Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,
We hope you all enjoyed a restful and relaxing Christmas break. We have been busy preparing for a great second semester, and as you all know, we are making some changes to bring our students back on campus safely, amid the rise in the Omicron variant.
I have added the class schedule for Thursday and Friday below. I have also added the schedule for the week as well.
I wanted to make you aware that Serra is beginning the first stage of its accreditation process, conducted through the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA). This includes surveying the parent community about many aspects of the total school program. We will be sending out a link to the online parent survey later this month. Watch your email soon, we hope that as many parents participate as possible!
We are looking forward to a great semester and look forward to welcoming our students back to Serra.
Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
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Charlie McGrath
Principal
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Reminder - Return-To-School Testing
Please remember that all students are being asked to take a PCR test on campus through Virus Geeks by Thursday in order to attend classes on Monday.
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Junior Urban Plunge Canceled for This Semester |
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Due to the rising COVID cases, new Covid protocols, and the distance learning that Serra will be in when we return to school this week, we have canceled the Junior Urban Plunges (JUP) this month. Therefore, no Theology class, regardless of the assigned JUP date, will be going to St. Anthony’s Foundation this year. It is unfortunate that we will not be able to go to the peripheries, as Pope Francis has urged us, to help the most vulnerable among us. Please continue to support St. Anthony’s in any way you can as they do incredible work. However, for the health of our students and the clients of St. Anthony’s, we will not be volunteering there this semester.
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Obtaining Athletic Clearance Following Positive COVID Case |
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There have been questions from parents about COVID medical clearance requirements for COVID-positive student-athletes.
Here are the guidelines for what the doctor's notes should include:
- Any student athletes that tests positive for COVID must be cleared by a medical doctor to return to sports
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A doctor's note must be presented to administration or athletic training staff stating that, (Athlete full name) is fully cleared to return to unrestricted athletic participation or (Athlete full name) is cleared to begin a gradual return to play protocol. These notes must be stamped/signed by a medical doctor. No exceptions.
- Some doctors may require an individual who tested positive for COVID to go through a gradual return to play protocol. Depending on the severity of an athlete's symptoms, the athletic training staff has authority to require athletes to complete the gradual return to play as well.
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Until a proper doctor note has been provided to the athletic training staff or administration, COVID-positive athletes may not participate in games or practices.
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Attention Senior Parents: Yearbook Recognition Ads On Sale Now! |
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It's that time of year when family members can purchase a yearbook recognition ad!
This 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.
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Bay Air Quality Management District Public Notice |
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We would like to make the community aware of the a public notice from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District regarding the fire department's emergency standby diesel generator. Please see the full document here. This notice is also posted on our website's reopening page in the notices section. |
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Building Resilience: Preparing Teens for Uncertain Times |
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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
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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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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.
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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 virtual Service Immersion Information Night on January 11, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 6: 30 p.m. on Zoom. 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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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 Happy New Year!
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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