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October always brings a special kind of energy to my family and, I am sure, to many other Sequoia families as well. As the leaves begin to change, the countdown to Halloween is on, and our students waste no time diving into the excitement. At home, many of us see this play out in familiar ways—spirited debates over costumes, younger kids brimming with enthusiasm, and teenagers eager to make plans with friends while still holding onto favorite family traditions. In the end, whether it’s the excitement of Homecoming week, cheering on our fall sports teams, or joining friends at campus events, these moments remind us why this season is so memorable.

Just like our family traditions evolve, so too does our PTSA. We are excited to invite you to our revamped PTSA/ELAC General Meeting on October 7, which will feature a special panel on college and careers. This new format is designed to be interactive—you’ll have a chance to connect with other parents and ask the questions that matter most to you.

Can’t make it in person? No problem. The meetings will also be available online!



• To join the PTSA/ELAC Meeting on October 7, starting at 7 p.m. Click here.

Meeting ID: 998 3698 2867 / Passcode: 904102

• To join the continuation of the PTSA General Meeting at 7:45 p.m. Click here.

Meeting ID: 850 2376 3991 / Passcode: 167046

Volunteer Highlights

Our PTSA volunteers have been hard at work:

• Mini-Grants deadline is October 6th—there is still time to apply, we strongly encourage you to do so!
• ASB shadowing and Saturday tours are underway, supported by an incredible group of volunteers.

None of this would be possible without our PTSA community. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Shabnam Moon, Scarlett Mineta, and Andy Kitt, who stepped up to help us reimagine our PTSA meetings, to Tina Hymer and her team for their leadership with mini-grants and to the incredible Leslie Ostrander for securing volunteers to help with the ASB shadowing efforts. Your dedication, energy, and willingness to take on new challenges are what make this community thrive.

Looking Ahead

We do need extra hands to support our marketing campaigns. If this is an area where you’d like to contribute, please reach out to me at fnmonet@yahoo.com. Your skills and creativity could make a real impact.

As we step into this vibrant fall season, I am grateful for all of you—for the time, energy, and heart you invest in our students, staff, and families. Just as our teens look forward to making memories with friends, and our younger ones dive into the joys of fall traditions, our PTSA thrives on the connections, creativity, and generosity of this community. Together, we make Sequoia stronger.

Warmly,

Francoise Monet

Sequoia High School PTSA President

Save the Date - October 7- PTSA/ELAC Joint Meeting

We have revamped the monthly meeting into a new format, which will highlight topics of community interest.

Please join us on Oct 7 at 7:00 p.m. for drinks and snacks as we host a conversation and panel discussion on College and Career Readiness. Please bring all your questions!

This meeting will be in-person in the MPR as well as on Zoom. 

¡Apunte la Fecha! - 7 de octubre- Reunión de PTSA/ELAC

El 7 de octubre a las 7 p.m. en el salón de usus múltiples (MPR por sus siglas en inglés) - Reunión de PTSA/ELAC

Hemos relanzado nuestras reuniones mensuales con un nuevo formato, remarcando tópicos de interés para la comunidad.

Por favor únase a nosotros el 7 de octubre para compartir refrescos y bocadillos mientras sostenemos una conversación y un panel de discusión sobre Universidades y Preparación para la Carrera Profesional. ¡Háganos todas sus preguntas!

Esta reunión se llevará a cabo en persona, en el salón de usos múltiples y también por Zoom.

8th Grade Shadow/Tour Parent Volunteers NEEDED!

We’re still 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. There are a few spots left! Sign up here. 

Sequoia Staff & Student Clubs: Apply for a PTSA Mini-grant today!

Accepting Applications through October 6

Students and staff: Mini-Grants are here! Through the support of the Sequoia High School Education Foundation (SHSEF), the PTSA is able to offer financial grants to enhance education at Sequoia. The grants of up to $750 are designed to inspire creative initiatives to learning and/or to address a compelling need that might otherwise go unmet. Applications are open and will be accepted through October 6. 

Students and staff who have an idea for a project that will benefit the school but need funding are encouraged to apply. Additional information can be found on the PTSA mini-grants page of the SHS website.

If you have questions, please email the chairs at sequoiaminigrants@gmail.com.

Have you joined the PTSA this year?

Click HERE to join online.

Don't want the hassle of another online login? Fill out the membership form in English or Spanish. Put the form and your check in an envelope and mail it or drop it off at the school office. We'll take care of the rest! 

Ten minutes and $21 is all it takes to make our Unaliyi spirit stronger!

Contact Dana Rechin with any questions.

Bridging the Gap: SHSEF Fills a Need — Academic & Arts Enrichment

To close the gap in state and local funding, SHSEF raises funds from parents, community members, and grantors. SHSEF supports Academic & Arts Enrichment including:

• Reduced class sizes for freshman core subjects
• Support for High Level IB Classes
• After-school Math Tutoring
• Summer Bridge English and Math Enrichment
• Raven Report Newspaper 
• Accelerated Geometry Summer Class
• Teacher and Student Mini-Grants 
• Department Grants
• Media Center Research Materials
• JAVA Programming Classes (funded by a grant from Oracle)
• New equipment for Sequoia’s Chemistry Lab

The funds SHSEF raises also supports College & Career Preparedness and 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!

Upcoming School Schedule Changes

• October 13, 2025 — Holiday — No Classes. 

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

ATHLETICS

It's Homecoming Week!

Sequoia will be smelling like teen spirit all week! Flag football, girls volleyball, and girls tennis all have home games and we’re hosting rivalry water polo games in the pool. Alumni, students, families, and fans are invited to join us for HOCO football on Friday—the theme is the '90s! 

ASB will host its 4th annual tailgate & BBQ before the varsity game. Register here.

Go Purple! Go Sequoia!! 

Boosters will also be selling merchandise and manning the Snack Shack. Sign up here to volunteer. 

Boosters Alumni memberships include your ticket to the homecoming football games, and 2025 grads receive their first year of alumni membership for free. Sign up here. 

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 9: Helping Students Navigate AI with Confidence and Curiosity

In this session, Ana Homayoun and Jesse Park from Green Ivy Educational Consulting will explore how we’re guiding students to understand both the possibilities and the pitfalls of AI. Register.

9 de octubre: Ayudando a los estudiantes a navegar la IA con confianza y curiosidad

En esta sesión, Ana Homayoun y Jesse Park de Green Ivy Educational Consulting explorarán cómo estamos guiando a los estudiantes para comprender tanto las posibilidades como las trampas de la IA. Registro.

October 15: Why Neurodivergent Kids Need Autonomy to Navigate a Neurotypical World

In this Neurodiversity Education Series event, Dr. Bill Stixrud and Ned Johnson unpack the science of motivation and mental health, and share how parents, caregivers, and educators can nurture the autonomy children need to thrive—both academically and emotionally.  Register. 

15 de octubre: Por qué los/las niños/as neurodivergentes necesitan autonomía para navegar un mundo neurotípico



En este evento de la Serie de Educación sobre la Neurodiversidad, el Dr. Bill Stixrud y Ned Johnson explican la ciencia de la motivación y la salud mental, y comparten cómo padres, cuidadores y educadores pueden fomentar la autonomía que los/las niños/as necesitan para prosperar, tanto académica como emocionalmente. Registro.