The Q Connection: January 20, 2012

Congratulations to Serra High School teacher, Suzi Fore, recipient of the Math of America San Diego Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship! Ms. Fore was among seven math teachers countywide recently selected for the 2011 Math for America San Diego Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship program. Math for America San Diego is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving mathematics education in San Diego County public secondary schools. To read the rest of the article, go to: http://www.sandi.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=19400&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=40006&PageID=1

The PTO Cake Auction is right around the corner! The Serra High Parent - Teacher Organization (PTO) is gearing up for the annual PTO Cake Auction on Wednesday, February 1, 2012! The event will be held at 6:00pm in the Media Center. Darryl Hall will be our auctioneer this year. Proceeds help pay for snacks during the California Standardized Testing (STAR)! This is right before the Super Bowl so start thinking of what kind of cake you would like to make. We need bakers and especially buyers!!! If you can help, please contact Mary Ann Michlanski at (858) 344-5062. Mark the date and look forward to having a great time!

It's never too late to join the Serra High School Parent–Teacher Organization (PTO). Become a member today! Memberships are gladly accepted throughout the school year. The primary purpose of the 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 the PTO's endeavors.

The Serra PTO plans teacher/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, and participates in campus beautification. For more information, contact: SerraHighPTO@gmail.com

Save the Date! The Class of '82 30-Year Reunion will be held July 27-29, 2012. All Classes Welcome!!!

Free Electronics Recycling Event- Serra High School in conjunction with De Portola Middle School and Farb Middle School will be hosting a free Electronics Recycling Drive on January 28^th at Serra High School from 10am – 4pm. All electronics will be properly recycled. Free and easy drop-off in the school parking lot. The following items will be accepted- TV’s, computers, monitors, scanners, printers, FAX, DVD, VCR, cell phones, cameras, video games and consoles, lap-tops, loose wire and cable, small appliances like toaster ovens, blenders etc. Most anything you can plug in actually. No large appliances, floor copy machines, light bulbs or batteries. For more info or to host an E-Waste Drive please see - www.ewastegreen.com. Proceeds from the event will go to support the 3 schools and Mother Earth!

FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE:

• The counselors have spoken to every student regarding a strong finish to the Fall Semester. We also reminded the students of the school rules. The eleventh graders were also given the information to sign up for the Spring SAT and ACT. Seniors were reminded NOW is the time to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and that we have done the GPA verification for the Cal Grant for all seniors that have furnished their Social Security Number.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Upcoming Parent Nights:

9th Grade: March 1 at 6 pm in the Media Center
10th Grade: March 8 at 6 pm in the Media Center
11th Grade: March 22 at 6 pm in the Media Center

• Naviance (www.connection.naviance.com/serra) is a web-based service designed especially for students and parents. Family Connection is a comprehensive website that you can use to help in making decisions about colleges, careers and courses, meanwhile tracking academic progress as you aspire to post secondary education options. It is especially useful in searching for Scholarships! To log in students simply use their Student Connect log in number and password. Parents will be able to get their code from Ms. Turnberg by emailing their request to mturnberg@sandi.net.

Scholarship Highlights for the Week (All can be found on Naviance under the Scholarship tab):

Cox Cares Scholarship (up to $10,000)
Hispanic Heritage Scholarship (for Juniors)
Investment in Success Scholarship (For Seniors starting in Community College and transferring to a 4 year college.)

• The new College Center in Room 401 is open! Students are encouraged to stop by on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during Advisory and lunch. Through January, a counselor is in the room during Advisory and lunch to talk about college applications, help with FAFSA, common app and other relevant college application questions. Beginning in January, after seniors finish their applications, the focus will be on SAT and AP prep for seniors, juniors and sophomores. Questions? Contact your student’s counselor.

FROM THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE:

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. Thank you.

Please be sure we have your current phone number and address on file. We have had a high volume of returned mail and want to make sure everyone is receiving important information sent out by the school. If your contact information has changed, please notify the front office as soon as possible. Thank you.

MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR SENIOR EXHIBITIONS!

We are in need of more volunteers to ensure the success of the Serra High School Senior Exhibitions. Please consider giving a few hours of your time to support our students. The Senior Exhibition Project is a graduation requirement for all students in the San Diego Unified School District. In order to successfully complete this project, Seniors must reflect upon their accomplishments at Serra High School in front of a panel of teachers, parents, community members, and fellow students. The requirements for volunteers serving on a Senior Exhibition panel are to listen to the presentations, actively participate in the Q&A period, and score each presentation. We need volunteer panelists on the following days:

Wed Jan 25th 12:00-3:00pm - 15 more volunteers are needed.
Thurs Jan 26 12:00-3:00pm - 10 more volunteers are needed.

Sign up to serve on a Senior Exhibition panel by clicking on the following link: http://serrahighnews.blogspot.com/2011/12/be-senior-exhibition-panelist.html or contact Marie Byrd (mbyrd@sandi.net -or- 858-496-8342 x231).

More Junior Students are also needed to serve as panelists! This is an excellent way for Juniors to support their peers and learn more about the Senior Exhibition project. If you have a Junior student who is interested in serving on a panel, they should go to Room 231 during lunch or after school to sign up. Questions? Contact Marie Byrd (mbyrd@sandi.net or call 858-496-8342 x231).

EVENTS

Monday, January 23

All day - Pink Progress Report Day

Tuesday, January 24

5:00pm - Band-All City Honor Band Auditions

Wednesday, January 25

All day - FINALS-Minimum Day/ Per.1 & 2
12:00pm - Senior Exhibitions

Thursday, January 26

All day - FINALS-Minimum Day/ Per.3 & 4
12:00pm - Senior Exhibitions

Friday, January 27

All day - End of Fall Semester
All day - FINALS-Minimum Day/ Per.5 & 6
12:00pm - Senior Exhibitions

Saturday, January 28

7:00am - Serra Foundation E-Waste Collection Fundraiser w/ Farb & Deportola

SPORTS