The Sequoia Spotlight
January 8, 2018
Principal's Message
I hope you enjoyed the winter break and that you were able to spend quality time with family and friends!
Sequoia is hosting an incoming student information night on Thursday, January 18th at 6:30 PM in the gym. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the programs that Sequoia offers! In addition, the DISCOVER academy will be hosting an information night on Thursday, January 25th at 6:30 PM in Sequoia's gym. This program is offered through CVUSD's school choice process. More information regarding school choice is available here.
Each school will be highlighted during this month's DAC (District Advisory Committee) meeting. Sequoia's information is included in this picture and includes an emphasis on: the block schedule, DISCOVER academy, innovative programs, school wide MTSS, student connections and technology integration.
Here is an update from the month of December!
As a staff, we are continuing to discuss the culture and connections we make at school. In addition, we will be hosting our School Resource Officer at one of our first staff meetings of the new year to go over emergency procedures. We also have different technology related trainings that are being set up.
My administrative team and I are holding a Rules Review assembly at the beginning of January to remind students of our expectations at Sequoia. Please encourage your student to review the assignment notebook, which contains detailed information on the rules. In addition, we will be making some changes to our detention procedures. More detailed information will be sent in an email blast later this month.
Mrs. Chambers
Emergency Prepardeness
We practice emergency drills on a monthly basis in accordance with education code. There is also emergency information available for parents on our website which contains details on the procedures that will be put into place should we ever need to release students to parents during the school day. Please note you will need your ID with you to pick up your student in the event of an emergency.
MTSS
Sign-ups will take place during the month of January for our third session of MTSS. We would love to have more parents volunteer to share their passions and teach an enrichment class. If you want to partner together, that would work well too! Our third session takes place on the following dates: 2/7, 2/8, 2/9, 2/14, 2/15, 2/21, 2/22, 2/23, 2/28, 3/1, 3/2 from 12:50 - 12:20 PM. Please email Mrs. Chambers if you are interested in volunteering or to find out more about MTSS!
Student Connections
December was a quick month but one full of activities! I held my first principal lunch which was sponsored by Sharky's in Newbury Park. I was able to make some connections and get to know a group of 8th graders better by finding out about their experiences at Sequoia. Our Builder's Club hosted a letter writing to Santa activity and raised money for the Make a Wish Foundation. In addition, they put together a box of school supplies for an elementary school in Sarasota, Florida who was impacted during the hurricane season. Each of our musical groups performed amazing winter concerts. Thank you to Mrs. Huang, Mrs. Langness and Mrs. Stevenson for directing our strings, chorus and band performers! Our student leaders were hard at work too. ASB sponsored a winter social/dance, complete with inflatables and games, and activities like the Reindeer Toss during lunch. Our WEB leaders hosted an after school movie and a weekly Lunch Bunch club. Students who participated in the December ACES (GATE) activity "broke out" of a breakout box by solving clues about Sequoia and cracking 6 locks. Mr. Daniel, hosted intramural basketball and indoor soccer in the gym as well during the month of December! PTA sponsored a successful talent show where our talented Sequoia students sang, danced, played instruments, performed magic acts and much much more! Our staff even participated with a performance that could only be described as "glowing"!
Student Learning
My co-administrators and I have enjoyed doing quick classroom visits but but also more formal observations. It is great to see the learning and engagement taking place!
In English, students participated in vocabulary kickball! 7th graders incorporated their knowledge of the Victorian era to create costume plans for characters from the Christmas Carol. Our English language learners were visited by Dr. Deborah Martinez, Coordinator for ELD services. Dr. Martinez presented on what success means and the importance of having grit. In math, students did a hands on activity where they folded paper to learn about slope. 8th grade students figured out the best line of fit to help their action figures and dolls bungee jump using rubber bands. Also in math, students created trees and igloos out of tooth picks, marshmallows and gum drops to compete for the highest structure. In 7th grade science students learned about genetics and Mendel and created Sponge Bob offspring. In 8th grade, students used their knowledge of physics and engineering to design and build roller coasters. In social studies, students learned about Washington's presidency. 6th grade DISCOVER students created a sarcophagus for their mummified hens. Our 6th grade STEAM elective studied Bernoulli's principal and levitated ping pong balls with contraptions that they created. Our Band Booster organization purchased each advanced band student with a subscription to Site Reading Factory and Musition license which is a music theory program that works with students at their own pace.
Support our School
Several of our teachers have accounts set up online at Donors Choose. Help support our garden and flexible seating arrangements by clicking here.
Upcoming Events
- School Resumes after Winter Break: Monday, January 8
- Spelling Bee: Thursday, January 11 @ 12:00 PM in the Auditorium
- PTA Meeting: Thursday, January 11 @ 6:00 AM in the Teacher's Lounge
- Geography Bee: Friday, January 12 @ 12:00 PM in the Auditorium
- No School: Monday, January 15
- Minimum Day/Early Dismissal: Tuesday, January 16
- Rules Review Assembly: Tuesday, January 16
- 7th Grade Principal Lunch: Tuesday, January 16
- No School - Secondary Schools (Pupil Free Day): Monday, January 22
- School Site Council: Wednesday, January 17 @ 7:30 AM in the library
- School Tour for Incoming Families: Wednesday, January 17 @ 10:45 AM
- COTY Super Hero Dress Day: Thursday, January 18
- Incoming Student Information Night: Thursday, January 18 @ 6:30 PM in the gym
- ACES GATE Activity: Friday, January 18 @ 3:00 PM in the auditorium
- ELAC Meeting: Tuesday, January 23 @ 7:30 AM in the library
- School Tour for Incoming Families: Wednesday, January 24 @ 9:00 AM
- DISCOVER Information Night: Thursday, January 25 @ 6:30 PM in the gym
- School Tour for Incoming Families: Friday, January 26 @ 10:45 AM
- MTSS Enrichment Sign-ups: Wednesday, January 31 - Friday, February 2 @ Lunch