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Sequoia
Sentinel
March 2, 2020
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Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
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You Know More Than You Think!
 I was on a hike the other day with a couple of Sequoia friends and as usual, the conversation was wide-ranging and controversial. Topics included politics (ugh...), to COVID-19 (cover your coughs, keep hydrated, and get more sleep!), and Real ID (do you know you can actually hire someone to wait in the DMV line for you?), but predictably, we began discussing Sequoia and our high school kids. Although our three kids are in the same grade, we have different experiences and interactions at school and this lead to an exchange of information about class choices, electives, and social activities - all super valuable when it comes time to strategize with my daughter about her educational path.
A week or so before my hike, I was having coffee with some other Sequoia parents to discuss PTSA plans for next school year (contact us at
sequoiaptsa@gmail.com
if you're looking to get involved), and while we did cover subjects specific to the PTSA, we quickly moved on to discuss, among other things: the merits of private college counselors, regulations on new drivers, and what is standards-based grading, anyway! I left as informed and inspired as I did after my hike.
As a PTSA President, I get the opportunity each month to meet up with lots of parents who have chosen to become active in the school community and who know much about the ins and outs of "The Peninsula's Oldest High School,"
and though these monthly events are usually guided by a specific agenda, someone almost inevitably begins a discussion that provides solutions to questions I have been mulling over.
Despite my several years at Sequoia and being a pretty involved parent, invariably in settings both formal and informal, I find myself exposed to valuable information about Sequoia that I can pocket myself and pass along to others as the opportunity arises. Our parent body is especially fortunate because each month at the PTSA meeting, our Principal, Sean Priest makes himself available for a 30 minute Q&A that provides a great forum to get clarification or information.
In my opinion, there's no underestimating the value of well- informed parents and by connecting with others over coffee or a hike or at a school PTSA event, we can go a long way to helping our kids and strengthening our school community.
So, do me a favor, come on along to tomorrow's PTSA/ELAC meeting and "drop some knowledge" as they say. I've got a question I was hoping you could help answer!
See you around school,
Lisa
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All Invited to Learn How YOU Can Help Our At-Risk Students!
 Did you know that each year, Sequoia's PTSA donates to a program that helps San Mateo County youth get the high school education they deserve despite being incarcerated?
Would you like to learn about how the 17
th
District PTA is helping students who have been victimized by commercial sex exploitation?
Are you interested in finding out how we are helping foster youth and homeless students?
If so, please join us for a lively discussion at our next PTSA/ELAC general meeting tomorrow,
Tuesday, March 3 at
7:00 p.m. in the
MPR.
The meeting will begin with Principal Sean Priest's state-of-the-school update - parent questions and comments welcome!
At 7:30 p.m., Keiko Smith, 17th District PTA Vice-President of Advocacy and Community Concerns will speak about the Court and Community Schools programs and how we can further support some of the most at-risk students in our San Mateo County community.
Everyone is welcome!
Click here for tomorrow's meeting agenda.
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Don't Miss Out! Sequoia Booster's Annual Crab Feed at Hiller Aviation is on Saturday, March 21, 2020
 You don't want to miss out on getting your tickets to the 11th Annual Sequoia Boosters Crab Feed!
This event sells out every year so make sure to purchase your tickets early.
The Sequoia Crab Feed is one of the main fundraisers of the year for Sequoia Boosters, which helps fund equipment and uniforms for Sequoia Athletics.
We know that not everyone can attend, but if you still want to help us in our biggest fundraiser of the year, consider volunteering with the team, or donating something.
Donations:
In order to make our silent and live auctions successful, we are seeking donations (it's tax deductible!).
Click on this link to donate.
We are especially looking for restaurant gift certificates and bottles of wine valued at $20 or more for the "Wine Pull" game. Here are some other donation ideas:
* Gift cards (restaurants, services, or Costco/Smart & Final to offset our food costs)
* Memorabilia, sporting event tickets
* Hosted parties (dinners, Moms & Margaritas night, bowling night)
* Getaway vacation homes.
* Have airline miles to spare? Let's bundle them with some of our live items!
We are still looking for volunteers, including check-in/check-out helpers, item fulfillment, clean-up supervision, someone to make pasta sauce, someone to help with dessert, and a roving drink ticket seller.
Click on this link to volunteer and let your friends know about it.
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The Winter Play is Here! Agatha Christie's The Mouse Trap
 A timeless "whodunit," Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap strands seven strangers at Monkswell Manor during a blizzard. But a police sergeant unexpectedly arrives, worried that a murderer-at-large is among the guests of the Manor. Before he can investigate, one of the guests is killed, starting an investigation into the lives and histories of everyone there. One of them is the killer, and another one of them may be next. Will the police be able to solve the case before another "mouse" falls? The world's longest continuously running play (over 60 years in London's West End), The Mousetrap continues to delight and intrigue mystery lovers of all ages.
Sequoia Drama would love to have you attend one of the performances at Carrington Hall:
March 6 - 7:00 p.m.
March 7 - 7:00 p.m.
March 8 - 3:00 p.m. (All proceeds from the Sunday show will go towards scholarships for this year's drama seniors)
Tickets are available online
, from the school treasurer, and at the door. Tickets prices are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors/students.
To ensure the shows run smoothly, we need volunteers to fill spots for each performance. Please lend a hand and sign up here.
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Annual IB Art Show
The annual IB Art Show is the culminating exhibition of work from two years of IB Art class. Each student curates their own display within the larger exhibition and this display shows their journey in the class and their self-guided exploration of themes, ideas and art styles. In addition to their artwork, students will exhibit their art journals with the documentation of their processes, intentions and research. The show will open on
Thursday, March 12 to the school community from
12:15 - 12:50 p.m. every lunch period until
Thursday, March 26.
On the evening of
March 26, there will be a closing reception that coincides with Sequoia's Open House and the show will be open to the public from
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. A special family and staff only preview will begin at 6:00 p.m. Students will be at the closing reception to discuss their work with visitors and refreshments will be provided. Hope to see you there!
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Senior Families: Grad Night Tickets Still Available!
Celebrate Graduation with an amazing experience on the bay. Join
us as we Rock the Boat during this fun-filled, memory-making evening. Tickets are selling fast, so get yours today!
Buy your ticket
online now!
Come out and ROCK THE BOAT!
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Last Info Meeting for Middle College Program
The SUHSD Middle College program at Cañada College is now accepting applications for Fall 2020. Middle College is a collaboration between SUHSD and Cañada College, and students earn both high school and college credits, enabling them to complete their high school requirements and earn college credit simultaneously. All classes are held at Cañada College.
Interested students should speak to their counselor and attend the Parent/Student information nights on
Thursday, March 5, at the
SUHSD Office Board Room at
480 James Ave, Redwood City from
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Applications due - March 20, 2020.
Please email Yesenia Haro, Cañada Middle College Staff Assistant or call her at 650-306-3155 with any questions.
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Princess Project and Prom Gallery...Coming Soon!
Excited about Prom on Friday, April 25th? We are too! SHSEF and the Family Center want to make sure that
all
Sequoia students can participate without worrying about the cost or stress of buying or renting formal clothing.
Parents, here are four ways you can help:
1) SPREAD THE WORD TO STUDENTS ABOUT FREE FORMAL WEAR!
 The Princess Project of Silicon Valley
has thousands of beautiful,
free
dresses in all sizes at their Cupertino "store". Their dress giveaways are on March 7, 8, 11, 14, 15 and 20. Please visit
their website
to schedule an appointment. All teens are welcome. Please note that you will need to provide your student ID, an address (can be home or school address), and a signed waiver (with a parent signature if you are under 18). For more info, please email Sarah Sorensen:
sarah@sarahsorensen.com
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Sequoia's Prom Gallery
will be open on campus the week
before
spring break, on March 24 and 25. Please mark your calendar! We'll have
free
dresses, free and reduced-price Men's Wearhouse tux rentals, and loads of accessories for students to choose from. Dresses, accessories, make up and more will be in Room 128. Tux rentals will be set up in the Family Center (Room 129). Details (gallery hours and optional appointment times) coming soon. Please stay tuned!
2) DONATE YOUR LIKE-NEW FORMAL WEAR AND ACCESSORIES!
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A typical gallery of outfits available to students.
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The Prom Gallery depends on generous donations from our local community. Clearing out your closet, or know someone who is? Please donate your formal wear to help our young men and women! We need dresses, jewelry, shawls, wraps, dress shoes, clutches, etc. All items must be stylish and
formal
enough for prom, in
great condition
, and completely
clean.
Torn or stained items will not be accepted. We welcome all sizes and styles!
Please deliver your donation by March 20 to one of our three convenient locations
:
3) SPONSOR A STUDENT'S PROM OUTFIT!
As hard as we try to stock all sizes, some of our students-in-need won't be able to find an outfit at the Prom Gallery. You can
help by donating a gift card to Ross or Men's Wearhouse*
! (While many of our students have found nice dresses at Ross for around $50, tux
rentals
can cost students over $100!) Please visit this
online signup
to donate any size gift card, delivering it to the Family Center
by March 20.
Every dollar helps!
4) VOLUNTEER TO SORT and PREP CLOTHING!
Please visit this
online signup
to volunteer to help with our Prom Gallery preparations!
For more info about free or reduced-price prom tickets
, please visit the Family Center (Room 129), email Elvira Macias
emacias@seq.org
, or call (650) 367-9780 ext. 63110 between 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sequoia is committed to making sure all our kids can enjoy a fun and safe prom! Your generous, thoughtful support will light up a grateful student's face this spring! Thank you! ¡Gracias!
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Alumni Association Seeks Nominations for Annual Purple Patriot Award
The Sequoia High School Alumni Association is looking to honor a Purple Patriot and is soliciting nominations for its annual Purple Patriot Award, purple and white being Redwood City's Sequoia High School's official colors. Recipients will receive a framed certificate as well as have their name inscribed on a perpetual trophy on permanent display at the high school.
The Purple Patriot Award is an annual award instituted to honor both individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding service or provided a significant benefit directly to Sequoia High School. Nominees may be from Sequoia High School or the community at large.
Please indicate the nominee's individual name or organization name, stating why the nominee should receive this award. Indicate specifically what role the nominee played in directly providing the service or benefit to Sequoia High School and explain in detail what the service or benefit was.
Nominations must be submitted in writing to the Sequoia High School Alumni Association, P. O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064, emailed to sequoiahsalumni@earthlink.net, or placed in the Sequoia High School Alumni Association mailbox near the Principal's office no later than Friday, March 20.
Ken Rolandelli,
President, Sequoia High School Alumni Association
Phone: (650) 368-0805
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Apply Now for a PTSA Mini-Grant
 Through the support of the Sequoia High School Education Foundation (SHSEF), the PTSA is able to offer financial
grants to enhance the excellent education offered at Sequoia High School.
These
grants are valued up to $750 and are designed to encourage creative approaches to learning. Students, teachers, and staff may apply. Currently, there is $7,000 remaining to be awarded!
Applications will be accepted online until
Friday, April 10, 2020.
Please contact our Mini-Grant Committee Chairs DeeDee Clarke and Karen Latina with any questions.
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SUHSD Career Fair at Skyline College Seeks Volunteer Interviewers
If you have ever been on an interview or a hiring committee, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! Sign Up Here!
What:
Mock Interviewers Needed
When:
Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8 (Sequoia students will attend on Wednesday)
Where:
Skyline College, 3300 College Drive, San Bruno, CA.
Times:
10:40 - 11:25 a.m., 11:35 a.m. - 12:20 p.m., and
12:30 - 1:15 p.m.
The primary purpose of the Career Fair is to act as a capstone learning experience for students who have prepared for the event by writing a personal resume, practicing job interview skills, learning about proper business etiquette, and to continue exploring career education pathways.
Please join us for 1, 2 or 3 hours on either day of the event. We will have approximately 130 students each day in 3 rotations. This is an amazing opportunity for students to practice their interviewing skills in a safe and relaxed environment and many then go on to land important first jobs for the summer after their junior year.
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Check Yearbooks Off Your To-do List
Reserve your 2020 yearbook today. The current $90 price will go up after spring break.
See Mrs. Gordon in the treasurer's office or go to
jostensyearbooks.com to purchase
.
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Latest Media Center Newsletter Released
 The March newsletter from the Media Center is here! Ms. Snow, Sequoia's Media Specialist, sends this Guide to teachers and staff monthly to share the resources with their students. Find out about an upcoming author visit, a new online health and wellness resource, book recommendations and more!
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Student Art Exhibit at Redwood City Main Library
 Sequoia student artwork will be on display for the month of March at the Redwood City Main Library. The show runs from March 2 till March 27 and will feature 2D and 3D work from all of the visual art classes. We are excited to share our creations with the community and hope you have a chance to check it out.
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Calendar
Monday, Mar. 2
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Spring Sportsmanship Night, Carrington Hall
Tuesday, Mar. 3
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 5
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Middle College Info Meeting,
SUHSD Office on James Ave. - Board Rm.
Thursday, Mar. 5
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday,
Mar. 6 & 7
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
and
Sunday, Mar. 8
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Winter Play "
The Mousetrap,"
Carrington Hall
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, Mar. 12
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Juniors: Meeting on Private College and Out-of-State Common Apps, Carrington Hall
Friday, Mar. 13
All Day
Sequoia Music Festival, Carrington Hall
Tuesday, Mar. 17
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Boosters Meeting, Staff Lounge
Friday, Mar. 20
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Ritmo Latino Dance
Saturday, Mar. 21
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Crab Feed, Hiller Aviation, SC
B Block Schedule
Tuesday and Wednesday,
Mar. 24 and 25, Time TBD
Prom Gallery and Tux Rental, Rms. 128 and 129
Thursday, Mar. 26
Open House Night
Friday, Mar. 27
Minimum Schedule Day
Period 6 ends 12:10 p.m.
Period 7 ends 12:45 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Mar. 30 - Apr. 3
Spring Break
No School
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Support Sequoia All Year
Copy and paste SHSEF's AmazonSmile link below onto your browser bar for quick access to future contributions while shopping!
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It's Always the Right Time...
...to be a part of the Sequoia community!
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The Sentinel
Our readers enjoy hearing about activities, events, and accomplishments of our Sequoia students, staff, and community. If you have articles to submit to the Sentinel (including photos and links), please
email the article/blurb by the Thursday before publication. See the following
Guidelines for news submissions.
For those who wish to subscribe or resubscribe, we cannot add you back if you initiated the unsubscribe authorization at any point so use the link below to receive our weekly newsletter. Please check all appropriate boxes for grade level or special interest communications.
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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."
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3. Abra una página nueva del navegador web y vaya a
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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M-A PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
 Parenting Through the College Admission Process
Alice Kleeman, former M-A College Advisor &
Jim Rawlins, Director of Admissions, University of Oregon
Thursday, March 5, 2020, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Menlo-Atherton High School
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
555 Middlefield Road, Atherton
In a lively armchair conversation, Parenting Through the College Admission Process brings Alice Kleeman, former M-A College Advisor, and Jim Rawlins, Director of Admissions at the University of Oregon to the M-A stage. Alice and Jim will share their views from the high school, college, and parent perspectives.
Parents, students, educators, and community members welcome!
Free admission and light refreshments. Spanish interpretation will be available.
SEQUOIA PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
Your Permanent Record: 
Defining Healthy Boundaries in the Digital Age
Devorah Heitner, PhD,
founder of Raising Digital Natives
Wednesday March 11, 2020, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Sequoia High School, Carrington Hall
1201 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City
JUST ADDED! Your Permanent Record: Defining Healthy Boundaries in the Digital Age
is about the ways we as parents are teaching kids about reputation and privacy. Today's parents are charged with a new role as the guardians of their children's and teen's online privacy, but many are unprepared for the job.
Parents, students, educators, and community members welcome!
Free admission and light refreshments. Spanish interpretation will be available.
CARLMONT PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
 LIKE: The Impact of Social Media On Our Lives
Documentary Film Screening & Panel Discussion
Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Carlmont High School, Performing Arts Center (PAC)
1400 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont
Join us for an exclusive showing of
LIKE, the new IndieFlix Original documentary
that explores the impact of social media on our lives. By understanding the impact of technology on the brain, we can learn how to navigate it more safely with our teens.
Parents, students, educators, and community members welcome!
Free admission and light refreshments. Spanish interpretation (film subtitles) will be available. Film showing to be followed by a panel discussion.
Carlmont Parent Education Series events are sponsored by Carlmont PTSA, Sequoia Healthcare District, and Sequoia Union High School District.
Questions? Contact Charlene Margot , M.A., Founder and Director, The Parent Education Series.
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Remember to Vote Tomorrow - It's Super Tuesday!
 Tomorrow, March 3, 2020 is Election Day!!
If you are a registered voter, please remember to
vote
YES
on Proposition 13 of 2020
and
MAIL IN
your ballot no later than March 3
!
The Public Preschool, K-12, and College Health and Safety Bond Act of 2020 (Proposition 13 of 2020)
.
Will raise $9 billion for K-12 and $2 billion for each of California's college systems (UC, CSU, Community Colleges) to construct and modernize school facilities.
NOTE: This bond measure is UNRELATED to Prop. 13 (1978) and also UNRELATED to the "split-roll" initiative to revise Prop. 13 (1978) for corporations in November 2020.
Let us use 2020 as the year to make parents' voices heard at the ballot box, for our children! Click here to read FAQs and more info on Prop 13.
Thank you in advance for voting to speak up for our California kids!
For any questions,
contact:
Keiko Smith, 17th District PTA VP of Advocacy & Community Concerns
~ Message from CA 17th District PTA
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Post It-Note Mural Project Open House on March 24
 As a way to say "thank you" for Sequoia High School participating, the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation would like to invite you to come see the finished "Community" Post-It Note Mural Project! The foundation is hosting an Open House on
Tuesday evening, March 24, 2020, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the new
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Community Space located at
801 Jefferson St. Redwood City. Beverages and snacks will be served. All attendees
must register by Sunday, March 22, 2020.
The project revealed three main takeaways: people want to be better connected to their neighbors; we need to solve bigger issues such as affordable housing and homelessness; and they want to feel safe, respected, and understood. In order to make these goals a reality, people are willing to reach out to others more regularly, advocate for and work with local government to solve housing issues and take better care of each other.
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