Raven Report Sequoia High School
Volume X, Issue 4
1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062
February 17, 2017
Adaptive hockey team scores Sharks donation
By SHANNON COAN Staff Reporter Sequoia’s Adaptive Physical Education Class received a $30,000 donation from the San Jose Sharks as part of the Shark Foundation’s “Big Give” program, Dec. 22, to fund their ice hockey team. Special Education teacher Rebeca Goodwin created Sequoia’s adaptive hockey team three years ago after discovering a grant for special needs students. The hockey team, originally started as an alternative to the normal adaptive physical education class, is now offered to any student with an Individualized Education Plan. “For some kids with autism, when they get on the ice, their [uncontrolled] movements go away,” Goodwin said. The Sharks’ donation sustained the adaptive team’s funding, which was exhausted last year. The grant was inititally meant for teams solely in Santa Clara County, but ultimately found its way to Sequoia.
The donation provides practice time on the ice from 2016 to 2018, registration for each player to the USA Hockey program, new gear and tickets for all of the players’ families to watch the Sharks play against the Edmonton Oilers in a luxury booth. “It was really amazing. It was nice that they gave us that much nice stuff,” junior and team goalie Ever Quintanilla said. “[The players] spending the day with us was the best part.” The Sharks also invited the adaptive team to watch a private Sharks practice. After practice, they visited a locker room where each player received personalized hockey equipment. Sharks player Paul Martin signed jerseys right in front of them before having a private skate session with Sharks players Dylan DeMelo, Kevin Labanc and Timo Meier as well as assistant coaches Steve Spott and Johan Hedberg. During the skate session, the Sharks players advised and practiced technique with Sequoia’s team.
Photo Courtesy of Beth Goddard
Alex Munoz-Bergman (left) and Robbie Batista (right) smile for the camera in full gear on the ice, while meeting the Sharks players. “I scored on one of the Shark players,” sophomore Jaklyn Kendall said. “It felt like a once- in-a -lifetime opportunity.” The team practices for more than 4 months during the second semester at Ice Oasis in Redwood City, every Tues-
day during 5th period. According to Goodwin, without the help of other teachers and aides, including Nick Boldrey, Judy Hoja and Luis Ledesma, putting on the players’ skates
See SHARKS, page 2
Superintendent bids Sequoia campus expands to farewell after 39 years fit growing student body By MADDIE PEI Managing Editor After 39 years in education and 7 years as Sequoia Union High School District’s superintendent, Jim Lianides will retire at the end of the school year. Lianides’ most impactful actions in office include expansion of school facilities and redrawing school district lines, all in efforts to give everyone an equal opportunity. “We’re on the right path in narrowing the achievement gap,” Lianides said. “My hope is the next superintendent stays on this path. I don’t want anyone to think we should pat ourselves on the back and say, ‘We’re done.’” During his time at the district office, to accommodate the growing student population, Lianides supervised construction of the “A,” “S” and “J” wings at Sequoia, Carlmont and Woodside, respectively. Prior to Lianides’ term, district lines caused students from the same middle school
to go to different high schools. Redrawing district lines ultimately allows students to have a better sense of community. Aspirations Advocates is one program that helps at-risk students graduate. The support system consists of one full-time teacher per school to look out for incoming freshmen. Lianides also works closely with English language learners in the district and maintains a close relationship with the local K-8 schools. The Redwood City native and graduate of Woodside High School became a teacher in 1978 and became principal and Chief Business Officer in later years, before becoming superintendent. “We live in a very complex society,” Lianides said. “Now, in the Information Age, we have to be able to process information and analyze information. Jobs and careers now are very specialized, where a strong skill base is very important. We need to do all we can to prepare our students for jobs.”
By NICK ABRAHAM Entertainment Editor The new A-wing opened Feb. 1, despite classes starting two weeks prior. Several English and science classes are hosted in the complex near Elwood lot. It is also a temporary location for classes previously located in the M-wing, which is currently under construction, itself. Students are seeming to enjoy the new and clean atmosphere of the new A-wing. “The A-wing is as clean as a hospital,” sophomore Tom Woodward said. Another positive change for many students is the new convenience they have in getting to class compared to before. This is especially true for English students that previously had to make the trek to the portable classrooms. “On my A days, I have English and Band right next to each other, so I don’t have to move,” sophomore Jacob Givens said. “I’m not in a hurry and or tardy anymore because I don’t have to worry about the distance.”
Spread: Your brain on drugs: Pathways
Page 4-5
Photos by Nick Abraham
The A-wing’s grand opening was attended by Principal Sean Priest and Assistant Vice-Principal Gary Gooch alongside project contributors, alumni and students.
By the numbers:
34.2
percent of Sequoia students who reported having consumed alcohol
23.8
percent of Sequoia students who reported having consumed marijuana