Dear Serra Parents and Guardians,
These weeks are moving at a rapid pace with so many things going on at once. Shrek the Musical premiered last weekend, AP testing took place on campus beginning this week and playoffs for our sports teams will begin on May 22. It has been a busy month, but we are keeping up with the pace and are enjoying the time together as a complete Padre community.
We are preparing for our seniors to graduate in an on-campus ceremony that will take place on May 29. This senior class has been incredibly resilient and adapting. We are excited for them to enjoy their senior prom on Saturday night and the annual senior luncheon next Wednesday.
On Tuesday, San Mateo County moved from orange tier to yellow tier, which allows for changes in many indoor settings, as well as outdoor receptions. We will continue to adapt to whatever changes this new tier brings.
We thank you for your continued support and willingness to shift to all of the newness that these times bring. We are busy preparing for next year and plan to provide returning students and parents with details in the coming weeks. Seniors and parents, please be prepared to receive a detailed account of graduation procedures by the end of the week.
Sincerely,
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Charlie McGrath
Principal
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Senior Aditya Pathak Receives National Merit Scholarship |
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Serra Senior Aditya Pathak has been recognized with the rare distinction as a 2021 National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
Described as an individual who craves intellectual stimulation and loves interaction, Pathak is a natural pick for this prestigious scholarship. According to Karen Ghidossi, a counselor in Serra's Counseling and Guidance Center, Pathak is as genuine as they come.
"He has a solid background in economics, finance, and mathematics and desires to pursue a mixture of these subjects in college. Aditya continues to receive high grades in the classroom while displaying strong leadership and involvement both in and out of school," Ghidossi said. "He is a driven, independent, and self-motivated individual, eager to accomplish his goals and learn from those around him."
Ghidossi went on to say, "with his solid work ethic and warm disposition, Aditya has developed his gifts in ways that have provided opportunities to develop his leadership skills while making significant contributions to Serra and the community."
Colleges and universities sponsor National Merit Scholarships that are renewable and cover up to four years of undergraduate study at the sponsor institution.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Approximately 1.5 million high school students enter the program each year.
All winners of Merit Scholarship awards are chosen from the finalist group based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. Evaluated for the scholarship are the finalist's academic record, information about the school's curriculum and grading system, PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index score, a high school official's written recommendation, information about the student's activities and leadership, and the finalist's own essay.
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Serra Padre Football Players, Head Coach Named to Two All-Star Lists |
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It was a football season like no other. Shortened and compressed due to the pandemic, Serra and other teams in the
state were forced to play spring football with fewer games and a shorter practice run leading up to the season.
But that didn’t stop the Serra Padres varsity football team from going undefeated in a five-game season.
Stacked with some pretty incredible athletes, this week many were named in two noted metro-dailies, The San Francisco Chronicle and The San Jose Mercury News for their outstanding talent in their positions.
Named to the Chronicle All-Metro Teams First Team Offense were quarterback Dominique Lampkin, tight end Christian Pedersen, first team all purpose Hassan Mahasin, defensive lineman Sioeli Helu, linebacker Fynn Williams.
The Bay Area News Group as reported in the San Jose Mercury News named Mahasin as the Spring 2021 High School All-Star Football Team Player of the Year.
Also named on the First Team Offense was quarterback Dominique Lampkin and on the First Team Defense were lineman Sioeli Helu, linebacker Fynn Williams and tight end Christian Pedersen. An honorable mention was given to linebacker Eric Myers.
Head Coach Patrick Walsh earned the honor of Coach of the Year for his dedication to getting youth sports back on the field. Walsh, along with Justin Alumbaugh from De La Salle, co-founded the now 900-strong Golden State High School Coaches Community in late 2020 and tirelessly lobbied politicians and health officials to determine that sports were safe to play. The two coaches were named in both newspapers as Coach of the Year.
Congratulations to all of these athletes and coaches who were named to these prestigious lists. Go Padres!
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Serra Junior Hosting Canned Food Drive: Donate Today!
Junior Matthew Kamienski is hosting a canned food drive pick up with all proceeds going to support the St. Vincent de Paul food locker at St. Matt's. Click here to choose a day for him to stop by your house to pick up your food donations from your porch. Thank you Matt for your leadership and your service to help those in our community who need assistance.
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Serra Senior Lunch Scheduled for May 19 at 11:30 a.m.
The Serra Senior Lunch will take place on May 19. We want to have 100 percent participation, so please sign up to attend this momentous event!
Join our alumni network at alumni.serrahs.com and register here for the luncheon. The lunch will be held at 11:30 a.m. on May 19, on the Serra blacktop.
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Serra Parent Participation Challenge - Which Class Will Win? |
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Parent participation in giving to the Padre Fund is an annual ask. We are so thankful to our parents who have already made a donation. Your contribution, when added to gifts from other parents and Serra supporters, produces a large collective impact
and encourages others to give. For the last six weeks of Serra’s fiscal year, we have created a Parent Participation Challenge for those who have not yet made an annual donation to the Padre Fund. Help your son’s class reach its parent participation
goal FIRST by making your gift today! Gifts of any amount count, and we are grateful for gifts at any and all levels.Together we can make a difference - make a difference for your Padre today!
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Virtual Academic Awards Night is Thursday, May 13, 7 p.m.
Our annual Academic Awards Night for current freshmen, sophomores and juniors will take place on Thursday May 13 at 7 p.m. This is a virtual event can be accessed through this link: HERE.
Students who are receiving awards and their parents have already been notified by email, but we invite our entire Serra community to view the event. Congratulations, Padres!
Senior Awards Night: Our annual Senior Awards Night for will take place on Thursday May 20 at 7 p.m. This is a virtual event, and the link will be shared through next week’s Spotlight.
Students who are receiving awards and their parents have already been notified by email but all are welcome to view the event. Congratulations, Senior Padres!
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Summer School for Advancement at Serra Beginning in June
Do you want to get ahead and free up your schedule for electives and/or higher math classes?
It's time to sign up for Geometry for Advancement or Honors Geometry for advancement this summer. The classes are filling up fast!
Check with your counselor to see if you qualify. You must also turn in a mathematics contract to Mrs. Lee before the end of the school year to complete your registration.
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COVID Testing to Continue Throughout School Year |
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Testing appointments for on campus covid testing available through the end of the school year!
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Yearbook Submissions Needed From Senior Families for Free Ad Pages
This year the yearbook staff wants to offer something unique to each graduate in recognition of the ever-changing year they have experienced. Instead of offering paid senior ads in the back of the book, the students on staff are highlighting each senior in the senior portrait section. We are asking each family to submit photos of their graduate and to send in a message to their senior that they will see when they receive their last Serra Yearbook. Please look at the options below, upload any photos you would like shown. Please note that the larger the file size, the higher the resolution when we print. We welcome you to write a message to your graduate, and please keep the message to 50 words or less to ensure the font is large enough to read.
Students on the yearbook staff are hoping to have a 100 percent participation from all senior families! All submissions must be received by May 14, 2021 in order to be included in the yearbook.
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Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in San Mateo on May 15
There will be a free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for the local community near San Mateo this Saturday, May 15 beginning at 10 a.m.
The clinic will take place in the small gym at San Mateo High School, 506 North Delaware Street in San Mateo.
Don't forget your photo ID including name, address & date of
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During the month of December, we showcased Padre family-owned businesses. We had an overwhelming response to this effort and have decided to continue to showcase these businesses.
We hope this year, you'll shop local and patronize these Padre businesses!
Thank you for your community support and remember to shop small, shop local, shop Padre!
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Zoph Library Blog Marks Asian American/ Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander Heritage Month
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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 all a wonderful week!
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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