Sequoia Sentinel
Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
“I’m sorry, Sophia, could you please repeat yourself – just a little louder – we weren’t able to hear you.”

How many times do you ask this question before it gets awkward? Once? Twice? When do you just nod with feigned comprehension and move on? What if thirty other people are in the room, fidgeting, losing interest, talking to their neighbors.

Tune out the hum of the window fan as it circulates air. Pay no attention to the air filtration machine whirring in the corner. “I’m sorry, Sophia, we still can’t hear you.” As far as you can tell, she’s talking at a normal level. Her body language, of course, reveals an increasing self-consciousness. Teenage self-consciousness. And, oh yeah, of course, her face is covered by a mask. No lip-reading possible.

How many weeks before you start planning activities where fewer of these awkward moments with Sophia and her classmates occur? Out of necessity, teachers have come to rely on tools like Pear Deck and Google Docs to provide students with opportunities to interact, albeit digitally. Luckily, these are tools we all mastered in distance learning.  

I think back to August, when we met as a staff for the first time. How exuberant we were with anticipation. Likewise, our ninth grade students at their orientation. Everybody was excited to be in-person. Social interaction, healing, community – there was joy in what lay ahead. Only within the last few weeks, as a growing but still limited percentage of folks have begun cautiously removing masks, do the familiar sounds of highly interactive classrooms once again fill Sequoia’s halls. Learning is a social activity. If you want to develop a deeper understanding of a topic, there’s no substitute for the experience of communicating, face to face, with another human.  

I spoke to a teacher last week who shared how she and her students had laughed more in the past month than in the previous 6. “I realized how much I missed laughing, how much more fun it is to be able to see and hear each other,” she said. I’m proud to be part of a community who has taken its collective responsibility so seriously. We are still in a pandemic and the sacrifices we’ve made have saved lives. I’m also grateful for the vaccines, boosters, and time that have allowed us to reemerge more fully into the powerful shared experience of learning in an interactive setting. Here’s to smiling students…who don’t have to repeat themselves.

Have a great week!

Best,
Sean
HIGHLIGHTS
Sabine Close named International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) finalist
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.
"That's So Raven" Ep. 18
Tune in to this week's episode for some exclusive information about Prom on May 13!

This week on That's So Raven...
0:18 Quad Sale Ad
0:43 Prom
0:59 Dance Show
1:17 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
1:49 Prom Preview!
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
IB exams: Three more volunteers needed May 12 & 17
Sequoia needs 97 parent volunteers to assist with 71 IB exams that will be administered on-campus and in-person April 28-May 20. Please consider volunteering - only 3 more volunteers needed!

Please sign up TODAY:
1) Click this link to access volunteer spots (only 3 spots remain open, but all must be filled for us to offer the IB exams).
2) Review options, double check your calendar, and choose your sign -up spot(s).
3) Sign up for one, two or several shifts.

As your test date approaches, the IB Office will send you an email with detailed steps. 

FAQs: 
1) I don’t have a kid in IB - why should I help? You will get an interesting and inside peek at our students' impressive knowledge and tremendous work ethic. This video continues to inspire us as we reflect on what these college-level classes and exams mean for our students. IB exams can be stressful… your calm, positive support and smile can make a huge difference for a nervous student. 

2) Why do you need so many volunteers? The IB Program requires that schools recruit one proctor volunteer for every 20 students taking an exam. With almost 400 Sequoia students taking a total of 1,638 IB exams, we need to assemble a huge team to make it work. All schools around the world -- public and private -- depend on volunteers. Many parents take a half-day off from work or make childcare arrangements so they can pitch in as a proctor.

3) Do I need to know how to do anything? No need to prepare or learn anything in advance, and there is no long-term commitment. Our staff will give you all the instructions you need to feel helpful and successful. All you need to do is be on time, wear comfortable clothing/shoes, and be supportive, quiet and present (no phones, laptops or distractions) during the exam.

4) Can I assist with an exam my student is taking? Yes you CAN, but you will be stationed in a different room than your student. Please email elisa@atlashs.org to confirm you will be in a different location.

5) Can I ask my relative, college student or neighbor to help? Yes! We welcome any reliable adult’s help.

Questions? Please contact Elisa Niño-Sears: elisa@atlashs.org or (650) 387-8390.
ELD volunteer needed
I am looking for one volunteer to help on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-10:30 a.m. for the rest of the school year working with ELD students to take over for a volunteer who is moving. The new volunteer will read books and help ELD students with writing in a small group.

Teaching/tutoring experience and Spanish-speaking skills are beneficial, but we have successful volunteers who do not speak Spanish or have any teaching experience. The most important qualities for this volunteer opportunity are enjoying being around youth and being willing to take risks. The volunteers work outside with students. The students are all happy to wear masks even outside if this is the preference of the volunteer. Most of the students will be more comfortable if the volunteer wears a mask. If you have any questions, please contact Stacy Wenzel.
Catch the in-person shows in April!
Sequoia's Visual & Performing Arts Department is thrilled to invite you to our spring events!

Upcoming concerts and shows:

  • Apr. 18 - 29: Department Art Show in the Powell Gallery. Viewing during lunch for students, staff, and visitors that check-in with the AVP office. 


  • May 6 - 8: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee": Come see Sequoia Drama's hilarious, award-winning musical comedy! Recommended for ages 12+. Buy your tickets online at www.sequoiadrama.com.
SEQUOIA ATHLETICS
Home games this week
4/26 Varsity Boys Lacrosse vs Los Altos - 7:00 p.m.
4/27 Varsity Baseball vs Burlingame - 4:00 p.m.
4/27 JV Softball vs Terra Nova - 4:00 p.m.
4/27 Varsity Boys Volleyball vs Andrew Hill - 6:00 p.m.
4/29 JV Baseball vs Burlingame - 4:00 p.m.

There are only a few more weeks of spring sports. Check out the team schedules at seqsports.com and come out to support your Ravens!
$3000 for senior athletes
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. 
April 30: Last chance to order limited edition spirit wear
Get your spring and summertime Sequoia swag at the BOOSTERS ONLINE STORE.

Special items include SEQ branded straw hats, bucket hats, trucker caps, tank tops and more! Sale closes Saturday, April 30.
CLASS NOTES
May 13: Prom is approaching
One of the school year's biggest events is fast approaching…Sequoia’s High School Prom!

When: Friday, May 13
Time: 7:30 - 11:30 p.m.
Location: Academy of Sciences, San Francisco

Get your tickets! 
One-Day SALE Tues., April 26 ($80)
Standard pricing April 27 - 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.
Get your tickets for the Class of 2022 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!

Class of 2022 graduation lawn signs

Do you have a graduating senior in your home? Celebrate their accomplishments by ordering a class of 2022 lawn/window sign!
MEET ME IN THE MEDIA CENTER

Check out our April 2022 Newsletter and click here to find out what’s happening at the Media Center!

We look forward to seeing you,
Ms. Snow
THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & EVENTS
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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