|
On Terremere Field last Thursday, I had the rare opportunity to look upon all our students’ faces at the same time. We had just completed an all-school evacuation drill, and as our students stood in their assigned rows under the sun, the atmosphere was calm, orderly, and unified. Other than our spirit rallies, the only occasion when all students gather in a single place is after an all-school evacuation drill. As always, it presented a vivid reminder of what makes Sequoia special.
Over the PA system, we thanked our students for a smooth, safe, and efficient evacuation practice. We asked them to give themselves and their teachers a round of applause for making the evacuation run so smoothly. We prompted them to cheer like a Raven touchdown had just been scored for their peers in the Health Careers Academy, who, as trained emergency responders, are vital in our schoolwide evacuation procedures. We also thanked them for something even more fundamental: the way they look out for one another every day with genuine kindness, living out the true meaning of Unaliyi—our Place of Friends.
I hope some of them caught the connection between the kind of safety that robust protocols, communication, and practice create and the kind of safety we strengthen in our daily habits of empathy and kindness. For me, the two are intertwined. A school cannot be a place of ambitious, rigorous learning if it does not first feel safe. In how the students and staff conducted themselves and treated one another, Thursday’s drill was a direct reflection of that commitment.
Prior to the evacuation practice, teachers guided students through a review of our lockdown protocols. In alignment with modern safety standards, we no longer conduct active intruder simulations. Research shows that simulated trauma does not make a school safer; clear knowledge, muscle memory, and confidence do. Students learned how to secure a space and what to expect in an emergency.
Directly following classroom instruction, our entire school evacuated to the football field. Moving over 2000 teenagers and staff out of multi-story historic buildings requires focus. Our campus moved safely and efficiently.
To account for everyone quickly, we relied on cooperation. I mentioned the students from our Health Careers Academy, who worked alongside teachers, clerical staff, campus aides, administrators, and our liaison officer to keep people moving and facilitate attendance reporting. Thanks to their precision, we accounted for every single person on our 35-acre grounds in just 24 minutes.
That efficiency rests on continuous work behind the scenes. Two weeks ago, our Site Council formally approved our updated School Safety Plan. Every day, our campus aides maintain a visible presence, greeting students and keeping our perimeter secure. We also maintain a close partnership with the Redwood City Police Department, who sent several members of their team to join Liaison Officer Elijah Luyon and our students in front of campus last Friday for some informal lunchtime fun.
School safety is not a document on a shelf nor a walled perimeter. It builds and sustains itself on daily interactions that promote healthy structure, empathy, and mutual trust. As one of the recipients of the anonymous student safety tips in our online See Something, Say Something platform, I know how much our kids are looking out for one another. I am grateful to all the adults (staff and families alike) who are helping these awesome young people develop such strong, positive character traits.
Next week: Homecoming Rally!
Best,
Sean
| Happy Homecoming Week, Sequoia Families!! | |
In addition to Spirit Week festivities, our pep rally and the football game, we are excited to host our annual Homecoming Dance on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 7:00-10:00 p.m.!
We would be incredibly appreciative for any on-site support of parents willing to chaperone the event. We'd ask chaperones to be present from 6:30 p.m. until 10:15 p.m. We are looking for 8-10 volunteers, so grab a partner, a friend (or a group of friends!) and join us at the 2026 Ravenchella Homecoming!!
Please email Student Activities Director Corey Uhalde (cuhalde@seq.org) to take advantage of this once-in-an-October opportunity!
| |
For the first time this year, your PTSA is pleased to announce cash awards for winning entries to the Reflections Art Program. Remember, the deadline to submit your personal expressions of “What my culture means to me“ is Nov. 9, 2026.
The Reflections Art Program is a great way to express yourself, be recognized for your artistic efforts, and get a chance at a cash award!
| Programa de Arte Reflexiones | |
Por primera vez este año, la PTSA se complace en anunciar premios en efectivo para las obras ganadoras del Programa de Arte Reflexiones. Recuerden que la fecha límite para enviar sus expresiones personales sobre "Lo que mi cultura significa para mí" es el 9 de noviembre de 2026.
El Programa de Arte Reflexiones es una excelente manera de expresarse, obtener reconocimiento por su talento artístico y ¡tener la oportunidad de ganar un premio en efectivo!
| Coffee with the Principal: Oct 13 | Please join the PTSA for a cup of coffee and conversation with Principal Sean Priest on Tuesday, October 13, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 128. |
Café con el Director: 13 Oct.
| La Asociación de Padres, Maestros, y Estudiantes (PTSA) invita a los padres de familia a disfrutar de una taza de café y a conversar con el director Sean Priest el martes 13 de octubre a las 9:00 de la mañana en el salón 128. |
💙 Join or Renew Your PTSA Membership | |
Your annual membership helps power so much of what makes Sequoia special – including mini-grants, junior scholarships, the Reflections art program, staff appreciation, and graduation activities.
But membership is about more than funding. It is about showing up for our students and our school.
Every parent who joins, every volunteer who gives an hour, and every voice in the room makes Sequoia stronger.
Join or Renew Your PTSA Membership!
| |
💼 8th Grade Shadow/Tour Parent Volunteers NEEDED!
| |
Please volunteer to help with 8th grade shadow days and tours. We’re looking for current Sequoia parents 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 to Sequoia. Sign up HERE!
| 🎓Help Us Make Grad Night 2028 Great | |
Hey, Junior Parents! Interested in helping Sequoia become a more inclusive community?
We need your ideas and energy to help make Grad Night 2028 affordable and accessible. It seems like a long time from now, but we plan and raise funds for this event throughout the high school years!
Email Andy Kitt at vice-president@sequoiaptsa.org to learn more about the kinds of help we're looking for.
| |
As a reminder, please follow and like the PTSA on social media to stay connected:
• Facebook: Sequoia High School PTSA
• Instagram: @sequoiaptsa
If you are not currently receiving our email blasts, please make sure to re-subscribe to both the General PTSA and e-blasts here:
https://www.sequoiaptsa.org/mailing-lists-and-newsletter
| | Beyond the Classroom: Supporting Student Clubs and Mental Health & Wellness | | |
SHSEF raises funds from parents, community members and grantors to close the gap in state and local funding. The funds raised touch each of our students.
- Sequoia is home to 70+ active clubs—and they can apply for mini-grants to help support their purpose.
-
We invest in student wellness. SHSEF funding supports an additional, full-time therapist.
Our fundraising goal is $650,000 for the 2026-27 school year and our recommended ask per student is $1,800, or any gift that is meaningful to your family. Learn more and DONATE TODAY!
| | Bridging the Gap: SHSEF Fills a Need–Academic and 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.
Learn more and DONATE TODAY!
| | Looking for a way to get your SHSEF information and news and engage with our community? Follow us on Instagram: @SequoiaEdFoundation | | Seniors— Get Your Grad Night Tickets Today!
| |
🎓 Celebrate Grad Night on the San Francisco Bay! 🎉
Join your classmates on June 4, 2027, for an unforgettable night aboard the San Francisco Spirit.
Tickets are $110 now — buy early before prices increase in January!
Ticket proceeds help cover the Grad Night cruise, transportation, onboard activities, and a delicious buffet featuring both savory and sweet options to keep students fueled throughout the celebration.
👉 Get your Grad Night ticket here!
More details will be coming soon. Questions? Contact tinahymer@yahoo.com.
| Estudiantes de último año: | |
🎓 ¡Celebren Grad Night por la Bahía de San Francisco! 🎉
Acompañen a sus compañeros el 4 de junio de 2027 para disfrutar de una noche inolvidable a bordo del espíritu de San Francisco.
¡Los boletos cuestan $110 ahora — cómpralos con anticipación antes de que aumenten de precio en enero!
Los fondos recaudados con la venta de boletos ayudan a cubrir el crucero de la Noche de Graduación, el transporte, las actividades a bordo y un delicioso bufé con varias opciones para que los estudiantes tengan energía durante toda la celebración.
👉 Compren su boleto para Grad Night aquí!
Pronto compartiremos más detalles. ¿Preguntas? Comuníquese con tinahymer@yahoo.com.
| | Upcoming Schedule Modifications | |
- October 12: Holiday – Indigenous People's Day
- November 4: Minimum Day
-
November 11: Holiday – Veterans Day
-
November 25–27: Holiday – Thanksgiving
- December 3: Minimum Day
| | 2026 HOCO DRESS & CLOTHING DROP - Donation Request | | |
The Family Center will be hosting a Homecoming Dress & Clothing Drop Oct. 19 - 30. This is an excellent opportunity to donate occasion dresses, shirts, pants, shoes, accessories, etc. that your teen is ready to pass along.
Donations are greatly appreciated and will be used to help stock the Prom Gallery for our Sequoia student community and for future Family Center events.
Donations can be dropped off at the Family Center - ROOM 129. Additionally, there will be a drop box on Arroyo Ave in San Carlos. Contact Kelly for more details: qroberts7@gmail.com.
| Lanzamiento de vestidos y ropa para el baile de Homecoming 2026 - Solicitamos Donaciones | |
El Centro de Familias está organizando una campaña de recolección de vestidos y ropa para el baile de bienvenida "Homecoming" desde el 19 al 30 de octubre. Es una excelente oportunidad para donar vestidos de fiesta, camisas, pantalones, zapatos, accesorios, etc., que su hijo adolescente ya no utilice y quiera donar.
Agradecemos enormemente las donaciones; estas servirán para la Galería del Baile de Graduación (tienda de ropa para bailes escolares). Esta tienda gratuita es para los estudiantes de Sequoia.
Las donaciones pueden entregarse en el Centro de Familia, Salon 129. Además, habrá otro punto de recolección en Arroyo Ave en San Carlos. Para más información, contacte a Kelly en qroberts7@gmail.com.
| | Still Time to Join Boosters | | Did you know that for only $10, you can join Boosters and be part of the community to support all Sequoia athletes. All levels of membership will receive 2 Sequoia Boosters magnets. Look for us at the entrance of the Meet the Ravens game and we can sign you up on the spot. | | Aún estás a tiempo de unirte a los Boosters | ¿Sabías que por solo 10 $ puedes unirte a los Boosters y formar parte de la comunidad que apoya a todos los atletas de Sequoia? Todos los niveles de afiliación incluyen dos imanes de Sequoia Boosters. Búscanos en la entrada del partido «Meet the Ravens» y podremos inscribirte al instante. | |
Visit our new Athletics site. All home and away games have been added to the Sequoia High School Calendar – and don't forget to follow @seqboosters on social media.
| |
Visita nuestro nuevo sitio web de deportes. Todos los partidos, tanto en casa como fuera, se han añadido al calendario de Sequoia High School; y no olvides seguir a @seqboosters en las redes sociales.
| |
MYTHBUSTERS: The Truth About the California Higher Education System
Cuca Acosta, UC Santa Barbara; Claudia Carroll, Santa Monica College; Gigi McGuire, California State University, Northridge
| | |
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. PT, Virtual Event (Live)
Register: https://mythbusters2026.eventbrite.com
In this session, representatives of the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community College (CCC) systems will counter some of the most common myths about each system and the systems’ relationships to one another.
Parents/caregivers, students, educators, and community members welcome! Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.
| |
MYTHBUSTERS: La verdad sobre el sistema de educación superior de California
Cuca Acosta, UC Santa Barbara; Claudia Carroll, Santa Monica College; Gigi McGuire, California State University, Northridge
| | |
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. PT, Virtual Event (Live)
Register: https://gracehiggs2026.eventbrite.com
In this important conversation, Grace Higgs from CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) will discuss common myths about teen dating violence, the cycle of abuse, and how to talk with your teen about relationships.
Parents/caregivers, educators, and community members welcome! Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.
|
Iniciar la conversación: Lo que los padres deben saber sobre la violencia en el noviazgo adolescente
Grace Higgs, coordinadora de participación juvenil, CORA
| |
Miércoles 14 de octubre de 2026, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. PT, Evento virtual (en vivo)
Inscríbase: https://gracehiggs2026.eventbrite.com
En esta importante conversación, Grace Higgs de CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) hablará sobre los mitos comunes acerca de la violencia en el noviazgo adolescente, el ciclo del abuso y cómo hablar con su hijo(a) adolescente sobre las relaciones.
¡Padres/cuidadores, educadores y miembros de la comunidad son bienvenidos! Habrá interpretación simultánea al español. Entrada gratuita.
| | Ms. Snow, the Library Media Specialist, sends a newsletter to students on the first of each month filled with book highlights, research links, and more. Click here to read the current newsletter. | | | | |
