A Music Program to be Proud Of
I am quite proud of our orchestra and marching band, as well as all the students in our music programs. To sit and listen to the orchestra play their stringed instruments is very impressive. Their hard work leading up to the annual Autumn Serenade certainly paid off. Under the direction of Pam Aucutt, the students are demonstrating their love of music as well as ability. With more performances to come, I encourage you to attend one of their future performances.
The marching band performed their first field show of the year last Friday night in Rankin Stadium at Granite Hills during the MHS JV football game half-time break. The patriotic tribute to Veterans was fitting given Veterans Day is just ahead of us. The band presented itself with honor despite the certain feeling of nervousness inside. The company front, a very difficult line formation marching forward in unison while playing their song, was well done. The dedication of the students in band and color guard, under the direction of band director Jillian Calvao and Monica Guerrera advisor, is obvious. Mr. Adams, the MHS band director, visits the Sequoia campus once a week providing that added touch and incentive for our band members. Our next field show is November 7. Come out and join us.
NASA News
The NASA Lunar Family Night will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2008. NASA representatives will be on hand for three days that week visiting classrooms, conducting lessons, and assisting with the family night. The astronomy evening is designed for family participation and exploration among the stars.
As part of our effort to provide all our students with interesting and challenging project-based, problem-solving courses, the NASA Explorer School program provides students with many opportunities for science exploration and experimentation. Schoolwide, there are four elective classes each semester for students. It was in one such class that a student micro-gravity project was created. The experiment has been selected by NASA to be conducted onboard a NASA test flight later this year. Take a look at your calendar and make every effort to attend the Lunar Family Night. It’s more than fun- it’s full of wonder.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Week of October 20, 2008
Beginning of the Second Quarter
This week marks the beginning of the second quarter. Teachers are posting grades for the first quarter report cards which will be mailed out early next week. The 8th graders have an advantage over the 7th graders. They already know how to juggle classes, meet with several different teachers each day, and what to expect. For 7th graders, it’s all brand new. New teachers, new schedules, staying organized, and not falling behind are huge changes for many incoming students. Though the change can be difficult, I believe it is worth the experience.
The middle school years are a great time of change anyway. The adjustments students make during these two years can create wonderful opportunities. I am proud of all our students. I am proud of their ability to adapt, form new friendships, strengthen old ones, try new clubs, go out for sports, and learn new ideas. Next week’s reports card grades will offer a look at how they are doing.
Sports
Let me hear a big Gi-normous YEAH! for our Hawk teams. The boys football team, led by Coach Daryl Lee, swept the Whitney League going undefeated and claiming the championship. Our young men worked hard, played as a team, and rolled over every team in the league. In volleyball, led by Coach Larry Haas, our team claimed a respectable third place. We played against some pretty tough teams who go on to be the same tough competition in high school. Our Lady Hawks know the game and looked as impressive as some high school teams. Way to go ladies! Our cross-country team, led by Coach Robert Steigleder, also captured third in league. Competing against as many as fifteen other schools during the regular season, our runners showed their strength and ability. We have proven Sequoia is now a major contender in sports. Congratulations to all our teams.
Tryouts/sign-up’s for girls basketball, boys soccer, and co-ed gold will be this week. Days and times will be announced at school.
Band
The Sequoia Middle School Marching Band will be performing their fieldshow during halftime at the MHS JV Homecoming football game this Friday night at Rankin Stadium up at Granite Hills High School. Our band is talented and has worked hard at putting this show together. Our students are led by Band Director Jillian Calvao. Come our and support the band. I'm sure you will like what you see and hear as well as get a glimpse at what high school life will look like. See you there!
This week marks the beginning of the second quarter. Teachers are posting grades for the first quarter report cards which will be mailed out early next week. The 8th graders have an advantage over the 7th graders. They already know how to juggle classes, meet with several different teachers each day, and what to expect. For 7th graders, it’s all brand new. New teachers, new schedules, staying organized, and not falling behind are huge changes for many incoming students. Though the change can be difficult, I believe it is worth the experience.
The middle school years are a great time of change anyway. The adjustments students make during these two years can create wonderful opportunities. I am proud of all our students. I am proud of their ability to adapt, form new friendships, strengthen old ones, try new clubs, go out for sports, and learn new ideas. Next week’s reports card grades will offer a look at how they are doing.
Sports
Let me hear a big Gi-normous YEAH! for our Hawk teams. The boys football team, led by Coach Daryl Lee, swept the Whitney League going undefeated and claiming the championship. Our young men worked hard, played as a team, and rolled over every team in the league. In volleyball, led by Coach Larry Haas, our team claimed a respectable third place. We played against some pretty tough teams who go on to be the same tough competition in high school. Our Lady Hawks know the game and looked as impressive as some high school teams. Way to go ladies! Our cross-country team, led by Coach Robert Steigleder, also captured third in league. Competing against as many as fifteen other schools during the regular season, our runners showed their strength and ability. We have proven Sequoia is now a major contender in sports. Congratulations to all our teams.
Tryouts/sign-up’s for girls basketball, boys soccer, and co-ed gold will be this week. Days and times will be announced at school.
Band
The Sequoia Middle School Marching Band will be performing their fieldshow during halftime at the MHS JV Homecoming football game this Friday night at Rankin Stadium up at Granite Hills High School. Our band is talented and has worked hard at putting this show together. Our students are led by Band Director Jillian Calvao. Come our and support the band. I'm sure you will like what you see and hear as well as get a glimpse at what high school life will look like. See you there!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Week of October 13, 2008
End of the First Quarter
This is the final week of the first quarter. It is full of activity both inside and outside the classroom. District Benchmark exams will be given in core classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. These benchmarks will provide the student and teacher information on how well the standards are being met. These results will assist in guiding future instruction and creating opportunities for students who need extra help. Accurately understanding student performance can pinpoint areas of growth.
Fall sports’ playoffs also begin this week. The Volleyball and Football playoffs start Tuesday (time/location TBA). Winners will advance to a second round on Wednesday (time/location TBA). The final round of competition for volleyball will be held on Thursday in Woodlake at 4pm. The final round fro Football will also be on Thursday hosted by Los Tules in Tulare at 4pm. We have a good shot at making it to the finals in both volleyball (one loss this season) and football (undefeated). Our Cross-Country team will compete in its final meet Wednesday at Veterans Park.
Our Madden ’09 Video Tournament continues this week. The noontime class competition is exciting to watch and the students are loving it. Words like “awesome” and “fun” are frequently heard. Its great to watch these students interact and compete, get excited, shout, cheer for one another, and sometimes offer friendly advice. Some of the students know the game so well that they push buttons with barely looking at the screen, as if they already know what is coming and can’t wait to respond. Its as if the machine is slowing them down. It makes my head hurt sometimes just to watch it and keep up. All in all, the video tournament is part of our school culture because that’s what this generation does. Next up in our video lineup - Guitar Hero III. (If you haven’t heard of it, just ask any kid.) Based on last year’s intense competition, I’m in for another mind whirling event.
This is the final week of the first quarter. It is full of activity both inside and outside the classroom. District Benchmark exams will be given in core classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. These benchmarks will provide the student and teacher information on how well the standards are being met. These results will assist in guiding future instruction and creating opportunities for students who need extra help. Accurately understanding student performance can pinpoint areas of growth.
Fall sports’ playoffs also begin this week. The Volleyball and Football playoffs start Tuesday (time/location TBA). Winners will advance to a second round on Wednesday (time/location TBA). The final round of competition for volleyball will be held on Thursday in Woodlake at 4pm. The final round fro Football will also be on Thursday hosted by Los Tules in Tulare at 4pm. We have a good shot at making it to the finals in both volleyball (one loss this season) and football (undefeated). Our Cross-Country team will compete in its final meet Wednesday at Veterans Park.
Our Madden ’09 Video Tournament continues this week. The noontime class competition is exciting to watch and the students are loving it. Words like “awesome” and “fun” are frequently heard. Its great to watch these students interact and compete, get excited, shout, cheer for one another, and sometimes offer friendly advice. Some of the students know the game so well that they push buttons with barely looking at the screen, as if they already know what is coming and can’t wait to respond. Its as if the machine is slowing them down. It makes my head hurt sometimes just to watch it and keep up. All in all, the video tournament is part of our school culture because that’s what this generation does. Next up in our video lineup - Guitar Hero III. (If you haven’t heard of it, just ask any kid.) Based on last year’s intense competition, I’m in for another mind whirling event.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Week of October 6, 2008
Looking Forward
As I look forward to the coming week’s activities, I like also to take a look back at the previous week’s events. It helps to evaluate our progress and implementation of the vision and goals we have established here at Sequoia. Part of our vision and goals include developing students as leaders in learning by supporting students in a wide variety of interests. Academics, sports, clubs, service opportunities, and leadership experiences are some of the opportunities we are creating.
Over the past week I have seen students scores on common formative assessments (CFA’s) increase, volleyball again achieved victory, cross-country took first place in the Burton Invitational Meet where fifteen different teams competed, Student Council organized another great School Spirit day, SOAR Club planned service involvement activities, and the Recycling/Environmental Club began a school beautification project. We are also in the middle of lunchtime football tournaments. Intramural sports are coed and played outdoors during lunch. Indoors we are providing a video tournament. Each class chooses a player/players to compete against other classes in Madden ’09 video football games. This is also a lunchtime activity played on the big screen in fornt of 500+ cheering fans and the students really seem to be enjoying it. You can track the tournament online by clicking on the link on this page or the main page. Our Video Production class is not discouraged as they continue to produce daily announcements in spite of repeated difficulties with our new equipment and software. (There is a link on this page as well as our main page to the daily video bulletin - check it out.) Our video announcements broadcast current and upcoming events.
School Site Council Elections
A ballot is being sent home this week to fill several vacancies. Parent involvement through school advisory is an important part of school life. I hope you will take the time to vote and attend future meetings.
New Sign
We have added an electronic notice sign visible from the student drop off area. Look through the gates and catch current and upcoming event notices.
As I look forward to the coming week’s activities, I like also to take a look back at the previous week’s events. It helps to evaluate our progress and implementation of the vision and goals we have established here at Sequoia. Part of our vision and goals include developing students as leaders in learning by supporting students in a wide variety of interests. Academics, sports, clubs, service opportunities, and leadership experiences are some of the opportunities we are creating.
Over the past week I have seen students scores on common formative assessments (CFA’s) increase, volleyball again achieved victory, cross-country took first place in the Burton Invitational Meet where fifteen different teams competed, Student Council organized another great School Spirit day, SOAR Club planned service involvement activities, and the Recycling/Environmental Club began a school beautification project. We are also in the middle of lunchtime football tournaments. Intramural sports are coed and played outdoors during lunch. Indoors we are providing a video tournament. Each class chooses a player/players to compete against other classes in Madden ’09 video football games. This is also a lunchtime activity played on the big screen in fornt of 500+ cheering fans and the students really seem to be enjoying it. You can track the tournament online by clicking on the link on this page or the main page. Our Video Production class is not discouraged as they continue to produce daily announcements in spite of repeated difficulties with our new equipment and software. (There is a link on this page as well as our main page to the daily video bulletin - check it out.) Our video announcements broadcast current and upcoming events.
School Site Council Elections
A ballot is being sent home this week to fill several vacancies. Parent involvement through school advisory is an important part of school life. I hope you will take the time to vote and attend future meetings.
New Sign
We have added an electronic notice sign visible from the student drop off area. Look through the gates and catch current and upcoming event notices.
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