Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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Last year around this time, I’d hoped the story of Sequoia’s James LeBlanc might illustrate the importance of Black History Month as an opportunity, at the local level, to undo historical erasure and be intentional about inclusion, moving forward. We strive to one day look back on a shared narrative that reflects the breadth and diversity of our community.
During the prologue to last Sunday’s Super Bowl, the inimitable Sheryl Lee Ralph of Abbott Elementary (and one Broadway’s original Dreamgirls) performed a song called “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The song was written around the turn of the 20th century and is affectionately known as the Black National Anthem.
I’d never heard the song until early in my career at Sequoia, when I attended our district’s annual celebration for Black graduates for the first time. The event, coordinated each year by Sequoia teachers Adili Skillin and Taja Henderson, brings Black students and families from all our district schools together, the Sunday before graduation, to recognize our students’ achievements and future plans in an intimate and joyous setting.
It is Sequoia’s choir and orchestra teacher Othello Jefferson who leads attendees in the song. Mr. Jefferson, consummate teacher, treats attendees to a brief tutorial on “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before striking the keys for the introductory chords and melody. The song, with its beating-heart tempo and unflinching lyrics (“Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us / Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us”), becomes a part of you if you’re lucky enough to hear it in a setting like that.
On Friday, Feb. 17, members of Sequoia’s Black Student Union (one of our most active and thriving clubs at Sequoia), hosted a gathering on the school’s front lawn: games, food, music, and joy. Lunch, for purchase, came in a brown bag with an inspirational quote from an important figure in Black history, handwritten by one of the students. Listening to 12th grader Akiyla Majors deliver a spoken-word recitation while teachers and students played mancala might be my happiest moment so far this year.
I am grateful for Black History Month and the opportunity it gives us all to look both backward and forward, with intentionality. We can share the kinds of stories that reflect our aspirations. I’m grateful, as always, to be part of a community like Sequoia, which is so rich in these kinds of stories. I’m also fairly certain that, one day, future Sequoians will speak of figures like Othello, Taja, and Adili in the same way we hear folks talk about Otis Carrington and Jay Selby.
Have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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Valentines for teachers and staff |
To remind the teachers and staff how much we love and appreciate them, plantable seed heart valentines were delivered to their mail boxes. Treats were also delivered to the mailroom and the staff lounge for them to enjoy. Thank you so much to everyone that contributed candy and fruit for the occasion! |
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SAT exam volunteers needed! |
Sequoia is hosting the SAT exam on Wednesday, March 22 for Sequoia juniors—and we need volunteers!
**IMPORTANT**: Volunteers for the SAT exam cannot be relatives of any student taking the test that same day.
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Recruiting Sentinel staff for 2023-24 |
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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Feb. 15-Mar. 3: Artwork on display |
Student artwork will be on display in the Powell Art Gallery from Feb.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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Date: April 22
Time: 7:30-11:00 p.m.
Location: San Francisco City Hall
Put the information in your calendar, and remember to look for more information coming soon. See you there!
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French exchange students in need of host families |
We are happy to welcome our sister school from Muret (near Toulouse), France, back on campus for the first time since pre-pandemic! They will be here for a short visit to the Bay Area from April 25-May 3. We are urgently looking for host families who can accommodate another teenager (or their teacher) in the house.
Cultural exchanges are one thing that make our wonderful community more international. Sharing rooms is totally fine, but students must have their own bed. Other languages besides English spoken at home are also totally welcome, as it reflects the diversity of the United States. If you know someone who can host, or if you can host yourself, please fill out a Host Family Application and send it back in PDF form. If you have any questions, contact Karina Chin. Merci!
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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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February news from the Media Center |
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Early bird discount tickets for class of ’23 Safe and Sober Grad Night |
Tickets are now on sale for the Safe and Sober Grad Night! A ticket includes: food, dancing, games, views, and FUN! Get in on the early bird price of only $80! Prices go up on March 13.
The grads will meet at Sequoia around 10:00 p.m. to board buses that will take them to the Horn Blower Pier for an evening cruise around the San Francisco Bay. They will return to Sequoia around 4:00 a.m. All attendees must sign a waiver; students over 18 are able to sign for themselves, but must have a completed waiver.
This event is for Sequoia graduates of the class of 2023 ONLY. If your students wish to purchase a ticket for another student, please check with that student first. No refunds.
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Class of 2023 high school diplomas |
Seniors: Please check your Sequoia email. You will receive an email from sequoiacounseling@seq.org with your full legal name. This is how it will appear on your high school diploma. If your name needs to be corrected: Please follow the steps given in the email. You will have until Friday, March 3 to notify Fernando Ruiz in the counseling office of any mistakes before the diploma order is placed.
Estudiantes del grado 12: Por favor revisen su correo de la escuela. Recibirán un correo electrónico de sequoiacounseling@seq.org con su nombre completo legal como va aparecer escrito en su diploma de graduación. Por favor de seguir los pasos necesarios indicados en ese correo electrónico si su nombre está incorrecto. Tendrán hasta el viernes 3 de marzo del 2023 para notificar a Fernando Ruiz en la oficina de consejería de cualquier error antes de ordenar los diplomas.
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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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March 5-12: Online auction
March 11: Crab Feed dinner and live auction
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Don’t miss your chance to win big and small packages donated by local businesses, Sequoia sports teams, and our wonderful community!
- 2023 VIP Grad seats, parking & breakfast for 20!
- Get-aways to San Diego, Oregon, or the Central Coast
- Luxury sailing day on the bay
- Custom Sequoia cornhole boards and other SEQ swag!
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Have items to donate to the Boosters live or silent auction? |
Ideas include:
- Hosted parties—Dinner & drinks, bowling night, theme parties
- Vacation homes, experiences, or airline miles
- Sporting event tickets & memorabilia
- Gift cards or goods & services from your favorite local business
Donations are tax deductible, and funds raised benefit Sequoia sports teams with equipment, transportation, uniforms, and 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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What can today’s parents gain from Mister Rogers’ learning science? In their new book, When You Wonder, You're Learning, authors Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski introduce a new generation of families to the enduring lessons of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
¿Qué pueden ganar los padres de hoy con la ciencia del aprendizaje de Mister Rogers? En su nuevo libro, Cuando te preguntas, estás aprendiendo, autores Gregg Behr y Ryan Rydzewski introducir a una nueva generación de familias a las lecciones perdurables de Barrio del señor Rogers. Enlace de zoom.
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Katherine Sellery, an internationally renowned parenting expert, has helped thousands of families create stronger relationships with their kids. Using strategies that build deeper connections, her “conscious parenting” methods help cultivate healthier communication based on love, care, and mutual respect.
Katherine Sellery, un experto en crianza de renombre internacional, ha ayudado a miles de familias a crear relaciones más sólidas con sus hijos. Usando estrategias que construyen una conexión más profunda, sus métodos de "crianza consciente" ayudan a cultivar una comunicación más saludable basada en el amor, el cuidado y el respeto mutuo. 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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