Sequoia Sentinel
Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
MAIN MESSAGE
Principal Sean Priest
Homecoming at Sequoia High School in 2022-23 meant…

  • Students and staff competing for who could have the most fun with dress-up days such as space cowboy, sports jersey, pajama, and clone day.

  • Fall Coffee House Night hosted by our Drama Players.

  • Our first rally of the year, held on Terremere field, and featuring performances from student musicians, dancers, and staff.

  • A (likely playoff-clinching) league win against Santa Clara High School in our first home football game since September. The final score of 54-22 – a statement!

  • The good news that league championships and CCS playoffs keep hopes alive for Women’s Tennis, Boys Water Polo, Cross Country, and Volleyball – a golden age for Raven Athletes!

  • A sold-out dance, our highest attended in my 12 years, held in trusty old Gym 2.

  • A welcome “home” party for 50+ alumni with a pregame BBQ and mixer.

  • Back-to-back Saturday campus tours for incoming students and families.

  • Most importantly… a defense of the crown by staff in the annual students vs. staff tug-o-war.

When Friday afternoon rolled around, with campus still abuzz from the rally, I happened upon the regular meeting of the chess club in Ms. Sterne’s classroom. Homecoming spirit takes on many forms in a school as large as ours. I recognized one of the 9th graders from my Raven Circle as I ventured in. One student was taking on two of his friends at once. “Do you play, Mr. Priest?” he asked. I explained that my only claim to chess fame was that my 10-year old son still hadn’t beaten me. “It’s just a matter of time,” the student said with a smile, before taking his opponent’s knight.

Last week was a great way to kick-off the second quarter of the year by celebrating the smiles, spirit, and creativity of our community. It is the culmination of a lot of work by our staff and student leaders – a price worth paying for the joy it brings to our community.

Onward into the back half of first semester. Here’s to the Unaliyi that brings us together!

Have a great week!

Best,
Sean
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PTSA
SHSEF & Sequoia PTSA endorse Measure W 
Measure W, on the Nov. 8 ballot, will repair 60-year-old classrooms, expand and modernize science labs, and help prepare local students for success in college and the 21st-century competitive job market. Join us in passing Measure W for our students! Please reach out to Karen Gebhart if you can pitch in and represent Sequoia High School on the Measure W campaign.

SHSEF endorses Yes on S, also on the Nov. 8 ballot, which will repair and update local elementary and middle schools.
Donate Halloween treats for Sequoia teachers and staff
The PTSA will be providing Halloween treats for teachers and staff, to brighten their Halloween Monday. Please sign up to donate individually wrapped candy or Halloween-themed salty snack items. Sign up to drop off donations in San Carlos by Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 5:00 p.m. Drop-off information is on the sign-up site. Please reach out to Linda Solon with any questions. Thank you so much for contributing, and happy Halloween!
HIGHLIGHTS
Oct. 24-Nov. 9: Student artwork on display
Student artwork will be on display in the Powell Gallery from Oct. 24-Nov. 9. The show will feature work from Art 1, Drawing and Painting, Digital Photography, Ceramics, and IB Art students. Come see what our amazing and creative students have been making in their fine arts classes.

Note: The Powell Gallery is open during school-day lunch periods. All visitors to the campus (including the Powell Gallery) during the school day will first need to check in with the Assistant Vice Principal’s office for a visitor's pass
CLASS NOTES
Class of 2024 merchandise on sale now!
The Class of 2024 has launched a Merchandise Fundraiser to raise money for their senior-year activities. Consider buying a hoodie or crew-neck to show your support for the amazing juniors of Sequoia! 
Oct. 25, 29: Sequoia Cash for College events
If you need help completing your FAFSA or Dream application, come to the College and Career Center on either Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. or Saturday, Oct. 29, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for our Cash for College events.

It is important to bring the necessary documents (2021 taxes) and at least one parent/guardian. See the Sequoia High School Cash for College flier in English or Spanish for information on registration, what to bring, and a worksheet.

It is best to get your FAFSA ID BEFORE attending Cash for College, if applying for FAFSA only. If you have any questions, message tignaitis@seq.org or tyeager@seq.org.
SEQUOIA ATHLETICS
Come watch us play
It’s been a fantastic fall for Sequoia, with multiple undefeated teams topping their division and headed to playoffs! Thank you to the coaches, families, and fans that support our hard-working athletes!

Let’s go, Ravens!
Final home games of fall season
Regular season games are over for Sequoia water polo and girls golf. Girls tennis and girls volleyball play their final away matches this week, and cross country competes in their third PAL meet on Saturday. 

We have two home football games coming up, to wrap the fall season. Hope to see you there!

  • Oct. 28: Football vs. The King’s Academy — JV 4:00 p.m., varsity 7:00 p.m.
  • Nov. 4: Football vs. Carlmont — JV 4:00 p.m., varsity 7:00 p.m. — SENIOR NIGHT!

Single-game tickets can be purchased at GoFan.co. Get your spirit wear and donor gifts at the Booster’s merchandise table, and please consider volunteering in the Snack Shack to feed our hungry fans! Proceeds benefit Sequoia athletic programs all year long.
Being a Booster has benefits!
Over 350 student athletes are competing in SEQ fall sports this year and we expect to reach 1000 players by spring. Your Boosters donation funds uniforms, equipment, and transportation to keep Sequoia athletic programs going strong, plus members receive level-based benefits like free game entry and Sequoia spirit swag! Learn more at SequoiaBoosters.org and help us reach our $200K fundraising goal.

Sign up for the Booster’s mailing list to keep up with key Sequoia Athletics dates and stats, like fall postseason successes and tryout information.
Oct. 31: Winter sports tryouts — make sure your athlete is cleared to play!
Is your student interested in playing a winter sport at Sequoia? Tryouts for soccer, basketball and wrestling begin Monday, Oct. 31. New and returning athletes must register on SportsNet and submit an updated Physical Form to be eligible. Contact the head coach for more details and follow individual SEQ sports teams on Instagram.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
SHSEF supports students in reaching highest potential
Did you know SHSEF supports staff, projects, and programs to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their highest potential? We raise funds for college services, academic enrichment programs, staff professional development, and student and family support. 
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
News from the Media Center
Check out our most recent newsletter and click here to find out what’s happening at the Sequoia Media Center! We look forward to seeing you, Ms. Snow.
THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
Oct. 25: How to They/Them: A Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and Gender Fluidity. What does nonbinary really mean? What is gender nonconforming? And isn't “they” a plural pronoun? Join Stuart Getty, the genderqueer author of How to They/Them: A Visual Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and the World of Gender Fluidity, to unpack your burning questions about gender expression and identity. Parents/caregivers, students, educators, mental health professionals, and community members welcome! Free admission. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available.

¿Qué significa realmente no binario? ¿Qué es el género no conforme? ¿Y no es “ellos” un pronombre plural? Unirse Stuart Getty, el autor genderqueer de How to They/Them: A Visual Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and the World of Gender Fluidity, para desempacar sus preguntas candentes sobre la expresión y la identidad de género. ¡Padres/cuidadores, estudiantes, educadores, profesionales de la salud mental y miembros de la comunidad son bienvenidos! Entrada gratis. Habrá interpretación simultánea en español disponible. Enlace de zoom
Denise Pope, PhD, will examine the tension that parents, students, and teachers experience over issues such as homework, grades, and the culture of competition, and offer tools for creating healthier home and school climates. Dr. Pope is a Senior Lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and co-founder of Challenge Success, a nonprofit affiliated with Stanford GSE.

Denise Pope, PhD, examinará la tensión que experimentan los padres, estudiantes y maestros sobre cuestiones como la tarea, las calificaciones y la cultura de la competencia, y ofrecerá herramientas para crear entornos escolares y domésticos más saludables. Dr. Pope es profesor titular en la Escuela de Graduados en Educación de Stanford y cofundador de Challenge Success, una organización sin fines de lucro afiliada a Stanford GSE. Enlace de zoom
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS
Stanford Down Syndrome Conference
Learn practical tips and take-aways you can use for everyday life! With new initiatives that impact the Down syndrome population, the Stanford Down Syndrome Research Center (SDSRC) is re-invigorated and excited to host this conference for Bay Area families. Learn more on the event website.

Location: Bass 122 (Biology), 327 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA
Times: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (conference sessions) and 5:00-6:30 p.m. (reception)
Cost: $75: includes all speaker sessions, small group discussion, lunch, and reception
Think small, community-nurturing travel
9-16 day teacher-led immersive trips. Your students long for a truly genuine local Spanish experience. Our youth-driven adventure is richly interactive, with five villages, linking volcanoes to cloud forest. Our "youth ambassadors'' sponsor fun, active social encounters that ignite conversations and friendships. With no guides or tour operator to fuss with, you'll cherish a chance to slow down, relax, and enjoy our friendly small-town atmosphere. We provide wonderful options that compliment your global classroom. You travel free with greater than six students. From airfare to bottled water, we take care of all the details. See our website for more information.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE SENTINEL
The Sentinel goes out on Sundays at 8 a.m. during the school year. Click the purple Sequoia Sentinel Submission button below to contribute!

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