“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." ~Psalm 118:24

May 16, 2024

Dear School,

We are half way through May and really enjoying all the excitement and blessings that this time of the school year brings to our lives. Congratulations to our 2nd graders who recently received the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. We are looking forward to the Spring Show next Thursday, May 23rd, and also the graduation festivities of our 8th graders at the end of the month.

STAR test results will be sent home tomorrow and parents may keep them for their records.

Mark Your Calendar

Please save the date for these school events:

• Friday, May 17th - Mass 8:30 am - formal uniform
• Friday, May 17th - Park Day for 7th and 8th graders
• Friday, May 17th - Title 1 surveys are due
• Saturday, May 18th - PAL Track Meet 1st - 4th grades at Aliso Niguel High School
• Sunday, May 19th - PAL Track Meet 5th - 8th grades at Aliso Niguel High School
• Monday, May 20th - Free dress for students whose families turn in Title 1 surveys to office
• Tuesday, May 21st - Spring Sports Banquet at student lunches
• Tuesday, May 21st - Spring Sports Awards Assembly 1:30 pm in the parish hall
• Wednesday, May 22nd - VIP Assembly 2:00 pm in the parish hall
• Thursday, May 23rd - Spring Show 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
• Friday, May 24th - No School - Pastor's Holiday

Title I Surveys Due Tomorrow

Title I surveys are due tomorrow, May 17th. Please complete and return the survey regardless of your family's income level or school district in which you reside. The information is confidential, no family name is needed. Families who turn in completed surveys may have free dress for their children on Monday, May 20th. Thank you for your participation.

Tuition Assistance Applications

If you would like to apply for Tuition Assistance for the 2024-2025 school year, please visit http://www.online.factsmgt.com/aid to complete the application online. Tuition Assistance is available for Grades K5-8. Applications are due by May 19th.

If you have any questions or encounter problems accessing the application, please call the FACTS parent line at (866) 441-4637.

Referral Incentive

If you know a family who could benefit from a More Than School education, invite them to set up an admissions tour with Mrs. Diana Anoc by emailing DAnoc@stceciliak8.org. When you refer a new family to St. Cecilia School, your Family Fee will be waived once the new family enrolls and pays their Family Fee.

Volunteers Needed for PAL Track Meet Snack Bar

On Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th, our school will be hosting the Snack Bar for the PAL Track Meet at Aliso Niguel High School. All proceeds of the snack bar will benefit our athletic department. We are in need of volunteers to coordinate and work the event. You can sign up here. This is a great opportunity to earn service hours! 

We also need donations for the snack bar. You can sign up here to contribute.

If you have any questions please email Coach JR at JAlmazan@stceciliak8.org and Mrs. Deutschel at JDeutschel@stceciliak8.org. Thank you!

Bid now for the Second Row Seats at the Spring Show

Enjoy second row seats at the spectacular 2024 Spring Show. Your night to remember includes seating in the second row for 10 people and snacks! Two packages are available.

Bidding ends at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, May 22nd. Winners will be notified by 3:00 pm on Wednesday, May 22nd.

To bid visit SCgala24.GiveSmart.com and click on the items tab. This is a blind bid. Please enter the amount of your bid in the space below. The top two highest bids will be the winner(s) and will be charged the amount of the bid. Please note: once you enter your bid, a message will appear on the screen with a $0 amount. The $0 amount indicates that your bid was placed. Your credit card will not be charged unless you are one of the lucky winners.

Spring Show is May 23rd

We're looking forward to a wonderful Spring Show on May 23rd. We will have an afternoon show at 1:00pm which will serve as a final rehearsal and an evening show at 7:00pm.

We need volunteers to assist with many aspects of the Spring Show. Please sign up here to help.

Videos of the show, A Blockbuster Night, may be purchased using this form.

Details for everything you need to know about the Spring Show including traffic, parking, attire, and seating can be found here.

Details on Spring Show costumes are listed here by grade level.

Thanks to the generosity of our parochial administrator, Fr. Khoi Phan, we will have No School on Friday, May 24th.

Spring Show Dinner

Eliminate the hassle of preparing dinner on the evening of the Spring Show and order meals to support the 5th grade fundraiser and enjoy Spring Show Dinner in the parish hall. Enjoy a traditional Barbacoa “Shredded Beef” Plate and assortment of beverages including Aguas Frescas! Order forms are due on Monday, May 20th.

Spring Show Bake Sale

The 7th grade class will be hosting a Bake Sale in the grotto on the evening of the Spring Show.  Don’t forget to stop by and grab a yummy treat to enjoy during the show! Proceeds from the Spring Show Bake Sale will benefit this year's 7th Grade Class as they prepare for their Pali Camp next year. We thank you in advance for your support.

Service Hours Reminder

All service hours for the school year must be recorded in FACTS by Friday, May 31st. Any unserved or unrecorded hours will be billed at $35 per hour. School families have a service hours commitment of 40 hours per school year (20 hours for single parent families). 

For questions regarding billing, please email Mrs. Tina Pham at TPham@stceciliak8.org. We are unable to process refunds once you are billed. Thank you for your understanding. 

Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cook-off

The 40th Annual Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cook-off will be held on Sunday, June 2nd from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. This annual party takes place in the streets of Old Town Tustin and holds the distinct honor of being the largest one-day chili cook-off in the country, according to the International Chili Society. 

We need volunteers to help serve the chili at our booth. All supplies will be provided. Please sign up here. These hours can be counted toward next year's service hours. 

We look forward to continuing our winning streak of the Spirit Award and need students and their families to come show our St. Cecilia School spirit! More details on representing our school will be coming soon.

Please email Mrs. Diana Anoc at DAnoc@stceciliak8.org if you have any questions. 

2024 Diocesan Children's Choir Camp

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is offering a Children's Choir Camp that is open to children entering Grades 1-12 at Christ Cathedral from July 29th - August 2nd, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm each day. Additional details on registration can be found here.

Servite Summer Camps

Spend your summer at Servite!  Registration is now open for Camp Credo at Servite High School. Servite's co-ed summer camps are designed for children who will be in 1st to 8th grade in Fall 2024!  Choose from a variety of different activities and enjoy a fun and active summer. Register today at campcredo.org.

Summer at SM Camps

Santa Margarita Catholic High School Upcoming Events

Santa Margarita Catholic High School welcomes our partner schools and parishes to exciting upcoming events on our campus. There’s something for everyone! 

Rosary Athletics Summer Camps

Rosary Academy is offering summer youth camps for boys and girls including Royal Basketball Camp. Learn more about all of their offerings and register here.

Prayer Requests

We pray for the repose of the soul of Mr. José Luis Chopin, grandfather of Jeshua Carmona (K5) and Rafaela Carmona (Class of 2023 alumni), who passed away on May 1st. We pray for rest and peace for Mr. Chopin, as well as comfort for the family during this time.

Please pray for the family members of Ms. Marchelle Bigelow who are experiencing difficult health journeys. Her aunt, Stephanie Schultz, was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in February. Stephanie's son, and Marchelle's cousin, Charles Schultz, was diagnosed yesterday with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. Please pray for their treatment and for the family's strength at this time. 

Would you like us to pray for a family member who is sick, deceased, or has welcomed a new baby? Please submit these and other prayer requests on this form.

Yours in Christ,

Mary Alvarado

Principal