Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,

Since we last updated our community in early January, the numbers of students and staff testing positive for COVID have decreased dramatically. The table below indicates the total student numbers per week. Serra has had more than 275 documented cases between December 16, 2021 and January 16, 2022. The significant reduction in positive cases is a very positive trend for the school. 

A few reminders: 
  • Masks: While there has been significant media discussion of potential changes to mask policies in schools, the state has not yet changed their policy and face masks remain in effect indoors for K-12 schools. We anticipate that these policies will be reevaluated by the state and the San Mateo County Health Department in late February. We will share updates with our community as we receive them.
  • Testing: Weekly testing is still required for faculty, staff and students who are not fully vaccinated as well as student athletes participating indoors. Weekly testing with Virus Geeks will continue to be on campus Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Serra will offer BinaxNow testing via the CDPH each school morning from 7:20 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. in the Robotics Room.
  • Symptomatic: Anyone with COVID-19 type symptoms should not come to school and should take an at home antigen test or a PCR test. Please notify covid@serrahs.com with positive results or questions.

I hope you have a safe and healthy week!

Sincerely,
Charlie McGrath
Principal
NEWS AND EVENTS
Virus Geeks Testing
Remains on Campus
Tuesday and Fridays

Please remember that Virus Geeks on on site Tuesdays and Fridays for COVID testing.
Asynchronous Learning Days on March 3 and March 4

Be sure to mark your calendars for March 3 and March 4 as asynchronous learning days. These two days have been posted on the school calendar since the start of the school year. The term “asynchronous” should be interpreted as “at no specific time.” Classes will not meet in person or over Zoom. Instead, students are responsible for logging into Google Classroom on their own time (that day), complete studies and assignments, and submit them to the teacher by the due dates set by the teacher. Attendance is not taken, so parents do not need to call the Attendance Office if their student is sick. Students may use the day to work on their Christian Service Hours, as long as they also give themselves time to complete their coursework.
Tables are selling fast for our March 12 Fund a Dream Scholarship Benefit! This is a time for Serra friends and families to come together in the name of philanthropy. It is a time for us to toast this great program and raise the funds necessary to welcome a new group of qualified young Padres to Serra.

Come and hear a special introduction by Varsity Head Coach Patrick Walsh, who will introduce our keynote speaker Father Joe Bradley '73.

Purchase your tickets and tables today for Fund a Dream!
Parent Teacher Conferences Scheduled for Friday, February 25

Parent-teacher conferences for the spring semester are scheduled for Friday afternoon, February 25, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. over Zoom. As was the case for fall semester, these conferences are optional but strongly encouraged for classes in which your student is struggling. Signups will open on February 19 and will close the evening of February 24. Please sign up beforehand and look for additional information sent to parents by email on February 19.
Serra Scholars Honored at Luncheon Held on Tuesday
Congratulations to our 437 Serra scholars who earned at least a 3.5 GPA from Fall Semester, or earned Academic or Fine Arts blocks. The block awards come with the same privileges of the other block programs at the school, including varsity sports and Christian Service. Many of our sophomores were earning their first academic block today, which provides a great model for the current freshmen who are so new to the school. Also, 19 of our seniors earned their third academic block today, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in academics for all of their seven semesters at Serra so far.

These scholars received congratulatory speeches by Assistant Principal of Academics Keith Strange and Principal Charlie McGrath. A luncheon to celebrate these Padres was held in Brady Family Stadium on Tuesday. Great job, Padres!
Serra Sports and Recreation Camp Seeks Summer Camp Counselors
Are you looking for a paying job this summer where you can work outside and organize activities for children?
If so, please consider working for the Serra Sports and Recreation Camp! Work with other Serra, Mercy, and Notre Dame students for five weeks (with the week of July Fourth off). We are hiring both paid and service-hour positions. Please contact Mr. Hoyt for an application. More information can be found here.
Freshman Madres Bowling Event on March 20 - Evite Below

Freshman Madres -- The Serra Freshman Madre Committee cordially invites you to join them on Sunday, March 20 for a fun night of bowling, tasty bites and beer! Here is the link to the Evite:
We look forward to seeing you there!
Student Internships Available for Kevin Mullin '88 for Congress Campaign
Serra High School Class of 1988 Alumni Kevin Mullin is running for Congress and has some internship opportunities available for interested Serra Padres. If you are interested in finding out more about this amazing opportunity, go to the Mullin for Congress internship page.

Mullin was first elected to the state Assembly in 2012 and has served as Assembly Speaker pro Tem since 2014. He has made election reform and strengthening our democracy top legislative priorities.
Mullin is running for Congress in California’s new 15th District, which covers parts of San Mateo and San Francisco counties. The district includes the cities in Mullin’s Assembly District 22 along with Daly City and a portion of San Francisco. In late November, Mullin declared candidacy for the primary scheduled on June 7, 2022.

For more information on Kevin Mullin for Congress, visit KevinMullinforCongress.com.
Reserve Your Spot on the Close Up Trip
Experience history as it happens! During our six-day Election Week program beginning on November 6-11, students will meet new friends from across the country and experience the suspense of a presidential election in Washington, DC! As the upcoming election promises to shape politics and policy for the next several years, students will take part in activities, seminars, and visits to Washington’s most historic sites to help them understand what roles they, as citizens, can play in our democracy. Close Up’s
Election Week program provides students with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with their
Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill and with Washington insiders who play a key role in the
American political system.
Junior Mother-Son Mass Scheduled for March 8, 2022
The Junior Mother-Son Mass will take place on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:45 a.m. in the auditorium. All junior moms and their sons are invited to join us for a special Mass and breakfast to follow. An email invitation will be sent directly from Father Nick to junior mothers. Please. be sure to RSVP so we can get an accurate headcount. We look forward to this special morning of reflection and bonding.
Common Ground Speaker To Discuss Screen Time on March 9

Common Ground presents The New Tech Normal: Creating Balance and Boundaries Around Screen time on March 9 at 7:15 p.m.

As technology increasingly dominates the lives of children, there is little agreement about best practices for parents. Anya Kamenetz, author of The Art of Screentime, assembles scientific research and expert advice to help parents navigate our complex relationship with screens.
Padres Sporting Line Up

Shop Padre Family Businesses!
At Serra, we support all of our Padre families and we love to showcase Padre family-owned 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!
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.
If you have any questions or difficulties logging in, please contact Michelle Wilkinson.
Wishing you all a fantastic week!

Aimee Lewis Strain
Director of Marketing and Communications