Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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At last week’s meeting of the SUHSD Board of Trustees I was privileged to present certificates of recognition on behalf of the superintendent to four Sequoia students for their work as members of the Young Feminists Club. My public comment about the students pointed out International Women's Day (March 8) as the perfect opportunity to spotlight Zoraya King, Sabrina Solon, Becca Rosenberg, and Club President Sarah Hansen.
Their club has led school wide efforts to make information about sexual harassment available to students. They have placed free feminine hygiene products in all classrooms as part of a broader push to de-stigmatize conversations about menstruation through education and outreach. They have presented to staff and students and made Sequoia High School a safer, more inclusive place. I was proud to champion their efforts (read more in their club newsletter).
This is work, keep in mind, undertaken by these students in their free time – between classes during lunch, after school, on the weekends. They’re busy students, so they’re making time to contribute to the betterment of their community. They do this work because they want to.
The previous weekend, Sequoia’s Dream Club hosted it’s annual Dreamers Unite Conference, which served undocumented students and allies from schools across the Bay Area. Attendees enjoy performances and participate in break-out sessions. Topics include choosing and paying for college, emotional wellness, and knowing your rights. This is a conference organized by young people serving young people. As with the Young Feminists Club, this work is undertaken during the students’ free time.
Free time is a concept which evokes mixed feelings among educators. One of my earliest teacher mentors used to say, “free time is never free,” as a way to encourage creating lesson plans with structure and activity from bell-to-bell. Students tend to make their worst decisions (i.e., decisions that lead to conversations with vice principals) during lunch or brunch. On the other hand, what makes high school great is the degree to which students enjoy freedom, autonomy, and unstructured time to a degree previously unknown. Again and again, as with the Dream Club and Young Feminist Club members, we see them using this time to make positive contributions, act unselfishly, and enrich our community. I spoke to Ms. Snow about a growing squad of ambassadors who enjoy making our Media Center more welcoming and accessible to the classmates at lunch and before school – just one of many other examples I could name.
Understanding the different ways to make choices and exercise autonomy is among the greatest skills with which we can send our students out into the world. It doesn’t derive from any single class or lesson plan, but rather countless small interactions and opportunities. It is a skill we continue to build throughout our lives. Getting to know students such as our Young Feminists and Dreamers with remarkable maturity in exercising their autonomy is one of my greatest joys working in a high school. I hope their stories are as inspiring to you as they are to me.
Have a great week, whether you’re using your free time to start a club or stare at the clouds!
Best,
Sean
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Enjoy reading the Sentinel? Like to organize and edit content? Join our team! We are seeking one or two more editors to help produce the weekly publication next school year. Time commitment is approximately five hours once or twice a month. Experience with Google Docs, Google Sheets or Constant Contact is helpful, but not necessary — we will train you! Contact us for more information.
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Show your appreciation for our teachers and staff |
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The morning after Open House, the PTSA will be treating our staff and teachers to espresso drinks and breakfast.
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¡Muestre su agradecimiento para nuestro personal y maestros! |
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La mañana después de la casa abierta (Open House) de Sequoia, la PTSA le dará a nuestro personal y maestros bebidas de café y desayuno.
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PTSA mini-grants in action: Bea’s Bees |
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When Senior Bea Reinhoff was in 8th grade and learned about the alarming decrease in the local population of honeybees, she decided to become a beekeeper. After successfully keeping bees at home, she wanted to share her passion with her Sequoia classmates, and the idea for the Bee Club was born. A few obstacles stood in Bea’s way: convincing the administration to allow a beehive on campus, finding like-minded bee lovers to join the club, sourcing a bee colony, and, of course, COVID.
But Bea persisted, and the Bee Club is buzzing. Advised by Culinary Arts teacher Reyna Hoffman, the club has 15 members who meet in the secluded East corner of campus. They received a donated bee colony and queen from the San Mateo Bee Guild and a $500 grant from the PTSA Mini-Grants team. They used the funds to purchase beekeeper suits, a beehive box, and the tools and seeds needed to plant wildflowers and a vegetable garden near their hive to help the pollinators do their thing.
The mission of the Bee Club is not to harvest honey but to increase awareness. According to Bea, “Bees are just so incredible and important, and we really need to teach the public about them. One in three bites of our food depend on pollinators. Bees are our friends!” As an added bonus, the vegetables grown in the bee garden will be used in the Culinary Arts classroom.
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Student photos - a year in review
Photography students have been busy! Check out the photos students took in Photo 1 & 2 first semester.
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IB Art Show
Come visit the IB Visual Arts gallery March 14-25 during lunch and school hours or on Opening Night, March 21 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Powell Gallery at Sequoia High School.
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“That’s So Raven” Ep. 15
Happy International Women's Day! Make sure to tell the strong women in your life how much you appreciate them today and everyday!
This week on That's So Raven...
01:20 Feminist Interviews
13:42 Young Feminist Club
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Science Olympiad's first Satellite Tournament |
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On February 12, the Sequoia Science Olympiad had 29 students from all grade levels participate in their first Satellite Tournament: the Golden Gate Science Olympiad Tournament hosted by Stanford and UC Berkeley. Students have been working tirelessly to prepare since October, and it paid off! It was challenging and fun for the whole club, from students deciphering messages in Codebusters to conducting experiments in experimental design.
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Young feminist club: Black feminists you should know
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Club de Jóvenes Feministas: ¡las feministas negras que debes conocer!
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Love fashion, design and organization? The Family Center needs you |
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Do you enjoy fashion, style and design? Are you great at organizing spaces? Do you love creating positive experiences for teens? We would LOVE your help! The Sequoia Family Center is looking for adult volunteers to help organize our clothing/supplies/formalwear storage closet, as well as our Prom Gallery later this spring. We are excited Prom is scheduled to take place on May 13!
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Please share your 2022 Sequoia memories with the yearbook. Pictures can be sent to Ms. Bray at ebray@seq.org or submitted directly to the yearbook. See graphic for details. All contributions due by March 21.
Sports photos! If you have sports candids of your favorite Sequoia teams, we would love for you to send in your favorites to fill in the gaps. All contributions due by March 21. Thanks!
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Mark your calendars: College coffee chats with Ms. Ignaitis |
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The next college coffee chat with Ms. Ignaitis will be on March 16 at 8:45 a.m. Ms. Ignaitis is a powerhouse of knowledge with college admissions, class selections, etc. Bring your questions or just listen in. All parents are welcome. Junior parents, you don't want to miss this!
Coffee chat dates:
- March 16 - 8:45 a.m.
- April 20 - 8:45 a.m.
- May 25 - 8:45 a.m.
Sequoia High School PTA Virtual is inviting you to a scheduled, recurring Zoom meeting.
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Meeting ID: 811 2475 9895
Passcode: 815094
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Meeting ID: 811 2475 9895
Passcode: 815094
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Boosters auction begins Monday! |
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The Boosters Online Auction opens TOMORROW 3/14. REGISTER now and spread the word! Preview the silent auction catalog, purchase an auction drawing ticket, or help Fund-a-Need! This event is open to the public and includes packages big and small.
Auction Highlights
* VIP graduation packages
* Custom Sequoia corn hole boards
* Ladies’ shopping night or guys’ night at the Warehouse
* Fitness and exercise class passes
* Diamond pendant from Geoffrey’s Diamonds & Goldsmith
* Fund-a-Need campaigns for new softball and baseball scoreboards, and new field benches for the main field
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3/14 JV softball vs. St. Ignatius - 4:00 p.m.
3/15 Varsity boys tennis vs. Capuchino - 4:00 p.m.
3/15 Varsity badminton vs. M-A - 4:30 p.m.
3/15 Varsity boys volleyball vs. Oak Grove - 6:00 p.m.
3/16 JV softball vs. Aragon - 4:00 p.m.
3/16 Varsity badminton vs. El Camino - 4:30 p.m.
3/17 Varsity badminton vs. Woodside - 4:30 p.m.
3/18 JV softball vs. Presentation - 4:00 p.m.
3/18 Varsity boys volleyball vs. Aragon - 6:00 p.m.
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Class of 2023 parents – grad activities mtg 4/8 |
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It’s time to start planning for the Class of 2023 Graduation! The PTSA supports current junior parents to organize a brunch, a safe and sober boat cruise, graduation signs, and more! We have lots of jobs and your participation helps us give our graduating students a fabulous send-off from Sequoia. The PTSA is proud to support all our students, ensuring that every single one of them has the opportunity to join in all the fun activities!
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Get your Grad Night tickets now! Clase de 2022 Noche de Graduados
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Who? All 2022 Sequoia graduates
When? Friday June 3
Where? Hornblower Yacht Cruise on the San Francisco Bay
Cost? Tickets are $90/student
• Check-in will begin at 10:00 p.m. at Sequoia.
• Students will be traveling on chartered buses to and from San Francisco.
• Students will enjoy music, food and fun on a three hour cruise.
• Students will return back to Sequoia around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday June 4.
San Francisco Mandate Update:
Effective immediately in San Francisco – We will continue welcoming guests who are fully vaccinated. In addition, we will welcome guests who are exempt from vaccination based on religious beliefs or excused from receiving any COVID-19 vaccine due to qualifying reasons, provided that (a) such guests provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result; and (b) a well-fitted mask is worn at all times except when actively eating or drinking.
The COVID-19 test must be taken within one day (for antigen tests) or two days (for PCR tests) before entry into the facility or vessel. Guests cannot self-attest to a negative test result. Guests are not required to provide written or other support of a claimed exemption. However, the negative test result must be a printed document from the test provider or laboratory. The result of a self-administered antigen test (e.g., at home test) will not be accepted, unless there is third-party verification (such as documented direct observation of it).
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Quien? Los estudiantes de la clase 2022
Cuando? Viernes Junio 3
Donde? Crucero de Hornblower Yacht por la bahía de San Francisco
Precio? Costo del boleto es $80 SOLO
• Registration comenzará a las 10 p.m. en la escuela Sequoia.
• Estudiantes van a viajar en autobuses contratados desde Sequoia asta San Francisco.
• Estudiantes disfrutaran música, comida y diversiones en el crucero por 3 horas.
• Estudiantes regresan a la Sequoia a las 4 a.m. del sábado 4 de Junio.
Nuevas Reglas de Salud de San Francisco:
Efectivo imediatamente en San Francisco—Seguimos recibiendo visitantes que esten actualmente vacunados. Igual recibiremos visitantes que tengan excepciónes de vacunas por raszones religiosas o medicas con prueba que los visitantes .Muestran (a) prueba negativa de covid (b) Mantengan su cubrebocas bien puesto a todo tiempo, menos cuando esten comiendo y bebiendo.
La prueba de covid debe ser tomada dentro de 24 horas del evento (el de casa) O dos días antes si es el PCR para poder participar Y poder entrar al crucero. Los invitados no están obligados a proporcionar soporte por escrito o de otro tipo de una exepcion. Sin embargo la prueba negativa tiene que ser un documento imprimido de parte del laboratorio o provedor de la prueba de covid .
El resultado de la prueba rápida (de la casa) no sera aceptada solo que aiga documentación de un testigo de observación.
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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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Ask your freshman to tell you about the Media Center |
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In February, all freshmen visited the Media Center in their ethnic studies class. They have the opportunity to play Bingo for prizes as they advance through the grades at Sequoia. Who will be first to complete the entire card? Students learned how to find books, research using JSTOR & Gale, and generate citations in Google Docs.
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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Collaborative & Proactive Solutions: Moving from Power and Control to Collaboration and Problem Solving |
Wednesday, March 16, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Online Event (Live)
How can families help kids improve their behavior in a positive, collaborative way? Dr. Ross Greene, founder of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), is a clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author whose influential work is known around the world.
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Soluciones colaborativas y proactivas: pasar del poder y el control a la colaboración y resolución de problemas |
Miércoles, 16 de marzo, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., evento en línea (en vivo)
¿Cómo pueden las familias ayudar a los niños a mejorar su comportamiento de una manera positiva y colaborativa? El Dr. Ross Greene, fundador de Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS), es psicólogo clínico y autor de bestsellers del New York Times cuyo influyente trabajo es conocido en todo el mundo.
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Helping Kids Cope in Uncertain Times |
Tues., March 22, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Online Event (Live)
How can we help our kids cope in uncertain times? What is the best way to support positive mental health as we move toward a “new normal”? Join David Anderson, PhD, vice president of school and community programs at the Child Mind Institute (CMI), to learn more.
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Parenting in a Digital Age: A Conversation with Digital Media Experts |
Thursday, March 24, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Online Event (Live)
What are ways parents can set healthy boundaries and support their kids to use technology in a post-pandemic world?
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Crianza de los hijos en la era digital: una conversación con expertos en medios digitales |
Jueves, 24 de marzo, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., evento en línea (en vivo)
Enlace de zoom:
¿De qué manera los padres pueden establecer límites saludables y ayudar a sus hijos a usar la tecnología en una etapa posterior a la mundo pandémico?
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS |
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Healthy Cities tutor orientation and training
Join our MARCH 15 New Tutor Orientation & Training via Zoom to learn more about being a tutor and working with your student in different subjects like math and language arts.
Agenda:
7:00-7:35 p.m. | New Tutor Orientation: If you have not tutored with us, this session covers everything you need to know to get started with a student!
7:45-8:30 p.m. | Tutor Tips Workshop: Interactive training with strategies for how to work with tutees in all subjects.
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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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