Dear Parents and Guardians,
Our neighbors have brought to our attention that there has been an uptick in the amount of drivers stopping in neighbor's driveways and making illegal U-turns, which is causing unnecessary traffic congestion.
With so much activity on campus, we wanted to take the time to remind those coming and going to Serra to respect our neighbors and our traffic rules by highlighting the following:
Drop-off zones are in three locations:
- On the campus off 20th Avenue (adjacent to the parking garage)
- In front of the school on 20th Avenue
- In Mary's Courtyard on Stratford Way (follow signs for exact drop off point)
- Uber and Lyft drop-off point is designated to 20th Avenue at the front entrance of the school.
Students should always use crosswalks and not run into the streets.
Never drop off your son across the street from Serra, block our neighbors' driveways or make U-turns on 20th Avenue or Stratford Way.
In order to keep traffic flowing during peak drop-off time (7:35 a.m. to 7:55 a.m.) and pick up time (2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.), you may only turn right onto Stratford Way when leaving Serra.
Once again, we thank you for your efforts to keep our students safe and our neighbors happy. We are located in a residential area and want to reduce any unnecessary negative impacts on our neighbors. Thank you for your continued cooperation.
Sincerely,
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Charlie McGrath
Principal
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Feeling Sick? Here's what you should do -- Covid Symptom Checklist |
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Padres Celebrate Mass of the Holy Spirit |
Last Friday, the Serra community gathered for the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Mass serves as a special time to invoke the Holy Spirit to guide and bless the new academic year. All Serra students were in dress-up dress code, with dress shoes, button up shirts and ties, and were led in Mass by main celebrant Monsignor John Talesfore, pastor of St. Matthew Parish and current Serra Board Member.
Today's special celebration was enhanced with the installation of Father Nicholas Case, Serra's new chaplain.
During mass, Father Case reminded students that every new academic year is an opportunity to improve themselves.
"Every new school year is a new opportunity to create a new you -- it's a blank slate, a new possibility, a chance to start over fresh," Case said. "Today is a new opportunity to be the person you really want to be -- the good student, the good friend, the good son, the good brother, the good athlete, the good grandson -- the person who does the right thing even when no one is looking. And that is why we begin the new year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit."
He added, "It's what we do with new opportunities, new chances that really define who we are and who we become. It is our insistence on looking forward with hope and trust in God-- these are the things that help us and make us who we are."
The motivational Mass lasted an hour in the beautiful sun on Serra's Freitas Field. At the end of Case's installation, he again addressed the boys, this time offering them a day off of school to be determined in the future -- a gift of appreciation for the welcome he said he's received at Serra High School.
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Virtual College Night for Sophomores
on September 27 at 6:45 p.m.
College Information Night for Sophomores is Monday, September 27 at 6:45 p.m.
Parents and students will attend this event virtually. A link will be shared prior to the event. This is a mandatory event for the sophomores and their parents.
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Parent Zoom With Ashanti Branch
Ashanti Branch who has worked with our school community for the past 18 months will give his presentation, "Taking off the Mask."
Ashanti's presentation will begin promptly at 7 p.m. on September 22. Space is limited, so please log onto the zoom as soon as possible. We will record the evening for those unable to attend.
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Parents' Clubs Meetings in September |
There are meetings on the calendar for the Madres and Fathers' clubs!
Sophomore, junior and senior Madres will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in Mary's Courtyard.
Our first Fathers' Club Meeting will take place Wednesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. on the blacktop area adjacent to the baseball field.
Hope to see you all there!
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Testing Available On Site at Serra on Tuesdays and Fridays by Virus Geeks |
Testing for unvaccinated students is required on a weekly basis and highly encouraged for vaccinated students as well. Testing is being offered on campus as a courtesy to Serra families.
Virus Geeks will be testing every Tuesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All results from testing done on Serra’s campus will be available to Serra before school begins the following Monday.
Drive thru testing is also available at Mercy High School in Burlingame every Saturday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. If your son tests at Mercy, he will need to let the testing facility know that the results are for Serra.
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Music at Serra is Thriving!
In addition to a roaring crowd at Saturday’s home game against Half Moon Bay High School, the enthusiastic sounds of Serra’s pep band added to the game day experience.
“There was so much excitement and anticipation to return to live football and the band had an amazing time doing our part in bringing more spirit and entertainment to the fans,” Serra Music Director Joe Murphy said. “We can’t wait for the rest of the home games where we’ll be adding more and more music each week."
Despite clear restrictions placed on the music and band programs through the San Mateo County Department of Education and the Pandemic Recovery Framework, music at Serra is very much alive and thriving.
The Symphonic Band marching unit started this week and has already been in communication with the Mercy and Notre Dame Cheer Squads. “We look forward to collaborating on some amazing spirit this season,” Murphy said. The Tri-School Choir has already had its first rehearsal. There are currently 36 students that make up the choir from Serra, Mercy and Notre Dame.
The Serranaders are also back. This all-male a capella group is back and this student-led musical ensemble is looking for a few more guys to join them.
Inside the classroom, in Murphy’s Digital Production class, students are completing their first fully written and produced songs this week, according to Murphy.
As these programs get up and running, Murphy said he encourages any tri-school musician who wishes to be involved in the music program to get in touch.
“Every tri-school musician is welcome to our music program in some way, shape or form,” he said.
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Advertise Your Business On Serra's Beautiful Campus! |
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Advertise your business with a creative sponsorship opportunity!
Add your company logo and information on a custom-fitted barricade cover that will be placed around Brady Family Stadium and Freitas Field for the entire 2021-2022 athletic season! This includes football, soccer, lacrosse and track & field seasons.
These covers are created with double-sided print and stretchy mesh fabric on perimeter barriers.
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Zoph Library Blog Celebrates National Heritage Month |
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed September 15th through October 15th.
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Common Ground Speaker: Parenting Past the Pandemic:
A Guide to Returning to School
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Common Ground Speaker Series is featuring a special webinar that discusses parenting past the pandemic and how to help your children return to school successfully. The talk features pediatricians Dr. Damon Korb and Dr. Tanya Altmann and will guide parents through the new normal. They will also share advice about how to navigate school, home life and extra curriculars for students at all developmental stages as the pandemic continues. The webinar is Thursday, September 23 at 7 p.m. Registration opens tomorrow and closes two hours before the event. |
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Padre Sporting Line Up
Water Polo
Junior Varsity and Varsity water polo battle St. Francis at home today. JV begins at 5 p.m. and Varsity plays at 6:30 p.m. Varsity water polo also plays on Friday 3 p.m. at St. Francis and again on Saturday at 8 a.m. at St. Francis.
Football
The Freshmen Padres take on De La Salle at De La Salle today at 5:15 p.m. at De La Salle. Both JV and Varsity have a bye week.
GO PADRES!
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Shop Padre Family 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!
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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.
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Wishing you a wonderful week!
Aimee Lewis Strain
Director of Marketing and Communications
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Junipero Serra High School | 451 West 20th Avenue | San Mateo, CA 94403 | serrahs.com
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