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Three students are having a hard time controlling their impulses, giggles turn to laughter, language gets saltier, and eventually one of the students falls out of their desk seat. A substitute teacher, who isn’t entirely sure where to find these students’ names on the attendance roster, warns them to settle down and get back to the task assigned by the teacher. But it’s too much self-regulation for these three 14-year-olds. More giggles. The adult’s tone sharpens, the students escalate matters in their own way, and that’s the last straw. The substitute calls for assistance to have the three students removed from class.

As they enter the offices of the Administrative Vice Principals, they are greeted by one of our two secretaries: Vanessa Oseguera or Grace Horton. They are asked to sit at one of the desks in the office or adjacent room and write a statement about what precipitated this referral. There are often multiple iterations required. Sometimes the first draft might read: “I don’t know, sub got mad and kicked us out.”

They are officially in the queue for a conversation with one of our two AVPs: Sophia Olliver, who works with grades 9/11 or Gary Gooch, who works with grades 10/12. It might be a few minutes, however, because in addition to these three students, there is a teacher waiting to start a scheduled appointment to discuss a class observation as part of their evaluation, a community member wanting to discuss renting one of our facilities, a prospective coach being interviewed, a call on the radio reporting two students who have left their class and not returned, and a call on hold from CPS following up on a report made earlier in the week. Oh, and look: two students who were trying to leave campus have been brought in, as well.

This is when I walk in. “How’s everything going?” I ask Grace.  

“You know, normal day,” she replies.  

“Seems quiet,” I smile.

Both Vanessa and Grace shoot me a scolding look, “You know better than to say that!”

It’s universally recognized in school operations that mentioning things being quiet is an unwise temptation of fate. I knock on the wooden cabinet and smile, “Never mind, I didn’t say that.”

But in truth, the scenario I described, as chaotic as it sounds, is pretty much business-as-usual in the busiest office on our campus. Gary, Sophia and their teams (which include not only Grace and Vanessa but also campus aides) manage a constant flow of urgent and potentially volatile issues. There is a high degree of emotion that accompanies most of the business that comes their way. Very few people enter the AVP office to share good news.

And yet, whenever I stop by for a visit, regardless of how much traffic they’re experiencing, the environment feels safe and under control. Much of this has to do with the serenity of wisdom; after a combined 20+ years of experience, there’s little that Gary and Sophia haven’t seen. The professionalism of the team plays a part, too: Vanessa and Grace could go toe-to-toe with the front-facing staff at any five-star customer service team in the world.  

The biggest x-factor, in my eyes, is the temperament of the team. Our Administrative Vice Principals hold students in positive regard, balancing clear expectations and the enforcement of consequences, with support via targeted interventions such as mental health referrals, partnering with families, or empowering students with restorative strategies. People screw up; their ability to thrive hinges on how confident they are to make a situation right. These are life-long skills. Mistakes are learning opportunities.

I am very grateful to have worked with Gary and Sophia, for whom next year will be their 10th and 12th at Sequoia, respectively. The work they do is more often than not unseen, but the impact they have on our community is everywhere.  

Have a great week!

Sean

PTSA

We are excited to announce the 2024 Sequoia PTSA Junior Achievement Award recipients. We had many impressive applicants this year in the categories of Academic Success, Community Service and Resilience. Congratulations to these accomplished students!

Meenal Bahl

Cayla Chen

Christine Chang

Sofia Espinoza

Jennifer Godinez

Lizzie Gudiel

Desiree Huffer

Dylan Karmin

Lucia Kitching

Sierra Kitching

Rikhil Kokal

Samay Kodige

Kevin Banderas Lopez

Ivan Madrigal

Jennyffer Ruiz Medina

Cade Milller

Darika Osorio

Drew Ostrander

Fabiola Polanco

Ethan Politzer

Sebastian Pollack

Ruby Rappoport

Luke Shafer

Jack Spottiswoode

Hade Curup Suruy

Soron Torkos

Sophia Webb

This year, with funding from the Sequoia High School Education Fund, the PTSA was able to fund 30 Mini-Grants (up to $750) for teachers, students, and clubs. For the next couple of weeks, the Sentinel will highlight some of the grants to give you an idea of the fantastic and varied projects that were funded.

Zoraya King, Young Feminists Club (YFC), $750 grant for the Pink Box Project   



Through our efforts with the Pink Box Project, YFC has provided thousands of students with safe period products since 2018 by placing boxes full of pads and tampons in every room on campus. The PTSA Mini-Grant helped the YFC bridge the menstrual equity gap at Sequoia High School with generous funding for necessary boxes, pads, and tampons.

We were able to provide menstrual supplies for any new Pink Boxes or refills needed on Sequoia's campus for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. We purchased plastic tampons and different-sized menstrual products, and fulfilled requests by students for more comfortable period products.

Teachers have expressed encouragement for our efforts: "Thank you for your wonderful work!" - Christle Waters, ”Y’all rock, thank you for being awesome!" - Jane Woodman, ”This is an excellent project!" - Debolina Dutta, ”You are appreciated!" - Alan Gray. Without the aid from the PTSA, this impact would not have been possible!

Ethan Thacker, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, $750 grant for GSA Pride Fair 

Our grant funds were used to secure a local musician, complimentary refreshments, and decorations for Sequoia GSA's first annual Pride Fair. 

The event brought together Sequoia's queer community to socialize and be educated on queer health and safety with various community organizations. An anecdote of the event can be found in the Sequoia Sentinel, where Mr. Priest said, "The casual setting, which included tables from community partners the San Mateo County Pride Center and the San Jose/Peninsula chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), lent itself to candid conversations. Whenever I have the chance to talk to a community partner, my question is always the same, ‘How can Sequoia do a better job supporting and serving the students we have in common?’ The responses I heard and the dialogue that ensued were illuminating, both as an educator and a parent. Both groups acknowledged that schools (along with society) have come a long way. Tolerance has given way to celebration when it comes to gender and sexual identity. The staff has been trained and makes strong efforts in practical areas like affirming pronouns and inclusive curriculum. Bullying on the basis of gender and sexual identity is not tolerated the way it was when many of us grew up, and enforcement of these norms is largely the work of students among their peers.”

This anecdote helped show the queer community at Sequoia that not only are the designated queer student groups working to make change, but the administrators are working to make change as well, which can only come with our guidance and feedback.

SHSEF

SHSEF supports Sequoia Theater

Talia Cain, the theater director at Sequoia, continues to weave together talent, drive, and kindness into every school play, and it rubs off on the students who work with her. At the end of the last performance, one of the seniors presented Ms. Cain with flowers and said, “Thank you for providing a home for us here at Sequoia these last three years.”

SHSEF is in the midst of the spring appeal for 2024, and every gift counts. We’re over half way to our goal of $650k, and we have a suggested donation of $1500 per student. Make a gift today and make Sequoia a place of belonging for every student.

HIGHLIGHTS

On Wednesday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. outside in front of school between Carrington Hall and the main building, the orchestra, band, chorus, and Treble Clefs will each perform short sets, followed by one gigantic number altogether, as is tradition! There is no cost to attend, and the audience is encouraged to bring picnic blankets or low chairs in the "music fest" style!

Sequoia Orchestra plays a fun excerpt from the Barbie Movie soundtrack in the video below, taken during the April concert. Have a listen!

CLASS NOTES

Leis for graduates

Need a lei for your grad or a friend? Support Signature Leis, the local and the only authorized lei vendor for the commencement ceremonies of our partner schools here in our district! For more information email info@signatureleis.com or call 415.917.9517.

DEADLINE: May 31, 6:00 p.m. 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 May 31, 6:00 p.m., no exceptions. Contact your assigned counselor if you are unsure if you need to make up classes.

Edgenuity teacher: Mr. Calles, jcalles@seq.org

Edgenuity Office Hours: Room B-8 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Extended Edgenuity Hours

Open Mon-Fri, May 20-24, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Open Tues-Fri, May 28-31, 4:00-6:00 p.m. 

*May 27, holiday - school closed

Estudiantes del grado 12: ¡Se acerca la fecha límite de Edgenuity!

FECHA LÍMITE: 31 de mayo a las 6:00 p.m. Los estudiantes del grado 12 que necesitan recuperar clases (calificaciones D o F) para graduación y/o requisitos A-G para la universidad a través de nuestro programa de recuperación de créditos en línea "Edgenuity" deben completar sus clases antes del 31 de mayo a las 6:00 p.m., sin excepciones.

Comuníquese con su consejero asignado si no está seguro de si necesita recuperar clases. Maestro de Edgenuity: Sr. Calles, jcalles@seq.org

Horario de oficina de Edgenuity: Salon B-8 los martes y jueves, de 4:00 a 6:00 p.m.

Horario extendido de Edgenuity: Abierto de lunes a viernes, del 20 al 24 de mayo de 4:00-6:00 p.m. Abierto de martes a viernes, del 28 al 31 de mayo de 4:00-6:00 p.m.

*27 de mayo, escuela cerrada/dia feriado

Our final Boosters event of the year will be held on May 21 at 7 p.m. Join our May social and meeting as we recap 2023-24 sports, review final grants, introduce new board members, and mingle with Boosters supporters. Email BoosterSequoia@gmail.com for the event address. All Sequoia sports fans are welcome!

Many Sequoia sports offer optional summer training. These pre-season conditioning programs are a great way to connect with coaches and teammates over the summer, but are not required. Summer training is open to existing and incoming Sequoia students. Visit SeqSports.com for dates and contact information. Continue to check back as we had more details for summer and fall.

COMMUNITY

The Athena Fellowship is a virtual summer fellowship for rising 9th-12th grade students designed to empower future female leaders in STEM. Created by young women from Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, the fellowship seeks to identify top female students across the country. 

The 2024 Summer Fellowship will run from July 8-August 2, and students may participate alongside other summer activities. As an Athena Fellow, students will learn from a network of accomplished young women from top institutions. Students will learn about different opportunities in STEM, career pathways, and life skills for high school, college, and beyond. 

Applications for the 2024 Summer Fellowship are due June 12. Admissions are rolling, meaning that applications are reviewed as they are received. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. To learn more and apply, please visit www.athenafellowship.org. If you have any questions, please email info@athenafellowship.org.

Sponsored by The Talking Playhouse (across the street from Sequoia High School), Friendship Matchmaker is a volunteer program introducing kiddos and facilitating 'how to grow a friendship.' What's great about growing friendships is it builds social resilience and allows one to manage anxieties and use organizational skills (executive functioning), social thinking and engagement language. We introduce the pairing based on 30 years experience/knowledge and your kiddo does the rest! Please email jenn@talkingplayhouse.com for more information.