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In 1891, members of the “Pioneer Class” at Stanford University were expected to have had knowledge of Greek, Latin, Algebra, and freehand drawing as prerequisites for eligibility. Our idea of what a “proper” education should entail has changed a great deal since then.

For the past 20 years, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) has been a powerful force in education. Greek and Latin, less so. Recently, however, people have begun questioning what we may have lost by de-emphasizing art and humanities in this race for STEM-superiority. What kind of academic preparation will be most sought-after in the future? I think Sequoia’s collaboration this year with the Kauniaisten School in Helsinki, Finland offers a glimpse around the corner.

Sea to Sea, as the initiative is known, brings two sets of high school students together at the intersection of science and art. The Bay Area is uniquely rich in its proximity to marine biology – a passion of Sequoia IB Biology teacher Sarah Chu. But the sea is more than just a laboratory for empirical study. From prehistory, it has served as a source of creative inspiration – something Sequoia IB Art teacher Mozy da Costa Pinto knows first-hand. Prospective Stanford undergrads in 1891 might’ve made the connection between Boticelli’s Birth of Venus and Hokusai’s Great Wave Off Kanegawa, but would they have been able to compare their freehand drawings of tide pools with peers from across the globe – while eating burritos? In 2024, at a place like Sequoia, this is a reality.  

Twelve Finnish students are wrapping up their visit to the Bay Area this weekend where they were hosted by families of Sequoia students. They covered a wide swath of what the region has to offer in terms of science, art, food, and just being a kid, ending one day’s adventures with a Sequoia Water Polo match.

Said Sequoia Librarian/Media Specialist Betsy Snow (and host parent), who was integral in organizing logistics and preparations for the collaboration, midway through the week: “It’s hard to sum up this incredible week; right now there are students inside the Seymour Marine center in Santa Cruz touching sharks, while another group is looking at bottlenose dolphins, and yet another group is drawing scientific sketches of marine life. We’re all a little bit sunburned from kayaking yesterday, and we’re still processing what we saw on the Purisima Creek trail, at the Rodin Sculpture Garden at Stanford, and at SFMoma in the days before. They brought the “sauna culture” to the Bay Area with the hottest week on record.”

This collaboration unites many elements of our community. We are grateful to: 

• The host families who took in the students from Helsinki for the week (and shuttled them around)
• Ms. Snow, Ms. Chu, and Ms. Da Costa Pinto went WAY above and beyond their roles to conceive and shepherd Sea to Sea from dream to reality
• The SHSEF through its stewardship of the Powell Endowment which allows us to fund innovative IB enhancements like these
• The Sequoia alumni (a 2005 graduate who runs the Marine Center at UCSC and our 2022 grad leading the Stanford tour) who made special appearances during the week.  

Plans are already underway for Sequoia students to visit Helsinki in the spring for the second half of the collaboration.

Understanding how art and science interplay while experiencing the shared humanity in a shrinking world are key elements of the IB learner profile. Sequoia students, beneficiaries of a powerful network of families, staff, alumni, and the global IB community, can be confident that theirs is truly a “proper” education. Big thanks to all who have brought Sea to Sea to life.

Have a great week!

Best,

Sean

PS: Follow @seatosea2024 on Instagram for photos of the week’s adventures.

PTSA

Raven parents & guardians: Join the PTSA Board as treasurer!

We are looking for a treasurer for our PTSA Board for school years 2024-25 and 2025-26 (it's a 2-year role). In this role, you attend one monthly meeting (eight total for the year), as well as handle the financial paperwork. We are a fun group of people to work with and have great support from Principal Priest and the rest of the Sequoia community. Reach out to Karen Gebhart if this interests you. Consider joining today, you can even bring a friend and share the job!

Oct. 29: Coffee chat with the principal | 29 de octubre: Cafecito con el director

Reflections: Accepting Imperfection | Reflexiones: Aceptando la Imperfección

Explore the arts and express yourself in the PTA’s Reflections Program! Enter your artwork and reflection in one of six categories: dance, film production, literature, music composition, photography, or visual arts. First-place finishers advance to the district level, district winners move to the state level, and state winners compete at the national level. Learn more here, including how to enter. All entries will be recognized for their artistic achievement. Participation is a meaningful contribution to the Sequoia community. Entries are due by midnight on Sunday, Nov. 10. Questions? Email us.

Have you joined the PTSA this year?

Click ‌HERE to join online. Or, if you don't‌ ‌want‌ ‌the‌ ‌hassle‌ ‌of‌ ‌another‌ ‌online‌ ‌login, go‌ ‌old‌ ‌school! Fill‌ ‌out‌ the‌ ‌membership‌‌ form‌ in ‌English or fill out the membership form in Spanish. Put‌ ‌the‌ ‌form‌ ‌and‌ your‌ ‌check‌ in‌ ‌an‌ ‌envelope‌ ‌and‌ ‌drop‌ ‌it‌ ‌off‌ ‌at‌‌ the‌ school‌ ‌office. We'll‌ ‌take‌ ‌care‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ rest!‌‌ Ten‌ ‌minutes‌ ‌and‌ ‌$20‌ ‌is‌ all‌ it‌ takes‌ to‌ strengthen ‌our‌ Unaliyi‌ ‌spirit‌!‌‌

SHSEF

Thank you, Sequoia business partners!

SHSEF thanks our generous 2024-25 Business Partners: 



• Diamond: Oracle; Gunderson Dettmer
• Platinum: Goetz Brothers; JM Lehman Construction, Inc.
• Gold: County Consumer Plumbing; Geoffrey’s; Joyce & Tatum Real Estate Team; Rim Orthodontics
• Silver: Collected Interiors; Hassett Hardware; Jennifer Fischer Interiors; John McAfee, State Farm; Sew Amusing
• Bronze: BeautyCounter; DilsWeb; Obstacourse Fitness; RockSalt Pilates; Veritas Homes

Please consider supporting these community partners! If you are interested in becoming a partner, please visit here.

SHSEF Funds lab equipment for modern science

Do you know Sequoia now offers IB Chemistry? SHSEF funded the state-of-the-art equipment, such as spectrophotometers, gas pressure sensors, and stir plates with ring stands for our students. We’re committed to exposing all students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classes that prepare them for scientific success in college and careers. Donate today and help us continue our investment in STEM!

HIGHLIGHTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Parent helpers needed for shadow days and campus tours

Please sign up here to provide your insight as a Sequoia parent for visiting 8th grade parents. On shadow days, you will join Corey Uhalde during the parent session and answer questions based on your experiences. On campus tour days, you will accompany two ASB student guides and provide a current parent perspective. It's an easy and fun way to get involved!

Curious about IB ESS? Join as a chaperone for a science adventure!

Sequoia's IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) teachers Ms. Yeung and Mr. Rivera are planning exciting fieldwork and class projects to enrich Sequoia juniors’ and seniors' experiences in IB ESS. We are looking for field trip chaperones for these fun excursions. No preparation, training, or driving required—just a friendly, reliable adult is all we need! Volunteers will need to complete a quick clearance form with the district to participate. Please click this link to find out more and sign up. Thank you!

It's Homecoming week at Sequoia!

Come out to cheer for the 2024-25 team carrying on Sequoia traditions! Shout out to all the coaches who have returned to our school to support and lead these athletes: varsity football coach Frank Mems, JV football coach Brian Garcia, varsity boys water polo coach Eric Bittner, JV girls volleyball coach Natalie Harden, varsity boys basketball coach Fine Lauese, JV girls soccer coach Roberto Arroyo Hernández, varsity girls softball and football coach Sha Crockett.

Home games this week

See SEQSports.com for complete home and away schedules and don’t forget to follow @seqboosters on social media.



• 10/14 Girls Water Polo vs Notre Dame - Varsity 5:00 pm
• 10/15 Girls Tennis vs San Mateo - 4:00 pm
• 10/17 Girls Volleyball vs Woodside - Varsity 5:30 pm, JV 4:00 pm
• 10/17 Girls Tennis vs Burlingame - 4:00 pm
• 10/17 Boys Water Polo vs Menlo-Atherton - Varsity 6:00 pm, JV 7:00 pm
• 10/18 Football vs HMB - Varsity 7:00 pm, JV 4:00 pm - HOMECOMING

Homecoming Snack Shack volunteers

The Snack Shack will be open for business this Friday 10/18 and we need your help to feed the homecoming crowd! Proceeds fund grants for ALL Sequoia sports teams - not just football - so bring a friend or teammate and volunteer for a shift!

Nov. 4: Winter sport tryouts begin

Tryouts for the Sequoia basketball, soccer, and wrestling teams begin Monday, Nov. 4. New and returning athletes must register with SportsNet and upload a current medical clearance form. Make sure your athlete is cleared to play! Please contact the coach with questions and follow individual SEQ sports teams on Instagram for updates. Emails and social media links can be found on SEQSports.

Oct. 16: Supporting Boys' Relationships and Healthy Development

16 de octubre: Apoyando las relaciones de los niños y su desarrollo saludable

How can we support boys’ healthy development? Stanford lecturer Judy Chu, EdD, will provide insight into what boys are capable of knowing and doing in their relationships. Register.

¿Cómo podemos apoyar el desarrollo saludable de los niños? la profesora de Stanford, Judy Chu, doctora en educación, proporcionará información sobre lo que los niños son capaces de saber y hacer en sus relaciones. Registro.

Oct. 17: Understanding Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence: Creating a More Empathetic, Accessible World

17 de octubre: Comprender la neurodiversidad y la neurodivergencia: crear un mundo más empático y accesible

Amanda Morin will provide parents and educators with practical information about neurodiversity and neurodivergence, to help students feel accepted and supported for who they are. Register.

Amanda Morin brindará a los padres y educadores información práctica sobre la neurodiversidad y la neurodivergencia para ayudar a los estudiantes a sentirse aceptados y apoyados por ser quienes son. Registro.

SUHSD board candidates Mary Beth Thompson and Jacob Yuryev

Educator Mary Beth Thompson (Courtesy of Mary Beth Thompson for SUHSD Board)

Recent SUHSD graduate Jacob Yuryev (Courtesy of Jacob Yuryev for SUHSD)

Educator Mary Beth Thompson runs against recent SUHSD graduate Jacob Yuryev for an SUHSD Area B board seat. Of the three candidates on the November ballot for the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) Area B board position, Mary Beth Thompson and Jacob Yuryev are the most visible. Once elected, board members make decisions for the entire school district.

Click here to read the entire article by Christine Chang, Sequoia High School Class of 2025, student journalist for the Sequoia Raven Report.

Fall 2025 SUHSD Middle College information sessions