Sequoia Elementary Newsletter
School News and Updates
Principal Message
Dear Sequoia Families,
The 2019-2020 school year has been an adventure, to say the least! Our focus for this year has been connection; looking for and finding ways to connect with our school staff and each other. I would argue that while "connection" looked different in some ways throughout our time this year, it was certainly never lost. Connection happened with friends at recess and while learning in the classroom. Connection happened with teachers guiding students to deeper thinking and good choices. Connection happened between parents and teachers while they problem solved and celebrated student progress. Connection happened in Zoom meetings, phone calls, Scholar Shots, videos, Seesaw and Google Classroom. Connection happened everywhere, all year long!
Thank you to all of our parents and families for supporting your children all year and especially for taking on the task of becoming parent AND teacher during distance learning. It was not without its challenges, but you made sure your students participated and continued learning even while at home. Thank you also to our Sequoia teachers for all your hard work this year! You learned a whole new platform of delivering instruction in the blink of an eye, created new curriculum, held zoom meetings, and did it all while also managing your own lives and families at home. You are amazing!
As we enter summer, I would encourage you to help your child continue reading and learning. Below I've included several programs that will continue to be available throughout the summer. However, I would also encourage you to find ways for your child to learn away from technology. In an effort to help with that, we will be including a science centered Solar Oven Kit (for S'mores) to pick up with your child's personal items. Each kit will include instructions and all the non-food supplies your child will need to make the solar oven. We chose not to include the S'mores ingredients to abide by our district wellness policy and also to be sensitive to food allergies amongst our students. We hope you will take the opportunity to try out this experiment this summer! Thank you to Mrs. A for this great idea and to Mrs. A, Amy Niesen and SPC for purchasing and putting these awesome kits together for all our students.
As we have come to the end of our year, I do want to let you know about a few staff members who will no longer be with us next year. Due to budget restraints, all of the district science facilitators and computer techs have been let go for next school year. We have LOVED having Mrs. Agius and Mrs. Dengler as part of our staff and we are so sad to see them go. We know that science and technology will continue at Sequoia but it won't be the same without them. We also have a teacher, Mrs. Weber, who has decided to take a leave of absence to help with a growing family business and to care for her two small children. Mrs. Weber is a wonderful teacher and has been such a stable, fun presence at Sequoia for staff, students and families. We know we will see her in the community but we will miss her tremendously! Since none of these lovely staff members got to do a proper goodbye, all three left notes below for our community.
Please keep checking your email for updates from the district as they will be in touch regularly throughout the summer about plans for fall. We have several subcommittees as part of a larger Fall Planning Task Force that is meeting weekly to make sure we consider all the details and logistics to ensure the safety of students and staff when we return to school.
This school year has had it's challenges, but what always remains clear to me is that the Sequoia community comes together, is so very generous, and wants the best for our kids! It is a privilege to lead this school and I am grateful for our Sequoia community. I hope you all have a restful summer break.
Mrs. Clark
A Note From Mrs. Weber
After eight years at Sequoia, I am leaving this amazing community to help support our family business and be more available as a mom to our two young children. Sequoia is more than a school - it's filled with an amazing staff, an unbelievably supportive SPC and families, and children who come to school ready and eager to learn. It's a teacher's dream and a place that will forever be in my heart. Thank you for your love and support and I will miss you all tremendously.
Mrs. Weber
A Note From Mrs. A
As many of you have probably heard, I am not going to be able to work with you in the science lab next year. I am going to miss each of you dearly. You are an amazing group of students and I have enjoyed being part of your science education. The good news is the science lab will still be something your teachers can use. It’s not going away. I am so thankful to all of you, our teachers, staff, Mrs. Clark and SPC for helping to make science so much fun at Sequoia. I will look forward to seeing you around our campus next year when I’m picking up my kiddos and I’d love to hear about all the discoveries you have been making. Until then, have a wonderful summer! See you soon and stay safe!
Kind Regards,
Mrs. A
A Note From Mrs. Dengler
Hello Sequoia students/parents,
Though my time at Sequoia was short, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved working with all the sweet students and talented staff. I will miss you and I will think of you all often. I have many wishes for you, but regarding technology... my wishes would be use it as a tool, be creative and remember to respect how it can affect your future.
As you grow new technologies will too evolve and be born. Stay safe and be well and take care of each other. That is always first and foremost in anything you do.
Best wishes,
Judy Dengler
Site Computer Tech
Academic Programs Still Available This Summer!
- Lexia - Reading and Phonics (Ends June 30th)
- Waterford - Reading and phonics (Ends June 30th, except Kindergarten students, they will have access all summer)
- Freckle - All subject areas (Free version available all summer)
- Zearn - Math (Free version available, however, they may shut down for a time in order to revamp their system)
- AR Quizzes - Reading (available all summer)
- myON - Digital Library (ends June 30th)
2020 Sequoia Virtual Talent Show Premier!
Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 06:30 PM
Your home!
Mrs. Borell: Sonoma County Office of Education Teacher of the Month!
Spirit Wear Design Contest Winner: Lilly Lopez!
Scholar Shots!
Learning about waves!
Art!
Engineering!
Focused learner!
Egg Drop Challenge!
Chalk Art!
Teach the Teacher Project!
Zoom baking with Mrs. Slay
Zoom baking with Mrs. Slay
Fine Arts Day Project!
Rocking an AR Quiz!
Charlotte's Web Project!
Student Items Pick Up/Drop Off Schedule
Sequoia's pick up schedule will be as follows:
May 28th:
8:00 - 9:30 - Kindergarten
10:00 - 11:30 - 1st Grade
12:30 - 2:00 - 2nd grade
2:00 - 3:30 - 3rd Grade
May 29th:
8:00 - 9:30 - 4th Grade
10:00 - 11:30 - 5th Grade
12:30 - 2:00 - 6th grade
Here are a few things to remember on these two days...
- In order to observe social distancing guidelines, this will be a drive through event through our front parking lot. Staff will wear masks and gloves, we encourage all of you to wear masks as well.
- Please do not park and walk up to collect student items. If you are not able to come by car, please come at the end of the assigned time so we can get your child's items to you safely.
- Time frames are separated by grade level and we know this will mean some families will need to come multiple times and/or days. Please make sure to come at your assigned time to limit overcrowding of the front parking lot.
Sequoia Elementary
Website: http://rvusdca.apptegy.us/o/sequoia
Location: 5305 Dupont Drive, Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Phone: 707-539-3410