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News

February 4, 2015

Small team of counselors

Pursuit of full IB diploma over
supports entire student body passions forces hard choices
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) which
they take the second semester of their
junior year and the first semester of
TOK. CAS. EE. Certificate. Di- their senior year. Students must also
ploma. The rigorous International complete 150 Creativity, Action, SerBaccalaureate program has been an vice (CAS) hours and write an Eximportant part of Sequoia since 2002, tended Essay (EE).
but it can be difficult to figure out
Despite these requirements, some
which classes to take, how many and students feel that the extensive work
why. There are significant differences is worth the outcome.
between the diploma and the certifiI definitely think it is worth it.
cate, and the choice
Band is something
between these can Just do it for yourself and fol- that I can find in
depend on the stu- low what you really want to many other things. I
do.
dent.
can still do Jazz band
Many juniors will Rayna Schlossberg, senior at lunch, and Im in
soon have to decide
an orchestra outside
between dropping
of school. Although I
an activity and taking the full diplo- do miss the class, I think its definitema program, or taking the certificate ly worth it to take the diploma, said
path instead.
junior Abby Hartzell, who decided to
I like the way I am doing it a lot pursue the IB diploma and IB Art inbecause I have the challenging classes, stead of taking band.
but I also have the fun, relaxing classes
Students who take the certificate
that really take a load off, said senior do not have to take TOK, do CAS
Rayna Schlossberg, who decided to hours or write an EE and can elect to
pursue the certificates instead of the take anywhere from 14 IB classes.
diploma because it would mean sacYou should do the diploma if you
rificing both band and computer sci- want to learn the skills. . . but if you
ence, the two things that she was truly think it is the only way you will get in
passionate about.
to a good college, dont do it for that,
To receive the full IB diploma, a Schlossberg said. Dont do it for your
student must take 3-4 IB classes in parents. Just do it for yourself and foltheir junior and senior years, as well as low what you really want to do.
By LAUREN CRESTA
Staff Reporter

Photo by Madalene Schorr

Counselor Shari Schussel meets with students daily to ensure that they
are on track to graduate and to prepare them for their futures.
By MADALENE SCHORR
Staff Reporter
With five counselors and 2,115 students with both academic and emotional needs, its a wonder counselors
arent always overwhelmed. Neighboring schools such as Woodside have
1,764 students to five counselors and
Carlmont with 2,114 students to seven
counselors. Most counselors at Sequoia
manage around 430 to 450 students.
I wish there was more time to spend
individually meeting with all of our students,counselor Joni Gordon said.
Counselors do their jobs because

theyre passionate about working with

youth and sharing in student successes,
but there are time constraints.
When I meet with students, were
not encouraged to keep students longer
than 15 minutes really in our office, and
there are so many situations that arise
where you cant push a student out after 15 minutes because theyre breaking
down in front of you, talking about this
and that, and I just wanted to talk about
grades, but you cant ignore this, counselor Shari Schussel said.
Counselors are currently registering
students for next year while they continue to support students personal needs.

Electronic Arts Academy offers technology-focused electives, smaller class sizes

By ERIK HUISMAN
Staff Reporter
The Electronic Arts (EA)
Academy is a technology
focused program that provides students with small
class sizes, technology skills
and college preparation.
The EA Academy is made
up of 150 10th-12th graders, and they are currently recruiting for next year.
Academy class sizes average
25 students, compared to
34 in other classes.
The teachers get to

know you better, so they can

help you with your strengths
and weaknesses, senior Arnel
Baarde said.
Students have access to a
myriad of technology, such as
the schools only Mac lab and
video cameras, as well as editing software like Final Cut
Pro.
The academy receives a
state grant that is matched
by the school district and industry partners. The money is
used to purchase equipment
and keep the classes small,
and industry partners help

fund mentors and events.

Were working on this projWe dont teach a differ- ect where you have to film anient curriculum, we just have mals. Im doing a squirrel chasa greater emphasis on tech- ing my classmates. Now, Im
n o l o g y,
working on
Academy
editing it,
teacher Ja- Average EA Academy senior Crisson Drogin
tal Guizar
class size
said. Acadesaid.
my students
Students
have a techin the acadeAverage nonnology
my also have
based elec- academy class size access to a
tive such as
mentor proweb design or animation. In gram. Mentors work in techsome classes, students create nology in the Bay Area. Each
videos and commercials.
student is paired with a mentor

25
34

who helps the student prepare and train

for a job and mentors continue to support students even after they graduate.
In the future, you can use them as a
reference to get a job, Baarde said.
The academy focuses on teaching
technology skills but also teaches valuable life skills. The academy offers Physics, Biology, English, history, Web Design, Animation and Study Skills.
The most important thing Ive
learned in the academy is how to work
with others and how to use various programs to make a small idea look like
something big that you could look back
on and feel proud about, senior Saul
Luna said.

Current events inspire local connections

Washington, D.C.
In the State of the Union Jan. 20 President Barack
Obama called for free community college.
The program, which would have to be approved by
Congress, would likely make the college dream a reality
for more students at Sequoia. I think there are a lot of
families that use community colleges, and I think [this
program] is a great idea, said Terri Ignaitis, College and
Career counselor.

Lebanon, Ohio
17-year-old transgender teen Leelah Alcorn, born Josh Alcorn, committed suicide Dec. 28. Her religious parents sent her to conversion therapists, tried to convince her that she was meant to be a boy
and refused to let her undergo gender reassignment. Her tragic death has inspired a petition for Leelahs
Law that would make conversion therapy illegal and has received 105,770 signatures so far.
The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is inviting other clubs to their anti-bullying campaign.
Our school is very good at keeping away from discrimination based on perceived gender but we
are in California, and were so privileged, and were in a bubble, said junior GSA Board Member Elijah
Punzal. When we leave Sequoia, the bubbles gone; things are happening in this world, and no one
should have to suffer from being unknown or mistreated.

Paris, France
A group of Islamist extremists broke into the office of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine known for
its provocative cartoons, including depictions of the
Muslim prophet Muhammad, Jan. 7. They killed 12
people in the initial attack, and in the ensuing manhunt three attackers and five hostages were killed.
Many view this as an attack on the freedom of the
press, and millions across the world have shown support by delcaring Je suis Charlie, or I am Charlie.
The TOK and French classes discussed this incident,
and French students made posters.
When [you] learn a language [you] dont just
learn the language; you should learn the culture,
and Charlie shook the whole world, French teacher
Latitia Kuttan said. That was not only an attack to
a newspaperit was an attack on us, [and] it was an
attack on freedom of speech.
Compiled by CARMEN VESCIA,

additional staff reporting by CLAIRE BUGOS