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Here are my insider’s tips for making the most of Back-to-School-Night, whether it’s your first or fourteenth:

1. Use this form to make navigating your student’s schedule (and brief transitions between classes) as smooth as possible. Print and ask your students to fill it out with you.
2. While you’re filling in the schedule together, ask about specific things your student is looking forward to in each class. Ask about things they might be uncertain about as well.  
3. Arrive early enough to enjoy Mr. Castaneda and the Sequoia band performing in the B-Wing or Mr. Jefferson and the Orchestra performing in front of Carrington Hall. 
4. Leave enough time between the performances and the first period bell to snap a photo of yourself during the magic hour in one of Sequoia’s iconic locations (in front of Argo Tower near the giant eucalyptus, under the Unaliyi Gate at the south end of the A-WIng, e.g.).
5. Fill out and wear one of the name tags we’ll have available to families. It’s the most efficient way for teachers to connect you with your student(s) when you visit their classrooms.
6. Even if you’re not lost, stop and ask one of our Ambassadors (look for the purple t-shirts) a question about Sequoia. “Do you have a favorite tree on campus?” is a good one.
7. Don’t step on the school seal when entering the front door. Big no-no. An alumni once scolded my daughter when I brought her to work one Saturday and left her playing outside my office. She was six at the time.
8. Give yourself a few minutes to wander through the main hall and visit special programs, clubs, and organizations who will be set up at the tables.
9. Remember that conversation you had with your student about something they’re looking forward to this year? Share what you learned with their teacher when you visit the class. We educators are driven by the ways in which our students want to be successful learners.
10. When it’s time to go, say goodnight and head home. We’ll be back early Friday to run it back!

I hope to greet many of you on Thursday night. Stop and say hello when you see me. Let me know how these tips worked out (and if I should add any new ones to next year’s list).  

Special advance shout-out to all the PTSA volunteers who will be on campus on Friday morning to serve breakfast to our bleary-eyed staff. We love you, PTSA!

Have a great week!

Best,

Sean

PTSA

On Friday, Aug. 30, the morning after Back to School Night, the PTSA will treat our staff and teachers to espresso drinks and breakfast. This is a great way to spend time on campus and show your appreciation and support for our hard-working Sequoia team! Sign up here to donate breakfast items or volunteer your time. Multiple shifts are available. Reach out to Katherine Schembri with questions. Thank you!

Let‌ us‌ help‌ you‌ clear‌ your‌ Back‌‌ to‌ School‌ to-do‌ list!‌‌

• Buy‌ school‌ supplies‌ ‌ √‌‌
• Return‌ textbooks‌ from‌ last‌ year‌ ‌ √‌‌
• Organize‌ carpool‌ ‌ √‌‌
• ‌JOIN‌ the‌ PTSA‌ ‌- DO‌ THIS!‌‌

Your $20 annual membership shows your commitment to a group whose purpose is to help make Sequoia a place where parents, teachers, and students are welcome and can feel the UNALIYI spirit!



‌ A membership entitles you to:

• vote at meetings
• participate in school-wide committees that make an impact
• help determine what is happening at Sequoia
• take advantage of discounts and scholarship opportunities
• apply for a Sequoia PTSA mini-grant

Please JOIN and sign your student and spouse up as well. We’re looking forward to a great year and a PTSA that is stronger than ever! Please contact Dana Rechin for questions.

SHSEF

Bridging the gap: SHSEF fills a need

To close the gap in state and local funding, SHSEF raises funds from parents, community members, grantors and business sponsors. SHSEF supports smaller class sizes and an array of programs in three main areas: 

• Academic & Arts Enrichment
• College & Career Preparedness
• Mental Health & Wellness

Thank you for helping us make Sequoia High School a place where all students can reach their highest potential. Learn more about What We Fund and how to contribute.

HIGHLIGHTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Parent volunteer needed for College and Career Center

We are looking for a parent to come in on Wednesday mornings for two hours (can be flexible if needed) to help with clerical work on a specific project. Person needs to be an independent worker. Past volunteers worked the same job for an average of three years while their students were attending SHS. Please contact Teresa Yeager if interested. Thanks!

CLASS NOTES

Attention Class of 2025 and supporters

¡Atención Clase del 2025 y sus seguidores!

We are excited to announce that we have begun preparing for a safe and sober graduation night in June! We need your help to make this a successful event.

Join us during home football games for fun and community-building as we sell coffee, hot chocolate, instant soup, and popcorn. In addition to helping a great cause, you will enjoy delicious treats and meet other students and their families.



How can you get involved?

• Sign up as a volunteer: Help us sell snacks and candy. Your time and energy are invaluable.
• Have fun: Meet new people, help your classmates, and enjoy the game.  
• Spread the word: Tell your friends and family to come support and help with our fundraiser.

Let's work together to make our prom night safe, fun, and unforgettable! Thank you for your support!

¡Nos emociona anunciar que hemos comenzado a prepararnos para una noche de graduación segura y sobria en junio! Necesitamos de tu ayuda para hacer de este un evento exitoso.

Acompáñanos durante los juegos de fútbol americano en casa para divertirte y crear un espíritu de comunidad mientras vendemos café, chocolate caliente, sopa instantánea y palomitas (rosetas de maíz). Además de ayudar a una gran causa, disfrutarás de golosinas deliciosas y conocerás a otros estudiantes y a sus familias.

¿Cómo puedes involucrarte? 

• Regístrate como voluntario: Ayúdanos a vender botanas y golosinas. Tu tiempo y energía son invaluables.
• Diviértete: Conoce gente nueva, ayuda a tus compañeros de clase y disfruta el juego.
• Corre la voz: Avisa a tus amigos y familiares para que vengan a apoyar y ayudar con nuestra campaña para recaudar fondos.

¡Trabajemos juntos para que nuestra noche de graduación sea segura, divertida e inolvidable!

¡Gracias por tu apoyo!

Please join us to celebrate Raven athletes, coaches, and sports programs at the Meet the Ravens Kickoff Tailgate! This new community-building event will be held around the first home football game vs. Capuchino on Friday, Aug. 30.

Subscribe to the Boosters mailing list and check Sequoia Sport and Spirit Boosters for more details.

Terremere Field is alive with Unaliyi Spirit on Friday nights. Many of our student organizations rely on having football fans in the stands—and it's always fun to connect with the school community!

• Gate sales fund our ASB student government program and the cheer, band, and student-led dance team always impress with their performances.
• Concessions sales support ALL Sequoia sports programs, not just the football team. Managed by Boosters volunteers, the snack shack raised $15,000 last year—that's 10% of our annual fundraising goal! Feeding our hungry fans on Friday nights makes it possible for Boosters to fulfill grant requests that benefit Sequoia athletics all year long. 
• Football games are your go-to spirit gear shop with tons of styles and sizes available for purchase.