Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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I had just opened my laptop to tie up a few loose email threads when via radio I learned that an ambulance was on its way to school. A student had fainted just upstairs from my office and was having trouble controlling their breathing. The deployment of an ambulance to campus never fails to quicken our pulse. We hold sacred the idea of in loco parentis – these are our kids from 8-4.
I closed my clamshell, grabbed my walkie and lanyard of keys (the school administrator equivalent of Batman’s toolbelt) and strode upstairs. The teacher, one of our campus security aides, and our health aide, Claudia Rendón, were already on the scene. Together we waited for the EMT with our student and monitored their condition. Their classmates had already been escorted elsewhere by support staff to clear out space and maintain privacy. Our security aide closed the section of the hallway and was redirecting any student traffic. The teacher knelt by the student while our health aide monitored her signs and attempted to contact their family. I watched from a few feet away as the student returned slowly to an alert state.
Thankfully, the EMT did not need to transport to the hospital. The student was responsive and stable, to the great relief of all. As I walked back to my office, I made note of how calm everyone had been throughout the ordeal. The teacher knew how to alert our team, which responded quickly but not hurried. The students in neighboring classrooms were likely entirely unaware of the incident, undistracted from conversations about congruent triangles, irregular verbs, or colonialism.
I thought particularly about Claudia, Sequoia’s veteran health aide, who had been seated on the floor next to the student when the EMT arrived. Claudia was one of the first people I met when I began working at Sequoia in 2011. What confidence I had in her ability to manage this situation – a situation I’ve seen her manage dozens of times over the years. Just seeing her on the scene slowed my pulse upon arrival.
As I returned to my desk and half-written email, I thought about what awaited Claudia in her office. Emails and phone messages from students, parents, our district nurse, and the team at our Worksite Labs service providers. Claudia is at the center of our COVID team at Sequoia. She was present every morning last year checking temperatures and later digital health screening confirmations in front of campus each day. She processes all absences where COVID-like symptoms were reported during the fall. She coordinated efforts to trace contacts whenever a positive case was confirmed.
During the past three weeks, she has seen the system we have in place stretched thin as a handful of cases each week ballooned to dozens. Claudia takes work home. She has the kind of work ethic where she’s not done until the job is done. I am relieved by the expansion of services from our outside provider approved this week at the regular meeting of the trustees because it means Claudia is going to sleep better. That being said, I have been amazed by Claudia’s strength and determination during this pandemic. I’ve been wanting to tell her story and when I saw her sitting beside the unmasked student on the classroom floor, reassuring us all with her poise, I knew it was time.
Claudia, on behalf of the Sequoia community, thank you. 🙏
Have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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Represent! Submit pics of you with classmates for the yearbook |
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Encourage your student(s) to make sure they are well represented in the yearbook. All contributions from the Sequoia Community are welcome and encouraged. Sports pictures, club activities, fun events, concerts, or casual pictures from a typical day. Maybe a full page or two for a school event, club, or team, or other group? Let us know ASAP what space you would like and we'll make happen.
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Stemality: Sequoia students making change |
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Do you have a passion for STEM? Looking for service hours? Apply to be a volunteer for Stemality! Founded by four Sequoia students, the nonprofit promotes equality in STEM by conducting weekly after-school programs at elementary schools in San Carlos and Redwood City.
High school volunteers facilitate sessions by performing STEM activities and working with young children. To learn more and apply, visit www.stemality.org. Applications due January 28.
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Upcoming changes to the IB ESS course |
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Next school year (2022-2023) will be the last year IB Environmental & Societies (IB ESS) will be offered as a one year course. Starting in 2023-2024, IB ESS will be a two year course just like IB Biology. Please click here for more information.
Current 10th graders: if you want to take IB ESS at all, you MUST take it next school year (2022-2023). You will be unable to access the course your senior year as it will be a two year course.
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Feb. 1-3: Auditions for Sequoia Drama's spring musical!
Auditions for Sequoia Drama's spring musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, are February 1-3 after school in Carrington Hall.
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Join the Sequoia Union High School District Team! |
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Want to love where you work and what you do? Have some extra time to spend at our amazing schools, while getting paid?
SUHSD is looking for more Guest Teachers. The credential requirement for being a Guest Teacher is a California Teaching Credential (CTC) or 30-day substitute permit. Don't have that? Don't worry! SUHSD can assist you in applying for the 30-day sub permit; the requirements are simple:
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Fingerprints for CTC ($79) and the district ($25), the district will pay the $25 fee
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Bachelor's degree. Official transcripts must be sent to Human Resources (HR) directly from the college/university, or delivered in a sealed envelope
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Basic skills requirement--see here for explanation on how the requirement can be fulfilled
- $102.50 application fee
Many parents have enjoyed working as Guest Teachers over the years, and some have gone on to permanent jobs within the district. Guest Teacher pay starts at $240 per day. More information is available here. The district hopes to hear from you! Questions? Email Human Resources.
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SUHSD Middle College program at Cañada College accepting fall applications |
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The SUHSD Middle College program at Cañada College is now accepting applications for Fall 2022. Middle College is a collaboration between the SUHSD and Cañada College, and students earn both high school and college credits, enabling them to complete their high school requirements and earn college credit simultaneously. All classes are held at Cañada College, and there is no cost. Learn more by watching this brief informational video.
Interested sophomores should speak to their counselor and attend one of our parent/student information sessions:
- Thursday, January 27 - SUHSD Birch room
- Tuesday, February 1 - SUHSD Birch room
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Thursday, February 10 - Zoom RSVP
- Wednesday, March 3 - SUHSD Birch room
Q&A meetings will be either held on Zoom or in person from 6:30-7:00 p.m. at 480 James Avenue, Redwood City, Birch room. Please check our Cañada Middle College webpage for Zoom links and more information: https://canadacollege.edu/middlecollege
All application components must be submitted by Friday, March 18 at 4:00 p.m.
Email us with questions, visit the website for more information or call 650-306-3120.
Hablo Español! Thank you.
Middle College Team
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🏀 1/26 Girls Basketball vs Hillsdale - JV 4:30 p.m., varsity 6:00 p.m.
🏀 1/28 Boys Basketball vs Woodside - JV 4:30 p.m., varsity 6:00 p.m.
⚽ 1/28 Boys Soccer vs South SF - Varsity 4:30 p.m., JV 6:00 p.m.
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Visit SeqSports.com for complete game schedules, and please note that some games may be affected due to Covid protocol.
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Boosters grants support athletes year-round |
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Winter, spring, summer, or fall…any season is a great time to join the Boosters! So far this school year, Boosters have been able to fulfill uniform and equipment grants for girls basketball, girls soccer, boys soccer, wrestling, track, and baseball. Boosters have also provided funds for a strength and conditioning coach and the HUDL app which both benefit multiple sports programs. Thank you for the generous support that made these grants possible!
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Jan 31: Spring sports tryouts begin |
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Is your student interested in playing a spring sport at Sequoia? Tryouts for baseball, softball, lacrosse, track, swimming, stunt team, badminton, boys volleyball, boys golf, and boys tennis begin Monday, January 31.
New and returning athletes must register on SportsNet to be eligible. Contact the head coach for more details and follow individual SEQ sports teams on Instagram.
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Donate a gift card to your favorite local biz for our Crab Feed Auction |
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Support your favorite local business AND your Sequoia Boosters by purchasing a minimum value $50 gift card to your favorite local business(es) to be sold during our silent auction. You can drop gift cards in the Boosters mailbox at school or email Aimee Swanson for more information.
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MEET ME IN THE MEDIA CENTER |
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We look forward to seeing you,
Ms. Snow
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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Imagine If…Creating a Future for Us All |
Domingo, 23 de enero, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Evento en línea (en vivo)
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Imagine If…Creating a Future for Us All |
Sun., Jan. 23, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Online Event (Live)
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Valedictorians at the Gate: destacándose, entrando y manteniéndose cuerdos mientras se postulan a la universidad |
En Valedictorians at the Gate, Becky Munsterer Sabky, una ex directora de admisión de la Ivy League, mira más allá del humo y los espejos del guante de admisión a la universidad y coloca el poder firmemente donde debería estar: en las manos de los propios estudiantes.
Miércoles, 26 de enero, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., evento en línea (en vivo)
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Valedictorians at the Gate: Standing Out, Getting In, and Staying Sane While Applying to College |
In Valedictorians at the Gate, Becky Munsterer Sabky, a former Ivy League admission director, looks beyond the smoke and mirrors of the college admissions gauntlet and places the power firmly where it should be: in the hands of the students themselves.
Wed., Jan. 26, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Online Event (Live)
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Diferencias visibles e invisibles: promoción de la bondad, la empatía, la inclusión y la conciencia de la discapacidad |
¿Alguna vez ha oído hablar del término "conciencia sobre la discapacidad"?
Únase a un educador reconocido a nivel nacional Sam Drazin, fundador y director ejecutivo de Changing Perspectives, para un debate esclarecedor sobre la concienciación sobre la discapacidad.
Jueves, 27 de enero, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., evento en línea (en vivo)
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Visible and Invisible Differences: Promoting Kindness, Empathy, Inclusion and Disability Awareness |
Have you ever heard of the term "disability awareness"?
Join nationally recognized educator Sam Drazin, founder and executive director of Changing Perspectives, for an enlightening discussion on disability awareness.
Thurs., Jan. 27, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Online Event (Live)
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS |
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Improve your Spanish with Native Speakers! |
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Want to improve your Spanish, while also supporting college students in need? ¡Habla Más! is a Spanish coaching program from local nonprofit Upward Scholars in which native Spanish speakers, all trained as Spanish coaches, provide online Spanish lessons.
All levels of students are welcome and the first 30-minute lesson is free. Lessons are available for adults as well as kids of all ages.
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Summer of Youth - Costa Rica |
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The only authentic and socially relevant platform for becoming bilingual is through local community level immersion.
Our "youth ambassadors" foster friendships and elevate interaction at the high school for visiting students. Nothing builds natural fluency like real participation that's not forced or measured.
Spontaneous adventure and freedom of expression helps young people connect language and elevate personal confidence. The Costa Rica Youth Exchange mission is to put the "friendship" back into the Spanish language experience by making people and village life the true focus of fluency. Contact us to learn more.
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Recruiting for Stanford’s Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Youth Advisory Group |
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In July 2021, Stanford’s Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing formed their first-ever Youth Advisory Group located in Southern San Mateo County to participate in mental health training, facilitate listening sessions/events, and develop youth-led projects to support their peers.
We are actively recruiting youth who represent the diversity of the Bay Area across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, lived experience, ability, and socioeconomic status (with a focus on youth coming from underrepresented communities, such as first-generation and immigrant families) to talk about and engage with youth mental health efforts.
As a valued partner working directly with youth, we wanted to share this exciting news with you and humbly ask if you might be willing to help us spread the word within your network.
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En Español:
¿Quieres traducir este boletín ahora?
En Español
- Mantenga presionada la tecla Control (PC) y la tecla A para seleccionar toda la página, a continuación, mantenga presionada la tecla Control y haga clic en la tecla C para copiar la página entera.
- Abra una página nueva del navegador web y vaya a google translate
- Coloca el cursor en la caja y mantenga presionada la tecla Control y haga clic en la tecla V para pegar el boletín completo en el cuadro de traducción.
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Sentinel Newsletter:
The Sentinel is distributed every Sunday at 8 a.m., except during school breaks. Our readers enjoy hearing about activities, events, and accomplishments of Sequoia students, staff and community.
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