Friday, October 7, 2011

October 7, 2011

MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL JIMENEZ

Parents,
As many of you know we have been experiencing extraordinary times with economic issues and crisis throughout the state and country.  I want to thank all the parents for their patience and support of our students, staff and school community.  In addition I want to acknowledge all the students and thank them for arriving to school daily with wonderful attitudes and spirits as they pass through these difficult economic times. Read the rest of Principal Jimenez' message by clicking here: http://serrahighnews.blogspot.com/2011/10/message-to-parents-from-principal.html
 
Senior College Night will be held on Tuesday, October 18 at 6 p.m. in the Media Center.  Senior parents will receive information regarding graduation requirements, transcript information, college application requirements, and scholarship information.


Mark Your Calendar! "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.


Homecoming Dance is just around the corner!  This year's Homecoming Dance will be held on October 22nd from 7:30-11:00pm in the Serra High Gym.  Get a copy of the dance agreement on the Serra website.



FROM THE NURSE’S OFFICE

Many thanks to all the parents who helped us meet the new state law requiring proof of the Tdap immunization for all students in grades 7-12.  The good news is we have received proof of immunizations for all but 5 students at Serra.  Good job, Conquistadors!  



FROM THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE 

Are you picking your student up early for a doctor, dental or other excused reason?  To ensure things run smoothly, please keep the following in mind:  Requests for early release (Blue Slips) must be submitted BEFORE 7:00a.m.on the day of release (parents may phone in PRIOR to 08:00 a.m. or send a note with your student and he/she must bring it to the Attendance Office PRIOR to 7:30 a.m.)   Requests for early release received after 8:00 a.m. on the day of release cannot be honored.  We do not have office monitors.  Please remind your student to pick up his/her Blue Slip in the Attendance Office. 

Students who become ill during the school day MUST visit the Health Office for assessment.  If is determined that a student needs to go home, parents will be contacted and the Health Office staff will issue the Blue Slip.



Remember to turn in your student’s lunch application!  If your student received free/reduced lunch last year, his or her “prior-year free/reduced” status is effective until October 14th.  After that date, if we do not receive a new application, the student 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. 



Have you been to Serra’s Family Resource Center?  The Center is located in Room 231.  It’s a place for parents to meet on campus and has much to offer:
  • A large meeting Space for parent and student groups, workshops and guest speakers;
  • Computer access for finding online resources, emailing and “Skyping” with family members who are away from home;
  • A kid’s playroom for younger siblings when parents attend meetings or volunteer on campus;
  • Many academic, military, and community-based resources.

Center hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 3:00pm.  Stop by anytime to check it out!  Questions?  Contact Marie Byrd, Parent Support Liaison: mbyrd@sandi.net or 858-496-8342 x231.




RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
Parents, here’s an article worth reading.  It is a reminder of the importance of exercising our right to vote, especially when it comes to educational issues.  The article can be found on the Educate Our State website.    “The Power of One – Your Vote is Your Voice.  Be Heard.”  

“Voting, in my opinion, is our most valuable tool to bring about change as everyday citizens.  If every parent in the State of California voted, I know in my heart that education issues would not be so low on Sacramento's totem pole, especially in terms of funding. As it stands now education is always one of the first things on the State funding cutting board.” 

… “As a parent, you are your child's greatest advocate. The ability to be your child's voice in Sacramento lies within the ballot box.  If parents voted as a collective unit there would be no lobby that could stand against us. We have all the power we need to fix our broken education system in this State and restore it to what it once was.  We are just not using it.”
To read the rest of the article, click here: http://educateourstate.posterous.com/the-power-of-one


Reaching for the Top" Back-to-School Conference Coming Up

The annual "Reaching for the Top" Back-to-School Conference is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 22, at the Christ United Presbyterian Church, 3025 Fir St. Download flyer (PDF)

The purpose of the Conference is to MOTIVATE, INSPIRE, and assist students in developing skills to improve their academic achievement. This year, special focus will be placed on MATH and WRITING skills, with workshops conducted by current and retired teachers, and volunteers from business and community.

The Conference is FREE and open to students in grades 6-12, with a Parent Session from noon to 2 p.m. Breakfast snacks and lunch will be provided.

Get a Free Sticky Note and Support Your School

In a time when school budgets are tight, many businesses are recognizing the need for extra funding and are stepping up to help. Avery is no stranger to this concept and is passionate about helping schools through various programs.

Their newest is the “Avery® Sticky Notes Mark the Spot” sweepstakes that launches on October 3, 2011.

Twenty-thousand people who register for the sweepstakes will randomly be selected to win a free pack of Avery® See-Through Sticky Notes. Five of those winners will be randomly selected to receive 100,000 Box Tops coupons (valued at $10,000) that will be applied to a school of their choice. The selected schools of the “Avery® Sticky Notes Mark the Spot” promotion will be presented with credit for the 100,000 Box Tops for Education®.

It’s easy! All anyone has to do is:
  • Go to the Avery Facebook Page (facebook.com/avery)
  • Register to win a free pack of Sticky Notes
  • Choose the school they’d like the money to go to should they win.

Pretty simple, it’s a great cause, and it could be you guys!

 

EVENTS

Friday, October 7

  • All day - CELDT TESTING


Saturday, October 8

  • All day - NJROTC @ Octoberfest


Sunday, October 9

  • All day - NJROTC Charger Game Fundraiser


Monday, October 10

  • All day - CELDT TESTING
  • 3:00pm - SSC Meeting


Tuesday, October 11

  • All day - Make-Up Picture Day
  • All day - CELDT TESTING
  • 6:00pm - ELAC Meet and Greet


Wednesday, October 12

  • All day - CELDT TESTING
  • All day - PSAT testing (NOT at Serra)
  • 5:00pm - Band & Flags Rehearsal


Thursday, October 13

  • All day - CELDT TESTING
  • 9:00am - 11th Grade Field Trip/Freedoms Foundation


Friday, October 14

  • All day - CELDT TESTING


Saturday, October 15

  • All day - NJROTC Cadet Picnic
  • 8:00am - SATURDAY SCHOOL
  • 8:00am - PSAT testing
  • 1:00pm - ASB Serra Mania/Homecoming Decorating
  •  

Sunday, October 16

  • All day - NJROTC Charger Game Fundraiser



SPORTS

Friday, October 7

  • 3:30pm - Girls Volleyball: Monte Vista Tourney


Saturday, October 8
  • All day - Varsity Field Hockey Tournament
  • 8:00am - Pre-Season Wrestling Tournament

Monday, October 10
  • 6:00pm - Girls Bball Open Gym

Tuesday, October 11
  • 2:45pm - Cross Country vs. La Jolla
  • 3:00pm - Women's Tennis vs. San Diego
  • 3:30pm - Boys Water Polo @ La Jolla Country Day
  • 5:00pm - Football Night Practice
  • 6:00pm - Boys Bball Open Gym

Thursday, October 13
  • 2:30pm - Women's Tennis @ Pt. Loma
  • 3:00pm - JV Football vs MBHS
  • 3:00pm - Boys Water Polo vs. Pt. Loma
  • 3:00pm - Varsity Field Hockey @ Mira Mesa
  • 3:30pm - Varsity Girls Volleyball vs. Mira Mesa
  • 4:15pm - JV Field Hockey @ Mira Mesa
  • 5:00pm - JV & Frosh Girls Volleyball vs. Mira Mesa
  • 6:00pm - Boys Bball Open Gym

Friday, October 14
  • 3:00pm - Varsity Football @ MBHS

Saturday, October 15
  • 10:00am - Q-Basketball Open Gym


BECOME A SERRA HIGH SCHOOL VOLUNTEER – STAY CONNECTED, GET INVOLVED! 

Need some good reasons to become a school volunteer?

Research proves that being involved in your kid’s school results in:

► Higher grades and test scores
►Improved attendance
►Increased chances of your child going on to college
►Less discipline problems at school

Volunteering at school sends a positive message to your kid/s that you’re interested in their education and that you consider school a priority!  Here are a few of the opportunities we currently have at Serra:

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

  • The librarian is also looking for someone who can help him repair a few library carts.  This involves adding new wheels to the carts.

  • Help is needed in the Nurse’s Office.  If you would like to 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.