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Latest headlines:
Latest Press Releases
Grand opening of Teen Wellness Center celebrated - view press release
The Sequoia district receives a $275,000 HP Innovations in Education grant, which will be used to support environmental science, engineering and technology programs and the new Service Learning Project at Woodside High School - view press release
Woodside High School inducts its first honorees into the school's new Community Hall of Fame - view press release
The Sequoia district and its schools receive four Kent awards for outstanding educational programs - view press release
Planning to accommodate Everest charter school continues
The Sequoia district continues development of 763 Green Street in East Palo Alto to house the new Everest charter school, which is slated to open in the fall. Along with spacious classrooms to accommodate the expected incoming class of 100 freshmen, the District has plans to develop the site with new fencing, lighting, parking and landscaping (see artist's rendering below). As planning progresses, the District is working collaboratively with local residents and city officials in East Palo Alto. At the Sequoia district board meeting on May 6, 2009, the trustees authorized proceeding with the project, and the site is on schedule to be ready before the first day of school in August. More than one-fifth of Sequoia district students reside in East Palo Alto but it is hoped that students in nearby communities in the Sequoia district will also choose to round out the student body at the new school.
Artist Rendering:
Important information about changes to summer school in 2009
Unfortunately, as a result of the state budget crisis and other financial challenges, we are unable to accommodate all 2,300 students who have expressed an interest in attending summer school this year. We are pleased that we do not need to cancel summer school altogether but we are disappointed we cannot meet the needs of all students. We have determined priority criteria for acceptance into summer school this year, and school counselors are supporting students with planning for their summer school needs.
Click Here for Summer School /Compass / E.I.I. Information and schedule
View Superintendent Gemma’s message about 2009 summer school changes
Message from Superintendent Gemma about the current financial landscape
Within an environment of serious financial challenges, the Sequoia Union High School District continues to plan its budget for the 2009-10 school year. Throughout the planning process, our focus is firmly fixed on preserving the quality educational programs for which we are known. Academic excellence and the quality of the student experience in our schools is our number one priority. At the District Office, we will shoulder the greatest percentage of cuts, and we are fully committed to making reductions at the schools as far from the classroom as possible.
Please be assured that the academic and student enrichment programs in the schools in the Sequoia district will continue to be excellent, innovative and robust. Core academic programs, and athletic and performing arts programs, will remain in tact. Class sizes may increase in a few instances, but we will do everything we can to preserve the integrity of the instructional program.
These are unprecedented financial times, and public education in California is being particularly hard hit. Although we have received some good news, such as the one-time federal stimulus dollars that have begun to be distributed, much remains grim and uncertain in our state. We will continue planning in a fiscally responsible way at the same time hoping that the situation improves. Unfortunately, we know at this juncture that we cannot avoid cutbacks in some areas, and any reductions-in-force, especially in the current economy, is especially painful and challenging. Despite the current uncertainties and challenges, there is reason to be hopeful. The schools in the Sequoia district are stellar. Our faculty and professional support staff are distinguished. Our facilities and technology are exceptional. Our local community is engaged and supportive of us. We're going to harness all of these strengths to get to the other side of our current fiscal difficulties, and I believe we will emerge even stronger and better than we are today. We know our students and the community are counting on us.
Superintendent Gemma named Superintendent of the Year
The Association of California School Administrators has named Superintendent Gemma as Superintendent of the Year for the Association’s Region 5, which encompasses all of San Mateo and San Francisco counties. “We were pleased to learn of this honor,” says Don Gibson, president of the Sequoia district Board of Trustees. “Superintendent Gemma is an exemplary educational leader who has achieved noteworthy success in his six years leading the Sequoia district. It is especially befitting that Dr. Gemma receives this honor at this time, when he is doing such a stellar job in navigating the District successfully through unprecedented economic conditions and other serious challenges. He has us headed into what promises to be one of the most exciting eras ever for the Sequoia district.”
View press release announcing award
View Superintendent Gemma’s acceptance speech
District names principals for Carlmont, Sequoia high schools
The Sequoia district Board of Trustees has approved the appointments of two new principals, effective July 1, 2009. Bonnie Hansen, currently instructional vice principal at Sequoia High School has been tapped to succeed Morgan Marchbanks, who is stepping down after nine years to focus full time on doctorate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Raul Zamora, currently principal at Miramonte High School (in Orinda) and formerly administrative vice principal of Carlmont, has been recruited to succeed Andrea Jenoff, who is retiring as principal of Carlmont after ten years at the helm. “We opened up recruitment nationally for both of these principalships, and the recruitment and hiring process was extensive and involved representation of all of the school’s key constituencies,” says Superintendent Gemma. “Both of these schools have undergone significant positive change over the past decade and we want to see the continuation of the upward trajectory at Carlmont and Sequoia. We are pleased that we were able to recruit two individuals with experience as part of the positive change that has occurred at the schools.”
View press release announcing principal appointments
Green initiatives continue to advance in the schools and across the district
We were motivated during the recent Earth Day and Earth Week celebrations to compile a list of green initiatives across the Sequoia district. Below are some highlights:
In the seven years since inception of the Greenies and Gardener's Task Force at Woodside High School, recycling and energy conservation have become part of the fabric of the school community, and students now fill a full five classes of the Environmental Science class led by current Teacher of the Year Ann Akey. Ann says it’s been particularly gratifying to witness enthusiasm levels grow at Woodside as more staff become involved - from the food and nutrition teacher who plans for students to use the school's expanding garden for growing vegetables that students will prepare in class to the special education teacher who promotes vital jobs skills by involving autistic and other special education students in the school's ambitious recycling program.
From propagating and planting native plants on campus to participating in habitat restoration and clean-up projects in the community, Woodside students have long been actively engaged in green initiatives. These student opportunities will further expand when the school's organic garden moves to a larger site this summer and with launch next fall of a Green & Clean Academy – a new small-learning community designed to prepare students for further academic study and careers in energy efficiency, emerging energy technologies, and water use/pollution control. Already, a good number of Woodside's Environmental Science students go on to pursue environmental majors in college, including a senior who has just been accepted into the environmental engineering program at Humboldt State University.
Redwood High School continues to emerge as a model of environmental stewardship through community partnerships. The Redwood Environmental Academy of Leadership (REAL) partnership with Stanford University continues to gain recognition for its success in student engagement in environmental stewardship. As part of plans to expand the REAL program in the new school year, Redwood students will be collaborating with their peers in Central America and Europe.
The other schools are also advancing green initiatives – from the year-round efforts at Carlmont High School to refurbish old computers for donating to disadvantaged students to Menlo-Atherton High School’s work with Stanford graduate students to develop new “Design for Change” curriculum for students.
Districtwide green efforts continue to pick up steam. Earlier this month, the Board of Trustees embraced a districtwide waste management policy that aims to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Eco-friendliness is now integral to major capital projects, and solar panels will be placed on swimming pools during the summer. Meanwhile, the group of environmentally conscious staff and students that began meeting informally after hours a few months ago is starting to identify areas of focus in the short term. Immediate efforts will be devoted to stepping up recycling initiatives across the District as well as on fostering student engagement and expanding green curriculum development.
Update on the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)
Posted May 27, 2008
The Sequoia Union High School District continues to closely monitor the possible spread of the H1N1 virus (commonly referred to as swine flu), and we are closely coordinating efforts with County health officials. County officials have reported only two probable cases of the H1N1 virus in San Mateo County. Although the ongoing outbreak of novel H1N1 flu continues to expand in the U.S. and internationally, cases continue to be mild or similar to seasonal flu. The County continues to work closely with local, state and federal authorities in monitoring and response activities. The County urges continued vigilance in measures to prevent the spread of the virus. More information is available on the county website at http://www.smhealth.org/swineflu/ or by calling the Health Emergency Information Line at (650) 372-8572.
View Swine Flu: A Guide for Families in San Mateo County - Frequently Asked Questions
View La influenza porcina (gripe porcina): Información para personas que viven en el Condado de San Mateo
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