The Q Connection: April 20, 2012

First Week of STAR Testing a Success! Students completed the first couple of days of the California Standardized Testing (CST’s or STAR Testing). All is going very smoothly! We have had fewer absences this year compared to last year. Parents, continue to talk to your teen about the importance of doing their best on the tests. Please make sure they attend all days of STAR testing, get a good night’s sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast. Our goal is to reach 787 this year - – we can do it, Serra! Parents, thank you for your support during testing time. Let’s keep up the good work! Visit http://serra.sandi.net to see the STAR schedule.

NEW!!! This just in... If Serra reaches 800 Principal Jimenez will not only shave off his mustache but his head as well. He will be joined by Jeff Thomas, Joe Schmidt, Jon Robell, Brian Basteyns, Jared Martin, Jennifer Anderson, Tommy Cotner, Franz Wrasidlo and more.

BUDGETS CUTS IMPACT EVERYONE! It’s no secret that many of our teachers and staff are faced with losing their jobs due to the ongoing budget crisis. People that have put their heart and soul into their career and students are now faced with an uncertain future. This unfortunate truth is not lost on our students. Recently, a handful of ASB students decided they wanted to do something for the people who have done so much for them. The students decided the best thing they could do for their teachers, is to absolutely rock the STAR test! The theory (which came from the students) was to send a message to the district and state, that their teachers and counselors do make a difference, and the proof will be a dramatically improved API. The students produced a video that talks about what teachers mean to students and how it is the students' turn to rally around the ones that have always been there for them. The video, which was 100% student conceived, written and produced, aired in all the classrooms on Thursday morning at the beginning of the testing period. Here is the URL to watch on a computer: http://serra.sandi.net/star/videos/teachersweb.m4v To watch on a mobile device: http://serra.sandi.net/star/videos/teacherscell.m4v

SAVE THE DATE! A Volunteer Appreciation Reception will be held on Tuesday, May 15^th at 6:00pm in the Media Center. Serra Volunteers give countless hours to support our students all year long. We invite you to this special reception honoring the efforts and dedication of our amazing volunteers! For information or to RSVP, contact Ms. Byrd: mbyrd@sandi.net. Refreshments will be provided and we’ll have a few prize giveaways!

YEARBOOK PRE-SALE! $70 with an ASB card and $75 without an ASB card until May 31st. Any books that remain unsold will be available for sale in June for $80 each. There will be NO ASB card discount offered and NO CHECKS accepted. For yearbook information contact Mr. Pedersen: cpedersen@sandi.net.

PARENT RESOURCES

Parents do make a difference! All parents are invited to the May 1^st English Learners Advisory Committee (ELAC) Meeting at 6pm in the Media Center. Guest speaker for the evening is Georgina Montijo-Garcia, Parent Academic Liaison at Mann Middle School. Ms. Montijo-Garcia runs a highly successful parent engagement program at Mann and will give an insightful presentation about the benefits and importance of parent involvement. Come to this meeting to share ideas and best practices on how parents can become more actively involved at school. Questions? Contact Ms. Vidana-Cross: mvidana-cross@sandi.net. See you on May 1^st!

FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE

Oh, the Places They'll Go! Look where our Seniors are headed! These are just some of the colleges and universities our Seniors have been accepted to: UC San Diego, San Diego State, Colorado State, CSU-Long Beach, UC Los Angeles, University of Arizona, UC Santa Barbara, University of New Mexico, Humboldt State, UC Berkeley, USC, University of Oregon, Whittier College, California Lutheran, Sonoma State, UC Santa Cruz, CSU Fullerton, CSU San Marcos, San Francisco State, University of San Diego, UC Davis, Cal Poly, UC Irvine, San Jose State, Point Loma Nazarene, Tuskegee University, Brown, Duke, Cornell, Notre Dame, New York University, University of the Pacific, Mississippi Sate University, and Kansas State University. We are proud of our Seniors! Congratulations to all!

The Counseling Office is looking for donations of new or "gently" used t-shirts for students who do not adhere to the school dress code policy. There is a great need for small and medium sizes. The shirts can have logos or graphics on them, as long as they are school appropriate!

FROM THE GEAR UP COORDINATOR

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) will be taking a field trip to Miramar College on May 9^th. The first 50 9th & 10th graders who sign up will have priority.

A GEAR UP field trip to UCSD is scheduled on May 19^th. All cohort students and their families are welcome. Transportation and lunch will be provided for all students/families who sign up. The event will include several workshops on financial aid, college admission, A-G requirements, the San Diego Super Computer Center, and various speakers including artist Simon Silva.

Are you a 9th or 10th grade student interested in computers and technology? The San Diego Super Computer center at UCSD will be providing workshops over the summer including securing computer systems, animation, designing, app inventions and videos. If you are interested in registering for a class GEAR UP will be happy to pay for you! You must sign up by April 27^th. A complete list of workshops is available at education.sdsc.edu/teachertech/ under “Workshops.”

To sign up for any of the above field trips or workshops, see Ms. Padilla in the Media Center, Office E or contact her at cpadilla@ucsd.edu.

SPORTS NEWS

SPREAD THE WORD!!! Serra Baseball at PETCO PARK!! Serra vs Mira Mesa on Saturday, April 28 at 4:05 p.m. Don't miss your opportunity to watch your Conquistadors play at Petco Park. This is the biggest event in school history so let's make it great. Come out and support the Varsity Baseball team to victory.

FROM THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE

Concerning Student Athletic Bags and Equipment - Parents, please understand the main office is not a storage area for student belongings! The main office can not store, nor be responsible for sports bags and equipment during the school day. Bags and equipment that are left in the office become a safety hazard as well as a security issue. All student athletes have been notified by their coaches to bring their equipment to the team locker rooms before school each day. Thank you for your understanding

To all parents - If your student is transferring from Serra High School, please notify the school at least one week before the last day of attendance. At that time we will provide you with information as to what you will need for that last day. This will ensure a smoother transition for your student.

Serra High School needs to have your current information on file. Please make sure we have current telephone numbers. If you have moved please bring a new proof of residence to the attendance office as soon as possible so that you don’t miss any information. Proof of residence must be one of the following: gas & electric bill, cable or water bill, housing orders or rental agreement. Thank you for your cooperation.

EVENTS

Friday, April 20

STAR Testing – English/Language Arts Part 2

Saturday, April 21

All day - Color Guard Competition
All day - NJROTC Drill Meet @ Henry
8:00am - Advanced Placement US History Practice Exam

Monday, April 23

STAR Testing - Math Part 1

Tuesday, April 24

STAR Testing - Math Part 2

Thursday, April 26

STAR Testing - Science Part 1

Friday, April 27

End of Grading Period
STAR Testing - Science Part 2

Saturday, April 28

All day - NJROTC Battalion Field Meet @ Serra
8:00am - SATURDAY SCHOOL
9:00am - Third Annual AP Bio Bowl Competition
10:00am - AP Enviornmental Science AP Reveiw Exam

SPORTS