MAIN MESSAGE

The final countdown for College Day 2024 at Sequoia is underway. We’ve got our buses reserved, sessions scheduled, and laptops updated. It’ll be a rich and rewarding day for all students. Ninth graders, as always, will visit a local university for a tour and lunch. Eleventh graders will have an opportunity to take the PSAT, perhaps qualifying for National Merit Scholar status with an outstanding performance and definitely learning lessons for the SAT if they choose to take it in the future. Tenth and 12th graders will choose from a variety of speakers/panelists/presentations on the topic of college and career readiness.

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. If, “How was College Day?” doesn’t elicit anything beyond an adolescent monosyllable, here are some prompts to help you draw them out. As always, a parallel activity always helps to open up these kinds of conversations. I always learn a lot from my kids when we fold laundry together.

To ask 9th graders:

• What about the college students you saw was different than kids you see at Sequoia?  
• Which non-academic or extracurricular activities were visible during your visit?
• How did your tour guide seem to feel about their college?
• Did 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?

To ask 10th and 12th graders (recommended: check out the Official Program of speakers and presentations):

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?

To ask 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 so proud of the thoughtfulness and attention to detail with which our team crafted the 2024 Sequoia HS College Day. Big shout out to counselors Emilia Flores, Hoxira Castañeda, and Melissa Pérez along with Teresa Ignaitis and Teresa Yeager in the College Center. And, of course, the community support for the SHSEF Annual Campaign, without which College Day at Sequoia would be impossible.

Have a great week!

Best,

Sean

PTSA

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

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 dollars make the PSAT happen

Finding a seat for your student to take the PSAT or SAT these days is not a given. Having these opportunities on campus instead of a few hours’ drive away is worth a lot, and is why SHSEF puts funds aside to make them happen at Sequoia each year. Plus, PSAT happens during the school day so students can focus on the test itself, rather than logistics. 

Help support this opportunity for our students. Donate Today!

HIGHLIGHTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join our team to become a Sequoia Academy Mentor

For less than two hours a month from November to .-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 students by sharing their knowledge and experience in pursuing a successful and rewarding career. Whatever professional stage you are in, our students can learn from your career journey. Visit our website to learn more and sign up, or contact Greg Stein or Gregory Schmid.

Home games this week and Senior Nights!

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

Many of our fall sports are wrapping up their regular seasons and celebrating senior players at their final home games. Please come out to show your support for our Raven athletes!



• 10/21 Girls Flag Football vs Aragon - Varsity 7:00 pm, JV 6:00 pm - SENIOR NIGHT
• 10/21 Boys Water Polo vs Woodside - Varsity 5:00 pm, JV 4:00 pm
• 10/22 Girls Water Polo vs Hillsdale - Varsity 5:00 pm, JV 4:00 pm - SENIOR NIGHT
• 10/23 Boys Water Polo vs Carlmont - Varsity 6:00 pm, JV 7:00 pm - SENIOR NIGHT
• 10/24 Girls Volleyball vs Carlmont - Varsity 5:30 pm, JV 4:00 pm
• 10/24 Girls Tennis vs Hillsdale - 4:00 pm - SENIOR NIGHT

Snack Shack volunteers

The Snack Shack is open for business and we need your help to feed the crowd! Proceeds fund grants for ALL Sequoia sports teams—not just football—so bring a friend or teammate and volunteer for a shift!

Oct. 22: Spanish Parent Forum #39 -

 A Life with Trust (in Spanish)

Martes 22 de octubre de 2024: Foro de padres #39 - Una vida en confianza (en español)

Finding who we can trust and talk to about our feelings is part of our mental health. Learn more about the Una Vida program and the resources it offers for the well-being of you and your family. Presented by Jennifer Martinez, LMFT, Director of Programs, One Life Counseling Center. Register.

Encontrar en quién podemos confiar y con quién hablar y decir lo que sentimos es parte de nuestra salud mental. Conozca más sobre el programa Una Vida y los recursos que ofrece para el bienestar de usted y de su familia. Presentada por Jennifer Martinez, terapeuta familiar y matrimonial bilingüe y directora de programas del centro de asesoramiento One Life (Una Vida). Registro.

Oct. 29: SEEK: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World

Scott Shigeoka, Curiosity expert, Speaker, and Award-winning Author of SEEK

Martes 29 de octubre de 2024: BUSCAR: Cómo la curiosidad puede transformar tu vida y cambiar al mundo

Scott Shigeoka, experto en curiosidades, orador y autor galardonado de BUSCAR

Curiosity has the power to transform your life and change the world. In his debut book, Seek, curiosity expert Scott Shigeoka blends cutting-edge research with vulnerable storytelling to teach us engaging ways to strengthen our curiosity muscles. Register.

La curiosidad tiene el poder de transformar tu vida y cambiar al mundo. En su libro debut Buscar, el experto en curiosidad Scott Shigeoka combina investigaciones de vanguardia con narraciones vulnerables para enseñarnos formas interesantes de fortalecer nuestros músculos de la curiosidad.  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.

Meeting about youths / reunión sobre jovenes

Mark your calendars for a crucial conversation on youth and community safety featuring the Redwood City Police Department and Sheriff’s Office. Join us as we work together to build a safer, stronger community. 

• Date: Nov. 13
• Location: Sequoia High School Multi Purpose Room (MPR)
• Time: 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard! Email for questions

Fall 2025 SUHSD Middle College information sessions