JSerra Parent Association (JSPA)

“CLUBS, SPORTS & HOW TO GET YOU AND YOUR STUDENT INVOLVED”.

Dave Lawn, Athletic Director and Donna Vandenberg, Vice Principal for Student Services will speak about the countless ways to get involved and answer any questions you may have.

The JSPA committee will speak about their role in your family’s experience at JSerra, what they do.
JSPA is the perfect opportunity to get to know people, share ideas and see if there is something that you want to get involved with.

Light appetizers and wine will be served.

*Adults only please, no children.

Feel free to pass this along and bring a fellow JSerra parent with you.

Thursday, February 2, 2012 
at 6:30-8pm General Board Meeting starts at 6:30, social immediately after in the JSerra Center Room.

To RSVP contact JSPA President Mabel Garcia at Mabel.Garcia@cox.net.

Although Jenna Spizzirri, 22, plans to carve her own path in business, she shares at least one trait with her father, Marc- the ability to juggle multiple challenges simultaneously.

Marc and Jenna Spizzirri

Named this month to the Notre Dame University’s Dean’s List, the younger Spizzirri is juggling a double major in graphic design and psychology while preparing for a career as an event planner.

“My father always stressed that my brother and I do our own thing,” Jenna Spizzirri says. “I admire his many accomplishments, but I think it is important that I become my own person.”

Marc Spizzirri says he couldn’t be more impressed.

“She’s very motivated, and is always looking for the next obstacle to knock down,” he says. “I’m very proud of her.”

JSerra Blog asked her to discuss her college experience.

Which is more fun, a JSerra football game or a Notre Dame football
game?

Sorry, JSerra, but I have to say a Notre Dame football game. Not many things can compare to the energy found on the Notre Dame campus during a home football game weekend, not to mention the excitement of cheering on the Irish from inside that famous football stadium.

Jenna Spizzirri

What is the most surprising difference between life at Notre Dame and
life in San Juan Capistrano? 

Definitely the weather. It is hard to leave paradise to face the brutal weather of the Midwest.  My friends at Notre Dame like to make fun of me by calling me SoCal since I am always bundled up and still am freezing! As my dad would say, it builds character.

Who is your hero? 

This may come as a bit of a shock to him, but I would have to say my older brother, Joe (a JSerra valedictorian and Notre Dame graduate). I have a tremendous amount of respect for his outstanding character and his ability to always stay true to himself.  Not to mention, he has a heart of gold. He has always been there for me whenever I need him and is constantly encouraging me.  He is also one of the hardest workers I know.  He does whatever it takes to accomplish his goals, both academically and athletically. His great example has pushed me to be the best person, student, and athlete that I can be.

Most challenging class thus far at Notre Dame?

One that particularly stands out was a philosophy course I took my freshman year. The logic was difficult for me to follow at first since I was not used to philosophical thinking. This presented a challenge for writing the many papers required for the class.

Most challenging class at JSerra? 

Dr. Jan Kilduff’s AP Chemistry class.  I am not the best science student and, needless to say, that class really kicked my butt.  I spent a great deal of time on homework assignments and studying for tests for that class.  However, Dr. Kilduff still remains one of my favorite teachers from my time at JSerra. I would recommend his classes to any current students.

What advice would you give to graduating seniors hoping to gain
admission to Notre Dame? 

My biggest piece of advice would be to get involved in clubs and/or organizations that interest you and not to worry about stacking your resume.  Notre Dame is most interested in looking for well-rounded individuals so it is important to show how you spend your time outside of the classroom.  Of course, your work in the classroom is of extreme importance as well.

What do you do when you’re not studying? 

Like most college students I enjoy spending time with my friends.  I also like to attend Notre Dame athletic events, and I play a lot of interhall sports.  Notre Dame is filled with varsity high school athletes so the competition is pretty high, which makes the sports leagues a lot of fun.  Interhall sports are the same as intramural.  Notre Dame places you in a dorm at the beginning of your freshman year and you stay in that same hall during all four years.  All of these dorms compete against each other in every sport and activity you can imagine, from football to soccer to broomball.

Please share your biggest accomplishments in the past five years.

For me, the greatest achievement has been my growth as a person.  Leaving home and being in a different state has enabled me to discover who I am.  I also like to think that my biggest accomplishments in life are ahead of me.

How well did JSerra prepare you for the rigors of college in South Bend? 

I think that JSerra prepared me well for the extremely competitive academic climate of Notre Dame.  However, college is more than just academics. JSerra also prepared me for moving away from home and provided me with the spiritual and moral foundation to handle life’s challenges.

As a result of administrative analysis of the time students need to eat their lunch, we have made revisions to our schedules 1 and 2. Typically, schedule 1 occurs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays; schedule 2 occurs on most Thursdays. We shortened lunch for both schedules, which will result in students being dismissed earlier. The ancillary benefit to this change is that it helps minimize lost class time due to early dismissals for athletic events. Here are the revised schedules:

Schedule 1
1 8:00-8:45
2 8:50-9:35
B 9:35-9:50
3/Ann 9:55-10:45
4 10:50-11:35
Lunch A 11:35-12:05
5A 12:10-12:55
5B 11:40-12:25
Lunch B 12:25-12:55
6 1:00-1:45
7 1:50-2:35

Schedule 2
2 8:00-9:20
B 9:20-9:35
3/Ann 9:40-11:05
Lunch A 11:05-11:35
5A 11:40-1:00
5B 11:10-12:30
Lunch B 12:30-1:00
7 1:05-2:25

These changes will go in effect beginning with the first day of the second semester, January 24.

Sincerely,

Eric Stroupe
Vice Principal for Curriculum and Instruction

This chat is to share experiences from a parent’s
 perspective about lessons learned sending our first child to college.

This will be a very informative and interactive session of what went 
right as well as what went wrong and what they would have done
 differently or will do differently with their next child going to 
college.  This is open to all parents, especially junior parents.

Topics 
to include: Standardized testing (Test Prep), extracurricular activities, class mix (Regular, Honors, AP Classes), applications process 
(Time Line), college essays, college search/tours, financial aid/grants/scholarships, JSerra guidance counseling, and outside counseling services.”

JSerra Boys Basketball has an exciting new way to drive in and score. The Boys Basketball program is raffling off a brand new 2012 Toyota Scion TC, generously donated byPenske Toyota of Rancho Santa Margarita.

Don’t miss your chance to win a brand new car for your favorite JSerra Lion.

The Raffle will be held Wednesday, February 1 during the half-time show of the JSerra vs. Santa Margarita varsity basketball game.

Your chances have never been better with only 750 tickets sold. Raffle tickets are $100 each and prizes include four center ice Anaheim Ducks tickets and signed NBA memorabilia.

Tickets can be purchased at any boys basketball home game or online at www.jserrabasketball.com or at Penske Toyota of Rancho Santa Margarita, located at 22722 Avenida Empresa, Rancho Santa Margarita.


*The winner of the 2012 Toyota Scion TC will be responsible for sales tax, DMV and document fees and accepts responsibility for the transfer of the vehicle from Penske Toyota of Rancho Santa Margarita. Winner must be 18 years of age or older. All proceeds benefit the boys basketball program.

Father Spitzer discussing the universe and God on the History Channel

Religion has been offering explanations for the universe’s origins throughout history. History Channel’s  “The Universe and God,” which features JSerra Rector Father Spitzer, discusses this relationship between religion and science.

The special airs Wednesday, January 18 at 7:30pm, and is available in its entirety online. Click the photo to watch it on the History Channel website.

Come see the Night of Broadway, chock full pieces from Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and much more.

Tickets are $25 for general admission.

For more information click here JSerra Theater Arts

Please RSVP with Donna Convertino at dconvertino@jserra.org for tickets.

Meal tickets will be sold at the event only. So spread the word and come join JSPA for a delicious In-N-Out® burger and cheer on the basketball team as they take on Mater Dei, tipoff is at 7pm.

Go…Fight…Win!