Reminder: Click "read entire message" or "read more" to view the full newsletter. |
|
Dear St. Serra Parents,
As we continue our drive to complete this school year in grand fashion, we are also working on plans for the 2021-22 school year. We will be making some adjustments at St. Serra starting this fall. I will communicate any changes to you in a timely manner so families are able to make the necessary plans, if applicable.
The first change that we will be implementing, will be to change our minimum day schedule for the 2021-22 school year. Currently our minimum days, which are used for teacher Professional Development, occur on Fridays. We will be changing the day to Wednesday instead. This change will provide our teaching staff with the opportunity to be more consistent with our Professional Development schedule. Our teachers will have more opportunities to collaborate with one another and learn from each other, as well as develop best teaching practices. Our teaching staff must continually evolve, with their instructional delivery and strategies, in order to meet the needs of all our students. We feel that we will accomplish this with this model.
I realize that this is a major shift from the many years of minimum day Fridays, and many parents loved the convenience of leaving early on Friday afternoons for out of town trips, etc. However, the school's priority is for our teachers to have the adequate time and consistency that is necessary to improve on their craft of teaching. I appreciate your support and understanding with this change, and wanted to give you adequate time to make your plans for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. Please see the “new look” Year-at-a-Glance 2021-2022 School Calendar here.
Always Striving,
Tim Tolzda
Sr. Principal
|
|
|
|
Tuesday,
March 23
• Moment in Time for Moms
|
|
|
|
Friday,
March 26
• St. Kilian Knights of Columbus Youth Poster Contest Entries Due
• Lenten Spritual Retreat 2021 "Made with Love", 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
|
|
|
Saturday, March 27
It's time for another St. Serra Family FUNraiser! Join us on Saturday March, 27, at Aloha Stacks in Mission Viejo from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Location: Aloha Stacks, 27762 Santa Margarita Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA. Indoor/outdoor dining & carry out available.
|
|
|
|
2021-2022 Educational Cost Assistance |
The deadline for assistance applications and required documents is this Friday, March 26, 2021. If you have questions, please contact Dana Hardenburgh at dhardenburgh@serraschool.org.
|
|
|
Important Morning Traffic Reminders |
- Please remember that the far right lane on the inner road is reserved for Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten parents to drop off their students.
- Parents of Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students please have your hazard lights (blinkers) on when you enter the campus at morning drop-off. This helps our staff direct traffic correctly and also lets the cars behind you know that you will be making the sharp right turn on the inner road.
- Please refrain from being on your cell phone when driving on campus. We need everyone's undivided attention to keep us all safe.
- Please make sure that your students are ready with the window down to have their temperature checked when the car stops (materials ready, masks on, etc.). Refrain from exiting the car until a staff member has checked your temperature and cleared you to get out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trimester 1 Student Learning Assessments, Kindergarten - Grade 8 ONLY |
Student Learning Assessments (SLA's/Report Cards) were posted on Friday, March 19 in FACTS.
To view your child's SLA:
-
Log into your FACTS account (if you have difficulty logging in, please email passwords@serraschool.org)
- On the left hand side, select "Student"
- Select "Report Card." Your child's SLA will be visible.
Please note: Preschool - TK grades and report cards are not in FACTS. These were sent home Thursday, March 18. New students who started in March 2021 will not be receiving this.
|
|
|
|
|
Knights of Columbus Youth Poster Contest Due March 26 |
Every year, the Knights of Columbus at St. Kilian Parish sponsor a youth art contest open to all Catholic elementary students. This year's theme is to demonstrate an understanding of one of the mysteries of the Rosary. The contest is open to all students in grades 1-8. There is a first-place prize of $150 and a second-place prize of $50 to be awarded in each of two categories: first-fourth grade and fifth-eighth grade. All entries must be turned in to the Council website by March 26, 2021. Please see the attached document for detailed information and an official entry form. |
|
|
|
|
|
Grades 5 - 8 End of Trimester 2 |
Thank you to all students in Grades 5 - 8 for your hard work during the second trimester of the 2020-2021 school year! Congratulations to all the students that earned either Principal's Honor Roll (94%-100%) or Honor Roll (89%-93.99%) during this trimester. Click below for the lists of students. Certificates will be sent home with the students the week of March 22. |
|
|
New Live Classroom Streaming Policies |
We are so proud of our teachers that continue to provide live classroom streaming to students who are in need of this option. Live streaming is primarily provided for those students who are not comfortable attending school in-person or need to quarantine at home. Live streaming allows them to participate in class as fully as possible and not have to experience disruptions in learning. When a student is sick for a few days our teachers are happy to allow them to participate in live streaming. It is important to note that our teachers are supervising students from 7:10 a.m. until dismissal each day at 2:40 p.m. For this reason they are not able to answer emails during their work day. If your child will be out sick for a few days and you want them to live stream, please send the teacher/s an email 24 hours in advance so they can allow them on their livestream and arrange for the materials that your child will need. It is best not to use live streaming if a child is so sick that they need to be resting or if it is just for one day. If it is just for one day, your child can make up the work upon his/her return to school. |
|
|
|
|
|
St. Serra Math Decathlete Wins First Place at Nationals! |
After months of tireless preparation, along with competing and earning a Diocesan championship in Math, Bryson B. competed last weekend against the top performing math decathletes from all of the winning teams in the nation, as well as all the individual regional math champions from each of the participating Diocesan schools in the first ever virtual Junior High Academic Decathlon event. After a grueling, hour long, 50 question test, we waited four and a half hours for the final results. Please join the St. Serra Community in offering a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Bryson B. for earning first place in Math at the National Junior High Academic Decathlon this past Saturday, March 13. Great job Bryson, and again a big congratulations to the entire Academic Decathlon Team for a terrific year of competition and for representing your school proudly! Way to go Bears! |
|
|
 |
Updated COVID-19 Protocol & Student Symptom Decision Tree |
The CDC and the Orange County Health Care Agency continually review and adjust their suggested practices and protocols based on emerging information about COVID-19. This memo is to announce some important changes regarding St. Serra’s COVID-19 protocols based on CDC and OCHCA guidance. Effective January 1, 2021, St. Serra has updated the return-to-school policy when a student
is exposed to COVID-19.
|
|
|
|
Out of State Travel for Easter Break |
In December 2020, St. Serra received a directive from the Diocese of Orange that stated: Students and families who travel out of state can transition to distance learning for 14 days (now 10 days) upon their return or are requested to provide a negative COVID-19 test result for re-entry to campus. While this directive does apply to the Holidays, St. Serra is committed to remaining open for in-person instruction so as a result, we will continue to follow this directive for all out of state travel from now through the end of the 2020-2021 school year. The health and safety of our students and staff are our top priority. Keeping the school open requires all of us to be healthy in order to continue in-person learning here at St. Serra. Please see message from the Diocese of Orange.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EASTER IS COMING! Only 2 more weekly orders available for physical gift cards. All online orders due by 7:30 a.m. each Monday (March 22 and March 29).
|
|
|
|
|
We are currently hiring for a Health Room Assistant, along with some other key positions on campus. Please visit our website to learn more! |
|
|
|
|
|
We have received a few questions regarding the status of Summer School. St. Serra will NOT be hosting Summer School this year. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you very much for understanding. |
|
|
|
|
March Family FUNraiser at Aloha Stacks Mission Viejo This Saturday! |
Support St. Serra and a St. Serra family-owned business through our monthly Family FUNraiser. Join us on Saturday March 27, at Aloha Stacks in Mission Viejo from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Location: Aloha Stacks, 27762 Santa Margarita Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA. Indoor/outdoor dining & carry out available. View MENU. |
|
|
|
Good Times “Fore” a Great Cause!
Thursday, May 20, 2021
Arroyo Trabuco Golf Course
|
|
Golf Classic 2021 is Sold Out! |
It is official, the 25th Annual Golf Classic is SOLD OUT! Thank you to everyone who jumped in to take advantage of the Early Bird pricing. It will be a great day “fore” a great cause! If you are still interested in joining the Golf Classic, there are opportunities available to volunteer at the course and/or host a hole as a beverage sponsor. Details can be found on the EVENT HOMEPAGE and on the VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP PAGE.
This event couldn’t happen without the generous support of our sponsors, auction donors and on-course food and beverage vendors! Additional sponsorship opportunities, such as "Realtor Row", Tee Signs and Contest Sponsors, are still available - click the link below to sponsor now:
|
|
|
|
Seasons Tuition Assistance Luncheon 2021
Sunday, April 25, 2021
|
|
Season's Tuition Assistance Luncheon Travel Raffle |
After a year of quarantine, who isn’t dreaming of a great vacation? Here is your chance to win one of TWO amazing trips. This year's Travel Raffle destinations are beautiful properties in Palm Desert and Park City!
Need more incentive to buy those tickets? We've got you covered! From now until Wednesday, March 24 at 12 noon, for every travel raffle ticket purchased, you will be entered into a drawing to win a set of stunning Swarovski earrings! PLUS - buy or sell all 9 tickets and you not only have 9 chances to win those earrings, but you will also receive one (1) entry into a drawing for a coveted St. Serra reserved parking spot! Send in your purchased tickets with your child to their classroom using the provided envelopes. Don’t forget to designate the trip of your choice in case you win!
THANK YOU to our Presenting Sponsors, Santa Margarita Catholic High School and JSerra Catholic High School, for their generous support of our Tuition Assistance fund!
Want to Volunteer for this event? Sign up here!
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Made with Love" Lenten Retreat: Register Now! |
Please join us for fellowship, prayer and reflection at our "Made with Love" Lenten Retreat on Friday, March 26, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hanna's Restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita. This wonderful event is nearly sold out - register today to secure your spot! |
|
|
|
Coffee Social with the Principals for Preschool - Grade 4 Parents |
Mrs. Radzai, Mrs. Reiss and Mr. Tolzda have enjoyed meeting with a number of new families on campus during our "Coffee Socials with the Principals." It's been a great opportunity to hear about the vision for St. Serra and to receive parents' feedback firsthand.
Now, we'd like to open the socials to all families to continue to grow together and build a school community of which we are all proud. All families with students in preschool through 4th grade (middle school invitation will follow for April) are invited to join us in the Chapel Courtyard at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in March.
Sign up below to secure a spot! Space is limited due to social distancing guidelines, so be sure to check your schedule when signing up to ensure your availability. We look forward to hearing about your personal experiences and talking through your questions in an effort to provide the best experience for our St. Serra Bears!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking to get involved for 2021-2022 school year? |
The 2021-2022 PTO Board is looking for parent volunteers. Open positions include (but are not limited to) VP of Parent/Child Events, VP of Anchor Ball and multiple Event Chair positions. This is a great way to get involved, meet other parents and satisfy your family volunteer hour requirement for 2021-2022 school year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Save the Date: April Family FUNraiser |
Join us on Thursday, April 1, 2021, at BJ’s Restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita. This is a great option for a minimum day lunch or dinner, and a portion of the proceeds benefit St. Serra. Looking forward to seeing you there!
BJ’s Restaurant
22022 El Paseo
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
