Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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We are in the final stretch. Our school year is almost over. I don't think it will come as a surprise to anyone when I say it hasn't been easy. At times, I feel like the hybrid model has almost been more difficult than the complete shut down. It felt like a seesaw (would any of our kids even know what that is today?), a constant changing, back and forth, decision/indecision, looped roller coaster.
I felt it was harder to connect with people, harder to form bonds and return to a sense of community. Not that it didn't happen, it was just harder. It's been tough, challenging, and emotionally draining, and yet, there are bright sides. While not all previous friendships survived the pandemic and some came out the other side looking quite different, new friendships have been formed and new experiences experienced. I've watched our kids navigate a whole new world. It hasn't been easy for them and I think we all will be feeling the after-effects for a long, long time.
And now it is May and juniors and seniors are getting ready for prom – an in-person prom indoors that hasn't happened for two years. Sequoia hosted a freshman welcome for over 450 students and parents of the Class of 2026, again, something that hadn't happened in two years. Lots and lots of old traditions, experiences, and events happening for the first time in two years. It is nice to see progress but I do not want to pass over those who were tragically affected by this pandemic. Like I said, we will be feeling the impacts for a long time.
And now we honor the past with the future. Congratulations to our seniors who will be graduating and entering adulthood. Congratulations to our juniors who will take their place. Congratulations to our sophomores who, in their second year of high school, finally stepped onto campus. And finally, congratulations to our freshmen, you are about to complete your first year of high school.
At our next PTSA meeting, I'm handing over the reins to the well-equipped Karen Gebhart. I do wish this year hadn't been so difficult, yet as cliche as it sounds, I've grown and learned from my experience. I have one more year left at Sequoia. Never in a million years, five years ago, did I think I would be the PTSA President of Sequoia, much less like the school as much as I do, or be involved even a little bit. But I'm so glad that I did. It's been a great ride and I've enjoyed the sense of community, partnership, friendship, and Unaliyi.
Thank you everyone for your support, help and encouragement. Here's looking forward to sharing some senioritis with my senior next year!
-- Karen Eller Ha
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Last PTSA meeting of the year! |
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Please join us May 3 at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room (MPR) for our final meeting of the year. We are proud to showcase Sequoia students who entered the PTA Reflections Art Program, with this year's theme: I Will Change the World By...
Enjoy some light refreshments and come see and hear our amazingly talented students. As always, our PTSA meetings are a great chance to chat and ask Mr. Priest anything!
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Sequoia Girl Scouts earn Gold and Silver Awards |
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Two Sequoia students were awarded the Girl Scout’s Gold and Silver Awards by the Redwood City Service Unit of Girl Scouts of Northern California.
Veyna Karanth was awarded the Gold Award and a Certificate of Recognition from Redwood City Mayor Diane Howard. In her own words - "I believe, when youth are educated, they amplify the opportunities for themselves, increasing equality in the world. I spent 100+ hours bringing the offline curriculum online when schools shut down during COVID. I created a library of videos to help the students learn English, set up a Google Classroom for assignments and collaboration, and fund-raised for computers. Through my efforts, I saw passionate students who overcame hardships to learn; reinforcing my belief in the importance of education as a basic right irrespective of socio-economic status, race, and gender. This project helped me go outside my comfort zone and gain a perspective most high school students aren't exposed to!"
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Ruby Rappoport (9th grade, Sequoia) and Taylor R (9th grade, Woodside) of Troop 61777 were awarded the Silver Award. Ruby and Taylor’s project was Food Insecurity Awareness, and they were mentored by Troop Leader Diane Wakeham and supported by others in the community. Ruby and Taylor determined that there were many resources and food programs in the community but not enough funding and volunteers, so they raised awareness of the problem. They created a website with a program for kids K-12 with age-appropriate activities to learn about food insecurity, including fun activities as well as setting up fundraisers/food drives. They composed an original song, wrote a puppet show, wrote mini-articles and more. They also did outreach for other kids to try the program. Their curriculum is available for anyone K-12 to try and participants can earn a badge upon completion.
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Sabine Close named International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalist |
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Sabine Close, a sophomore at Sequoia, recently won first place and grand prize at the Golden Gate STEM Fair, and was also named a finalist for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for her project on using accelerometers in equine tack to monitor motion and help identify lameness.
Sabine and her partner, Natalia Morrow of Notre Dame de Namur High School, will be competing in Atlanta from May 7-13 for their project, “Analysis of Coupled Nonlinear Dynamic Phenomena Using Sensors to Detect Abnormal Motion in Quadrupeds.”
Sabine is also a competitive equestrian who was recently named Champion in the 15-17 Affiliate Equitation at the USHJA National Championship in Las Vegas. Watch a video of Sabine competing.
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May 6-8: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"
Sequoia's Visual & Performing Arts Department is thrilled to invite you to our final spring event.
Come see Sequoia Drama's hilarious, award-winning musical comedy! Recommended for ages 12+. Buy your tickets online at www.sequoiadrama.com.
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5/3 Varsity Softball vs Carlmont - 4:00 p.m.
5/3 Varsity Boys Lacrosse vs Burlingame - 7:00 p.m.
5/4 JV Baseball vs Hillsdale - 4:00 p.m.
5/4 JV Softball vs Carlmont - 4:00 p.m.
5/4 Varsity Boys Volleyball vs El Camino - 6:00 p.m.
5/6 Varsity Baseball vs Hillsdale - 4:00 p.m.
5/6 JV Softball vs Hillsdale - 4:00 p.m.
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Scholarships for senior athletes |
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The Sequoia Sport & Spirit Boosters are proud to offer up to six (6) $500 scholarships for seniors who participated in varsity-level sports or sports leadership at Sequoia this year. Seniors should use the Judy Carmona Scholarship Google Form to submit the two-paragraph application highlighting their experience as a Sequoia Varsity athlete.
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May 13: Sequoia High School Prom |
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One of the school year's biggest events is fast approaching: Sequoia High School Prom! It will be held Friday, May 13 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.
Get your tickets!
Standard Pricing (Wednesday, April 27 - Wednesday, May 11): $90
Students/parents may contact the Family Center for alternative pricing options.
Note:
- Event is intended for 11th and 12th graders only. Other students may attend as the guest of a Sequoia 11th or 12th grader.
- Guests from other schools will be permitted, but a completed guest pass must be submitted in order to purchase a ticket. Guest passes may be picked up from the Student Activities Center, AVP Office or Treasurer's Office.
- Formal attire is strongly recommended.
More information can be found here.
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June 3: Grad Night
Class of 2022 families: The ship is sailing so don’t let your senior miss out on this fun adventure to celebrate their graduation!
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Lawn signs
Do you have a graduating senior in your home? Celebrate their accomplishments by ordering a class of 2022 lawn/window sign!
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MEET ME IN THE MEDIA CENTER |
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We look forward to seeing you,
Ms. Snow
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EVENTS |
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May 4: Drugs in the Age of Fentanyl
Please attend this important event to bring awareness to a very important cause: keeping our young people safe, especially when it comes to fentanyl.
On August 29, 2021, Carlmont student Colin Walker died after taking a drug purchased on Snapchat that was laced with a lethal amount of fentanyl. He was only 17 years old.
Colin's parents don't want another family to experience the pain of losing a child to fentanyl poisoning. They are partnering with Song For Charlie and One Life Counseling to raise awareness about the fentanyl crisis and save lives.
Please join us on May 4, 7:00-8:15 p.m. at the Carlmont Performing Arts Center to understand the dangers and help spread the message about fentanyl and the risks of buying drugs online.
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En Español:
¿Quieres traducir este boletín ahora?
En Español
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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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Sentinel Newsletter:
The Sentinel is distributed every Sunday at 8 a.m. during the school year. Readers enjoy hearing about activities, events, and accomplishments of Sequoia students, staff and community.
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