A MESSAGE FROM SR. PRINCIPAL, MR. TOLZDA | |
|
Dear St. Serra Parents,
As we enter the month of May, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the last of our eight core values, Gratitude. Gratitude is more than just saying "thank you" when someone does something nice for us. It is a mindset, a way of looking at things with appreciation for all that we have, even in difficult times. In today's fast-paced and often stressful world, it is easy to lose sight of the things for which we should be grateful.
I often hear parents say, “my children don’t appreciate all of the things that they have.” Or, “I wish that my children would appreciate that they get to attend a school like St. Serra.” Living in Orange County, California, our children are constantly exposed to all of the things that affluence can provide, which can sometimes present a challenge when trying to teach children to appreciate what they have. Regardless, it is human nature to instinctively take what you’ve always had for granted. If you didn’t have something growing up, or you have to work hard for something you really want, you are much more likely to be thankful for those things and have greater appreciation for them. How do you change this mindset in children? To me, saying things like “thank you,” “please,” “may I,” “yes sir,” “no sir,” “yes ma’am,” and “no ma’am” go a long way with manners, appreciation and gratitude. When our children want something that we don’t really want them to have, saying “no”, even though it can be hard, can help them learn the importance of being appreciative of things given to them.
Gratitude is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and there are many verses that encourage people to express thankfulness and appreciation towards God and others.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
This passage and many others like it reminds us of the importance of thankfulness in our daily lives, and encourages us to develop a habit of giving thanks to God for all the blessings we have received.
At our school, we encourage students to express gratitude to each other, their teachers, and their families. Our “Gotcha” program emphasizes the character traits that we want our children to have and the importance of doing the “little things” in life. It recognizes children for doing things such as holding a door open for an adult, helping to pick up a classmate's books, or staying after class to help clean up. These “little things” help instill the values of gratitude and appreciation in our students through daily practices and routines.
As parents, we ask that you join us in promoting gratitude at home. Encourage your children to share something they are grateful for at dinner each night. Model gratitude by expressing your own appreciation for the people and things in your life. Together, we can help our children develop the habit of gratitude, and set them up for success in all areas of their lives.
Always striving,
Tim Tolzda
Sr. Principal
| |
***STAR Testing will take place all this week.*** | | |
|
TUESDAY,
May 2
Deadline to turn in Teacher& Staff Appreciation Week "Fan Mail"
CLICK HERE to download the form
| |
WEDNESDAY,
May 3
Minimum Day Dismissal
Preschool-Grade 2 at 11:30 a.m.
Grades 3-8 at 12:10 p.m.
Spring Sports Team and Individual Photos
-Track and Field
In the SAC after dismissal
| |
THURSDAY,
May 4
Spring Sports Team and Individual Photos
-Fourth Grade Hockey
-Girls' Beach Volleyball
-Co-Ed Soccer
In the SAC at lunchtime
| |
FRIDAY,
May 5
SPIRIT SHIRT FRIDAY
Wear your 2022-23 spirit shirt with uniform bottoms.
Spring Sports Pep Rally
12:45 p.m.
Student Activity Center
Food for Friends Food Drive
Morning Drop-off
| | |
|
SATURDAY
May 6
Mother Son Baseball Game
Angels Stadium
Tailgate: 4:30 p.m. under the "Big A"
Game: 6:07 p.m.
| |
WEEKLY UPDATES BY GRADE LEVEL | | |
|
STAR Testing, May 1-12, 2023
The third diocesan STAR testing window for the 2022-2023 school year will take place from Monday, May 1 through Friday, May 12, 2023. Click the link below to read the full article and for instructions on how to receive your child's test results.
| | |
|
|
Student Copies of Holy Moments
Our friends at Dynamic Catholic Institute, together with the Diocese of Orange, have generously donated copies of the book Holy Moments by Matthew Kelly for our St. Serra Students in Grades 4 - 8. This is an incredible gift that will hopefully lead to more holy moments in the lives of our students. Teachers will be distributing books the week of May 1. Any thank you notes would be greatly appreciated, and can be turned in to the homeroom teachers by May 5.
| | | | |
|
Food for Friends - Friday, May 5
Friday, May 5, will be our last “Food for Friends” Food Drive for the 2022-23 school year. This month we will be supporting St. Francisco Solano's food pantry.
| | |
|
|
St. Serra Spotlight
Get to know our St. Serra faculty and staff! This week, our spotlight brings you Miss Camille Mazloomian, First Grade Teacher, and Mrs. Jean Leet, Learning Support Specialist for Middle School. Click below to read more about our valued staff members!
Missed a previous staff spotlight article? Or, would you like to go back and read a specific one again? Check out our brand-new ST. SERRA SPOTLIGHT blog posts on our website!
| | | | |
|
Spring Sports News - TEAM PHOTOS ARE THIS WEEK
Spring Sports team and individual photos for Track & Field, Coed Soccer, Girls' Beach Volleyball, and Fourth Grade Hockey will be taken in the SAC by Simonson Photography on Wednesday, May 3, and Thursday, May 4. For the order form and more details, and other sports news, click on the link below!
| | |
|
|
Volunteer Corner News
NEED VOLUNTEER HOURS? With only SIX WEEKS left of the school year, now is the time to make sure you finish up your 2022-23 volunteer requirement! Volunteer help is greatly needed in the following areas:
-
Parish Insert Stuffing (Saturday, May 6, at all four parishes)
-
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week (table hosts and clean-up volunteers are still needed on Wednesday, May 3)
- Recess and Lunch/Yard Duty
Please click the link below for more information, and if interested, to sign up! And, don't forget to RECORD YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS!
| | | | |
|
St. Serra is Hiring!
Have you ever thought about working at St. Serra? We are currently looking to fill some key positions for the 2023-2024 school year, including:
- Receptionist - School Office
- Director of Advancement
If you or someone you know might be interested in one of these positions, please click the link below to learn more.
| | |
|
|
Earn More Rebates - Raise Days Coming Soon!
Bonus rebates will be available for eGift cards and reloads on Thursday, May 4, and Friday, May 5. Make sure to check the RaiseRight app on May 3 for a sneak peak of all brands on bonus. You can also check out bonus rebates for the gifts any mom will love!
Show your appreciation! Special, limited-time gift cards in $5 and $10 denominations are available now (don't forget, National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is coming up May 1-5). CLICK HERE to shop now!
Questions? Email rebate@serraschool.org or visit:
| | | | |
|
Chick-fil-A FUNlunch is Coming on Friday, May 12
Chick-fil-A will be coming to St. Serra again in May! Be sure to order your meal by SUNDAY, May 7. Choicelunch will not be available this day.
Please note that, due to a recent pricing adjustment from Chick-fil-A, our per-meal cost has gone up slightly, from $10.75 to $11.00.
| | |
|
|
2023-2024 SerraVision Applications
Applications for next year's SerraVision Crew are officially open to current 6th and 7th grade students! If you are interested, you must complete the online application form which includes a video segment submission.
| | | |
|
Summer Band Camps
Middle Schoolers - don't miss out on our awesome Band Camps this summer! For beginners through advanced musicians.
| |
|
Destination Science
Limited spots are still available for the Rescue Robot Mystery Camp, July 10 through July 14. The other two camp weeks are sold out.
| |
Preschool Summer Camps
Experience camping in the classroom, the magic of fairy tales, traveling around the world, and more! REGISTER TODAY!
| | |
|
Looking for a FUN Summer Job?
Whether you are a pro with kids or just beginning, we have a position for fun, dynamic educators like you. From camp directors to site assistants, our staff seek out those “Aha!” moments to share with kids!
| | |
|
|
Wild Rivers Special Promotion
Wild Rivers has a special offer for season passholders! They are collecting toys for kids in need, along with the Ace of Hearts Project. Bring any toy valued at $10 or more during your wristband pickup or during Season Passholder Preview Day (TODAY - Sunday, April 30) and you'll receive $50 off enrollment for Camp Wild Rivers! Click the link below for full details.
| | | | |
|
Rosary Academy Summer Camps
Students entering Grades 3-8 are invited to Summer Camps at Rosary Academy, Camps run June 12 - July 24. Activities are open to girls and boys. Register today at rosaryacademy.org/summercamps.
| | |
|
|
National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week: May 1-5
Join us in celebrating our teachers and staff, and showing our appreciation for all that they do for our students!
-
WE NEED YOUR HELP! - please VOLUNTEER!
- Print and complete appreciation "FAN MAIL" and drop them off with the School Office no later than Tuesday, May 2.
Click the button below for full details, downloads and links. Need ideas to show appreciation to our amazing teachers and staff? Their "favorites" are included!
| | | |
|
|
Join the PTO
If you are interested in getting involved with the PTO Board and/or events for the 2023-24 school year, we would love to hear from you! Please click the link below to complete a short interest survey.
| | | |
|
|
Mother Son Event is Saturday, May 6!
Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for the upcoming Angels baseball game. Be on the lookout for an email next week with event details. Questions in the meantime? Please EMAIL US!
| | | |
|
|
Anchor Ball 2023 - "Denim & Diamonds"
Check out your photos from this fantastic night! Thank you to all who were in attendance helping to create a very successful evening for St. Serra!
| | | |
DIOCESAN AND LOCAL PARISH NEWS | |
National Eucharistic Revival
The Bishops of the United States are calling for a three-year grassroots revival of devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The National Eucharistic Revival aims to be a movement that renews the Church by enkindling a living relationship with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. READ MORE
| | | | |
|
April is National Child Abuse Protection Month
Next month is designated as National Child Abuse Protection Month. We are called through scripture and teaching to protect the life and dignity of the human person. READ MORE
| | | | | |
