College & Career Newsletter

Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career

How to reach us?

For general questions and inquiries please email (Please do not use the link at the bottom of this Newsletter to contact us)

Ms Ignaitis: tignaitis@seq.org

All HCA, Study Skills Students and Last names A-L

and/or

Ms Yeager: tyeager@seq.org

All DAA, ELD Students and Last names M-Z

UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:

Sept 11- Junior Grade Level IB/4 Year College Meeting

Sept 13 - Club Day at Lunch

Sept 16- CSF Applications Due (see info below)

Sept 18- Sophomore Grade Level IB/4 Year College Meeting

Oct 9 - Freshman Grade Level IB/4 Year College Meeting

Oct 23th - College Day! -More Specific Info To Come (see Announcements for 9th and 11th activities)

Junior: Wednesday, September 11th

Sophomore: Wednesday, September 18th

Freshman: Wednesday, October 9th

The annual college/IB/ICAP meetings are specifically focused on the requirements, deadlines of the IB Diploma, the IB/ICAP program, and the college application process for attending a four-year college. Ms. Nino-Sears (IB Coordinator)/Ms Galvan (Counselor) and Ms. Ignaitis/Ms Yeager (College/Career Counselors) present specific information and a different focus for each grade.

Meetings are for students and parents.

All GRADE LEVEL MEETINGS will be:

• Presented in person (English speaking in Carrington Hall)

• Presented separately for Spanish speaking parents/guardians in the MPR

• SLIDES will be Posted on the SHS College and Career website

• Links will be available in the Weekly Newsletter

DUE: Sept 16th by 3:45pm – Don’t Wait! No Late Exceptions!

The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) emphasizes high standards of scholarship and community service for California high school students. For families that do not know about CSF, it is basically a state-wide honor roll organization. The word scholarship has to do with academic performance NOT SCHOLARSHIP MONEY.

You must be a member at LEAST one semester of your senior year to be a Life Member!

For applications, class lists, help completing the form, and general information about the CSF organization please visit the College and Career Center’s CSF webpage or pick up a packet in the bin outside of the College and Career Center

Directions and deadline for submitted Spring 2024 CSF Applications - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

DIRECTIONS:

Only students can complete and submit the application to Ms. Yeager in the College and Career Center/Room 115 from August 26th-September 16th by 3:45pm

The submitted application packet must include:

1. A completed CSF application

2. $5.00 application fee in cash or a check made payable to Sequoia High School

3. A copy of the previous semester report card or transcript- A transcript can be obtained through a student’s Infinite Campus account (report tab).

Please DO NOT GO TO THE COUNSELING OFFICE FOR YOUR TRANSCRIPT!

STUDENTS - if you need help, have questions, or have an issue paying please come by the College and Career Center WE will help you!

The Teen Wellness Center is offering Flex Session to help you cope.

We want all families to complete this confidential meal application so that qualifying students can receive reduced cost bus passes, internet, prom tickets, grad night tickets, college application fees and IB testing registration. To complete the meal application, click here.

Needs to be completed every year!

OCTOBER 23th

Sequoia will be administering the DIGITAL PSAT to our juniors on Oct 23rd from 830-12:00

This is a new format.

Students must use their Sequoia Issued Chromebook

The Digital PSAT uses the Bluebook app and it has been installed on ALL school issued Chromebooks.

Students will register in their English class on October 4th.

If you do not have a WORKING school issued Chromebook, you will need to get one. COMPLETE THIS FORM NOW

When: Wednesday October 23, 2024

- Meet in Gym 1 by 8:15am

- Dress comfortably, bring layers and a water bottle.

Where: TBA but past schools have included UC Berkeley, San Jose State, University of San Francisco, Sonoma State, San Francisco State, University of the Pacific, or Santa Clara University

What: All Sequoia freshmen will visit a Bay Area College Campus.

Make sure your permission slips (google form) are submitted online or to Room 115 (College & Career Center) today!

English or Spanish paper permission slips

Go here to see if you have already submitted a permission slip for your student: List of Submitted Permission Slips

Students completing Edgenuity credit recovery online courses for graduation and/or UC/CSU A-G requirements are required to take unit tests and cumulative tests in the Edgenuity lab in-person. The lab is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4pm-6pm in Room B-8 with Mr. Calles. The deadline for seniors is May 30, 2025.

HOW TO SIGN UP

STEP 1: In your Naviance account, go to the “Colleges” tab on the top bar, click on “College Visits”, to get the complete list OR under “What’s New” on your homepage, select a college you want to visit and click on “Register Now" and it will change to "Registered".

STEP 2: Ask your teacher, of the class you will be missing, for permission to leave their class during the time listed on Naviance. IF OK, go to Step 3.

*STEP 3: Either print confirmation or show your teacher on your phone you have registered

PROBLEMS –

• If you are not on the list, you will not be admitted EVEN THOUGH your teacher signed a pass.

• If you know you might have printer problems, print the pass in the College and Career Center at lunch the day before the visit.

• The College and /Career Center does not excuse students from a class, only your teacher can allow you to attend a college visit.

NEED HELP

How To Video - Sign Up for a College Visit at Sequoia

If you get the email below with the subject Visit Reminder, that is not confirmation that you are signed up for a college visit, it is an invitation to go to Naviance and sign-up.

Washington State University

Wed Sept 4th 11:15am

Marist College

Thurs Sept 5th 2:00pm

Hampden-Sydney College

Fri Sept 6th 8:30am

Occidental College

Fri Sept 6th 9:00am

Lafayette College

Mon Sept 9

7:45 AM

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Tue Sept 10

9:30 AM

Santa Clara University

Tue Sept 10

10:30 AM

University of Southern California

Tue Sept 10

11:15 AM

Gettysburg College

Wed Sept 11

7:45 AM

University of Puget Sound

Wed Sept 11

8:30 AM

University of the Pacific

Wed Sept 11

11:15 AM

Indiana University-Bloomington

Thu Sept 12

9:30 AM

Macalester College

Thu Sept 12

11:15 AM

Clark University

Thu Sept 12

2:00 PM

Oberlin College

Mon Sept 16

7:45 AM

Pace University

Mon Sept 16

8:30 AM

Saint Mary's College of California

Mon Sept 16

10:30 AM

Reed College

Mon Sept 16

11:15 AM

Two Virtual Presentations: Sept 3 & 8th

Two In Person Presentations: Sept 11th & 12th

Learn about 8 Highly Selective Liberal Arts Colleges at one event.

Claremont McKenna, Colorado College, Connecticut, Grinnell, Haverford, Kenyon, Macalester, and Sarah Lawrence College will be hosting an informational meeting for students and parents.

For more information and a full list of presentations CLICK HERE

San Francisco Registration

San Jose Registration

A great opportunity to learn about small liberal arts colleges!

Sept 8th

Take your future in art and design above and beyond! Visit with counselors, admissions team members, and faculty from art and design schools for a portfolio review before applying to colleges and universities. National Portfolio Day is a way for students to meet with counselors, admission team members, and faculty from accredited art and design schools around the world for free portfolio reviews.

For more information and registration CLICK HERE

The University of Notre Dame's Office of Undergraduate Admissions will be hosting ND on the Road events in your area.

These events will include information on academic, community, and spiritual life at the University of Notre Dame, as well as insights into the admissions and financial aid processes.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Bellarmine College Preparatory

960 W Hedding St

San Jose, CA

Registration for the ND on the Road events is available here.

Sept 15th

NACAC Virtual Fairs provide students and families the opportunity to connect with college representatives, learn about the admissions process, and discover financial aid and scholarship opportunities. These sessions support all students, including seniors who may still be weighing their college options. Click on the links below to register.

For More INFORMATION and Links to Registration

(scroll down a little and click tab VIRTUAL next to In Person tab)

September 16th

Go here to see an example of admissions to West Point

September 21st and 22nd

Students, and their families are invited to Explore Hopkins, where you’ll learn what makes Hopkins unique, our generous financial aid program, the Blue Jay experience on campus and in Baltimore, and how we set our students up for success in the real world.

In this hour-long presentation, we will also share tips for supporting your students throughout the application process. At the end of the presentation, guests will have the chance to ask questions during the Q&A portion

Register for San Francisco - Sept 21

Register for Santa Clara - Sept 22

September 21st

The MIT admissions team will be on the road (and online) this fall to help any students who might be a good fit for MIT. Sessions will go over: Preparing for MIT, Making MIT affordable, and Applying to MIT

Register: San Jose Information Session
Saturday, September 21 at 1:00 PM
San Jose, CA

While your transcripts are the most important admission factor for the majority of colleges, a lot look at factors beyond the classroom. If you are thinking about applying to a private or UC, they have areas on their applications to include activities like extracurriculars, community service, and work.

Every semester it is a good idea to update your Naviance resume as a way to keep organized and assess your goals.

Keep organized by entering all of your activities and accomplishments in your Naviance Resume.

Super Important Step: Write a reflection of the activity in the DESCRIPTION BOX

Include:

Why do you do this activity/What do you get from this activity?

What did you learn from this activity?

Are you making an impact in school or in your community? (use concrete examples- fundraised 300.00 instead of just “fundraised)

THEN

After you enter in all of your information, reflect on how these activities/awards will help you reach your long-term goals.

Small actions, over the course of time, are evidence of your commitment and responsibility to what you care about.

Does your resume include community service?

If you are thinking about applying for scholarships as a senior, a lot of the local scholarships are based on a sustained community service activity. It is not about collecting hours but showing you are committed to the program of your choice.

Ninth Graders: We will go over the Naviance resume in your Ethnic Studies class NEXT SEMESTER

Also, resume is for activities/awards during high school (summer before too)

Go to Club Day to get involved!!!

As you are considering different schools to apply to, make sure to check out their testing policies. If you need or want to take a test, it is your responsibility to sign-up and register for the tests.

Use these links below to sign-up for the SAT or ACT:

College Board

ACT

Click HERE to go directly to the Sequoia High School website for the most updated scholarship and student opportunities lists. How to Access Scholarships on Naviance (9-12th Grades)

If you find a scholarship you are interested in and want the link to the website or more information be sure to log in to your Naviance account, under the College tab, click on Scholarships and Money, then Scholarship list, and put the name of the scholarship in the search box, then click on the name of the scholarship.

DUE: September 10th

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-12th

Two Separate Scholarships

ESSAY Scholarship - How we can protect our democracy from becoming a theocracy and unite against religious bigotry $1000.00

VIDEO Scholarship: How can we protect our democracy from becoming a theocracy and unite against religious bigotry? $750.00

Due:9/2/2024

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

The (YCA) Leadership Program brings 9-12th grade students from across San Mateo County together to empower youth to take climate action into their own hands. Through the program, students will develop projects designed to drive change within San Mateo County and gain a diverse set of skills related to sustainability and climate action. WEBSITE

Are you interested in helping the environment? Do you want to see more sustainable practices at school and make greater changes outside of school clubs? If so, the SUHSD Sustainability Committee is the place for you!

We’re a student-led committee formed in 2021 when students declared a climate emergency to the school board. Since then, we’ve garnered support from teachers and administrators across the district and have successfully implemented more sustainable practices at schools.

To join our Google Group and stay updated, click this link. This year’s meetings will be scheduled according to this link. Our first meeting will be on September 10th, 6:15 - 7 PM via Zoom. Hope to see you there :)

If you have any questions, please feel free to let us know! The leadership team emails are Kara (811693@seq.org), Iris (816766@seq.org), Daniel (816339@seq.org), Supriti (816261@seq.org), and Alex (817304@seq.org).

Due:9/16/2024

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

Get involved with a youth advisory group educating the impact of teen smoking. Headed by

San Mateo County Office of Education: Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE)

FIRST MEETING OCT 1st - Apply ASAP

ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 15-21 Years Old

NAMI's Youth Advisory Council will be starting soon and we are looking for youths who are interested in advocating for mental health and organizing events to destigmatize mental health conversations and topics Residents and able to commit to one hour every other week for YAC meetings for one year, virtually with occasional in-person meetings.WEBSITE

DUE: ASAP

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-10th

Receive guidance toward achieving your goals. Personal mentor and academic support. Residents and able to commit to one hour every other week for YAC meetings for one year, virtually with occasional in-person meetings. Flier below and in College and Career Center

Available All Year

Eligible Grades:9-12th

Volunteer to staff the Bookstore in the Downtown Library. This requires a 2-hour per week commitment. Volunteers chat with customers and accept payment. It's pretty fun and very easy volunteer opportunity. There are Saturday shifts plus shifts from 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 in the afternoon/evenings. WEBSITE

Available All Year

Eligible Grades:9-12th

The San Mateo County Historical Association offers a number of free public programs throughout the year for Lunar New Year, Happy San Mateo County Day, Fourth of July (half-price admission), Victorian Days, Día de los Muertos, and Hometown Holidays. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with craft activities and gallery monitoring for these events. Interested students can email carmen@historysmc.org for upcoming volunteer opportunities. WEBSITE

Due: 9/18/2024

Eligible Ages:15-18 years old

8-month service-learning program is for high school students aged 15-18 in the San Francisco Bay Area who are interested in working with marine mammals and educating the public about important ocean conservation topics.

Email youthcrew@tmmc.org if you have any questions. WEBSITE

Virtual Information Session (50 people max)

September 12 | 5:00pm-6:00pm | RSVP

Project Read has some upcoming training for teens who would like to volunteer on

September 10

October 8

This is a great opportunity for SHS students to be matched with a younger student to tutor once or twice a week.

If interested contact:

Email - rclread@redwoodcity.org

Phone- 650 780-7077

For more information go to their website and scroll down to the Teen Volunteer Section.

(Flier in College and Career Center)

Sept 5th

Hear from career expert Jacqueline Gilbert at VLACS with advice on how high school students can explore careers by taking interest-based assessments as well as gaining real-world exposure to related jobs!

REGISTER HERE

ELIGIBLE GRADES/AGE: Juniors and Seniors

$17.00 hour Looking for students with good math and reading skills who are available to work approximately 6 - 8 hours per week on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Ideal part time job for high school or college students. Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

If interested email qualifications and resume to kumonsancarlos@gmail.com

ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 16yr+ (Must have own transportation)

Looking for high school students with exceptional math skills through Algebra I and Geometry to join our team! We offer competitively paid part-time jobs at Sequoia Station with flexible scheduling and ongoing training opportunities. Join us for the opportunity to make a REAL difference in a child’s life by passing on a love for math!

Our starting salaries are $17.00-$19.00 depending on what level of math the instructors can teach.

If interested, please apply online

Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 15yr+

Part-time work is available teaching after-school group Piano Classes at local elementary schools, as well as private lessons (in all instruments) in-person or online. Pay is $60/hour for group classes and $45/hour for private lessons. Please apply online at http://hummingbirdmusicschool.com/about

Students: visit the website for a number of How-To videos that Sequoia Counselors made for help with common application, scholarships and much more!

August 18-24, 2024

August 25-31, 2024 ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPCOMING: Grade Level 4YR College/IB Meeting, CSF Applications Open, College Day for Freshmen, COLLEGE TIP: Visiting Colleges is a Great Way to Figure Out What Type of College Is Best for You!