Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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Handing out diplomas at graduation is my favorite hour of the year. A handshake, eye contact, echoing applause, the occasional backflip — 400+ individual moments of triumph leaving me dizzy with joy each year.
In contrast, the annual presentation of a school site plan for approval by the Board of Trustees is a serious affair. Principals have 10-20 minutes in a public meeting to make sense of the school’s achievement data, encapsulate all the work our teams are doing to support student success, and lay out a plan to push even more students to their moment of personal triumph. The SUHSD Trustees, in their duty to families in this district, scrutinize these plans thoroughly.
There is one trustee in particular whose ability to sift through all the pages of data and narrative, and to zero-in on the thing I am most enthusiastic about within our annual plan, has seemed preternatural. In these moments, it is as if everyone else on the dais and in the gallery disappear, and it is just the two of us having a conversation about the hope and possibilities that make this profession so great.
Chris Thomsen, that trustee, retired from our school board last week after 13 years. I am grateful for the ways he demonstrated, time after time, a profound human understanding of the values that define our school and community. I will miss the way in which his analysis and insight helped root those values in our practice on an intellectual and strategic level. Site plan presentations won’t be the same without Trustee Thomsen, and I was glad he spent his last graduation with us last June.
In June 2020, COVID meant graduation was to be stripped of all ceremony. These were pre-vaccine days, when getting inside the grocery store took 30 minutes on a good day. Lockdown for everyone. For graduates, a drive-up ceremony. Cheering staff festooned in purple lined the parking lot as students, in cars, wound their way through two parking lots to receive a diploma (and a delicious cookie) from me.
Beside me the entire time, nearly five hours under the hot sun, was SUHSD Trustee Alan Sarver. Trustee Sarver’s term with the board also ended last week after 13 years. Whatever photos survive from that unforgettable day probably won’t include Trustee Sarver though, as he unassumingly rolled up his sleeves and worked the entire time preparing the individual packets for me to hand off to the students as they drove up. The COVID graduation will remain one of my treasured memories of Trustee Sarver because it is representative of how he helped lead — with a genuine and enthusiastic presence.
Just like the dozens and dozens of games, plays, and concerts Trustee Sarver attended over the years, it was clear on that day in 2020 that there was nowhere in the world he would rather have been. When I shared this memory with him last week, his eyes lit up in recognition: “How about those cookies!”
Whether celebrating graduates or engaging directly in how schools help students, we could not have asked for more in a trustee than what Alan Sarver and Chris Thomsen gave us over the past 13 years. I am grateful for how their leadership strengthened Sequoia High School and will miss them both on a personal and professional level.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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Donate or volunteer for holiday staff luncheon |
Show your appreciation for our Sequoia teachers and staff by donating food, drinks, gift cards, or your time at the holiday luncheon on Dec. 22. The event is hosted by the PTSA and ELAC, and members of ELAC are preparing and donating homemade tamales for the staff to enjoy! There are many ways to help celebrate the amazing team at Sequoia, so sign up today!
Muestre su apreciación para nuestros maestros y el personal maravilloso de Sequoia con su donación de comida, bebidas, tarjetas de regalo o ayudando en el almuerzo de las fiestas. PTSA y ELAC presentan el evento el jueves 22 de diciembre. Miembros de ELAC van a cocinar y donar tamales para el equipo para disfrutar. Hay muchas oportunidades para ayudar y celebrar el equipo maravilloso de Sequoia.
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Reflections 2022-23: Students honored for expressing themselves through art |
Reflections is a PTSA-sponsored program to help children explore thoughts, feelings, and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life. This year’s theme was Show Your Voice. We would like to recognize the students who created artistic pieces this year.
Awards of Excellence (AE) were granted to:
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Sarah H for the dance performance Revolution
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Nicholas D for the musical composition Racing, Racing and sheet music
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Hannah D for the painting My Heritage Sun
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Simone G for the poem You Are Learning
These pieces advanced to the 17th District PTA judging round.
The following students received Awards of Merit (AM):
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Meenal B for the poem Ribbons and Ties
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Luke S for the musical composition Harmonic Differences
The following student received an Honorable Mention (HM):
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Katherine K for the poem Chrysanthemum Way
We are so proud of all the students who took the time and effort to participate. The judges noted that all the pieces were extremely thoughtful and well done.
Thank you to our judges — Greg Close, Francesca Draughon, Rachel Levine, Christina Parsey, Mike Ryan, Grace Schulzer, and Allison Trinklein. Our annual celebration will occur at a spring PTSA meeting.
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Jan. 20: Principal's Coffee |
Join us for coffee with Sean Priest on Friday, Jan. 20, from 8:45-10:00 a.m. in room 128. We'll be bringing this event back, post-COVID. It seems like there are many families we haven't yet met, this school year. This is a great opportunity to meet other Sequoia parents and connect with the community. We hope to see some new faces (freshman families) and many sophomore, junior, and senior families. Coffee and treats will be provided!
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Edgenuity lab hours extended for next two weeks |
Seniors who are making up courses through Edgenuity, please reference the extended Edgenuity lab hours for the last two weeks of the first semester:
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Study week Dec. 12-16: Monday-Friday, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
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Finals week Dec. 19-22: Monday-Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 p.m. and Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The deadline to complete Edgenuity for graduation and A-G requirements is June 2 — no exceptions. Don't wait. Get it done as soon as possible!
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Seniors: LAST CHANCE for yearbook portraits
If you have not taken your senior portrait, time is running out. If you want your portrait in the yearbook, you must have your portrait taken ASAP. Click here to make an appointment. Create an account and schedule your appointment now. Contact Ms. Bray for questions.
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Jan. 13: Senior baby pictures due
Seniors (or senior parents) can email baby pictures for the yearbook to Ms. Bray now. The deadline is Jan. 13. Please include “Baby” in the email subject line and use the student’s name for the file name, if possible.
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December news from the Media Center |
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Honey Bear Trees donates 15% to Sequoia |
Honey Bear Trees donates 15% of your purchase to Sequoia High School. Get your trees, wreaths, and holiday decor at their lot in San Carlos. Click here for more information and location details. No need to bring the flier to the tree lot; just mention Sequoia High School at your time of purchase. Thank you to Honey Bear for their support!
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Through Dec. 14: Class of 2025 Sequoia Family Center Drive |
The Class of 2025 is sponsoring a drive for the Sequoia Family Center this holiday season, through Dec. 14. This time of year should be happy and joyful for all students and families.
The Class of 2025 is asking for your donations of sweatpants and/or sweatshirts/hoodies, preferably in dark colors, for your fellow Sequoia families. There will be a bin outside of the Student Activities Center in which you can drop off items. Please help us spread the word!
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Come watch us play
Let’s go, Ravens!
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Dec. 12: Girls Soccer vs. Homestead — Varsity 4:30 p.m., JV 6:15 p.m.
Dec. 14: Boys Soccer vs. Aragon — Varsity 4:30 p.m., JV 6:00 p.m.
Dec. 16: Boys Soccer vs. Carlmont — Varsity 4:30 p.m., JV 6:00 p.m.
Dec. 16: Girls Basketball vs. Mountain View — Varsity 7:00 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m.
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Boosters donations support winter sports |
Last year, Boosters donations were used to fund new uniforms and warm-ups for the Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, and Wrestling programs. Boosters grants also paid for new field benches on Terremere field and bus transportation to away games.
Find out how you can support Sequoia athletes all year long at SequoiaBoosters.org. Member benefits include free entry to regular-season home basketball games, as well as Sequoia-branded blankets and coffee tumblers, to keep you warm in the soccer stands. Visit the Boosters holiday store to gear up for winter games. Limited-edition puffers, pajamas, beanies, and sweats are on sale now!
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SHSEF supports students in reaching highest potential |
Did you know SHSEF supports staff, projects, and programs to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their highest potential? We raise funds for college services, academic enrichment programs, staff professional development, and student and family support.
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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In this presentation, Edwin Fernandez, LCSW, One Life Counseling Center, will talk about how to make the holidays something memorable, and above all, how to reconnect with your family and loved ones without feeling frustrated, worried, or sad.
En esta charla Edwin Fernandez, LCSW, One Life Counseling Center, hablaremos de cómo hacer de estas2 fiestas algo memorable, y sobre todo, cómo reconectarse con su familia y seres queridos sin sentirse frustrado, preocupado, o triste. Enlace de zoom.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS |
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Summer volunteer opportunity in Costa Rica |
Hello, Ravens! Looking to do something meaningful this summer? Join other Bay Area high schoolers in a service and cultural exchange in a cloud-forest village in Costa Rica. Spanish not required.
Dream Volunteers has worked with Redwood City families for more than 10 years to coordinate service trips to five international locations, including Costa Rica.
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STAY ON TOP OF THINGS AT SEQUOIA |
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There are many communication resources at Sequoia besides the Sentinel. Here are a few of our favorites:
Sequoia High School Website
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Home page: Includes the Bell Schedule.
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Calendar. Note: Sequoia only posts schedule abnormalities here, so unless otherwise noted, assume a normal week:
- Mon. - A Day
- Tues. - B Day
- Wed. - Collab. Day
- Thurs. - A Flex Day
- Fri. - B Flex Day
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Infinite Campus: Includes a student-specific daily calendar.
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Sequoia 101: information on all things Sequoia.
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Staff and Student Bulletin: everything from student announcements, to the sports schedule, to all the available clubs. Read it on the website, or subscribe to get it twice a week in your email.
PTSA Resources
Student News
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That's So Raven Announcements: subscribe to Sequoia High School ASB's YouTube channel and set up alerts so you'll know when these fun and informational vlogs post.
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Raven Report: The student news site of Sequoia High School.
Quick Links:
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE SENTINEL |
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The Sentinel goes out on Sundays at 8 a.m. during the school year. Submissions are due the Wednesday before you'd like your contribution to run - click the purple Submission button below.
Optionally, include a Spanish translation from a native or bilingual speaker (no Google translations please). Thanks for keeping the Sequoia High School community updated!
Email us to unsubscribe or use the Constant Contact link at the bottom of your issue.
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En Español:
¿Quieres traducir este boletín ahora? En Español
- 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.
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Abra una página nueva del navegador web y vaya a google translate.
- 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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