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Sequoia
Sentinel
February 5, 2018
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Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
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President's Message
While writing this message, I'm enjoying our 70
°
spring weather...all in the first week of February. That doesn't necessarily compute for me, but as far as the PTSA is concerned, it definitely is Spring. We are gearing up for our spring Mini-Grant roll out, our spring Jr. Scholarship program, as well as putting those final touches on late spring (aka: year-end) plans. That also means we are starting to think about next school year.
So yes, in February, we plan for August. As you all know, transitions take time and planning. And most importantly for a PTSA, they require people to step up! As our second semester unfolds, we are reaching out to our existing team members to see if they are willing to continue and we begin our search for new members to join the team.
Clearly most of us are over-committed these days with work, family, and community obligations, let alone trying to find a bit of time for self-care! But sometimes it is possible to take a minute, look around, and see where there is a need to be filled and just jump in. Participation can take many forms. From larger positions on our Board, to smaller committee jobs, we really do have a place and a need for you!
Every organization does better when it brings in new and energetic partners. Fresh perspectives help us learn, adjust, and improve. There is no way our team can personally reach out to the families of all 2000+ students at SHS, but with one
quick click here
and with one short message, you can let us know that you might consider joining our team. Even if you have limited availability or have no idea what we have available, please take a minute to let us know that you would like to learn more. Then we can reach out and talk about possibilities.
A community thrives when we expand our support for that community! Please consider lending your time and talents to Sequoia next year...I can almost guarantee that you won't regret it. Studies continue show that parent involvement/engagement (even in high school) result in substantial benefits to students, educators, the school, and yes, the parents too! So, even if they won't mention it, it will likely have a positive impact on your student, as well as all students at SHS!
I am proud to be a part of the PTSA, an organization that works to provide excellent outcomes for all our kids, and I encourage you to be a part of the PTSA too.
Lauren Pachkowski
PTSA President
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PTSA Meeting Tomorrow
Our monthly PTSA and ELAC meetings will be tomorrow -Tuesday, February 6th at 7:00 PM.
The evening will begin in the Multi-Use Room with Principal Sean Priest speaking to both our PTSA and ELAC parents and families.
After his update, our PTSA meeting will begin in Room 100 with a guest speaker, while our ELAC families will continue their meeting in the MUR. View the PTSA Agenda here.
We hope to see you -- all are welcome and encouraged to attend!
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Reflections Artists Shine!
 Congratulations are in order for our Sequoia students whose Reflections entries were judged by our district-level PTA. The entries from
Ximena Sanchez Martinez (Visual Arts) and
Mackenzie Clarke (Literature) received Awards of Merit.
The entries from
Ben Redlawsk (Music Composition),
Lori Sibun Handler (Film Production), and
Emma Larsson (Photography) received Awards of Excellence and have been forwarded to the California statewide competition.
If you know any of these students, please commend them on their work and results so they know their creative efforts do get noticed. View these winning entries on our PTSA website!
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Do You Know of Any Businesses Willing to Support Sequoia High School?
Sequoia is launching a new Business Sponsorship Program offering business partners outstanding school-wide marketing benefits and an opportunity to support our school. For more information, please click here.
If you are interested in volunteering or have possible business partnership contacts, please email
shssponsors@gmail.com
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A Spirited Week and Winter Formal
Sequoia high students and faculty celebrated another successful Spirit Week last week, culminating in "Black Friday's" Pep Rally and a 4-game basketball sweep over Woodside on Friday night. On Saturday, more than 750 students converged on the Fox Theater in downtown Redwood City and made the "Old Hollywood" Winter Formal the biggest dance in Sequoia High School history, eclipsing the mark set at last year's formal!
Above - Sequoia students and staff square off in a rousing round of "Donuts on a String" during Friday's pep rally.
Below - Students fill the dance floor at the "Old Hollywood" Winter Formal on Friday.
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Please enjoy the January edition of The Sequitur, our district's monthly newsletter.
We hope that 2018 is off to a fantastic start for all of you.
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2018-2019 Course Selection Underway
Over the next several weeks, students will be meeting with their counselors to create their academic schedules for next year. You can find information on all the classes offered and sample schedules by visiting
Sequoia's website. Click Resources dropdown and select
Program Planning Handbook.
This is a great opportunity to discuss with your student what their plans are as they progress through high school and after they graduate!
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Love Is All You Need -- Well... That and a LOVE Bag!
Love Bags are back on sale through April. These bags are well-made, attractive, eco-friendly and make great gifts. 40% of each order placed goes directly to support our 2018 Safe & Sober Grad Week activities.
See this flyer
for details. Bags can be ordered at
lovebags.com
, enter code SEQUOIA.
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Junior Families: Last Basketball Concessions on Wednesday!
Thank you to the junior class families who helped with our basketball concessions the past two Fridays!
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Tuesday, Feb. 6
7 PM - PTSA Meeting, MUR
Thursday, Feb. 8
7 PM - Community College Info meeting, MPR
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, Feb. 15
7 PM - Parent Education: The Neuroscience of Learning, M-A Performing Arts Center
Feb. 19-23
Mid-Winter Break, no school
March 9-11
Sequoia Drama - "Diary of Anne Frank" in Carrington Hall
Saturday, March 24
6 PM - Sports Boosters Crab Dinner, Hiller Aviation Museum |
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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.
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| Parent Education - All Are Welcome |
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M-A Parent Education Series
Melina Uncapher, PhD, Institute of Applied Neuroscience (IAN)
The Neuroscience of Learning
Thursday, February 15, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
555 Middlefield Road, Atherton
How does today's neuroscience affect learning? Dr. Melina Uncapher, a leading educational neuroscientist, will "unpack" the emerging field of educational neuroscience and describe how a neuroscientific understanding of learning can shape the future of education.
Institute of Applied Neuroscience
(IAN) is an independent, nonprofit research and training organization.
Carlmont Parent Education Series
Dr. Don Williams and Panel of HR Experts
Rethinking the College Arms Race: What Do Companies REALLY Want?
Tuesday, March 6, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Carlmont High School, Performing Arts Center (CPAC)
We hear a lot about "21st Century Skills," but what does that really mean? What kinds of skills or qualities are companies REALLY looking for in their new hires?
Come hear from a panel of Silicon Valley HR professionals - Kleiner Perkins, Google, and Tesla - responsible for sourcing talent for their companies. Discussion moderated by Dr. Don Williams, Palo Alto child and adolescent psychologist.
Parents, students, educators, and community members welcome!
Spanish interpretation and light refreshments offered. Free admission.
Parent Education Series events sponsored by Carlmont PTSA, M-A PTA, SHSEF, Woodside PTSA, Sequoia Healthcare District, and Sequoia Union High School District.
Questions? Contact
Charlene Margot, M.A., Director, The Parent Education Series.
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Register: