Sunday, October 8, 2017

Week 7:

Hello Q Nation!!!
What a great week at Serra! We are looking forward to Homecoming Week and in addition we had a great professional development session on how to make our specific subject areas applicable to the real world! This goes with our focus on engagement for all students regardless of content area. Have a great week and we will see you at Homecoming Football Game!

HOMECOMING/SPIRIT WEEK
Next week is homecoming week!  Don't forget about our Spirit days.  Our underclassman ASB produced this cute little video to remind people to participate!



Next Thursday (10/12) is the last day to purchase a homecoming dance ticket. 
Click here to download a dance agreement.

Deportola and Farb Articulation to Serra
We welcome any and all parents of 8th graders in our cluster and beyond to come and hear what Serra is all about. We have amazing things going on here in order to make your child top candidates for college or anything they want to pursue. We will be engaging the middle schools this month in a series of events. DON'T MISS OUT!!!! Reminders will come as well.
  • 10/23: Serra Prospective Parent Meeting: 6 pm in Media Center
    • Farb and DP parents come over for information :
  • 10/26: Serra/DP/Farb--8th grade walkover--during the day JOIN YOUR CHILD!
  • 10/30-10/31: Parent Tours of Serra
    • 10/30: Tours at 12:15 pm-2:20 pm
    • 10/31: Tours at 9am-11am
Teacher Feature!!
Mrs. Moyes - Chemistry

Objective was verbally stated.  Students seating in groups aligned in a U shape facing the front of the room.
Students given an assignment to read about Pasture Patties (Buffalo Chips). 5 minutes given for students to read a handout.  Teacher roamed the room checking for students who might need assistance.  
Teacher explained the step to review the reading.  Students must turn to a partner and discuss how do you compare and contrast coal to a piece of buffalo patty.  Students must have been taught how to do this already since they went to work and appeared to be familiar with this activity. Teacher walked the class asking probing questions and checking for understanding. Most students were engaged in the activity.  Teacher selected students at random and asked them to answer questions based on the reading.  I guess you can say it was a great lesson for a stinky topic. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA




Federal Survey Cards: 

This past Wednesday, Federal Survey cards went home with your children. This year they are a little different. They are pre-populated so all you have to do is sign them. These cards and their return have a massive impact on the funding for the school. With more and more budget cuts Serra high School needs this money to function in the best interest of your children. In fact we are offering all sorts of incentives to your children to get them back as soon as possible! Please please please ask your child to show you the card tonight if possible for return tomorrow. 

Grading Period Almost Over!
The end of the first progress reporting period is Friday, October 13, 2017.  Signed Marks Verification are due on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 7:20 a.m.

Seniors--Extended Day/Night School
Extended Day Credit Recovery will start on October 16 to December 12th from 2:30-5:00 p.m. and we will start with English.  If your student needs to make up a credit in English, please have the student see their counselor immediately.  Attendance is  important and students cannot miss no more than 2 days per district policy.  Encourage your student to re mediate their English class if a student received a D or an F.  


Parent/College Nights 
We would like to invite all of you to the upcoming Parent Nights scheduled for next week, where Serra’s counseling team will be presenting valuable college and graduation information. Each night begins at 6 pm in the Media Center. The schedule is as followed:

Monday October 9 we will be hosting Senior College Night. There will be presentations from local colleges. 

Tuesday, October 10 we will be hosting Jr Parent Night. There will be presentations from local colleges. 

Wednesday, October 11 we will be hosting Sophomore Parent Night and Thursday, October 12 we will be hosting Freshmen Parent Night. 

Hope to see you all there!! Students are encouraged to attend with their parents!!!


9th Grade English Teachers Visit De Portola

On Friday, September 29th, five 9th grade English teachers and Vice Principal visited De Portola Middle School. They met in the morning with the principal, then headed out to observe several classes in an effort to vertically align their curriculum. When they returned to Serra, the 9th grade team met to debrief their observations. Following their debrief, they collectively began to plan future units that will increase the rigor, improve student engagement and raise student achievement in 9th grade English Classes at Serra.


Serra Alum Returns to BioMed Class

Serra’s 2 new Principals of BioMedical Science classes were visited by two former Serra alum to speak on their jobs as AMR EMT’s. Shamiq and Andrew gave awesome presentations to the classes on what their jobs are all about, and the steps to becoming an EMT. Their interest started in 2011 when they took physiology as seniors at Serra. It was a special day to see these young adults thriving in a new exciting career.


Planner

Due to budget constraints Serra High School no longer prints planners. The annual cost was over 8,000 dollars. However the first few pages will be distributed electronically within the next month in order for you to review policies. If your student does need one please supply them to them or we are more than happy to provide a notebook. Thanks for your understanding.

Interesting programs to consider for your child!!!!


o    Rotary Youth Leadership awards
o    Applicants must be current juniors who are at least 16 years of age
o    Transportation included
o    Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a program that originated with Rotary International and has subsequently been specifically designed by Rotary District 5340 for the 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-expenses-paid camp where they are inspired by a diverse group of exceptional speakers, make lifelong 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.
  • 2018 RYLA Conference: April 20th - 22nd, 2018
  • Idyllwild camp (take bus from San Diego)
o    Deadline for application January, 31 2018

  • The Freedom Foundation offers An exceptional leadership program designed to educate, inspire and prepare academically-motivated high school students… Presented by the Freedoms Foundation, Educating and inspiring an awareness of the principles upon which America was founded and the responsibilities of citizens in a free society since 1949. Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a patriotic, non-political organization dedicated to "teach, support and foster the principles”.  Cost is $1600, but students only need to raise $500 and needs counselor recommendation and outside recommendation.
  • Transportation included
o    Valley Forge Pennsylvania campus
o    $500 for the week.
o    1 week long sessions in April 5-11, 2018
o    Must have Academic Endorsement & Community Endorsement
o    Should attend the FF Youth Forum at the end of October (October 27, 2017) from 9:30 – 1 pm
o    Deadline Nov 22, 2017  for applications


o    American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State are the premier programs for teaching how government works while developing leadership skills & an appreciation for your rights as a citizen. 2-3 rising senior boys and 1 rising senior girl from each high school in America is eligible to participate.  Ask your school for details. As a participant in the program you, will run for office, learn public speaking, create and enforce laws and actively participate in all phases of creating and running a working government in this exciting and fun week-long FREE summer program.   Selection in January 2018 and interviews in February 2018. 
  • 1 week June 25- 30, 2018 (Girls State)   June 16-23, 2018 (Boys State)
o    Claremont McKenna College (Girls) and Sacramento State (boys)
  • SHS is sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary 731 in Linda Vista for Girls State.
  • See counselor for interview nomination
  • Transportation not included for Girls State but maybe for Boys State
  • Deadline January 2018 for selection and February 2018 for interviews

o    MAP Application Process Opens to High School Students – May 1, 2018
o    Program is open to high school students in grades 11-12. Highly motivated 10th graders with a research project in mind may also apply.
o    MAP Coordinators did a massive outreach effort across San Diego County. 225 students from 70 different high schools applied to MAP. 77 students were selected by 42 mentors. For the end-of-mentorship Symposium, 65 students presented 48 projects. The presenting students were represented by  34 mentors and 24 departments across campus. The Symposium drew nearly 250 guests invited by students, including school district administrators, principals, teachers, parents, grandparents, extended family and student siblings.
o    MAP Student Applications Deadline – May 31, 2018
o    Period of Mentoring – September 2018 – May 2019


  • The San Diego Supercomputer Center’s 9th Annual Research Experience for High School Students (REHS) Summer 2018 Volunteer Internship Opportunities at the University of California, San Diego
  • The Research Experience for High School Students program, a part of the San Diego Supercomputer Center’s (SDSC) student outreach program, has been developed to help increase awareness of computational science and related fields of research to students in the San Diego region. Students gain exposure to career options, hands-on computational experience, work readiness skills, and mentoring by computational research scientists.
Through the eight-week volunteer program, students are involved with an established research project. Students learn how to formulate and test hypotheses, conduct computational 
  • experiments and draw conclusions from those experiments. They also learn to take part in regular lab meetings and group discussions. At the end of the program, students will develop scientific posters, reflecting on their summer experience and highlighting their research and future career goals. Posters will be displayed during a celebratory event in mid-August.
  • JUNE 18–AUGUST 11, 2018 (EIGHT WEEKS)
  • The REHS Application Process Opens February 15, 2018
  • Period of Internship:  June 18- August 10, 2018
1.     The Carson Scholars Program recognizes and rewards academic excellence in young students (4-11 grade) who also have strong humanitarian qualities. Students are nominated by their schools and honored at one of nine regional awards ceremonies across the country. New scholars receive a $1,000 scholarship towards college and previous winners are eligible to reapply for Carson Scholar Recognition annually provided that they maintain their academic status and high level of volunteerism. The program is designed to identify and encourage future leaders and is active in all 50 states.
2.     The 2018 scholarship season begins in the fall when application materials and instructions for nominating a student is distributed to schools.
3.     You must be nominated by your school in order to apply to our scholarship program. Students will have until Monday, January 8, 2018 to complete their application. The application includes essay, biographical information, community service details, report card and teacher recommendation.
4.     After the application deadline (January 8, 2018) your principal will be emailed instructions to complete the principal verification. This is a required step and must be completed by Friday, January 12, 2018. Your application is not complete without the principal verification.
5.     All applicants will be notified of their status in March 2018.
6.     If you have any questions about the scholarship program, please call 410.828.1005 or email lrichards@carsonscholars.org.


Civility Scholarship: SDUSD in partnership with USD and League of Women Voters
Creating Civility on Campus scholarship
Rules of Submission:
1. Each site student finalist may submit only one entry for the contest.
2. Each site student finalist who submits an entry must provide a signed parental/guardian release statement granting permission to reproduce the student’s work, name, and photo.
3. All entries must include the student’s name/school at the top of essay papers, on artwork, or clearly identified in the any video submission.
4. All artwork submissions must include a 100-250 word artist’s statement.
5. All submissions must be rated PG: no references to inappropriate activities and no inappropriate language – the idea is to model Civility.
6. All submissions must follow SDUSD Network Use and Academic Honesty Guidelines.
All site student finalist entries must be submitted electronically to:
Juliana Liebke, TK-12 History-Social Science Curriculum Specialist
jliebke@sandi.net
by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 7, 2017. We are unable to accept late submissions. Judges’ decisions are final.