Week of Septemer 29, 2008

How Important Are Grades?
It’s hard to believe that the end of the first quarter is nearly here. Officially, the quarter ends on October 17. Progress reports were sent out the week before last, so everyone should have a copy by now. Progress reports, like report cards, are good feedback tools to communicate how each student is doing. It shows both performance and ability.

Reporting grades can also give us a chance to see where more work is needed. Students may need closer monitoring academically or just simply encouragement. Whatever the case may be, using grades to monitor students’ progress is a good practice. I encourage parents and students to go online and check their grades regularly (weekly). A link to online grades and teacher gradebooks for each student in all subjects can be found in the links section on this page and on our website’s homepage for quick access. If you have any difficulties getting online, call the office (788.0925) and we’ll walk you through it.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to complete our weekly surveys/polls found on this page. Working together we can achieve our goal of helping our students become Leaders in Learning.

Sports
Congratulations to our sports teams for a strong posting last week. The Lady Hawks swept Burton while falling to Garvey in a very close match-up. The Cross-country team took third once again with many of our Hawk runners improving their times. We are continuing to get better every meet. Congratulations also to our men’s football team for crushing Garvey. Execution was key and we’re very proud of our squad. In fact, if you have come out this year, you know all our teams are strong performers. If you haven’t attended one of our teams’ games, come out and join us this week. I am sure you will be just as impressed with our teams as I am.

Week of September 22, 2008

Preparing Quality Lessons
During the Staff Professional Development Day last Friday, I was pleased to see the level of commitment demonstrated by teachers. They were working together to build common lessons, select strategies that match each day’s learning objectives, and determine which skills need strengthening to help students both in their own classroom and someone else’s classroom as well. It was not enough for our teachers to write lessons that students could achieve just in their class. They wanted to make sure that the learning experiences would help students achieve in any classroom and in any school. The Sequoia staff is committed to providing our students a path to become Leaders in Learning. Take a look at the survey on this page and let us know how we’re doing. Your opinion matters, so join us in evaluating our performance.

Sports
I am very proud of our students and coaches who are competing during this Fall sports season. Our volleyball, football, and cross-country teams are good athletes and are committed to doing their best. Currently our football team is undefeated – YEAH! – and the volleyball team has suffered only one loss. Our cross-country team has not placed lower than third this year in their performance in a field of runners representing seven, and sometimes eight schools at every meet. Please check our sports schedule. Then plan to come out and see the energy and excitement our Hawk athletes bring to the game. Go HAWKS!

Week of September 15, 2008

Follow-up on Back to School Night
Last week's Back to School Night was very well attended. Nearly 300 of our 500+ families turned out to hear more about our school programs and offerings. It was nice to see the entire family come out. It certainly places a high value on education when all family members attend, ask questions, meet the staff, and learn additional ways to get involved.

At next year's Back to School Night, we will be making adjustments to the evening in an effort of continually striving to improve on the year before. I hope you enjoyed this year's event and I look forward to next year Back to School Night.

Clubs
There are many clubs for Sequoia students to join. Most clubs meet weekly and are a great way for students to get involved and make friends. One group that will be meeting this week is our Astronomy Club. This curious bunch of stargazers will meet after school on Thursday from 3-3:45pm. A special Star party will held at Circle J Ranch up above Springville later this month. Contact Sequoia Science/NASA teacher Mrs. Phipps, the club advisor, for further information.

For a complete list of our clubs for students to join, please visit our website.

Sports
I was very proud of athletes who competed last week. The cross-country team took 3rd in the Exeter meet and our volleyball team and football team schooled Bartlett. This week's games and meets are all out of town. Volleyball is at Woodlake on Tuesday and Pioneer on Thursday. Cross Country is away at Woodlake on Wednesday and foot is away on Thursday at Pioneer. While Thursday’s games are at Pioneer, I hope many of you will be able to attend. Go Hawks!

Week of September 8, 2008

Back to School Night
I am looking forward to seeing all of the parents at this week's Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 starting at 5:45pm. We will begin with a general parent meeting in the Multi-purpose room(MPR)/gym followed by visits to the classrooms. Information will also be presented about our schools STAR test scores.

Classroom visits are a great time to meet your daughter's or son's teacher and hear a little about what they will be learning this year. Assignments, class expectations, and grading will be covered. Hopefully there will be enough time to answer general questions. As a parent, if you have specific questions, please ask the teacher for a meeting time to go over any concerns and/or questions.

We will be selling school HAWK SPIRIT t-shirts, special early bird pricing for yearbooks, and snow-cones. There will also be a Book Fair found in the library.

Please plan on joining us for Back to School Night!

Sports
We had several students tryout for volleyball, football, and cross-country. I want to thank all the students who tried out and congratulate those selected to represent Sequoia during the Fall sports season. Games begin this week. Please check the Fall Sports Schedule found on our website. Come out and support our teams.



Band
Our band is sounding great and getting better everyday. The students are excited and are working hard as they are learning the songs and getting ready for their first fieldshow. This year the Sequoia Middle School Marching Band will be performing at two half-time shows at MHS JV football games. The first game is the MHS vs. Granite Hills game and the second is on MHS homecoming night. I feel we have earned the right to perform and feel confident our students will do well. Why? Because HAWKS ROCK!