Sequoia Announcements

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2010-04-25T15:02:00.001-07:00

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New Sequoia Student Registration - for 2010-2011

2010-04-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

If you have received an assignment letter from the Student Assignment Office
placing your child at Sequoia Elementary for Fall 2010, it is now time to schedule
an appointment to complete registration paperwork. Your child's spot is only
reserved, when you register your child at the school site. The registration window begins Monday, April 12th and ends Friday, May 7th.

To register your child, you must schedule an appointment with
school secretary, Loretta Collier. You may call now to schedule
your appointment for the month of April or first week of May.
Again, if you do not register by Friday, May 7th, your
child will lose his/her space at Sequoia Elementary.
Students currently attending Sequoia
DO NOT need to register during this time.

If you have any questions about the registration process,
please do not hesitate to call us at 531-6696 or send an email to
Interim Principal Nima Tahai at Nima.Tahai@ousd.k12.ca.us
or Secretary Loretta Collier at Loretta.Collier@ousd.k12.ca.us.

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SEQUOIA ALUMNI DINNER - FRI. May 14th

2010-04-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

There is an all alumni 100 year anniversary reunion dinner on May 14th from 6:30-9:30pm in the auditorium. Cost is $37.50 and must be paid by May 9th. Anyone that ever attended Sequoia is welcome. In addition, donations are welcome for the Garden Teacher program. FYI we have raised over $1350 so far!

Donations can be made by check or online to the Dads' Club. Tickets must be purchased by sending Zarka Popovic a check, and more information is available by emailing or calling Zarka - zarkapopovic@hotmail.com, or 530.517.2312.

Also, over a dozen former teachers are attending and their dinners are complimentary. Each dinner ticket bought subsidizes a teacher's dinner.

Family Finances Workshop

2010-03-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

Need help saving money and planning for the future?

Come to the Sequoia Healthy Start-sponsored Family Finances Workshop, on Tues. March 23rd, from 6:00-8:00pm in the Cafeteria. Financial services experts from Mechanics Bank will be available to answer your questions.

Free dinner will be provided, and free childcare for ages 5+, and there will be raffle prizes as well.

Please RSVP by Monday, March 22 to Reka Lal, at reka@ebac.org or (510) 482-7213.

MULTICULTURAL PROGRAM PERFORMERS

2010-03-14T20:27:00.001-07:00

WANTED:
MULTICULTURAL PROGRAM PERFORMERS
AND COSTUME MODELS
Multicultural Potluck and Program is Friday, April 16 6:30 – 8:30 pm
COME BE A PART OF THIS GREAT EVENT!

Sequoia Elementary is looking for students or family members who can
perform traditional folk/ethnic dance, song or play musical instruments
from around the world (Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, Latin America, European,
Native, etc.) during the Multicultural Program on Friday, April 16
at the auditorium.

We are also looking for students or families who can provide and/or wear
traditional folk or ethnic costumes (examples: kimono (Japan), kente
(Africa), Scottish kilts, martial arts uniforms, Mexican or Spanish lace
dresses) as part of the program’s costume show. This is a great project
that you can do with other students or with your family!

Multicultural Program Rehearsals will take place in Sequoia’s
auditorium on the following dates:
•Wednesday, March 31 at 7 pm (performers only)
•Wednesday, April 14 at 7 pm (all performers and models)

We also need volunteers for set-up and clean-up for the Potluck on
Friday, April 16th.

For more information regarding the Multicultural Potluck and Program,
please contact Joy Villafranca (Clarisse and Eleanor’s Mom)
at 510-531-4245 or joyvillafranca@sbcglobal.net

Variety Show DVDs For Sale

2010-03-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Order your copies of the 21st Annual Sequoia Variety Show DVD and watch the show again and again!!

To order your very own DVD (or one for the grandparents, aunties, far-away relatives…) use the order from below or contact Brian Roberson at 530-6135 / curlytop@rccinc.com

Our DVDs sell for a $10-$25 donation (they cost us $5 to create)
Please make your check out to the Sequoia Dads’ Club.
ORDERS ARE DUE FRIDAY, March 26th

All profits from the sales of these DVDs benefits Sequoia Students and School Activities.
Thank you to Sequoia Parents, Ethan Hutcheson & Jara Queeto,
for the creation & copying of these DVDs!

Variety Show Help Needed

2010-03-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

Pulling off this wonderful extravaganza is a big task, and a
great way for YOU to lend a hand at Sequoia. If you have already
turned in your purple flyer, or emailed leaders, regarding your assistance THANK YOU!

We look forward to working with you this week. Still looking for a way to help? Here’s what is still needed:

•Assistance with general non-performing duties from 5:30-6:30 (ticket sales, auditorium
set-up, cafeteria set-up etc.)
•Assistance with security during the show (walking the school hallways).
•One more person is needed to assist as a stage hand (curtains, lights, etc) at the
dress rehearsal (03/11) and throughout the show (03/12).
•Assistance with selling of refreshments and snacks during the 30 minute intermission.
•Assistance with the clean-up at the end of the event (30-60 minutes in the cafeteria
& auditorium)
•Donations of bottled water and finger food for intermission sales. (These items are
to be dropped off in the cafeteria prior to the show on Friday, March 12th.)

If you are able to lend a hand, our event leaders would breathe a sigh of relief!

For Variety Show Assistance, contact Brian Roberson at 530-6135 / curlytop@rccinc.com
For Intermission Assistance, contact Robyn Ellis at 531-2500

Dads' Club Meeting

2010-02-28T17:11:00.000-08:00

Dads’ Club Meeting
7:00-9:00PM, Montclair Golf Course Restaurant/Bar
(2477 Monterey Blvd, off Park at Hwy. 13)

This Meeting is Open to All Sequoia Adults!
Bring your Ideas; Lend a Hand!

For more info contact Scott Wikstrom
at 531-4245 / swikstrom@sbcglobal.net

Nutrition Family Workshop - Tues. Feb 23, 6pm

2010-02-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

Presented by Sequoia Healthy Start, FOSS and Alameda County Nutrition Services:

Nutrition Family Workshop - Tues. Feb. 23, 6:00pm
Learn the importance of eating breakfast, the timing of meals and snacks, and how to eat and prepare a balanced meal.

Children 5+ are welcome.

Please RSVP at 510-482-7213 or amara@ebac.org.

DADS CLUB WORK DAY - Sat. Feb. 27th, 9am

2010-02-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

Volunteers to do fix-it jobs around Sequoia.

• We have work for all skill levels. We pull weeds, we install shelves,
we shampoo carpets, and we hang corkboards.
•Specific job requests from teachers include: Install two basketball
back boards; Create and hang curtains in cafeteria for art space; Move
boxes; Hang cork boards; Sand and seal desk; Shampoo carpets; Assemble
and install classroom shelves and cubbies; and Fix greenhouse roof.
• If you have specific things you do well, that’s great. Bring your skills
and your drills.

Questions? Chris Mills(415)652-0490 cmills@matpelbuilders.com

Variety Show Dates

2010-02-23T09:38:00.000-08:00

Don’t miss a moment of the excitement!

Saturday, March 6th: Rehearsal. 10am to 1pm.
Thursday, March 11th: Dress Rehearsal. 6:30pm
Friday, March 12th: The Variety Show. 6:30pm

for more information, contact Brian Roberson
at 530-6135 / brian06@rccinc.com

Variety Show Tryouts!

2010-02-15T20:01:00.000-08:00

VARIETY SHOW DATES:

Saturday, February 20th: Tryouts! 10am to 1pm
Saturday, March 6th: Rehearsal. 10am to 1pm.
Thursday, March 11th: Dress Rehearsal. 6:30pm
Friday, March 12th: The Variety Show. 6:30pm

Questions? Contact Brian Roberson at 530-6135 / brian06@rccinc.com

First Annual Read-a-thon

2010-01-31T16:48:00.000-08:00

Sequoia Elementary School will be holding its First Annual Read-a-thon for two weeks from February 2, 2010 to February 10, 2010. We are an Oakland Public School that is raising funds to offset budget cuts to our essential programs, such as Art and Music classes, physical education and library services.

One special event during our two-week Read-a-thon is a DEAR Day- Drop Everything and Read Day- one entire day devoted to free choice reading. On this day, our students are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite storybook characters in preparation for a full day of reading, while special guests come in to read a child-friendly book of choice to them. We are hoping that you would be willing to be a special guest reader for two hours on that day. The day is Wednesday, February 10, 2010. If you graciously offer two hours of your time, we will place you in two classes for 45 minutes at a time.

Thank you so much for being an inspiration to Sequoia’s young readers. If you are interested in being a Guest Reader on February 10th or have any questions, please contact Read-a-thon coordinator, Giovanna Queeto at jojo@queeto.com or (510) 316-1857.

*Download an informational flyer here.

Sequoia’s Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Assembly

2010-01-17T14:12:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 20th

10:20-11:40AM - Grades 3, 4 & 5
12:00-1:10PM - Grades K, 1 & 2

Sequoia’s annual and inspirational assembly is THIS WEDNESDAY!
Individual, small group, and class performances of student poetry,
famous speeches, songs & more; inspired by the teachings
of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Please join us in this celebration
of student works.

OUSD Enrollment - Options Updates

2010-01-11T17:33:00.000-08:00

(for students moving to new schools in Fall 2010)

FOR FIFTH GRADE FAMILIES:
OUSD Options forms for Middle School Placement in Fall
2010 were due to Sequoia's Secretary, Loretta Collier, by Friday,
January 8th. These forms DO need to come through Sequoia,
and NOT taken directly to an OUSD office. If you have
not yet turned in your form please contact Loretta as soon as
possible at 510-531-6696

FOR ALL OTHER FAMILIES bringing a new student to Sequoia:
OUSD Options forms for Placement in Sequoia are due to Sequoia's Secretary, Loretta
Collier, by Monday January 11th. This will allow time for the school to process these
forms and get them turned in by the deadline. These forms DO NOT need to come
through Sequoia, and CAN be taken directly to an OUSD office. If you are taking them directly
to OUSD the due date is January 15th. If you have any questions, please call and
speak with the school's Secretary Loretta Collier at 510-531-6696.

Sequoia Dads’ Club Meeting

2010-01-04T21:09:00.001-08:00

7:00-9:00PM, Montclair Golf Course (2477 Monterey Blvd)

This Meeting is Open to All Sequoia Adults!
Bring your Ideas; Lend a Hand!

For more info contact Scott Wikstrom
at 531-4245 / swikstrom@sbcglobal.net

First Annual Read-a-thon

2009-12-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

One special event during our two-week Read-a-thon is a DEAR Day- Drop Everything and Read Day- one entire day devoted to free choice reading. On this day, our students are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite storybook characters in preparation for a full day of reading, while special guests come in to read a child-friendly book of choice to them. We are hoping that you would be willing to be a special guest reader for two hours on that day. The day is Wednesday, February 10, 2010. If you graciously offer two hours of your time, we will place you in two classes for 45 minutes at a time.

Thank you so much for being an inspiration to Sequoia’s young readers. If you are interested in being a Guest Reader on February 10th or have any questions, please contact Read-a-thon coordinator, Giovanna Queeto at jojo@queeto.com or (510) 316-1857.

*Download an informational flyer here.

RIF (Reading is Fundamental) Day

2009-12-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

Friday, December 8th is a RIF Day
This Friday Sequoia hosts the first of three RIF (Reading is Fundamental) days for the school year. There will also be a special visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog!

What is RIF? It is an opportunity for every child at Sequoia to choose a free book from hundreds on display. What a wonderful way to enlarge your home library. Volunteers at Sequoia, sort and display the books, and then supervise the students during their selection time.

If you can assist with simple preparations any time this week and/or during the day on Friday, December 18th please talk to Karl Fleishman in Room 6 or call 531-6696.

You may also simply come to the office on Friday!
On Friday afternoon, ask your child to show you the book that he/she selected!

Sequoia’s Winter Concert

2009-12-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

Sequoia’s Winter Concert - featuring Primary and Upper Grade Choirs:
Evening Performance: Tuesday, December 15th • 7:00PM
Daytime Performance: Wednesday, December 16th • 10:15PM

Please join us, and enjoy the wonderful voices of Sequoia Choirs!

Prior to the big concert, drop by the library to PICK UP YOUR FALL FUNDRAISING ITEMS from our November sales. Items will be ready for pick up by 6PM.

Questions about orders?
Contact Sean Brennan at 510-530-6928 / zettix@yahoo.com

Healthy Start Potluck & Showcase

2009-12-06T20:51:00.000-08:00

Thursday Evening, December 10th:
Healthy Start Potluck & Showcase

Student Presentations: 5:30-6:00PM, Auditorium
(With Special Guest Councilmember Jean Quan)
Dinner & Gallery Walk: 6:00-7:00PM

Open to the Entire Sequoia Community!
For more info contact Reka Lal
at 482-7213 / reka.ebac.org

Dine Out For Sequoia!

2009-11-29T09:39:00.000-08:00

at Pasta Pomodoro, Rockridge: 5500 College Ave, Oakland.
Wed. Dec 9 and Thurs. Dec 10, from 5:30 - 8:00pm.

Pasta Pomodoro will donate a percentage of your dinner tab back to our school. Come out and have dinner with your school friends! Bring the flyer that came with this week's newsletter.

Co-Room Parent Meeting - Monday, November 16th, 7pm

2009-11-15T16:52:00.000-08:00

Room Parent News
by Caron Treger & Suzanna Farver, Co-Room Parent Coordinators

Next Co-Room Parent Meeting:
Monday, November 16th, 7pm, in the Library

The Room Parent program isn’ t just for events wi thin the
classroom anymore…

Class involvement with the Harvest Festival
Most recently the Room Parent Program recruited some people
from their perspective classes to create and/or run a booth at the
Harvest Festival. Great job to:
1. Mr. Fleishman’s class for the pressed apple juice booth
2. Miss Jessica’s class for the water balloon toss.
3. Miss Heather’s class for the floating pumpkins game
4. Room Parent Sarah Blondeau for the gooey alphabet booth.

Volunteers for Grade Level Events
Room Parents are finding volunteers for the up and coming First
Grade Potluck and have previously helped to find coverage for the
Kindergarten Motor Skills class.

Help Within the Classrooms Continues
Room Parents are in most classrooms now at Sequoia. They are
working hard with their teachers to try to lighten their load so that
the teachers can focus more on what they are there to do – teach!
Room Parents are overseeing class parties, field trips, special projects
and more. A crucial part of making their job work is by recruiting
classroom parents to help carry out the task.
Do you know who your Room Parents are in your child’s classroom?
If you don’t, ask your teacher. Then ask your Room Parents what
kind of help they need.

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Dine Out For Sequoia at: Ming Teh Restaurant

2009-11-15T16:49:00.000-08:00

All this week (Mon Nov. 16th - Sat. Nov 21st) 5-9pm
1506 Leimert Blvd.

Dine In or Take Out -- and Raise Funds for Sequoia! Bring a flyer to Ming Teh, and the restaurant will donate 15% of your tab to the school to help fund enrichment programs!

Thursday evening (Nov. 17th) is First Grade night, with first-grade father Martin Ortega waiting tables!

Sequoia’s Fall Fundraiser ends November 19th

2009-11-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

This Thursday marks the end of our sales. Please assist your children with making sales, and sending in payments and order forms to school this Thursday Nov 19th.

Please make plans to pick up your orders at Sequoia on December 17th, prior to the Winter Concert evening performance.

Thank you for your support and assistance!! Al l profits support Sequoia Students and School Activities. For more information contact Sequoia Parent Sean Brennan at 530-6928 / zettix@yahoo.com

No School - Wed. Nov 11th

2009-11-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

Veterans' Day Holiday