FEDERAL SURVEY CARDS WILL BE SENT HOME ON MONDAY
Last year we had 100% of the Federal Survey Cards returned. We are expecting to get 100% returned this year with a goal of having them all returned by Halloween, Thursday, October 31st.
If your child is out on Monday, please stop by the front office to fill out a card to help their class ensure they are filled out on time.
HALLOWEEN COSTUME GUIDELINES
Halloween is next Thursday and students and teachers are encouraged to get in the Halloween spirit by dressing for the day. Students who choose to dress for Halloween, must abide by the below guidelines.
- All costumes must be “PG” rated.
- The School dress code policy must be followed.
- Costumes may only be worn on Thursday, October 31st.
- Costumes may not be a disruption to instruction in any way.
- Costumes may not be derogatory or offensive to any groups or individuals.
- Costumes may not include any weaponry or representations of weapons.
- Masks are not permitted.
- Students’ faces must be uncovered and easily identifiable (left up to the discretion of the administration).
On Thursday at lunch, the ASB will be hosting a Halloween costume contest. Teachers and students are welcome to show off their gruesome (school appropriate) gear in the Q-Hut.
PARENT PORTAL UPDATE
Parent Portal is still in the pilot phase. As part of the pilot, it is our job to discover issues as they arise and learn how to correct them before the Portal is opened to the entire district. The most recent issue we have discovered has been the way that grades and progress reports are displayed.
As it was originally set up, PowerSchool was treating the 1st 6 weeks (known as P1) and the 2nd 6 weeks (P2) as two completely separate grading periods. In other words, assignments from the 1st 6 weeks would not "count" in the 2nd 6 weeks. This is not how we do grades. Our grades are cumulative, meaning that the grade the student holds in class includes every assignment given from the 1st day of school till now.
We have discovered this error and in the process of correcting it. Until all teachers have recalculated their P2 grades we are keeping the semester one (S1) window open. This will show you the current cumulative grade.
When you look in Quick Look Up, you will see a P1 grade. This grade is locked. This is a snapshot of where the student was on that grade date. For example: a teacher gave an assignment in P1 and the student got a "D"on an essay causing the student to get a "C" in the P1 grading period. Then the teacher allows the student to submit a new draft of the essay. The student now gets an "A" on the essay. The P1 grade is locked so it will remain a "C", however, that "A" will calculate in the P2 grade giving the student a higher grade.
If you see a blank in Quick Look Up that means that the student is now in a different class. Click on the "Show dropped classes also" link at the bottom of the page to see the grade.
Over 70% of our students have had their records accessed through either Parent or Student Portal. Don't wait for the Progress Reports to come home. Don't wait until it's too late. Go to http://powerschool.sandi.net and create your account TODAY. Then enter the student access codes we mailed home to link to your student's account. Be an active participant in your student's education!
CAHSEE
Passing the California High School Exit Exam is a graduation requirement in the state of California. The CAHSEE consists of two parts; a English and Math exam. The first opportunity students have to pass the exam is in March of their Sophomore year. Tuesday November 5th (ELA) and Wednesday November 6th (Math) will be the class of 2015's second opportunity to pass the CAHSEE. Juniors will have to take the exam only if they did not pass in March OR if they are new to California and have not taken the exam before. Please make sure your Junior is in attendance for these important test days.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ATTENDANCE
Parents remember: If your student is out ill, you have up to 5 days and only 5 days to clear the absence. After 5 days the absence will PERMANENTLY become an Unexcused Absence. There will be NO CHANGES after the 5th day. Log in to Parent Portal to see if your student's absence has been cleared. Parents can only clear full day absences. ONLY teachers can clear period absences. Students are given a notice every time they are absent reminding them of the day they need to clear their absence before it becomes permanent.
HELP SERRA WHILE DOING YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING
HELP SERRA WHILE DOING YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING
A very major on-line store, (we are not allowed to advertise who it is, but it one that everyone knows) will give approximately 6% of your purchase to the Serra Foundation. Visit the Serra Foundation Website: http://www.serrafoundation.org/ for the link to the on-line store. (Serra will only benefit from purchases if you go through the link on the Foundation website each time you shop. Make the Foundation page one of your favorites and start your on line shopping there!)
USE CAUTION WHEN GOING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
Please make certain your students are practicing caution and safety and following the law when coming to school and returning home.
It has been brought to our attention on numerous occasions that groups of highs school students cross the street from the shopping plaza on Tierrasanta Blvd near Round Table Pizza through the cars stopped at the light at Tierrasanta Blvd and Santo Road. Students are crossing without caution and drivers are forced to react to avoid hitting them which may cause an accident.
Please be sure to speak with your students about safety and rules of the road/crossings. Any assistance you can provide in averting an unwanted accident for pedestrians and drivers is greatly appreciated.
SERRA GEAR AVAILABLE ON-LINE
20% of your purchase comes back to Serra High School. Don't be fooled by Serra products at various local stores. They are NOT official Serra products and the school receives no money from those sales.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing is open to all high school girls residing in the US. Apply online at:
https://www.aspirations.org/participate/high-school by Oct 31st.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors each year.
http://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/applicants/#programs Apply online by Oct. 31st
Upcoming Events
Saturday, October 26
Sunday, October 27
Monday, October 28
2:30pm
2:30pm
2:45pm
3:30pm
6:00pm
Tuesday, October 29
8:00am
2:30pm
2:45pm
3:00pm
4:00pm
4:30pm
4:30pm
6:00pm
Wednesday, October 30
2:00pm
2:00pm
2:30pm
5:30pm
6:00pm
6:00pm
Thursday, October 31
2:30pm
2:45pm
3:00pm
3:30pm
3:30pm
3:30pm
4:00pm
4:30pm
4:45pm
6:00pm
Friday, November 1
2:30pm
2:45pm
3:30pm
3:30pm
4:30pm
6:30pm
Saturday, November 2
3:30pm
Monday, November 4
2:30pm
2:30pm
2:45pm
3:30pm
4:45pm
6:00pm
Tuesday, November 5
2:30pm
2:30pm
2:45pm
3:30pm
4:30pm
6:00pm
Wednesday, November 6
8:30am
2:00pm
2:30pm
5:30pm
6:00pm
6:00pm
6:30pm
Thursday, November 7
11:15am
2:30pm
2:30pm
2:45pm
3:00pm
3:00pm
3:30pm
4:00pm
4:00pm
4:45pm
5:00pm
5:00pm
6:00pm
Friday, November 8
2:45pm
3:00pm
3:30pm
4:00pm
5:00pm
6:30pm
Saturday, November 9
7:00am
Monday, November 11