Sequoia Sentinel
August 8, 2021
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Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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Around this time of year in 2019, I sent a welcome back email to our staff which included a quote by Zora Neale Hurston: “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” I had forgotten all about that email until a few days ago when I stumbled upon it. I took a deep breath and paused, thinking how my own orientation to learning, school, and community have evolved over the last two years. Who is the person who placed that Hurston quote in his email and who is the person reading it now? A few days later, I found myself circling the same theme in a rich conversation with Social Studies teacher Pablo Aguilera.
I remain steadfast in my belief that great learning environments (whether classrooms, schools, living rooms, libraries, or skateboard parks) are defined essentially by how learners within them answer to the following questions:
“Am I safe, understood, and valued here?”
“Can I make this community better through my contribution?”
“Is what I'm doing here important in my life?”
“Do I understand how the choices I make matter to my learning?”
“Are the limits of my growth defined primarily by my hard work?”
Educators, veteran and rookie alike, reflect on these questions with varying degrees of sophistication in their curation, pacing, and sequencing of activities, the ways in which they develop and strengthen culture, and their approach to assessment and feedback. These are not new ideas, but we’re reflecting on them in new ways.
The pandemic has both humbled and emboldened us all. We remain vigilant and somewhat anxious about our covenant with families to maintain health and safety protocols. News of the delta variant raises eyebrows and heart rates alike. This remains a challenging time for all stakeholders in our community.
Fundamentally, of course, we need everyone one board with mask-wearing, vaccinations, and best practices such as hand-sanitizing and monitoring symptoms. Please don’t send students to school if they’re not feeling well.
Around notions of students' self-worth, engagement, purpose, empowerment, and rigor (defined, respectively, by the questions above), however, we embrace opportunities this era gives us to define the experience of school in perpetuity. What will it mean in ten years to talk about education pre- and post-COVID? We’re answering that question in real time.
You are a part of all of this in a vital way. For the kinds of shifts that will outlive this pandemic, I encourage families to have active and ongoing conversations with their students through the lens of the questions above. Instead of “How was your day?” try “How do you think you contributed today?” Ask follow-up questions. Listen.
Sequoia is ready for the 2021-22 school year. Ready to heal and ready for joy. Welcome back.
Best,
Sean
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Welcome back to Sequoia!
Welcome! I can’t find a word that adequately expresses what it feels like to be back after experiencing the last two school years. I’m so excited to be back and while things aren’t back to normal, we are moving in the right direction.
Our PTSA mission is to advocate for our parents, teachers and students and be as much of a resource as we can. The PTSA is generously supported by the Sequoia High School Education Foundation (SHSEF), which allows us to run several programs: New Teacher Grants, Junior Scholarships, Mini Grants, Teacher Appreciation, and much more! PTSA only fundraises to subsidize grad activities. We start with the sophomore class fundraising via evergreen sales in the winter, juniors fundraising via basketball concessions, and finally, seniors capping it off with football concessions. We have lots of opportunities to volunteer; please reach out to sequoiaPTSA@gmail.com to see how you can help! Also, sign up to be a PTSA member at https://sequoiaptsa.myschoolcentral.com. This is our PTSA store where you will find evergreen sales, etc. when they become available.
Finally, please let us know how the PTSA can be of service to you. We may not have all the answers but we will try! Last year was not easy and there were issues, and while everyone may not agree, we all agree our goal and priority is the students.
Again, welcome, I’ve been at Sequoia for four years and have two more to go. It has been a great fit for our family and hopefully for yours as well!
Karen Eller Ha, PTSA President
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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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Stanford undergrads join Sequoia students and teachers for an uncommon learning experience |
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Aug. 21: 14th annual Alumni Association picnic |
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Save the date for the 14th Annual Sequoia High School Alumni Association “Celebrate Sequoia” picnic!
When: Saturday, August 21, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: the beautiful Sequoia campus
What: the picnic will be catered by Bianchini’s Catering and activities include: campus tours, cheerleaders performance, Purple Patriot award recognition for Sequoia parent volunteer Michal Roof, and student organizations March for Our Lives Sequoia Union and Sequoia Science Olympiad, who have significantly benefited Sequoia High School.
Who: All Sequoians are welcome (alumni, students, parents, staff, PTSA, Boosters, Education Foundation, and community members).
Cost: Tickets are $40 per person. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $45 per person.
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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:
- 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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Science Olympiad returns for its second year! All students welcome |
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Students interested in sciences should be pleased to hear that the Science Olympiad Club is returning for its second year as a student-led club, offering a place for students to study for and compete in STEM related competitions. Through the Science Olympiad Club, students are able to study events that they are personally interested in with a partner. These events fall under categories like earth/space science, physical/chemistry science, technology and engineering, life/personal/social science, and nature science. The club will host weekly meetings where you can talk to your partner and Stanford Coaches to meet up and prepare for competitions. Competitions are fun environments where you can test your knowledge against other students. Although they are not mandatory, competitions are highly recommended. Our goal is to create a fun environment where students can study STEM events. Time and date for weekly meetings will be announced soon so be on the lookout. Hope to see you all soon! Contact us with questions.
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Share career information with students |
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Sequoia Union High School District is expanding Work-Based Learning and we need your help!
HOW to get involved:
- Guest Speak in a Classroom
- Host a Company Tour
- Participate in a Job or Career Fair
- Mentor a student
WHY get involved with SUHSD CTE Programs:
- Inspire a student
- Build a strong community
- Promote your industry
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Free gift for the class of 2021 |
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The Sequoia High School Alumni Association is offering the class of 2021 a FREE lifetime membership!
As a member, you will receive copies of our newspaper, Smoke Signals, where you can follow the activities of the Association and the school, find news about other alumni, and receive reunion information. We look forward to having you as a member of the Sequoia High School Alumni Association!
If you are interested, please send your information (name, address, phone number and personal email) via email or regular mail to S.H.S.A.A., P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064-2534 by August 15.
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New membership levels & loot |
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Help the Ravens start the year strong by joining the Sequoia Sport and Spirit Boosters early. Visit SEQUOIA BOOSTER CLUB to show your support for our student athletes today! Platinum, Gold, and Silver Memberships include admission to all regular season athletic events, plus optional donor gifts like Boosters-branded stadium seats and other Sequoia fan gear based on donor level. See our WEBSITE for details!
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Join the boosters mailing list
Stay up to speed on Sequoia Athletics and Boosters news including games, meetings, fundraising events, scholarships and ways to get involved by joining our BOOSTERS EMAIL LIST.
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Boosters meeting Tuesday Aug 17
Please join us on Tuesday, August 17 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.
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MEET ME IN THE MEDIA CENTER |
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Earn your Summer Literacy Badge!
There is still time to earn your Summer Literacy Badge! Show off topics you engaged with, or books you read over the summer, by earning the Summer Literacy Badge. Visit bit.ly/SUMMERLIT, for all of the options, due September 1.
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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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
Wednesday, September 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Online Event (Webinar)
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Mindful Parenting: Reducing COVID Stress and Anxiety
Madeleine Pizey, Mindful Educator, Mission Be (Mindfulness Organization)
Thursday, September 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Online Event (Webinar)
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"The Twisties": Youth Sports, Competition , and Mental Health
Steve Smith, PhD, Clinical and Sports Psychologist, UC Santa Barbara
Wednesday, Sept. 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Online Event (Webinar)
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EVENTS |
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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. Meets August 25 from 7-8:45 p.m. Fee is $37. Or assemble 3+ students and pick your own date. Register now. Questions? Contact Heather.
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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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