Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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The main building at Sequoia is 100 years old. Like an aging rock star, its hips don’t shake like they used to. It might refuse an encore on cold days and be prone to backstage meltdowns on hot ones. On the other hand, when it comes to playing the hits (“Late Afternoon Sun on the Facade” or “Argo Tower Looming Over the Tea Garden,” etc.), nobody gets ‘em dancing in the aisles like 1201 Brewster.
Of course, it takes an entourage to put on the show every day. We have both day and night custodial crews to deal with daily wear-and-tear, responding to issues as they arise, and preventing those that can be anticipated. Last week, under the incessant rain, a downspout next to my office window flowed like a power hose. I found the noise reassuring. Someone on our team had made sure the drainage system was clear of debris. All this rain wasn’t going to quietly collect atop someone’s classroom before bursting through the ceiling.
Fine Lauese (FEE-nay La-oo-ESS-ay) took over as Sequoia’s Plant Manager this year, which means he oversees the operations of the physical building and grounds. This includes supervising the two custodial teams and our grounds crew. In addition to the main building, we have a theater, three gyms, a pool, a stadium and multiple practice fields, and bathrooms galore. With decades of experience working on our campus, Fine is able to get out in front of most issues, even those arising out of an atmospheric river. The truest testament to a school plant manager’s effectiveness is that most people have no idea how much they do on any given day.
Obviously it would be impossible to anticipate every snafu in a storm like we’ve had over these past few weeks. When the electricity in parts of Redwood City was cut last Tuesday morning, the first day back for students, it meant we were dark until about five minutes before the start of first period. When one of our largest oak trees fell late Wednesday night and crashed through an upstairs window, it was Fine who drove to campus to assess the damage, prepping the building for the following day, and helping coordinate efforts with the district maintenance team for removal and repairs. By Friday, all that remained of the oak was the giant trunk seen behind me in the photo.
I am appreciative of the efforts of our team. I appreciate their dedication, knowledge, and work ethic. Mostly, however, I appreciate how much our team, including SUSHD Facilities Director Walter Haub and his departments, understand what a special place Sequoia is. Even though it can be fussy and requires extra effort to maintain as a safe, clean, and functioning space for learning, the show it puts on each day for students is one of a kind.
Rock on!
Sean
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Jan. 20: Principal's Coffee |
Join us for coffee with Sean Priest on Friday, Jan. 20, from 8:45-10:00 a.m. in room 128. We'll be bringing this event back, post-COVID. It seems like there are many families we haven't yet met, this school year. This is a great opportunity to meet other Sequoia parents and connect with the community. We hope to see some new faces (freshman families) and many sophomore, junior, and senior families. Coffee and treats will be provided!
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Requesting items for the Staff Room |
In an effort to keep the Staff Room a nice place for our faculty to gather, we are looking for a few items. Please email Dee Dee Clark if you have a set of silverware to donate or any coffee mugs. We also always welcome Costco gift cards to purchase healthy snacks and other necessary supplies for the room.
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It’s not too late to join the PTSA! |
Have you and your family joined the PTSA? Did you know that spouses and Sequoia students can also join? Here's how to add family members to your membership:
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Go to the Sequoia High School PTSA Webstore.
- Log in using your username and password.
- Click 'My Account' on the top right.
- Click on ‘My Family’.
- Click the green ‘Add Family’ button.
- Enter information for the new family member under ‘Add New’.
- Return to the store by clicking 'Product Categories' - 'PTSA membership'.
Not sure if you've joined? Have questions? Please contact Dana Rechin.
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Holiday lunch — thank you!
Almuerzo por las festividades — ¡Gracias!
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Just before winter break, the ELAC and PTSA celebrated the Sequoia staff and teachers with a holiday luncheon. ELAC families provided homemade dishes, including tamales, and community members donated salads, desserts, drinks, and gift cards for a holiday gift raffle.
So many community members came together to put on this event. Thanks to everyone who contributed and helped on the day of the event. A VERY special thank you to the ELAC family members who cooked and served the delicious food AND to Elvira Macias for her coordination and hard work. It was a very special event in honor of our very special Sequoia staff and teachers.
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Almuerzo por las festividades – ¡Gracias!
Antes del descanso del invierno, ELAC y PTSA les celebraron al personal y maestros con un almuerzo por las festividades. Unas familias de ELAC proveyeron comida casera, incluyendo tamales, y miembros de la comunidad donaron ensaladas, postres, bebidas y tarjetas de regalo para un sorteo.
Tantos miembros de la comunidad se juntaron para organizar este evento. Gracias a todos los que contribuyeron y ayudaron el día del evento. Mil gracias a las familias de ELAC quienes cocinaron y sirvieron la comida rica y a Elvira Macias por su coordinación y su arduo trabajo. Era un evento muy especial en honor a nuestro personal y maestros muy especiales.
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Audition for Sequoia Drama's spring play this week |
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SUHSD Middle College program now accepting applications |
The SUHSD Middle College program at Cañada College has started accepting applications for fall 2023. Middle College is a collaboration between the SUHSD and Cañada College, and students earn both high school and college credits, enabling them to complete their high school requirements and earn college credit simultaneously. All classes are held at Cañada College, and there is no cost. Learn more here.
Interested sophomores should speak to their counselor and attend one of our parent/student info sessions. Limited space for rising seniors. RSVP here.
- Thursday, Jan. 26: SUHSD boardroom, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Jan. 31: Zoom webinar, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 9: SUHSD boardroom, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 1: SUHSD boardroom, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The SUHSD boardroom is located at 480 James Ave., Redwood City, CA 94062.
All application components must be submitted by Friday, March 17 at 4:00 p.m.
Hablamos Español. ¡Gracias!
Thank you.
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Classroom volunteer opportunity |
Hello, Sequoia Community,
I am looking for two more volunteers to work on reading, writing, and speaking activities with recent immigrants who are learning English. The shifts are on Tuesdays, from 8:30-10:10 a.m. and/or 10:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Each volunteer works with one to five students at a time.
Intermediate or advanced Spanish proficiency is preferred, but not required. I am also looking for a Vietnamese-speaking volunteer, and for volunteers to substitute when the regular volunteers are unavailable.
The commitment is for the semester, and you are welcome to visit and observe the class before signing up. All volunteers are required to complete a volunteer clearance process.
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January news from the Media Center |
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The Edgenuity lab is OPEN |
10th-12th grade students: If you are working on making up classes (D/F grades) for graduation and/or A-G requirements through our online credit recovery program Edgenuity, please know that the Edgenuity lab is open. Contact your assigned counselor if you are unsure if you need to make up classes. Edgenuity teacher: Mr. Calles, room 210. When: Mondays and Thursdays, 4:00-6:00 p.m. **Seniors must complete Edgenuity classes by June 2, no exceptions.
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Come watch us play
Support the Ravens by attending home games. Complete winter sports schedules are now posted at SeqSports.com.
Let’s go, Ravens!
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Jan. 18: Boys Soccer v. Capuchino Varsity 4:30/JV 6 p.m.
Jan. 18: Boys Basketball v. Menlo Atherton Varsity 6 p.m.
Jan. 20: Boys Soccer v. HMB Varsity 4:30 p.m., JV 6 p.m.
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Spring sports tryouts begin January 30 |
Tryouts for baseball, softball, lacrosse, badminton, swimming, track & field, stunt, boys tennis, boys golf, and boys volleyball are coming up, and many teams are holding pre-season conditioning sessions. See SeqSports.com/SpringTryouts for tryout schedules and details. New and returning athletes must register on SportsNet and submit an updated Physical Form.
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Interested in checking out boys volleyball? Come join us for conditioning every weekday at 6 p.m. in Gym 3 and get on the distribution list. Tryouts will be the week of January 30 – time and location TBD. |
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Planning for Sequoia’s Crab Feed Dinner (Saturday, March 11) is in full swing. To make this event a success, we need volunteers to help in the following areas: procurement and event logistics. We also need Sequoia athletes to help serve. Email to get involved.
For donations: If you love hosting parties or you're just looking for a reason to hang out more with your Sequoia community members, how about offering to host a party? It's a great way to bring together Sequoia families and make new friends while benefiting our athletes. Parties can be adult-only gatherings, teen/kid events, or fun for the whole family.
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SHSEF supports students in reaching highest potential |
Did you know SHSEF supports staff, projects, and programs to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their highest potential? We raise funds for college services, academic enrichment programs, staff professional development, and student and family support.
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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What is "radical inclusion"? And why is it important? Vikram K. Jaswal, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia, advocates for full-membership inclusion that will empower our kids, schools, and communities.
¿Qué es la "Inclusión Radical" y por qué es importante? Vikram K. Jaswal, PhD, Profesor de Psicología de la Universidad de Virginia, nos ayudará a comprender cómo podemos promover la inclusión con una mayor conciencia y comprensión en nuestras familias, escuelas y comunidades. Enlace de zoom.
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Dr. Ross W. Greene, renowned child psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of Lost at School and The Explosive Child, explains how to cultivate better parent-child relationships while also nurturing empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence.
Dr. Ross W. Greene, renombrado psicólogo infantil y New York Times autor superventas del Lost at School y The Explosive Child, explica cómo cultivar mejores relaciones entre padres e hijos y, al mismo tiempo, fomentar la empatía, la honestidad, la resiliencia y la independencia. Enlace de zoom.
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STAY ON TOP OF THINGS AT SEQUOIA |
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There are many communication resources at Sequoia besides the Sentinel. Here are a few of our favorites:
Sequoia High School Website
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Home page: Includes the Bell Schedule.
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Calendar. Note: Sequoia only posts schedule abnormalities here, so unless otherwise noted, assume a normal week:
- Mon. - A Day
- Tues. - B Day
- Wed. - Collab. Day
- Thurs. - A Flex Day
- Fri. - B Flex Day
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Infinite Campus: Includes a student-specific daily calendar.
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Sequoia 101: information on all things Sequoia.
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Staff and Student Bulletin: everything from student announcements, to the sports schedule, to all the available clubs. Read it on the website, or subscribe to get it twice a week in your email.
PTSA Resources
Student News
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That's So Raven Announcements: subscribe to Sequoia High School ASB's YouTube channel and set up alerts so you'll know when these fun and informational vlogs post.
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Raven Report: The student news site of Sequoia High School.
Quick Links:
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE SENTINEL |
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The Sentinel goes out to over 3,500 members of the Sequoia High School community on Sundays at 8 a.m. during the school year. Submissions are due on Wednesday — click the purple Submission button below. Include a Spanish translation from a native or bilingual speaker if you can (no Google translations please). To unsubscribe, use the Constant Contact link at the bottom of your issue.
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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.
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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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