September 10, 2023

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CALENDAR

SPIRIT STORE

VOLUNTEER

EMPLOYMENT

23-24 CALENDAR

A MESSAGE FROM SR. PRINCIPAL, MR. TOLZDA

Dear St. Serra Parents:



This past Friday, St. Serra hosted the New Family Welcoming Breakfast to welcome all the new families to our wonderful school community. The gathering of new families at the beginning of the school year is an essential part of our community spirit and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue hosting this event which, unfortunately, had been a void at St. Serra the past few years due to COVID restrictions and last year's blending of our new families with current families at the Community Breakfast.  


Raising children in today's world can be challenging, and parents often appreciate the support and encouragement they receive from other parents within the school community. Sharing common experiences, challenges, and triumphs with other parents can be reassuring and help build a sense of camaraderie. Having that support network is priceless.


Additionally, families who choose St. Serra, because it is a Catholic school often do so because they want their children to receive an education that aligns with their faith and values. Being part of a Catholic school community ensures that their children are immersed in an environment that reinforces these beliefs and allows parents to engage with like-minded families with similar religious and moral convictions.


As we begin the school year, I hope we can come together as a community and welcome and include our new families to be a part of our great St. Serra experience. There are going to be times when we need each other and depend on each other, times when we need to show patience and grace to one another--the same grace that our great Savior shows us on a continual basis. 


Our school thrives on the values of a great team and community working together for a common goal. Our common goal at St. Serra is to provide a great experience for all of our students! 


Always striving,


Tim Tolzda

Sr. Principal

WEEK AT-A-GLANCE

FUNlunch Order Form

WEEKLY UPDATES BY GRADE LEVEL

ST. SERRA NEWS

Back-to-School Night


Our final Back-to-School Night for Preschool - Grade 1 is on Tuesday, September 12 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 


Upon arrival please proceed directly to your child's homeroom class.

STAR Testing | September 11 - 22


Students will take the STAR Math test during the week of September 11.


To view the September 2023 STAR Test schedule click here.


Click the link below for additional details.

Read More

Accessing Canvas for Parents


Parents should not create their own Canvas account. Instead, please refer to the How-to guide below.


Additional Resources:

Canvas Community Guides

How Do I Set My Canvas Notification Preferences

How-to Guide for Parents

Homework Club


Now that we have one full week of Homework Club completed, here are a few reminders:


  • We have a large group of students registered this year, so your child may be assigned to a Homework Club teacher in a different grade level than their own;
  • All our teachers are qualified to assist with homework at every grade level;
  • Pickup after Homework Club will be at 3:15 p.m. (Grades 1 and 2) and 4 p.m. (Grades 3-8) in front of the PEB on Banderas Avenue;
  • Please enter one of the two traffic lanes; your students will be waiting on the curb for you. Do not exit the car. The Homework Club teachers will direct traffic and guide students to their cars;
  • If you have a change in pickup for your student, please email their Homework Club teacher;
  • If you have another child attending extended care, please plan to pick up all your children at the front lobby.  


Please email Mrs. Ellen Burrola at eburrola@serraschool.org with any Homework Club questions or concerns.

Rebate News


Did you know family and friends can also participate in the Rebate Program?


If you would like to add a family member or friend to our Rebate Program, please have them complete a supporter agreement form and submit to rebate@serraschool.org.


For any Rebate Program questions please email rebate@serraschool.org

Closing Soon: Family Directory in FACTS Portal


Due to a limitation within the FACTS system, both, parents and students, have access to the contact information in the directory portion of the FACTS portal.


In order to maintain the confidentiality of the parent contact information, we will be turning off access to the Family Directory in the portal on September 15. The directory will be available again for a short period after the Christmas break for families to access updated information. Click the link below for a reference guide on how to access the directory:

Access Guide

Celebration Book Club (CBC)


Celebrate your student's birthday, special accomplishment, First Communion, favorite holiday, or dedicate a book in honor of your child's teacher through our Celebration Book Club!


The Celebration Book Club is the library's main funding for new books. If you would like to participate please complete an online form. Students may choose their new book from the selection cart or get ideas from the library's wish list. For more information visit the link below.

Celebration Book Club

Spirit Shirt Orders closing soon!


There's still time to place an order and show your St. Serra Spirit with our themed shirts!


Quantities are limited. Click the link below to place your order (preorder may be available for some sizes).


Orders close Sunday, Sept. 17


Find more spirit merchandise at the Student Spirit Store in person or online!

Spirit Shirt Order Form

First School Mass

Monday, September 11 at 10:30 a.m.

Formal Uniforms | Student Activity Center

Please join us as we celebrate the first Mass of the school year. Formal Uniforms are required for students in Grades 1 - 8. Our Mass will be dedicated to Mr. Jesse Lopez, our beloved Facilities Director who passed away in May. 

At each of our Masses, students are asked to support the Missionary Co-op Appeal by making a small donation to serve the poorest of children around the world. Thank you for reminding your student(s) to bring some change to support this important ministry.

Welcome Mrs. Krista Morales!


We are excited to announce that Mrs. Krista Morales has joined the TK team.


Mrs. Morales has been an active substitute teacher for the Capistrano and Saddleback Valley school districts for the past 15 years. She has worked in all grade levels from TK to 12th grade and has had several long-term teaching positions, including two recent assignments in TK at Las Flores and Wagon Wheel Elementary.


Mrs. Morales is a Santa Margarita High School Alumni, where she played varsity soccer. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of San Diego and a Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix. 


She is also very active in the community, as a coach for AYSO Soccer for five seasons and as a team member in the OC Women's Soccer and Mission Viejo Indoor Soccer Leagues. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband, Gary, and driving their daughter and son to and from their sports practices, games, and extracurricular activities. Mrs. Morales and her family are huge fans of the Anaheim Ducks!


She looks forward to working at St. Serra where she can openly share her Catholic faith with her students.

We are proud to welcome her to the St. Serra family!

Traffic Reminder


  • Traffic gates on Banderas close at 7:42 a.m. Any car on Banderas that shows up after the gates close must take their child to the main parking lot and drop them off.
  • No students should be dropped off on Banderas and left to walk around alone. Our staff cannot walk students on campus after the gates close.
  • The traffic lights on Antonio have been adjusted by city officials to accommodate the public schools new start times. We are aware this is causing an extreme back up on Antonio. We have reached out to the city in hopes to get some support on how to rectify this situation.

Logging Volunteer Service Hours

Please keep track of any hours you have completed for the 2023-2024 school year. Once the new system is ready we will provide an update on next steps.

We're Hiring!

Click the EMPLOYMENT quick link above for a list of available positions.

PTO SPOTLIGHT

28th Annual Golf Classic

Registration for Golf Classic Now Open!


Join us on Wednesday, October 18 at Tijeras Creek Golf Course in Rancho Santa Margarita.


Early bird registration ends Sept. 22!

Click here to Register or Sponsor

Support the St. Serra Golf Classic


Every year we host two major fundraisers to raise funds for our school--one of them being the Golf Classic. Currently we are requesting donations for gift cards, sporting events, concert tickets, trips, vacation rentals, etc. to include in our fundraising efforts.


If you or someone you know is willing to donate to make our event a success, please contact Antonia Graham and Kat Pugh at golfclassic@serraschool.org.

The Master’s: 19th Hole Social


Friends! Let's celebrate the new school year!


Join us at the 19th Hole on October 18--Serra's first adult social at Tijeras Creek Golf Course.


Come enjoy a Taste of the Master's

Grab your friends and meet new ones as you delight in delicious cocktails, heavy appetizers and a chance to bid on some of our amazing auction items from our annual Golf Classic. Purchase tickets here.

Golf Ball Drop is back for 2023!


St. Serra is excited to bring back the Golf Ball Drop fundraiser to campus on Friday, October 20. Students will get to watch the balls drop from the helicopter for their chance to win the competition.


Stay tuned for golf ball sales starting soon!

Chick-fil-A FUNlunch is coming on Friday, September 22!


The deadline to place an order is Tuesday, Sept. 12


No late orders will be accepted. 



Choicelunch will not be available on this day.

FUNlunch Order Form

Box Tops for Education


Welcome new St. Serra families & welcome back to our returning families! St. Serra participates in the Box Tops for Education Program so please be sure to download the Box Tops app and scan your qualifying product receipts within 14 days of purchase. 


Watch THIS VIDEO for tips on how to earn money for St. Serra through our Box Tops program.


Questions? Email boxtops@serraschool.org

HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

DIOCESAN AND LOCAL PARISHES

MOPS & MomsNext at St. Kilian and Holy Trinity


Say yes! St. Kilian's and Holy Trinity's MOPS & MomsNext groups have open membership for the 2023/24 school year.


Registration for Holy Trinity meetings here.


Registration for St. Kilian meetings here.


JOIN BLOOM


Solano's Bloom group is a ministry dedicated to cultivating an uplifting, relaxing, and supportive home for mothers of young children to come as they are. This group meets every Monday at 7 p.m. starting September 11. 


Registration and membership information here.

Save the Date


September 23, 2023

6:30 p.m.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church


Father Robert Spitzer is renowned for his engaging discussions and deep insights into matters of faith and science. In this presentation: What Science Can Tell Us About the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, he will delve into the scientific evidence and studies that shed light on Eucharistic miracles--making it an intellectually stimulating and spiritually enriching experience.

Diocese of Orange
SDC Parish Bulletin
St. Kilian Parish Bulletin
Holy Trinity Parish Bulletin
Solano Parish Bulletin
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St. Junipero Serra Catholic School - www.serraschool.org