Sequoia College & Career Newsletter
Week of March 14-20, 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 and Deadlines
March 16 – “Mandatory” Meeting for Juniors Planning on Applying to a Private or Common Application College – See Announcements section below
March 23 - Financial Aid Informational Night (More information to come)
March 24 - SAT School Day Testing
March 17 - Freshman College/Career planning Virtual Presentation
April 7 - Sophomores College/Career planning Virtual Presentation
Highly Encouraged MEETING For Juniors Planning on Applying to a Private College and/or the Common Application College That Requires Letters of Recommendation and/or Counselor School Report
March 16th @ 6PM
This meeting lays out the process early to relieve a little anxiety about what students need to do to apply to a college that requires letters of recommendation or a counselor school report instead of waiting until the beginning of senior year.
This meeting is for students, parents are welcomed – If a student can’t attend, it is OK for parents to come alone.
Private college deadlines are earlier each year so it is important to learn all the mandatory steps every SHS student must complete to successfully submit your applications including documents sent by Sequoia (counselor reports, transcripts and teacher recommendation letters).
This meeting will go over the general process using the Common Application/Coalition and the connection to Naviance. The meeting also includes information regarding; college search tips, letter of recommendations, general understanding of what admission counselors look for in an applicant and timelines.
To join the English Webinar: Zoom ID 933 3097 6617 and Passcode 242415
To join the Spanish Webinar: Zoom ID 924 5558 4418 and Passcode 871948
If you do not go to this meeting, it will be your responsibility to read and understand the process at Sequoia on the posted PowerPoint. Similar resources from this meeting will be given out at the Senior Grade Level Meeting in the fall.
Grade Level Post Secondary Presentations - Life After High School
During remote learning, the College and Career Center will provide an opportunity for students to attend a grade level meeting to help students figure what to do when they leave Sequoia. The zoom presentations will be offered twice a day on Wednesdays, students can choose what time they wish to attend.
FRESHMAN College Planning Virtual Activity with the College and Career Center
March 17
Learn About the Required Naviance Resume and How it Can Help You Stay Organized!
9 -10am or 10:30am -11:30am
To join Zoom https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/2759702970
SOPHOMORE College Planning Virtual Activity with the College and Career Center
April 7
Career Research/Connecting a Career to Education
Sophomores
In preparation for the April 7th meeting, please complete the Career Interest Profiler on Naviance BEFORE the meeting. Login to your Naviance account (single sign on with Google), Click on About Me, then My Assessments, and finally Career Interest Profiler.
10 - 11am or 1 - 2pm
To join Zoom https://seq-org.zoom.us/j/2759702970
From Mr. Uhalde: We are in the process of building the ASB Class for the 2021-2022 school year, and we want YOU to join us!!!
If you have ideas for fun and exciting student activities, kind and generous projects that help others or think you could help represent your fellow students, then YOU might be a great candidate for Sequoia HS ASB in the 2021-2022 school year. You can join ASB in one of the following three ways:
First, you can join the ASB Executive Board. This is the part happening now! This group of 11 student-leaders help oversee the Sequoia student body, communicate regularly with administration and represent Sequoia in meetings with students from around the district. See the detailed email from Mr. Uhalde for more information and CLICK HERE FOR THE ASB EXECUTIVE BOARD APPLICATION
Still want to get involved but don't want to be on the Executive Board?
After we have selected the ASB Executive Board, we will run class elections for the positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of each class (Class of 2022, 2023, 2024). Of these four positions, the President must be enrolled in 4th period ASB. The other class officers do not need to be enrolled, but are reserved a spot in the class if they want to take it. This process should take place in mid-late March. Keep an eye out for emails!
After we have concluded class elections, we will conduct applications to be in the ASB class with no elected position. This process should take place in early April. Keep an eye out for emails!
VIRTUAL COLLEGE EVENTS
University of San Francisco Sophomore and Junior Nights
Both events will cover how students can manage their time doing activities they enjoy, how to lay a strong academic foundation in high school, and how to begin exploring colleges remotely. While the descriptions for the events are identical, the Junior College Night will focus more on the college search and the college admission process.
Sophomore College Night
Tuesday, March 16
6 – 7 p.m. PDT
Junior College Night
Tuesday, March 23
6 – 7 p.m. PDT
WACAC Virtual College Fairs
For all students throughout California & Nevada
Monday, April 19, 2021 @ 5:00 - 7:45 PM
NACAC Virtual College Fairs are back
NACAC’s upcoming series of Virtual College Fairs
These sessions support all students, including seniors who have not yet applied. Students can prepare ahead of time by tagging the Zoom sessions they want to attend:
VIRTUAL CAREER EVENTS
Districtwide Career Speakers in March: Occupational and Physical Therapists
Upcoming District Wide Career Speakers in March
March 18 2:45pm - Social Worker
Join and listen to Mr. Arturo Chavez who has worked as a School Social Worker for the past five years and most recently obtained is Administrative Credential. Learn more about how he got here, what he does as a School Social Worker and what his plans for the future are!
Students click here to pre-register by March 16. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting including the zoom link.
March 23 2:45pm - Plumber/Electrician
Students click here to pre-register by March 22. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting including the zoom link.
Two Programs for Students Interested in Becoming Doctors
A group for high school students interested in medicine. Supervised by Dr. Enoch Choi, this Medical Post exposes students to numerous areas in the field of medicine such as pediatrics, psychology, and genetics. Students meet monthly via Zoom. Join group on Facebook.
2021 Virtual Doctors on Board: Pipeline Program
Application Due: March 22
Physicians Medical Forum’s “Doctors On Board Pipeline Program” is an opportunity for underrepresented minorities students who are African American/Black, Native American, Filipino, Hispanic, and Pacific Islanders that are high seniors, juniors and sophomores interested in becoming physicians or pharmacists to will experience a rare snapshot of what it takes to become a physician or pharmacist. Click on the link above for more information.
Great Article on Statistics to Look at on College Websites
Find Your Best Value College With These Five College Statistics
Click on the link above for the full article from CollegeData.com
Freshman Retention Rate
Graduation Rate
Employment and Grad School Statistics
Average Student Debt
Average Gift Aid Awarded
Also - Please look at O’s List when researching colleges - they focus on these same statistics
What is in a Financial Aid Offer?
Following information from Sallie Mae;
Financial aid offers usually contain this information:
Cost of attendance (COA), an estimate of what you can expect to pay for one year of school. This includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and even personal expenses.2 If the COA isn’t included in your offer, check the school’s website or call the financial aid office.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC), a number that your school uses to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible for. It’s not (despite its name) how much your family will have to pay for college.3
College grants are typically need-based and can be given by state or federal governments.
College scholarships can be need-, merit-, or interest-based and are awarded by a school, company, or private organization.
Federal work-study is a program, implemented by the school, where you work to earn your financial aid.
Federal student loans let you borrow money directly from the federal government; you pay this financial aid back with interest. A financial aid offer may also list the amount you can borrow with a credit-based loan (like a federal Direct PLUS Loan or a private student loan).
Political Cartoon Contest
LegiSchool Editorial Cartoon Contest
Postmark deadline: March 19th
A single image can convey a powerful message. That is why editorial cartoons are often used to explore complex subjects. Cartoonists use symbols, metaphors, caricatures and more to explain public opinion on current issues. In this contest, LegiSchool invites you to express your opinion by creating an original editorial cartoon. Cash prizes awarded to winners and runners up.
Ninth Circuit Civics Contest
Deadline: April 1
An essay and video contest for high school students in the western United States and Pacific Islands. 2021 Topic: What Does our American Community Ask Us For? For more information click here.
Summer Program or Contest: Do you need a transcript?
All transcript requests are on Naviance
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
There is a 5 SCHOOL day turn around to send the transcripts, so plan accordingly!
For a monthly list of Student Opportunities available click here
Santa Clara- Summer Engineering Seminar (SES) (Sophomores and Juniors)
Application Due: March 19
SES program is a 5-day program offering introductory workshops in July by SC Engineering Faculty. Looking for underrepresented groups in the field of engineering. No cost
Girls who Code Summer Program (All grades)
Application Due: March 19th
2-week summer program for 10th-11th grade girls to learn CS and get exposure to tech jobs and join a supportive sisterhood of thousands of girls across the U.S. Intro computer science course, no previous experience required.
EngineerGirl Ambassador (All grades)
Application Due: April 1st
An EngineerGirl Ambassador designs, develops, and implements a project in her local community that will encourage upper elementary or middle school girls to think about engineering and engineering careers.
Mindfulness Training for Sequoia Students!
This year for the first time we are offering a student training through the Mission Be Organization. Students will be trained on mindfulness practices and have the role as mindfulness ambassadors/mentors. They will help promote mindfulness at Sequoia among their peers. It could be as simple as leading a 1 minute mindfulness practice in class, during a club meeting, sports conditioning, etc. Or helping to think of ways to raise awareness regarding mindfulness as a coping skill to deal with stress.They will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the training. They can use this as community service and/or on college applications. It is open to 10th-12th grade students.
Below are the dates and times for the training.
- March 17th, 12:45-1:55
Follow- up sessions
- April 7th, 12:45-1:30
- April 14th, 12:45-1:30
Students can contact Ms. Romero directly jromero@seq.org to sign up.
Girls That Code - Online Activities
They “release activities bi-weekly— some online, some offline, of varying levels of difficulty. Each activity features a woman in tech who pioneered innovative technology.” Click here for more information
EPATT (East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring)
EPATT is recruiting high school students for its College and Career Readiness (CCR) Program. At EPATT it is important to meet all of our students where they are academically and create a targeted plan for them. Our approach consists of academic support, one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, college/career advising and parent/family support. Our goal at EPATT is for all our students, to possess the academic and personal skills to be successful not only in college but in life.
EPATT is currently offering its programming through dynamic and engaging online classes and tutoring. Visit myepatt.org to check-out our offerings.
Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula - Homework Help
Daily at 3pm
BGCP is offering daily homework help and support for all BGCP students to drop in.
To join via zoom click here: http://tinyurl.com/ForestHWHelp If you cannot join you can submit a homework help ticket by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/BGCPhwhelp
They are also offering small group Math Support (Geometry, Alg II, Pre Calc, Calc and Statistics) - If you are interested email Lauren Kang at lkang@bgcp.org
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
TeenTechSF + Bentley DTE Tech & Entrepreneurship Speaker Series starting 3/13
Introducing our first-ever speaker series, with a focus on tech and entrepreneurship! In partnership with Bentley School’s Design Thinking Engineering Club, the TeenTechSF x Bentley DTE Tech & Entrepreneurship Speaker Series will be hosted on Saturdays starting 3/13!
Our first speaker, Swupnil Sahai, will be talking about the intersections of SPORTS + TECH (specifically artificial intelligence and computer vision). He is the founder of SwingVision, a startup offering AI video analysis for tennis, which was featured in Apple’s Fall 2020 Keynote, and former Computer Vision Sr. Engineer for Tesla Autopilot.
REGISTER NOW: ttsf-dte-speakers.eventbrite.com!
Los Altos Hacks V
March 20-21st
Los Altos Hacks V is a 24-hour virtual high school hackathon taking place on March 20-21. No coding experience is required; there's a place for everyone at our hackathon. Los Altos Hacks will be 100% free, including prizes, swag, mentorship, and much more! For more information, visit www.losaltoshacks.com.
Join our mailing list below to receive updates on Los Altos Hacks V and when to register!
https://tinyurl.com/losaltoshacksinfoHow To Videos for students now on our website!
All Newsletters Available Online!
9-11th Newsletter Contents March 7-13, 2021
- Announcements: Meeting for Juniors Planning on Applying to a Private/Common Application College that Requires Letters of Recommendation and a Counselor Report, Grade Level Post Secondary Presentations, From Mr. Uhalde: Building the ASB Class for the 2021-2022 school year
- College Tip: Nomination Programs Your Getting in the Mail: Are they legit?
- Virtual College Events: European University Consortium, University of San Francisco Sophomore and Junior Nights, WACAC College Fairs, NACAC College Fairs
- Other Virtual Events: Los Altos Hacks V is a 24-hour virtual high school hackathon and TeenTechSF + Bentley DTE Tech & Entrepreneurship Speaker Series starting 3/13
- Financial Aid- What is work-study?
- Career Information - Zoom Career Speakers - Occupational and Physical Therapists and Two Programs for Students Interested in Becoming Doctors
- Student Opportunities- Santa Clara- Summer Engineering Seminar (SES), Stanford Medical Youth Science Program, Girls who Code Summer Program, Mindfulness Training for Sequoia Students
- Scholarship/Contests -Ninth Circuit Civics Contest