Sequoia Sentinel
May 30, 2021
Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
And it's a wrap!

“If you can't fly then run,
if you can't run then walk,
if you can't walk then crawl,
but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

This year was a roller coaster for all of us, ups and downs, joy and disappointment, anxiety and relief. In the true Sequoia spirit, we all kept our heads up and continued to move forward.

  • This was the year when the freshman class was on campus for a handful of weeks. 
  • This was the year when the sophomores did not have a full instructional year in person, despite being in high school for two years. 
  • This was the year when there was so much uncertainty for the juniors. 
  • This was the year when the seniors missed out on the events and celebrations that are customs at Sequoia.

I am so thankful to our community, the district, the PTSA volunteers and the staff that: 
  • We were able to re-open and bring students back to school.
  • We were able to have athletics back in person.
  • We are able to provide a proud send-off to our seniors and have an in-person graduation and other fun activities.
  • We have the vaccine, and with that the ability to be back to normal next school year.

With immense joy and hope in my heart, I wish all of you a good summer. Looking forward to seeing you next year in person. 

Best,
Isha
PTSA
Mini-grants in action! Spring 2021: Staff lounge refresh
The PTSA is always looking for ways to show our amazing staff how much we value them, not just the first week of May but all year long! This year we worked to refresh the common-use room on the second floor and make it more functional and comfortable. Mr. Gooch shows us the Faculty Lounge before the fabulous makeover.
 
Thank you, staff and teachers, for persevering over these challenging months and for all that you do for our students. Thank you to Carol Lopez who oversees this room by watering the plants, making coffee in the mornings and letting the administration know if anything needs fixing or cleaning up! And more thank yous to Dee Dee Clarke, Jenn DiGrande, Megan Murray and Mr. Gooch, who made this transformation a reality. This project was funded by a $750 mini grant as well as a donation from a Sequoia parent, Yael Goshen. Read more about it.
Do you have questions for our Sequoia 2020-2021 PTSA Board? Reach Isha Bhatt, PTSA President and the rest of the team at sequoiaptsa@gmail.com.
Our mission is to positively impact the lives of all children and families.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Donate by May 31 and double your donation impact
Our community makes a huge difference in supporting a quality education for all Sequoia students. Contributions to Sequoia High School Education Foundation (SHSEF) help support vital staff, services, and programs not funded by district dollars. If you donate by May 31, your gift to SHSEF will be doubled thanks to the generosity of a group of Sequoia families who have contributed $70,000 for a matching challenge. Double your impact. Donate today! Many employers will match your gift to SHSEF. Contact us to learn more.
HIGHLIGHTS
“That’s So Raven” Season Finale!

This week on "That's So Raven":

Happy study/finals week! As we wrap up the school year, we provide you with the finals schedule, study tips, and prom info for you Seniors! Good luck everyone!

0:19 Announcements
0:44 Senior Prom Info
1:10 Weather
1:23 Finals Study Tips
2:16 Favorite 20-21 Memories
3:06 Outro

“That’s So Raven” is a Sequoia ASB Production.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
June 1: Application deadline for Pamoja Online IB Course
Are you a current tenth grader interested in taking an IB course online through Pamoja next year? Not enough room in your schedule for everything you want to take or want to access an IB course like IB ITGS, IB Film, economics or philosophy that is not offered at Sequoia? IB electives on Pamoja can be used to fulfill a Group 6 Diploma IB elective requirement. Get all the details here
June 4: Chaperones needed for Grad Night
Volunteers from families of 9th-11th graders are needed to chaperone Grad Night on June 4 to ensure graduates are able to celebrate without their own families chaperoning. The event will be held at SportsHouse in Redwood City and adults over 21 years old can chaperone. Sign up today!
June 5: Deadline for Sequoia Student Poetry Anthology
Submit a poem or art piece to the Sequoia-only Student Anthology of 2021 - the deadline is coming soon! Click here for details.
Aug. 21: 14th annual Alumni Association “picnic”
Be sure to save the date for the 14th Annual Sequoia High School Alumni Association “Celebrate Sequoia” picnic, catered by Bianchini’s Catering, being held on Saturday, August 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the beautiful Sequoia campus. Activities include campus tours; cheerleader 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.

All Sequoians are welcome (alumni, students, parents, staff, PTSA, Boosters, Education Foundation, and community members). Tickets are $40 per person. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door at $45 per person. Reservations are due by August 18 and may be made online at www.SequoiaAlumni.org, by calling 650-592-5822 or e-mailing SHSAA@SequoiaAlumni.org.
Yearbook update
Yearbooks will be delivered to Sequoia this summer -- we will be in touch with students who have reserved a book with the logistics of pick-up. Stay tuned for more information! We will sell out, so if you haven’t already, make sure you reserve yours today. Our code is 7268. Please send any yearbook questions to Yearbook Adviser Eileen Bray
SEQUOIA BOOSTERS
New leadership
The Boosters are pleased to announce our 2021-22 Executive Board Members!

President, Marten Mills
Vice President, Aimee Swanson
Treasurer, Sabrina Carroll
Secretary, Christine Artea

We are grateful for the commitment of all of our board members, committee leads, and volunteers. If you are interested in supporting the Sequoia Sport & Spirit Boosters’ mission to provide the best possible sports experience for all SHS athletes, visit Sequoia Sports Boosters or contact us to explore ways to get involved.
Senior scholarship winners
Each year, the Boosters award several $500 college scholarships to students involved in varsity-level sports to honor the memory of Judy Carmona. Congrats to this year’s scholarship winners!

Rocky Kneudler
Heather Benway
Sadie Ha
Joshua Lo
William Swinnerton
Elizabeth Budde
Julian Imperiale
CLASS OF 2021
Answers to senior IB questions
We know many 2021 IB students and families have questions about IB final scores. Click here for answers.
MEET ME IN THE MEDIA CENTER
Questions about books? Go to the Media Center Website. Remember, we do not charge fines for overdue books.

Check out the Media Center’s latest newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and learn about the Summer Literacy Experience.
THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES

Join Mary McGrath, Executive Director of Safe and Supportive Schools; Molly Henricks, Coordinator of School Safety and Risk Prevention; and Shana Karashima, Coordinator of Multi-tiered Systems of Support, for a special Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® training for parents and caregivers. The primary focus of this skills-based program is to reset the natural balance of the nervous system in order to bring the body, mind, and spirit back into greater balance. This FREE, two-part training will focus on the six CRM wellness skills, as well as the neuroscience behind the model. Attendees are encouraged to attend both Part 1 and Part 2, as each will focus on three of the CRM wellness skills. Register now / Regístrese.

Join Mary McGrath, Executive Director of Safe and Supportive Schools; Molly Henricks, Coordinator of School Safety and Risk Prevention; and Shana Karashima, Coordinator of Multi-tiered Systems of Support, for a special Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® training for parents and caregivers. Register now / Registrarse.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EVENTS
In this practical workshop for a small group of rising seniors, learn what goes into an essay, explore UC and Common App essay prompts, and get writing and planning tips. Heather Woods of Heartwood Editing creates a comfortable environment to write, reflect, and ask questions. Join the workshop on June 9, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Cost: $37. Workshop will also be held on August 25, or assemble 3+ students and pick your own date. Register here.
Mission InspirEd hiring blog writers
Mission InspirEd, a student-run nonprofit organization based in Seattle, is currently hiring blog writers! Authors will write blog articles (½ to 1½ pages) on varying topics regarding education and access to education. They will be asked to contribute an article every other week, will receive service hours for time put in for each blog post and will have freedom regarding content, but will need to follow deadlines. Contact Rishi Sujit if you are interested in this opportunity.
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