Volume 23 * Issue 31 * May 10,  2018
In This Issue





Stronger together... we lift each other up. We are SERRASTRONG! 
And let us consider how to lift up one another, to love and good works
- Hebrews 10:24






A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT TRUDELL
TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK THANK YOU
On behalf of myself, our faculty, staff, and the PTO, we would like to thank Mrs. Kathy Bonin, PTO VP Outreach, our Teacher Appreciation Week Co-Chairs, Mrs. Kara Elkins, Mrs. Lisa Cavanaugh, and Mrs. Joyce Stinson, and all of the many parents who contributed their time, food, flowers, and talent to make this week so special. Their hard work in planning and executing a fun, beautiful and delicious STEAM-themed Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week, made our teachers and staff truly aware of how much our community appreciates them. Their gracious service and attention to detail on every day's events made everyone on campus feel very special. 

THANK YOU FOR ALL PTO SEASONAL TEACHER/STAFF TREAT DAYS
I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the faculty and staff, to offer my deepest gratitude and appreciation to our PTO and the many parents for the Staff Treat Days they provide for us throughout the year. We thoroughly enjoy the abundance of delicious lunches and goodies they set up for us. These "Treat Days" provide us with a wonderful opportunity to sit and visit with our peers while enjoying the festive atmosphere and great food!

2018 TREE OF REMEMBRANCE ORNAMENT
As is the tradition at St. Serra, we once again offer the Memorial Ornament program to our families. Ornaments can now be purchased to memorialize your loved ones that have gone home to our Lord.
 
Each year, our 7th-grade students submit a drawing and an essay of their vision of Heaven. A winner is then selected by our President, Mrs. Trudell and the Memorial Committee from all of the artwork/essays submitted. We are very pleased to announce that Lauren H.'s beautiful design (as shown here) has been selected for our 2018 Memorial Ornament.
 
At the end of October, all ornaments purchased this year will be hung on the Tree of Remembrance, displayed in the entry lobby and blessed prior to the Memorial Mass held on All Saints Day on November 1. The ornaments remain on the tree for the entire month of November. All ornaments will then be sent home with your student prior to Christmas break should you wish to hang them, along with your Memorial Ornaments from previous years, on your Christmas tree at home.
 
There are two options in which to purchase an ornament for $30 each. If you would like to pay by check, please d ownload an ORDER FORM, print, fill it out, and return it with a check made payable to SJSCS, to the attention of the Advancement office. If you would like to pay with a credit card, please CLICK HERE, to complete the form online and submit.
 
Ornaments must be ordered by September 28 for participation in the November 2018 Memorial Mass. Please contact Cindy Carpino at ext. 239 with any questions.

MARIAN MASS - SAVE THE DATE. FRIDAY, MAY 25
On Friday, May 25, we will be holding our beautiful Marian Mass, where we celebrate our annual May Crowning of our Blessed Virgin Mary and welcome our second-grade First Holy Communion recipients. Please look for details in next Thursday's  SerraDIPITY.

8TH GRADE SERVES UP ICE-CREAM SANDWICHES
Outreach is a key component to living our Catholic faith at St. Junipero Serra. This year our 8th-grade class will once again support St. Polycarp Catholic School through the sale of homemade ice-cream sandwiches at lunch for students in grades 3-8. These delicious delights sell out fast so we hope you'll be able to enjoy one and support our Diocesan School!

Dates: Tuesday, May 15 & Wednesday, May 16 during all lunch hours
Cost: $1.00

REMINDER: FINAL FOOD FOR FRIENDS
TOMORROW, FRIDAY MAY 11
Tomorrow will be  our final  " Food for Friends" food drive for this school year. Thank you to all of our St. Junipero Serra families for supporting the  food  banks associated with our parishes. Your monthly contributions have made a difference in the lives of many, but it doesn't stop here.  School's Almost Out......Hunger's Not!

Please contact Louise Valdez  lvaldez@serraschool.org  with any questions

CELEBRATING SJSC MOMS
This weekend we celebrate Mother's Day, recognizing all of the mothers in our lives. We thank them for life, faith and helping us to know Our Lord and Savior.
Please follow the link to hear a special Mother's Day prayer from our students.

Mothers Day Rosary
Mother's Day Rosary

SPRING CONCERT
I wish to thank Mrs. Janess Sifers, Ms. Peggy Armenta and our incredibly talented choir groups for putting on a fun-filled concert this past Tuesday night. 

Over 120 students from grades 1 through 8 performed at the concert. Tiny Trebles, Serra Singers, Serranade choir, and Bellissima choir all performed in front of an audience of family and friends. New this year, our SJSC Violins & Percussion Ensemble and our SJSC Wind Ensemble joined the choirs for their inaugural performance under the direction of Mr. Paul Nowell. 

It was an entertaining evening filled with the beautiful voices of our Serra Bears. 
THIRD-GRADE OC PLAY
Last Friday our 3rd-grade students delighted family, friends and SJSC staff with their entertaining and educational performance of the OC Play. Under the direction of SJSC Music Teacher, Ms. Peggy Armenta, the costume-clad students led the audience through the history of Orange County with song, dance and story telling.

It is sometimes hard to make decisions and often we question ourselves. If we feel the PEACE in our hearts though, I believe that it is God telling us that made the best decision at this time. Trust in your decisions when you feel that peace.


God is Good All the Time...
All the Time God is Good.

Mrs. Angeline Trudell
President
PRINCIPALS' CORNER
Mrs. Carol Reiss, Principal Preschool - Grade 2
Mrs. Julie Tipton, Principal Grades 3 - 8

PARENTS OF INCOMING FOUR-YEAR-OLD THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS
The St. Junipero Serra Catholic School team is about to begin our homeroom class placement and curriculum review process. We would like to once again partner with you so that we can provide the best learning environment for your child in the upcoming 2018-2019 school year. 

Please complete a separate survey for each student enrolled at St. Junipero Serra Catholic School for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year.  Please use links provided below. ALL SURVEYS ARE DUE BY May 17 AT 3:00 p.m. Surveys submitted after May 17 will not be considered. Homeroom lists will be posted at  www.serraschool.org on Friday, August 17.

This survey is not required for incoming 3-year-old's or incoming young 4-year-old's, as they will receive more information from Mrs. Reiss in August. 

RENAISSANCE STAR TESTING 
REMINDER: The third Renaissance STAR testing window for the 2017-2018 school year is  May 7-May 18.   CLICK HERE for the May Renaissance STAR Testing Schedule. 

23rd ANNUAL ANCHOR BALL 
Reservations Close Tomorrow, May 11!
  • Join us for our biggest fundraiser of the year at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point on Saturday, May 19! Every dollar raised at Anchor Ball helps reduce annual educational costs for every St. Serra student. RESERVE your seats by 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, May 11! Enjoy an amazing evening of silent and live auctions, dancing, great food, and so much more, all in support of St. Serra. Preview our LIVE AUCTION!
     
  • Can't make it to the event? You can still support the school by pre-purchasing tickets through 12:00 p.m. tomorrow, May 11, for our OPPORTUNITY DRAWING, LIGHT OF CHOICE RAFFLE and HANNA'S PRIME STEAK HOUSE WINE DINNER RAFFLE. You don't have to attend Anchor Ball in order to participate!

  • Thank You to Our Generous Supporters! We are very grateful to the parents, administrators, teachers, and staff who have so generously supported our 23rd Annual Anchor Ball with donations, sponsorships and more.  The success of Anchor Ball depends on the participation of our entire St. Serra community - we couldn't do it without you! VIEW THE LIST of this year's Anchor Ball Underwriters, Sponsors, Business Donors, St. Serra Family and Staff Donors, and Angel Fund Donors.
     
  • Volunteer Opportunities still available! SIGN UP NOW now! Questions? Visit our ANCHOR BALL webpage.
Anchor Ball guests...please be on the lookout next week for an e-mail with all of the exciting details about the Anchor Ball evening to come!
SCRIP NEWS

The Scrip year 2017-18 is now closed.
Families who have a balance due will be billed through FACTS. Families who earned over $275 will receive a statement the week of May 14, 2018.
 
2018-2019 Rebate Program
  • Fifty cents of every dollar you earn in rebates will be credited to your educational costs through FACTS on a monthly basis. The first credit of 2018-19 will be issued in August 2018 due to the summer schedule, and monthly thereafter.
  • Congratulations to the Relvas family for winning the Scrip Raffle during the first week of May. The rebates they earned May 1-4 will be doubled. More raffles coming up soon!
  • Sip and Scrip. Come and find out all about Scrip and how you can reduce your educational costs while earning 1 volunteer hour! The Scrip Office will hold its final Sip and Scrip information session for this school year on Tuesday, June 12 from 10-11:00 a.m. in the Scrip Office. Bring your favorite drink. Light snacks will be provided.
  • Refer-a-Family who has not participated in the Scrip program in the last 2 years. When the referred family purchases their first $100, the referring family will earn $25 towards their educational costs 2018-2019.
Shopwithscrip.com Physical Card Prestopay Summer Schedule
Physical cards ordered through shopwithscrip.com will be processed as follows:
- Monday, June 11 by 7:30 am - Pick up on Thursday, June 14
- Wednesday, July 18 by 7:30 am - Pick up on Monday, July 23
- Regular weekly orders will resume on Monday, August 6, 2018

For questions on any of the above or to place a Scrip Order, contact Tina Maroutian, Scrip Coordinator at  tmaroutian@serraschool.org.  
ANNUAL FUND
As we begin to wind down Teacher Appreciation Week, let's keep our support of STEAM education alive! This year's Annual Fund is helping to build two (2) amazing new SMARTLABs that will allow our students to thrive in the all STEAM curriculum in a unique, fun and exciting way - maximizing the use of their own personal God given-talents! What else can we, as parents, possibly want?  

SmartLab
SmartLab

If you have not already given to the 2017-2018 Annual Fund, we ask you to please consider making your contribution TODAY. Help us reach our goals! GIVE to ANNUAL FUND
!

stack_of_books.jpg
LIBRARY NEWS
IMPORTANT REMINDER:  The Library will be closed for this school year on   Friday, May 18 . The last day to borrow a book will be Friday May 11ALL BOOKS will be due back no later than   May 25 to avoid overdue fees.  If your student's book is not returned, you will receive a fine notice for the replacement cost of the book and it will be automatically processed by the Accounting and Finance Office.  Please contact Mrs. Bummer at  ebummer@serraschool.org   with any questions or concerns you may have. 
PHOTOS FROM SEUSSICAL JR. 
Photos from the performance as well as behind-the-scene and group photos are now available to view on Flicker. Visit our website at CampusLife>TheaterArts for the links to the albums. 
YEARBOOK DEADLINE APPROACHING!
Last chance to guarantee your student receives a yearbook on distribution day. Online orders will be closing on May 18 .  A very limited number of yearbooks will be sold after distribution and will be on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. Order your yearbook NOW by CLICKING HERE .

PLEASE make sure that you've ordered a yearbook by checking the list on our website  Parent's Only>Yearbook Orders. If you do not see your student's name on the list, and/or do not have a confirmation email from Jostens, please order now.  

Questions? Please contact Cindy Kennedy at ckennedy@serraschool.org
CHAPEL FUND SCRIPSENSE TIP
Get Away this Summer!

Summer is just around the corner! You can earn rebates for the St. Junipero Serra Chapel by booking your flights with American Airlines or Southwest Airlines, and also look for the perfect vacation spot with Extended Stay America or Hotels.com. St. Serra earns with every purchase! Safe travels!

INTRODUCING OUR 2018-2019 BOARD PTO MEMBERS
  • Thank You...A heartfelt thank you to our 2017-2018 Board Members! Many of the SJSC events and activities that have occurred this past school year were made possible through the leadership and dedication of a very talented PTO Team. Our sincerest gratitude for your service! 
  • Introducing...We are excited to welcome the 2018-19 SJSC Parent Teacher Organization Board - many of whom are already busy planning for next school year. Thank you for answering the call to serve our St. Serra community as part of this blessed ministry! If you'd like to get more involved in PTO, please contact PTO President Elect, Shannon O'Connor at serrapto@serraschool.org.
AT-A-GLANCE CALENDAR FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR 2018-2019

CLICK HERE to view the At-A-Glance Calendar for the 2018-2019 school year. 
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
Santiago De Compostela Job Posting
Santiago De Compostela Church has a job opening for an Adult Faith Formation Coordinator. This is a full-time position. Please CLICK HERE for more information.
SUMMER PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY

Santiago De Compostela Parish VBS, August 6-10
Register for Vacation Bible School after all Masses at the VBS table on the following dates:
  • May 19 & 20
  • May 26 & 27
San Francisco Solano Parish VBS
Vacation Bible School  - Registration is now OPEN! 
WHEN: June 25, 2018 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Pre-K through 8th Grade. Spots are limited!

St. Kilian Church VBS
Vacation Bible School  is coming! Save the Date: July 30 - August 3, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Registration begins April 29.  CLICK HERE  for more information. 

JSerra Catholic HS Lion Engage Summer Program
Designed for students entering grades 6-8, Lion Engage is an engaging program that gives students the opportunity to dive into experiential learning. Students will learn from passionate JSerra instructors, interact with high school student mentors, and have a blast! The flexible programming allows students to come for mornings or afternoons, or both, and to come for one week or both weeks. Check out JSerra's website for class information and to sign up!  https://www.jserra.org/academics/lion-engage
 
JSerra Catholic HS Summer Youth Sport Camps
Do you have a student athlete? Check out JSerra Catholic High School's summer youth sports camps! Students will practice skills and make new friends. See the JSerra website for more information:  https://www.jserra.org/athletics/sports-camps

Santa Margarita HS Summer Sports Camps
SMCHS Summer Youth Camps are designed for young athletes in elementary school through middle school. Youth camps are open to all young people in the local community.

CLICK HERE for more information or to register. If you have any questions about any of our youth summer camps, please email us at sportscamps@smhs.org or (949) 766-1065