Hello Q-Nation!
We had a great week and have some amazing events coming up including a Blood Drive and Powderpuff and Winter Formal. See below for details. Finals are coming up next week and the dismissal and schedule is below. Lastly we have created an amazing new website for all seniors! Check it out! https://serrahighschool.wixsite.com/wellness/senior-year
It includes the senior contract and venue information for various events along with other things!
Other news: We had 147 students in Saturday School this week! and we have it coming up next week (see below). Boys and Girls Basketball is tonight at 6 and 730 against Scripps (Go teams)! and Girls Tennis won CIF All Academic Team; we are so proud of you! Logan Roscoe also won Team Scholar Athlete for Tennis. During Finals, we have nothing allowed on campus after 6pm so students can study! Speaking of Finals, they are are next week for the end of Semester 1, and so are final grades. It is unacceptable for your child's grades not to be updated as of today. Please email your student's teacher and request they get up to speed if they are behind. That is their job and the first line of communication to you. Don't settle for anything less from my staff. Here again is the schedule, the copy of the School-Wide Grading Policy and Citizenship Rubric for your knowledge.
Formal is coming close so get ready to buy your ticket!
Name: Party on 4th (Ave)!
Theme: New York/ Big City/ Urban/ Graffiti, "A Night in the City"
Where: FLUXX Event Center in downtown San Diego.
When: Saturday, February 22, 6:30-9:45 PM.
Ticket Prices: 01/13 - 01/31: $25 w/ ASB card & $35 without02/03 - 02/14: $35 with ASB card & $45 without02/17 - 02/21: $45 for everyone
LOP and Senior Privileges and Attendance
Please look at your child's attendance online. Slips go out reminding students they should attend. NOTE: Second semester we do not offer as many Saturday schools so please do not gamble with this; especially seniors.
The senior contract is clear. NO ATTENDANCE TARDIES OR ABSENCES in order to earn privileges!!!!!
Seniors, especially period one, float in at all hours which is disruptive to class and will prevent them from attending prom and graduation. After semester 1 you CAN NOT see the attendance for semester 1, so look now as it will be counted against you later even though you can't see it. We have had Saturday school almost every Saturday so attendance for semester 1 should be clear at this point of the year. In Semester 2 there aren't as many Saturday schools so be proactive--do you want to walk at graduation? Be here and be on time.
Did you know we have SHS gear?! Check it out! Proceeds go to our Serra Foundation....please go to http://serrafoundation.org/ to order.
Knowledge is Power! VAPING!
Recently a slew of articles and images have come out about and with teens who's lungs have been destroyed by vaping! This epidemic is exactly like smoking in the 1980's where now (30 years later) people are dying of lung cancer in record numbers. In fact it's worse....just a year or two after vaping, teenage lungs are becoming destroyed. Read here for one example:
Here is a photo of what is being seen on a CT Scan. The top picture is a normal lung and the bottom are lungs affected by vaping. All those clouds are deteriorated tissue--not smoke in the lungs. Very frightening.
The number one excuse we get when we find a child with a VAPE of any kind is "my parents know and don't care" (we don't believe that by the way). When we speak to parents they say "well there are no drugs in it ,they told me it's just water vape"---THIS IS INCORRECT.
Your child could be vaping right in front of you or next to you and smoking marijuana or worse. Smoking drugs out of a vape has ZERO smell and also many times ZERO smoke cloud. Out of all the vapes we caught last year, 95 percent were drug infused and every single parent said they had no idea it contained illegal substances. Did you know kids take the oil in vape pens and mix it with vegetable oil which will dilute prescription medication such as Xanax and Adderall? As a parent myself, I implore you to go through your child's room, backpack, and car, and look for vape pens. You will be saving their lives! Ask your child if they know anyone that vapes and see who they say and if you know them call their parents! It takes a village! No parent wants everyone knowing their child vapes and no one tells them.
What is SHS doing and how can we help you?
1. We offer classes on vaping so you can be educated.
2. We will be installing vape detectors in the bathrooms (more on this soon).
3. We have an anonymous tip line for student to use if they see vaping on campus.
4. We are moving our security personnel to allow for more security in and around the bathrooms.
5. Should you find something and have no idea what to do, please reach out to us! We also have a program for any substance abuse or poor decision making. See below.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This email is not intended for everyone; however, I do know that we have a small percentage of students and families who might be struggling with drug concerns that get missed in the face of the many challenges that life can present us with. Not knowing what to do or how to get help, can be frustrating and lead to bigger problems over time.
We have a partnership with the McAllister Institute who provides outpatient drug and alcohol treatment and education on campus after school to any student in need. If your student is experiencing problems like this, we are happy to make the referral and get you an appointment with a license/certificated professional.
I hesitated to send this out to everyone, but if it just reaches 1 or 2 families that have been struggling with this in silence, it’s worth it to me. I personally hate reading about the vaping epidemic with teens across the country and I want to do everything in my power to stop it.
Please feel free to contact our Dean of Students, Joseph Schmidt at jschmidt1@sandi.net ,if you have any questions or concerns about the program.
Calendar:
January 20: Nothing---NO SCHOOL!
January 21: Football Ring Fitting, and Music Auditions.
January 22: Finals: School Ends at 11:36; lunch goes to 12:12 (students can leave at 11:36).
January 23: Finals: School Ends at 11:36; lunch goes to 12:12 (students can leave at 11:36).
January 24: Finals: School ends at 11:36; lunch goes to 12:12 (students can leave at 11:36).
January 25: SATURDAY SCHOOL.
Auditions for The Metamorphosis will soon be coming to Serra High School! Auditions will be on Tuesday, January 21 starting at 2:30 pm and Wednesday, January 22 starting at 12:30 pm, in the Serra High Theatre. To audition, sign up for a spot in room 402. Good luck to everyone!
Powderpuff football applications are up!
Girls get ready to play football; and boys, get ready to start cheering!
When: January 31, 2020 @ 6:30pm.
How to sign-up: Application forms are outside the ASB room. Turn in an application form with $25 to Mr. Schmidt's office in the counseling office. Players are chosen on a first come first serve basis.
Blood drive! Blood drive! Blood drive!
Please consider donating blood to help people in need; one person can help three people. You can make a difference.
When: Wednesday, January 29 in the Alumni Room.
How to sign-up: Sign-ups & parental consent forms are outside the ASB room
Principal's Coffee: The January coffee is now to be held on January 24 at 730 AM. The new dates are on the master calendar; see you then.
Athletics:
It’s basketball season!! Friday (1/17) varsity basketball plays a home game against Scripps at 7:30, and an away game Saturday (1/18) against Mount Miguel at 5:00, so be sure to keep tabs on their upcoming games to show your support!! Keep an eye out for future dawg pound themes and ticket sales; the dawg pound theme for the Scripps game is blackout and tickets are free with an ASB card and 5$ without. The next basketball games will be held Tuesday (1/21) at San Diego High at 5:15 and Friday (1/24) at Point Loma at 7:30- so be sure to come to their games to watch our athletes! Go Serra Q’s!!
Class of 2020 Boosters! Senior Parent Boosters--we are off to a great start. Thank you for your donations! Keep them coming! You can donate on-line at https://serra-2020-boosters.square.site/
Grad Nite tickets will be on-sale every Tuesday and Thursday in January during lunch and after school. The cost will increase in February- so purchase early!
Need forms? Visit the Senior 2020 boosters tab on the Serra website- Under Parents.
Portrait Photo shoot fundraiser 2/8-2/9 (see flier).
Contact: Serra2020boosters@gmail.com to be added to the email distribution list. Next Senior Booster meeting Tues. January 14th 6pm in Media Center/Alumni roomTo learn more about what’s coming up- visit the Senior 2020 boosters tab on the Serra website- Under Parents.
Class of 2021: The Class of 2021 Boosters is kicking off the New Year with a "New You" fundraiser! Come support our Boosters and Tierrasanta resident-owned hair salon, Craft + Color, on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Book online for any hair service between Feb 3-8 2020, present this flyer on your phone or printed, and receive 20% off any service. 20% is also donated by the salon to our Boosters! Children and teen clients are welcome. Pencil in your calendars for our next meeting on Wednesday Feb 26 at 6:30 PM in the Alumni Room of the Media Center. Will will be discussing Grad Nite options, so you won't want to miss it!
Club Highlight:
Be sure to get more involved in school clubs, all are welcome!! Beyond You club is focused on spreading awareness about veganism and encouraging people to shift to more environmentally friendly eating habits. Join the club! You can check the announcement board for more information- there are clubs like Middle School Mentoring, Women’s Empowerment, Environmental, Humans for Humanity, Board Game, and many more!!
WIWMPK:
NJROTC: NJROTC will now be going to put Platoon Squad regulation drill competition at Madison High School on the 25th of January. So wish our cadets some luck! Counseling: Articulation for the incoming class is starting and we are excited to see and meet your students if you have one at the Middle School! https://serrahighschool.wixsite.com/website-4
Attention Seniors! This is very Important!
Would you like to get your first year or possibly two years of community college tuition paid for, and be eligible for scholarships or get some financial assistance to help you with your college tuition?? Then you must submit your FAFSA/Dream Act application no later than March 2. The sooner you submit your application, the better chances you have of getting more money in your pocket!!!!
The state of California is paying for your first year of community college tuition through the Promise Scholarship. In order to be eligible for the Promise Scholarship you must submit a FAFSA Application/Dream Act. Promise Scholarship is for ALL students, regardless of their financial status, but you must submit your FAFSA to be eligible.
In our attempt to make all of our students ready for their post secondary plans, whether it be a 4-year university, community college, tech or vocational schools, we are hosting a Financial Aid Day on February 5 where all government classes will be going to the Media Center to get help from CalSOAP! There are some documents and important information you must bring in order to be able to complete and submit your application. If you are not able to bring in the required information, we can help you complete your portion of the application!
RYLA Announcement!!Attention Juniors who are interested in a fantastic leadership opportunity. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, or “RYLA,” is a program that originated with Rotary International and has since been specifically designed by Rotary District 5340 for students in San Diego and Imperial counties. RYLA encourages servant leadership in youth by recognizing and rewarding deserving 11th grade students who are chosen to attend RYLA as an "award" for their past and present leadership and service activities. These select young people attend an all-expense-paid three day camp where they are inspired by a diverse group of exceptional speakers, make life-long friends through fellowship activities, and discuss the ethical and social issues of today. These activities are conducted in an atmosphere of trust and respect. The result is that these students return to their schools and communities motivated to take on additional leadership roles and to find additional ways to serve. If your student is interested they should apply here: https://www.ryla5340.org/how-to-apply Applications are due by February 2nd
Serra High School's Sponsoring Rotary Club is Kearny Mesa Club. In addition to applying online, students should print their application and turn into Mr. Stewart in the counseling office before the February 2nd deadline. Any questions regarding this opportunity should be sent to Mr. Stewart at nstewart2@sandi.net
Job Opportunities: SHS will be posting and highlighting job opportunities for students. We even sign work permits as well. You can always find jobs for students on this district website which is being updated regularly. https://storage.googleapis.com/job-board/index.html
Class of 2020: Monday November 18th. 6pm in the Alumni Room is our next meeting. See you there!Also we have a new web page- visit the Serra website under “Parents”e-mail serra2020boosters@gmail.com to be added to the email listSerra class of 2020 Boosters are raising funds for important senior activities, such as Grad Night, Senior Luncheon, and all other senior related activities. To make a tax -deductible donation:Make checks payable to “Serra High Class of 2020 Boosters” and mail to Leslie Larranaga-Britt c/o Serra High Class of 2020 Boosters10601 Tierrasanta Blvd PO Box 308 San Diego, CA 92124. Please indicate 2020 booster in the memo line on the check.Serra2020boosters@gmail.com (to be added to the e-mail distribution list)
Class of 2021:Hello c/o 2021 Parents! Want to join us? Please email:https://www.classof2021serraboostersclub.com/ Questions? Rebecca Ordas @ blondieptsd@gmail.com
Class of 2022: TBD
Class of 2023: TBD