Senior College & Career Newsletter
Week of 9 - 15 , 2021
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career
How to reach us?
For general questions and inquiries please email us at sequoiaccc@seq.org
Student Appointments:
Ms. Ignaitis, All HCA and Study Skills Students and Last names A-L
Ms. Rocha, All DAA and ELD Students and Last names M-Z
Important Dates
- May 11th – SDTA Scholarship– For a senior in the SUHSD (See Scholarships)
- May 12th – Last Day to Complete Mandatory Exit Survey Required to Pick Up Cap and Gown
- May 15th – Kiwanis Woodside Terrace AM RWC Multiple Scholarships (See Scholarships)
- May 15th—Kelly Kolozsi Memorial Scholarship for Students Attending a UC (see UC Information)
- May 17th If you are interested in submitting artwork that represents Sequoia for the cover the GRADUATION PROGRAM, email Ms. Ignaitis (sorry no photography)
- May 21st – Last day to complete survey to have senior scholarships and academic awards in graduation program (see announcement below)
Class of 2021: FOUR IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS Students must use their Sequoia emails to complete the following assignments
#1 Mandatory Senior Exit Survey - Needs to Be Completed Before You Pick Up Cap & Gown
Mandatory Senior Survey
- Must have completed to pick up Cap and Gown
- Mandatory Senior Exit Survey is the only place to Request you Final Transcript
Directions for Mandatory Class of 2021 Senior Exit Survey
Before Starting the Exit Survey it is recommended that you Update your college admission decisions on Naviance’s “Colleges I’m Applying to” directions below
- Login to Naviance from SHS website, Sign on with Signal Sign On using your school email
- On the Homepage click on “About Me”, “My Surveys”, “Surveys Not Started” and then “Class of 2021 Senior Exit Survey” - Make sure you- Check both ATTENDING and FINAL TRANSCRIPT for one college!
Directions for Updating “Colleges I’m Applying to” List
- Login to Naviance from SHS website, Sign on with Signal Sign On using your school email
- On the Homepage click on “Colleges I’m Applying to”
- Edit by using the pencil icon and mark whether you were admitted, deferred, etc for each school.
- If you never applied to a college on your “Colleges I’m Applying To” change your results to “WITHDRAWN”
- If you never added your colleges, add now using the plus sign on the right side in red
If you need help watch. How To Video Clip Updating “Colleges I’m Applying to” on Naviance
#2 Do You Want to Be Recognized in the Graduation Program?
Due: May 21, 2021
May 21st is the ABSOLUTE deadline to submit any scholarships or senior academic awards you have received in order to be recognized in the graduation program.
Students can include or not include academic scholarships they received by a college they are not attending- some students want to add them and others do not.
If you (the student) have a question, please email Ms Ignaitis tignaitis@seq.org.
Link to the Recognition Form
# 3 Do You Want to Thank a Staff Member at Sequoia?
Which teachers or staff would you like to say thank you and why?
It does not have to be long and it is always appreciated
You can put them together or separately - THANKS
Link to the Thank You Form
# 4 From IB OFFICE: Important Questions Answered
Do I need to inform my college that I did NOT sit for the May 2021 exams and instead have a score through IB's "calculated route"?
No, you do not need to inform colleges. IB has put great efforts into ensuring colleges that the scores given to students actually sitting for May 2021 exams are fair compared to students on the calculated route. Colleges will just receive your scores on the official score report and will not be notified whether you took exams or your score was calculated with IAs and predicted grades. There is no requirement or expectation to inform them.
How do I send my final IB scores to my college?
IB will send one free score report to the institution you decide to attend. You need to complete the Google form called IB Official Score Report & IB Yearbook c/o 2021 that was sent to your school email. You can also access it HERE. This form is due May 5th. The college you report on this form is the one we will tell IB to send your final scores to.
What if I put down a college on this Google form but then I change my mind and want to attend a different institution (either decided on a different community college or got off a waitlist and accepted the offer at another 4 year institution)?
You must notify the IB Office by June 4th (the end of the school year) if you need us to make a change in IB's system. Please either email Ms McCahon at lmccahon@seq.org or Ms Galvan at mgalvan@seq.org. If you do not change the college with us by the end of the school year, you will need to order another score report on your own through the www.ibo.org website and pay them a fee.
When do scores get sent to colleges?
In July.
When can I get my scores?
They are released online to students on July 6th.
How will I be able to see my final IB score(s)?
IB will release your scores online. They do not get mailed to you. The IB Office will email you (to your school email) and mail home the specific codes you will need to log on and the website instructions. Please be on the look out for this document. You will be given log on codes unique to you and if you lose this paper, you will not be able to check your scores in July. You will then need to wait for the IB Office to reopen in August.
I thought I would receive an actual IB Diploma or IB Certificate. Is that true?
Yes, IB will send Sequoia High School the actual paper IB Certificates/Diplomas in August (usually mid to late August). This is a legal document with your official scores on it as well. We will contact you through your Sequoia email address at that time to inform you to come to the IB Office to pick them up so please continue to check your Sequoia email through August, 2021. If you are already out of the area at college, you can send a parent/ guardian or sibling.
Other: A Message from The Sequoia Sock Club:
The goal of our club is to sell socks to sponsor a child's education and food in Uganda. This year we are sponsoring a child named Christine, she is 10 years old, loves singing, has a pet cow, and wants to be a police officer when she is older. You can learn more about her at https://go.wehelptwo.com/campaign/?campaignid=10364.
We need your help reaching our goal by buying awesome and affordable socks at this link: https://go.wehelptwo.com/campaign/?campaignid=10364. They also make great gifts and are fun for everyday wear! We would really appreciate your help.
Interested in a Career in the Military?
Seniors interested in the Armed Forces please email Ms. Ignaitis for any information or questions you may have.
Facebook helps Students and Parents Explore Computer Science Careers
Other Virtual Events
Mindfulness - Teen Resource Center
All students are welcomed to join Ms. Judy from the Teen Resource Center (TRC) for 15 minutes of Mindfulness on Wednesdays! Practice breathing exercises and guided visualizations!
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 12pm until 12:15pm
Zoom Link: https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/92956681963
General Four Year College Bound Information
SENIOR GRADES, DROPPING COURSES WARNING
Every year, college rescind HUNDREDS of students admission offers because of changes in what either was stated on the application or major predicted grades changes of seniors who have been admitted CONDITIONALLY
Possible Reasons to Take Away Admissions:
Conditional Status – EVERY STUDENT NEEDS TO READ
Each college could have very specific conditions for an individual student; it is important to carefully read the fine print of each school’s message. Some scholarships or programs have GPA requirements or provisions for no Cs on your transcript
Ds or Fs, Dropping a Course and Any Major Change
If you think you might be getting a D or F, or have dropped a course, plan on not taking an exam listed on application (remember you are submitting IB exam scores), or you need to contact the schools IMMEDIATELY. Please call the admissions office and find out what their process for reporting changes
Remember
Colleges do not want to find out when they receive your final SHS documents in July about low grades, changes in your schedule, and/or what you put on your application is different than what you originally told them when you applied (small activity changes are fine).
Admission officials often remind counselors to tell students the following; if they (college admissions) find out before a student tells them, his/her offer of admissions will be most likely taken away.
Please let us know where you have been admitted
Update your Naviance account by editing your Colleges I’m Applying To” See short How To Video if you need help
Get Help with College Applications, Follow Up and/or Financial Aid Applications
We want to support each and every one of you through this process! Below are ways to get help:
Students make Individual Appointments via Calendly with college counselors by clicking on their corresponding counselor’s name below. (if you have a free period, email your counselor directly and state the time you have a free period).
Check out the How-To videos (At the bottom of the Newsletter)
Student Appointments:
- Ms. Ignaitis, All HCA and Study Skills Students and Last names A-L
- Ms. Rocha, All DAA and ELD Students and Last names M-Z.
UC INFORMATION
From the UC Counselor Bulletin: Report Changes
If you receive an offer of admission, be sure to confirm with the campus admission office that they are aware of the deficient grade or schedule changes. Although you must notify the campus of these changes, we cannot guarantee that a campus can go back to review an application after correspondence has been received. Make sure to save a copy of your correspondence just in case. Every UC is different
Check Email and Portals OFTEN: This is how colleges communicate with students, check and promptly act on what they are asking you to do!
Waitlisted students
Make sure you are checking your portals OFTEN. Most colleges give you a very short period of time to respond. I would be checking every other day.
Kelly Kolozsi Memorial Scholarship --Local Scholarship for Students Attending a UC
Due: May 15th
If you have decided to attend a UC, the Kelly Kolozsi Scholarship is here!
Any graduate of the Sequoia Union High School District who will be an entering freshman of the University of California in Fall 2020, and who demonstrates academic merit and financial need, is eligible for this award.
Application is attached on the Naviance scholarship list
Applications must be postmarked by May 15th
Community College Information
IMPORTANT NOTE: Concurrent enrollment students MUST apply to Community College as a first time never attended college applicant.
For information on applying and other important information be sure to check out our Community College Tip Sheet!
Seniors: Will you be going to Foothill Community College next year?
PRE-STEM (Program for Readiness and Exploration in STEM) is a program for new incoming Foothill students which includes
the TechCore Summer Institute – a FREE readiness program in the month of August to get students ready for math and college as well as to work on projects using technology as a tool for social impact
a learning community with others pursuing STEM degrees at Foothill
counseling, mentoring, and support during their time at Foothill
There is a 6 minute informational video on the website for you to learn more. There will also be a few upcoming information sessions that students can attend as well as a video that they can watch to better understand the program.
PEP/Steps to Enrolling at Community College
PEP (Priority Enrollment Program) allows current seniors to complete all the steps to attend college in the fall WHILE in high school: Check your emails/portals for more information for upcoming PEP events.
College of San Mateo PEP Online
Priority Enrollment Program (PEP) is OPEN. A wonderful group of Counselors and Staff are here to help students with the steps to enrollment and registering for classes for summer/fall 2021. Students sign up for (PEP) Priority Enrollment Program to complete the matriculation steps and receive Priority Registration. Once students sign up for PEP, you will get an email with a link to register for a Group Counseling Session and their English and Math course placement.
You will receive an email providing you with your priority registration date (April 2021). Log onto WebSmart to register for courses online. School fees are also payable on your WebSMART.
Lastly, this is the Promise Scholars Program promotion video, which includes more information regarding the program:
Is your college asking for proof you registered for Selective Service?
18 year old males must register for the Selective Service if they are seeking federal or state aid.
If a student needs proof of selective service registration, they can go to the Selective Service Website
put in his SSN, name and DOB and they can print out proof
If no SSN, they can call 847 688-3117
Letters have been delayed because of Covid but they can get their Selective Service number over the phone.
ALSO - Registrations are processed about one month before their 18th birthday and they normally do bulk mailings a couple of times a month, so anything from March has not been mailed out yet.
But remember, most can go to the website and print out their proof, hopefully colleges will be supportive of students with no SSN and satisfied with their number only for now.
Missing Financial Aid Award Information for Four Year Colleges
FAFSA
TWO AND FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE BOUND SENIORS, COMPLETE THIS FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID ONLINE TODAY REGARDLESS OF YOUR FAMILY INCOME.
CA DREAM ACT
CSS PROFILE
Scholarship List for May Available Now
If you find a scholarship you're interested in, get more information on your Naviance account under Paying for College then Scholarship List!
For help accessing all scholarships available to you in Naviance, watch our ‘How to Access Scholarships in Naviance.’
Local Scholarships Due Soon!
Kaiser Permanente Health Equity Scholarship
Due: May 15
For Seniors that have a demonstrated interest in pursuing a clinical (e.g., pharmacist, physician, practitioner, nurse) or non-clinical (e.g., accounting, business administration, human resources, marketing, public policy) career in the healthcare industry. Planning to attend a 2 or 4 year college in the Fall.
Woodside Terrace AM Kiwanis Club Scholarships (seniors)
Deadline May 15
The Woodside Terrace AM Kiwanis Club is excited to offer several scholarships again this year to graduating high school seniors who will be attending an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school in the 2021-22 academic year.
Minimum eligibility to be considered for a scholarship include the following:
- Resident of Redwood City OR attending a Redwood City high school
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident or AB 540 eligible student graduating from high school
- 3.0 cumulative high school GPA
- Demonstrated ability and motivation to compete on a collegiate level
- Submit a completed application
- Provide two letters of reference/recommendation
June 15
The California New Car Dealers Association and its Scholarship Foundation are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Car Careers Scholarship Application – 2.0. Together we have powered a vision to fill the fierce demand for the auto technician and management roles critical to the industry. We are honored to have awarded scholarships to over 1,300 students, totaling over one million dollars.
Applicants to the CNCDA Foundation’s Car Career Scholarship must:
Be a resident in California.
Be high school seniors or graduates, or current college undergraduates who plan to enroll in part-time (minimum of 6 credits) or full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year college or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year. If a student is selected as a recipient and will not be enrolled for the entire academic year, the award amount will be prorated.
Be pursuing an Automotive Technology degree.
Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
Directions to Request an Official Transcript for a Scholarship or Program
- Log in to your Sequoia Naviance account
- Click the Colleges Tab (Right top corner)
- Scroll down
- Click on Manage Transcripts (Left hand side)
- Click on the Red Plus Icon and choose Other Transcript
- What Type Requesting? (Unless after graduation, click either Initial or Mid-Year)
- What For? (Scholarship or Other)
- Note: We do not send unofficial ACT/SAT
- Click to watch a short How To Request a Transcript for a Scholarship or Program
Summer Volunteer Opportunity
Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula
BGCP is seeking high school students who might be interested in supporting their in-person summer programs by interning. For more information contact Remi Sobomehin at remi@bgcp.org.
Interested in Asian Art and Cultural Traditions?
Deadline May 17
Asian Art Museum’s Art Speak internship provides career training and monthly stipends to public high school students in grades 10–12. Interns discover Asian art and cultural traditions, and learn from local artists and arts organizations, conduct informational interviews with museum staff to explore careers in the arts, and develop their leadership skills by creating and facilitating virtual art activities. This is a paid ten-month experience that runs from August to May. Interns will meet virtually.
Interested in a Trade Apprenticeship?
All about Trade Apprenticeships
More than 80,000 women and men working in one of more than 800 occupations in California construction trades began as apprentices. To enter the building trades, you must start as an apprentice.
An apprenticeship is an excellent career choice if you
like to work with your hands
are willing to serve an apprenticeship for up to five years, depending on the trade
have dexterity, mechanical ability, problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a team
want to earn a living wage and good benefits
want the opportunity to advance in your career
If you are interested in pursuing a trade apprenticeship, the following are great resources to begin your search and/or learn more about opportunities within California:
California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association website
Division of Apprenticeship Standards
Or if you are planning to do community college first, the following colleges have Career Technical Education and Certificates or trade apprenticeship partnership programs that offer instruction in several trades:
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Job: City of RWC’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department
The City of Redwood City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is looking for Camp Leaders, Assistant Camp Directors, Camp Directors who are interested in working 25-40 hours per week during the summer, planning, organizing and conducting basic recreation activities in a variety of settings
Summer Job Opportunity at Wizbot
Wizbot, a robotics and JAVA coding after school and summer camp program is looking for students to work for their summer programs. Click on the link below to read the complete job description, Each flyer has a link to the Wizbot website.
- Flyer for Wizbot Summer Assistant Job Must be 16 years old
- Flyer for Wizbot Lead Instructor Inventor Mentor Job - Must be 18 years old
How To Videos for students available on our website!
All Newsletters Available Online!
Senior Newsletter Contents Week of May 1-8
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
Four Important Announcements: Required Senior Exit Survey, Recognition in Graduation Program, Thank You Opportunity, IB Information
Virtual Events: Mindfulness TRC
Financial Aid - Selective Service Information
Career Information - District Zoom Career Speakers: Doctor of Internal Medicine career zoom recording available
General 4 Year - Reminders Conditional Status and Next Steps,Waitlists and checking your portals, housing
Private/Common Application - N/A
UC - Info About Next Steps, Waitlists and Kolozsi Scholarship
CSU - N/A
Community College - Important Events for Canada, College of San Mateo, Skyline, Foothill and De Anza
Student Opportunities - Asian Art and Culture Internship BGCP Summer Interns, Boys and Girls Club Volunteer Opportunity, Trade Apprenticeships
Scholarships/Contests - Woodside Terrace, Judy Carmona, STDA, Los Hermanos, Kaiser Health, How to Request a Transcript for Scholarships
Job Opportunities: RWC Parks and Recreation Summer Jobs