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October 18, 2020
You are invited to a special “White Mass” to honor, support, celebrate and pray for healthcare workers. The White Mass will be held today, Sunday, October 18 at 10:30 a.m. Healthcare workers, RSVP here and your meal after Mass will be courtesy of Holy Trinity! White coat attire is encouraged. Meals also available for purchase for non-healthcare workers. Please practice social distancing and wear a face covering. All are welcome! 
San Francisco Solano is hosting their very first Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 25! There is much in store like a delicious Oktoberfest-themed dinner, beer, wine, soft pretzels, and fun activities such as pumpkin decorating, yard games, photo ops, and a beer stein-holding contest! All socially distant, of course. For more information and to pre-order your family’s dinner or enter the contest, click here.
Has it been a while since your last confession? “Walk-through” confessions are held on Fridays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Please follow Confession guidelines.
There is a new 6:00 p.m. Mass time being offered at St. Kilian Catholic Church in Mission Viejo for outdoor Mass on Saturday evenings. See you there!
*Friday, October 23, 2020 has been changed to a minimum day so St. Serra can conduct a deep cleaning of our entire campus. Please make this change on your calendar and plan accordingly. Dismissal times: Preschool - 11:15 a.m.; Grades TK through 8 - 12:10 p.m.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Conferences will be held Wednesday, October 28, Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30. Please read more to view sign up information.
Calling All Interested 7th & 8th Grade Students for 2020-2021 SerraVision Crew
SerraVision is our school’s student broadcasting station. Every morning, our St. Serra community starts off our day by enjoying our live channel which broadcasts Morning Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, daily announcements, and upcoming events and happenings at St. Serra! Students have the opportunity to be in front of the camera as an Anchor, or behind the scenes as a Camera Operator, Content and Video Editor, Sound Board Operator, or a Writer.
2020-2021 Decathlon
Please join us in congratulating the following Serra Bears on representing our school in the Junior High Academic Decathlon this year!
  • Bryson B. - Logic Captain
  • Hayden S. - Super Quiz Captain
  • Coleson C.
  • Gwyneth D.
  • Daniel G.
  • Jack G.
  • Christine J.
  • Paul P.
  • Riley S.
  • Marielle Z.
Red Ribbon Week:
October 26-29
St. Serra will celebrate Red Ribbon Week the week of October 26-29. In addition, all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Girl Scouts, and other Scouts are invited to wear their Scouting uniforms to school on Wednesday, October 28. The Scouts will help lead their fellow students in the National Red Ribbon Drug-Free Pledge.
Set Family Communication Preferences in FACTS
Families may set their communication preferences in FACTS for the Family Directory and Parent Alert Notification System. Please take a moment to update your preferences, as we will begin utilizing the Parent Alert system to notify families of student absences. You must opt-in to the system to receive phone calls, text messages, and emails. The Parent Alert system will also be utilized in the event that the school needs to communicate important information to families through phone calls and text messages. The Family Directory is available online through the FACTS Family Portal.
Welcome Mrs. Pinegar, Creativity Lab Teacher, TK - Grade 4
We are pleased to welcome our new TK - Grade 4 Creativity Lab teacher, Mrs. Pinegar! She comes to us with a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) background. Mrs. Pinegar has been an officer for the STEAM Program at Marymount University for local elementary schools in the state of Virginia. In this role, she was responsible for STEAM activities and events for elementary students.
She has taught kindergarten, fourth and fifth grades at Catholic elementary schools in Maryland. She comes highly recommended and we are proud to welcome her to the St. Serra family!
Congratulations William H. Hannon Scholarship Recipients!
We would like to congratulate Scarlett L. and Audrey M. (pictured above with Mrs. Reiss and Mr. Tolzda) for receiving the William H. Hannon Memorial Scholarship last spring! Each year, the Hannon Foundation conducts an essay contest for over forty Catholic elementary schools. Fourth grade students visit the Missions, conduct research and write essays about the life of St. Junipero Serra. Two outstanding essays are selected from each school, and the winning students are each awarded William H. Hannon Scholarships toward their fifth grade tuition. In addition, each school receives a grant for tuition aid or computers. We're so proud of you!
Student Pictures Update

You should have received a letter from Simonson Photography this past week. The individualized letters were sent home with your child/children. The letters include a unique link to view your child’s photographs in a private online gallery. Live Streaming Students will be receiving their letters via mail to your home.
Rebate News

Ralphs Shoppers: Rebates for quarter ending August 31, 2020 are now due and must be emailed to rebate@serraschool.org by
October 31, 2020. For any Rebate Program questions email rebate@serraschool.org.
Join the Battle of the Books Club
Join Battle of the Books (BOB), a voluntary reading incentive program for 4th and 5th grade students. The purpose of BOB is to foster the love of reading while encouraging, analyzing and discussing a variety of 20 assigned books at virtual book club meetings. For more information, please contact Mrs. Bummer at ebummer@serraschool.org.
St. Serra Safe

  • Please ensure your child has a clean mask every day.
  • Masks are required while on campus.
  • Remember to maintain social distancing.
Drop-off Reminders

  • Do NOT drop off your child on the street curb.
  • Remain in your car until a staff member has completed your temperature check.
  • Preschool families must have blinkers on.
Download our App

  • Download the official St. Serra app on your phone's app store!
  • Stay up-to-date through our calendar, notifications, campus map and more.
FACTS Marketing Preference
On Monday, November 2, all parents will receive communication from FACTS regarding the option to opt in or out of receiving communication and resources from FACTS affiliated companies. Parents will see a message the first time they log in to their FACTS account and can either opt in or out of receiving future communications at that time. The message will not appear again after they have made a decision.
Can you sew? We need you!
We're looking for volunteers who are able to sew items from home. If you are willing to volunteer, please contact Carol Miller at cmiller@serraschool.org.
Mater Dei High School

Mater Dei's Information Nights are an opportunity for prospective students and parents to become better acquainted with all that Mater Dei has to offer.
Rosary Academy

Attend special presentations, learn about our programs, and interact with students, parents, and faculty. Take home a dinner from Flame Broiler! 
Santa Margarita
Catholic High School

Guided by members of our student ambassador program, take a stroll around our beautiful 42-acre campus and learn more about all SMCHS offers. See why SMCHS remains the top choice for Catholic high school education in Orange County.
Servite High School

Discover Servite Open House is an exciting opportunity to experience the Servite Difference. Our student ambassadors will lead small groups in learning more about why Servite is the best place for your son's high school education. Registration is required.
FUNraiser Success
A big thank you to all the families who went to Five Guys and Baskin Robbins in RSM last week. You helped support local businesses AND our school. Over $300 was raised! Our next FUNraiser is set for Friday, November 13. Stay tuned! 
St. Serra Cinema Pop-Up - Friday, November 6
Spots are going fast! This event is sure to sell-out, so be sure to reserve your spot today. A huge thank you to our Title Sponsor, Santa Margarita Catholic High School, and Event Sponsor, JSerra High School for their generous support!
Siempre Adelante Sponsorship Program, Deadline Extended
St. Serra business owners: The opportunity to get a banner along our inner road for the 2020-21 school year is coming to an end!

There are only 2 weeks left to take advantage of this year-long sponsorship opportunity. Sign up today, and your sponsorship at the $2500 or $5000 level will support multiple events throughout the year.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact Caroline Cecil, PTO VP of Donations:
pto-donations@serraschool.org.
Give-Back Programs at St. Serra
Give-back programs are a quick and easy way to contribute to St. Serra without any additional spending or donations! Check out our fast, free and easy programs below, and start earning for St. Serra today!
Amazon Smile

Did you know? St. Serra Catholic School has an “Amazon Smile” account!
This means you can go to smile.amazon.com and designate “Serra Catholic Elementary School” as your favorite charity, and shop as normal! Eligible purchases earn 0.5% for St. Serra.
Box Tops for Education

Our first Box Tops deadline for the school year will be on Friday, October 23. Please turn in any traditional box tops clips to your homeroom by this date. You can also help earn money for St. Serra every time you shop by using the Box Tops app and scanning your participating product grocery receipt within 14 days of purchase.
Coca-Cola Rewards

Your Coca-Cola product codes can make a difference!
Codes found on participating products can be quickly and easily credited toward St. Serra by visiting the Coca-Cola GIVE website, and results in CASH for our school!
Start Your Christmas Shopping in Style!
If you haven’t heard, Common Thread is THE must-shop women’s boutique in OC! Come sip some champagne, savor charcuterie, and get a head start on your Christmas shopping at Common Thread’s pop-up boutique. Mrs. Melissa Brown is once again graciously hosting this event in her Coto de Caza home on Thursday, November 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m. 20 % of ALL SALES will go to SJSC! Please RSVP to Melissa at:
How can we pray for you?
St. Serra Partners in Prayer