Campus COVID Testing on Tuesdays and Fridays |
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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Please Note Serra Schedule Changes for November 9 and November 11 |
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Schedules for November 9 and November 11 have been switched: November 9 will be an AM-Activity Schedule with Office Hours and November 11 will be a Minimum Day schedule.
Web calendar, Padre Week Ahead and PCR also have the correct schedules.
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Serra Global Speaker Series Featuring Library Without Borders
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Many people wouldn't guess that libraries can be radically innovative places to generate new possibilities for their communities. In this talk, you'll learn how Libraries Without Borders US brings a mission of improving lives through learning to communities subject to systemic discrimination. From parks in Baltimore to laundromats in Oakland, LWB US designs innovative tools and programs that meet people where they are, providing the resources they need most.
Azure Grimes is the Senior Program Manager at Libraries Without Borders US (LWB US). She is a west-Baltimore native who joined the team in January 2019. Prior to working with LWB US, Azure served on a variety of AmeriCorps national service programs and was honored to receive the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award for completing over 4,000 community service hours. A dynamic young speaker, Azure will make you think in new ways about libraries and their possibilities for all of us!
Please join us at 7 p.m. on November 17. Register for the free Zoom event - here. |
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Serra to Offer Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Testing Using Binax-Now Tests |
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Serra has partnered with the California Department of Public Health and is in the process of getting certified to offer rapid antigen COVID-19 testing. These tests would be used if a student did not feel well. These are Binax-Now tests, similar to the over-the-counter tests. These tests are logged into the state system and tracked closely by the Health Department. If you do not want your child to participate in testing, please let us know by November 5 by emailing covid@serrahs.com to opt out. If we do not hear from you by November 5, we understand that you consent to your son being tested as needed.
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Searching For Robotics Mentors |
We are looking for mentors for our robotics program in our new Pereira Center for Robotics and Engineering!
If you are an engineer, or know someone in engineering who would like to volunteer, please email Jennifer Wiseman. |
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Padres, Save-the-Date For Serra Semi-Formal on December 17 |
Attention all Serra Padres:
Save the date for our semi-formal on Friday, December 17.
More details on this exciting events will sent out soon!
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Calling All Serra Mom Golfers! |
Interested in playing golf while meeting fellow Serra moms?
Whether you are a beginner, an avid golfer or played golf many moons ago and want to dust off your clubs again, now is your opportunity!
Michele Harkov is launching a Serra Ladies Golf Club with all kinds of fun events planned.
Reach out to Michele for more information. |
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R.S.V.P. for Madres Holiday Boutique on November 14 |
All Serra ladies are invited to the Holiday Madre Boutique on November 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Ladies, we will close this event on November 12, so be sure to secure your spot before then!
Get your Christmas shopping started, grab a hostess gift for Thanksgiving dinner, or shop for yourself. You deserve it!
There will be more than 30 vendors – holiday wreaths, Beautycounter, jewelry, clothes, gifts, home décor and much more.
Grab a lady friend or two and join us! $10 entry fee includes wine, champagne, food and a Serra gift bag. Vendors will be giving a portion of the proceeds back to Serra.
Sign up at the link below. Space is limited, so sign up today!
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Fall Art Show on November 18 |
Join us for the Fall Art Show on November 18 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Art Room. There is no charge for admission.
This show will be a celebration of the artwork from Art 1, Art 2, AP Studio Art and Ceramics students.
Family and friends are invited to see what the art students have created so far. The event benefits the Memory Project, a non-profit that supports disadvantaged children from around the world.
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Mark Your Calendars for Serra ThanksGIVEday on November 18 |
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Our fourth annual ThanksGIVEday is less than a month away and will be held on Thursday, November 18. This annual 24-hour day of giving unites the Serra community in the spirit of philanthropy. Contributions to ThanksGIVEday are directed to the Padre Fund which makes a difference where it is needed most. Class year challenges and class decades competitions make this a fun and memorable one-day event to support Serra and the Padre Fund. More information will be coming as the date nears. |
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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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Tri-M National Music Honors Society Inducts 11 Serra Members
Eleven Serra students were inducted into the Tri-M National Music Honors Society Monday night, displaying a ton of talent. Each of the students played solos and small group numbers for a crowd of about 40 people.
The Tri-M Music Honor Society is the international music honor society for junior high and high school students and is designed to recognize students for their academic and musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service activities, and inspire other students to excel at music and leadership. Through more than 4,500 chartered chapters, Tri-M has helped thousands of young people provide years of service through music in schools throughout the world.
“I am most proud that these are the kids that are taking ownership of their music education at Serra and want to step up and not only grow for them but for the new kids coming in,” Music Director Joe Murphy said. With 20 Serra students involved in Tri-M, Murphy said he is excited to see all that this society can accomplish.
“This is a way to provide leadership similar to student government but through a music department. These students will help guide decision-making as it relates to concerts, events, the direction of the program, and become a big part of advertising and mentorship with younger students,” he said.
Murphy said that this group has a collective image of where it wants to see the music program grow and they can help make that happen.
“Teaching our upperclassmen to lead by example is so important that they lead correctly. They will inspire no matter what but it’s important that they understand the responsibilities they have and the role that they play in following the mentoring that is consistent in many programs at Serra,” Murphy said.
Tri-M Executive Officers Andrew Hart, David Martinez, Daniel Ordonez, Nick Walan organized Monday’s event, which featured the performances and light refreshments.
“It was a big night -- 11 inductees is a big deal and there are a number of kids who were inducted who aren’t in music classes but want to be a part of the music program in some way and hopefully will be able to join in one of our ensembles next year.”
There are currently about 20 Tri-M members at Serra.
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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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Padres Sporting Line Up
Football
On Thursday, freshman football take on the St. Francis Lancers at St. Francis at 3:30 p.m. JV kicks off at 11 a.m. and Varsity kicks off at 2:30 p.m. at Serra in a battle for the WCAL Championship.
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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Enjoy a wonderful weekend! Go Padres!
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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