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One of my favorite envelopes arrived last week—a heavy one from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. It contained the certificates for current Sequoia 12th graders who have been recognized as Merit Scholars this year. Unlike many of these kinds of accolades that are mailed out to schools and families (looking at you, “Who’s who…”), the National Merit Scholarship is a big deal. The award is based on performance on the PSAT, which we administer to all Sequoia 11th graders each October on College Day (this year’s cohort will take the exam on October 23). It’s an elite honor—only about 15,000 students nationwide (the top 1%) are named finalists.
I enjoy opening the envelope because as I read the names on the certificates, what comes to mind are other ways the students have made an impression on me during their time here at Sequoia. Have I overheard them leading a team cheer outside my office window at the end of a long, afternoon cross country practice? Maybe they offered me a piece of candy at Club Day, explaining how their organization hopes to support STEM in middle schools. How about the endearing student with the firm handshake who needs the Speech and Debate Team paperwork signed? He’s a good bet. From year to year, I never know which memories the NMSC certificates will spark as I affix my signature above the word, “Principal”.
This week I heard about a current 11th grader whose desire to perform well on an IB Essential Knowledge (EK) quiz for history class was imperiled by his inability to find a partner to help him review the flash cards he’d made. He ran into Omar Bracamontes, one of our Campus Aides. Omar was on a lunch break, taking a breather from keeping Sequoia students safe. As the all-around good guy that he is, however, he couldn’t think of a better way to spend his lunch break than by helping this student prep for a test. They found a picnic table and worked through the info. After a fist bump and some words of gratitude, the student and Omar went their separate ways.
I heard the student did well on his quiz. I’d sure be tickled next year around this time to see his name on one of those Merit Scholar certificates. Omar Bracamontes, for his part, is already elite in my book.
Have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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2024 PTSA Mini-Grants are coming! | |
The Sequoia PTSA is offering an exciting funding opportunity for your club or organization. Are you looking for money to help fund your club’s programming? Maybe you need equipment or other materials to implement an innovative educational project or a creative social initiative to benefit students and/or staff? The PTSA encourages efforts that enhance education or benefit your community.
If you need financial assistance, consider applying for a mini-grant. Grants of up to $750 are available to clubs and other organizations. Funding for mini-grants is provided to the PTSA from the Sequoia High School Education Foundation (SHSEF).
The application window for submitting grants is Sept. 23–Oct. 7. More information can be found on the mini-grant page of the PTSA website. A mandatory meeting for those interested in submitting grant requests will be held on Monday, Sept. 30, at lunch in front of Carrington Hall. Contact the mini-grant co-chairs at sequoiaminigrants@gmail.com with any questions.
¡Las Mini Becas de PTSA 2024 vienen en camino!
La Sociedad de Padres, Profesores y Estudiantes de Sequoia (PTSA por sus siglas en inglés) ofrece una oportunidad de obtener fondos para tu club u organización. ¿Estás buscando fondos para programar en tu club? ¿Quizás necesitas equipo u otros materiales para implementar un proyecto educativo de innovación o una iniciativa creativa social que beneficie a los estudiantes y/o personal de la escuela? La PTSA incentiva tu esfuerzo de mejorar la educación o beneficiar a tu comunidad.
Si necesitas asistencia financiera, considera en aplicar para una mini-beca. Becas de hasta $750 pueden ser otorgadas a clubes y otras organizaciones. El fondeo de las mini-becas de la PTSA proviene de la Fundación de Educación Preparatoria de Sequoia (SHSEF por sus siglas en inglés).
La ventana de aplicación para entrega de becas es desde el 23 de septiembre hasta el 7 de octubre de 2024. Más información puede encontrarse en la página de mini-becas en el sitio de internet the PTSA. Una reunión mandatoria para todos aquellos interesados en aplicar a las becas se llevará a cabo el lunes, 30 de septiembre a la hora del lunch, frente a Carrington Hall. Para cualquier pregunta, contactar a los copresidentes al correo electrónico sequoiaminigrants@gmail.com.
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You know you've been meaning to... | |
...so JOIN NOW! With your membership you can:
- Be part of Sequoia's community of parents, teachers, and students who make our school welcoming, united, and engaged!
- Empower the California State PTA to speak up on behalf of our families.
Our State PTA has a long history of protecting and supporting California's most valued assets: our children. The greater our numbers, the stronger our voices. Not sure if you have joined for the 2024-25 year? Email Dana Rechin for questions.
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PTSA volunteer opportunities | |
If you want to get involved, check out these volunteer opportunities:
- Shadowing and Saturday tour support for ASB: Using signup.com, recruit parental support for Wednesday shadowing and Saturday tours.
- Junior basketball concessions coordinator (Class of 2026 parent/s): Coordinate and enlist volunteers to sell concessions at Sequoia home basketball games. Basketball is a winter sport, so this job runs from Oct. to Feb.
Please contact Karen Gebhart if you are interested!
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Did you know that Sequoia is the only school in our district that offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, a global leader in international education developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident, and caring high school students? We are proud of the nearly 800 students who participate in IB classes each year, as well as the approximately 90 juniors and seniors participating in IB's challenging Diploma Programme, an internationally recognized standard of excellence. When you support SHSEF, you support our IB Programme directly and indirectly. Invest today.
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News from the Sequoia Media Center | |
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Find answers to these questions and more in the
Sequoia Media Center September newsletter!
- What time is the Media Center open after school?
- Name 3 people on the Media Center team who are NOT Ms. Snow.
- What books are being celebrated in September?
- How many library books have been checked out so far this school year?
- Do we have access to the New York Times?
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Would you like to transform the trajectory of a Sequoia student? | |
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Become a Sequoia Academy mentor. For less than two hours a month from November-May, Sequoia Academy mentors work one-on-one with students from the Digital Arts Academy or Health Careers Academy on career-related skills. Adults can support a student by sharing their knowledge and experience about how to take steps towards a successful and rewarding career.
Join our team! Whatever professional stage you are in, our students can learn from your career journey. To learn more and sign up, visit our website or contact Greg Stein or Gregory Schmid.
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Most of our fall teams have home games this week. The girls golf team hosts El Camino and South San Francisco, and cross country competes in the Westmoor Invitational on Saturday. See SEQSports.com for complete home and away schedules and don’t forget to follow @seqboosters on social media.
- 9/23 Girls Volleyball vs Burlingame - Frosh 4:00 pm
- 9/24 Girls Water Polo vs Mercy - Varsity 5:00 pm, JV 4:00 pm
- 9/24 Girls Flag Football vs Archbishop Riordan - Varsity 5:00 pm
- 9/26 Girls Varsity Tennis vs Carlmont - Varsity 7:00 pm
- 9/26 Girls Volleyball vs Aragon - Varsity 4:00 pm, JV 6:00 pm
- 9/27 Girls Volleyball vs Capuchino - Varsity 6:30 pm, JV 4:00 pm
- 9/27 Football vs Fremont - Varsity 7:00 pm, JV 4:00 pm
- 9/28 Girls Water Polo Tournament - Varsity starts at 8:00 am
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Sept. 24: Boosters Meeting | |
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We look forward to seeing you at the September Boosters meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24! We’ll be reviewing coach grant requests, hearing feedback on the Meet the Ravens Tailgate, and discussing ways to improve the athletic experience for all students. Location: Sequoia HS Staff Room 233, 7:00 p.m.
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Sept. 24: Neurodiversity and Disability Support in College Admissions and Beyond
Elizabeth C. Hamblet and Eric Endlich, PhD, Neurodiversity College Professionals. Register.
24 de septiembre: Apoyo a la neurodiversidad y la discapacidad en las admisiones universitarias y más allá
Elizabeth C. Hamblet y Eric Endlich, PhD, profesionales universitarios de neurodiversidad. Registro.
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Sept. 25: Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World
Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, Therapist, Author, Speaker. Register.
25 de septiembre: Sexismo y sensibilidad: criando niñas empoderadas y resilientes en el mundo moderno
Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, terapeuta, autora, oradora. Registro.
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Sept. 26: Fentanyl/Opioid Safety and Education: Insights from Practicing Physicians (in Spanish)
Marissa Aillaud, MD and Susan Thorne, MD, Kaiser Permanente Redwood City. Register.
26 de septiembre: Seguridad y educación sobre el fentanilo y los opioides: perspectivas de médicos en ejercicio (en español)
Dra. Marissa Aillaud y Dra. Susan Thorne, Kaiser Permanente Redwood City. Registro.
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Sept. 22-28: United Against Hate Week - Anti-Bullying | |
Please join us for United Against Hate Week, sponsored by the Community Foundation of San Carlos. The theme is anti-bullying and events will include Upstander training for students, online webinar for parents, Teacher Appreciation, and a community forum. All are welcome. Please click here for San Carlos events! | |
Sept. 26: Parenting in the Digital Age | |
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As part of its sponsorship of United Against Hate Week, the Community Foundation of San Carlos invites you to an informative and free online workshop by Digital TAT2 on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. All caregivers are welcome. Register here for a finite number of available spots.
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Participants needed for UCSF eating disorders research | |
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The UCSF Eating Disorders Program is recruiting female adolescents for our research studies. Participants can receive up to $235, and students with eating disorders may be eligible for free treatment. Please scan the QR code or email reillylab@ucsf.edu for more information.
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Interested in participating in brain research? | |
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The UCSF Eating Disorders Program is recruiting adolescents for research studies to understand how anorexia might impact decision-making. Participants can earn a $150 gift card and will be part of psychiatric and neuroscience research. Please scan the QR code or email Gorrell_lab@ucsf.edu for more information!
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The magic of social immersion | |
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Spanish confidence thrives when we are open to new people, new outlooks, and new challenges. Since 1998, our Costa Rica Youth Exchange has brought teens together in a shared experience of friendship and community. Shift your Spanish into high gear and experience the adventure of rural Costa Rica. Contact ilba@youthcr.org for questions.
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The Sequoia Sentinel is emailed to 3,500 members of the Sequoia High School community on Sundays at 8 a.m. during the school year. Contributions are due on Wednesday—click the purple button below to submit. Email the editors or click here to subscribe. | | | | | |
