Sequoia Sentinel
April 25, 2021
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Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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And we are off to a great start! It’s been a month since we started welcoming our students back to campus and things are going really well. I am back on drop-off/pick up duties and it gives me so much joy to see the campus hustling and alive. It gives me some sense of normalcy. At the same time, I am torn at what’s happening in some parts of the world, specially India. What we see and hear in the news is real! This also means that as we start getting back to our lives, we cannot let our guard down and need to continue to take the precautions we have been for the last year.
On the PTSA front, the Senior Grad Activities team is busy planning a fun send off to the Class of 2021 that includes a brunch and an exciting Grad Night (more details below). Teacher appreciation events have started -- we set up coffee carts for the teachers and plan a breakfast and a lunch before the end of year.
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Our last general membership meeting will be on Tuesday, May 4. We have a packed agenda, there is so much to share. Some of the sections of the meeting will overlap with the ELAC meeting, we have 2 different zoom links to accommodate for the schedules of the PTSA General Membership Meeting and the ELAC meeting.
Parents attending the Reflections and the PTSA meeting, will need to switch to a different zoom link for the Data Science Meeting and then come back to the PTSA meeting link. Please note the different Zoom Links for the different sections.
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Overview of Agenda:
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. -- Reflections Reception
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. -- PTSA General Membership Meeting
7:00 - 7:30 p.m. -- Data Science Meeting
7:30 - 7:45 p.m. -- Principal Sean Priest
7:45 - 8:00 p.m. -- PTSA Business
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6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Reflections
Reception
Please join us in celebrating this year's Reflections participants!
Reflections is a PTSA-sponsored program to promote student expression through creating original works guided by a selected theme, this year’s was: I Matter Because/Yo Importo Porque. On Tuesday we will recognize students and announce the winners who advanced to the district and state competitions. View the finalists’ work here.
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6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
PTSA General Membership Meeting
This is the last General Membership Meeting of the year. We will have PTSA business updates and thank our volunteers.
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7:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Sean Priest joins the PTSA Meeting
This will be the last talk from Principal Sean Priest for the year.
Please join to hear about updates and his reflections on how things are going with school re-opening.
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7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn about the *NEW* Data Science Course at Sequoia
Interested in learning more about Sequoia's new Explorations in Data Science course? This class for seniors will help students learn data analysis skills and think critically about data.
It was developed by a team of math educators through Youcubed at Stanford University, and we have the honor of hosting professor Jo Boaler, founder of Youcubed, to discuss the course and the importance of Data Science. Please join us and learn about this exciting opportunity for the 12th graders.
Topic: Data Science Course at Sequoia (Same Zoom link as the ELAC Meeting)
Time: May 4, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 775 637 4581
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Meeting ID: 775 637 4581
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May 3: Junior scholarship deadline extended |
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The application deadline for PTSA Junior Scholarships has been extended to Monday, May 3 at 10:00 p.m. We have 20 scholarships to offer, each worth $250. There are three categories of scholarships to recognize students: academic success, community service, and achievement in the face of socio-economic challenges. This is a great way for juniors to get a head start on college applications, to be recognized for all you have done to make Sequoia a better place, and to earn some extra money to continue your education! View the application and more information on applying for PTSA Junior Scholarships and Contact Angie Namenuk with questions.
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Candy lei fundraiser for class of 2022: help needed |
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Spring 2021 mini-grants in action |
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Model UN: students leading real-world discussions
Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations General Assembly and its other multilateral bodies where students perform an ambassador role while debating topics such as gender equality, climate action, global health, and more! Through public speaking, critical thinking, and in-depth research, this experience allows students to cultivate skills and enrich their global affairs knowledge.
Sequoia High School's Model UN Club, led by Prerna Sharma and Arth Shukla, is comprised of 20 students -- all of whom help plan, lead and engage in impactful conferences across the U.S. Even under Covid restrictions, their club was able to meet once a week and participate as delegates in virtual conferences held by Stanford, the University of California at Irvine, the University of Southern California, and the San Francisco MUN.
Individual student contributions, along with funding through the PTSA Mini-Grants team, helped make their conferences a reality! “Set in periods like the Great Depression or the Meiji Restoration, debate in Stanford crisis committees concerning trade, agriculture, unionization, and more was riveting and historically driven” noted Arth Shukla.
After the UC Irvine conference, Marta Olson mentioned, "The conference was an amazing experience all around. I got to meet new people from all over California, practice my public speaking skills, and learn more about cybersecurity!"
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Let there be music!: instructing a fully remote band
When the pandemic moved all students to remote learning, the amazing Sequoia High School band teacher, Ms. Jane Woodman, realized the need for instrument access for students at home. With help from the PTSA mini-grant fund, Ms. Woodman secured resonate bells for her students, allowing them to continue to progress musically while improving student participation and interest from their homes. These instruments will be used by the Sequoia High School band for years to come.
Ms. Woodman noted, “With these funds, I was able to purchase seven new bell sets for SHS Band. The immediate impact was that I could get bell sets to all percussionists in the program who did not already have bell sets at home. This is huge, as it means that - even in distance learning - all players could play and improve on their mallet skills.”
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Do you have questions for our Sequoia 2020-2021 PTSA Board? Reach Isha Bhatt, PTSA President and the rest of the team at sequoiaptsa@gmail.com.
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Our mission is to positively impact the lives of all children and families. |
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May 14: A (pitch) perfect movie night |
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Come for an evening on the small turf field at the front of campus to watch and sing along to the film “Pitch Perfect” on the biggest inflatable screen you have ever seen! Admission is free, though you MUST RSVP ahead of time.
Light concessions will be available for sale. This event is open to all grades. All social distancing protocols must be followed. All students must leave within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the film.
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May 14: Java programming career symposium
Who: Software engineers, front-end programmers, mobile programmers, product managers, UX designers, startups and those that work closely with those roles.
What: One-day symposium to offer students insight into various roles leveraging their skills in Java. Career round table presenters will speak to small groups of students.
Where: Zoom
When: Friday, May 14, 2:05 - 2:50 p.m.
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May 14, 29 and June 4: Parents needed to chaperone events |
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As the school year winds down, there are several FUN events coming up that require adult chaperones and we need your help to make these happen! There are three chances to sign up to chaperone:
- School-Wide Movie Night on May 14,
- Senior "Prom" on May 29, and
- Grad Night on June 4 (at SportsHouse).
We specifically need volunteers from families of 9th-11th grade to chaperone the senior events to help ensure graduates are able to celebrate without their own families chaperoning. All adults over 21 years are able to participate (parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts & uncles, etc.). Sign up today!
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Deadline June 5: Submit to the Sequoia Student Poetry Anthology 2021 |
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Submit a poem for an opportunity to get published in a Sequoia-only student anthology! Three contest winners will receive cash prizes, but everyone will have an opportunity for their poem to be published in a physical anthology.
Additionally, submit art for a chance to be on the cover or in the anthology! The deadline for the contest is June 5 at 11:59 p.m.
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Please return books to book drop |
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As you can imagine, recovering books throughout the pandemic has been challenging. You should have received a notice from Destiny, our catalog system, telling you what you have checked out. We want you to know that we do not charge fines for late books, so if you ever find a book with Sequoia stamping, we'll take it back at any time, without question. Generally, textbooks are DUE WHEN YOU'RE DONE. No need to email us if you're still using a book. See a fine for a book that you don't have? Send an email and we'll sort it out.
If you're ready to return books, please do so using the BOOK DROP located at the top of the steps to the Media Center entrance, on the left. We need all books back, even those from last year. Check out the Media Center’s latest newsletter and follow us on Instagram to keep up with upcoming events, author talks, and more.
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Check out the upcoming senior class activities |
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Our one and only Corey Uhalde, with team, have pulled together several events for the class of 2021. Adhering to current COVID recommendations, there are several opportunities for Seniors to celebrate. Check out the list of outdoor activities today!.
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May 7: Scholarship applications due for senior athletes |
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Each year, the Boosters award several $500 college scholarships to students involved in Sequoia sports to honor the memory of Judy Carmona.
Eligible students are graduating seniors with a current GPA of 2.0 who have participated in at least one season on a Varsity team or equivalent, or in Sports Leadership, and whose family has been a Sequoia Sports Boosters donor or volunteer in the current school year. Learn more at Sequoia Sport & Spirit Boosters.
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May 12: Cap and gown pickup |
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Graduation is almost here! You've been thinking about this cap and gown for a long time, and now it's time to get yours! Caps and gowns can be picked up from the Student Activities Center on May 12th. Students who submitted measurements will receive a package labeled with their name on it.
If you did NOT submit measurements, we did order extras. You can still pick one up. Please make plans to attend on Wednesday. Students unable to attend on this date may pick their cap and gown up on Friday, May 14 between 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
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June 3: Brunch Celebration |
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The Class of 2021 will gather for a brunch celebration on June 3 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., which leads into the graduation ceremony practice. Volunteers and donations are needed to help make this event a success. Sign up to volunteer for a little bit or all morning! Questions? Contact Jen Pedrotti.
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June 4: Grad Night -- tickets on sale NOW |
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Don't forget to buy your graduating senior a ticket to Grad Night! The celebration will begin at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 4 at SportsHouse in Redwood City and end at 2:00 a.m. on June 5.
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Senior IB questions answered |
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Class of 2021 IB students and families: we know many of you have questions about IB final scores - how to check them, how to send them to your college etc.
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LIVE sports feed for LAX, basketball, soccer, water polo |
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Booster funds make LIVE STREAM possible |
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The outlook for Sequoia athletics was uncertain this year, but we now have over 500 individual student athletes participating in a Sequoia sport!
And thanks to your Boosters donations, SHS was able to purchase cameras to live stream our games from the pool, gym, and main field. Now friends and family can tune in to cheer on the Ravens from near or far!
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“That’s So Raven” is a Sequoia ASB Production. |
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This week on That's So Raven:
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A photographic record of student lives
Take a peek at the world through the eyes of the students.
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Supporting parent education |
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Thanks in part to a grant from the Sequoia High School Education Foundation, Sequoia has offered a variety of parent learning opportunities to our community. The wonderful Parent Education Series is curated by Charlene Margot at all SUHSD schools. To quote Charlene, "Thanks for your long-standing support of high-quality parent education. Our relationship with SHSEF goes all the way back to when Bonnie Hansen was principal at Sequoia and organized the original grant to the Parent Ed Series."
We are proud to be an original supporter of this series. Invest in Sequoia to help ensure our students and families have what they need to succeed. All gifts make a difference. Donate today. Many employers will match your gift to SHSEF. Contact us to learn more.
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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Free community screening of “ANGST,” an IndieFlix Original documentary designed to raise awareness around anxiety. The film includes expert advice from mental health professionals, along with students who discuss how anxiety has impacted their lives.
“ANGST” is appropriate for viewers aged 10 and older. Spanish film subtitles and simultaneous interpretation for the panel and Q&A will be provided. Register now / Regístrese.
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Los trastornos de salud mental son los problemas de salud más comunes entre los niños en edad escolar. Los cuidadores son a menudo los primeros en notar los signos y síntomas de un trastorno de salud mental en niños y adolescentes.
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Teens are already faced with a myriad of challenges, both academically and socially. Helping our teens manage these challenges can be stressful for parents.
Join Madeleine Pizey, Mindful Educator for Mission Be, for part 2 of our “Mindful Parent” series. In this one-hour self-care break, you will learn how to reduce stress and increase positivity through the power of mindfulness. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation available. Register now / Regístrese.
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Join local group Menlo Together for an interactive exploration and reflection on how the laws that segregated America affected Menlo Park.
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Sentinel Newsletter:
Our readers enjoy hearing about activities, events, and accomplishments of Sequoia students, staff and community.
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