Sequoia
    Sentinel
            December 18, 2017

Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
Principal's Message
I'll kick this off, the last Sequoia Sentinel of 2017, by wishing your family a restful, joyous, and safe holiday season and winter break.  I know we're close to the end when I start to see graduates from the previous year's class back to visit Sequoia while home on break.  

As always, they're eager to tell me how well the IB program has prepared them for their first year. "My friends are all stressed," one alumna told me last weekend, "I'm, like, 'this is nothing!'"
Further down the hall, talk amongst the staff has centered around our eager anticipation of the holiday luncheon -- truly one of the best meals of the year.  A huge shout-out to all the PTSA and ELAC volunteers who make this special event possible.  Gathering to break bread and share laughs goes a long way to close out the semester for our staff.

See this week's finals schedule here .  

Regular classes begin in the new year at Sequoia on 1/10/18 with a collaboration day.  Zero period will meet.  Everyone's first class will be posted in the main hallway as during the first semester.  Students will receive a new copy of their schedule if there have been any changes.

The second half of the school year offers much to be excited about.  Winter sports are already underway and all our teams are competitive.  Varsity basketball and soccer teams for both boys and girls will be in the hunt for their respective league championships and CCS playoff berths.  It should be a fun couple of months.  Club David, the only-at-Sequoia student cheering section, assures me they'll be out in full force to support their peers.

Starting in February, current Sequoia 9th to 11th graders will begin one-on-one meetings with counselors to discuss next year's schedules.  These meetings are an important time for students to reflect on their progress towards meeting UC A-G requirements, graduation requirements, as well as their elective pathway.

I hope things slow down between now and January 10th and you are able to enjoy spending time together as a family.  Thank you for the part you played in making the first semester a success.  Looking forward to sharing and celebrating the successes 2018 will bring at Sequoia High School.

Best,
Sean
Help Top Off Sequoia's Amazing Generosity!
There's a little more time to help with the approximately 40 remaining spots (out of 623!) in the Parent Center's Adopt-a Family   campaign.  Adopt-a-Family here and bring your wrapped items to the Parent Center by Tuesday, December 19.  To find the available spots:
  • At the top of the list, click the box "HIDE FULL SPOTS"
  • When you scroll to the bottom of the screen, click "SHOW MORE SPOTS"
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped buy so many gift items already!!
Help Celebrate the Season by Joining In On Our Teacher Appreciation Holiday Party!
We are still in need of a few items to help make the Staff Holiday Luncheon a success!    Sign up here  to buy something, or donate your time if you can spare an hour or two (volunteers still needed from 10:00-12:00 and 1:45-2:30).  The staff and teachers truly appreciate it! The luncheon is hosted by the PTSA & ELAC immediately after school on Thursday, December 21 and it's a fun way to thank our Sequoia team before the holiday break.
Students Support Each Other to Reduce College Decision Stress!
You may have seen the following message in the recent school announcements:
 
"Seniors, did you get rejected from a college? So did we! We are starting an anonymous 'Rejection Section' wall in the Media Center to make sure everyone knows that they are not alone in the admissions process. Visit this link to anonymously share where you did not get in. Let's end the stigma around college decisions."

While no one wants to get rejected during the college admission process, the reality is, it happens. Bravo to the seniors who are coming together to share their stories and provide a forum of support for their classmates.  As the song goes, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need!"

Good luck to all our seniors whether they be applying to a 2-year college, 4-year university, entering the military service, or starting a post-graduation job.
A message from the California State PTA: Scholarships for graduating Seniors!
Don't Miss Out on Student Scholarships
Your education doesn't end once you walk across that high school graduation stage. That's why California State PTA has two scholarships to help you achieve your college dreams and your life goals.
  • $750 Volunteer Service Scholarship - This scholarship recognizes graduating seniors for their volunteer service in schools and communities, and allows them to register for courses at accredited colleges, universities, trade or technical schools.
  • $500 Dr. Ralph E. White Graduating Senior Scholarship - Honoring the volunteer and public-service legacy of Dr. Ralph E. White and his wife, Eleanor, this scholarship provides $500 each to two successful applicants of the Volunteer Service Scholarship who intend to pursue a career in a medical field.
Applications are due February 1. All scholarship applications require current membership at PTAs in good standing, so if you know a student who is not yet a PTA member but is interested in applying, be sure to contact your local PTA at [email protected] to join today! Apply for the scholarships here. For general questions about these important programs, please contact  [email protected].
You're Invited to Help Strengthen Our Sequoia Community - Save the Date!
Join Sequoia families, new and old, at this year's Community Dialogue the evening of
January 16th at 7 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room. View the flyers here for  this night of friendship and fun : English / Español.
SamTrans Route 295 to Serve SHS
SamTrans bus service will be resuming down Alameda De las Pulgas in January. Get your Clipper Cards now --over the break -- and stay tuned for more information from SamTrans on Route 295 reconnection to Sequoia Station on El Camino Real.
Tell Sequoia What You Think - Complete Your Panorama Survey!
You were recently sent a link to a survey from the Panorama Education Team asking you to complete a survey about your family's experience at Sequoia.  Please take a moment to fill it out.

Your input is valuable to Sequoia High School, and by taking the time to fill out the survey before the end of the day on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, your child's teachers and school administrators will get feedback to help understand what they are doing well, and what they could be doing better. 

The survey is confidential and will not affect your child's grades; the information collected will only be used to help improve the school. In total, the survey should take fifteen minutes to complete, and you can skip questions if you don't have enough information to answer them.
 
As you must have a dedicated link, please contact The Panorama Team if you have deleted their original message.  Contact them at:  [email protected].
Sequoia Apparel
Looking for some Sequoia gear to show your school spirit?  Check out these online sites:
  • SEQUOIA TEAM SHOP - Open through Jan. 2 only! Click the link above, and cut/paste the following access code: feGyPwXQmU. Items should arrive in about 4 weeks after the site closes on Jan. 2, 2018. Apparel choices and ordering info are also listed on this flyer.
  • SEQUOIA OFFICIAL ONLINE STORE - This store will always be available, so you can jump on and purchase items to supplement your wardrobe at any time. This site also offers a wider range of items, and more customization items. Because each of these items are single-item productions, you will notice that the cost is higher than the items in the  TEAM SHOP.

Honey Bear Trees Still Available 
Purchase a Christmas Tree and Help the Class of 2018 
Sequoia 2018 Grad Activities receives 15% of the purchase price when you buy a holiday tree at  HONEY BEAR TREES.  Bring this flyer when you purchase your tree and wreath.  (If you happen to forget it, there will be extra flyers on the lot.) 

Sequoia 2018 Grad Activities recibirá el 15% del precio de compra cuando usted compre un árbol de Navidad en HONEY BEAR TREES. Simplemente muestre este folleto cuando usted compre su árbol y corona. (Si se le olvida, no se preocupe en la parcela abra más volantes disponibles.)
 
There are three locations convenient to our Sequoia school community:
  • 955 Woodside Road, Redwood City
  • 651 El Camino Real, Redwood City (RWC American Legion lot - new this year)
  • 2495 S. Delaware Street, San Mateo (San Mateo County Event Center)
Hours are 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, 7 days a week.
In This Issue
Principal's Message
Help Top Off Sequoia's Amazing Generosity
Teacher Appreciation Holiday Party
Students Support Each Other to Reduce College Decision Stress
PTA Scholarships
Help Strengthen Our Sequoia Community
SamTrans Route 295 to Serve SHS
Tell Sequoia What You Think
Sequoia Apparel
Honey Bear Trees Still Available
Action Summit
Parent Education
Calendar

THIS WEEK
Monday, Dec. 18
Collab day

Tuesday, Dec. 19
Adopt-a-Family gifts due at the Parent Center (Room 129)

Tue-Thu, Dec. 19-21
Finals ( see schedule here)

Friday, Dec. 22 
Winter break begins

UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018
School resumes; collab day

Thursday, Jan. 11
7 PM - Understanding PSAT Results, Carrington Hall

Monday, Jan. 15
Martin Luther King holiday - no school

Tuesday, Jan. 16
7 PM - SHS Community Dialogue meeting, MPR

Thursday, Jan. 18
6:30 PM - Middle College info meeting, SUHSD office, 480 James Ave
Quick Links
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Find past issues of the Sentinel: SequoiaPTSA.org 
En Español
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Community News
Action Summit 2018
Jan. 12-13 at the College of San Mateo
including a free Youth Day Jan. 13, 11 AM to 6 PM

Join Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center in kicking off our first annual Action Summit!  Action Summit is a 2-day conference convening cross-sector participants to inspire innovation, design the communities in which they would like to live and take action to bring about that change. 

Visit this website for more information and to register.
Parent Education - All Are Welcome
M-A Parent Education Series
Devorah Heitner, PhD, Founder, Raising Digital Natives
Empathy is the App: Raising Thoughtful Kids in the Digital Age

Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
 

2018 kicks off with nationally acclaimed media expert and author of Screenwise, Dr. Devorah Heitner! Join us for an inspiring presentation that addresses empathy, boundaries, and etiquette that can set kids up for a lifetime of success as digital communicators.
 
In the digital world, no skill is more crucial than empathy. Learn what it's like for teens to grow up in a world where school experiences, family life, and friendships are all shaped by digital connection -- and how you can share your own wisdom to help your kids become the best people they can be.
 
Parents, students, educators, and community members welcome!
Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission and light refreshments.
 
 
M-A Parent Education Series events are sponsored by   M-A PTA, Sequoia Healthcare District, and Sequoia Union High School District.
 
Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, M.A., Director, The Parent Education Series, at  [email protected] . For Spanish, contact Lilly Quiñonez, Parent Center Coordinator, at 650-322-5311, Ext. 50255. 
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Woodside Parent Education Series
Eran Magen, PhD, Stanford University
Managing Emotionally-Intense Conversations with Your Teen
 
Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Woodside High School, MUR (Multi-Use Room)
199 Churchill Avenue, Woodside
 

Trying to offer support when your teen seems upset or stressed can feel like tiptoeing through a minefield. 
 
In this highly interactive workshop, you will learn how to be more effective and comfortable offering emotional support when your teen is experiencing strong emotions such as stress, frustration, anxiety, or anger. You will also discover how to respond in a way that helps your child feel better and think more clearly, while strengthening your relationship. 
 
Parents, students, educators, and community members welcome!
Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission & light refreshments.
 
Woodside Parent Education Series events are sponsored by Woodside PTSA, Sequoia Healthcare District, and Sequoia Union High School District.
 
Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, M.A., Director, The Parent Education Series,  [email protected] . For Spanish, contact Maricela Lopez, Bilingual Parent Liaison, at (650) 367-7263, Ext. 45323.