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Sequoia
Sentinel
November 4, 2019
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Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
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Toss Your Hair and Check Your Nails!
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PTSA President Lisa Hane and her husband strolling the Castro on Halloween.
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I am not telling you, fellow parent, anything new when I say that raising teenagers can be a challenge. Mood swings, relationship dramas, grade angst, silence at the dinner table, driver's training... whew! But what I have noticed as my youngest kid (and the only one living at home) makes her way through her sophomore year is that I have started to feel a kind of liberation. One that comes when your kids not only don't want you around but don't need you around in the same way they did when they were younger.
Take Halloween last Thursday. As our daughter headed out to celebrate with friends and we handed out the last piece of candy to the little trick-or-treater who came to our door, my husband and I hatched our plan. Donning our costumes (me: blue haired witch and he: 19th century haunted opera goer), Hugh and I headed to San Francisco's Castro neighborhood to celebrate one of our favorite holidays.
I knew it was the right thing to do when as we drove up 280 and turned on the radio, Lizzo's "Good As Hell" started playing "I do my hair toss, check my nails, baby, how you feelin'..." I mean, who among us hasn't blasted that massive bomb of self-affirmation on the radio during school carpool duties or trips to the supermarket, to our kids' eternal dismay?
After a few hours of carousing in the streets with a pair of lava lights, some Egyptian gods, a plethora of outrageously dressed party-goers, and plenty of police officers, we had our fill and drove home - a successful night, indeed. It has been a tough couple of weeks of fires and power outages; what a relief it was to share some levity with fellow Northern Californians before returning to our post Halloween lives.
We walked through the door and our daughter was waiting for us on the couch. After exchanging stories of our evening's activities, we all went up to bed. I could tell that while she feigned embarrassment at our costumes, she was glad we had fun. And we were happy she had a great night doing her thing. As independent as our kids are becoming, they will still look to us - moms, dads, grandparents, and guardians, to help guide them as they navigate their blossoming young adulthood. And hopefully, they will be there for us as we assume our new roles as parenting "consultants" and dare I say, friends?
Now that the jack-o-lanterns are off the porch, the holiday season countdown begins. I don't know whether to be excited or overwhelmed but either way, I am going to try my best to experience this teen rollercoaster with patience, care, and hopefully a great song on the radio. Care to join me?
See you around campus or at the PTSA meeting tomorrow night,
Lisa
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Standards-Based Grading? Jump Rope? Do You Have Questions About How Learning is Assessed at Sequoia?
 Come to Sequoia's monthly PTSA/ELAC meeting this Tuesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the MPR and hear two of Sequoia's teachers give a brief presentation on the current system being used to track student achievement while helping them reach their highest potential. Bring your questions!
In addition, Principal Sean Priest will provide his monthly update of events on campus. Catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend!
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Evergreen Order Deadline Extended - Ends Tonight!
 Thank you to those who have already placed your orders for evergreens to support the Class of 2022! For those of you who have not yet had the chance to order, sales have been extended until midnight Monday, November 4!
To help make your holidays festive, we are offering high quality and fragrant wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces for $22-$28 each. And how can you resist an adorable set of 2 decorative reindeer for $22? Order a set for yourself and one for an elderly neighbor or friend and spread the holiday cheer!
All items will be available for pick-up during the first week of December.
This link will take you directly to our product and ordering page. Payments can be made through PayPal or credit/debit card.
Please contact
Christy Fletcher with any questions.
Thank you for supporting the Sophomore Class/Graduating Class of 2022!
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Eighth Grade Info Night is on November 6, 2019
 This year, we will be hosting 8th Grade Info Night on
Wednesday, November 6 starting at 6:00 p.m. Please help spread the word to prospective families who would like to learn about Sequoia's programs and what makes our school a Place of Friends. Seventh graders and transfer students are also welcome.
The evening will begin with welcome remarks by Principal Sean Priest in
Carrington Hall. Following this, prospective families (parents, siblings, guardians, and students) will have the opportunity to visit presentations, watch performances, talk with current students and teachers, and tour our facilities. Please refer to
this flyer for the full program.
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Special Student Assembly at Sequoia with a Civil Rights Legend
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Photo of Minnijean Brown-Trickey, courtesy of Wikipedia
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Minnijean Brown-Trickey, one of the nine African American students to integrate all white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, will be speaking to students at Sequoia on
Friday, November 8 at 10:30 a.m. Minnijean will speak about her experiences as a high school student during the Civil Rights Movement but also focus on the concepts of empathy and inclusion, and how students can create more positive and inclusive communities at Sequoia and beyond.
Her last visit to Sequoia was in 2014. This special assembly for mainly juniors and seniors in Carrington Hall will likely reach capacity. Parents who wish to attend may do so after signing in at the AVP's Office.
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Dream Club Dinner: Join Us and Celebrate Dreamers
The
Dream Club's 10th annual fundraising dinner will be on
Friday, November 22 in
Gym 1 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Click here to view the flyer. This is a family-friendly event with door prizes, stories, art, culture, and plenty of good food. All are invited to come learn about the experiences of undocumented students and show your support! On-site childcare will be provided for children younger than 10 years of age.
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College and Career Center Still Seeking Volunteers to Organize College Literature
This is an easy volunteer opportunity organizing and filing new literature that has come in from colleges across the country. This is also a great opportunity to listen in to college reps if they are presenting while you are volunteering. Parent volunteer, Jane Taylor, will be around to give instructions.
Meet in the College and Career Center. Use this link to sign up for dates in November.
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Reflections 2019-20: Look Within - Another Week Till Deadline
Don't ignore your inner artist! It's time to start working on your Reflections project for this year's Reflections theme, Look Within; tema, Mira Dentro.
Enter your artwork and reflect about its meaning to you in one of six categories:
- Dance Choreography
- Film Production
- Literature
- Music Composition
- Photography
- Visual Arts
All entries w
ill be recognized for their artistic achievement--participation itself is a meaningful contribution to the Sequoia community! First-place finishers in each category enter the district competition. District winners move on to the state level, and winners there ultimately compete at the national level.
Due on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. in the Attendance Office.
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Raven Girls Rock Fall Sports!
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An action packed game against Carlmont. Blocking at the net: Maia Politzer #8 and Allie Caldwell #9. Right net: Juliana Ortiz #4. Rear court from left to right: Sofie Olson #12, Kelly Bailon #10, and Lita Falepapalangi #17. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Gleason.
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2019 Girls Tennis team.
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Congratulations to our young women athletes as they made great strides this fall! Girls Water Polo and Girls Golf teams both won their respective PAL Ocean division. Girls Volleyball won the Bay League but unfortunately, lost their first-round CCS game against Carlmont on Saturday. In addition, Girls Tennis also won their league and went undefeated this season. They will play in more tournaments this month as they continue their journey toward CCS team competitions. Read more about the local area Fall Sports wrap-up
here.
Thanks to coaches and parents for all their support this season and keep up the good work, ladies!
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Girls Water Polo Team celebrating a win at a recent game.
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Calendar
Monday, Nov. 4
Tuesday, Nov. 5
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
PTSA/ELAC Meeting, MPR
Wednesday, Nov. 6
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
8th Grade Info Night, Carrington Hall
Thursday, Nov. 7
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Parent Ed. Series: Know Your Rights, Know The Law, MA-PAC
Monday, Nov. 11
No School
Veteran's Day
Tuesday, Nov. 12
3:00 p.m.
Reflections Art Contest Submissions Due, Attendance Office
Tuesday, Nov. 19
7:00 p.m.
Boosters Meeting, Staff Rm.
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Winter Sportsmanship Night, Gym 1
Wednesday, Nov. 20
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
10th Annual Dream Club Dinner, Gym 1
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Campus Tours every 10 minutes, Main Entrance
Monday, Nov. 25
B-Day Schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 26
A-Day Schedule
Wednesday, Nov. 27 - Friday, Nov. 29
No- School
Thanksgiving Break
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Correction
The Dream Club Dinner table price is $125 for a table of eight, not ten, as published in last week's Sentinel.
~ Editor
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You Know You've Been Meaning To...
...So click the purple button on the right and JOIN NOW!
Not sure if you have joined yet this 2019-20 year? Check the latest
Membership List from October 6, 2019.
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Sequoia Sentinel
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En Español
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 M-A PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP
Know Your Rights, Know the Law: Sex, Bullying, and Social Media
Thursday, November 7, 2019, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Menlo-Atherton High School
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
555 Middlefield Road, Atherton
Skadden offers Know Your Rights, Know the Law: Sex, Bullying and Social Media, a free workshop for parents and teens with practical and legal information about sharing information on social media.
Parents, students, educators, and community members welcome!
Free admission and light refreshments. Spanish interpretation will be available.
M-A Parent Education Series events are sponsored by M-A PTA, Sequoia Healthcare District, and Sequoia Union High School District.
 WOODSIDE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit
What's All the Buzz with JUUL & Similar Vape Devices?
Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Woodside High School, Multi-Use Room (MUR)
199 Churchill Avenue, Woodside
What do parents, students, and educators need to know about JUUL, vaping, e-cigarettes, and vape devices?
The Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit offers education for parents and teachers to prevent middle and high school students' use of e-cigarettes and vapes (including JUUL and other pod-based devices).
Parents, students, educators, and community members welcome! Free admission and light refreshments. Spanish interpretation will be available.
Woodside Parent Education Series events are sponsored by Woodside PTSA, Sequoia Healthcare District, and Sequoia Union High School District.
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See Sequoia Students Perform in Redwood City's Nutcracker Ballet
Enjoy the Bay Area's most family-friendly Nutcracker performance at the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City on Friday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Ballet America's show has it all: professional dancers will perform alongside 100 ballet students and local dancers, including Sequoia's very own Julie Trundle, Jodie Trundle, and Fiona Krantz. Ticket prices start at $15 and are available here.
See you at the Nutcracker!
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