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January 30, 2022
Dear St. Serra Catholic Parents,

Catholic Schools Week (January 30 - February 5) unofficially launched this past Friday as we had the special honor of having Bishop Vann celebrate our all-school Mass. The celebration was well attended by families in our school community. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2022 is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.”   

Additionally, our annual Open House is today from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. This is an opportunity for our students and teachers to showcase the many wonderful things that occur in the classroom every day. Open House will be followed by the annual PTO-sponsored SEASONS Tuition Assistance Luncheon. This event raises funds used to provide tuition assistance to families in need. The luncheon sold out very early, as many St. Serra families recognize the importance of the support it provides to families in our community.  

In addition, St. Serra’s Student Council has planned many fun events to help us celebrate Catholic Schools Week. The attached flyer contains more information about these events. We encourage all students to participate in the fun throughout the week.


Always Striving,

Tim Tolzda
Sr. Principal
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Father Daughter Dance,
SAC, 6:00-9:30 p.m.
*PLEASE NOTE: During the non-uniform dress-up days, all students must wear uniform bottoms (with the exception of Friday: St. Serra Sponsors NEGU with $1 CASH donation). Students are not permitted to simply wear free-dress on these days and all attire must be in accordance with the St. Serra guidelines for dress code.
Catholic Schools Week Dress-Up Days
Mon., January 31 - Theme: “I BELONG”
  • DRESS-UP DAY: Sports or Club Activity Shirts & Uniform Bottoms*
Wed., February 2 - Theme: "EXCELLENCE"
  • Dress-Up Day: 90's Neon Shirts, Accessories & Uniform Bottoms*
Fri., February 4 - Theme: “SERVICE”
  • ST. SERRA SPONSORS NEGU - $1 Denim Jeans with St. Serra Spirit Shirts*
  • Bring a $1 CASH donation for NEGU to wear denim jeans (Note: Jeans must be neat, clean, and in good condition (absolutely no rips, tears, or holes).
Food for Friends Food Drive
Our next "Food for Friends" monthly food drive will be this coming Friday, February 4. We apologize for having so much going on with it being Catholic Schools Week, but we sent out our Food Bank Dates to the various organizations at the beginning of the year, and do not want to disappoint them when they are counting on our donations!
St. Serra Sponsors NEGU

In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, we have the wonderful opportunity to share in the “Joy of SERVING and HELPING Others” as the St. Serra Catholic School Sponsors the Jessie Rees Foundation/NEGU. Please help us support our goal to raise funds and boost JOY to children fighting cancer!
SERRAbrate Catholic Schools Open House, January 30
You are invited to join us for our SERRAbrate Catholic Schools Week Open House today, January 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Our campus will be open to prospective and current families for a chance to meet teachers, view student work and see our beautiful campus. NO RSVP required. Parking is available in the MemorialCare lot for this event. See you there!
St. Serra Students Receive City of Rancho Santa Margarita Certificates of Recognition
St. Serra student’s Milan E. and Talon C. received Certificates of Recognition from the Mayor and City Council of Rancho Santa Margarita for their many outstanding achievements as part of the city's student recognition program.
Grandparents & Special Friends Day Registration Now Open!
Grandparents and Special Friends Day is returning this school year on Friday, March 4! Registration is officially open, sign up today!
Choicelunch Late Ordering Update
Choicelunch's late lunch ordering now offers MORE entrées, including cold and large, until the late ordering deadline of 9 a.m. the day before service. More entrées choices and full customization of A La Carte sides are what families want with late ordering.
Calling All Musical Lovers!
If you are in Grades 1-8 and want to participate in the Spring Musical, please complete the Audition Application by February 17 and submit it to the School Office. We will be performing a Medley of musical songs this year and students will be grouped by grade level. Crew member information will be posted soon. Crew positions will be available to students in Grades 5-8. Questions? Email jsifers@serraschool.org.
2022-23 Tuition Assistance Applications Are Now Open in FACTS
Tuition Assistance Timeline:
  • January 30, 2022 – Tuition Assistance Applications Open
  • March 15, 2022 – Tuition Assistance Applications Close (no exceptions)
  • April 11, 2022 – Award notifications will be emailed from FACTS
Campus Ministry Student Fundraiser
This Tuesday, February 1, students in Campus Ministry will be conducting a small fundraiser to raise funds to purchase new altar linens used for our school Masses. In this fun fundraiser, cute yellow duckies can be purchased for $2 each during morning break and lunch. Your participation is greatly appreciated (small bills are also appreciated).
Rebate News
2021 Tax Documents for the Scrip Rebate Program were emailed this past week to all supporters. Have Questions? Please contact rebate@serraschool.org.
COVID-19 Testing Resources
Here are two resources to help you find COVID-19 testing:
Student Symptom Decision Tree
Please see the Student Symptom Decision Tree.
For the Love of Basketball
If you’re a 5th or 6th grade girl and you enjoy playing basketball, consider joining St. Serra’s team. Our season is just getting started and we have a few remaining slots. Please email Coach Chris Gray for more info at cgray@serraschool.org
Yearbooks Have Been Billed!

Yearbook orders have been billed for the 2021-2022 school year. This is your final chance to double check that you opted out of purchasing a yearbook, or ordered enough for your family. As a reminder, all families were automatically billed through FACTS for ONE (1) yearbook, unless you previously requested to opt out or to order additional yearbooks. Please contact dhardenburgh@serraschool.org by Tuesday, January 25, if you have a yearbook order change. Email jsifers@serrraschool.org if you have questions. 
Yearbook Dedication Deadline February 10

February 10 is the last date for adding yearbook dedications and shout outs for your favorite Serra Bears!
Family FUNraiser on February 9
Save the Date for our next Family FUNraiser at Crumbl on February 9! St. Serra Catholic School will receive a 25% donation of each receipt collected at Crumbl.
St. Serra Book Fair
Everyone’s invited to our Scholastic Book Fair Family Event during St. Serra’s Open House TODAY from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring your whole family! There’s plenty of new books for you AND themplus special treats when you donate your loose change for All for Books. We look forward to seeing you! 
Support St. Serra through AmazonSmile!
AmazonSmile is operated by Amazon.com. When you shop using AmazonSmile, Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases back to St. Serra. It has all the same products, prices and shopping features as Amazon.com. Once your account is linked, you will be helping earn dollars for our St. Serra school community! Read More for information on how to link your Amazon account to St. Serra.
Father Daughter Dance Registration Ends Tomorrow
This is your last chance to register for St. Serra's Father Daughter Dance on February 5, 2022.
St. Serra FUNlunch, February 4
Tomorrow, January 31, is the last day to order your Chick-fil-a FUNlunch! Options include: Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, 8-count Nuggets and NEW Veggie Cool Wrap. All meals come with sauces on the side, chips and a cookie (no drink included with meal - please bring your own). NOTE: There will be NO Choicelunch service on this day.
PTO Opportunities
If you are interested in joining the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for next school year in some capacity, please contact us. We are also looking for parents interested in leading the charge for our First Annual Fun Run for our Serra Bears on campus this May. If you are interested in leading or joining the Fun Run Planning Team, please contact us at serrapto@serraschool.org today.
SEAONS Tuition Assistance Luncheon
A huge thank you to everyone who purchased Travel Raffle and Opportunity Basket tickets! Your generosity directly supports those St. Serra students in need of assistance and ensures that they may continue their Catholic education! Our final week #3 incentive winner of the $50 Nordstrom gift card is - congratulations Jose Hernandez! If you are not attending the SEASONS Tuition Assistance Luncheon today and did not have the chance to purchase raffle tickets, it's not too late to support this event. Please consider making a gift to Support a Student here!