STAR Testing begins on April 21st. Just 20 days away! Serra has never improved our API scores two years straight, but this will be our year! Start talking to your student now about the importance of doing their best on the tests. Remember to make sure they attend all days of STAR testing, get a good night’s sleep, and have a healthy breakfast. Visit http://serra.sandi.net/star to see the STAR schedule.
GRADUATION UPDATE:
Graduation will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday June 10th. Due to the installation of our new artificial turf field we will be unable to hold the ceremony in our stadium. This year, for the first time, the ceremony will be held downtown at Golden Hall in the San Diego Concourse. Golden Hall is a beautiful facility that seats 3,000 people. Best of all, it is air conditioned! Parking in the Concourse is limited and there is a charge, however there are many other pay lots within walking distance and there is a trolley stop right at the Concourse. Many of the details are still being worked out. We have started a Graduation section on our web site http:serra.sandi.net/graduation . Currently the site only has pictures and maps but as more information becomes available we will share it on the web site and in the Q-Connection.
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
Just a reminder to parents that all students entering 7th-12th grades next year are required now by law to have a Tdap vaccination before they can enter school in the fall. This vaccine is for the prevention of Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis (also known as Whooping Cough). Please check your child’s vaccination record and if they have not received this immunization, please take them to your family physician, or a county health clinic and get them vaccinated as soon a possible. You must provide proof of this immunization to the school nurse before school enrollment next September. If you have questions about this please contact Nurse Lanelle at the school (858-496-8342 x211) or see the information posted on our school website under the Health Office (http://serra.sandi.net/health).
NEWS
There is no school next week (April 4th – 8th) due to Spring Break. We hope everyone has a relaxing and restful week off. School will resume on Monday, April 11th.
SDUSD News - Title I Threshold Survey for Serra High School.
Last December, the Board of Education took action to raise the Title I funding threshold from 40% to 75% over a five-year period. The motion, which carried, stipulated that staff engage the community in gaining feedback regarding this shift in funding allocation. As a result, the district has created a short survey parents can take to provide feedback. All parents are encouraged to participate by going to survey http://www.sandi.net/TitleI.
As you complete the survey, please keep in mind the action made by the board will reduce the funding Serra receives to support students. Being identified as a Title I receiving school, Serra receives much needed funds for programs that help students needing extra support. If the plan goes to full implementation, Serra will lose much of its funding as the dollars will go toward schools that have a greater percentage of Title I students.
Please take a moment to complete the survey. The deadline for submission is May 13, 2011.
The Serra High Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is looking for a few good men and women to serve on their 2011/12 PTO Board. The following positions are open: President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Membership Chair, Parliamentarian, Historian and Webmaster. The Board meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Family Resource Center at 6:30pm. This is a great way to get involved with your child's school! For more information, check out the PTO section on the Serra High Website. If you are interested in being a part of 2011/12 PTO Board, please send an email with your interest to SerraHighPTO@gmail.com.
SDUSD News - Title I Threshold Survey for Serra High School.
Last December, the Board of Education took action to raise the Title I funding threshold from 40% to 75% over a five-year period. The motion, which carried, stipulated that staff engage the community in gaining feedback regarding this shift in funding allocation. As a result, the district has created a short survey parents can take to provide feedback. All parents are encouraged to participate by going to survey http://www.sandi.net/TitleI.
As you complete the survey, please keep in mind the action made by the board will reduce the funding Serra receives to support students. Being identified as a Title I receiving school, Serra receives much needed funds for programs that help students needing extra support. If the plan goes to full implementation, Serra will lose much of its funding as the dollars will go toward schools that have a greater percentage of Title I students.
Please take a moment to complete the survey. The deadline for submission is May 13, 2011.
The Serra High Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is looking for a few good men and women to serve on their 2011/12 PTO Board. The following positions are open: President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Membership Chair, Parliamentarian, Historian and Webmaster. The Board meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Family Resource Center at 6:30pm. This is a great way to get involved with your child's school! For more information, check out the PTO section on the Serra High Website. If you are interested in being a part of 2011/12 PTO Board, please send an email with your interest to SerraHighPTO@gmail.com.
EVENTS
Monday, April 4 through Friday, April 8
SPRING VACATION-NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, April 13
6:00pm – PTO/PTA Collaborative Group Meeting
Thursday, April 14
9:30-11:00am and 6:00-7:30pm - Parent Institute for Quality Education Workshop -Graduation
SPORTS
Saturday, April 2
10:30am - JV Baseball Tourney @ Madison
10:30am - Varsity Baseball City Tourney @ Cathedral
Monday, April 4
6:00pm - JV Boys Lacrosse @ Valley Ctr.
Tuesday, April 5
3:00pm - JV Baseball vs St. Augustine
3:00pm - Varsity Baseball vs St.Augustine @ Hickman Field
Thursday, April 7
3:00pm - JV Baseball vs St.Augustine @ Hickman Field
3:00pm - Varsity Baseball vs St. Augustine
Friday, April 8
3:30pm - JV Boys Lacrosse vs Lincoln
5:30pm - Varsity Boys Lacrosse vs Lincoln
Saturday, April 9
8:00am - Track & Field Invite @ Arcadia
Monday, April 11
3:30pm - Golf Match vs PLHS @ Torrey Pines
4:00pm - JV Girls Lacrosse @ Otay Ranch
5:30pm - Varsity Girls Lacrosse @ Otay Ranch
Tuesday, April 12
3:00pm - Boys Volleyball @ PLHS
3:00pm - Swim Meet vs Kearny @ Tierrasanta
3:30pm - JV Softball @ Mt. Miguel
3:30pm - Varsity Softball vs Mt. Miguel
Wednesday, April 13
2:45pm - Track & Field vs Morse
3:00pm - JV Softball vs MMHS
3:00pm - Varsity Softball @ MMHS
3:00pm - Badminton vs Morse
3:30pm - Varsity Girls Lacrosse vs Bonita Vista
4:00pm - Boys Tennis vs Valhalla
4:45pm - JV Girls Lacrosse vs Bonita Vista
Thursday, April 14
3:00pm - Boys Tennis vs PLHS
3:00pm - Boys Volleyball vs Kearny
3:00pm - Golf Match vs Morse @ Balboa
3:30pm - Varsity & JV Softball @ Ramona
3:30pm - JV Boys Lacrosse vs Helix
5:30pm - Varsity Boys Lacrosse vs Helix
Friday, April 15
3:00pm - JV Softball @ Morse
3:00pm - Varsity Softball vs Morse
3:00pm - Badminton vs Cathedral
3:30pm - JV Boys Lacrosse vs SRHS
4:00pm - JV Girls Lacrosse @ LJHS
5:30pm - Varsity Boys Lacrosse vs SRHS
5:30pm - Varsity Girls Lacrosse @ LJHS
Saturday, April 16
7:00am - Track & Field Invite @ Mt.SAC
9:00am - Spring Cheer Clinic- SHS Cheer
SCHOLARSHIPS
2011 BIA CARES SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: April 8, 2011
Amount: Not Stated
for SENIORS in San Diego County interested in pursuing a career in the Building Industry. Career options include: developer, contractor, architect, civil/structural/soils engineer, designer, interior designer, banker, accounting, planner, landscape architect, framer, carpenter, plumber, electrician and other real estate and development related professions
scholarships are based on qualifications including academics, personal achievement, and financial need
ESSAY: 300-400 words or less
The next ten years in the Building Industry are going to be faced with many challenges such as “Green Building” and “Sustainable Living”. Please address how you might be able to address issues such as these and how you could make an impact in your chosen field. Some areas for consideration might include the influence of governmental, architectural, materials, labor, environmental, redevelopment, planning, legal, financial, infill or land. Solutions can be new or creative ideas.
download application from Naviance or visit www.biasandiego.org
RCD CONSERVATION SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: April 8, 2011
Amount: $1,000
for SENIORS interested in conservation, agriculture, environmental science, natural resources, biology or natural sciences to obtain technical expertise and pursue careers in resource conservation or agriculture
ESSAY: One page essay (500 words or less)
“describe your background, understanding and attitudes toward natural resource conservation and/or agriculture, objectives of your educational program, and career plans. Also, how will you use your experience to benefit your community?”
application available at www.rcdsandiego.org or at the Counseling Center (See Mrs. Bobis)
SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS (SWE) COLLEGE FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: April 9, 2011
Amount: Not Stated
for FEMALE SENIORS who plan on attending an accredited engineering or computer science program in fall 2011
must have attended high school in San Diego County or Temecula Valley Unified School District
APPLICANT LETTER: (not more than one typed page in length)
Briefly describe: 1) Why you chose an engineering major and/or your discipline in particular
2) A challenge where you had to apply your technical and analytic skills
3)Your involvement and leadership roles in SWE or other organizations
4) How you are currently financing your college education
download application from Naviance or visit www.swesandiego.org
Deadline: April 9, 2011
Amount: Not Stated
for FEMALE SENIORS who plan on attending an accredited engineering or computer science program in fall 2011
must have attended high school in San Diego County or Temecula Valley Unified School District
APPLICANT LETTER: (not more than one typed page in length)
Briefly describe: 1) Why you chose an engineering major and/or your discipline in particular
2) A challenge where you had to apply your technical and analytic skills
3)Your involvement and leadership roles in SWE or other organizations
4) How you are currently financing your college education
download application from Naviance or visit www.swesandiego.org
GOLDEN PYRAMID ACADEMIC SCHOLARS
Deadline: April 9, 2011
Amount: Not Stated
for grades 9 – 12 MALE and FEMALE students of African descent
3.0+ GPA
the goal of this program is to increase the number of African-American students entering institutions of higher education and to become scientists, engineers, financiers, physicians, astronauts, educators, politicians and entrepreneurs
applicant must reside within San Diego County
application available at www.ulsdc.org or the Counseling Center (See Mrs. Bobis)
Deadline: April 9, 2011
Amount: Not Stated
for grades 9 – 12 MALE and FEMALE students of African descent
3.0+ GPA
the goal of this program is to increase the number of African-American students entering institutions of higher education and to become scientists, engineers, financiers, physicians, astronauts, educators, politicians and entrepreneurs
applicant must reside within San Diego County
application available at www.ulsdc.org or the Counseling Center (See Mrs. Bobis)
THE 2011 HAMILTON AWARD
Deadline: April 15, 2011
Amount: $500
for JUNIORS who are college bound
must have strong record of community service, commitment to their academic studies, a self starter and has proven this through activities such as: organizing a fundraiser, starting a business, creating a club or organization or working to help support their family
demonstrates passion and commitment to their interests often manifested in athletic, artistic or academic achievements
financial and/or personal need
online application only available at www.hamiltonfriends.org
BRIAN GRAVES MEMORAL SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: April 15, 2011
Amount: Varies
for SENIORS who plan to pursue an education in Marine Biology at a four year college
applicants must be a senior in High School or currently attending a College or Junior College
application available at the Counseling Center (See Mrs. Bobis)
Deadline: April 15, 2011
Amount: $500
for JUNIORS who are college bound
must have strong record of community service, commitment to their academic studies, a self starter and has proven this through activities such as: organizing a fundraiser, starting a business, creating a club or organization or working to help support their family
demonstrates passion and commitment to their interests often manifested in athletic, artistic or academic achievements
financial and/or personal need
online application only available at www.hamiltonfriends.org
BRIAN GRAVES MEMORAL SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: April 15, 2011
Amount: Varies
for SENIORS who plan to pursue an education in Marine Biology at a four year college
applicants must be a senior in High School or currently attending a College or Junior College
application available at the Counseling Center (See Mrs. Bobis)
FRIAR TUX SHOP 2011 SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: April 15, 2011
Amount: $500
for SENIORS who have applied to colleges or universities for admission in the fall of 2011
criteria for scholarship will be a combination of the applicant's academic success, school and or community involvement and financial need.
PERSONAL ESSAY: maximum 500 words
“Outline your need for the scholarship & personal and career goals”
online application only available at www.friartux.com
Deadline: April 15, 2011
Amount: $500
for SENIORS who have applied to colleges or universities for admission in the fall of 2011
criteria for scholarship will be a combination of the applicant's academic success, school and or community involvement and financial need.
PERSONAL ESSAY: maximum 500 words
“Outline your need for the scholarship & personal and career goals”
online application only available at www.friartux.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Parents/Guardians, there are many ways you can help at Serra. Please consider volunteering an hour or two of your time to support our students. We can’t do it without you!
ASSIST WITH ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS. We need several volunteers to serve as test proctors during Advanced Placement (AP) testing. Volunteers will be needed beginning May 2nd. More information to follow.
ASSIST WITH DISTRIBUTION OF SNACKS DURING STAR TESTING. The PTO provides snacks for our students during testing, and plenty of hands are needed to help with this endeavor. Volunteers will be needed in early April.
SERVE ON A SENIOR EXHIBITION PANEL. Volunteers needed to sit on a panel and judge Senior Exhibition portfolios. This is a great opportunity to learn about the knowledge and skills the students have acquired at Serra. The students proudly demonstrate how their high school experience fits into their future goals. Senior Exhibitions will be held on May 26th, 27th, 31st and June 1st.
Volunteer forms are available at the school. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Marie Byrd (mbyrd@sandi.net or call 858-496-8342 x203), for more information about volunteering.
The mission of Serra High School is to provide rigorous, relevant, standards-based curriculum that will prepare our students to be responsible citizens and productive members of the 21st century workforce.