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Hello Sequoia Families,
Walking out of the MPR after the Ice Cream Social and PTSA General Meeting last week, our cups were full—of sprinkles and of community. Principal Sean Priest shared an inspiring vision for the year, centered on strong academics, belonging, and partnership with families. A highlight of the evening was presenting Principal Priest with a check recognizing our community’s 4,378 volunteer hours—an estimated $218,900 of support for Sequoia. The best part, though, was hearing your wishes for our students and school. Your voices—reflecting the many cultures, languages, and experiences that make Sequoia unique—reminded us what a welcoming, diverse community we are building together.
Thank you to everyone who came early for ice cream, stayed to engage, and volunteered to help throughout the year. Let’s keep the momentum going—read on for ways to get involved and join us at our next PTSA gathering!
Join the PTSA Today
Your annual membership powers everything we do—mini-grants, junior scholarships, reflections art program, staff appreciation and grad activities. Every parent who joins, every volunteer who gives an hour, every voice in the room makes Sequoia stronger. Join/Renew your PTSA membership today!
PTSA General Meetings
📅 First Tuesdays at 7 p.m.—join us in person in the MPR or online. See the full schedule here.
✨ Watch for our refreshed Sequoia PTSA logo on flyers, the Sentinel, and event materials.
What's Ahead (and how to jump in)
Next up: Tuesday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. (MPR + livestream)
Thanks to everyone who completed the survey thus far—your input is shaping the agenda. Take the survey today!
Guest Speakers: Do you work in AI, personal finance for teens, student well-being/mental health, or another topic families care about? Email Francoise Monet with a short description.
- Mini-Grant Applications Coming Soon!
Mini-Grant Applications Open! Students, teachers, staff, and school groups can apply for funding to support projects that benefit Sequoia. Apply here from Sept. 22 until Oct. 6, 2025. Special thanks to Tina Hymer for leading Mini-Grants this year—see her message below!
Support your Ravens and the Class of 2026 Safe & Sober Grad Night at the home game concession stand. Grab a concession shift or donate supplies!
Menu highlights: Coffee • Hot chocolate • fan-favorite Cup-o-Noodles • popcorn
To our new and returning families, thanks for being part of this community—together let’s make this year amazing!
Warmly,
Francoise Monet
PTSA President, Sequoia High School
| | 8th Grade Shadow/Tour Parent Volunteers NEEDED! | | We’re looking for current Sequoia parents to volunteer to support prospective 8th grade families as they explore our school. This role involves answering questions, sharing your experience as a parent, and helping new families feel confident about their transition. Please sign up for one of multiple days. | |
Staff Appreciation breakfast- thank you for your support!
The Sequoia Staff Appreciation breakfast & espresso bar was a big success thanks to all who donated supplies, helped set up, served and cleaned up. For this event, some staff chose to have their breakfast delivered and the others came by the staff lounge to pick out their own breakfast items and then ordered their espresso drinks, hot cocoa or tea from Caffe Carrello's espresso cart. It was a fun morning for all!
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PTSA Mini-Grants
Students and staff: Mini-Grants are coming! Through the support of the Sequoia High School Education Foundation, the PTSA is able to offer financial grants to enhance education and experiences at Sequoia. The grants of up to $750 are designed to inspire creative initiatives for learning, address a compelling need that might otherwise go unmet, and/or help students with project ideas benefiting the school. Applications will be accepted between 9/22 and 10/6. Please find additional information here.
Parents and Loved Ones: We need your help! If you have a few hours to review Mini-rant applications and meet with the other committee members (one to two evenings in October), we would love to have you join our review committee. No experience necessary. This is a great opportunity to learn about the wonderful projects happening at Sequoia. Contact Tina Hymer at sequoiaminigrants@gmail.com with questions or to join the selection committee.
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What is the PTSA?
The Sequoia PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) is part of a nationwide network of over 4 million families, students, educators and community leaders working to improve education, health and safety conditions for our children. There is safety in
numbers!
Our membership is our strength and our voice, and without our members, we wouldn't be able to do all the great things we do for children and families. Please JOIN the Sequoia PTSA today.
Questions? Contact Dana Rechin
| | Bridging the gap: SHSEF fills a need | | |
To close the gap in state and local funding, SHSEF raises funds from parents, community members and grantors. SHSEF supports smaller class sizes and an array of programs in three main areas:
- Academic & Arts Enrichment
- College & Career Preparedness
- Mental Health & Wellness
Our fundraising goal is $650,000 for the 2025-26 school year and our recommended ask per student is $1,500, or any gift that is meaningful to your family. Learn more and DONATE TODAY!
Thank you for helping us make Sequoia High School a place where all students can reach their highest potential.
| | Guest speakers wanted in the SHS woodshop class | |
Who: Building & Construction Trades, engineers, architects, technical schools, and more.
Why: Inspire the next generation of construction professionals
What: Speak to students enrolled in a Woodshop class to expose them to the various career pathways available in the construction industry
When: Wednesdays 1st - 5th period, 8:15 a.m. - 1:46 p.m.
Where: Woodshop Classroom
How: Sign Up Here!
| Transform the trajectory of a Sequoia student and become a Sequoia Academy Mentor! | | |
For less than two hours a month from November through May, Sequoia Academy Mentors work one-on-one with students from the Digital Arts Academy or Health Careers Academy on career-related skills. Adults can support a student by sharing their knowledge and experience about how to take steps towards a successful and rewarding career.
Join our team! Whatever professional stage you are in, our students can benefit from your career journey. To learn more and sign up, visit our website or contact Greg Schmid.
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Fall football concessions – proceeds go to the class of 2026 graduation fund!
Calling all parents of Seniors!
Are you interested in raising funds for class of 2026 graduation? Please consider donating supplies or working a shift at the concession stand at one of the upcoming home football games:
- September 12 (Friday)
- October 10 (Friday)
- October 25 (Saturday)
- October 30 (Thursday)
Sign up here!
Any questions? Please contact Amy Kodl.
| | Botanas y Golosinas de Fútbol de Otoño – los ingresos se destinan al fondo de graduación de la Clase de 2026! | |
¡Llamado a todos los padres de los estudiantes de último año!
¿Están interesados en recaudar fondos para la graduación de la Clase de 2026? Por favor, consideren donar suministros o trabajar un turno en el puesto de botanas y golosinas en uno de los próximos partidos de fútbol en casa:
- 12 de septiembre (viernes)
- 10 de octubre (viernes)
- 25 de octubre (sábado)
- 30 de octubre (jueves)
Fírmese aquí!
Para cualquier pregunta, por favor contacte a Amy Kodl.
| | Meet the Ravens Tailgate - Friday, September 12 | | |
Join us for Sequoia’s first home football game of the season and our Meet the Ravens Tailgate! We'll celebrate with lawn games, food trucks, and special recognition of all Sequoia’s fall sport athletes.
* Varsity kick-off at 7:00 pm, JV game 4:00 p.m.
* Tailgate activities on the small turf 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
* Free student tickets will be distributed during lunch on 9/12.
* Boosters Platinum, Gold, and Silver members: your game passes will be added to your GoFan mobile account in time for game day and donor-level gifts will be available for pick-up at the varsity game.
Come out to celebrate your Sequoia Ravens representing cheer, cross country, flag football, tackle football, water polo, girls volleyball, girls golf, and girls tennis and let’s make it a great season! Go Purple!. Go Sequoia!
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- 9/9 Girls Tennis vs Half Moon Bay - Varsity 3:45 pm
- 9/9 Girls Volleyball vs Mills - Varsity 6:30 pm, JV 5:00 pm, Frosh 4:00 pm
- 9/11 Girls Tennis vs Aragon - Varsity 3:45 pm
- 9/11 Girls Volleyball vs Burlingame - Varsity 6:00 pm, JV 4:30 pm
- 9/12 Football vs Washington - Varsity 7:00 pm, JV 4:00 pm *Meet the Ravens Tailgate*
- 9/13 Flag Football vs Emerald - Varsity 11:00 am, JV 10:00 am
- 9/13 Boys Water Polo - Varsity Tournament - 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Both home and away games have been added to the Sequoia High School Athletics Calendar – and don't forget to follow @seqboosters on social media.
| | Spotlight on Boosters Grants | | |
Thanks to your support last year, the Sequoia Sport & Spirit Boosters were able to fund a wide range of upgrades and equipment that directly impact our student-athletes. Your donations helped provide:
- Sun shades for the baseball stands
- State-of-the-art wrestling mats, plus warm-ups and gear bags
- Uniform kits, nets, warm-ups, and bags for boys and girls soccer
- New swim parkas for our aquatics programs
- Equipment bags for boys lacrosse
- Hudl technology and cameras to enhance game recording across sports
Read More about how Purple Pride is powering Sequoia Athletics, with $50K in funding already this school year!
Still need to join or renew? Visit our website to sign up. Membership starts at just $10. Silver, Gold, and Platinum members receive exclusive spirit gear plus free entry to regular season home games.
| | The NEW Sequoia Media Center Fall Newsletter is here! Learn about the Storytelling Society, peer tutoring, a free New York Times academic pass, and more! | | To sign up for the free Parent Venture newsletter, click here. | | |
September 3: E-Bike Safety: What Every Parent Should Know
In this interactive workshop, Megan Lamb, founder, and Stephen McCall from E-Bike Sense will help parents, caregivers, and educators "make sense" of e-bikes to ensure the safety of youth in our communities. Register
3 de septiembre: Seguridad Común con las Bicicletas Eléctricas: Lo Que Todo Padre Debe Saber
En este taller interactivo, Megan Lamb, fundadora, y Stephen McCall de E-Bike Sense ayudarán a padres, cuidadores y educadores a “darle sentido” a las bicicletas eléctricas para garantizar la seguridad de los jóvenes en nuestras comunidades. Registro
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September 18: Building Bridges: Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices for Parents and Schools
In this Neurodiversity Education Series event, authors Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, and Amanda Morin provide parents and educators with essential knowledge about neurodiversity and neurodiversity-affirming practices. Register
18 de septiembre: Construyendo puentes: prácticas que afirman la neurodiversidad para padres y escuelas
En este evento de la Serie educativa sobre neurodiversidad, las autoras Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, y Amanda Morin ofrecen a padres y educadores conocimientos esenciales sobre la neurodiversidad, así como prácticas que la afirman. Registro
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