Sequoia Sentinel
September 5, 2021
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Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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Well here we are in September and we are all in! So happy to have the students back at school and getting activities up and running.
Just last night, my daughter, who is in ASB, was talking about the planning they are doing for homecoming. Sequoia had their first football game last week and our first home game is just around the corner on Sept 10. Auditions have happened for the fall play, and girls tennis, boys water polo, and cross country are all in full swing.
We’ve just come off of Back-to-School Night, and while it would have been nice to see everyone in person, it was also nice not to have to run from classroom to classroom, getting lost, and missing classes. For my very first Back-to-School Night, despite my daughter’s clear instructions that I had a break between 5th and 7th period, I got caught up in trying to make it to each room in time. I forgot, and ended up in Mr. Broome's 6th period guitar class. There was no hiding, there were only 5 kids in the class and he knew I was early for orchestra. I got an “I knew it!” when I got home.
But now we are creating what is becoming cliché, the new normal. Things are different and some things are similar. The class of 2020 was finally able to celebrate their graduates with an actual meet up at the Sequoia Alumni Picnic in August. Not everyone could make it, some moved, some returned to college, but about 50 grads were able to get together and say goodbye after they missed so much their senior year.
I’m thankful to this community and the Sequoia staff for the strong start to this school year and making Sequoia a great place for our students. I hope to “see” everyone at the Principal’s Welcome on Tues., Sept. 7. I was hoping we could do it in person, but it’s a small price to pay if it lets our kids do what they do best, be on campus!
Karen Eller Ha, 2021-22 PTSA President
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Sept. 7: Principal’s Welcome |
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Join us via Zoom on Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m. for the Principal’s Welcome. Hear Mr. Priest give updates and information about the happenings at Sequoia. Also, meet your PTSA, Boosters, SHSEF reps and more!
Zoom Meeting ID: 981 2625 2670
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The Sequoia PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) is part of a nationwide network of four million families, students, educators and community leaders working to improve education, health and safety conditions for our children. There is safety in numbers! Here are some of the benefits our PTSA receives:
- Guidance to run our PTSA - our volunteers are provided with resources, training and support so that we maximize the impact of the time we donate to Sequoia High School.
- Established financial safeguards - our volunteers, events and finances are protected by low-cost group insurance.
- Our voices are heard - our families have a mechanism to influence issues that affect our children that extend beyond the boundaries of Sequoia Union High School District.
Our membership is our strength and our voice, and without our members, we wouldn't be able to do all the good things we do for children and families. Everyone in the parent community is welcome to come to our meetings, volunteer for activities, and be a part of this wonderful school!
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Students and staff: mini-grants are coming |
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The PTSA is able to offer financial grants to enhance education at Sequoia through the support of the Sequoia High School Education Foundation (SHSEF). The grants of up to $750 are designed to inspire creative initiatives to learning and/or to address a compelling need that might otherwise go unfinished. Applications can be submitted through October 4. Watch for further announcements in the Sentinel or Daily Bulletin. Students who have an idea for a project that will benefit the school but need funding are encouraged to apply. Additional information can be found on the PTSA page of the SHS website.
Parents: Would you like to be a part of Sequoia's innovative educational efforts? Consider joining our team to help with the grant selection process. If you have a few hours to review applications and meet with the other committee members (one to two evenings this year), we would love to recruit you. No experience is necessary. This is a great opportunity for returning and new Sequoia parents to learn about the constructive, beneficial projects happening at school. Contact mini-grants committee chairs Shannon Chi or Natalie Henderson to join the selection committee.
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Appreciating our teachers and staff |
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The PTSA hosted a coffee and breakfast to appreciate our hard-working teachers and staff the morning after Back-to-School Night. Students from ASB delivered pre-ordered drinks and breakfasts assembled by parent volunteers. Teachers and staff also came to Carrington Hall to order drinks and select from breakfast items donated by Sequoia families.
A huge thank you to the volunteers who donated food items and helped out on-site: Aimee Swanson, Andi Lanham, Anne Allen, Avani Gupta, Casey Inman, Cathy Schechter, Christina Kern, Christina Parsey, Dana Rechin, Danielle Van Wert, Debbie Cullinane, Diane Sweet, Dorinda Fuller, Duoc McCutchan, Elaine De La Cruz, Gopi Devalcheruvu, Heather Kinser, Holly Matsuo, Jennifer Rudy, Jessica Shepps, Kajal Vibhakar, Kathleen Morearty, Katie Elgaaen, Kerstin Schenk, Kim Millard, Kirsten Riding-Smith, Lauren Steele, Leslie Ostrander, Linda Solon, Lisa L. Miller, Lisa Gilliam, Margaret Brockman, Mari Ines Woodsome, Martha McDaniel, Maya Goetz, Michelle Chang, Millie Hsi, Molly Johnson, Nicole McNeal, Nicole Reynolds, Nina Shah, Pamela Ehrlich, Patricia Carpinelli, Sarah Sorensen, Stacie Ciraulo, Yvonne Mehta and our wonderful ASB students!
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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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THAT’S SO RAVEN bonus - 2 episodes! |
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0:53 Class Instagram Accounts
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The student store is now open!
3:19 Student Store Fashion Show
Thank you to all teachers and students whose dogs are featured in this episode!
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“That’s So Raven” is a Sequoia ASB Production. |
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Edgenuity credit recovery lab is open - room 210 |
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If you need to make up credits for graduation or college requirements, the Edgenuity credit recovery lab is now open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-6:00 p.m.
Please note: the deadline is May 27 to complete Edgenuity courses required for graduation and A-G requirements. Please contact your assigned counselor if you have questions or need an Edgenuity application.
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Volunteer weekly with English learners |
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I am an ELD/ELA 2 teacher at Sequoia, and I am looking for one volunteer to help out on a weekly basis from 8:30-10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays. The volunteer will work with a small group of students on speaking, reading and listening activities. No prior training, expertise, or Spanish language skills are necessary. All volunteers need to complete a volunteer clearance and must be fully vaccinated.
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After the Parkland High School school shooting in 2018, students knew things needed to change. At that moment, March For Our Lives was formed.
March for Our Lives Sequoia Union is an organization at Sequoia High School that seeks to empower young people to change the world and end the national gun violence epidemic for once and for all. We invite all students to get directly involved! Come to our weekly lunch meetings in Room B-4.
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Support the Sequoia community and join us in the classroom |
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Wondering how you can support the Sequoia community? We are in need of in-class support. Along with volunteer opportunities, we have a few PAID roles that we'd LOVE for you to consider (help SPREAD the word to recent college grads, neighbors, retirees, empty nesters, or friends). We are looking for both substitutes and paraprofessionals to work on our campus.
Sequoia is a big, fun, busy place, so don’t worry about crowding into your student's space. Many of our staff and teachers have their own kids attending Sequoia and it turns out to be a win-win, and a lot of fun!
Please check out these opportunities below:
SUBSTITUTES: Great for adults needing flexibility, creatives needing part-time work, college grads needing time and funds. You can choose the classes and days that work for your schedule. The teachers have curriculum and lessons prepared for you, so you will have a great deal of support.
PARAPROFESSIONALS: Work with a variety of students in different programs such as the Independent Living Skills (ILS) program, or in general education and study skills classes. Sequoia parent Stephanie Harrison has worked with ILS for a few years and is happy to chat about her experience. Bilingual parents are extremely helpful. We do not require a college degree.
NEXT STEPS: Interested in learning more about volunteering, paid positions, or connecting with a parent to find out what it's like to work with ILS? Please contact Elisa Niño-Sears (ATLAS Director) 650-387-8390.
*Photo taken pre-pandemic - check out the great energy in our classrooms!
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IB diploma parent support group |
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If you are interested in joining our new support group for parents/supporters of IB diploma students, this is the place for you. We hope to provide opportunities for parents to connect, share information and resources, and provide diploma students an opportunity to meet outside of school. If you are interested, please contact Roopa Rayadurg by email or 650-274-8719.
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Spanish-speaking volunteers needed in Sequoia's Family Center |
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The Sequoia Family Center is looking for Spanish-speaking volunteers. Volunteers will be helping our families and students-in-need complete paperwork to assess funding needs to qualify for additional benefits. You will be helping ensure that Sequoia students' and families' needs are accounted for and funding resources are allocated to our school to serve those in need.
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Make a huge difference in our community and school by supporting our migrant, homeless and low-income students and families.
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Other than the ability to speak Spanish, no experience is necessary to volunteer. Elvira Macias, our Family Center Coordinator, will tell you everything you need to know.
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Shifts are two hours long and available on different days.
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Spread the word! Please share this opportunity with a Spanish-speaking friend, neighbor, or relative interested in community service and supporting our school and kids.
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Sequoia hosting home openers this week |
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Sequoia is hosting its home openers this week for football and boys water polo, plus home games for girls volleyball. See you at SHS! Wear Purple! Go Ravens!
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9/9 Boys water polo -vs- Hillsdale: 4:00 p.m.
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9/10 Girls volleyball -vs- Mills: Freshman: 4:00 p.m.; JV: 5:15 p.m.; Varsity: 6:30 p.m.
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9/10 Football -vs- Capuchino: JV: 4:00 p.m; Varsity: 7:00 p.m.
Away games this week include more girls volleyball, girls water polo, and girls tennis. Complete schedules can be found at seqsports.com.
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Sign up to help with varsity football concessions |
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Behind every great team, is a GREAT TEAM! |
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Volunteer with Boosters and be a part of the team supporting all our Sequoia athletes. Work the snack shack, join the Crab Dinner Committee, or shine the spotlight on your sport as a Team Liaison. There is something for everyone! Check out the opportunities starting THIS FRIDAY.
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MEET ME IN THE MEDIA CENTER |
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Summer Literacy success stories |
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It is great to be back!
-Ms. Snow
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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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 Resiliency Model (CRM)® Training: Part 1
Mary McGrath, Executive Director, Safe & Supportive Schools, SMCOE
Shana Karashima, Coordinator, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, SUHSD
Thurs., Sept. 23, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m., Online Event (Webinar)
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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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