Sequoia Healthy Start

Sequoia Healthy Start is a collaborative program of staff, community members, parents, teachers, and administrators who provide educational and family support services at Sequoia Elementary School.  Since our inception in 2000, SHS has been a model program in OUSD.  Our mission is to increase the academic achievement and social functioning of our students.  Our program is separate from the school, but works closely with the full support of Sequoia teachers and administrative staff. 
 
The Sequoia Healthy Start Program works to support and increase student success in school through three major areas of activity:

• After-School Program—Academic support and enrichment curriculum for students in grades 1–5.
• Mental Health Services—Social and emotional support for children and families provided by an on-site social worker.
• Family Engagement—Family Potluck and Events and Family Workshops.

In addition, we provide behind-the scenes support to other Sequoia School programs.

After-School Program

Our after-school program offers two main components: Academic Support and Enrichment.

• The goal of the Academic Support component is to create and foster a healthy approach to learning via writing.  Students are divided up into grade-level classes and work with an Academic Instructor for an entire school year.  Using a Writing curriculum, students work on 4-6 writing assignments that are project-based, integrating enrichment aspects into the program.  Students also receive homework help, tutoring, and skill-building during this time.

• The goal of the Enrichment component is to provide students with activities that have a special focus on literacy and cultural awareness. The enrichment component is divided into lower grade (1st/2nd grade) and upper grade (3rd, 4th, 5th). The lower grade students participate in enrichment activities such as: Arts & Crafts, Recreation, Computer Literacy, and Gardening.  The upper grade students participate in more specialized activities (see list on next page).

  This year we are offering a part-time, Enrichment-Only program.
   
  Students enrolled in the Enrichment-Only program are part-time students who attend just the enrichment component.  This program is open to 3rd-5th graders only.

Enrollment is determined by a first come, first serve basis for students in grades 1st-5th. Returning students have one week to secure their position in the program prior to open enrollment. After the deadline for returning students has passed, completed open-enrollment applications will be placed
in the program (if spots are available) or on a waiting list as they are received. Wait-listed students will be moved into the program when enrolled students leave the program. There are limited spots in each of the grades.

After-School Activities

Writing
Homework Support/Tutoring
Educational Games
Spanish
Afro-Cuban Percussion
Eco-Art
Gardening & Ecology
Yoga
WORD (Spoken Word & Computer Lit.)
African Dance
Arts & Crafts
Sewing
Team-building
Recreational Activities
Textiles
Collage
Science Club
Service Learning
Special Presentations
Family Workshops & Events

About East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC)

Sequoia Healthy Start is a program of East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC). For over 50 years, EBAC has provided a growing array of treatment, early intervention, and prevention programs for at-risk, abused and emotionally troubled children each year.

     EBAC offers three types of programs for low-income and at-risk children.  The programs include:

1. Intensive Day Treatment Programs that provide individualized counseling and educational services in partnership with local public schools, for children and youth who suffer from serious emotional disturbances.
2. School and Community-Based Prevention Programs that not only treat children with serious difficulties, but develop and implement community-based collaborative outreach programs.
3. Circle of Care that helps children and families cope with loss, serious illness, and trauma by providing individual and group counseling, in-home assistance, and community crisis intervention.

EBAC's website is www.ebac.org.

Contact Reka Lal at 482-7213 for more information, or email shs@sequoiaschool.net.