Principal's Welcome

Mrs. Karla DiDomizio
 

Dear Sequoia Families,

Welcome to Sequoia Middle School! I am excited to welcome our students, families, and staff as we begin another school year together.

It is my hope that every student takes advantage of the opportunities available at Sequoia Middle School and learns to stretch themselves not only academically, but also as individuals. Having spent 22 years in secondary education, I have truly enjoyed my time at Sequoia Middle School. We have a talented and dedicated team of teachers and staff members who are committed to supporting our students and families. Remember, we will all make mistakes along the way, but learning from those mistakes is an important part of growth.

 A strong partnership between families and the school is essential to student success. We encourage parents and guardians to stay actively involved in their child's educational journey. Please take advantage of the many opportunities to communicate with teachers and counselors throughout the year. Parent Q is also a valuable tool for monitoring your student's academic progress. In addition, I send weekly communications that include important calendar reminders, school updates, and behavior expectations. Please be sure your contact information is current so you can receive all school communications.

A little about me: I began my educational career at Newbury Park High School, where I spent nine years serving as a School Counselor before moving into administration. During my time there, I served as Dean of Attendance, Dean of Activities, and Assistant Principal of Instruction. I then had the privilege of serving for four years as Assistant Principal at Century Academy and Independent Study Coordinator, supporting alternative education programs within CVUSD. When the opportunity arose to return to the Newbury cluster, I knew Sequoia was where I wanted to be. Middle school is an adventure, and I am excited to be part of this journey with our students and families.

 At Sequoia, we strive to create a culture built on three simple principles: Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and take care of this place.These values guide our daily interactions and help us build a positive and supportive school community.

Our theme this year is "Every Step Matters." Middle school is a time of tremendous growth, discovery, and change. Students are learning who they are, developing new skills, building friendships, and preparing for their future. During these important years, it is easy to focus only on the destination, but we believe that every step along the journey is valuable.

Every assignment completed, every question asked, every challenge overcome, and every act of kindness shown helps shape the person each student is becoming. Success is not determined by a single moment, but by the many small steps students take each day toward growth, responsibility, and resilience. We encourage our students to embrace new opportunities, learn from mistakes, and celebrate progress along the way. Whether a student is finding confidence in the classroom, joining a club, making a new friend, or demonstrating leadership, each step contributes to their personal and academic development.

This year Sequoia Middle School begins its journey as a newly authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) school. Becoming an IB World School reflects our commitment to providing a rigorous, student-centered education that encourages inquiry, critical thinking, global awareness, and personal growth. The MYP is designed specifically for students ages 11–16, helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in school and beyond. 

 I look forward to working with Sequoia families.

- Mrs. DiDomizio

 

Some fun facts to share:

• Love dogs (if you ever come by the office with a pup, my office staff will find me so I can say hi)
• I speak Spanish (my family is from Ecuador)
• Enjoy traveling ( I collect wall clocks from my vacation destination)
• Atlanta Braves fan (went to a World Series game in 2021)
• Winnie the Pooh fanatic
• Enjoy baking
• I enjoy an early morning run before work, working out, just staying active.