Sequoia Sentinel
August 22, 2021
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Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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As a precautionary measure this year to maintain the strictest standards of health and safety on campus, we have moved lunch 100 percent outdoors. Whereas in previous years about half the students would eat lunch in the classroom of a favorite teacher either as a sanctuary or for a club meeting, now the students have spread out in the front of the school, in the tea garden, or in one of the outdoor spaces designed to showcase the natural beauty of our campus.
The first annual meeting of the Beekeeper’s Club took place under the iconic eucalyptus tree adjacent to Carrington Hall. The Dream Club set up a canopy tent in front of my office for their meeting. On Fridays, students from the ASB and Leadership classes have been DJing music on the quad. Students can make requests and dare their peers to join them in showing off the latest TikTok dance.
A daily pick-up volleyball game and football toss has become part of the routine. We opened the practice field gate last Thursday for soccer and a game commenced immediately.
Some students have discovered a quiet tree to lean against and read during their lunch. A ninth-grader I found eating alone on the western edge of campus told me he was more comfortable removing his mask as far away as possible from other students. He then started naming all the “intriguing” species of trees he’d identified around campus. My kind of kid.
I meet a new teenage foodie each day, preparing home lunches featuring artisan quinoa, triple cream brie, and garlic pad thai. Others have discovered favorite school-prepared meals. High marks for the chicken sandwich, less enthusiasm for the enchiladas. Many 11th and 12th graders have told me about their summer jobs. Many 9th and 10th graders have asked if I can help them find a job.
As the final bell rang signaling the end of lunch on the third day, with all the students back in classrooms, I looked around at the picnic tables in front of the Multi-Purpose Room. Just a few minutes prior this area teemed with students, now there was no trace. No laughter, no backpacks, no food, no garbage -- not even an errant sandwich bag on the ground.
This is 2021. The students are back in school. They’ve made themselves comfortable, they’re establishing a routine, and they’re picking up after themselves. Well done, Sequoia.
Have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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Sept. 3: Help show teachers and staff our appreciation |
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Each year on the morning after Back-to-School Night the PTSA treats our staff and teachers to coffee drinks and breakfast snacks. Help us recognize and celebrate our hard-working Sequoia team on Friday, September 3. Please sign up to contribute food or volunteer your time. Reach out to Linda Solon (415-902-0910) with questions. Thank you!
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Teachers and staff welcomed back |
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The PTSA welcomed Sequoia teachers and staff back to campus on Aug. 9 with an outdoor picnic. Thank YOU for the support provided by so many community members to make this first lunch of the school year a huge success!
Families contributed food and drinks, and others donated their time to help set-up, serve, and clean-up. Thanks to Kate Blanchard, Debbie Cullinane, Kate Dickman, Roxana Dommer, Karen Ha, Kirsten Haithcox, Jo Jeffs, Nani Kadrichu, Jennifer King, Jasmine Kuramoto, Amy Loskutoff, Sarah McCaughey, Martha McDaniel, Sara McDowell, Jackie Melz, Megan Miller, Kathy Parmer-Lohan, Christina Parsey, Marni Rubin, Marlene Rochon, Linda Solon, Julie Stallings, and Lauren Steele.
And a special shout-out to Roberts Market in Woodside for generously donating sandwiches.
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Let us help you clear your back-to-school to-do list...
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Buy school supplies √
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Return textbooks from last year √
- Organize carpool √
- JOIN the PTSA <-- DO THIS!
Your $20 annual membership shows your commitment to a group whose purpose is to help make Sequoia a place where Parents, Teachers, and Students are welcome and can feel the UNALIYI spirit!
PTSA parent volunteers...
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Organize staff hospitality events to help create an environment where our teachers feel welcome and appreciated.
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Put together welcome baskets for our new teachers and provide them with a $150 grant for classroom start up supplies.
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Work hard every week to produce the Sequoia Sentinel on-line newsletter to ensure you are informed.
Whether you are able to be involved just a little or a lot, we can't wait to meet you. JOIN TODAY!
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Do you have questions for our Sequoia 2021-2022 PTSA Board? Reach Karen Eller Ha, 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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Fall play: Show dates and auditions |
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Mark your calendars with show dates and audition times for Sequoia's fall play. The Monologue Show (From Hell) by Don Zolidis is a comedic collection of monologues gone wrong. In this parody of a high school drama class showcase, students stumble over their lines, miss their cues, and make questionable acting choices. Despite their teacher's best efforts, these teens are determined to live in the moment, abandoning all plans and preparation whenever their stage fright or egos get the best of them. The effect is hilariously pitiful yet still kind of charming.
Show Dates are Oct. 22-24:
- Fri 7 - 9 p.m.
- Sat 2 - 4 p.m. & 7 - 9 p.m.
- Sun 2 - 4 p.m.
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Join us in the classroom! |
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Wondering how you can support the Sequoia community in meaningful ways this year? This year, more than ever, we are in need of in-class support. In addition to volunteer opportunities, we have a few PAID roles this year that we'd LOVE for you to consider (and help SPREAD the word to your favorite recent college grads, neighbors, retirees, empty nesters, or friends considering a career switch into education).
We are looking for both substitutes and paraprofessionals to work on our campus...and we LOVE having parents and relatives fill these roles!
"Hmmm, but my child might be mortified to see me on campus!" might be your first reaction.
We hear you! But chances are you won't run into him/her during the day. It's a big, fun, busy place, so you won't be crowding into your student's space. It actually might surprise you to learn that many of our staff and teachers have their own kids attending Sequoia and it turns out to be a win-win; it's a lot more fun than you might think!
Please check out these opportunities below:
SUBSTITUTES: This is a great job for adults who need flexibility, creatives who need part-time work, college graduates who need time and funds...it's a fun gig that provides a great deal of flexibility. You can choose the days that you work and cover for a variety of classes at the school, ensuring that students continue to engage in meaningful work when their regular teacher is out. You have control over the classes and days that you work, picking up assignments that work for your schedule. The teachers have great curriculum and lessons prepared for you to use so you would have a great deal of support in any subject area.
PARAPROFESSIONALS: Work with a variety of students in different programs and join a strong team of collaborative educators. You'll get to support our awesome Independent Living Skills (ILS) program or work with all students in general education and study skills classes. You might find yourself working with several students or just one or two on a regular basis -- building trusting and caring relationships. Curious to talk to someone who has done this and can tell you more about the experience? Sequoia parent Stephanie Harrison has worked with ILS for a few years now and is happy to chat. Bilingual parents are also extremely helpful. We do not require a college degree.
NEXT STEPS:
Interested in learning more about getting involved at Sequoia in general through paid or volunteer gigs? Interested in connecting with Stephanie Harrison to find out what it's like to work with ILS?
Excited and ready (or almost ready) to take the next step to become a substitute or paraprofessional?
*Photo taken pre-pandemic. Naturally, this year we're all carefully following pandemic health protocols at school, including wearing masks. 😉 Just wanted to give you a sense of the great energy in our classrooms!
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Reserved yearbooks can be picked up in room 213 at lunch. 2021 yearbook purchases can be made with Mrs. Gordon in the treasurer’s office.
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Seniors! Transcripts & Concurrent Enrollment |
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Attention Seniors! If you would like a completed concurrent enrollment course and grade added to your SHS transcript, you have until Friday, August 27 to submit an official transcript from the institution where you completed your concurrent enrollment course to the counseling office.
Additionally, please check your SHS unofficial transcript in IC under the documents tab for any errors by Friday, August 27. Please email your assigned counselor if you are not sure if you need to add your concurrent enrollment course to your SHS Transcript and/or if you need to report any errors from your SHS unofficial transcript.
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All of our fall teams are gearing up for a great season. Please make sure your athlete is cleared! Cross country (mschmidt@seq.org) and Girls Golf (frank@brayerelectric.com) are still accepting athletes.
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Spectators are welcome at Sequoia athletic events in accordance with county guidelines. Support the Ravens by attending this week’s games. |
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JV Football first game @ Menlo - Sat., Aug. 28, 10:30 a.m.
Varsity Football first game @ Menlo - Sat., Aug. 28, 3:00 p.m.
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JV Girls Water Polo scrimmage vs. Terra Nova - Thurs., Aug. 26, 4:00 p.m.
Varsity Girls Water Polo scrimmage vs. Terra Nova - Thurs. Aug. 26, 5:00 p.m.
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MEET ME IN THE MEDIA CENTER |
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Sequoia's Media Center is open for business |
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During the first week of school, 1,732 textbooks were checked out from the Media Center. Parent volunteers on the Media Center Support Team helped with the distribution effort by pulling textbooks off the shelves and scanning them out for students and teachers.
The efficient checkout system downstairs set up by Ms. Schadler and Ms. Snow allowed for the main space upstairs to be open and functional. As a result, 717 students signed in to the Media Center since the opening of school.
Many thanks to the following PTSA Media Center Support Team volunteers who helped out this week: Andrea Hernacki, Annika Reinemann, Becky Morris, Isabel Hartmann, Julie Stallings, Margaret Brockman, Marianne Jett, Nicole McNeal, Pamela Ehrlich, and Roxana Dommer. A special shout-out goes to Marianne Jett who not only signed up for FOUR sessions to check out textbooks, but also helped hang artwork upstairs! Go team!
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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Disaster Preparedness: Building Community Resilience: Town Hall Meeting
Sandra Firpo, Emergency Services Specialist / CERT Program Manager for the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, and Barbara Wood, Red Cross Disaster Responder.
Tues., Aug. 31, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Online Event
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What Do You Say? Talking with Kids to Build Stress Tolerance and Motivation
Dr. Bill Stixrud and Ned Johnson, national bestselling authors of The Self-Driven Child
Wed., Sept. 1, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Online Event
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Mindful Parenting: Reducing COVID Stress and Anxiety
Madeleine Pizey, Mindful Educator, Mission Be (Mindfulness Organization)
Thurs., Sept. 9, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Online Event
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"The Twisties": Youth Sports, Competition, and Mental Health
Steve Smith, PhD, Clinical and Sports Psychologist, UC Santa Barbara
Wed., Sept. 15, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Online Event
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Beyond Being Admitted: Making the Most of the College Experience
Frank Bruni, Author, NY Times Columnist, and Endowed Professor of Journalism, Duke University & Alice Kleeman, Award-winning Former College Advisor
Wed., Sept. 22, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., Online Event (Webinar)
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS |
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SamTrans is an easy way for students to get to and from school and other activities. Riding the bus with a group of friends helps kids gain independence, reduces traffic congestion at school, reduces parent stress and improves local air quality.
Visit this link for more information for your school about how to ride.
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Aug. 25: How to start your college essays |
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Set aside time to focus on college essay prompts, brainstorm ideas, and get feedback in this small-group workshop for rising seniors.
Heather Woods of Heartwood Editing creates a comfortable environment to write, reflect, and ask questions. $37, 7-8:45 p.m. Or assemble 3+ students and pick your own date. Register now. Questions? Contact Heather.
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En Español:
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En Español
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- 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.
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Sentinel Newsletter:
The Sentinel is distributed every Sunday at 8 a.m., except during school breaks. Our readers enjoy hearing about activities, events, and accomplishments of Sequoia students, staff and community.
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