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One single, solitary prop brick at a time, the set is coming alive in Carrington Hall for Sequoia’s annual musical. This year, Ms. Cain, Mr. Jefferson, and the students are taking us to Urinetown. There are parts to perform, hearts to warm, and big ideas to ponder. Urinetown is set in a dystopian future where a water shortage means private toilets are outlawed. Desperate times…you might say. The impoverished citizens are fed up, and a hero emerges, questioning the status quo and sparking a rebellion. Do you hear the people sing?
As was the case last year, Ms. Cain has assembled two casts for the production. Although this complicates rehearsal, costuming, and other preparations, it makes for a broader, more inclusive theater arts program at our school. A core value at Sequoia is the idea that high school works best when students feel like all opportunities are open to them. Adolescence should be the time to try on a new – literal or proverbial – costume or uniform, and learn what it feels like to fall on your face and get back up smiling. No one need feel invincible (or even unwinceable), but rather safe and supported in taking risks. Not throwing away their shot.
To be sure, Sequoia has more than its share of talented, highly-skilled musicians, performers, athletes, and other extracurricular superstars. Many of these students arrive at Sequoia via club teams, and youth programs almost fully-formed. This can be intimidating and create an environment where taking risks doesn’t feel willkommen. By being explicit about our values and making intentional choices (double-casting, e.g.) we hope to foster an environment where our students find within themselves what they didn’t see – or something that wasn’t there before.
When a genuinely inclusive theater program forms and grows within a school community, it is an invaluable asset for students. Learning to be a part of a team, working towards long-term goals, even having a safe place to be every afternoon are foundational to putting on shows like we do at Sequoia. That it happens in a way that makes so many students feel seen and appreciated, regardless of background or experience, is testament to the dedication of the staff and families that make it happen. This week, when students attend the preview assembly and see their peers on stage, defying gravity, I know they will be inspired to find their magic foot and dance in a new way.
Performances of Urinetown run over the next two weekends. Tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows available here. For those of you who picked up on some strange energy in this message, we’ll be gifting two tickets to opening night for the first person to correctly identify 11 Broadway musicals referenced (song titles or lyrics) above. Submit guesses using this form.
Have a great week!
Sean
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Today: Last day for gorgeous evergreens | |
Today is the last day to order! Visit the PTSA store to order your holiday decor. Why buy your evergreens from chain stores when you can support a small business as well as raise funds for the Class of 2026’s Safe & Sober Graduation Activities?
Choose from beautiful and fragrant wreaths, garlands and cute reindeer at great prices ranging from $27 - $40. We partner with a sustainably-run family farm for this fundraiser. Items will be available for pick up in San Carlos in early December. Questions? Contact Liz Min.
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Nov. 7: PTSA meeting - join us! | |
Please join us Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the MPR for the next PTSA / ELAC General Meeting. Hear from Principal Priest on how the week is going! All are welcome. Have you joined PTSA yet? Don't want the hassle of another online login? Fill out the membership form in English or en Español. 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 make our Unaliyi spirit stronger!
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Due Nov. 12: Reflections 2023-2024 I am Hopeful Because/Tengo Esperanza Porque… | |
Don't ignore your inner artist! Consider participating in the Reflections Program. Enter your artwork and reflection about its meaning to you in one of six categories:
- Dance Choreography
- Film Production
- Literature
- Music Composition
- Photography
- Visual Arts
All entries will be recognized for their artistic achievement. Participation itself is a meaningful contribution to the Sequoia community. First-place finishers in each category enter the district competition. District winners move on to the state, and state winners ultimately compete at the national level. Find more information on the Reflections page of the PTSA website.
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Student artwork will be on display in the Powell Art Gallery Nov. 8-17. The Gallery is open during school lunch periods. All visitors to campus will first need to check in with the AVP office for a visitor's pass.
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Nov. 17: Join Sequoia's Dream Club for our 14th annual fundraising dinner | |
Please join Sequoia's Dream Club for our 14th annual fundraising dinner on Friday, Nov. 17.
All proceeds go to our scholarship fund to support undocumented students.
Tickets available here or scan the QR code on the flyer.
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17 de Nov.: Únase a la cena anual para recaudar fondos para el Sequoia Dream Club
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Por favor únase el viernes 17 de noviembre a la cena anual para recaudar fondos para el Sequoia Dream Club.
Estaremos celebrando nuestro año 14 recaudando fondos para apoyar con becas a los estudiantes indocumentados.
Para boletos aqui: or scan the QR code on the flyer.
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Due Nov. 18: Baby pictures and senior portraits! | |
Class of 2024 families, make sure your senior is featured in the yearbook. If you haven't already, schedule a portrait session with Prestige Portraits before Nov. 18. Limited spots are available, so sign up today.
Also, all families are encouraged to submit a baby picture (scanned or digital) to sequoiayearbook@gmail.com. Please title the image with your student's name before emailing it. Questions? Email Mr. Mancini.
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Congratulations to the four Sequoia students committing to play Division 1 college sports on National Letter of Intent Signing Day. Sequoia will host a signing day event on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Please join us at 4 p.m. in front of Gym 2 to celebrate and support these student-athletes:
Addison Haws - Soccer, Arizona State University
Ian Holt - Baseball, Pepperdine University
Ava Jarolimek - Soccer, UC Santa Barbara
Blessing Taimani - Lacrosse, Howard University
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Boosters donations support winter sports | |
Girls basketball will be sporting new uniforms this year funded by your Boosters donations, and our five basketball teams will be sitting pretty in new Sequoia-branded sideline chairs thanks to the Boosters Sideline Styling Fund-A-Need.
Find out how you can support Sequoia athletes all year long at SequoiaBoosters.org. Member benefits include free entry to regular season home basketball games and rechargeable hand-warmers to keep you warm in the soccer stands!
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Honrando el Día de los Muertos/Honoring Día de los Muertos | |
La semana pasada, los estudiantes aprendieron la historia de La Ofrenda, sobre los orígenes del Día de los Muertos, y cómo ha evolucionado con el tiempo en un programa coordinado por las familias de ELAC con el apoyo del centro de familias. Los estudiantes hicieron un nicho para honrar a un ser querido que ya no está con ellos.
Last week, students learned the history of La Ofrenda, about the origins of Día de los Muertos, and how the holiday has evolved over time in a program coordinated by ELAC families with the support of the Family Center.
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Celebrando a los maestros y personal para Halloween/Treating teachers and staff for Halloween | |
La PTSA mostró nuestra apreciación hacia los maestros y el personal de Sequoia con dulces para Halloween. ¡Gracias a todos que donaron!
The PTSA showed our appreciation for Sequoia teachers and staff with Halloween treats donated by families.Thanks to those who contributed treats: Aila Spinelli-Stansell, Aimee Swanson, Ann Kamensky, Avani Gupta, Averi Johnston-Crofts, Elaine De La Cruz, Katie Elgaaen, Lauren Steele, Leahann Christman, Michelle Huljev, Nikke Philippe, Yoland Barajas.
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November Media Center news
The Media Center is dedicated to designing and maintaining a library media program that supports, complements, and expands the instructional program of the school. Ms. Snow, a former teacher of English, digital photography, and journalism, is available to help you find resources for your research paper, or she can help you build a digital project. Ms. Schadler knows the library catalog inside and out. Need to find a book? She can help! For the latest news, view the November 2023 newsletter.
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Help SHSEF support our students, staff, and families | |
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. Donate today.
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Volunteer now with Healthy Cities tutoring | |
Reach a child. Touch a Family. Build a community. Become a Healthy Cities Tutor and join our community of volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to a public school student to improve their academic performance, engagement in learning, and self-esteem. Tutoring sessions are held in-person, once a week for an hour, on school campus or at a public library. We work with schools in San Carlos and Redwood City. Students can receive community service hours.
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The Sequoia Sentinel is emailed to 3,500 members of the Sequoia High School community on Sundays at 8 a.m. during the school year. Contributions are due on Wednesday — click the purple button below to submit. Email the editors or click here to subscribe. | |  |
Sentinel is a giant sequoia located within the Giant Forest Grove of Sequoia National Park, California. A sentinel is a soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch. | | | | | |
