Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation |
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February 1 was National Women in Sports Day. I could tell you why I think this matters for our community, but it feels better to put the spotlight on one of our scholar athletes. My only challenge: how to choose? Our teams are rich with brilliant and articulate young adults. It’s overwhelming.
Luckily 11th grader Teagan Tokheim made things easier for me. For the Thursday of Spirit Week, when students were encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero, Teagan made a strong impression with her choice of costume: Sequoia’s girls soccer coach and athletic director Melissa Schmidt. Striding across campus sporting a signature black puffy vest, footwear, headband, and water bottle, Teagan offered a playful tribute to one of her personal superheroes. Who better to ask about the experience of a female athlete at Sequoia?
What makes being a female athlete at Sequoia special?
TEAGAN: Historically, students only show up to support boys basketball and football, but at Sequoia last year at the girls soccer Senior Night, the crowds were full of at least 1000 students and parents encouraging the team to take on Woodside. That game was what the San Mateo Daily Journal said was, “one of the greatest games — in any sport — ever played on Terremere field.” What was special about that game was that we took the emotion of a senior class legacy leaving and turned it into motivation. Being a female in sports, you connect in a special way with your teammates as you are going through a transitional period in your life and dealing with similar struggles as each other. Knowing that we had this support while representing the school was an impactful feeling, while recognizing that maybe just 50 years ago, people would never think of supporting women in sports, let alone making a mark in Sequoia history.
How have sports helped you as a leader?
TEAGAN: Being on a team, you have a role. My role that I’ve assigned myself on each team is to be supportive, encouraging, and make a positive impact on the field. Just like on the field, you have roles in school, work, or even at home, and I carry my role from on the field to other aspects of my life. I started playing soccer at a young age, but here at Sequoia, Mrs. Schmidt has pushed me to get the most out of my role. Soccer has pushed me to make the most out of my role.
What have sports taught you about work ethic?
TEAGAN: After Sequoia soccer last year, I broke my tibia in a club game. The first person to text me after I got home from the hospital was Mrs. Schmidt. After I got that text I was thinking, “I have to be ready to play by next soccer season at Sequoia.” I pushed myself throughout the summer to get better and test myself mentally while fighting to get back from this injury. This was one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but soccer was my prize at the end of this challenge. After this experience, I have translated that into my work ethic at school while being a student athlete, and bring it with me everywhere I go. This taught me that I can overcome my challenges with persistence and drive, with an end goal.
Teagan is tenacious on the field, a dedicated student, and a leader among her peers. I am grateful to her and all our athletes for inspiring our community, and I will always treasure the memory of her “tribute” to her coach and superhero.
Have a great week!
Sean
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Feb. 7: Join us at the next PTSA/ELAC meeting |
We will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR). Mr. Priest will kick us off with his update, and then Middle College will join us for an overview.
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Drop off by Feb. 11: Show some love for Sequoia teachers and staff |
Let’s show some love for our fabulous Sequoia teachers and staff! On Valentine's Day, the PTSA will give each teacher and staff member a valentine in their mailbox and provide a selection of treats to choose from. Sign up to donate treats to show your love and appreciation. Contact Linda Solon with questions.
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February news from the Media Center |
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Feb. 15: Drama Club's Spring Coffeehouse Night is just around the corner! |
Drama Club is excited to be hosting another Coffeehouse Night fundraiser. This is an open-mic style event where students can sign up to perform, volunteer as a barista, or donate baked goods. We are also looking for some generous families to help donate beverage items (hot drink cups with lids, coffee travelers, hot chocolate travelers, and tea travelers). Please contact Talia Cain if you are interested in supporting the drama program in this way.
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Until Feb. 24: Get your 2022-23 Sequoia Drama merch! |
Drama Club has designed a collection of Sequoia Drama merch for this school year. Get your hoodie today, and support the drama program! All proceeds will go toward funding field trips, such as the one Drama I and Drama II classes are going on soon, to see SF Broadway's production of SIX the musical!
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Due Mar. 13: Purple Patriot Award nominations |
The Alumni Association is soliciting nominations for its annual Purple Patriot Award, which honors individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding service or provided a significant benefit directly to Sequoia High School. Nominees may be from Sequoia or the community at large. Recipients will receive a framed certificate and have their name inscribed on a perpetual trophy on permanent display at the high school.
Please indicate the individual or organization name, stating why the nominee should receive this award. Indicate specifically what role the nominee played in directly providing the service or benefit to Sequoia High School, and explain in detail what the service or benefit was. Nominations must be either submitted in writing to The Sequoia High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064; emailed to shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org; or placed in the Sequoia High School Alumni Association mailbox near the Principal's office no later than Monday, March 13.
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Mar. 22 SAT exam — parents and grandparents, we need volunteers! |
Curious what the SAT exam experience is like? Can you pitch in a few hours at school on Wednesday, March 22? Sequoia is hosting the SAT exam in Gym 1 this spring, for Sequoia juniors.
**IMPORTANT**: Volunteers for the SAT exam cannot be relatives of any student taking the test that same day.
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Join Sequoia's debate team! |
We invite your student to join the Sequoia debate team! We are ranked 18th in the country and coached by a nationally ranked Stanford debater. The team meets every Friday from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in room 202. Snacks provided!
Debate gives students the opportunity to develop important skills for high school and beyond, in a friendly, community setting. Skills include critical thinking and analysis, evaluating opposing viewpoints, research under a time limit, and many more. While debate may seem daunting, no prior experience is needed to attend practice or tournaments. Everyone who enjoys challenging themselves is welcome!
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Senior financial aid details |
Attention all seniors! There is a new graduation requirement mandated by the state of California, that all seniors need to complete a financial aid application, either the FAFSA or Dream Act, even if their post-graduate plans don't include attending college.
We are sponsoring a school-wide contest, and each senior who applies will be automatically entered into a raffle for two free prom tickets provided by ASB. Additionally, the College and Career Center will be sponsoring a pizza party for the first three social studies classes that demonstrate 100% participation by filling out a financial aid application by March 2. All other classes that reach 100% participation will get to enjoy donuts. Please work with your student to complete the form that best suits your family, by the deadline, and encourage them to motivate their classmates as well! If you have questions, reach out to Ms. Yeager or Ms. Ignaitis in the College and Career Center.
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Come watch us play
Support the Ravens by attending home games. Complete winter sports schedules are now posted at SeqSports.com.
Let’s go, Ravens!
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Home games this week — QUAD BASKETBALL FRIDAY |
Come support our winter teams this week. Purchase your tickets for basketball quad games at GoFan.co and watch the Ravens play on campus, or livestream games to watch from home on NFHSnetwork.com.
Feb 7: Girls Soccer vs. Menlo Atherton — Varsity 4:30 p.m., JV 6:00 p.m.
Feb 7: Girls Basketball vs. Burlingame — Varsity 6:00 p.m., JV 4:30 p.m.
Feb 8: Girls Basketball vs. Mills — Varsity 6:00 p.m., JV 4:30 p.m.
Feb 9: Freshman Boys Basketball vs. Carlmont — 7:00 p.m.
Feb 10: Boys Soccer vs. South SF — Varsity 4:30 p.m., JV 6:00 p.m.
Feb 10: Girls Basketball vs. Carlmont — Varsity 6:15 p.m., JV 3:15 p.m.
Feb 10: Boys Basketball vs. Carlmont — Varsity 7:45 p.m., JV 4:45 p.m.
Feb 11: Freshman Boys Soccer vs. Branham — 1:00 p.m.
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By Feb. 28: Register for Sequoia Boosters Crab Feed and Auction! |
The Crab Feed and Live Auction will be held on Saturday, March 11, from 6:00-10:00 p.m., at Devil’s Canyon Brewery in San Carlos. Tickets are on sale until Feb. 28. To register, purchase tickets, or donate, click here. In addition to the event on March 11, we will also host an online silent auction from March 5 - March 12, with many notable items to bid on from your favorite SF Bay area businesses and experiences. Ticket prices: $90 per person, $175 per couple, $1000 to reserve a table for 10 people (includes 10 drink tickets). Coach’s tickets are $90 and can be purchased for and gifted to a coach. Register now — and don’t forget to add crab crackers and picks to your cart!
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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.
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES |
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Join us for a special conversation with Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell, author of Her Honor: My Life on the Bench (2021). As the first female African American judge in Northern California and the first female African American Superior Court judge in Santa Clara County, Judge Cordell was a trailblazer in the courtroom and beyond.
Únase a nosotros para una conversación especial con la jueza LaDoris Hazzard Cordell, autora de Her Honor: My Life en el banquillo…(2021). Como la primera afroamericana en el norte de California y la primera jueza afroamericana del Tribunal Superior en el condado de Santa Clara, la jueza Cordell fue una pionera en la sala del tribunal y más allá. Enlace de zoom.
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Lynn Silver, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a pediatrician and public health expert who serves as a Senior Advisor at the Public Health Institute. Her work focuses on promoting policy and environmental changes to reduce the harmful use of marijuana products, along with regulation of the emerging cannabis industry.
Lynn Silver, MD, MPH, FAAP, es pediatra y experta en salud pública que se desempeña como asesora principal en la Instituto de Salud Pública. Su trabajo actual se enfoca en promover cambios ambientales y de políticas para reducir el uso nocivo de productos de marihuana, junto con la regulación de la industria emergente del cannabis. Enlace de zoom.
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STAY ON TOP OF THINGS AT SEQUOIA |
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There are many communication resources at Sequoia besides the Sentinel. Here are a few of our favorites:
Sequoia High School Website
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Home page: Includes the Bell Schedule.
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Calendar. Note: Sequoia only posts schedule abnormalities here, so unless otherwise noted, assume a normal week:
- Mon. - A Day
- Tues. - B Day
- Wed. - Collab. Day
- Thurs. - A Flex Day
- Fri. - B Flex Day
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Infinite Campus: Includes a student-specific daily calendar.
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Sequoia 101: information on all things Sequoia.
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Staff and Student Bulletin: everything from student announcements, to the sports schedule, to all the available clubs. Read it on the website, or subscribe to get it twice a week in your email.
PTSA Resources
Student News
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That's So Raven Announcements: subscribe to Sequoia High School ASB's YouTube channel and set up alerts so you'll know when these fun and informational vlogs post.
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Raven Report: The student news site of Sequoia High School.
Quick Links:
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE SENTINEL |
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The Sentinel goes out to over 3,500 members of the Sequoia High School community on Sundays at 8 a.m. during the school year. Submissions are due on Wednesday — click the purple Submission button below. Include a Spanish translation from a native or bilingual speaker if you can (no Google translations please). To unsubscribe, use the Constant Contact link at the bottom of your issue.
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En Español:
¿Quieres traducir este boletín ahora? En Español
- Mantenga presionada la tecla Control (PC) y la tecla A para seleccionar toda la página, a continuación, mantenga presionada la tecla Control y haga clic en la tecla C para copiar la página entera.
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Abra una página nueva del navegador web y vaya a google translate.
- Coloca el cursor en la caja y mantenga presionada la tecla Control y haga clic en la tecla V para pegar el boletín completo en el cuadro de traducción.
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