March 16, 2012

STAR: Helping Your Students Achieve

Suggestions for Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians play a very important part in their studentsʼ education. Encouraging students to do their best in school and showing positive attitudes toward completing school assignments well and on time can positively affect learning. Research about how students learn shows that a great deal can be done at home to increase a studentʼs academic performance.

One question you may have about the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program is, “How can I help students do better on the tests?” The question really is, “How can I help students do well in school?” What you do at home can make a very big difference in how well students achieve in school.

Most Important of All

Let your students know how important their work at school is and how interested you are in what they are doing. Talk with them everyday about:

• What they did at school
•  What homework must be finished for the next day
• What needs to be done on a future project 

In Reading and Writing

•  Listen to your students read and read stories aloud to and/or with them.
•  Talk about what you and your students are reading and words they do not understand.
•  Have family time when you and your students read a newspaper, magazine, or book.
• Encourage your students to write lists, notes, thank-you notes, requests, journals, recipes, short stories, and other types of writing.
•  For writing assignments, talk with your students about what the assignment requires; help them list the points to cover. Take your students to the library or help them use the Internet if more information is needed.
•  Set a limit on the amount of time your students watch television. Watch and discuss television programs with them whenever possible.

In Mathematics

• Check with your students everyday to make sure homework assignments are completed.
• Attend parent/guardian classes about mathematics to prepare for questions that your students might ask at home. 
• Ask questions to show how mathematics is used to help solve problems as you play games, watch television, or prepare to do a home project.
• Show your students how you use mathematics in what people do everyday (cooking, shopping, or home repairs) or when buying materials to use in crafts, sewing, or building projects. 
• Help your students read charts or graphs in newspapers and magazines and read maps when going on a family trip. It is important to help your students apply what they are learning.

Share your interest in any academic area because students become interested in what is discussed at home. Family trips to museums, special television programs, news about a recent scientific discovery, or important world and local events should be shared and discussed. At times, let your students take the lead in talking about topics of interest to them

• Excerpted from the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program Guides for STAR Program Tests: Information for Parents and Guardians. http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/

Progress Reports will be distributed to all students on Friday, March 16th.  Parents, make sure to ask your student for a copy! 

The next Principal Chat is on March 20th at 5:30pm in the Serra High Media Center.  Principal Mike Jimenez will provide a budget update for the 2012-13 school year and will also present the District's goals and objectives for creating a quality school in every neighborhood.  Get your questions answered and have your voice heard.  Light refreshments will be provided.  The monthly PTO Meeting will follow immediately after.  See you on the 20th!

SAVE THE DATE!  The Spring Showcase is right around the corner!  This year’s Showcase is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28th and promises to be a fun-filled evening for all!  Student work will be showcased, various school clubs will have delicious food for sale, and of course, the annual Student-Staff Basketball game is scheduled that evening.  FUN guaranteed for the entire family!

FROM THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

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.

PARENT RESOURCES

Does your student need help with Math?  Check out the Khan Academy online video tutorials!  According to the Washingtonpost.com, Khan Academy (http://www.khanacademy.org/) offers free online video tutorials for kids struggling with their algebra homework.  Now backed by the Gates Foundation and Google, the site is being used experimentally in a couple dozen schools, apparently to great success.  To read the Washington Post article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/post/khan-academy-launches-on-ipad-is-this-educations-future/2012/03/12/gIQA8ORm7R_blog.html

Khan Academy offers an online library of over 3,000 videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history.  Students can learn about many different topics, including math, for free!

Go to the Khan Academy website for more info: http://www.khanacademy.org/

FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE

11th Grade Parent Night (for current 11th graders) will be held on March 22 at 6 pm in the Media Center.  Parents will receive their child's transcript, learn the graduation requirements, the college entrance requirements, learn of new course options for the 2012-2013 school year and receive priority for their student's course selection for 2012-2013.

• Naviance (www.connection.naviance.com/serra) is a free web-based service designed especially for students and parents to get information about college and career choices, track academic progress, and search for scholarships.  Students can log in using their Student Connect log in number and password. Parents can get their code from Counselor 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):

1.            Volunteer Internships at San Diego Super Computer Center.  (Deadline of March 30th!!  See Ms. Turnberg in counseling office for information.

2.            Athena San Diego Merit Scholarship.  (Deadline of March 21st.) 

3.            Verizon Scholarship Awards Program.  (Deadline of March 30th.)

4.            Friends of CAL-SOAP Dollars for Scholars

The 2012-13 Course Catalogue Now On Line!  The course catalogue provides students and parents with accurate information to use in making wise program choices.  Be sure to have your student read the catalogue thoroughly before completing his or her program-planning card, and pay special attention to graduation requirements and college admission requirements as detailed in the catalogue.  It is important to check course prerequisites and recommendations before making your course selections.  To view the catalogue: http://serrahighnews.blogspot.com/2012/03/2012-13-course-catalogue-now-on-line.html

Is your 9th or 10th grader interested in engineering? He or she can sign up with the GEAR UP Coordinator, Ms. Padilla in the Media Center, Office E for the 29th Annual High School Engineering Conference at San Diego State University held by the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers. The field trip will be on Friday March 23rd!

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.

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. 

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

Monday, March 19

• All day - Pink Progress Report Day
• All day - 10th Grade Articulation
• 7:30am - AVID FIELD TRIP
• 4:30pm - Serra Cluster Council Meeting – Media Center

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

• 5:30pm - Principal Chat – Media Center
• 6:30pm - PTO Meeting – Media Center

Wednesday, March 21

• 7:30am - Honors Theatre Project- District Wide High School Production

Thursday, March 22

• 7:30am - Honors Theatre Project- District Wide High School Production
• 6:00pm - Eleventh Grade Parent Night – Media Center

Friday, March 23

• All day - 10th Grade Articulation
• 5:00pm - Honors Theatre Project- District Wide High School Production

Saturday, March 24

• All day - Band Field Trip
• All day - NJROTC Cadet Military Ball
• 8:00am - SATURDAY SCHOOL
• 12:00pm - Honors Theatre Project- District Wide High School Production

SPORTS

Friday, March 16

• 3:00pm - Swim Meet vs Clairemont @ Tierrasanta
• 3:30pm - JV Softball @ PLHS
• 3:30pm - Var. Softball vs PLHS
• 4:15pm - JV Girls Lacrosse @ Otay Rch.
• 5:30pm - Var. Girls Lacrosse @ Otay Rch.

Saturday, March 17

• All day - Var. Softball Tourney Finals/TIME & LOC.TBA
• 10:30am - Var. Baseball Tourney Finals @ Grossmont
• 1:00pm - Track & Field Relays @ Otay Rch.
• 1:30pm - JV Baseball Tourney Finals @ Grossmont

Sunday, March 18

• 9:00am - U18 Youth Field Hockey Training

Monday, March 19

• 3:00pm - JV Baseball vs Lincoln
• 3:00pm - Var. Baseball @ Lincoln
• 4:00pm - Var. Girls Lacrosse vs Santana
• 5:15pm - JV Girls Lacrosse vs Santana

Tuesday, March 20

• 3:00pm - Boys Tennis-Picture Day
• 3:00pm - Golf Match vs MMHS @ Torrey Pines

Wednesday, March 21

• 2:45pm - Boys Tennis vs St. Augustine
• 3:00pm - JV Baseball @ Morse
• 3:00pm - Var. Baseball vs Morse
• 3:00pm - Badminton Match @ Lincoln
• 3:00pm - Golf Match vs PLHS @ Balboa
• 4:00pm - Var. Girls Lacrosse vs Granite Hills
• 5:15pm - JV Girls Lacrosse vs Granite Hills
• 7:00pm - Seniors vs Staff Basketball Game

Thursday, March 22

• 2:30pm - Boys Tennis @ PLHS
• 3:00pm - Track & Field vs LJHS

Friday, March 23

• 3:00pm - JV Baseball vs Clairemont
• 3:00pm - Var. Baseball @ Clairemont
• 3:00pm - Swim Meet vs Christian @ Tierrasanta
• 3:15pm - Var. Girls Lacrosse vs Bishops
• 4:30pm - JV Girls Lacrosse vs Bishops
• 7:00pm - Var. Girls Lacrosse @ SRHS

Saturday, March 24

• 8:00am - Track & Field Invite @ Mt.Carmel

March 9, 2012

Educating Californiaʼs students is a team effort. To fully participate on this team, parents and guardians as well as school staff and students need to know and understand the role of the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program in ensuring all students achieve Californiaʼs content standards in core subject areas.

The tests in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program are an important part of the state assessment system. These tests are administered each spring to measure how well students in California public schools are achieving state content standards. These achievement tests target English Language Arts and Mathematics in all grades tested. In addition, tests in Science and History/Social Science are given in selected grades.

Educating students is a team effort. Parents, guardians, students, schools, and communities benefit when there is a shared responsibility for learning. To fully participate as part of this team, parents and guardians should have a thorough understanding of the role the tests in the STAR Program play in making sure that all students

achieve state content standards.

Questions and Answers About the STAR Program

Who participates in the STAR Program?

All students in grades two through eleven in California public schools participate in the STAR Program each spring. This includes students with disabilities and English learners.

What are the tests in the STAR Program?

􀀀 The California Standards Tests (CSTs) measure the achievement of state content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, science, and history-social science.

􀀀 The California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) was developed as an alternate assessment in English-language arts and mathematics for students who have significant cognitive disabilities and cannot take the CSTs even with accommodations or modifications.

Does my student have to participate in the annual STAR Program testing?

Yes. All students must participate unless their parents or guardians have submitted written requests to exempt them from STAR Program testing (Education Code Section 60615). It is very important that all students take part in the STAR Program. Each school must have at least 95 percent of its students participate in statewide assessments in order to meet federal accountability requirements.

YOUR STUDENT’S CST SCORES 

It is very important that you know how well your students scored on the CSTs. Detailed STAR Reports were mailed to parents in Late Summer/Early Fall. If you do not have these reports, you can log onto Parent Connection and click on “Testing” to access your student’s test scores. 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT READING YOUR STUDENT’S SCORES

What are performance levels?

The five performance levels designated for reporting overall CST results are (A) Advanced, (P) Proficient, (B) Basic, (BB) Below Basic, and (FBB) Far Below Basic. The state target is for all students to score at the proficient or advanced level.

Each of the five performance levels includes a range of scale scores. When a student’s scale score falls within the range possible for a given performance level, this indicates that the student has demonstrated sufficient knowledge and skills to be regarded as performing at that particular level. 

The range of scale scores for each performance level has been established for each CST and does not change from year to year. The CST results are reported as scale scores that range from 150 to 600. For all CSTs, the minimum scale score required to achieve at the proficient level is 350.

What are scale scores?

The percentage of questions that students must answer correctly to score at any performance level may change slightly due to small differences in the difficulty levels of the tests from year to year. Scale scores are used to adjust for these differences and to help ensure comparability in the difficulty levels of the tests from year to year.

• Excerpted from the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program Guides for STAR Program Tests: Information for Parents and Guardians. http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/

The 6-week grading period ends Friday, March 9th.  Progress Reports will be distributed next Friday, March 16th.  Parents, make sure to ask your student for their progress reports!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  The next Principal Chat is on March 20th at 5:30pm in the Serra High Media Center.  Principal Mike Jimenez will provide a budget update for the 2012-13 school year and will also present the District's goals and objectives for creating a quality school in every neighborhood.  Get your questions answered and have your voice heard.  Light refreshments will be provided.  See you on March 20th!

The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is taking place next week.  All Sophomores (Class of 2014) will take this exam, as well as some Juniors and Seniors who have not previously taken or passed the exam.  The English portion will be administered on Tuesday, March 13th and the Math portion will be given on Wednesday, March 14th.  If your student is taking the exam, please make sure he/she gets plenty of rest the night before, eats a hearty breakfast, and arrives to school on time, ready for the exam! 

The 23rd Annual Serra High Foundation Auction, held last Saturday, was a HUGE success!  The Auction took place at the Chinese Community Church in Tierrasanta, and helped raise much needed funds to support academic achievement and athletics for our students.  THANK YOU to all who attend to support our students, and THANK YOU to the Serra Foundation 2012 Auction Committee for your efforts in putting on such an event!

FROM THE ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY (ASB)

The Spring Fling Dance "Bésame en Barcelona" is this Saturday evening, March 10th!  7:00-11:00pm at the Four Points Sheraton, 8110 Aero Drive, San Diego, California 92123.  DOORS CLOSE AT 8:30pm.

The Serra Spirit Store is Now Online.  Check it out!  Purchase your spirit gear – sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, and letterman jackets today! 

Go to: http://webstores.activenetwork.com/school-software/serra_swag_shack/

FROM THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT

The Serra High School Players rendition of Grease closes this weekend!  If you have not seen this show, don’t miss it!  Two shows remain - Friday, March 9 at 6:30pm and Saturday, March 10 at 2:00pm.  Be there!  All tickets are $7.

SAVE THE DATE!  The Spring Showcase is right around the corner!  This year’s Showcase is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28th and promises to be a fun-filled evening for all!  Student work will be showcased, various school clubs will have delicious food for sale, and of course, the annual Senior vs. Staff Basketball game is scheduled that evening.  FUN guaranteed for the entire family! 

FROM THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

We are very proud of our girls basketball CIF CHAMPIONS!  For the 1st time in Serra history, these amazing athletes won the Division II CIF Championship last Friday evening.  On Wednesday night, they had an amazing 40-39 win in the 1st Round Playoffs of the Southern Regional Girls HS Basketball State Championship Playoffs.  The team will advance to the Quarter Final Round this Saturday evening at 7:00pm against the #1 seed Lynwood High School in Los Angeles.  We wish these ladies Good Luck!

FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE

11th Grade Parent Night (for current 11th graders) will be held on March 22 at 6 pm in the Media Center.  Parents will receive their child's transcript, learn the graduation requirements, the college entrance requirements, learn of new course options for the 2012-2013 school year and receive priority for their student's course selection for 2012-2013.

Naviance (www.connection.naviance.com/serra) is a web-based service designed especially for students and parents.  Get information about colleges and careers, track student academic progress, and find scholarships!  Students can log in using their Student Connect log in number and password. Parents can get their code from Counselor 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):

1.            Society of Women Engineers College Freshman Scholarship

2.            Friar Tux Shop Scholarship

3.            Healthy Lifestyles Scholarship

4.            BIA CARES Scholarship

DOES YOUR 9TH OR 10TH GRADER NEED HELP WITH MATH?  GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) can help!  GEAR UP is offering tutoring for all 9th and 10th graders on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-3:30pm.  Algebra: Room 213 / Geometry: Room 615 / Intermediate Algebra: Room 215.   Students who attend regularly and raise their math grade will be eligible to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain on May 12th!  For more information contact the GEAR UP Coordinator, Clarissa Padilla cpadilla@ucsd.edu or 858-496-8342 x258.

PARENT RESOURCES

SPEAK UP FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION!  JOIN THE RALLY FOR EDUCATION!

March 10th at 9:00am.  Balboa Park, corner of Park Avenue and Presidents Way. 

 

LET’S START THE SCHOOL YEAR OFF RIGHT FOR A CHANGE!  BEFORE LAY-OFFS, BEFORE PROGRAM CUTS, BEFORE BUSING CUTS, BEFORE OVER-CROWDED CLASSROOMS, BEFORE COUNTLESS SCHEDULE CHANGES, BEFORE SCHOOL CLOSURES.

Join the Rally and help get the word out to the general public, the government, and the media just how devastating this next round of budget cuts will be to the education of all children in California's public schools and how we MUST do things differently!

For more information, go to the Rally for Education Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/292134547516973/

FROM THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE

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 CANNOT ISSUE BLUE SLIPS DURING FINALS, OR OTHER TESTING DAYS (CAHSEE, CSTs, etc.)  PLEASE NOTE:  We do not have office monitors and cannot deliver blue slips to the classrooms.  Students MUST pick up their Blue Slip in the Attendance Office. 

Attendance Personnel CAN NOT deliver messages to students, however if it is an EMERGENCY (i.e. hospitalization, death in the family, deployment etc.) the attendance office staff will assist the parent as needed

If your student becomes ill during the school day:  Please note the Attendance Office does not issue Blue Slips for students who are ill during the day. If a student is ill they MUST see the nurse and if needed the nurse will contact parent/guardian and issue a Blue Slip.

EVENTS

Friday, March 9

• All day - End of Grading Period
• 7:30am - AVID PRESENTATION
• 6:30pm - Performance of Grease

Saturday, March 10

• 8:00am - SATURDAY SCHOOL
• 7:00pm - Spring Fling Dance – Besame en Barcelona – Four Points Sheraton, Serra Mesa

Monday, March 12

• 3:00pm - SSC Meeting – Media Center

Tuesday, March 13

• All day – California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) – English Language Assessment

Wednesday, March 14

• All day - California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) - Math

Thursday, March 15

• 8:00am - SPED/Parent Meeting (TRACE)
• 5:30pm - Gear Up & ELAC Family Dinner (Invite Only) – Media Center

Friday, March 16

• All day - Progress Reports Distributed

Sunday, March 18

• 1:00pm - Magic Elite Youth Association

SPORTS

Friday, March 9

• 3:00pm - JV Baseball @ Eastlake
• 3:00pm - Var. Baseball vs Eastlake
• 3:00pm - Badminton Match @ LJHS
• 3:30pm - Var. Softball Tourney @ Del Norte
• 4:00pm - Var. Girls Lacrosse @ Grossmont
• 5:15pm - JV Girls Lacrosse @ Grossmont

Saturday, March 10

• 9:00am - Track & Field Invite @ Rcho. Bernando
• 1:30pm - JV Baseball vs LJCD
• 1:30pm - Var. Baseball vs LJCD @ Eastlake

Monday, March 12

• 3:30pm - Var. Softball Tourney vs Hoover

Tuesday, March 13

• 2:30pm - Boys Tennis @ Morse
• 3:00pm - JV Softball Tourney vs OLP

Wednesday, March 14

• 3:00pm - JV Softball Tourney @ Mar Vista
• 3:00pm - Var. Baseball vs Steele Canyon
• 3:00pm - Badminton Match vs PHHS
• 3:00pm - Boys Tennis @ West Hills
• 3:00pm - Golf Match vs Kearny @ Balboa
• 3:00pm - JV Baseball @ Steele Canyon
• 3:30pm - Var. Softball Tourney @ MBHS
• 5:30pm - JV Girls Lacrosse @ Monte Vista
• 6:45pm - Var. Girls Lacrosse @ Monte Vista

Thursday, March 15

• 2:30pm - Boys Tennis vs MBHS
• 3:00pm - Track & Field vs MMHS
• 3:00pm - Badminton Match @ Hoover
• 3:00pm - Golf Match vs PHHS @ Mission Trails

Friday, March 16

• 3:00pm - Swim Meet vs Clairemont @ Tierrasanta
• 3:30pm - JV Softball @ PLHS
• 3:30pm - Var. Softball vs PLHS
• 4:15pm - JV Girls Lacrosse @ Otay Rch.
• 5:30pm - Var. Girls Lacrosse @ Otay Rch.

Saturday, March 17

• All day - Var. Softball Tourney Finals/TIME & LOC.TBA
• 10:30am - Var. Baseball Tourney Finals @ Grossmont
• 1:00pm - Track & Field Relays @ Otay Rch.
• 1:30pm - JV Baseball Tourney Finals @ Grossmont

Sunday, March 18

• All day - Color Guard Competition
• 9:00am - U18 Youth Field Hockey Training

"Like" us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/serrahighschool

March 2, 2012

SERRA FOUNDATION ANNUAL DINNER AUCTION is Saturday, March 3rd at 6:00pm!

The Auction will be held at the Chinese Community Church in Tierrasanta.  Food will be provided by Phil’s BBQ. Ticket prices are $35 (single), $60 (couple), and $30 (Serra Faculty). Entertainment will include a DJ and a short performance by Serra’s very own Grease cast.  For more information, please visit the Serra High School Foundation website at www.serrafoundation.org or contact Gail Myers at 619 890-9471 or gmyers@qualcomm.com.

The California High School Exit Exam will be held on March 13th &14th.   ALL 10th grade students must take these exams on these days.   Please make sure that your student is in attendance the 13th and 14th.  All students must pass both exams in order to graduate high school in California. 

STAR TESTING IS COMING!   Test starts on April 19th.  Start getting your student ready now!

FROM THE ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY (ASB) ADVISOR

The Spring Fling Dance "Bésame en Barcelona" is on March 10th!   

7:00-11:00pm at the Four Points Sheraton, 8110 Aero Drive, San Diego, California 92123.  DOORS CLOSE AT 8:30pm.

Tickets will be sold before school, at lunch and after school until WEDNESDAY MARCH 7.  $25.00 w/ASB card; $30.00 w/out ASB card.  ASB card discounts WILL NOT be given on the last day of ticket sales.  STUDENTS MUST HAVE A CURRENT Serra Student ID when purchasing their ticket.

To print a copy of the Dance Agreement, go to:

http://serrahighnews.blogspot.com/2012/02/spring-fling-dance-besame-en-barcelona.html

THE SPIRIT STORE IS NOW ONLINE!  

Sweatshirts, tshirts, hoodies, hats, and letterman jackets are available for purchase. 

Check out the online Spirit Store and purchase your spirit gear today!

Go to:   http://webstores.activenetwork.com/school-software/serra_swag_shack/

FROM THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT

Grease Lightning has hit Serra High! 

The Drama Department is pleased to announce the opening of "Grease" on Thursday, March 1st!  All tickets are $7.

SHOW TIMES:

March 1, 2, 7 and 9 at 6:30pm

March 8 at 2:45pm

March 10 at 2:00pm

PARENT RESOURCES

Moving Seminar for Military Families – March 6, 2012 from 12:30-1:30pm in the Serra High Family Resource Center, Room 231.  The Navy and Marine Corp School Liaisons, in conjunction with the SDUSD OSS Grant Team, are pleased to offer The Moving Seminar, Positive Change of School. This parent workshop is available to help make moving smoother for parents, students and schools.  Please join us for this free workshop!

English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) Meeting on March 6^th at 6:00pm in the Family Resource Center (Room 231).  ELAC will review Serra's R-30 Language Census.  Each year the District must provide to the California Department of Education (CDE) a complete and accurate school-by-school census of all English Learners (ELs) and EL programs. This annual report is used to determine EL supplemental funding allocations by the state.  One of the duties of the ELAC is to review the R-30 Language Census for Serra High, and compare the 2011 R-30 Language Census with this year's R-30 LC.  ELAC will discuss the data and make recommendations to administration and the School Site Council (SSC). 

SPEAK UP FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION! JOIN THE RALLY FOR EDUCATION!

--WHAT: RALLY FOR EDUCATION!

--WHEN: Saturday March 10, 9:00 AM

--WHERE: Balboa Park: Corner of Park Ave. & Presidents Way

--WHY: Protest Budget Cuts & Change The Process

--PARK: On Street, Balboa Park Parking, Veterans Mem Center Parking (across street)

LET’S START THE SCHOOL YEAR OFF RIGHT FOR A CHANGE!  BEFORE LAY-OFFS, BEFORE PROGRAM CUTS, BEFORE BUSING CUTS, BEFORE OVER-CROWDED CLASSROOMS, BEFORE COUNTLESS SCHEDULE CHANGES, BEFORE SCHOOL CLOSURES.

Join the Rally and help get the word out to the general public, the government, and the media just how devastating this next round of budget cuts will be to the education of all children in California's public schools and how we MUST do things differently!

For more information, go to the Rally for Education Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/292134547516973/

DOES YOUR 9^TH OR 10^TH GRADER NEED HELP WITH MATH?   

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) can help!  GEAR UP is offering tutoring for all 9^th and 10^th graders on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-3:30pm.  Algebra: Room 213 / Geometry: Room 615 / Intermediate Algebra: Room 215.   Students who attend regularly and raise their math grade will be eligible to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain on May 12^th!  For more information contact the GEAR UP Coordinator, Clarissa Padilla cpadilla@ucsd.edu or 858-496-8342 x258.

FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE

Diploma Name Verifications were distributed to all of the Class of 2012 via their English Teacher. This is how your student’s name will appear on the diploma. Both the parent and student need to sign the card and return it to the counseling office.

Seniors who qualify for CSF and wish to be awarded gold cords to wear at graduation must see Linda Nelson in Room 413 to make sure their dues are current and that they qualify NOW or their name will not appear in the Graduation Program as earning this recognition.

Juniors should be signing up for the SAT at: http://sat.collegeboard.org/home.  Why take the SAT?  It is the most widely used college admission test, as well as the first step toward higher education for students of all backgrounds. It’s taken by more than two million students every year and is accepted by virtually all colleges and universities.  For more information about the SAT, go to: http://sat.collegeboard.org/home.

UPCOMING PARENT NIGHTS:

    * 10th Grade (for current 10th graders): March 8 at 6 pm in the Media Center

    * 11th Grade (for current 11th graders): March 22 at 6 pm in the Media Center

At Parent Night the parents will receive their child's transcript, learn the graduation requirements, the college entrance requirements, learn of new course options for the 2012-2013 school year and receive priority for their student's course selection for 2012-2013.

• 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):

1.            AYSO Region 152 Scholarship for Serra Students

2.            MTS Laptop Contest (40 laptops will be awarded to San Diego High School Seniors)

3.            Naval Officer’s Spouses Club Scholarship

4.            Robert G. Porter Scholars Program ($8,000)

5.            Student Scholarship Search: www.studentscholarships.org

           

The 10th Annual San Diego County College Expo 2012 is on March 3rd from 9am-2pm at San Diego State University.  Free admission.  College workshops, parent resources, career workshops.  Food for purchase.  Raffle prizes!  For more information, call 619-594-6336 or to register: www.sdsu.edu/collegeexpo.  -from the GEAR UP Coordinator.

FROM THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE

Tardies are highly disruptive to the learning process. Please make sure your student has allowed plenty of time to get to school on time. Excused tardies would include medical, dental and court appointments, etc. A doctor/dental or a court document must be presented to the attendance office in order to clear the tardy. You may fax the excused note to 858-571-3457.  Unexcused tardies would include car trouble, oversleeping, traffic, power outage, etc.  Thank you for understanding the importance of getting your kids to school on time.

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.

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.

CALL OUT FOR VOLUNTEERS!  WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!

There are many ways to support our school.  Volunteering is one of them.  Volunteers are greatly needed and appreciated.  We really can not run successful school events and programs without your help.  Please lend a hand!

•            Supervise the CAHSEE – March 13th and 14th.  Plenty of volunteers will be needed to help proctor the upcoming California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).  The exam will take place on March 13th and 14th.  Volunteers are needed from 7:00-11:30am.  The volunteer time may also be split into shifts from 7:00-9:30am or 9:00-11:30am.  Volunteers will be responsible for supervising the students while they are taking the exam, monitoring doors, and passing out pencils. 

•            Help is needed sharpening pencils to prepare for the CAHSEE.  We need approximately 2000 pencils, sharpened and ready to go before March 13th!  
 
•           In-class tutors needed to help student with math and science.  If you have tutoring experience and like to work with high school students, please consider helping out in this way.  1 or 2 hours per week or on an as-needed basis.

•            Assist with distribution of snacks during STAR Testing.  The PTO provides snacks every year for our students taking the California Standardized Tests (CSTs or STAR).  Plenty of hands are needed to coordinate this effort.  Volunteers will be needed to help organize, pack, and deliver the snacks to the classrooms in early to mid April.    

If you can help with any of the assignments listed above, please contact Marie Byrd 858-496-8342 x231 or mbyrd@sandi.net.

EVENTS

Friday, March 2

• All day - Color Guard Competition
• 1:35pm - Brown & Gold Pep Rally
• 6:30pm - Performance of "Grease" – Serra Theater

Saturday, March 3

• All day - NJROTC Dist.Field Meet @ Kearny
• 8:30am -  AP Review- Social Studies
• 9:30am - Gear-Up Field Trip (SDSU)
• 6:00pm - Foundation Auction

Monday, March 5

• All day - Pink Progress Report Day

Tuesday, March 6

• 12:30pm – Moving Seminar for Military Families (Family Resource Center, Room 231)
• 6:00pm - ELAC Committee Meeting (Family Resource Center, Room 231)

Wednesday, March 7

• 6:30pm - Performance of Grease (Serra Theater)
• 6:30pm - Foundation Meeting

Thursday, March 8

• 11:20am - S2S New Student Celebration (Room 400)
• 2:45pm - Performance of Grease
• 6:00pm - Tenth Grade Parent Night

Friday, March 9

• All day - End of Grading Period
• 7:30am - AVID Presentation
• 6:30pm - Performance of Grease

Saturday, March 10

• 8:00am - SATURDAY SCHOOL
• 2:00pm - Performance of Grease
• 7:00pm - Spring Fling ASB Dance (Four Points Sheraton)

SPORTS

Friday, March 2

• 3:30pm - Varsity Softball Tourney vs LJCD
• 6:05pm - Girls Varsity Basketball Playoffs

Saturday, March 3

• All day - CIF Soccer Championship Division 4&5
• 10:30am - JV Baseball vs Montgomery @ Monte Vista
• 10:30am - Var. Baseball @ Montgomery

Sunday, March 4

• 9:00am - U18 Youth Field Hockey Training

Monday, March 5

• 3:30pm - JV Softball vs El Capitan
• 3:30pm - Varsity Softball @ El Capitan

Tuesday, March 6

• 3:00pm - Boys Tennis @ Ramona

Wednesday, March 7

• 3:00pm - JV Baseball vs Ramona
• 3:00pm - JV Softball Tourney vs Hilltop
• 3:00pm - Varsity Baseball @ Ramona
• 3:30pm - Golf Match vs High Tech @ Balboa

Thursday, March 8

• 2:30pm - Boys Tennis vs PHHS
• 3:00pm - JV Softball Tourney @ Horizon
• 3:00pm - Golf Match vs SDHS @ Balboa

Friday, March 9

• 3:00pm - JV Baseball @ Eastlake
• 3:00pm - Varsity Baseball vs Eastlake
• 3:30pm - Varsity Softball Tourney @ Del Norte

Saturday, March 10

• 9:00am - Track & Field Invite @ Rcho. Bernando
• 1:30pm - JV Baseball vs LJCD
• 1:30pm - Varsity Baseball vs LJCD @ Eastlake