Hello Q Nation! This BLOG is a special all points bulletin.
There are only three things you need to know. You can always access the SHS calendar for events.
Before that though a highlight! SHS Circle of Friends and our students with disabilities participated in the Special Olympics on Friday. The SPED staff and support personnel for these students is the best in the best in the district. Then to add amazing students who instead of shying away from the unknown jumped in and got to know these students as people and not a disability makes me beyond proud of the student body of SHS. These students are far more along than I was at their age.
There are only 3 things this week because they are ALL that important. No other content to divert your attention. Please share this information as fast as you can with those who you know don't subscribe. You will also see it in other formats in the coming days.
The event you see above is not mandatory but I really wish I could tell you it was. Our students work insanely hard on this event and rumor has it people think it's for ninth graders only. This is not the case at all. All our pathway courses will be on display so if you know a middle school student or middle school family invite them to come with you!!!! This event has academics and fun. On the fun, positive culture and climate part we have clubs performing, outdoor theater performances, all our clubs, ROTC, band, and all our support partners for you and your families: military, after school, counseling, our Wellness Center---yes we have one! and the list goes on!
Please...it's easy to say this is not mandatory and not come. I'm asking you to come celebrate the end of the year and all the hard you and your students have put in, and the hard work of the Serra staff on your behalf!
What we do and the students we have at Serra are special.
Here is a classic example of our academics and environment we create for kids! Recognize this place?
I had the pleasure of eating at this place a year ago and continue to do so. Its right across the freeway for Serra. I was with our ASB and Dean, Mr. Schmidt. The whole time I was in there I felt like we were being looked at by like the entire staff and I was right!!!!!!! The owners and staff are ALL Serra Grads! They got together and made a business plan and took courses in college and came back to give back to their community. When they spoke to us they said the marketing courses with Mr Schmidt along with some other staffs classes made a HUGE impression on them and they thanked us......
This is what SHS strives to do everyday! Please come support us and your students!!!!!
Ok.....I'm done....you are going to get robo calls anyways.... :)
SENIORS---- PLEASE READ AND FORWARD!!!! This is your senior contract. It was signed in October. The grid is right out the SDUSD district Admin Procedure. It outlines very clearly the parameters for all events and activities to come. Please look it over and read my letter to you at the end.
We will be in contact with your child for an appeal if they qualify for one. We will also notify you, and I highly encourage you to attend because usually only half get a positive outcome. Parents coming is a tremendous help for the student and support as it can be very stressful talking to a panel of people.
Based on the current status of seniors we are happy to announce we will be retaining a high graduation rate! This means almost all students in the class of 2019 will get a diploma. That is the ultimate goal and all else is ancillary; including the graduation ceremony, prom, senior breakfast etc.
Here is a letter to you that I have written and rewritten so many times,
Dear Class of 2019---
My heart is hopeful and yet saddened.
For the first time in SHS history, an astonishing amount of students will not be participating in the graduation ceremony due to absences (they will get a diploma). You are not allowed any absences uncleared by June 8th, 2019. Absences can not be cleared older than 5 days other than through the Saturday School process. This is for BOTH semesters.
We have some amazing students who came every day and still do with few days left. They are working hard and and are on time to all classes. If they had an uncleared absence they went to Saturday School and did not repeat the problem behavior.
It would not be equitable and fair to them to allow students to attend the graduation ceremony who have not met the details of the contract in which they and you as their parents signed and is in accordance with SDUSD Admin Procedure.
It would also diminish the very idea that hard work pays off; that putting in time means something, and that an education is important and is worth the energy.
Lastly, it would diminish the experience for those who played by the rules. Life is full of rules; even for us adults.
I have spent many nights up these last few weeks 2 am, 3 am, 4 am. I have a very deep belief in my heart that while your child can not participate in the ceremony (if this is the case), if there was anything that I could do to at least have them remembering something special about Serra that was positive so they wouldn't focus on the negative. I want to allow them moments to still be who they are (children) and have fun, camaraderie, and innocence before the real world really does occur and soon.
It is with this heart (one of a mother) not a principal that I give you what I can.
Therefore ALL seniors will be allowed to attend Prom however if they are attending Saturday School they MUST continue to do so. I believe that a night out to celebrate the next stage of their life should not have requirements attached. That they go with people they think they love and friends they think and hopefully will have long after this year. That they laugh, get dressed up and that you as parents get those special moments of dressing your child and taking pictures because whether or not they are in a graduation ceremony they do have a diploma and you worked for that too...ever since they were born. I am also permitting all seniors to attend all activities (senior breakfast and lunch etc) whether they are in the graduation ceremony or not.
As a mother that is what I would want; my sons to leave their high school having a positive moment, whether they appreciated it or not and at the same time realize that they have to be accountable for their actions that directly relate to the core values of the school or SPIRIT. Otherwise Serra High and myself will have taught them nothing except:
1. No matter what you do there is no chance for redemption at the same time
2. Conscious actions have real consequences.
We always want grace for ourselves and justice for others. In this letter, I hope that you feel that the scales are balanced, and that I as the principal of this school was able to mitigate things one last time for the sake of the naivety and innocence of children who have no idea what is about to come. I kept the bubble around them a little longer as best I could and that your child was treated with fairness but with a kind and loving hand.
It is my honor and privilege to serve this community. Never in my lifetime given the circumstances of my life did I ever think I would be in the presence of such amazingness, spirit, true commitment and real gifts. This community has made a huge impact on my life personally and professionally and I look forward to the privilege of being allowed to serve you in whatever means and way I can into the future. My door is open.
We will be in contact towards the beginning of next week about your particular child and circumstance regarding whether or not they will be at the promotion ceremony but please read the contract again and go on PowerSchool.
Thank you.
Dr. Erica Renfree
Senior Booster Fundraiser: MUST have flyer to get deal. Please help them! These parents work so hard on your behalf...and do it because subs are yummy! or just do it for Tami Tobler, Senior Booster President because she's awesome!
The End.
Have a great week Q's! I'm ready to be WOW'd!
Comments