Sequoia PTSA's weekly newsletter in partnership with Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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It’s the season of the sweatshirt strut. At Sequoia, like other schools across the country, the sweatshirt strut is a signifier that students in the twelfth grade have made their commitment to postsecondary plans. Often, this commitment is represented by a sweatshirt, emblazoned with the name of the college or its mascot, being worn often and with elevated pride. The student’s gait becomes a little more self-assured, the chin sticks out, and the smile becomes more natural. Strut on, Class of 2023!
Last Friday was a parade of sweatshirt strutters as we celebrated these commitments at the front of campus (see photo). There was chalk art (our contingent of Berkeley-bound Ravens showed characteristic precision when they requested water to scrub and restart their “l” because it didn’t quite match the “Ca”), hugs, photos, cake, pizza, and the palpable realization that the end has begun.
Later, in Carrington Hall, twelfth graders from our AVID program held their formal “Signing Day." In front of their ninth- to eleventh-grade peers, the students proclaimed their intentions from the stage and felt the wave of applause and recognition from their classmates and teachers. This public ceremony underscores the shared success these commitments represent. At Sequoia, we lift each other up.
There are valid concerns raised each year about these types of activities. Won’t it be hard for students who are still upset by how their postsecondary plans might not have materialized how they’d envisioned them? How can we be sensitive to students still processing their feelings around the admissions process?
In my experience, almost nobody’s journey has been without stumble. Of course I’m disappointed if my friend and I both saw UCSB as our top choice college and only she got in. But being a successful adult means, among other things, finding peace and strength amidst simultaneous feelings of disappointment for myself and pride for someone I love. In my mind, Commitment Day is as much about getting closer to that place than before. It’s a healthy step towards a joyful graduation season and a long life of rebounding intact from unanticipated setbacks.
And from what I saw, that’s the spirit with which our students – once again – engaged in the celebration. It was a lovely way to spend Friday afternoon and a great way to kick off the final push toward June 9. Next step: buy those Grad Night tickets!
Have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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Seniors: Get your tickets for Safe and Sober Grad Night on June 9! |
Tickets are selling fast! Buy yours before they sell out! Tickets are $100 and include food, dancing, games, views, and FUN! Grads will 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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Double your donation to SHSEF |
Thanks to a group of generous donors, we have a $70K match for all gifts through May 30. All gifts, no matter the size, support the Sequoia community. Donate at shsef.org.
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Step right up and get your May news from the Media Center!
- Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month
- The AAPI club curated this month's display
- View our collection in Destiny
- Booktalk: The Silence That Binds Us
- Watch for our updated Summer Storytelling Kick-off!
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Sequoia Prom Gallery a big success! |
Sequoia’s Prom Gallery 2023 was a big success, thanks to our amazing community! A total of 150 students attended; 123 students found a dress, suit, shoes, ties, jewelry, makeup, skincare, etc.; 28 dresses were given away with 10 of them from The Princess Project. Many thanks for the generosity of Sequoia families, The Princess Project, and Project Glimmer for their donations, and to our kind volunteers and skilled Sequoia staff for their time. Congratulations to the graduates of 2023! |
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- Exam Calendar
- Exam Tips & Rules
- Code of Conduct
- Items Not Permitted
- Answer Booklet Guide
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Seniors: Grad Week coming soon! !se acerca la semana de graduaciones!
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Final spring season games at Sequoia |
5/9 Softball vs Aragon - Varsity 4:00 pm
5/10 Baseball vs Half Moon Bay - Varsity 4:00 pm - *Senior Night*
5/11 Softball vs Woodside - JV 4:00 pm
5/12 Softball vs Carlmont - Varsity 4:00 pm - *Senior Night*
5/12 Baseball vs Half Moon Bay - JV 4:00 pm
Follow @SeqBoosters and individual sports on Instagram for the latest game times!
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Our final Boosters event of the year will be held on Monday, May 15 at 7 p.m. Join the May social and meeting where we will recap 2022-23 sports, announce the Judy Carmona Scholarship winners, introduce new board members, and mingle with the Boosters community. Email BoosterSequoia@gmail.com for the event address. All Sequoia sports fans are welcome!
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Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, Professor of Adolescent Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine. Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Online Event (Live). In this webinar, Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, professor of adolescent medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, will address common teen misconceptions about cannabis and vaping based on her research at Stanford's REACH Laboratory.
Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, Profesora de Medicina Adolescente, Facultad de Medicina de Stanford. Martes, 9 de mayo de 2023, 5:30pm - 6:30pm PT, evento en línea (en vivo). En este seminario web, Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, profesora de medicina adolescente en la Facultad de medicina de la Universidad de Stanford, abordará los conceptos erróneos comunes de los adolescentes sobre el cannabis y el vapeo en función de su investigación en Laboratorio REACH de Stanford.
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Anya Kamenetz, Author, Journalist, Senior Advisor, Aspen Institute
Thursday, May 11, 2023, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Online Event (Live). Our children are experiencing the changing climate. They need a caring, reassuring dialogue with you -- their parents and caregivers -- to help them process the information and find their way to hope and positive action. Join Anya Kamenetz, author, journalist, and senior advisor at This is Planet Ed, Aspen Institute, to hear about strategies vetted by developmental experts. Attendees will receive a written resource to help you start the conversation with your kids.
Anya Kamenetz, autora, periodista, asesora sénior, Instituto Aspen
Jueves, 11 de mayo de 2023, 5:30pm - 6:30pm PT, evento en línea (en vivo). Nuestros niños están experimentando el cambio climático. Necesitan un diálogo afectuoso y tranquilizador con usted, sus padres y cuidadores, para ayudarlos a procesar la información y encontrar el camino hacia la esperanza y la acción positiva. Únete a Anya Kamenetz, autor, periodista y asesor principal del This is Planet Ed, Instituto Aspen, para escuchar acerca de las estrategias examinadas por expertos en desarrollo. Los asistentes recibirán un recurso escrito para ayudarlo a iniciar la conversación con sus hijos.
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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. Email the editors or click here to subscribe. |
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