PTSA President's Message

A Bittersweet Goodbye 

 

Last September, I wrote about my upcoming "demotion" as a parent, from a full-time, on-site position to a remotely-located advisory role.  That's all too real now, as my nest will be an empty one as of this coming September.  I've been feeling sentimental about all these "lasts" over the past few weeks - last Sequoia band concert, last PTSA meeting, last youth orchestra rehearsal, last badminton match, last IB ceremony, and so forth.

 

It's bittersweet leaving this Place of Friends, which has been an integral part of my life over the past 6 years.  But I leave inspired, as I've had the privilege of watching and working with a remarkable group of dedicated teachers, staff members and administrators, and supported by a powerful company of volunteers who strives to make a difference in the lives of the students and families in our Sequoia community.  I hope to run into you around town or at some of those amazing Sequoia events I know I won't be able to resist returning to enjoy.

 

Congratulations to all our Sequoia graduates, students and parents alike.  Whether you are moving on from Sequoia or returning next year, I hope you all have a wonderful and restful summer. 

 

In gratitude,

Erika Pretell 

This is our final opportunity to recognize our teachers and staff before summer!  The Staff Appreciation Luncheon is on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 and we still need lots of help at the event.  Sign Up to help set up or serve lunch to our dedicated team at Sequoia.  We also still need a few bite-size desserts and candy to be donated.  We would like to show our full appreciation for a fantastic school year, so let us rally to the finishing line!

 

Thank you for helping the PTSA deliver this much deserved luncheon; we cannot do this without your help.  Please contact Jenn DiGrande with any questions or call 650-291-0884.

 

I Want to Thank Our Sequoia Team! 

 

 

Thank you to all who have donated and signed up for the many roles that need to be filled.  We are almost there!  We need a few more fruit donations and the last few BBQ spots filled for the BBQ lunch and brunch on Thursday.  Please check out the sign-up sheet to see if you can help fill one of the remaining time slots.

 

Senior parents: 2019 Grad Week activities inclue:

 

Non-Grad Families:

Help at 2019 Graduation Ceremony

 

We need your help with scanning-in the tidal wave of textbooks during the last week of school.  Depending on teachers' schedules, we may also need "runners" who can go to classrooms to help scan books.  Additional tasks may include sorting, boxing and/or shelving books along with whatever other Media Center tasks arise in real-time.  Thanks in advance for "going with the flow"!

Shifts will be from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. through Friday, June 7, 2019. 

Refreshments will be provided to thank volunteers for supporting our successful new Media Center during the school year!

~ Education and cultural exchanges create prospects and open new horizons.

German exchange students and their hosts during their week at Sequoia last fall.

In 2009, Sequoia High School and Kopernikus School in Freigericht, Germany, agreed on a German-American partnership for students of both countries following ten prior German-American encounters.  This fall, a group of motivated German students and their two teachers from Kopernikus School will be visiting the Bay Area once again.  While their first week will mostly include seeing the famous sights in and around the Bay Area, the second week is focused on attending pre-arranged visits with a variety of companies and organizations on the SF Peninsula, while living with Sequoia's host families ( September 29th to October 7th).  These German students range in age between 16 and 17 years and are carefully screened by the German school staff.  They are interviewed, and must submit a teacher recommendation to be awarded a spot on the program.

The main objective of the partnership is the integration of students into the everyday life of host families in order to provide a coherent intercultural experience for each of them.  We are looking for Sequoia High School students and their families who will give these European high school students a true cultural experience that only a home-stay can provide.  Hosting and being hosted is an enriching opportunity for both the student and the family!

The first step toward becoming a host family is to email German teacher Thorsten Weitzel for more information.

Welcome to all our 2019-20 incoming students and families.  The PTSA would like to invite all incoming families for an informal meet and greet on Monday, August 12, 2019.  Please join us on the front lawn of the school between 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Whether this is your first time at Sequoia, a returning family, or a current one, this ice cream social is a wonderful opportunity to meet other Sequoia families and catch up with each other before the start of the new school year.

We look forward to seeing many new and familiar faces on August 12, 2019!

 

Be sure to save the date for the 13th Annual Sequoia High School Alumni Association's "Celebrate Sequoia" picnic, catered by Emergency BBQ. The event will be held on Saturday, August 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the beautiful Sequoia campus.

Activities include: campus tours, Sequoia Choir, and cheer performances; a Purple Patriot award recognition for Sequoia parent volunteer Lisa Hane and aquatic program volunteers Dave Knochenhauer, Larry and Jeff Rice, all individuals who have significantly benefited Sequoia High School; a vintage car display.

All Sequoians are welcome (alumni, students, parents, staff, PTSA, Boosters, Education Foundation, and community members).  Tickets are $35 per person.  A limited number of
tickets will be available at the door at $40 per person.  Reservations are due by August 14
and may be made online, by calling (650) 592-5822, or by e-mail.

 

Congratulations to All 290 IB Seniors! 

IB students walked the stage to accept special graduation stoles for their participation in the program.