Sequoia PTSA's weekly newsletter in partnership with Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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“I was trying to give the students what I wish I’d had in high school.”
There was a tone of relief in the voice of the Stanford undergraduate who spoke these words to a full lecture hall last Thursday. Moments earlier, as he presented his project for Dr. Jonathan Rosas’s Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity course, his nerves were more prevalent. His audience consisted not only of his classmates and professor, but also over 40 Sequoia High School ninth graders. They were there to assess his work.
It all began a few months back when Dr. Rosas, who has been a partner over the years inviting our students to be a part of his courses, partnered with Sequoia’s volunteer coordinator Elisa Niño-Sears. Understanding that the highest level of mastery is the ability to teach a topic or skill, Dr. Rosas asked his students to identify key concepts from their studies and design a relevant and engaging thematic unit of lessons for a ninth grade Ethnic Studies class. Who better to determine whether their lessons were successful than the students themselves.
To kick off the project, Sequoia teacher Diana Nguyen, who was a key member of the SUHSD team that designed the course all ninth graders take, was brought in as a guest lecturer at Stanford to help the undergrads understand the goals of our course and some basic pedagogy. The Stanford students got to work building their lessons, and eventually voted for 15 standouts from among their peers to present to the Sequoia students.
We recruited from our Ethnic Studies class. There was a waitlist—students eager to take a trip to Palo Alto (and eat pizza) to have the lessons “pitched” to them. Then the positions shifted: the Sequoia students trundled to the front of the hall to offer their feedback and praise. It was evident when a particular “pitch” was a winner among the Sequoia kids (lessons incorporating a history of hip-hop and Avatar: The Last Airbender were two crowd favorites) and the Stanford students beamed with a pride I rarely see when a paper test gets passed back. It was an authentic assessment and a true celebration of knowledge.
Perhaps more importantly, it was an opportunity for our Sequoia ninth graders to see themselves as belonging in a room full of elite college students. Far from the super-scholars we might envision at Stanford, the students in Dr. Rosas’s class were quirky, nervous, and all-too-human. They liked the same music, movies, comedians, and streaming shows as their younger peers. Our students could see themselves reflected at the front of the room. That’s empowering.
Have a great week!
Sean
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April 4: Reflections reception during PTSA/ELAC meeting |
Reflections is a PTSA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves by creating original works of art guided by a selected theme. This year’s theme was Show Your Voice/Hazte Escuchar. Please join us at the Annual PTA Reflections reception as we recognize participating students. Students will be recognized at the beginning of the PTSA/ELAC meeting on April 4. Click here to view the finalists’ work.
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Thank you for supporting the Staff Appreciation Breakfast! |
The morning after Open House, the PTSA treated our wonderful teachers and staff to espresso drinks and tasty breakfast treats. Many teachers and staff pre-ordered for convenient in-class deliveries, while others stopped by the staff lounge to order their own espresso drinks and select from a breakfast buffet.
THANK YOU to all of the families who donated breakfast treats. A big shout out to the parents and ASB students who helped assemble orders and make deliveries! It was a special way to celebrate the hard work and commitment of teachers and staff, and they certainly seemed to appreciate the appreciation!
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April 2-23: Applications open for Junior Achievement Awards |
The PTSA gives out annual awards to recognize juniors who have demonstrated achievement in academics, community service, and resilience. This program is called the Junior Achievement Awards. The application for this award opens on April 2 and closes on April 23.
Juniors should complete the application in order to be considered for this award. The link to this year’s application will be sent out on April 2. Click here to view a previous year’s application.
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SHSEF looking for database chair |
SHSEF is looking for a database chair to manage our donor database. Tasks include pulling reports and segmentations for appeals, and assisting with the transition to a new system.
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Through March 31: IB Art exhibition |
The senior IB Art exhibition in the Powell Art Gallery will be open during lunchtime starting Wednesday, March 15 through Friday, March 31. |
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Upcoming student activities |
Check out all the great things happening at Sequoia! |
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Prom tickets: One-day sale! |
Prom is coming up fast! Tickets will go on sale this Friday, March 31, with one of Sequoia's most popular traditions, the one-day ticket sale! Tickets will be at their cheapest for one day only. All Sequoia student tickets will be discounted to $90 during the one-day sale, and will be sold at lunch. No guest tickets will be sold at the one-day sale. Accepted methods of payment: cash, credit/debit card, ApplePay, or check (made out to Sequoia HS). We cannot accept Venmo.
Regularly priced tickets will be on sale every day at lunch from April 3-19 at a cost of $100. Guest tickets may be purchased between April 3 and April 19 for $110. No guest tickets will be sold without a completed guest pass. CLICK HERE to access the guest pass. Please contact Director of Student Activities Corey Uhalde with any questions.
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Yearbooks can be reserved at jostensyearbooks.com. Reserve yours now! The price will increase after spring break. We plan to sell out, so don’t wait! Please email questions to Eileen Bray.
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March news from the Media Center |
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Seniors: Get your class of ’23 Safe and Sober Grad Night tickets! |
Tickets are on sale for the Safe and Sober Grad Night! Tickets are $90 and include: food, dancing, games, views, and FUN! Act now—ticket prices will increase again in May.
The grads will meet at Sequoia around 10:00 p.m. to board buses that will take them to the Hornblower 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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3/28 Varsity Softball vs. Carlmont - 4:00 p.m.
3/28 Boys Lacrosse vs. Los Altos - Varsity 7:00 p.m.
3/29 JV Baseball vs. MA - 4:00 p.m.
3/30 Badminton vs. Terra Nova - 4:30 p.m.
3/30 Boys Tennis vs. Westmoor - 4:00 p.m.
3/30 Boys Lacrosse vs. Palo Alto - JV 5:00 p.m.
3/30 Boys Lacrosse vs. Palo Alto - Varsity 7:00 p.m.
3/31 Boys & Girls Swimming vs. Woodside - 3:30 p.m.
3/31 Varsity Baseball vs. MA - 4:00 p.m.
Badminton and boys tennis will compete at Woodside High School on March 28. Track & field will compete at Woodside on March 29 and at the Stanford Invitational on March 31.
Please follow @SeqBoosters and individual sports on Instagram for the latest game times and info! Many games have been rescheduled due to weather.
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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Las relaciones pueden traer felicidad y proteger la salud. Belinda Campos, PhD, Profesora de Estudios Chicanos/Latinos en la Universidad de California en Irvine, presentará los hallazgos de su trabajo que muestran cómo las culturas que dan prioridad a los demás antes que a uno mismo pueden ser beneficiosas para las relaciones. y protectora de la salud. Enlace de zoom.
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Inclusive education shows us that ALL kids need support and can benefit from educational practices that serve children with visible and invisible disabilities. To transform inclusive education, we need to change our aim and find the value in diversity. Click here to watch Dr. Shelley Moore’s TED talk, Transforming Inclusive Education.
La educación inclusiva nos muestra que TODOS los niños necesitan apoyo y pueden beneficiarse de las prácticas educativas que sirven a los niños con discapacidades visibles e invisibles. Para transformar la educación inclusiva, necesitamos cambiar nuestro objetivo y encontrar el valor en la diversidad. Enlace de zoom.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS |
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Volunteer opportunity: Mock interviewers needed May 10 |
Easy and fun volunteer opportunity for anyone with experience interviewing for a job. Watch students visibly improve and sit up with confidence as they proceed through two interviews. We would love for you to bring a spouse, colleague, or friend to volunteer with you!
When: May 10
What: Skyline College Career Fair
Where: Skyline College, 3300 College Dr, San Bruno, CA 94066
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Costa Rica Youth Exchange |
Our program is for Spanish students who are ready for a full immersion to build speaking confidence and gain fluency. Call Costa Rica Youth Exchange toll free at 1-888-674-0408 or email Ilba Prego, Director.
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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
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
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
Class email lists: subscribe to class e-blasts, with news tailored for each student year
Student News
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
Quick Links:
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En Español: ÂżQuieres traducir este boletĂn ahora? En Español: 1-Mantenga presionada la tecla Control (PC) y la tecla A para seleccionar toda la página, a continuaciĂłn, mantenga presionada la tecla Control y haga clic en la tecla C para copiar la página entera. 2-Abra una página nueva del navegador web y vaya a google translate. 3-Coloca el cursor en la caja y mantenga presionada la tecla Control y haga clic en la tecla V para pegar el boletĂn completo en el cuadro de traducciĂłn.
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE SENTINEL |
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The Sentinel goes out to 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 button below.
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