Oct. 21-27

COVID DATA FOR OCTOBER 14-20
Newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 at JSerra for the week of October 14-20: 1 Staff, 2 Students. When the school becomes aware of a positive case, those who have had close contact with the positive case will be notified as part of JSerra's contact tracing protocols.

A CHARITABLE AFFAIR
An Evening Under the Stars on Saturday 11/6 is fast approaching! Sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are still available. For more details, go to jserra.org/stars.

Exclusive auction items include Super Bowl LVI tickets, VIP graduation package, vacations, and more. For those who are not able to attend, maximum bids can be placed on any or all items. To do so or for more information, contact Mr. Tony Roberts at tony.roberts@jserra.org. All bids must be submitted by Friday 11/5.

Thank you to our generous sponsors: The Adams Family, Milind K. Ambe M.D. and Family, The Assad Family/Iacocca Family Foundation, The Brady Family, The Haggard Family, The Moro Family, The Noonan Family, and The Vanis Family!

ATHLETIC INFORMATION NIGHT
Help us spread the word! Our annual Athletic Information Night takes place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. this Tuesday 10/26 in the Pavilion. We will offer prospective families the opportunity to connect with the people driving our athletic programs to new heights with each passing year. Attend an exciting presentation followed by brief informational sessions, meet coaches from every athletic team and sports club, and enjoy burgers or tacos before the event (for just $5)! Visit jserra.org/AIN to register and view the schedule.

THE NEXT VIRTUE OF THE WEEK: COURTESY
Next week we go to the way back machine for a virtue that is becoming bit scarce in our day. We will be working hard with our young Lions to practice the virtue of courtesy. From making eye contact with people, to refraining from interrupting, to being polite in emails, this is a big week to work on a big all-too forgotten virtue. We've provided examples, prayer, and more at jserra.org/virtues to help you follow along with our students!

ALUMNI VIP TENT AT TOMORROW'S HOMECOMING GAME
JSerra invites all alumni to return to campus and visit during our Homecoming game tomorrow! Please join us in the VIP Tent with your fellow alumni at 5:30 p.m. Food will be provided from the delicious Oak in Laguna Beach. If you have any questions, reach out to Alumni Affairs Director Emily O’Berry at eoberry@jserra.org.

HOMECOMING TICKET SALES CLOSE TOMORROW AT NOON
Our "Rio Carnival" Homecoming Dance will take place from 7:00-10:00 p.m. in the Quad this Saturday 10/23. Tickets are available online until noon tomorrow 10/22; tickets will not be sold at the door so get your tickets ASAP at jserra.org/riohoco. Please refer to the Parent Student Handbook for questions regarding appropriate attire for this semi-formal dance.

TNL BONFIRE AT THREE ARCH BAY THIS TUESDAY
Campus Ministry is hosting their next bonfire this Tuesday 10/26 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Three Arch Bay. The night will include beach games, s'mores, and dinner, along with a closing message and worship provided by Campus Ministry staff. Attendance is limited, and students are required to register here for a reserved spot. Registered students will receive more detailed information on where to meet and what to bring.

COFFEE WITH COURTNEY: "PRACTICAL TIPS TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH"
All parents are invited to join JSerra Personal Counselor, Dr. Courtney Harkins, from 8:45-10:00 a.m. this Thursday 10/28 in the Busch Hall Center Room for a fun round-table discussion to help you better understand and communicate with your teens. Coffee will be served. No need to RSVP — feel free to bring your friends!

CAL STATE APPLICATION WORKSHOP TONIGHT
Our Cal Poly San Luis Obispo representative, Teri Ann Matsuda, will walk students through the Cal State application tonight 10/21 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Click here to register for the webinar. You should already have your Cal State application account set up before we begin. Come with questions!

COLLEGE ESSAY AND APPLICATION REVIEWS THIS WEDNESDAY
College admission reps will be available virtually from 4:00-5:00 p.m. this Wednesday 10/27 to review students' college essays and applications. To sign up for a time, click here.

JSERRA TEXTBOOK EXCHANGE WEBSITE UPDATE
As many of you know, JSerra started a parent-to-parent used textbook exchange this past summer. Many used books were exchanged for very reasonable prices! It's now time for the exchange to be updated.

All parents and students who provided email addresses for their postings to the exchange will be contacted via email regarding the removal of all current listings. The listings will be removed Tuesday 2/1 to prepare for the publication of the 2022-2023 textbook list. After the list is posted, new listings of books for sale can be added to the Textbook Exchange — just follow the instructions posted on the homepage.

If you post used books for sale, please remember to email Ms. Jeanne Swedo at jswedo@jserra.org to remove the books you sell. Your email keeps the list up-to-date and easier to navigate for all users. You may also email Ms. Swedo with any questions you have about the program or textbooks.

HALLOWEEN BASKETS FOR FOSTER SHELTER DUE TOMORROW
Create Halloween basket gifts for youth at a foster shelter in the Inland Empire. Baskets should be Halloween-themed and boy/girl-specific. Each basket can be different and creativity is encouraged. Baskets are due tomorrow 10/22 to the Campus Ministry office. Students can earn 1 hour for each basket assembled and up to 10 hours total. Students must sign up here to participate. Ideas of what to assemble can be found on the sign-up link. For questions, please contact Director of Campus Ministry Zach Eckert at zeckert@jserra.org.

PARENTS NEEDED FOR TRUNK OR TREAT
Help us keep a fun Halloween tradition going for our high schoolers! During lunch on Friday 10/29, our parking lot will turn into the 5^th Annual Trunk or Treat. This is an opportunity for students to trick or treat in a fun and safe environment. Interested parents may sign up for a parking spot and decorate their car trunks and hand out candy. Trunks may be decorated with friendly and whimsical Halloween décor only — no gore, please. Go it alone or host a spot with a friend — the more the merrier! Click here to sign up.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SAT TESTING
JSerra is hosting SAT Testing on Saturday 11/6 and we need five more parent volunteers to help check in students from 7:15-8:15 a.m. Click here to sign up. Thank you for your help!

LAST CHANCE FOR SENIOR PORTRAITS
The last day to take your Class of 2021 senior portraits for the yearbook is Saturday 10/30. Click here to download information on how to make your appointment.

RESPECT LIFE MONTH
October is Respect Life Month in the Catholic Church, dedicated to raising awareness of the gift of all human life from conception to natural death. Join JSerra staff and students each day from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Chapel for a rosary and holy hour dedicated to the protection of the unborn and an end to abortion every school day this month. Moreover, each year our AP Art and Design students create images that illustrate the "splendor of human life." Their work is displayed in the two waiting rooms flanking the Front Office. Guests are welcome to stop by to view the artwork!

VIRTUE PROGRAM IN-DEPTH GUIDE
Want to follow along at home with our JSerra Virtue Program? The “In-Depth Virtue Guide," developed by the JSerra Dominican Sisters, is available for purchase from Mrs. Jeanne Noonan at the Front Desk. The guide contains the schedule of upcoming virtues, definitions, and practical examples of how to grow in the virtue. The cost is $5.

RCIA PROGRAM
Students who are not currently Catholic and would like to become Catholic have the opportunity to do so through the RCIA sacramental preparation program. Please contact Sr. Miriam at srmiriam@jserra.org if you would like more information.

 

DATE	TIME	EVENT	LOCATION
Thurs 10/21	5:00-6:00 p.m.	Cal State Application Workshop	Virtual
Fri 10/22	11:50 a.m.-12:35 p.m.	Homecoming Pep Rally	Pavilion
Fri 10/22	5:30-7:00 p.m.	Alumni Homecoming Tailgate	Main Field (VIP Tent)
Fri 10/22	5:30-7:00 p.m.	Friday Night Lights Tailgate	Senior Parking Lot
Fri 10/22	7:00-10:00 p.m.	Varsity Football vs Orange Lutheran (Homecoming)	Main Field
Sat 10/23	8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.	Law Magnet Mock Trial Tournament	Busch Hall Center Room
Sat 10/23	7:00-10:00 p.m.	Homecoming Dance: Rio Carnival	Quad
Mon 10/25-Fri 10/29		Virtue of the Week: Courtesy
Mon 10/25	2nd Lunch	Mini College Fair	Quad
Tue 10/26	6:00-7:30 p.m.	Athletic Information Night	Pavilion
Tue 10/26	6:00-7:30 p.m.	TNL Bonfire	Three Arch Bay
Wed 10/27	2nd Lunch	Mini College Fair	Quad
Wed 10/27	4:00-5:00 p.m.	Essay/Application Review with College Admissions Reps	Virtual
Wed 10/27-Thurs 10/28	6:30-8:30 p.m.	Lady Lions Cooking Class (SOLD OUT)	Farm School on Los Rios Street
Thurs 10/28	8:45-10:00 a.m.	Coffee with Courtney: Practical Tips to Increase Mental Health	Busch Hall Center Room
Thurs 10/28	4:00-5:00 p.m.	Virtual College Visit	Virtual
Fri 10/29		Winter Sport Fees Due
Fri 10/29	11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.	Trunk or Treat	Parking Lot
Sat 10/30	8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.	Law Magnet Mock Trial Tournament	Busch Hall Center Room
Sat 10/30	5:30-7:00 p.m.	Fall Orchestra Concert	Quad
Sat 10/30	5:30-10:00 p.m.	Baseball Casino Night	Pavilion
Mon 11/1		All Saints Day
Mon 11/1-Fri 11/5		Virtue of the Week: Generosity
Tue 11/2	7:00-8:30 p.m.	TNL	TBA
Wed 11/3		Operation Christmas Love Kickoff
Wed 11/3	2nd Lunch	Mini College Fair	Quad
Wed 11/3	4:00-5:00 p.m.	Essay/Application Review with College Admissions Reps	TBA
Wed 11/3-Sat 11/6	7:00-9:00 p.m.	Fall Play: The Mousetrap	Rose Black Box Theatre
Sat 11/6	8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.	Law Magnet Mock Trial Tournament	Busch Hall Center Room
Sat 11/6	2:00-4:00 p.m.	Fall Play: The Mousetrap	Rose Black Box Theatre
Sat 11/6	5:30-10:30 p.m.	An Evening Under the Stars	Private Residence
Mon 11/8-Fri 11/12		Virtue of the Week: Sincerity
Mon 11/8	4:00-5:00 p.m.	Virtual College Visit	Virtual
Mon 11/8	7:00-9:00 p.m.	Fall Play: The Mousetrap Understudy Performance	Rose Black Box Theatre
Tue 11/9-Fri 11/12		Kairos 47 (Senior Retreat)	Whispering Winds
Tue 11/9	7:00-8:30 p.m.	TNL	TBA
Wed 11/10	12:00-1:00 p.m.	National Signing Day	Pavilion
Thurs 11/11		Veterans Day
Thurs 11/11	8:00-11:00 a.m.	STEAM Middle School Rocket Competition	Busch Hall Center Room and Main Field
Fri 11/12		Veterans Day Observed (Student Holiday)

The calendar is subject to change. For the latest updates, please refer to jserra.org/calendar.
 

THEATRE NEWS
Over the weekend, the Advanced Theatre Company competed in the Role About Theatre Festival. Congratulations to our amazing Tech Olympics team, "The Technicalities," who placed second place in their competition. Congratulations also to senior Delara Zabihi, who was a finalist in the Contemporary Comedic Monologue category!

FALL ORCHESTRA CONCERT
Enjoy live music from our Jazz Band and two orchestras at our Halloween/Día de Los Muertos-themed outdoor concert from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Saturday 10/30 in the Quad. Admission is free. Tacos will be available for purchase.

TICKETS AND AD OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MOUSETRAP
Tickets for JSerra Theatre's five exciting, in-person performances of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap from Wednesday 11/3 through Saturday 11/6 are now available for sale at jserra.org/mousetrap. The longest-running show in London's West End, The Mousetrap has a twist ending that will leave you stunned and entertained.

Also, there will be an understudy performance of The Mousetrap from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Monday 11/8. Get tickets for this special one-time event here.

You can support the JSerra Theatre Program by purchasing an ad in the show playbill, which will be given out to attendees at each performance. Click here to view advertising options or make a donation. Questions? Email Theatre Director Michele Bowren at mbowren@jserra.org.
 

WINTER SPORT FEES
Reminder to all parents of student-athletes who will be playing winter sports: your sport fee is due on Friday 10/29. Please visit jserra.org/fees to find the link to the specific sport fee.

JOIN US FOR THE LAST FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS FOOTBALL GAME OF THE YEAR
Our final Varsity Football home game takes place against Orange Lutheran tomorrow 10/22 at 7:00 p.m. on Main Field. Tickets to the game may be purchased here. We will be honoring our senior football players with a ceremony prior to the game and then we will have a special halftime performance to celebrate Homecoming and crown our Homecoming court.

You're also welcome to join us at the tailgate prior to the game in the Senior Parking Lot at 5:30 p.m. There will be great food and music — plus, JSerra students get to enjoy free tacos with their student ID's!

BASEBALL CASINO NIGHT
You're invited to a Halloween-inspired Baseball Casino Night in support of JSerra Baseball Program on Saturday 10/30 from 5:30-10:00 p.m. in the Pavilion! The evening will feature a silent auction, DJ, photo booth, Texas Hold 'Em, craps, roulette, and more! Enjoy food from the Newport Rib Company as well as soft drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails. This is an adults-only event. Tickets are $75 each. Click here to learn more and register. Questions? Contact Head Coach Brett Kay at bkay@jserra.org.

SOCAL CHALLENGE
JSerra is hosting the first-ever Division I basketball tournament at JSerra in the Pavilion on Monday 11/22 and Wednesday 11/24. The games will be shown on national television. We want to pack the Pavilion so purchase your tickets and invite your friends! Some of the teams featured are TCU, Pepperdine, Santa Clara, Fresno State, Cal Poly SLO, Idaho, Utah Valley, and Nichols State. To purchase tickets and get more details, click here.

WRESTLING
JSerra is excited to offer Wrestling as a new Winter sport for the 2021-22 school year. If you're a student who is interested in joining our team or if you'd like more information, please email Head Coach Michael Castellini at mcastellini@jserra.org.
 

EQUESTRIAN
Last weekend JSerra had a successful showing at the opening competition of the Orange County Interscholastic Equestrian League. On Saturday, freshman Mia Chen was named Freshman Hunter Champion and JSerra was named Freshman School Reserve Champion; on Sunday, freshman Ava Johnstone was named Novice Hunter Reserve Champion and JSerra was named Novice School Reserve Champion. Our next show takes place the weekend of 11/13-11/14 at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park off the Ortega and Antonio Parkway with the first event beginning at 8:00 a.m. until about 5:00 p.m. The team members are Chen, Johnstone, Lauren Cosgrove, Haley Dodd, Alexis Fletcher, Aubrey Gibson, Sophia Lattanzio, Sydney Mays, Jane Reyes, and Kendall Wallin. We would love to have you join us and support your Lady Riders! Email Mrs. Mary Victoria Taylor for any additional information at mvtaylor@jserra.org.