| |
Sequoia
Sentinel
August 14, 2017
|
Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
|
|
Principal's Message
On behalf of the Sequoia staff, a heartfelt welcome back to students and families!
The campus was bustling last week with teachers already hard at work preparing for the new year. Many are participating in district professional development, collaborating with colleagues reflect on 2016-17 and plan for the new year, or supporting kids through Sequoia's multiple Summer Bridge programs. This extra effort is not to be taken for granted. I am inspired and amazed by the dedication and professionalism of our staff.
Bulldozers, cranes, hammers, saws, and drills are animating campus, as well. Work continues on the modernization of the Performing Arts Wing behind Carrington Hall, the installation of a spectator shade and lights for the pool, and the conversion of the front grass adjacent to the football stadium to a turf practice field. The main building also received a fresh coat of paint, including new accents on some of its unique architectural features. None of the construction projects will impede access to campus for students this year.
The first-day-of-school procedures are as they've been for the past several years. Students will be directed by lists posted in the main hall to their first-period classes where they will receive their schedules for the day. Schedules will be available on the student's Infinite Campus portal provided the family has completed online registration beginning Tuesday night (8/15/17). Zero-period will begin on the first day.
I can't wait to see all the students on Wednesday and launch another great year at Sequoia -- here's to a great 2017-18!
Best,
Sean
|
President's Welcome
Welcome to all our new, as well as our returning Sequoia students, families and staff.
As always, new beginnings offer new opportunities. The one I recall most from
my high school
years, ages ago, is the chance for new connections and new friendships. That same opportunity is
absolutely available here at Sequoia for students and parents alike. Our school culture is built around that idea of friendship and inclusion. It is even the school's motto - Unaliyi - a Native
American word meaning 'Place of Friends' and you will hear it often during your time here!
I am truly looking forward to this upcoming year. As the PTSA works to build community and support our students, families and teachers, I want to invite all of you to join us. Contrary to
popular belief, our 'high-schoolers' and our high school do still need parent participation. Studies continue to show that parent involvement in their children's education makes a difference in their success, and the benefit of that involvement continues even as our children grow. While the need may not be at the same level as when they where younger, there still are meaningful ways for parents to support their children and the entire Sequoia community. And your children will notice and
benefit! Plus, it provides that opportunity for both students and families to make new connections...new friends. There are many ways to get involved, a little or a lot, whatever your schedule will allow. I hope you will consider joining us - in any capacity.
"There is not a word yet for old friends who've just met." - Jim Henson
I hope this year allows you the opportunity to find your 'future' old friend as we work together to build a strong community. I am looking forward to working with you this year and wishing you all a great start to this new school year.
Lauren Pachkowski
PTSA President
|
Welcome Back!
With school starting on Wednesday, we are here to help you get your year off to a great start! 
Monday, Aug. 14, 2-4 PM
- Questions about back-to-school? The PTSA Welcome Help Desk is in the main hall to assist you.
- Seniors can buy parking permits at the AVP Office.
Tuesday, Aug. 15
- 9 AM-noon - Freshman/New Student Orientation and school photos* students report to Terremere Field (Football Field).
- 9AM - noon - Parent/Guardian program will run in parallel, parents should report to the tables near Carrington Hall.
- Noon - 1PM BBQ Lunch All Freshmen/New Student and Parents/Guardians Welcome
- 9 AM-noon and 1-4 PM - PTSA Help Desk will be availablein Main Hall or in front of Carrington to answer questions about back-to-school info.
- 9AM - 11AM - Seniors can buy parking permits at the AVP Office.
- 12:30PM -4PM Returning Student Photos, see details below.
* For students who cannot come for school photos on Aug. 15, there will be make-up days on Aug. 24-25 during school. However, we recommend coming on Aug. 15 if possible.
|
Smile! It's Time for School Photos
Lifetouch photographers will be on campus Tuesday, August 15, and students are encouraged to come have their school photos taken during these times:
Grade 10: 12:30-2:00 PM
Grade 11: 1:30-3:00 PM
Grade 12: 2:30-4:00 PM
For those who can't come on Aug. 15, photos will also be taken on Thursday, Aug. 24 and Friday, Aug. 25 during the school day.
To order school photos, follow this
LINK
Note that photo images will not be viewable online initially, so you can also wait to receive proofs packages which will be sent home in a couple of weeks. After you receive the proofs, use the same website link for ordering (even though the website currently says that the page is for ordering within the first 48 hours after photos are taken).
|
Join The Sequoia PTSA!
Let us help you clear your to-do list!
- Purchase school supplies √
- Return textbooks from last year √
- Organize the carpool √
- JOIN the PTSA <- DO THIS!
For those who are new, here are just a few reasons why you should
JOIN this vital organization:
PTSA parent volunteers...
- work hard every week producing the Sequoia Sentinel on-line newsletter to ensure you are informed.
- work to allocate $15,000 in funds from the SHS Ed Foundation to provide mini-grants to students and teachers throughout the year.
- organize teacher hospitality events to help create an environment where our teachers feel welcome and appreciated.
For those who have been around a while, no more excuses:
JOIN
Whether you are able to be involved - a little or a lot, we can't wait to meet you!
Your $20 membership ensures that we can keep doing what we do best - make Sequoia a place where, Parents, Teachers, and Students are welcome and can feel the UNALIYI spirit!
So please,
JOIN and while you're at it, sign up your student and spouse as well! We're looking forward to a great year and a PTSA that's stronger than ever!
|
Sequoia Sentinel
Welcome to the first issue of this year's PTSA weekly newsletter! We hope that you will find this newsletter useful in staying informed of school, PTSA, SHSEF, and community information. It will be sent out every Monday morning.
If you have articles to submit to the Sentinel, please send the information to our article collection address by the end of the day on Thursday. Guidelines for news submissions can be found on the Sequoia PTSA website.
Class email lists: In addition to the Sentinel, the PTSA sends out grade-specific information during the year. Be sure that you are subscribed to your "Class of" list for EACH of your students! Visit the Stay Informed: Subscribe section of the PTSA website.
For families who will no longer be at Sequoia - we will miss you! If you no longer wish to receive the Sentinel or PTSA emails, please unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of this newsletter or email us.
With Kindest Regards,
Torri and Alex Horovitz
2017 - 2018 Sentinel Editors
|
Can You Help in the Library or with School Photos?
Thank you to all those who are helping with back-to-school activities this week; your time and efforts are greatly appreciated! We still need more volunteers to help in the Library between Aug. 15-25 and with school photos sessions on Aug. 24-25 and Sept. 28.
Sign up here to help with photos or the library. Thank you!
|
11th Annual Alumni Association Picnic August 19th
The 11
th
Annual Sequoia High School Alumni Association "Celebrate Sequoia" picnic, catered by Emergency BBQ, is being held on Saturday, August 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the beautiful Sequoia campus. Activities include: campus tours; Treble Clef alumnae performance; cheerleaders performance; Purple Patriot award recognition for Sequoia parent volunteer, Grace Schulz and Alumni Association member, Carolyn Livengood, individuals who have significantly benefited Sequoia High School; vintage car display; live auction.
All Sequoians are welcome (alumni, students, parents, staff, PTSA, Boosters, Education Foundation, and community members). Tickets are $35 per person. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door at $40 per person. Reservations are due by August 15 and may be made online
, email, or by calling (650) 592-5822
.
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
Today, August 14th
Help Desk 2pm to 4pm in the Main Hall.
6-7:30 PM Main Quad- Sports Boosters and Athletic Department Ice Cream Social
Tuesday, August 15
9 AM - Freshman Orientation
Wednesday, August 16
First day of school for 2017-18
Thursday, August 31
Back-to-school night |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
En Español
¿Quieres traducir este boletín ahora? Siga estas instrucciones para obtener una traducción:
1. Haga clic en "Click here" en la parte superior del correo electrónico: "Having trouble viewing this email? Click here."
2. 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.
3. Abra una página nueva del navegador web y vaya a http://translate.google.com/#
4. 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.
5. Asegúrese de seleccionar "To: Spanish" en la parte superior de la página. Haga clic en el botón Traducir. La traducción al español debe aparecer en el lado derecho.
|
|
|
|
|
The Well-Balanced Student, Challenge Success, Stanford Graduate School of Education
Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Sequoia High School, Carrington Hall
1201 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City
When we are too focused on grades and performance, we deny our children the time and energy they need to tackle the demanding work of growing up. In this presentation, you'll learn how you can establish a healthier home environment for your school-aged student, reduce academic stress without sacrificing achievement, and increase your child's resilience, creativity, and well-being.
Challenge Success, founded in 2003 at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, partners with schools and families to provide kids with the academic, social, and emotional skills need to succeed now and in the future. Mary Hofstedt, Ed.M., is the Community Education Director for Challenge Success.
Parents, students, faculty/staff and community members welcome! Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.
Sequoia Parent Education Series events are sponsored by the SHSEF, the Sequoia Healthcare District, and the Sequoia Union High School District.
Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, M.A., Director, The Parent Education Series, via
email or 650-868-0590. For Spanish, contact Mayela Ramirez, Parent Center Coordinator, 650-367-9780, Ext. 63105
|
Redwood City Community Theatre Presents: Sister Act
In Carrington Hall
Fridays and Saturdays: August 18, 19, 25, & 26 at 7 PM
Sundays: August 20 & 27 at 3 PM
Sister Act
is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet! Featuring original music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors), this uplifting musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
When disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier,
 witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won¹t be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and an uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but, in doing so, blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving chase, only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.
The cast is chock full of amazing roles for both men and women of all ages. Filled with powerful music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Sister Act will leave you clapping your hands and shouting Hallelujah!!!
|
|
|
