College & Career Newsletter
Weeks of April 2-8, 2023
Welcome Students & Families
Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career
How to reach us?
For general questions and inquiries please email (Please do not use the link at the bottom of this Newsletter to contact us)
Ms Ignaitis: tignaitis@seq.org
All HCA, Study Skills Students and Last names A-L
and/or
Ms Yeager: tyeager@seq.org
All DAA, ELD Students and Last names M-Z
Important Dates and Deadlines
UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:
April 23 - Junior PTSA Scholarship Application Due
CSF Members - Important Information!
Did you turn in an application in February for Fall 2022 Semester Grades?
Please check your transcript to make sure that CSF is marked on Term 2 for Fall 2022.
You can look at your transcript by logging on to Infinite Campus, choose Reports, then Transcript. Seniors - If you have at least 4 semesters from 10-12th grade, you are NOW a Life Member (one of the semesters MUST be during your senior year).
Coalition College Virtual Events
Registration is now open for the Coalition's series of events this spring, including panel discussions on building college lists, decoding financial aid offers, and more. Each brings the expertise of our members together to help students understand the admissions and financial aid process and make smart college choices.
Ask Us Anything About Admissions
April 4
Scoir+Coalition Presents: Decoding the Admissions Process
April 12
Fly-in Programs and Other Ways to Get to Know Us
April 19, 2023
From SixColleges.org - Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams
Wondering what a fly-in program is and whether it's the right option for you? Or other ways you can get to know us? Join us to learn about our respective programs and how they can benefit you. RSVP
Designed for all first-generation and/or low-income students and their families.
NACAC Virtual Fairs
NACAC Virtual Fairs provide students and families the opportunity to connect with college representatives, learn about the admissions process, and discover financial aid and scholarship opportunities. These sessions support all students, including seniors who may still be weighing their college options. Click on the links below to register.
Recording for Junior Private College/Common App Meeting on March 22
This meeting went over the general process using the Common Application/Coalition and the connection to Naviance at Sequoia. The meeting also included information regarding; college search tips, letter of recommendations, general understanding of what admission counselors look for in an applicant and timelines.
English Recording Link Passcode: 5%%18Szw
Spanish Recording Link Passcode: ?^6&wX8=
There are also other resources on the College and Career webpage under Evening Presentation Resources
If you did 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.
Sequoia PTSA Junior Scholarship
DUE: April 23rd
The PTSA gives out annual awards to recognize juniors who have demonstrated achievement in academics, community service, and resilience. This program is called the Junior Achievement Awards. The application for this award opens on April 2 and closes on April 23.
Juniors should complete the application in order to be considered for this award. The link to this year’s application will be sent out on April 2.
Juniors: Information About Signing Up for SAT/ACT in the Future
The California State University system and University of California system will no longer use the SAT/ACT as an admission requirement.
Colleges are still in the process of deciding on their testing policies for the next admission cycle. Please always check the website of any school you are interested in applying to find out if a SAT or ACT is required. More and more are extending their test optional policies because of the continued issue of students not having full access to test centers.
Students must register for the SAT or ACT on their own through the College Board SAT and ACT websites.
Go to the Student Opportunities and Contest Sections for More Specific Junior Opportunities
Demonstrated Interest: What it is and Why it is Important / Good and Bad Ways to Show Interest
I know for a fact that it has made the difference for some of our students’ admission decisions. Demonstrated interest is a factor used by some colleges (usually small liberal art colleges) that can measure a student’s level of interest in their colleges.
In a time when students can easily apply to multiple colleges on the Common Application or other application platforms, some colleges want to know if the student is truly interested in their college or did the student just “add it” with a click of a button to his/her growing list of schools.
First you need to figure out if the college measures demonstrated interest. Just ask or do some research. If yes, and that college visits the Bay Area, you should go to the information session or send a message of interest and why you could not make it to the session. Have you spoken to the regional representative with questions about the college? Did you visit the rep during a local college fair or Sequoia school visit?
There are many ways to show interest without even visiting the school.
The links below are two articles about demonstrated interest; one is about good ways and the other is about bad ways to show demonstrated interest by Allen Grove and another article from NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling)
How to Demonstrate Interest in a College by Allen Grove
5 Bad Ways to Demonstrate Interest by Allen Grove
College Visits, Interviews, and Demonstrated Interest (NACAC Guide to the College Admission Process)
Financial Aid Programs for Middle Class Families
There are financial aid programs for all types of families from colleges and universities. Below are two different examples from the two California university systems and private colleges.
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
A local resource is Trade Introduction Program - San Mateo
San Mateo County Union Community Alliance and Local Apprenticeship Programs offer a certificated Apprenticeship-Readiness Training course to prepare you for a career in an union building trade.
Main Requirements:
18 yrs old by the time of the training
Up-to-date Covid vaccinations
Valid Driver’s License
High School Diploma
Be able to do physical work
They have multiple orientations throughout the year - Next Orientation is May 6th
UPDATED STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES LIST AVAILABLE
Lists are available in the bin outside of the College and Career Center or by clicking on the purple banner above this message. There are more opportunities than we can highlight each week so make sure to check it out.
Youth Leaders Summit (Juniors Only)
Due: April 7th
FREE ONLINE ART CLASSES AT FOOTHILL COLLEGE
These are FREE ONLINE art classes at Foothill College. Enroll NOW, Classes start April 10
Spring 2023 classes include Graphic Design (CRN 40582) and Illustration & Digital Image (CRN 40583)
The classes are:
FREE to all high school students through the dual enrollment program at Foothill College.
Completely asynchronous, students don’t come to campus
Fulfill the Area-F requirement for high school graduation.
Earn 4-units of college credit, transferable to UC/CSU.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Summer Internship
DUE: April 17th
Eligible Ages: 16 years or higher
MTC offers Bay Area high school students the opportunity to discover the inner workings of a metropolitan planning organization, and start on a career path in government service Must be 16 and live in Bay Area
Are you interested in healthcare careers including pharmacy?
INTERESTED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue - Law Enforcement Exploring Program
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Programs are designed to give the youth of our community a chance to experience different levels of law enforcement first hand. This program is nationally known as “Exploring” and is part of the co-ed division of Boy Scouts of America.Explorer Post 830 specializes in Search and Rescue training.
Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center for more information.
Interested candidates can contact us via email at
10th and 11th Graders - Need Help with the College Process? FUTURE GRADS Can Help!
Complete the interest form below or contact them for more information.
SUMMER PROGRAMS: Do you need an official transcript?
If you need a transcript sent to a summer program, request in Naviance.
DIRECTIONS:
“Colleges” tab on the top of the homepage
Scroll down to “manage transcripts”
Click the red button “Plus”
And then click “Other transcripts”
Finally, complete the information needed for the transcript request.
There is a 5 SCHOOL day turn around to send the transcripts, so plan accordingly!
Volunteer Engineering Program Opportunity Working for Children with Disabilities
I founded Proteus, an engineering program for children with physical, mental, or behavioral disabilities. I truly appreciated your help last year in spreading the word about our organization and getting more volunteers. Due to all the support, we've been able to host our first session and create online resources for our website! Currently, I'm accepting volunteers from 9th to 12th grade, and due to the virtual nature of our programs, they do not have to reside in the area. I've linked my website here for more information: https://proteusengorg.wixsite.com/proteus.
Sincerely, Ruhi Koppula
Spring Break Art Camp Aides (Arts for All)
Due: April 7th
Grade Eligibility: 9-12th
Complete the volunteer interest form early to secure a spot. Volunteers assist our camp programs by providing classroom support for art camps, from preparing materials and explaining lessons to working with individual students and supervising campers during breaks.
Volunteer with STEMpower
We are hosting virtual STEM workshops for elementary school students and we need more help! We have opened a volunteer application for ALL high-schoolers (freshman and above).
After filling out this application, STEMpower will reach out to you within a week about scheduling a 15-minute interview. We will be accepting volunteers on a rolling basis. If you are unable to participate or register but would still like to in the future, feel free to apply anytime as we may reach out to strong applicants when in need of volunteers.
Curriculum Designers
Curriculum Designers will develop STEM-oriented activity sheets and lab activities for virtual workshops. They are expected to maintain regular communication with the team leader. On average, this role will require a time commitment of approximately 4-5 hours a month. Note that the workload during some weeks will be higher than that of other weeks.
Interested? Please fill out the application form at tinyurl.com/stempowervolunteer. Expect to hear a reply from us within a week of submission.
Questions? Feel free to email us at stempower.ca@gmail.com!
Become an AYSO VIP Buddy
Healthy Cities Tutoring is Recruiting Volunteers
Become a Healthy Cities Tutor and join our community of volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to a public school student to improve their academic performance, engagement in learning, and self-esteem. Tutoring sessions are held in-person, once a week for 45 minutes to an hour, on school campus or at a public library.
For 25 years Healthy Cities Tutoring has provided tutoring services to thousands of students in need. Following two years of pandemic, students are falling further and further behind in school. We need volunteers more than ever!!!!!
We hope you or someone you know will get involved in this rewarding volunteer experience.
No tutoring experience required, we can provide training. 8th grade and high school students are welcome to tutor with us. Students can receive community service hours, and use the experience for resume building and college applications.
Adult tutors are always welcome!!!
It only takes one hour a week to make a positive impact on a child’s life.
Please check out our website for the volunteer application https://healthycities.site/
Or contact Janelle Gibson, HCT Program Coordinator at 415-793-1064 or Janelle@healthycitiestutoring.org
Interested in Working with Rescue Dogs?
DPS Rescue is searching for new volunteers for our biweekly events in Palo Alto! We welcome volunteers of all experience levels and backgrounds, ages 14+, and offer community service credits/sign-offs if needed. Complete form on their website. Doggie Protective Services
Volunteer Tutoring at Siena Youth Center
NEW UPDATED SCHOLARSHIP AND CONTEST LIST AVAILABLE
While most are for seniors, it is a good practice to see what is available each month
American Foreign Service Association: AFSA National High School Essay
Due: April 3
Grade Eligibility: 9-12th
2023 Topic: Select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe, in 1,500 words or less, how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country/region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years. Go here to learn more and submit your essay.
Be-You-Tiful, Be Free Contest!
DUE: April 8th
Grade Eligibility: 9-12th
Contest focused on Mental Health, Self Acceptance and Social Media . Submit a poem, essay or piece of artwork. 2023 Theme: How does social media and the world around you influence how you see yourself or others?
For More Information: Be-You-Tiful, Be Free (States for Santa Clara County but San Mateo County is welcomed too!)
Econolympiad - Econ Contest!
DUE: April 8th
Grade Eligibility: 9-12th
Cooperate in a team-based competition to unravel solutions to current economic issues.
For More Information: Econolympiad
Insitro Stem Zone Scholarship Contest
DUE: April 14
Eligible Grades: 9-12th
Open to 9-12 graders, writing contest around machine learning, "what is a cool and useful application of machine learning that might help solve an important social need?"
Should be 500-1,000 words.
The American Library of Poetry National Student Poetry Contest
Due: 4/30
Eligible Grades: 9-12th
Each entrant may submit one poem of no more than 20 lines on any subject. Poems are judged based on originality, creativity, and artistic quality. For more information, go here.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
City Trees
Summer Lifeguards wanted at Emerald Lake Country Club
Must 15 or older
We’re seeking energetic, responsible individuals. You’ll supervise the lake and swimmers to ensure rules are followed.
$20/hour for new guards, with opportunities for bonuses.
$200 reimbursement for Lifeguard certification class, with our approval.
Plus snacks and bring-a-friend passes.
You must be a minimum of 15 years of age, possess a current Lifeguard Training certification (we can help connect you to training if needed), have some swimming experience, and comfort in and around water. Please note: the Lifeguard Training classes book up, so if you are interested, do not delay. The Lake season is around Memorial Day to Labor Day and hours are approximately 11:30 am to 7:30 pm (7 days/week), with 2 shifts per day. The minimum expectation is 5 shifts per week (including one weekend shift) along with at least one of the summer holidays, with opportunities to work more days/hours.
To apply or for more information, email LifeguardsELCC@gmail.com.Bay Club Hiring for Summer Camp Staff
Must be 16Yrs or Older
The Bay Club is hiring for summer camp staff (counselors, instructors, life guards, and more). I am reaching out to my athletics and personal connections to help spread the word. We will be hosting a virtual job fair for anyone interested.
Our direct hiring link is: https://www.bayclubs.com/careers/
Anyone with questions can contact me directly.
Michael Lofberg
Club Manager
Bay Club | Redwood Shores
w: 415.901-9320 ext. 32238
Interested in Working for San Mateo County Libraries this Summer?
Must be 16 yrs old or Older
San Mateo County Libraries is seeking individuals interested in make a difference in the lives of children and families. We will be hiring multiple vacancies for the position of Big Lift Inspiring Summers Learning Facilitator. The 2023 Inspiring Summers Learning Facilitator application is now open! Register for one of the Hiring Events.
Flier in College and Career Center
San Mateo-Foster City School District hiring high school students
Super Soccer Starts Looking for Coaches
Super Soccer Stars is a youth sports program currently looking for Part-Time assistants and Lead Coaches in the Bay Area for our Spring and Summer seasons (Paid training available starting immediately).
Current Openings: https://apply.workable.com/super-soccer-stars/j/52A1133161/
Flyer Here or pick up a flier in the College and Career Center
Studio Host for San Carlos Yoga Studio
Must Be 16yrs old
Yoga Health Center in downtown San Carlos at 677 Laurel Street ia a community-based culture and are seeking a studio host that is a customer service pro with great energy to help our studio soar and provide students with a phenomenal experience.
Part time, minimum of 8-hours / wk
Salary: From $17.00 per hour
If interested, can apply by calling or texting 650-209-0703 or sending an email to mila@yogahealthcenter.com
(Flier with more information in College and Career Center)
City of Palo Alto Camp Counselor
Information about the application process and requirements can be found on our website https://www.mitchellparkteenservices.org/staff-opportunity.
LaserMaxx Marshal
Must Be 16 Yrs or Older
LaserMaxx is now auditioning for the Marshal role which includes delivering an entertaining briefing to our patrons. We are looking for people who are 16 or older, have energy and enjoy working with the public.
This is a part-time role and compensation is up to $30/hr.
To apply use this link888 Monkeys Circus Camp has Full & Part Time Positions for CAMP COUNSELORS & COACHES!
Must be 16 Yrs or Older
No Circus experience required for Counselors / Coaches in Training – enthusiasm, energy, and flexibility are.
Training / Professional Development provided.
Gymnasts, Equestrians, Athletes, Thespians, Acrobats strongly encouraged to apply – skills transfer.
Experience working in one or more of the following disciplines is helpful.
Comedy/Clowning • Partner Acro/Pyramids • Tumbling • Tightwire • Stilt Walking • Unicycle • Rolla Bolla • Globe Walking • Juggling • Diabolo • Devil/Flower Stick • Poi • Tissu/Fabric • Trapeze • Rope/Web • Hula Hoop
COME INTO College and Career Center for a flier with FULL DETAILS
TechKnowHow Tech Camps for Kids
Must be 15 Yrs or Older
Interested in helping kids build LEGO projects or make games this summer? Positions open for assistant instructors (8:30-4 Mon-Fri) or extended care assistants (1-5:30 Mon-Fri) in Burlingame, Palo Alto and San Francisco beginning the week of June 12, at TechKnowHow technology camps for kids. Students aged 15 or older can apply by sending their resume or email noting interest to Sara at s.robertson@techknowhowkids.com. Pay is $17-$20 per hour.
Provide input to SUHSD/Stanford Youth Action Research Interns
Our Student Interns will be interviewing other students in the district to share their voices and the voices of their peers. The Student Interns have selected primary areas of research interest related to having a better understanding of students' needs and wants for their Emotional Well-Being and Sense of Belonging in their schools.
CLICK HERE to provide input.Complete the 2022-2023 Meal Application
IF YOU WANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR College Applications Fee Waivers from College Board next year, you need to complete this form and qualify.
Working to make up classes?
If you are working on making up classes (D/F grades) for graduation and/or A-G requirements through our online credit recovery program, Edgenuity, please know that the lab with Mr. Calles is now open for the 2022-23 school year.
If you are not sure if you need to make-up classes please contact your assigned counselor.
Edgenuity Teacher: Mr. Calles, jcalles@seq.org
Where: Room 210
When: Mondays and Thursdays, 4pm-6pm
How To Videos for students now on our website!
COLLEGE TIP: Letters of Recommendation
CAREER:Jobs for Students Interested in Math
COLLEGE TIP: The College Planning Calendar – for high school freshmen and sophomores
FINANCIAL AID: Competitions and Contests Can Enhance your Admission Prospects and help you Earn Money for College
COLLEGE TIP: Virtual NACAC College Fairs and How to Prepare
CAREER: Interested in Majoring or a Career in Biology?
Feb 19- March 4 2023 (Winter Break)
COLLEGE TIP: What is the Common App? & Look at what Common App schools you have on your Naviance's Colleges I'm Thinking About list
FINANCIAL AID: Work Study Jobs in College
COLLEGE TIP: CSU/UC Average GPA
CAREER: STEM Careers
COLLEGE TIP: SUMMER Opportunities- Now is the Time to Apply
COLLEGE TIP: What's a College Education Worth, FINANCIAL AID: What is Merit Aid, CAREER: Steps to Become a Police Officer
COLLEGE TIP: Research Universities and Terms to Know
January 15-21, 2023 Click Here
College Tip: School Size JUNIORS: Girls or Boys State Info, FINANCIAL AID: How Families Pay for College
First Semester Newsletters: See school website for full list