Sequoia PTSA's weekly newsletter in partnership with Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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When I began teaching, Yahoo was the preferred search engine for casual web browsing. “Wikipedia” was a pejorative term among some of my veteran colleagues, many of whom openly celebrated their unwillingness to use email. We still received paper memos in our staff mailboxes in the main office. This was 2002.
In the summer between my high school graduation and my first semester of college, things like Netscape Navigator and email appeared suddenly. Generationally, this was a defining experience. Those of us who came of age in the cusp of the digital age take this state of upheaval as a constant. Netscape begat Yahoo, which begat Google — a static web became a dynamic web, and now we are transitioning into a thinking web.
There are big, interesting questions in the areas of physics, ethics, epistemology, and social justice as we start talking about broad impacts of this new age in AI (I found this podcast to be illuminating, if a tad sanguine). Toward our shared interest as a school community in preparing students for success and fulfillment as contributors in a global society, we may feel inspired by the optimism of technological advancement.
On the other hand, rapid changes such as the advent of AI-generated text create their own set of challenges. For educators and students, here are a few:
Uncertainty about accuracy and bias: As with any technology, there may be questions about the accuracy and objectivity of the information provided by ChatGPT. Educators may worry that students will take the responses of ChatGPT at face value without considering potential inaccuracies or biases.
Impact on student engagement and critical thinking: There is a risk that students may become overly reliant on ChatGPT for information, rather than engaging with their teacher or other resources. Teachers may worry that this could lead to decreased engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among their students.
Ethical concerns: Educators may also have ethical concerns about the use of ChatGPT, such as concerns about plagiarism or the appropriateness of using AI-generated responses in academic work.
FYI: The three bullet points above were generated using ChatGPT (this is me citing my sources). We’re already responding to a shifting line between authentic output and plagiarism. Sequoia’s Academic Integrity Policy may need clarification or update around questions or plagiarism and citation. These conversations are already happening in increasingly formal settings, and I look forward to being a part of them. For those of us who have been swimming in the water of digital evolution for these past few decades, we can be certain only of uncertainty. Socrates, you may recall, was suspicious of written text as a threat to human intellect.
We’ll keep our heads and remember that by 2044, ChatGPT will probably occupy the same real estate in our collective consciousness as AOL does today. A quaint reminder of a simpler time.
Have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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PTSA Reflections 2022-23: Students honored for expressing themselves through art |
The Reflections program encourages students to explore thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life. At the April PTSA meeting, we celebrated students who participated this year. Three Sequoia students received Awards of Excellence from the 17th district, one of which also achieved an Award of Excellence at the State level to proceed as a finalist at the National level. View their work.
Next year’s theme is I am hopeful because…..Tengo esperanza porque…. More information about participating is available here. Due dates will be announced in early fall. Email us and be part of next year’s Reflections team!
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Volunteer for IB exams April 28-May 19
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Sequoia needs 116 parent volunteers to assist with IB exams. Click this link to sign up. A smile and positive support can make a huge difference! FAQ's:
- You CAN assist with an exam your student is taking, but you will be stationed in a different room.
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Don't have an IB student? Get a peek at our students' impressive knowledge and work ethics! Watch this video to see what college-level classes/exams mean for students.
- The IB Program requires one proctor volunteer for every 20 students taking an exam.
- Our staff will give you all the instructions you need.
- We welcome any reliable adult’s help—ask a relative, college student, or neighbor to volunteer.
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This year, with funding from the Sequoia High School Education Fund, the PTSA was able to fund 37 Mini-Grants (up to $750) for teachers, students, and clubs. See below to get an idea of the fantastic and varied projects that were funded. |
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$750 grant: Talia Cain, Visual and Performing Arts Drama II class trip
The Drama II class went on a field trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR. The tickets for four shows at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, three educational events, and meals and lodging for all students was covered by the grant.
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$150 grant: Bagel Club
The Bagel Club gives 1-3 day old bagels, graciously sourced from House of Bagels on Laurel Street, to Sequoia Students and Life Moves, a nonprofit fighting homelessness locally. The Bagel Club has distributed about 900 bagels since the start of the school year, mostly for lunches for Sequoia students. With this grant, the club has been able to supply cream cheese and Nutella with the bagels.
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SHSEF seeking database chair |
SHSEF is looking for a database chair to manage our donor database. Interested? Email Marianne Jett for more info. |
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Juniors: Achievement Award applications now open |
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Seniors: Edgenuity deadline June 2 / ¡Se acerca la fecha límite de Edgenuity!
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SENIORS making up classes (D/F grades) for graduation and/or A-G requirements through our online credit recovery program Edgenuity must complete their classes by June 2, no exceptions. Contact your assigned counselor if you are unsure if you need to make up classes. Edgenuity teacher: Mr. Calles, jcalles@seq.org. Edgenuity Office Hours: Room 210 on Mondays and Thursdays, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Los SENIORS que están recuperando clases (calificaciones D/F) para los requisitos de graduación y/o universitarios a través de nuestro programa de recuperación de créditos en línea Edgenuity deben completar sus clases antes del 2 de junio, sin excepciones. Comunícate con tu consejera/o asignado si no estás segura/o si necesitas recuperar clases. Maestro de Edgenuity: Sr. Calles, jcalles@seq.org. Horario de oficina de Edgenuity: Aula 210 los lunes y jueves, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
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Seniors: Grad Week is just around the corner |
Class of 2023 Grad Week is right around the corner! Here's a calendar to help with your planning. !se acerca la semana de graduaciones! |
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Seniors: Financial aid / requisito de solicitud para ayuda financiera
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All high school seniors must complete a financial aid application, either the FAFSA or CADAA. Both applications provide students an opportunity to be considered for financial aid for college or vocational school. We encourage seniors to complete their application ASAP. FLEX workshops and appointments with College/Career Counselors are available. If you would like to complete the opt-out form or have questions about this requirement, please contact your assigned school counselor.
Todos los estudiantes del grado 12 deben completar una solicitud de ayuda financiera, ya sea la solicitud FAFSA o CADAA. Ambas solicitudes brindan a los estudiantes la oportunidad de ser considerados para recibir ayuda financiera para la universidad, colegio o una escuela vocacional. Alentamos que los estudiantes del grado 12 completen su solicitud lo más antes posible. Se encuentran disponibles talleres FLEX y citas con las consejeras del centro de colegios/carreras. Si desea completar el formulario de exclusión o tiene preguntas sobre este requisito, comuníquese con su consejera/o escolar asignado.
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Seniors: Get your Safe and Sober Grad Night tickets! |
Get your tickets for the Safe and Sober Grad Night on June 9! Tickets are $90 and include food, dancing, games, views, and FUN! Prices increase in May. Grads meet at Sequoia at 10:00 p.m., board buses to Hornblower Pier for an evening cruise and return to Sequoia at 4:00 a.m. All attendees must sign a waiver; students over 18 can sign for themselves. Event is for class of 2023 Sequoia grads ONLY. If purchasing a ticket for another student, please check with that student first. No refunds. Purchase tickets here. To pay by check, email us.
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Seniors: Class of 2023 sign / Clase del 2023 rótulo |
Celebrate your graduating senior by ordering a class of 2023 yard/window sign! Visit the PTSA webstore to order. Each sign is $15, and please feel free to “donate-a-sign” to families in our community. You will receive an email in April for pick-up location/times. Questions? Contact Christian De La Cruz.
Tiene un estudiante graduándose? Festeje su éxito y pida un rótulo de Clase del 2023 para su yarda/ventana! Visite la pagina de PTSA para poner su orden por solo $15 y si gusta dejar una donación será muy agradecido! Recibirá un correo electrónico en Abril para que lo venga a recoger. Si tiene preguntas, por favor en comunicarse con Christian De La Cruz.
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4/24 Track & Field vs San Mateo - 3:00 pm
4/25 Softball vs San Mateo - Varsity 4:00 pm
4/25 Boys Lacrosse vs Menlo- Atherton - Varsity 7:00 pm, JV 5:00 pm
4/25 Boys Volleyball - *Senior Night - Varsity vs Mills 6:15, JV vs TKA 4:30 pm
4/26 Baseball vs Carlmont - JV 4:00 pm
4/27 Baseball vs Carlmont - Varsity 4:00 pm
4/27 Track & Field - PAL Varsity Trials 4:00 pm
4/29 Softball vs Hillsdale - Varsity 11:00
Varsity Stunt has a meet at Palo Alto High School on 4/26 at 5:00 p.m.
Follow @SeqBoosters and individual sports on Instagram for the latest game times!
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$3000 for senior athletes |
The Sequoia Sport & Spirit Boosters are proud to offer up to six (6) $500 scholarships for seniors who participated in Varsity-level sports or sports leadership at Sequoia this year. Seniors should use the Judy Carmona Scholarship Google Form to submit their two-paragraph application. Applications are due by Thursday, May 4.
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The Sequoia Boosters are forming our team for next year and urgently need a Treasurer. Please contact sequioaboosters@gmail.com if you can devote your time and talent to Sequoia athletics. Other available roles include Parliamentarian, Database Manager, and Social Media Manager — and there are many other big and small ways to get involved.
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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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