October 21, 2011

Today marks the end of the first 6 week grading period for the 2011-2012 school.  Students will receive their first progress report next Friday, October 28^th during their 4^th period class.  Make sure to ask your student for it!

Helpful tip for parents:  Stay informed of your child’s progress at school.  Make sure you're signed up for Parent Connect!  Parent Connect is an on-line program that provides parents  with important information about their student/s. 

Parent Connect FAQs:

What type of information is available from Parent Connect?

    * Daily Class Schedule

    * Detailed Attendance Information by Date and Period

    * Homework Assignments and Links to Teacher E-mail Addresses

    * Progress Reports and Semester Grades

    

How Do I Sign-Up for Parent Connect?

Please stop by the front office or come to the Parent Center (Room 231) with a picture ID and request a PIN and password.

  

LUNCH APPLICATIONS ARE DUE! If your student received free/reduced lunch last year, his or her “prior-year free/reduced” status has expired. Students will not be eligible for free/reduced lunch until we receive a new lunch application. The easiest way to apply for the school lunch program is by completing the online application: https://www.applyforlunch.com/Application. Forms are also available in the main office.  Please return completed lunch applications to the front office by Wednesday, October 26th.

Federal Survey Cards will be coming home soon.  Federal Survey cards will be sent home with every student on Monday, October 31st.  Be sure to complete, sign, and return the cards as soon as possible.

 INFORMATION FOR SENIOR PARENTS:

It's time to apply for the California State Universities. Don't procrastinate! The application period runs October 1 to November 30. If your student has questions regarding the application process, she or he may schedule an appointment with her/his counselor.

 

There will be a representative on campus to speak to seniors from San Diego State University on Wednesday, October 26th at 10:15 in the Media Center. The representative will address CSU admissions, financial aid, NCAA athletics requirements, campus life, scholarships etc. If your student is interested in speaking with the representative, he/she must pick up an SDSU ticket from the Counseling Office to hear this informational meeting. The SDSU slip will be their ticket to get in and students must have their Period 4 teacher's signature prior to the SDSU event.

Save the Date! "Come to School with Your Student" Day will be held on November 10. This is a great way to observe some of your student's classrooms and get a first-hand look at what's happening at school. Parent workshops will also be scheduled during the morning for those who may not want to observe the classrooms but are interested in coming to the campus. Refreshments will be provided by the Serra High PTO.

FROM THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE 

Parents:  Student contracts are available if your student will be absent five school days or more.  Please be sure to notify the attendance office a minimum of one week in advance of the absence and request the contracts.  This will ensure the teachers have plenty of time to prepare the school work your student will need while he or she is out.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

The Serra High PTO is in need of a President! How about you?? The duties of the President include: presiding over the meetings; coordinating various activities throughout the school year; appointing committee chairs/coordinators when necessary; signing checks when necessary; approving PTO-related materials for school distribution; reviewing all contracts to be signed by the Executive Board.

No experience as a PTO President, you say? No problem! There will be plenty of help from the other board members to ensure your time as President is successful. Please consider helping out in this very important way!

PTO is the Way to Go! It's not too late to join the PTO. Memberships are gladly accepted throughout the school year. The primary purpose of the SHS PTO is to foster relations among parents, teachers, students and administrators, and to raise funds for programs and activities that will benefit Serra High School students. Membership is open to parents, teachers and staff of Serra High School, and to anyone who would like to support Serra High School PTO's endeavors.

The Serra PTO plans teacher and staff appreciation events, supports events such as "Come to School With Your Student Day," is instrumental in the packaging and delivery of STAR testing snacks for ~1600 students/day over 8 test days, provides scholarships for graduating Seniors, participates in campus beautification, etc. For more information regarding the PTO, contact: SerraHighPTO@gmail.com

Student Pictures are here! Picture package orders from pre orientation day can be picked up from Financial Window before, after school and during lunch.

Serra High is offering a free basic skills Computer Class for parents on November 3rd. Two sessions will be held: 9:30-10:30am and 6:00-7:00pm in the Serra High School Media Center. This is a basic skills class for parents and will cover topics such as: setting up an email account, navigating the web, and using Parent Connect. To sign up, please contact Martha Vidana-Cross, x203 or Marie Byrd, x231.

Does your student need help with homework? Or a place to complete homework after school? The Opportunities After School Program will be offering tutoring in the Media Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30. Teachers will be available to assist students with homework. Bus passes will ONLY be provided for students who participate. A light snack will also be provided. For more information, please contact Adrian Vazquez x142.

The Serra Yearbook now has a new website!

Go to: http://www.serra.sandi.net/yearbook/index.html. Check it out for more information about ordering Personal Pages/Ads. Don't put it off! The deadline in December 15th and space is limited.

Support the Serra High School Band and Colorguard! Come out and cheer on our Golden Regiment Band and Guard at their upcoming Field Competitions:

Oct. 29 - Mt. Carmel HS

Nov. 5 – Mira Mesa

Nov. 12 - Vista

For more info go to: www.serrabandboosters.org

EVENTS

Friday, October 21

• All day - End of Grading Period

Saturday, October 22

• All day - NJROTC Drill Meet @ UCLA
• 7:30pm - Homecoming Dance

Sunday, October 23

• All day - NJROTC Charger Game Fundraiser

Wednesday, October 26

• 10:15am - SDSU Presentation for Seniors
• 5:00pm - Band & Flags Rehearsal

Thursday, October 27

• All day - NJROTC Cadet Photos
• All day - Senior Class Photo

Friday, October 28

• All day - Progress Reports Distributed

Saturday, October 29

• SATURDAY SCHOOL
• 1:00pm - Band Field Trip

Sunday, October 30

• All day - NJROTC Charger Game Fundraiser

 

SPORTS

• Friday, October 21
• All day - JV Field Hockey Tournament
• 1:30pm - Cross Country Jaguar Invite @ Kit Carson Park
• 3:30pm - Girls Volleyball: So. Cal Tourney
• 6:30pm - HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME: Varsity vs Hoover

Saturday, October 22

• All day - JV Field Hockey Tournament
• 3:30pm - Girls Volleyball: So. Cal Tourney

Sunday, October 23

• All day - NJROTC Charger Game Fundraiser

Monday, October 24

• 3:00pm - Varsity Field Hockey vs. Clairemont
• 6:00pm - Girls Bball Open Gym

Tuesday, October 25

• 11:56am - Winter Sports Meeting (Students)
• 2:30pm - Women's Tennis @ Mira Mesa
• 3:00pm - Boys Water Polo vs Patrick Herny
• 3:00pm - Varsity Field Hockey vs. La Jolla
• 3:30pm - Varsity Girls Volleyball vs Patrick Henry (Senior Night)
• 4:15pm - JV Field Hockey vs. La Jolla
• 5:00pm - Football Night Practice
• 5:00pm - JV & Frosh Girls Volleyball vs Patrick Henry
• 6:00pm - Boys Bball Open Gym

Thursday, October 27

• 3:00pm - Frosh Football @ Madison
• 3:00pm - JV Football @ Madison
• 3:00pm -Varsity Field Hockey @ Morse
• 3:00pm - Varsity Girls Volleyball @ OLP
• 5:00pm - JV & Frosh Girls Volleyball @ OLP
• 6:00pm - Boys Bball Open Gym

Friday, October 28

• 6:30pm - Varsity Football vs Madison

Saturday, October 29

• 7:00am - NJROTC Battalion Sports Day
• 7:30am - Taekwondo Tournament

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

There are many ways to offer your time and talent as a school volunteer.  Here are a few of the opportunities we currently have at Serra:

• Help prepare Federal Survey Cards.  Help is needed labeling and sorting cards for distribution to the students.  

• Spanish speakers needed! Make phone calls to spanish speaking households to inform them of school events during the year.

• Assistance needed in the Media Center (Library). The librarian is looking for a creative volunteer who can help him decorate the Media Center, working with different themes, during the school year.

• Help is needed in the Nurse’s Office. Assist the Nurse with filing, checking-in students, and other tasks as needed.

• Military Parent Group starting soon at Serra. We are looking for a group of military parents who would be interested in meeting once a month or every other month to discuss ways on how we can work together, the school and parents, to best support our military students.

• The Parent Center needs help with a few basic office tasks. Help is needed 1 or 2 hours per week, or just stop by when you have some time to lend a hand. The room is open Monday through Friday 9:00-3:00pm.

All new AND returning volunteers must have a current volunteer application and proof of a negative TB test on file with the school. Volunteer applications must be renewed every year. TB tests are valid for 4 years. It is important for the safety of our students that the proper paperwork is on file for every volunteer. Forms are available online at: http://serra.sandi.net/volunteer/ or at the school in the main office. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Marie Byrd (mbyrd@sandi.net or call 858-496-8342 x231) for more information.