Sequoia Middle School

Week of October 19, 2026: Start of Quarter 2

Monday:

• Periods 1, 2, CREW, 3
• Students need to bring their silent reading books to CREW. No Chromebooks in CREW today.
• Quarter 2 Zero Unexcused Tardies/Zero Behavior challenge resets today. This Quarter Challenge ends on 12/20/26.
• Quarter 1 Zero Unexcused Tardies/Zero Behavior challenge recipients will be recognized soon.

Tuesday:

• Periods: 4, 5, 6
• School dismisses at 1:30pm
• No 7th period classes on Tuesdays
• Front office closes at 3:00pm on Tuesdays for school-wide meetings

Wednesday:

• Periods: 1, 2, CREW, 3
• Wear Orange today

Thursday:

• Period 4, 5, CREW 6

Friday:

• Periods 1, 2, CREW, 3
• Wear Pink today

Week of October 26, 2026:

Monday:

• Periods 4, 5, CREW, 6
• Students need to bring their silent reading books to CREW. No Chromebooks in CREW today.

Tuesday:

• Periods: 1, 2, 3
• School dismisses at 1:30pm
• No 7th period classes on Tuesdays
• Front office closes at 3:00pm on Tuesdays for school-wide meetings

Wednesday:

• Periods 4, 5, CREW, 6

Thursday:

• Periods 1, 2, CREW, 3

Friday:

• Periods 4, 5, CREW, 6
• Wear Orange/Black or costume
• Please read the rules on the costume expectations for this day.

A huge thank you to all of our Parent/Guardian volunteers who helped make our Fall Carnival a success! We are so grateful for the time, energy, and support you gave to our school and students. Whether you helped run a booth, assisted with setup, or jumped in wherever you were needed, your willingness to help made a difference.

We know that it takes a village to create these special experiences for our students, and we are so fortunate to have families who are willing to step up and support our Sequoia community. Your generosity and involvement help make Sequoia such a special place to be.

THANK YOU!!!!

Halloween is a fun opportunity to show your creativity and school spirit! We look forward to seeing our Bears participate while helping us maintain a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment. Please review the following guidelines before choosing your costume.

• School Appropriate: Costumes must be appropriate for a middle school setting and follow the same dress code expectations as regular school clothing.

• No Weapons or Realistic Props: Toy weapons, realistic-looking weapons, and props that could be used to threaten or intimidate others are not permitted.

• No Masks Covering the Face: Students must keep their faces visible and identifiable throughout the school day. Face paint is permitted as long as the student remains recognizable.

• No Inappropriate Content: Costumes may not include profanity, offensive language, inappropriate images, or references to drugs, alcohol, or other inappropriate content.

• No Culturally Insensitive Costumes: Costumes should not mock or stereotype a culture, race, religion, or group of people.

• Safe Footwear: Students must wear appropriate footwear for walking around campus and participating in regular school activities.

• Maintain a Learning Environment: Costumes should not interfere with learning, movement, or classroom activities. Oversized costumes or accessories that create a safety concern may not be permitted.

• Students must be able to participate in their regular classes and activities while wearing their costumes.

• Staff may ask students to remove or adjust any costume item that does not meet school expectations.

• Students who arrive in an inappropriate costume may be asked to change or contact a parent/guardian for assistance.

To set up the parent observer please follow the guide under the Canvas Parent Video Tutorials and Guide; please click on the below.

Use this link that is located on our schools website under the Teacher Tab

• There are more than 5,000 IB World Schools in 160 countries across the globe and Sequoia Middle School is one of them.
• IB focuses on the whole student: The aim is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people with adaptable skills to tackle society’s complex challenges and who will make the world a better, more peaceful place.
• The CVUSD standards and curriculum will not change. The way teachers present material will be different.
• The IB framework helps students shift the focus from “what” to “why” and “how” while making connections between what they are learning and the world around them.
• In MYP we make practical connections between what we study and the world around us.

Knowledgeable students build a strong foundation of knowledge across different subjects and use what they learn to make connections, ask questions, and understand the world around them.

At Sequoia Middle School, being Knowledgeable means more than simply memorizing information. Our students are encouraged to learn deeply, make connections between ideas, and apply their knowledge to real-life situations. They develop an understanding of important concepts while remaining curious and open to learning more.

What might this look like at home?

• Asking your child, “What did you learn today that surprised you?”
• Encouraging them to explain a new concept in their own words.
• Helping them connect what they learn in school to everyday life.
• Asking, “How could you use what you learned?”
• Encouraging curiosity about the world, people, and different perspectives.

Please reach out to Mr. Bernstein at mbernstein@conejousd.org with any Sports Team related questions.

Girls Volleyball Practice times

6th grade: Tuesdays 1:30pm-2:30pm & Thursdays 3:00pm- 4:30pm in the Sequoia Gym

7th/8th grade: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:00pm- 4:30pm in the Sequoia Gym

Boys Basketball Practice times:

Monday & Wednesday: : 3:00pm- 4:30pm in the Sequoia Gym

• The IB MYP uses a 1 to 8 scale to assess student progress. This scale helps measure how well students demonstrate knowledge, skills, and understanding in each subject area. It is not based on percentages but on criteria-based assessment, which means students are evaluated on specific skills and knowledge.

  In the IB Middle Years Programme, students are graded with a letter grade at the at the end of each grading period that reflect 1 to 8 scores for each subject. These grades reflect how well a student is doing based on IB’s international standards, not compared to other students.

  Key Notes for Parents:

  • Growth over time is emphasized; students are encouraged to improve through reflection and feedback.
  • Effort and behavior will be reported separately as Work Habits and Citizenship
  • The MYP encourages deep learning, not just memorizing facts.

  Why This System Matters

  • Focus on growth: Encourages students to improve skills, not just memorize facts.
  • Clear feedback: Shows specific strengths and areas to work on.
  • Global standard: Ensures students are learning at an internationally recognized level.

  Tips for Families

  • Ask teachers which criteria your child is doing well in, and where they can improve.
  • Look at assessment rubrics — they show exactly what’s expected for each level.
  • Remember: A grade of 4 or above generally means your child is meeting the expectations.

November 2, 2026- No School

November 11, 2026- Veteran's Day; no school

November 23-27, 2026- Fall Break, no school in session

December 18, 2026- End of Semester 1: school ends at 1:30pm.

• No Advanced Band, Advanced Strings, After school Theatre or After school choir class this day.

December 21, 2026-January 4, 2027- Winter Break, no school in session

Gates will be opened at 7:30am.

During morning drop off and afternoon pick up:

• Please keep moving up in the parking lot. Stopping your car will create a traffic jam. We will have 3 large buses dropping students off at the front of the school every morning. After school, buses will be picking up students in the side Lupe parking lot.

• Don't forget your materials everyday: A charged Chromebook, pen, pencil, and paper. Keeping organized is a key to a success.

• Our teachers do work directly with students to determine what materials they have, what they may be missing, and what steps they can take moving forward. When a student is repeatedly or unexpectedly without the materials needed for class, teachers are encouraged to communicate with parents/guardians so they are aware of the concern and can support their student as appropriate.

  We want to help all our students, develop the independence and responsibility to advocate for themselves and come prepared to class. Teachers communicate those expectations directly to students, so they understand what they need for each class. Communication regarding a student concern is intended to be part of that partnership.

• Students, keep your hands to yourself and respect the space of others.
• Play fighting/fighting is unacceptable on campus and will lead to a meeting with administration and disciplinary actions, which may include Tuesday after school/Saturday School/or Off Campus Suspension. Play fighting can escalate quickly; be respectful for everyone.

• Students must listen to the directions of all the adults on campus. Campus Supervisors are here to support campus safety.
• For the safety of all students, we need to walk on campus and not run.
• Throw all trash in the trash cans! Keep our campus clean.

• All student backpacks/bags are expected to be stored in student lockers once they arrive on campus. Backpacks/bags are not to be used on campus throughout the day. We have plenty of time between class periods to access book lockers and pick up all materials needed for their classes.
• No locker sharing/swapping. Each student has been assigned a locker for this school year, do not share your locker with anyone and do not share your combination. Keep your items secure.

• The office does not deliver student lunches brought to them by their parents.
• OUTSIDE FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES (Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.) ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
• There is a shelf in the front office that you can drop off any items that were forgotten by your student. Please make sure your students FULL NAME is visible. They can pick up their items during passing period.

• Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: 7:30am-4:00pm
• Tuesday: 7:30am-3:00pm (office is closed earlier for school wide meetings)

These devices need to be turned off and put away (not visible) for the duration of the school day.

Cell Phones/Air pods/Earbuds are not to be used during the school day. This include Smart Watches.

First violation: the device will be brought to the office.

Second violation: parents/guardians will be required to pick up their student's device from the school office as well as a detention being assigned to the student.

3rd violation: Device taken and parent pick up after school, student will NOT be able to bring device to campus or device can be kept in the office from that point on.

Parents/Guardians- please review this with your student.

Devices are to be stored away during the school day. They are not to be in the pockets of pants or shirts. They are not be tucked in the waistband. We have given reminders to all students. Devices will be collected if visible during the school day.

Students that are seen video recording on the campus will be given a Tuesday after school/Saturday School or an off-campus suspension.

It is illegal to take photos of someone in a bathroom under California Penal code Section 647(j), which prohibits invasion of privacy by using a camera or other device to record someone in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, like a bathroom, with the intent to invade their privacy. This law covers secret recording, filming, or even peeking with a device in private areas such as bathrooms, changing rooms"

Important E-Bike Laws & Safety Information with NEW School-Specific Updates

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to address our youth and young adults' growing use of E-bikes, bicycles, and electric scooters. These vehicles can be useful in reducing traffic and allowing young people a means of transportation other than motor vehicles to school and other activities. However, we have seen recent increases in collisions involving our youth on e-bikes, bicycles, and scooters. The increased speed provided by E-bikes and electric scooters requires increased care in their use:

🛑 For the 2026-2027 School Year, CVUSD middle schools will be requiring signed safety contracts and issuing permits.

🛑 Electric Motorcycles are not permitted on any CVUSD campus.

🛑 Class 3 Electric Bicycles (required age 16 or older) are not permitted on any middle school campus.

🛑 Traffic rules must be followed, and helmets must be worn at all times.

🛑 Please review the information in this newsletter carefully for an overview of safety information and resources related to the use of e-bike, bicycles and electric scooters.

Bring this signed contract to the main office.

Please click on this link below to access the CVUSD Child Nutrition information for the 2026/2027 school year.

Please click on this link below to access the PDF document of the 2026/2027 Bus Application. Please note route changes.