Hello Q-Nation! Another great week for the Q's. We had a variety of great things occur here and in addition we had para-gliders come today! I also was in some classroom watching some amazing teachers this week in action! They work hard for your kids. Also this blog is updated almost every week minus Holidays. Please make sure you read it in its entirety so you get vital information you need for all things Serra. Everything is covered in here that is a need-to- know for the following week and sometimes weeks. Please don't disregard it after only getting half through. Military parents there is an amazing opportunity for you so make sure you read!
Who's this kid?
April is Autism Awareness Month! This little dude up here is my son, Rocco. Rocco is awesome. He's literally the nicest little kid I know. He shares, asks other to play, is encouraging of other (WOW!) and also comforts them when they are sad (Empathy!). We have to give up things in order to make sure he gets what he needs; so while many kids are in sports etc (soccer, t-ball, dance) Rocco is in Speech, OT, ABA Therapy etc. There are people at school for him and people most weeknights at home (very busy!). People often ask me questions about Rocco out of curiosity. Thats great! Ask away! However did you know that almost every single child with autism is different. So what you may know for one child will not apply to the next child. Make sense right? Every child is different so why wouldn't children with autism be too! When you learn a child in someone's home has autism you should ask questions!!!!!! This article is not a but more of a guideline for dialog. As for me, ask away!
Reminders: Attendance is key to participation in activities. Especially for seniors. Many will at this point not be participating in senior events at the end of the year including graduation due to attendance issues. You can not have any unexcused absences. Please check their attendance in powerschool and any irregularities there may be in your student's attendance. Thank you for your cooperation.
PTO Fundraiser!
Please use the following link and or the attachment to help spread the word about the PTO Fundraiser.
We need everyone to pitch in and get people to sign up, and show up for the fundraiser to make it a successful event. Any donations you can give for prizes are appreciated, nothing is too small. Please try to bring 5-7 or more people to the event, and signing up ahead of time is key, because we can only fit 60 people in the gym per hour, we have two time slots right now (12pm & 1pm), but if we need a third hour Dan (the gym owner) is willing to add a third hour.
This going to be fun, but I need your help to make it a success.
Please let me know if you have any questions, or suggestions.
Thank you,
Marlene
Also: we have Serra gear! Get it right here! https://squareup.com/store/serrafoundation/ check out the pics!!!! We use these funds in a variety of ways and so we appreciate your support. All proceeds go to the students at SHS!
IN THE KNOW:
Monday: Theater Tech rehearsal
Tuesday: Governance (all things instruction)
Wednesday: Foundation Meeting 6:30 PM in Media Center
Thursday: Theater Tech rehearsal
Friday: Jump Start Theater
Construction Update:
We are well on our way in getting the underground part of the work ready to start building the new 16 classroom building.
We need your help Tierrasanta!
Thank you for supporting the City of San Diego’s Parks and Recreation Department. We are hopeful that you, or someone you know, will be available to provide volunteer support for one of our upcoming April events. If this email would be better suited for someone else in your organization, we would be most grateful if you would forward this email to that person.
The City of San Diego’s Parks and Recreation Department is in need of volunteers for Tierrasanta Recreation Center’s Glow In The Dark Egg Hunt on Friday, April 12th, 2019.
Apply Here!
Event Details:
What: 1st Annual Glow in the Dark Egg HuntDate: Friday, April 12th, 2019Time: 5:00pm – 10:00pmLocation: 11220 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92124
Volunteer Duties:
Assist staff with the set-up and breakdown of eventAssist staff with arts and crafts activitiesAssist staff with games and boothsAssist staff with the distribution of candyAssist staff with the distribution of eggs for the egg hunt
Please be prepared to work outdoors. Wear closed toe shoes and clothing that is comfortable to move around in.
Please complete the attached form and provide it to staff at the event. If you have any questions about this event or volunteering in general, you may contact Marisol Mendoza at (619) 525-8284;
MAMendoza@sandiego.gov or Jessica Cardenas at (619) 533-4017; JCardenas@sandiego.gov.
Thank you in advance for your assistance!
Best wishes,
Jessica Cardenas
Management Intern
City of San Diego
Parks and Recreation Department
T (619) 533-4017
Athletics: SPRING SPORTS ARE HERE in a week! CHECK MAX PREPS A great way to spend your evenings is with SHS Athletics and our amazing events. There are so many that we have our own website devoted to just this topic. Please reference this link which can also be found on our webpage.http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/serra-conquistadors-(san-diego,ca)/calendar.htm
Reminder: Athletics is a privilege not a right. An athletes' first step if they are acting in a manner unbecoming of Serra is that Athletics is taken away for the season! A sports physical dated after June 4, 2018 must also be turned into the front office with the confirmation form from the website. To get cleared for athletics go to www.athleticclearance.com
Athletics: (Belle and Mike)
Over spring break our varsity baseball team defeated Coronado in a home game by a score of 5-4 on March 26. Softball comes out strong coming back from spring break in a huge home victory over La Jolla 25-3 on April 1. Our boys tennis team got a shut out coming back from break to win at Crawford beating them 18-0 on April 2. Another team having success coming back from break is boys volleyball with a close win at Clairemont by a score of 3-2 on April 2.
COUNSELING:
This was in the bulletin, each teacher was told to announce it in class, its on the marquis, and now it will be in the blog. Please make sure you attend if you did not have the opportunity to the other day as at that point we will be scheduling those students. You must come every year you take a course as things change and courses change. You need to know what you are signing up for.
AP ORDER DEADLINE : Is officially over.
OPPORTUNITIES:
The opportunity above is amazing *****We will not be putting this grade on a transcript****** However you can get a transcript from them and submit it to your college. SDUSD does not partner with this.
SERRA HIGH AND USD!
I am excited to announce that SHS students have the opportunity to work with USD this upcoming summer on their Social Fabric Initiative project within the Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice!
The Social Fabric Initiative (SFI) builds more connected communities by mobilizing youth to engineer creative solutions to real-world issues. SFI takes a multi-dimensional approach to peace building and change making in San Diego and TJ through the creation of Threads: small and diverse teams of local high school students (Youth Peace Leaders), a university intern (that's me), and a field-based mentor who utilize the summer to design, monitor, and implement a community change project.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Serra students to participate in as youth peace leaders! The application closes April 22nd. Pamphlets and additional information are in the counseling office today! Here is the link to the SFI website: https://www.krocsfi.org/ Here is the link for students to apply: https://sandiego.secure.force.com/form?formid=218568
Great News! We 48 seniors sign up and get fully registered with Miramar College for Fall 2019. All 48 received priority registration and have the classes set for the fall. If your student did not attend the workshops, and would like to register with Miramar, there is still time! On April 27th, Miramar will be hosting “Super Saturday” from 9-1pm. On that day, students will be able to complete their assessment, attend a financial aid workshop and develop their educational plan with a counselor. You must RSVP @https://www.eventbrite.com/e/super-saturday-pre-enrollment-services-completion-tickets-53876623431
Students must complete the online application to Miramar, obtain their College ID# (unless they already have one), and complete the online orientation prior to attending the Saturday session. Students can see their counselors for help with this part of the process.
On April 6th, Grossmont will be hosting the same program for students wanting to attend Grossmont College in the fall. Students must complete the online application prior to attending, but no RSVP is necessary.Please take advantage of these days. Students who attend will be given priority registration for their fall classes.
Internships: The Birch Aquarium offers a 9-week summer internship for teens who are 16 and above. All the relevant information can be found on their website (aquarium.ucsd.edu). Interested applicants have a month left to apply (the deadline is April 7th).
Opportunity:
Scholarships! Click Here: https://serrahighschool.wixsite.com/website-4
College Decisions:
The counselors would also like to remind seniors that college decisions are due May 1st. Remember to check your portals to see if there are any steps you still need to complete. For all students planning on taking AP exams this year and have not yet paid, go see Mrs. Perez-Ibarra in the counseling office immediately. Lastly, Mr. Stewart would like to remind students to continue checking the scholarship website as he has been updating it.
Kiwanis Foundation of Tierrasanta Scholarships For Serra High School Seniors
Vernon D. Bowman Scholarship - $4,000*($1,000 each year for four years)Thomas G. Cherniss Scholarship - $1,000*George V. Paluso Scholarship - $1,000*The Kiwanis Foundation of Tierrasanta is pleased to announce that it will be awarding the Vernon D. Bowman, Thomas G. Cherniss and George V. Paluso Scholarships at the end of the school year to graduating seniors of Serra High School. These scholarships are awarded annually to students who best exemplify the Kiwanis ideals that were fostered by these three respected Kiwanians and residents of Tierrasanta.Selection for all three scholarships will be based on the applicant’s depth of participation and success with regards to Academic Achievement, Community Activity Participation, Serra High School Activity Participation, and Leadership; for the Paluso scholarship, an additional criterion of Athletic Participation and Achievement will be considered. All applicants must provide:1. An official transcript in a sealed envelope2. A list of verified Community Activity Participation, Serra High School Activity Participation, and Athletic Participation and Achievement3. A reflective essay regarding your high school and community service activities (Times New Roman, 12 point, double spaced, maximum 2 pages)4. A letter of recommendationApplicants need only submit one application to be considered for all three scholarships – please remember to address items 1 – 4 above in your application.Scholarship winners will be notified in advance and awards will be made at the annual Awards Night activities in June.Interested students should see Mr. Stewart in the counseling office for an application - please return all application materials to Mr. Stewart in the counseling office by the close of the school day on Thursday, April 18, 2019.
The Tierrasanta Junior Women’s Club (TJWC) would like to award Scholarships in the amount of $1000 each to young ladies graduating from Serra High in June, 2019.This year, the TJWC would like to present six scholarships.We would like two of the $1000 awards made to students who intend to continue their education by enrolling in a trade school, and four $1000 awards should be designated for individuals who will be continuing on to a four-year university or community college.Requirements:- Awards will be made to female students.- For those individuals continuing on to a University or Community College, a minimum 3.0 GPA is required.- No minimum GPA is required for Trade School.- The ladies must demonstrate an interest in community issues.- We would like to select a person who is willing to “get involved”, preferably with a history of volunteering.- Awardees should be in most need of financial assistance.- JWC would prefer an individual who is dedicated, determined and exhibits all the qualities needed to succeed but may have been “overlooked” in the awards process. We are thinking of the “hidden” gem who deserves and would benefit the most from the recognition and a little financial help from her community.See Mr. Stewart in the Counseling Office for an application
What I Wish My Parents Knew: Stress
When: April 25th from 5:30pm-8pm
Where: Serra High’s Media Center
Description: Join the Community Prevention & Safety Alliance (CPSA), an action team of the San Diego Military Family Collaborative (SDMFC), for a special forum on helping parents and youth understand the stress modern children face. Whether it’s academics, relationships, bullying, or something in between, today’s children face a world of things to stress about. Learn coping techniques, hear the perspective of youth, work with subject matter experts, connect with fellow community members, and discover solutions. FREE food and childcare with RSVP.
Note: The attendance of middle school/high school students is highly recommended.
Attend a “Military Transition: The Spouse Edition” workshop and get your questions answered by the experts
When:
Day Course- April 16th & July 16th (see flyer for details)
Night Course: August 8th (see flyer for details)
Description: Are you the spouse of a service member who will be transitioning out of the military in the near future? Have the opportunity to speak with experts about: VA benefits, healthcare, relocation, employment opportunities, financial planning and more! This is a free event with free childcare and food.
RSVP Link: http://sdmilitaryfamily.org/transitions/
NEW WEBSITES!!!!!!The new counseling web page. https://serrahighschool.wixsite.com/wellness/counseling The new “Wellness @ Serra page…. https://serrahighschool.wixsite.com/wellnessIt’s still under construction, but this is the site where a kid or a parent can click on “I need help with” and it will go to a variety of issues and will link them with the support services provided.
ASB:
This week, ASB distributed ribbons for Autism Awareness Month. On April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day, students wore light blue or puzzle pattern to show their support for Autism.
Next Friday, April 12th, is GLSEN’S Day of Silence. Students can take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ people at school.
Blood drive sign-ups are now posted outside the ASB room. Please encourage kids to sign-up to donate. As a reminder, the Blood Drive will be held in the Alumni Room located in the library on Friday, April 19. It is an all day event, but we encourage kids to come early in the morning, we’ll have food and t-shirts for those who come!
Our annual lip dub will take place after AP testing. This year’s song for the video: “You Make My Dreams” by Hall and Oates!
VAPA: (Thowat Both)
The Serra High School Talent Show will be coming up on April 26 in the Serra Theatre room.Auditions will be on April 9,10, and 11 at lunch in the ASB room. Students are to sign up outside of the ASB room for an audition and for a chance to win $200! Hope to see all parents, teachers, and students coming to support others on April 26.
Clubs: (Tre Singleton and Daniel Tran)
This week at Serra we would like to give a shout out about Board Game Club. Board Game Club offers a wide array for games from Betrayal at House on The Hill to Code Names. They accept everyone and allow a space to be competitive against your friends. If you would like to join come to room 702 afterschool on Thursdays.📷
CLUBS: Last Friday at Serra we had our second Club Rush of this school year. We had amazing performances from the Tahitian Dance Club and the Mariachi Club. Serra's Mariachi Club is a newly made club that has been waiting for a chance to perform and Club Rush gave them a chance to shine. Their performance of Cielito Lindo and Hermoso Cariño stunned the crowd of people surrounding them. If you want to join Serra's Mariachi Club come to room 409 during Lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
VAPA: Serra High School would like to congratulate our teacher/staff member Aaron Blocker for winning the 2019 VAPA spotlight award from the San Diego Unified School District. He was awarded for his hard work in the visual and performing arts department. We would also like to congratulate one of our students, Kelly Hatfield, who also won the artistic achievement award from VAPA. Kelly will also be awarded a $250 scholarship from the VAPA foundation. We would once again like to thank them both for representing Serra High School
Booster Information--Booster Information--Class of 2019: At our recent meeting we talked about how we can support one another, making the Class of 2019's last year at Serra the best year. We decided to divide and conquer with SHS footing the bill for Graduation at USD and Boosters supporting events along the way including GRAD Night. We are so grateful to the Boosters. Please participate in their latest fundraiser: SERRA HS SENIOR CLASS OF 2019: Dear Parents of Graduating Seniors, As we begin our 2018-2019 school year, the Serra Senior Parent Booster Club will be raising funds for this year’s senior class activities which include events such as Grad Night, Senior Luncheon and Graduation. Help us reach our fundraising goals for these events by making a tax- deductible donation of $50-100.00. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Donations can either be made online using this link, squareup.com/store/serra-senior-parent-boosters, or you can write a check payable to Serra Senior Parent Boosters. If using the online square account through the above noted link, you will be able to use your credit card. If you prefer to write a check, please drop your check off in the front office. Please address the envelope, “ Class of 2019,” and write that in the memo of the check as well to avoid any confusion with the Class of 2021 Boosters which is also collecting money. As parents of seniors, we are looking forward to a fun and exciting year; your support will be greatly appreciated.Thank you very much! Serra HS Senior Parent Boosters 📷 TAX ID #33-06363145156 Santo RD, San Diego, CA, 92124 Class of 2020: NEW EMAIL: Serra2020boosters@gmail.com Class of 2021: For more information about the c/o 2021 Booster Club click the link https://www.classof2021serraboostersclub.com/Here is their donation letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RoovVJd6RQXujFinV9NMmyIgaIdLTHL-/view?usp=sharing. Class of 2022: Parents are working on a fundraiser where they are going to engage in community service and earn Disneyland tickets to raffle off. If interested in joining the Boosters please contact Nicci Johnson at aaronandnicci@gmail.com. Thank you for your support! Serra High Administration