August 15-22

A MESSAGE FROM COUNSELING
Below is highly important information regarding Counseling events this year and how to contact your counselor.

Please download the Counselor Assignments list here. The email address "counseling@jserra.org" will no longer work after tomorrow so you will need to email your assigned counselor directly. The Counseling Office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m.

A list of the Counseling Department Events for the coming year may be downloaded here. Please mark your calendar for these important dates for students and parents. Please check the web site school calendar for any updates throughout the year.

A list of Academic Resources may be downloaded here for your reference. Please visit the Counseling Portal's Tutoring page for any updates.

Academic Study Hall will begin after Progress Reports. This program has been created to ensure students have an opportunity to improve their grades prior to the official grading periods. Students will be required to attend either a before or after school study hall, or meet with their teachers at least twice a week. Students and parents will be sent an email with details should they be required to attend.

Every student should have the following set up by now:

1. JSerra Email (for issues with your JSerra email, please stop by the Help Desk in Building 2)
2. Schoology (for issues with your Schoology account, please email Mrs. Carmen Lagalante at clagalante@jserra.org)
3. X2Vol – Logging Christian Service Hours (freshmen will receive instruction in their Theology classes)
4. Naviance (freshmen will receive login information in their Theology classes)
5. Bistro Account (if desired)
6. A planner (can be purchased at any office supply store)

Please don't hesitate to reach out to your assigned counselor should you have any further questions.

WELCOME BACK MASS AND BASH THIS SATURDAY
All JSerra families are invited to the Welcome Back Mass and Bash on Saturday 8/17. It's a carnival-style event to celebrate the new school year! Mass begins at 5:00 p.m. in the Pavilion followed by free food (hamburgers, pizza, street tacos, and ice cream) and games (inflatable slides, photo booth, bungee jumping, robo surfing, rock climbing wall, and more) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Bring the whole family and make some new friends, too!

CORRECTION REGARDING ATHLETIC SNACK BAR
Last week's Lion Lowdown incorrectly stated that the snack bar on the Athletic campus is open daily during the school year. The snack bar will only be open during some home games — not every day as originally announced. For students' convenience, after-school snacks may be purchased at the Bistro until 3:00 p.m. during regular school days.

GET READY FOR BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Back to School Night is a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet their student's teachers and review class syllabi. The event takes place next week on Thursday 8/22 from 6:45-8:30 p.m. with check-in from 6:20-6:40 p.m. Please print our your student's schedule ahead of time (7th period PE classes will not be meeting). The schedule for Back to School Night is as follows:

• 6:20-6:40 p.m. Parent Check-in
• 6:45-6:55 p.m. Period 1
• 7:00-7:10 p.m. Period 2
• 7:10-7:15 p.m. Announcements
• 7:20-7:30 p.m. Period 3
• 7:35-7:45 p.m. Period 4
• 7:50-8:00 p.m. Period 5
• 8:05-8:15 p.m. Period 6
• 8:20-8:30 p.m. Period 7

We expect parking to be a challenge so we encourage spouses to carpool if possible. For those interested in Summer Abroad, a brief meeting will take place immediately after Back to School Night (see announcement below).

SUMMER ABROAD 2020: SCOTLAND AND IRELAND
JSerra is traveling to Scotland and Ireland next summer (tentatively June 13-25)! This is an educational experience that will allow your student to see different aspects of their studies come to life while interacting with local customs and cultures. There is an information meeting immediately after Back to School Night from 8:45-9:30 p.m. in the Center Room. Online registration will be available shortly; spots are limited. Download the brochure here to learn more! Please contact Mrs. Laura Kennedy at lkennedy@jserra.org if you have any questions.

PERU MISSION TRIPS
Applications for both the fall and spring Peru Mission Trips (November 22-30 and April 9-18, respectively) may be filled out online.The deadline to apply is Friday 8/23. Priority is given to upperclassmen and those who are up-to-date with their service hours. Please contact Mrs. Laura Kennedy at lkennedy@jserra.org if you have any questions. 

If you have been to Peru and would like to be considered for a leadership role, pick up an application from Mrs. Kennedy in Room 3214. Leadership applications are due this Monday 8/19.

SENIOR GRAD INFO TO BE PROVIDED AT SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
For all parents of the Class of 2020, we will provide you with updated senior graduation info at the end of the month: the new Grad Manual will be distributed at the Counseling Department’s Senior Parent Night, which takes from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Thursday 8/29 in the Center Room. It will also be posted in the Parent Portal on its own page entitled "Senior Grad Info." Stay tuned!

DR. SAX'S BOOK FOR PARENTS OF FRESHMEN
Parents of freshmen, if you did not pick up your complimentary copy of Dr. Sax's book (The Collapse of Parenting) at last week's Freshman Parent Orientation, please stop by the Front Desk and get your copy from Mrs. Jeanne Noonan. One per family.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR ONLINE EDUCATION CLASSES
If your student is scheduled to take an Online Education class during the first semester, please email their counselor for the registration link. All online classes must be paid for by Sunday 8/18. Students who do not complete payment for a required class by Sunday 8/18 will have the required class moved to a brick and mortar class during the school day.

DEADLINE FOR SCHEDULE CHANGES
Students wanting to make course changes must see their counselor. The deadline to make any course changes is 3:00 p.m. on Monday 8/26. The form may be downloaded here.

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR HOEDOWN THROWDOWN
The annual parent pride party is back from 8:00-11:00 p.m. on Saturday 9/7 at San Juan Hills Golf Club! Enjoy a fun night of dancing, light snacks, drinks, and a mechanical bull for $40 a person. Get your tickets here!

JOIN THE JSERRA GRANDPARENTS CLUB
We are proud to announce the start of a new club just for Lion grandparents: the JSerra Grandparents Club! The club’s mission is twofold: to have fun socially by getting to know fellow grandparents and the JSerra community, and to help grandparents support their grandchildren as they meet the challenges of adolescence. All members will be invited to attend (with reserved seating!) sporting events, concerts, speaker events, weekly Masses, Welcome Back Bash, and more. JSerra is excited to recognize the importance of this generational connection to the health and welfare of our students. Download the flyer for more information. Click here to apply today!

GET FAMILIAR WITH THE JSERRA CAMPUS
If your student is new to JSerra, use our online campus map to get familiar with the lay of the JSerra land. We offer two maps: one for our academic campus and the other for our athletic campus.
 

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

FALL RETREAT FOR CHORAL AND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA STUDENTS
The Chorale and Symphony Orchestra will attend a fall retreat at Pali Mountain Retreat Center from Friday 8/23 through Sunday 8/25. The cost of $150 per student includes lodging, meals, transportation, and activities. This retreat is exclusively for students enrolled in Chorale and Symphony Orchestra. Please register your musician online by next Friday 8/16.
 

Follow JSerra Athletics on Instagram and Twitter!

SPONSORSHIPS AND REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR LION NATION GOLF TOURNAMENT
Support JSerra at everyone's favorite golf event — the 2019 Lion Nation Golf Tournament! This year the fun takes place on Friday 9/27 at San Juan Hills Golf Course. The agenda includes a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m., a mixology lesson at 5:00 p.m., cocktails at 6:00 p.m., and then live music and banquet dinner. For sponsorship opportunities and registration information, click here.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR STUDENT TEAM MANAGER POSITIONS
JSerra Athletics is now accepting applications for Team Managers for Fall season sports including Football, Girls Volleyball, Boys Water Polo, Girls Tennis, and Girls Golf. Students selected for the program will receive 5 P.E. credits for completion of the season. Duties will fall under each Head Coach's discretion but may include: assisting with equipment, filling water jugs, setting up/breaking down for games, assisting with game day operations, traveling with team to away games, recording statistics, scorekeeping, recording video of games, taking photos for social media and game recaps, and posting game updates to Blast. Click here to learn more and apply. Contact Carrie Sherburne at csherburne@jserra.org with questions or interest.

CROSS COUNTRY
Considering joining a fall sport? Look no further — the Running Lions are seeking freshman and returning students to add to their roster. No experience necessary! Everyone competes; no one sits on the bench! Contact Coach Dugard at mdugard@jserra.org for more info.

BOYS WATER POLO
Looking for a fun sport in the hot months of August and September? Come out for Boys Water Polo! Stop by the pool deck after school or drop by Coach Brett Ormsby's Classroom #3212. Coach Ormsby competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens as a member of the US Men's National team. A four-time All-America and 2004 Player of the Year at UCLA, he completed his standout career as the university's second all-time leading scorer and captained his team to an NCAA championship. Contact Coach Ormsby at bormsby@jserra.org.

GIRLS SOCCER
Tryouts for the 2019-2020 Girls Soccer team are scheduled for Monday 8/26 through Thursday 8/29 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. on JSerra's Field 2. Coach Greg Baker has led the team to three consecutive CIF Championships and two Trinity League Championships. His goal is to help student-athletes play with skill, passion, and excitement. His ability to drive and develop players has translated into numerous scholarship opportunities for his players. Contact Coach Baker at gbaker@jserra.org with questions or for more information.

BOYS SOCCER
The mandatory parent meeting is scheduled for tonight 8/15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lion's Den (located upstairs inside the Pavilion). Players are encouraged to attend as well. Topics to be covered include program schedule, uniform ordering, fan gear, fundraising, and outreach ministry events. Player packets will also be distributed.

Registration is now open for the Boys Soccer Fall Weightlifting Program, which takes place Tuesday 8/27 through Thursday 10/31. Fall weightlifting will give the dynamic strength base needed for the winter season. It will also build the character of the program, teams, and players while creating a positive mindset for the individual psychology. For more information and registration, click here.

BOYS LACROSSE
Calling all returning and new players! Boys Lacrosse is holding a parent meeting on Wednesday 8/28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lion's Den (located upstairs inside the Pavilion). This is a great opportunity to meet the coaches and have your questions answered. Coach Adam Guy is a four-time all-conference collegiate athlete and team captain. Coach Guy also led Santa Margarita to three straight Trinity League titles, two semifinal appearances, and three quarterfinal appearances.

FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITE SPORT ON INSTAGRAM
All of our 23 CIF sports and two Athletics Club Teams have Instagram accounts. Follow your favorite team — or better yet, follow them all! Check out @jserraathletics on Instagram to find our awesome teams or look up the following user handles:

FALL SPORTS
Football @jserra.football
Girls Volley Ball @jserra.girlsvb
Boys Water Polo @jserra.bwp
Girls Golf @jserra.girlsgolf
Girls Tennis @jserra.girlstennis
Cross Country @jserra.runninglions

WINTER SPORTS
Girls Basketball @jserra.girlsbasketball
Girls Soccer @jserra.girlssoccer
Girls Water Polo @jserra.gwp
Boys Basketball @jserrahoops
Boys Soccer @jserraboyssoccer
Rugby @jserra.rugby

SPRING SPORTS
Softball @jserra.softball
Boys Golf @jserra.boysgolf
Boys Tennis @jserra.boystennis
Boys Volleyball @jserra.boysvolleyball
Boys Lacrosse @jserralionslax
Girls Lacrosse @jserra.girlslacrosse
Track & Field @jserra.trackfield
Swimming & Diving @jserra.swimmingdiving
Sand Volleyball @jserra.sandvolleyball
Baseball coming soon!
 

EQUESTRIAN
Calling all interested JSerra equestrians! The Orange County Intramural Equestrian League competition schedule is now on their website with the first event being held Saturday 10/12 and Sunday 10/13! We're looking to build a new team of riders and we'd love to hear from you! If interested, please contact Mrs. Mary Victoria Taylor at mvtaylor@jserra.org. We shall meet early August to elect officers, hand out all necessary athletic paperwork that is required to be completed before competition begins, and plan a series of fun activities centered around our weekend events. All are welcomed to come and learn more about our amazing team of riders and the OCIEL.