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There’s a shy ninth grader who’s going to visit a college campus for the first time on Wednesday. She’ll eat lunch in the dining hall and wonder why the classrooms look like theatres.

An 11th grader, rested and breakfasted back at Sequoia, is going to perform so well on the PSAT that she’ll qualify to be a National Merit Scholar. Thick packages with glossy materials from elite universities will begin showing up in her home mailbox over the next few months as a result of their achievement. 

A tenth grader, meanwhile, will be wrapping up a presentation from Alice Kleeman entitled “What Every 10th Grader Should Know About Getting Into College” and thinking about his upcoming session across campus from Maria Eguren from the Peninsula Humane Society about careers in animal behavior and training. No doubt that same tenth grader will be wondering what he missed out on in the other 27 sessions being offered simultaneously. He had a tough time choosing which three workshops to attend.

Seniors will be in the same boat as sophomores: choosing three presentations to attend throughout the day on a variety of topics ranging from financial literacy, the CSM Nursing Program, or pathways into public sector employment. We’ve partnered with over 30 community agencies, colleges and universities, trade specialists, and business owners to build on the success we had last year making College Day meaningful and relevant for all Sequoia students.

Families have a part to play in the success of College Day, as well. Over the next week, please help make these activities resonant and meaningful for your students with a conversation about their impressions and take-aways. Here are some prompts to help you draw them out. As always, a parallel activity helps to open up these kinds of conversations. I always learn a lot from my kids when we fold laundry together.

For families of 9th graders:

• What about the college students you saw was different from the kids you see every day at Sequoia?  
• Which non-academic or extracurricular activities were visible during your visit?
• How did your tour guide seem to feel about their college?
• Do you or any of your classmates ask any interesting questions on the tour?
• What new things did you learn about your classmates during this field trip?
• And, of course, what was lunch like?

For families of 10th and 12th Graders:

Before:

• What predictions do you have about the sessions you will attend?
• Have you talked to friends about which sessions they’ll be attending? Are they the same or different from yours?
• What questions might you want to ask the presenters?

After:

• Were your sessions more focused on college or career?
• What unexpected things did you learn in your sessions?
• What kinds of sessions would you want to see included in an event like this?

For 11th-graders:

• In what ways was the PSAT how you’d expected it to be? In what ways was it different?
• The test is long…what did you learn about that length of testing that will help you with either the SAT or IB tests in the next 18 months?
• In what areas of the math portion did you feel strongest? 
• What kinds of skills do you think you’ll want to work on if you take the SAT?

I’m grateful for all the work that’s gone into organizing and coordinating this event, which has been over a year in the making. The thoughtfulness and attention to detail with which our team crafted the 2025 Sequoia HS College Day is remarkable. 

Big shout-outs to our counselors along with Joel Rebello and Tessa Yeager in the College Center who once again took the lead on College Day at Sequoia. 

And, of course, there’s the SHSEF Annual Campaign. Our Foundation funds College Day at Sequoia. Without the hard work of our volunteer board and the generosity of our donors, the event would be impossible.

Have a great week!

Best,

Sean

Do you still need to join the PTSA? It's never too late!

Click HERE to join online or submit the membership form in English or Spanish with a check for $21. 

Help make our Unaliyi spirit stronger!

Contact Dana Rechin with any questions.

October PTSA/ELAC Meeting: College & Career Panel Recap

At the October PTSA/ELAC meeting, families heard from a panel of former parents and students, as well as from Sequoia’s College and Career team, about the range of support available to students navigating post-secondary plans. The discussion featured a lively Q&A, and several key questions emerged from the community.

What support does Sequoia offer for students' college application essays?

Sequoia's College/Career Advisors regularly work individually with students by appointment. Students should plan on engaging as early in the process as possible. We also offer sessions during FLEX periods on Thursdays and Fridays and provide targeted outreach for students in our AVID classes and Academy classes. All 12th-grade students are provided a writing workshop in their English classes at the beginning of the year. Sequoia also covers essay writing as part of its summer college camp for rising 12th graders.

Are there scholarships that are still available to seniors this year?

Most scholarships are awarded senior year. Students should carefully read the weekly newsletter for opportunities. They can also visit the College and Career Center to speak with Mr. Rebello or Ms. Yeager about which scholarships they might qualify for.

Our graduate got a lot of support from Sequoia when applying to college three years ago. Have there been any significant changes since then in the resources available at school?

We now have two full-time college and career advisors at Sequoia (thanks to the generosity of our Education Foundation donors) who provide more support in a variety of areas.

What should a student who's interested in becoming a doctor be aware of as she approaches the application process?

Medical school applications are distinct from undergraduate admissions, they take place at the end of college. Students may want to look at medical school acceptance rates for colleges they're considering. Mr. Rebello and Ms. Yeager can support in this research.

Can Sequoia advise families about applying for and financing college education outside the U.S.?

Our team is knowledgeable about some aspects of international applications. We can help families with their research and in navigating each country's unique process on an individual basis.

Thank You:



A big thank you to Cambria Erskine, Hade Curup Suruy, Beth Harrison, Kerry O’Connor Folan, and Ms. Yeager for sharing their time, insights, and experiences as part of the panel. Their perspectives helped make the evening an engaging and informative discussion for our community.

College Day and PSAT - funded by SHSEF

This Wednesday, October 22nd, is a BIG day for special College & Career Preparedness programs that SHSEF supports:  Freshman visits to Bay Area campuses for a taste of college life, on-campus College Day for 10th and 12th graders, and an on-campus school day PSAT test for all Juniors. 



The benefits of these opportunities for ALL students are a great gift to the families in the Sequoia community. Your contributions allow SHSEF to continue to fund these programs to help all our students prepare for their future. 

To close the gap in state and local funding, SHSEF raises funds from parents, community members, and grantors. 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!

9th Grade

Freshman College Day is THIS Wednesday, 10/22. This full-day field trip to Bay Area campuses for a taste of college life is an important step in your student’s academic journey at Sequoia. College Day is made possible via SHSEF donations, and your support is always appreciated.

11th Grade

On-campus school day PSAT test for all Juniors is THIS Wednesday, 10/22. SHSEF is proud to help fund this school day opportunity, and your support is always appreciated. 

Learn more and DONATE TODAY!

Get your Senior portraits scheduled now!

All 12th graders should be scheduling their Senior Portraits through Prestige Portraits Studio in San Carlos. Following your session, be sure to log on to select the photo you would like used in the yearbook. All portrait sessions must be completed by November 21. Schedule your portrait here!

Upcoming School Schedule Changes

• October 22, 2025 — PSAT and College Day

For all upcoming events, the bell schedule, and home and away games, please visit the Sequoia High School Calendar here.

Gorgeous evergreens for the holidays for sale now! Three weeks to order!

Why buy your fresh evergreens from chain stores when you can support a small business as well as raise funds for the Class of 2028’s Safe & Sober Graduation Activities? We are offering beautiful and fragrant wreaths, garlands and cute reindeer for sale at great prices ranging from $27-44. We partner with a sustainably run family farm for this fundraiser. Items will be available for pick up in San Carlos in early December.

Click here to order your holiday decor from the PTSA store! Last day to order is Nov. 9th!

PayPal or credit/debit cards accepted. Ping Liz if PayPal is not your thing! We have workarounds! Please share the link to the online store with your neighbors and friends! Contact Liz Min with any questions!

ATHLETICS

Winter Sports Tryouts Start November 3rd!

Get ready, Sequoia athletes! Tryouts for Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Basketball, and Wrestling begin on Monday, November 3rd. All athletes must be cleared to play by Monday, October 27. Complete your student’s registration and submit medical forms via SportsNet.

Attention Freshmen: We plan to field freshman teams for Boys Basketball, Boys Soccer, and Girls Soccer if there is enough interest - and freshmen are always encouraged to try out for JV/Varsity Girls Basketball and Co-ed Wrestling. 

For the most up-to-date and complete details on practice times, equipment, and contact information, please visit the Athletics Winter Sports Tryouts page on the Sequoia High School website.

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.

The October Sequoia Media Center Newsletter is here!

To sign up for the free Parent Venture newsletter, click here. 

October 21: How to Raise a Citizen (and Why It's Up to You to Do It)

From the importance of civil discourse to the foundational principles of democracy and the significance of documents like the Constitution, Professor Cormack demystifies complex topics with clarity and insight. Register.

21 de octubre: Còmo criar a un ciudadno (y por qué depende de usted hacerlo) (y por qué depende de usted hacerlo)

La profesora Cormack desmitifica temas complejos con claridad y profundidad. Algunos de esos temas son la importancia del discurso civil, y los principios fundamentales de la democracia y la relevancia de documentos como la Constitución. Registro.

October 22: Four Ingredients for a Meaningful Life: Helping Adolescents Make Wise Choices

In this talk, author and education leader Chris Balme will explore four essential conditions — variety, reflection, agency, and connection — that help adolescents build resilience, identity, and purpose. Register.

22 de octubre: Cuatro ingredientes para una vida con sentido: ayudando a los adolescentes a tomar decisiones sabias

En esta charla, el autor y líder educativo Chris Balme explorará cuatro condiciones esenciales —variedad, reflexión, autonomía y conexión— que ayudan a los adolescentes a desarrollar resiliencia, identidad y propósito. Registro.