Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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A few weeks ago, Science Dept. Chair Jessica Magallanes and I were walking through campus during lunch. As we surveyed the recently fallen oak near the music wing, we heard an intensely beautiful piano sound pouring out of the open door to the choir room. We tiptoed in. I don’t know if the student noticed us or not. He was all alone and resolute, playing a classical piece with great energy and flair: sweeping runs down the keyboard, head nods. It was a physical performance.
When he finished, Ms. Magallanes approached him enthusiastically with questions and praise. How long had he been playing? Where had he learned his technique? What composers were his favorites? I stood dumbstruck by his skill and obvious dedication. Though he’s a 12th grader, I’d never had a conversation with him before this moment. He told us he’d always loved classical music but had never had the opportunity to take lessons. During the pandemic, he immersed himself in YouTube tutorials, practiced like it was his job, and celebrated his growth in relative solitude. “I don’t know if I’d ever want to perform in front of other people,” he said. “Maybe.”
When Sequoia returned from distance learning, he sought out our choir and orchestra conductor Othello Jefferson, who provided refined feedback on technique and posed new challenges for the student, to build his chops and repertoire. Mr. Jefferson has become his coach, and the student spends most lunches in the choir room playing our piano (which he prefers to the electronic keyboard he has at home). I haven’t stopped thinking about this student since that day.
Having had the privilege to be an educator during a time of rapid technological advancement means perpetually wondering how fast the hoofbeats of obsolescence are approaching. We know the industrial model on which most K-12 structures are built is outmoded. We know a teacher’s role as sole purveyor of knowledge has been supplanted by the digital proliferation of information. This is nothing new. When I started it was WIkipedia that was going to put us all out of business, today it’s ChatGPT.
But it is worth noting how our roles as educators and students continue to shift. Teaching is less about parsing out information and more about curating. Relationships remain vital. That kids don’t care-what-you-know until they know-that-you-care is immutable. But once we establish trust and steer students toward ideas, experiences, and texts that might awaken something authentic inside them, limitless information is there for the taking. A student can go as far as they want. Our opportunity to thrive as educators is in providing meaningful feedback, coaching, and fostering an ideal environment for both social and intellectual growth.
We will wrestle with the implications of AI for learning. We will continue to push wellness, especially with regards to digital habits. Most importantly, we will make sure students know that their ability to build common purpose through empathy and positivity is always going to add more value to an endeavor than them being the smartest person in the room. It’s a lesson so many great Sequoia teachers (Ms. Magallanes and Mr. Jefferson being among the best) model every day.
Have a great week!
Sean
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Recruiting Sentinel Staff for 2023-2024 |
Looking for a fun, behind-the-scenes way to contribute to our high school community? Volunteer as an editor for the Sequoia Sentinel!
Commitment is five hours, once a month, during the school year. We will train you, but a knowledge of Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Constant Contact is helpful. Contact us at sequoiasentinel@gmail.com for more information.
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February news from the Media Center |
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Feb. 15: Drama Club's Spring Coffeehouse Night is this week! |
Drama Club is excited to be hosting another Coffeehouse Night fundraiser. This is an open-mic style event where students can sign up to perform, volunteer as a barista, or donate baked goods. We are also looking for some generous families to help donate beverage items (hot drink cups with lids, coffee travelers, hot chocolate travelers, and tea travelers). Please contact Talia Cain if you are interested in supporting the drama program in this way.
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Feb. 15 - Mar. 3: Artwork on Display |
Student artwork will be on display in the Powell Art Gallery from February 15 to March 3. The show will feature work from the Digital Arts Academy and Visual Arts classes. We hope you can stop by and check it out!
Note: The Powell Art Gallery is open during school-day lunch periods. All visitors to the campus during the school day (including visitors to the Powell Art Gallery) will first need to check-in with the Assistant Vice Principal's office for a visitor's pass.
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Until Feb. 24: Get your 2022-23 Sequoia Drama merch! |
Drama Club has designed a collection of Sequoia Drama merch for this school year. Get your hoodie today, and support the drama program! All proceeds will go toward funding field trips, such as the one Drama I and Drama II classes are going on soon, to see SF Broadway's production of SIX the musical!
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Due Mar. 13: Purple Patriot Award nominations |
The Alumni Association is soliciting nominations for its annual Purple Patriot Award, which honors individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding service or provided a significant benefit directly to Sequoia High School. Nominees may be from Sequoia or the community at large. Recipients will receive a framed certificate and have their name inscribed on a perpetual trophy on permanent display at the high school.
Please indicate the individual or organization name, stating why the nominee should receive this award. Indicate specifically what role the nominee played in directly providing the service or benefit to Sequoia High School, and explain in detail what the service or benefit was. Nominations must be either submitted in writing to The Sequoia High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064; emailed to shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org; or placed in the Sequoia High School Alumni Association mailbox near the Principal's office no later than Monday, March 13.
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Mar. 22 SAT exam — parents and grandparents, we need volunteers! |
Curious what the SAT exam experience is like? Can you pitch in a few hours at school on Wednesday, March 22? Sequoia is hosting the SAT exam in Gym 1 this spring, for Sequoia juniors.
**IMPORTANT**: Volunteers for the SAT exam cannot be relatives of any student taking the test that same day.
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Join Sequoia's debate team! |
We invite your student to join the Sequoia debate team! We are ranked 18th in the country and coached by a nationally ranked Stanford debater. The team meets every Friday from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in room 202. Snacks provided!
Debate gives students the opportunity to develop important skills for high school and beyond, in a friendly, community setting. Skills include critical thinking and analysis, evaluating opposing viewpoints, research under a time limit, and many more. While debate may seem daunting, no prior experience is needed to attend practice or tournaments. Everyone who enjoys challenging themselves is welcome!
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Youth & Family Mental Health Services Community Conversation |
The following is an opportunity to provide input on how Mental Health Services Act funds will be spent in San Mateo County.
Join the San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission's Youth Committee for a community conversation on what mental-health and substance-use supports are needed for young people and families in our county.
Youth & Family Mental Health Services Community Conversation.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
San Mateo County is determining what mental-health and behavioral-health services, programs, and infrastructure to invest in over the next three years, using Mental Health Services Act funding from the State of California. Please join us to share your specific needs and make sure they are included.
We look forward to seeing you all there!
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Senior financial aid details |
Attention all seniors! There is a new graduation requirement mandated by the state of California, that all seniors need to complete a financial aid application, either the FAFSA or Dream Act, even if their post-graduate plans don't include attending college.
We are sponsoring a school-wide contest, and each senior who applies will be automatically entered into a raffle for two free prom tickets provided by ASB. Additionally, the College and Career Center will be sponsoring a pizza party for the first three social studies classes that demonstrate 100% participation by filling out a financial aid application by March 2. All other classes that reach 100% participation will get to enjoy donuts. Please work with your student to complete the form that best suits your family, by the deadline, and encourage them to motivate their classmates as well! If you have questions, reach out to Ms. Yeager or Ms. Ignaitis in the College and Career Center.
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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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Feb 13: Freshman Boys Basketball vs. Hillsdale - 7:00 pm
Feb 15: Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Aragon - 5:00 pm
Feb 15: Sportsmanship night - 7:00 pm (mandatory for all spring sport families. One parent and the athlete should attend)
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By Feb. 28: Register for Sequoia Boosters Crab Feed and Auction! |
Tickets to the Crab Feed Dinner & Auction are selling fast! Get yours here and let’s see how much we can raise for SEQ sports while we celebrate our hard-working student athletes. Pro Tip: Purchase your crab cracker and fork keepsake set when you buy your ticket. $5 for one set and $8 for two.
Volunteer to help at the event or donate an item to round out our exciting auction catalog. Subscription parties and vacation homes make great packages! Auction highlights include the ever-popular VIP graduation package and VIP grad parking, getaways to San Diego or the Oregon Coast, club-level Giants & 49ers tickets, progressive parties, Geoffrey’s diamonds, custom cornhole boards, and much, much more!
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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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Sequoia Family Center needs new, black men's sweatpants |
Sequoia's Family Center is in need of new, black men's sweatpants to give to students who want to participate in PE, dance, and sports, but don't have the funds to purchase this important activewear.
We are in most need of Men's sizes small and medium in solid black, like these, these, or these. We need NEW items with tags; but if you have unused sweats in like-new shape (just missing the store tags), we welcome those too. We cannot accept used clothing at this time.
Please bring your donation in a bag labeled "for the SEQ FAMILY CENTER" to the Family Center (room 129), any weekday from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., or to the staff mailroom between 3:00-7:00 p.m. Questions? Please contact shsef.fs@gmail.com. Thank you!
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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Lynn Silver, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a pediatrician and public health expert who serves as a Senior Advisor at the Public Health Institute. Her work focuses on promoting policy and environmental changes to reduce the harmful use of marijuana products, along with regulation of the emerging cannabis industry.
Lynn Silver, MD, MPH, FAAP, es pediatra y experta en salud pública que se desempeña como asesora principal en la Instituto de Salud Pública. Su trabajo actual se enfoca en promover cambios ambientales y de políticas para reducir el uso nocivo de productos de marihuana, junto con la regulación de la industria emergente del cannabis. Enlace de zoom.
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Henry Huang, MD, Cardiologist, and Liz Lazar-Johnson, CEO, Via Heart Project. February is Heart Health Month! Join Sequoia Healthcare District for a Town Hall on individual and family heart health awareness and education. Presenters include Henry Huang, MD, Cardiologist, Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital, and Liz Lazar-Johnson, founder and CEO, Via Heart Project. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be provided. Free admission.
Febrero es Mes de la Salud del Corazón! Unirse Distrito de atención médica de Sequoia para un ayuntamiento sobre concienciación y educación sobre la salud cardíaca individual y familiar. Los presentadores incluyen Dr. Henry Huang, Cardiólogo, Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital, y Liz Lazar-Johnson, fundador y director ejecutivo de Via Heart Project. ¡Padres/cuidadores, socios sin fines de lucro, profesionales de la salud, funcionarios locales y miembros de la comunidad son bienvenidos! Habrá interpretación simultánea en español. Entrada gratis.
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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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