The Sequoia Spotlight
June 11, 2018
Principal's Message
School's out for the summer! From state testing, 8th Grade promotion activities, finals and end of the year projects, the last month and a half flew by!
Our staff and students received several accolades the past two months. Mrs. Baranski was recognized at the Board Meeting for being chosen as The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year. Several of our digital production students were honored at the Kick Ash Conference at the Ventura County Office of Education for the video they created about the dangers of vaping. Finally, we honored our 6th, 7th and 8th grade students for Principal's Award, Academic Excellent Award and Academic Achievement Award.
Orientation for the 2018 - 2019 school year will take place on Wednesday, August 15 at the following times:
8th Grade
8:15 - 9:00 AM - 8th Grade students with last names A-K
9:15 - 10:00 AM - 8th Grade students with last names L-Z
7th Grade
10:15 - 11:00 AM - 7th Grade students with last names A-K
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM - 7th Grade students with last names L-Z
6th Grade
1:15 - 2:15 PM - 6th Grade students with last names A-K
2:30 - 3:30 PM - 6th Grade students with last names L-Z
Volunteers are needed to help with orientation. Please contact Mrs. Jordan (805) 498-3617 or ljordan@conejousd.org to volunteer.
And finally, thank you for helping to make my first year as Sequoia's principal both exciting and rewarding! I have truly enjoyed getting to know our students and families. To our 8th grade students, I wish you an amazing summer and all the best as you begin your high school career! To our 6th and 7th grade students, enjoy your summer and I will see you in August!
Your principal,
Mrs. Chambers
Welcome Mrs. DiDomizio
I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Karla DiDomizio will be our new assistant principal at Sequoia! Mrs. DiDomizio served as an administrator at Newbury Park High School for 8 years in the roles of dean of attendance, dean of activities and the assistant principal of instruction. Most recently, she has served as the assistant principal at Century Academy and the Independent Study Program for our district. Mrs. DiDomizio not only brings a wealth of administrative knowledge but also experience as a counselor as well. I look forward to the perspectives she will bring and her addition to Sequoia!
Student Connections
We celebrated our English Language Learners at our annual English Language Advisory Council breakfast where we recognized those students who had been reclassified out of the ELD program and who demonstrated outstanding effort in learning the English language. Our Renaissance students were awarded a day at the beach for demonstrating good grades, citizenship and work habits. Our 8th grade students line danced at the Western Roundup, received thrills on the roller coasters at Magic Mountain, boogied at the silent disco at the 8th grade promotion dance and received their certificates at the 8th grade promotion ceremony. ASB sponsored several activities this month like the "May the 4th Be with You" Star Wars Dress up Day and a water balloon toss at lunch. Sequoia represented at the Special Olympics at NPHS in May as well with students participating in the events and volunteering at the activity booths. Our band, chorus and strings programs performed their final concerts of the year and were met with much applause. In terms of clubs, STEM for girls club went on a field trip to JPL. And, our 6th grade GATE students participated in the Teen Tech Convention at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center. There were lots of activities happening at Sequoia!
Student Learning
This is what happened in our classrooms and around campus in terms of student learning. Our middle school scientists dissected a cow eye and created solar power ovens, making S'mores, cheese quesadillas and more. In history, students built Roman towers using cardboard containers and took a trip to the Getty Villa. History came to life at the end of the school year with several famous historians from a wax museum. A few of the books that our students read in the last few months of school were: The Pearl, Where the Red Fern Grows and Animal Farm. In one of our elective classes, students sold their creations at Market Day as part of Mini-societies. Our students who participated in ME (Math and English) on Saturdays) ended their hard work with a pancake breakfast. And our 8th grade DISCOVER students culminated the end of their three years in the academy with a synthesis expo where they presented on different topics that they were passionate about.
2018 - 2019 Changes - CREW Time
Sequoia is implementing a new program called CREW. As a Sequoia CREW we focus on Compassion, Responsibility, Empowerment and our Well-being. On Mondays and Fridays during CREW, all students will participate in activities related to school belonging, mindfulness, pillars of character, team building, etc. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, students will be provided with additional support in math/reading or will have time for Independent Study (homework, test make-ups, silent reading). We are also hoping to implement an enrichment program called Battle of the Books to promote reading.
Bell Schedule: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, our lunch schedule will be staggered: 6th grade will have lunch separately from 7/8th grade on these three days a week, followed by CREW Time. The 7/8th grade students will have CREW Time and will then have lunch. On Mondays and Friday, all grade levels will have lunch together to do school wide lunchtime activities and clubs. Periods 1, 2 and 3 will remain at their current times all five days a week. The new schedule is as follows:
Mondays and Fridays
Period 1 8:45 – 10:21
Nutrition 10:21- 10:30
2nd Period 10:35 – 12:05
Lunch 12:05 – 12:45
CREW 12:50 – 1:20
3rd Period 1:25 – 2:55
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Period 1 8:45 – 10:21
Nutrition 10:21- 10:30
2nd Period 10:35 – 12:05
6th Grade Lunch 12:05 – 12:45 6th Grade CREW 12:50 – 1:20
7/8th Grade CREW 12:10 – 12:40 7th/8th Grade Lunch 12:40 – 1:20
3rd Period 1:25 – 2:55
We are excited about these changes and will be sharing more information in the upcoming school year!
Upcoming Events
- Incoming 6th Grade WEB Camp: Tuesday, August 14
- Orientation: Wednesday, August 15
- First Day of School: Wednesday, August 22
- Picture Day (In Phys Ed Class): Wednesday, August 22
- Picture Day (In Phys Ed Class): Thursday, August 23
- Welcome Assembly: Friday, August 24
- ASB Campaign Forms Due: Friday, August 24
- ASB Campaigning: Monday, August 27 - Thursday, September 6
- Minimum Day/Early Dismissal: Tuesday, August 28
- No School: Monday, September 3
- ASB Elections: Friday, September 7
- No School: Monday, September 10
- Minimum Day/Early Dismissal: Tuesday, September 11
- Fundraising Assembly: Wednesday, September 12
- Back to School Night: Thursday, September 13
- No School: Wednesday, September 19
- Minimum Day/Early Dismissal: Tuesday, September25
- School Site Council: Wednesday, September 26 @ 7:30 AM Library