|
|
 Sequoia
Sentinel
October 5, 2015
Celebrating Sequoia High School's 120th Anniversary!
|
Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
|
|
PTSA President's Message
Checking in.... So, seven weeks have passed since the first day of school here at Sequoia. First quarter grades are in, clubs are up and running, after-school sports and play rehearsals are in full swing. Hopefully, you had the chance to attend Back to School Night in September in order to meet our administration team and speak with your students' teachers. Walking the busy halls with schedule in hand, trying to make it on time to class and not get caught up talking with friends can really give one the sense of what it is like for our kids each day! Back to School Night observations can also provide a springboard for a conversation with your kids.
It is no secret that high school is a stressful time. For freshmen, the move from middle school to a new and often much bigger school environment can pose challenges for even the most easy-going kid. 10th and 11th graders are navigating an increasingly tough workload. For seniors, the balance between enjoying the last year of high school and preparing for life beyond Sequoia can seem daunting. Parents too, experience a higher level of pressure of this time of year. Watching kids leave home and enter a world that expects a new degree of independence for the first time can fill a parent with unease. Countless research studies have shown the benefits of finding time to talk, face-to-face with your kids, whether at mealtime (it doesn't have to be dinner) or driving around in the car, or, if you're really fortunate, while you and your kid are participating in some enjoyable, shared activity. Sure, just when the content of conversation matters most, your kid would rather talk to anyone but you. We live in a world that is increasingly dominated by digital, 140-character "conversations" and glowing screens. While we don't know the long-term impacts of these virtual connections, we do know the great feeling of real-time, in-person connection when it happens. But, when conversation at home isn't always possible, where can Sequoia students go to check-in? We are fortunate to have many dedicated teachers who make themselves available during lunch and office hours for academic and moral support for our kids. We have the S.A.F.E. afterschool program and sports activities staffed with passionate and positive advisors and coaches. Perhaps most importantly we have the Teen Resource Center. The Center provides a safe, non-judgmental environment for students to work through concerns they have about school or personal issues. For parents, the Center offers parent education workshops and information about community resources. In both cases, services are free and available to all at Sequoia. The high school experience is full of challenges for everyone involved. As the year progresses, I hope we can lean on each other for support and utilize the resources that are available to us at Sequoia to make this journey the best it can be. As we settle into our routines, let's try to keep the conversations going and promise to check-in whenever possible. I will if you will...Lisa Hane Sequoia High School PTSA President
|
PTSA Meeting Tomorrow
 Please join us for our first PTSA General Membership Meeting of the year on Tuesday, October 6 at 7 PM in the MPR. Principal Sean Priest will answer questions, and Evelyn Valencia from Sequoia's SAFE Program will speak. View the full agenda here. It is also an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and find out about PTSA activities for the coming year. We would love to see you!
|
Evergreen Sales
Can you believe it's time to order your holiday evergreens from Sequoia? The holidays may seem far off, but they'll be here before you know it! Our order deadline is November 6, 2015, so we are officially kicking off the Sequoia High School Evergreen Sale! This year the sale will support the Sophomore Class of 2018 Safe & Sober Graduation activities. Half of each purchase will go towards supporting the class, so you will be making a donation as well as making your home more beautiful for the holidays!
We are offering beautiful and fragrant wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces for $25 each. They will be available for pick-up during the first week of December (exact dates TBD). Please see this flyer for all the details. This link will take you directly to our ordering page where you can pay through Paypal or credit/debit card. Thank you for your support! Please contact Beth Resnick ([email protected]) with any questions.
Class of 2018 Representatives: Athena Bradley, Katie Hultgren, Annette Lanham, Beth Resnick
|
 Shout-Out
A shout-out to Marianne Cheatham, Keri Cochran, Carol Elliott and Hilary Paulson for helping at the Photo Retakes Day last Monday!
|
Looking Back: 1995 Sequoia Centennial
As we celebrate this 120th year of Sequoia's history, here's a look back at Sequoia's 100th birthday!
During the weekend of Sept. 14-17, 1995, the Sequoia High School Alumni Association held a Centennial Celebration. On Thursday and Friday nights, a variety show entitled A Salute to Sequoia was staged by performers ranging in age from the class of 1932 to future graduates of 2002. Over 1000 people enjoyed the show! The Centennial football game against Burlingame (14-0 win) on Saturday night included a special post-game show featuring football and cheer alumni, and even performances by the former group the Cherokettes. Saturday night also featured a dinner dance, A Step Back in Time, held at the Holiday Inn, Foster City. The Honorable William Royer (class of 1938, former U.S. Representative), Sequoia HS Principal Earl Walker, and SUHSD Deputy Superintendent Marion McDowell were among the over 500 in attendance.
A Centennial Picnic was held on Sunday, during which the newly restored Japanese Tea Garden and new Centennial Tea House were dedicated. Two time capsules were buried in the Tea Garden during the Dedication, to be opened at Sequoia's 150th and 200th years. Approximately 1500 people enjoyed the Picnic and Dedication, which also included songs sung by the Sequoia group Treble Clef.
Other Centennial activities that occurred during the year included a logo contest, the making of a Centennial Quilt, a presentation on the "History of Sequoia" at the Redwood City Library's annual Open House, and participation in the Redwood City Fourth of July Parade (complete with many alumni, Spirit Squads, a car parade, and a 1st prize float!).
Thank you to Frank Bravo for this wonderful history! Frank was President of the Alumni Association during this Centennial Celebration, and is part of a multi-generational Sequoia family (more on that in a future Sentinel article). To read more about the Centennial Celebration, view the entire Centennial edition of the Alumni Association newsletter on their website.
|
Yearbook Reminders 
Seniors - Take your senior portraits by Halloween. If you need to make an appointment or reschedule, call Prestige Portraits at 650-597-1433. You can find more information on the school website.
- Bring your senior baby pictures to Mrs. Gordon in the treasurer's office by Halloween to be scanned. You can also email your baby picture to Ms. Bray at [email protected].
|
|
Photo Scavenger Hunt
 Sequoia is a big beautiful campus; many of us think we know it well and many are new this year. We have a fun challenge for everyone - a photo scavenger hunt! Each week we will post a photo, and the following week we will let you know where it was. If you have a photo to add, please send it to [email protected].
Here's the first photo, the answer will be in next week's Sentinel!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar
Monday, Oct. 5
Collab Day
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Freshman College Day
7-9 PM - PTSA meeting, MPR
Wednesday, Oct. 7 6 PM - 10th Grade College Info Night, Carrington Hall
Thursday, Oct. 8 6 PM - Candidates Forum, MPR
7 PM - PSAT Info Meeting, Carrington Hall Friday, Oct. 9
7 PM - Freshman Parent Welcome at the Sequoia/M-A home football game
ON THE HORIZON
Monday, Oct. 12
No School - Staff Development Day
Wednesday, Oct. 14 8:30-12:10 - PSAT, 10th & 11th Graders
Thursday, Oct. 15 7 PM - Fall Music Concert, Carrington Hall
Wednesday, Oct. 21
6 PM - 9th Grade College Info Night, Carrington Hall
Friday, Oct. 23
Homecoming Football Game
Wednesday, Oct. 28
6:30-8:30 PM - 8th Grade Information Night
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
En Espa�ol
�Quieres traducir este bolet�n ahora? Siga estas instrucciones para obtener una traducci�n:
1. Haga clic en "Click here" en la parte superior del correo electr�nico: "Having trouble viewing this email? Click here."
2. Mantenga presionada la tecla Control (PC) y la tecla A para seleccionar toda la p�gina, a continuaci�n, mantenga presionada la tecla Control y haga clic en la tecla C para copiar la p�gina entera.
3. Abra una p�gina nueva del navegador web y vaya a http://translate.google.com/#
4. Coloca el cursor en la caja y mantenga presionada la tecla Control y haga clic en la tecla V para pegar el bolet�n completo en el cuadro de traducci�n.
5. Aseg�rese de seleccionar "To: Spanish" en la parte superior de la p�gina. Haga clic en el bot�n Traducir. La traducci�n al espa�ol debe aparecer en el lado derecho.
|
|
|
|
|
M-A Parent Education Series
"Safety First: A Reality-Based Approach to Teens and Drugs" - with Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD
Thursday, October 8, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC) Cafe
Menlo-Atherton High School
Just say no or say nothing at all? This is the question that many parents face with regard to drug use in their teens-whether alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. Most drug education programs are aimed solely at preventing drug use. After instructions to abstain, the lesson ends. No information is provided about how to avoid problems or prevent abuse for those teens who do experiment. How can you help your kids stay safe?
Join us for an interactive workshop with Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD, founder of the Safety First drug education project at the Drug Policy Alliance and author of "Safety First: A Reality-Based Approach to Teens and Drugs." Dr. Rosenbaum earned her doctorate in medical sociology at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). She is the author of numerous scholarly articles about drug use, drug treatment, and drug policy. Her opinion pieces have appeared in USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and San Jose Mercury News. In addition, Dr. Rosenbaum is a proud graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School.
This event is open to parents, students, faculty/staff, and community members. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available. Register here.
M-A Parent Education Series events are free, sponsored by the M-A PTA, the Sequoia Healthcare District, and the Sequoia Union High School District.
|
|
|
