Sequoia Sentinel
Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
This week I've asked the Sequoia High School Education Foundation (SHSEF) to fill in for my newsletter. They are such an amazing asset to Sequoia that I thought it would be nice for you to hear what they are all about. Hope everyone has a great break and when we come back we are on the downslope to summer. Crazy to think it's just around the corner! Take it away SHEF.

-Karen
Happy Spring Equinox! This is our favorite time of the year. The grass is greener, the flowers are blooming, and the air signals the promise of life and good things to come.

It’s even more sweet when we are on the Sequoia campus and seeing the smiles of students and faculty, hearing their laughter and conversations. Sequoia truly has the spirit of “Unaliyi,” a place of friends.

It is that spirit of Unaliyi among our student and faculty community that inspires the supporters of the Sequoia High School Education Foundation, or SHSEF. By supporting SHSEF, we can continue to help provide a quality education and learning environment that makes our students great learners and citizens.

Right now, SHSEF is $300K away from the $820K proposed budget to support the multitude of critical programs and services for our students and school community. This includes the following:
  • A full-time licensed mental health therapist to support the social emotional needs of our students.
  • A second counselor in the College and Career Center and college trips and support.
  • AVID support
  • Technology upgrades, including new equipment to replace 30-year-old gear in the chemistry labs.
  • Double the number of class size reductions
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion education
  • Family resources support, including gift cards, navigation, and equipment
  • Arts and music 
  • PTSA operations and mini-grants

We ask you to consider supporting Sequoia students with a gift to SHSEF to continue these vital programs. To donate online, go to www.shsef.org/donate, and support an Education That Empowers.

In gratitude,

Marianne Jett and Tessa Solomon
Co-Presidents, SHSEF
PTSA
PTSA Meeting April 5 Via Zoom 6:30
Our next PTSA meeting will be April 5, 6:30 p.m. via zoom. 

We are excited to host Ms. Betsy Snow from the Media Center, and Ms. Talia Cain, Drama Department and Ms. Taylor White, Dance, both from the Visual Performing Arts (VPA). They will fill you in on all things library/media and VPA at Sequoia. Find out more about these amazing programs and how you can be a part of it all! 

We will also hold our election for next year's PTSA Board Members. We have spots available, so now is your chance to get involved. See you there!

Tues., April 5, 6:30 p.m.

Zoom:
Meeting ID: 851 4550 9979
Passcode: 900103

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,85145509979#,,,,*900103# US (Houston)
+17207072699,,85145509979#,,,,*900103# US (Denver)

Dial by your location
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
    +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
    +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 851 4550 9979
Passcode: 900103
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/ksQ8tDDbR
Mini-grants in action: power of self-care for students and teachers ($400)
Karol-Ann Coleman is an insightful Sequoia teacher providing tools and knowledge to our staff and student body on the power of self-care in helping combat anxiety and mental distress. Providing hand-crafted, thoughtfully-curated kits filled with healing crystals, sugar scrubs, aromatherapy, journals, and more, Ms. Coleman is offering an effective and simple approach for staff and students to manage and improve their mental well-being. According to Ms. Coleman, “Students are learning to take ownership of their feelings and (develop) the autonomy to figure out what works best for them when they are ‘not feeling it.’"

These self-care kits and engagements are generously being offered during Ms. Colemans’ breaks and flex-times. In measuring before and after feelings, students reported an increase in general happiness and overall mood! To experience a bit of tranquility with a soothing self-care kit (or pick up a kit), visit Room 227 during flex times and daily during lunch.
The PTSA needs you
We are currently putting together our PTSA Board for next year. We have a few positions open and now is your chance to join and see the inner workings of the PTSA. Whether you want to jump right in as President or slowly come on board as a Committee Chair for New Teacher Grants, Mini Grants, or Picture Day, we've got it all. The PTSA is a well-oiled machine and you won’t be re-creating the wheel - we have lots of info on all the jobs. Contact us with questions -- we look forward to hearing from you!
Calling all juniors: apply for $250 scholarship
Applications for our annual PTSA Junior Scholarships will be accepted until Sun., April 24. See our website for details.
HIGHLIGHTS
Academy students rock mock interviews
When is the last time you interviewed for a job? Did you feel prepared? Do you remember the first job interview you ever had? How nervous were you?

The HCA and DAA junior students conducted their official mock interviews with their mentors on March 17. The students were indeed nervous, but with the in-class question preparation and some dedicated peer practice, students were able to rely on their training. 

At the end of several rounds of interviews, students felt more confident and our mentors were impressed. One mentor said, "I was very impressed with her ability to exhibit her unique qualities by showing her personality. She is not afraid to tell people who she is and that confidence shows how comfortable she is with herself. She is very genuine and approachable." Another commented, "Confidence and poise; clear, concise descriptions of teamwork and leading others that were remarkable; short, targeted answers." And there were a lot more like those. Congrats to our DAA and HCA Jrs!

If you would like to learn more about our Academy Mentor Program, check out our website or send questions to Greg Schmid or Greg Stein.
“That’s So Raven” Ep. 16

Enjoy your spring break!

This week on That's So Raven...
0:09 Announcements
2:25 Credits
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Catch Sequoia's in-person shows and concerts in April!
music notes
Sequoia's Visual & Performing Arts Department is thrilled to invite you to our upcoming spring events! 

Tues. 4/5 Spring Orchestra and Chorus Concert in Carrington Hall: 7:00 p.m. Hear Orchestra and Chorus play Bach, Led Zeppelin, Sondheim and many more!

Thurs. 4/7 Spring Band Concert (Band II, Advanced Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Drum Line Concert) in Carrington Hall: 7:00 p.m. Suggested donation of $5 per person, collected at the door (no pre-sold tickets). Both bands will take the stage and feature hits by Ravel, Queen, Lady Gaga, and Astor Piazzolla!

Fri. 4/8 11th Annual Vocal Showcase, B quad, Free event: 4:00 p.m. (after school). This concert will feature a wide variety of songs performed by soloists and small ensembles in the Sequoia Chorus.

Mon.-Fri. 4/18-4/29 Department Art Show in the Powell Gallery. Lunch period viewing for students, staff, and visitors that check-in with the AVP office. 

Fri. 4/29 and Sat. 4/30 Dance Show in Carrington Hall: 7:30 p.m.

Information on how to purchase tickets coming soon.
Apr. 29 and May 20: Mock interviewers needed for Career Fair
We are planning the SUHSD Career Fair and could use your help as a mock interviewer. 

Students will rotate through 3 sessions, including:
  • Campus tours
  • Pathway experiences
  • Mock interviews - students meet with three professionals for a mock interview and resume review. 

Please sign up for one, two, or three sessions; whatever fits your schedule.

The three sessions will be:
  • 10:25–11:25 a.m. Rotation #1
  • 11:20 a.m.–12:20 p.m. Rotation #2
  • 12:15–1:15 p.m. Rotation #3


This is an IN-PERSON event at Foothill Community College. COVID Policies: The masking mandate is staying in place for this event. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test required.
SEQUOIA ATHLETICS
Baseball over spring break

Sequoia baseball takes on Saint Teresa on March 28 at 4:00 p.m. Varsity will play on our home field, JV away @ St. Teresa.
Support Boosters Fund-A-Need benches and scoreboards
* Four new aluminum field benches for the football/soccer/lacrosse/track field
* New scoreboards for the softball and baseball fields

Thank you to the donors and auction participants that made the Boosters Online Auction a success! Our FUND-A-NEED campaign will remain open through the remainder of the school year.
CLASS NOTES
Parents: how about a free cruise on the SF Bay?
Sequoia Grad team is looking for parents (not senior parents, please) willing to chaperone the Grad Night Hornblower Cruise in San Francisco on Fri., June 3. Your services will be needed from…wait for it… about 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. Buses will depart from Sequoia and bring everybody back to school after the cruise. Food and beverages will be provided and lots of fun will be had! Junior parents, you’ll need chaperones for your grad night next year so this is a way to “pay it forward”! All aboard! Contact Sarah Sorensen or Susie Vick for details. 
Class of 2022 Grad Night tickets for sale and updated SF Health Mandate
Class of 2022 families: The ship is sailing so don’t let your senior miss out on this fun adventure to celebrate their graduation! Don’t let the boat pass you by! See our website for more information.
Class of 2022 graduation lawn signs
Do you have a graduating senior in your home? Celebrate their accomplishments by ordering a class of 2022 lawn/window sign! See our website for details.
MEET ME IN THE MEDIA CENTER

Check out our March 2022 Newsletter and click here to find out what’s happening at the Media Center! 

We look forward to seeing you,
Ms. Snow
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS
Slow down summer - thrive in a community of youth

Our Youth Exchange was created 1998 with the purpose of connecting high school Spanish students to our growing Latino youth culture. The success of bringing youth together has been credited with a high retention in Spanish fluency. Youth tend to learn language rapidly when it revolves around the social interaction and family engagement of local peers. Program Director Ilba Prego is a native of Central America, having lived and worked in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. 

Over the past 22 years our youth summer exchange has partnered with some of the top high schools in the U.S. In addition to our summer program, we offer extended-stay opportunities for high school juniors and seniors. Contact us if you are interested.
En Español:

¿Quieres traducir este boletín ahora?
En Español
  1. 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.
  2. Abra una página nueva del navegador web y vaya a google translate
  3. 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.
Sentinel Newsletter:

The Sentinel is distributed every Sunday at 8 a.m. during the school year. Readers enjoy hearing about activities, events, and accomplishments of Sequoia students, staff and community. 

Submit articles by the Wed. before desired publication. Space is at a premium so we run articles for two weeks maximum. If you have any questions reach the editors at sequoiaptsanews@gmail.com.

To subscribe or resubscribe use the button below. View the issue archive.