Sequoia PTSA's weekly newsletter in partnership with Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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At Sequoia, like most big schools, tardiness is a persistent challenge.
There’s the slow trickle of late-arriving students between 8:30-9:00 a.m. When we see students walking at an accelerated rate across the quad minutes after the bell has rung, we usually nod and wish them well. When we see them moseying languidly, we’re more assertive – reminding them that they are late and need to pick up the pace. Sometimes I walk alongside a late-arriving student and ask annoying questions. Excuses often involve a slow-moving parent, public transportation, or siblings.
I always appreciate when a student simply takes responsibility and pledges to do better. I’m skeptical about such pledges, however, when I see the student carrying a fresh beverage from Starbucks. Again.
Transitions between classes are a different story. With block periods, students have 15-minutes between their first two classes (brunch) and 50-minutes between their next two classes (lunch). There are very few good excuses for being late, but I’ve heard them all. “I had to walk my friend to class.” “I had to go to the bathroom.” “I forgot what day it was.” Again, I always appreciate when a student simply takes responsibility and pledges to do better.
Years ago, we set up checkpoints around campus and assigned instant detentions to any student who was outside of class without a pass after the bell rang. Some days we’d celebrate having only assigned six detentions, other days we’d scratch our heads as we watched 40 students lined up. We reserve the right to reinstate such measures but have generally opted for the restorative over the punitive since returning from the pandemic.
Regardless of what approach we’re taking pushing kids into classes, by May we know which 2% of our students are most likely to be out after the class bell – our chronically tardy. “I know you can do better,” we’ll say, “but I’m disappointed it’s taking you so long to figure it out.” At this point, I have memorized what classes about 25 kids (mostly 9th and 10th graders) have after brunch and lunch. I skip the affirmation/shame combo and just give a cross look. “B-wing,..now.”
Tardies disrupt classes and generally communicate a lack of respect towards, well, just about everyone. They also distract from the great choices being made throughout the day by the vast majority of our students. It can be frustrating for our normally unflappable team of campus aides and administrators. After we finally get everyone in their class at the end of lunch, I always make sure to walk across the quad and front of campus to admire how little garbage our students leave behind. It reassures me that we’re still winning.
Have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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Volunteer/Donate for End-of-Year Staff Lunch! |
On June 7, the PTSA and the ELAC/Family Center will be co-sponsoring an end-of-year lunch for Sequoia’s teachers and staff, and we need your help! Please volunteer your time on campus on June 7, or donate items such as salad, fruit, drinks, or desserts, to complement the homemade food families will be preparing.
We know it’s a busy time of year, and we appreciate your time and energy to show our wonderful Sequoia teachers and staff how much we appreciate them! Please click here to sign up to volunteer or donate food items. Thank you!
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Congratulations 2023 Junior Class Achievement Award winners
The PTSA is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Junior Class Achievement Awards. This award is given to those students who have demonstrated resilience, academic excellence, and/or community service. Congratulations!
Teresa Alvarez
Cassandra Chin
Carlos Chiquete
Emily Christman
Ashlee Landin Pacheco
Adylene Moran
Chelsy Nava
Natalia Reyes
Elizabeth Romero De La Rosa
Joyana Saha
Joey Corea
Nelson Cross
Tessa Folan
James King
Taylor Kodl
Ella Satterwhite
Allison Wang
Ela I. Weintraub-Velazquez
Sophia Tabarez
Gaia De Nault
Aleyah Hernandez
Annika Gupta
Genevieve Tatola
Owen Leung
Zachary Tyson
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Help our students get ready for summer break
Our AVP team needs your help to supervise, troubleshoot, and cheer on students as they clear out of their lockers later this month. No training or skills needed! We'll give you a handout with all the info you need to feel successful helping students check this important task off of their to-do list. SIGN UP HERE. Questions? Contact Grace Horton (650) 367-9780 ext. 60031.
¡Ayude a nuestros estudiantes a prepararse para las vacaciones de verano!
Nuestro equipo AVP necesita su ayuda para supervisar y animar a los estudiantes mientras limpian sus casilleros a finales de este mes. ¡No se necesita capacitación ni habilidades! Le daremos un folleto con toda la información que necesita para sentirse exitoso al ayudar a los estudiantes a tachar esta tarea de su lista de tareas pendientes. REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ. ¿Preguntas? Comuníquese con Grace Horton (650) 367-9780 ext. 60031
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Double your donation to SHSEF thru May 30 |
Thanks to a group of generous donors, we have a $70K match for all gifts through May 30. All gifts, no matter the size, support the Sequoia community. Donate at shsef.org.
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May 26 & 27: “The Right To Rule,” a student-written musical |
Come and support Drama Club's original production “The Right to Rule.” This is an original full-length musical written and composed by senior Joshua Thacker. It is also student-directed, student-choreographed, and student-produced. Shows are May 26 and 27 at 7:00 p.m. in Carrington Hall. Entry is FREE with a suggested $5 donation at the door. |
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Aug. 19: 16th annual Alumni Association picnic |
Save the date for the 16th annual “Celebrate Sequoia” picnic, catered by Bianchini’s, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the beautiful Sequoia campus. Activities include: campus tours; Sequoia choir and cheerleaders performances; vintage car display; Purple Patriot award recognition for student Sofia Rava, who has significantly benefited Sequoia High School as student leader of the Treble Clef and co-leader of the Drama Club.
All Sequoians welcome (alumni, students, parents, staff, PTSA, Boosters, Education Foundation, and community members). Tickets $45 per person. Limited number available at the door for $50 per person. Reservations due August 16 and may be made online at www.SequoiaAlumni.org, by calling (650) 592-5822, or e-mailing SHSAA@SequoiaAlumni.org.
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Falling asleep in class? Struggling to get up on time? |
LumosTech, a local California-based tech startup, in conjunction with funding from the National Science Foundation and research from Stanford, is conducting a study for teens who struggle with sleep. They are specifically enrolling high school-aged students for the study. If you are interested or have questions, please refer to the flyer or email study@lumos.tech. |
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Seniors: Edgenuity deadline approaching!
¡Se acerca la fecha límite de Edgenuity!
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SENIORS making up classes (D/F grades) for graduation and/or A-G requirements through our online credit recovery program Edgenuity must complete their classes by June 2, no exceptions.
Contact your assigned counselor if you are unsure if you need to make up classes.
Edgenuity Office Hours in Room 210:
- May 22-24: 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- (closed May 25-26)
- May 30-June 1: 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- June 2: 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
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Los SENIORS que están reponiendo clases (calificaciones D/F) para los requisitos de graduación y/o universitarios a través de nuestro programa de reposición de créditos en línea Edgenuity, deben completar sus clases antes del 2 de junio, sin excepción alguna.
Comunícate con tu consejera/o asignada/o si no estás segura/o si necesitas reponer clases.
Horario de oficina de Edgenuity en el Aula 210:
- 22 de mayo a 24 de mayo: 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- 30 de mayo a 1 de junio: 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- 2 de junio: 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
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Celebratory graduation leis and flower arrangements |
The end of the school year is almost here, which means graduation is right around the corner! Show support for the students' accomplishments throughout high school with the purchase of a lei! Blue, purple, white, and mixed-colored orchid leis, candy leis, kukui nut leis, and more are available for preorder at signatureleis.com. Proceeds will benefit the Class of 2026. Congratulations to the Class of 2023!!!
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Seniors: Get your class of ’23 Safe and Sober Grad Night tickets! |
HURRY-FEW LEFT. Spend grad night sailing the San Francisco Bay with your fellow graduates. Meet at Sequoia on Friday June 9 at 10:00 p.m. and return around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday June 10. Purchase tickets here. To pay by check, email us. Student must have a signed waiver to participate Click here for waivers IN ENGLISH and EN ESPAÑOL
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Seniors: Join Sequoia High School Alumni Association |
Congratulations on achieving this special milestone in your life — we wish you much success in your future. Take advantage of this special limited offer to join for the price of your grad year — just $20.23! Order a Sequoia Alumni pin for an additional $5. Membership allows you to keep in touch with fellow grads, participate in association and school events, including reunions. Go to the SHSAA website to find the special membership form and pay online, email us, or call (650) 592-5822.
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Boosters Scholarship recipients announced |
Congratulations to our 2023 Judy Carmona Memorial Athletic Scholarship recipients who have each been awarded $500 scholarships for their contributions to Sequoia athletics and the broader community. These student athletes will be recognized during the Senior Awards Night ceremony.
- Gianna Flores
- Ainsley Waddell
- Jack Lanham
- Sophia Olson
- Krista Ewers
- Amanda Swee
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SEQ Sports - Summer training information |
Sequoia offers summer training and workouts for most athletic programs. Details and contacts are now posted on SEQSports.com. Summer training is open to current and new athletes. Most programs do not require a commitment all summer. Athletes can attend when they are available.
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Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Online Event (Live)
What is "immigration grief" and how does it impact generations of newcomers Immigration Grief Expert and RCSD Community Liaison joins us for an important conversation on immigration grief and the mental health challenges related to working or living abroad.
Martes, 23 de mayo de 2023, 5:30pm – a 6:30pm PT, evento en línea (en vivo)
¿Qué es el "dolor de la inmigración" y cómo afecta a las generaciones de recién llegados? Michelle Remond, experta en duelo por inmigración, enlace comunitario de RCSD se une a nosotros para una conversación importante sobre el dolor de la inmigración y los desafíos de salud mental relacionados con trabajar o vivir en el extranjero.
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What is a "compliment sandwich"? And how can you inspire or motivate your child/teen through feedback? Join us for a new Parent Forum with Eran Magen, PhD, parent-child communication expert and founder of Parenting for Humans.
¿Qué es un "sándwich de cortesía"? ¿Y cómo puede usted inspirar o motivar a su niño/adolescente a través de la retroalimentación? Únase a nosotros para un nuevo Foro de padres (en inglés) con Eran Magen, PhD, experto en comunicación entre padres e hijos y fundador de Crianza de los Seres Humanos. Enlace Zoom.
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The Sentinel goes out to 3,500 members of the Sequoia High School community on Sundays at 8 a.m. during the school year. Submissions are due on Wednesday — click the purple button below. Email the editors or click here to subscribe.
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