A Message from Superintendent Gemma about changes to summer school in 2009

If the Sequoia district had it our way, we would accommodate, as we always have, all students who have expressed a desire to attend summer school this year.  Unfortunately, given the state budget crisis and our other financial challenges, we cannot afford to accommodate all 2,300 interested students this year. 

Like other school districts in the state, we were forced to consider cancelling summer school.  Fortunately though, we have identified a way to accommodate students with a priority need for summer school this year. 

To accomplish our goal of serving as many students as possible, we will consolidate our summer school at one site this year.  Our general, districtwide summer school will be held this year at Sequoia High School. 

In addition, we have determined priority acceptance criteria that first supports students who are just a few credits shy of earning their high school diploma.  Another priority need is supporting students who are working to gain acceptance to University of California and California State University schools following graduation.

We estimate that we will be able to accommodate approximately 1,600 students in our summer school this year. 

• For students who are accepted into the district’s summer school, it will be important that they successfully complete the entire session.  If students do not attend the first day of the summer session, they will be dorpped and their spot filled by a student on the waiting list. 

• For students who cannot be accommodated in the district’s summer school, we are gathering information about alternative opportunities that will be available in the community, and our school counselors will have this information to share with students.  

PLEASE NOTE:  Separate from the general summer school program that will be centralized at Sequoia High School this summer, we will continue to operate – at the four comprehensive high schools – our COMPASS program for incoming freshmen, and we will operate – at Woodside – our English Immersion Institute for English-language learners and our Summer Math Institute for incoming freshmen. 

Our commitment remains strong to ensuring the continuing success of every student we serve.  Counselors are available at each of our schools to plan for the individualized summer school needs of students.  We thank our students, parents, staff and the community for your continuing support, and we appreciate your understanding as we work together to navigate our way through the current financial difficulties.