March
2008
Hello Everyone.
We are well into our second semester and Spring Break is here! After
that, it’s a long haul to the end of the school year.
We have just completed CAHSEE testing. I want to thank all the volunteers
who helped proctor the exam. Our students did very well. I’m
always somewhat anxious for them when they are taking the test.
I would so love for all of them to pass the exams on their first
attempt . This test is important because it determines whether our
students will have met one of the state criteria in order to graduate.
In addition, it impacts our API and AYP scores. Two years from this
time, I hope to be shaking all their hands at the commencement ceremony.
As I mentioned above, Spring Break is here. A few weeks after we
return, the students will begin STAR TESTING. Schoolwide testing
will take place over eight days. I know this sounds like a lot,
but the testing per day will be for shorter periods of time (approximately
1 1Ú2 hours per day). We surveyed the students, and they requested
shorter testing time during the day, as opposed to testing the entire
day for four days straight. Please make certain your students get
a good night sleep each night, a good breakfast every morning, and
encourage them to do their best. These tests are extremely important.
They are used to compare our schools with schools throughout the
state and nation. The better the test scores . . . the more students
and parents want to attend/send students to SHS.
Serra held its Spring Semester Pep Rally in late February. Again,
it was a great success. There were class competitions and a dance
off. The students love to chant their graduation year. I have to
say that the seniors (class of 2008) were very spirited and let
everyone know they were IN THE HOUSE! The juniors, as always, came
in second, but the sophomore class gave the juniors some good competition.
This was the most spirited freshman class I’ve seen since I’ve
been at SHS. Of course, there was a dance off between the students
and the faculty. Even though reigning champs Rayna Bell and Mr.
Pisapia were there to judge, they ended up having to show this year’s
competitors (including Ms. Senegar-Mitchell and Mr. Stepner) how
to boogie. Obi-wan Kenobi visited our pep rally to kick off our
STAR TESTING campaign and to let everyone know “the Force is
with them.” He defeated Darth Vader in a light saber battle
to show everyone they can overcome the dark side of low test scores.
The best part of the pep rally was the students. We have a fantastic
student body. Nowhere in the district, can anyone seat over two
thousand students and have everyone enjoy themselves without any
issues what-so-ever.
Winter Ball was held at the Four Point Sheraton. The students were
dressed to impress, the music was blaring and the dance floor was
hopping. The students danced the night away, and a wonderful evening
of fun was enjoyed by all.
Both the boys and girls basketball teams had a successful season
once again this year. We are extremely proud of our students and
their accomplishments. The boys team made the playoffs but were
eliminated in the second round. The girls team also made the playoffs
and performed extremely well. The girls made it all the way to the
semi-finals but, sadly, were eliminated. My heart goes out to the
teams and coaches. I would like to congratulate both teams for all
their hard work and dedication to their sport and school.
On March 1st, SHS hosted the Power of Pink Cancer Walk. This is
a fund raiser put together to benefit research for breast cancer.
Two of Serra’s own senior students spearheaded this endeavor.
Olivia Quintanilla and Danielle Tyson, as part of their community
service component of their senior project and with the help of Ms.
Timmins, planned the entire event. Never in their wildest imagination
(nor mine) did they think it would grow to be such a huge and successful
event. On behalf of the community, City of San Diego and the Research
for Breast Cancer Society, I would like to personally express our
gratitude for their efforts to put together such a brilliant and
wonderful event for such a great cause. This is just an example
of what great things teenagers can accomplish when they put their
minds to it.
The Serra Foundation held its annual auction March 8th. I would
like to thank all of those who attended. It was a fun night for
all. All the proceeds are used to support and benefit the school.
Thank you so much to everyone for your support of SHS and all its
programs.
During this time of year, our seniors will be receiving their acceptance
letters to the colleges and universities they have applied to. It’s
an exciting and fun time of year for students, parents and educators.
Many of our seniors will proudly display the colleges and universities
they have been accepted to in the counseling office. Come by, and
take a look at the list of the many seniors and the many colleges
they have been accepted to.
Spring Showcase is scheduled for April 3rd. Come and visit SHS as
we showcase and celebrate our students’ work and successes.
The students have worked so hard and come so far since the beginning
of the year. Please come, and let us show off your students and
their work. You will not be disappointed. I look forward to seeing
you there.
M. Jimenez
Principal
Serra High School
