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Hello everyone,

As we welcome the arrival of spring and all the energy and activity that comes with it, we hope you’re enjoying this beautiful time of year with your families.

Here’s your Sunday Sentinel update:

You are warmly invited to join us for our final PTSA General Meeting of the year on April 14 from 7:00–8:00p.m.

We are excited to feature Amy Koo, a financial literacy educator and college financial planning expert who has helped thousands of families and students to better understand money management, paying for college, and building strong financial habits early in life. Amy is passionate about empowering teens with the knowledge and tools they need to make smart financial decisions as they transition into adulthood.

During this session, Amy will share practical tips on financial literacy for teenagers and highlight important steps to help prepare your child to be financially savvy as they graduate from high school and step into their next milestone.

This is a great opportunity to gain valuable information and ask important questions about preparing your teen for financial independence.

Zoom options for Amy Koo presentation (7:00–8:00p.m.):

• English Speakers: Zoom Link
• Meeting ID: 816 4042 7484
• Passcode: 418792
• Spanish Speakers: Zoom Link
• Meeting ID: 998 3698 2867
• Passcode: 904102

PTSA General Meeting (8:00p.m.): PTSA Zoom Link

• Meeting ID: 829 7630 3811
• Passcode: 134209

We also want to extend our sincere thanks to Amy for stepping up and making our last combined meeting such an impactful one!

As we head into April, a lot is happening:

• Junior Scholarship Awards are now open and applications are being accepted until April 19, 2026. If you have a junior, this is a great opportunity for them to be recognized for their contributions to the community.
• The IB Department is still looking for parent volunteers to help with exams. Sequoia needs to fill 133 volunteer spots for exams taking place April 28–May 20. These exams cannot happen without the support of our parent community, so please consider signing up for a shift if you can.
• Now is the time to purchase your Grad Night tickets!

More information is included below.

We look forward to seeing you on April 14 for our joint PTSA/ELAC meeting! Have a fantastic Spring Break!

Thank you!

Francoise Monet

Sequoia High School PTSA President

- Want to help students feel calm and confident during IB exams?

- Wonder what IB exams are like for students?

Sign up here to assist during an IB Exam

3 reasons you’ll love it:

YOU’LL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE: A friendly face quickly eases a student’s nerves.

YOU’LL BE PART OF SOMETHING BIG: Help over 430 students to conquer 1,600 exams. The IB requires a 1:20 adult to student ratio for exams. We really depend on our "village" to pull this off!

IT’S SUPER EASY: No prep, no expertise needed, no stress-- we’ll show you exactly what to do. Help pass out pens and exam materials, watch students' brains do awesome work, and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Spring is Here—Lifting the Arts and Supporting our Families

As the days get longer, this time of year gets BUSY with the FUN that school offers both students and families. And the funds we raise also support students and families. 

The annual Prom Closet is the perfect example of our PTSA and Family Center working together to make prom an event for ALL of our students. SHSEF supports both programs with operational funding and support.

Sequoia’s Drama program just wrapped up their spring production of Jane Austen in 89 Minutes. and the annual Spring Music Concert was just held this past Wednesday at Carrington Hall.

SHSEF is pleased to support our Arts and Music programs with:

• Instrument Repair and Replacement
• Performing Arts A/V Equipment Upgrades (Drama, Choir, Dance)

SHSEF is proud to contribute in many ways to programs that enrich all of our lives.

Curious about what was funded last year? Here is the Impact Report.

The purpose of our education foundation is to raise funds from parents, community members, and grantors to help close the gap in state and local funding. Our fundraising goal for the 2025-26 school year is $650,000, and our recommended ask per student is $1,500, or any gift meaningful to your family. Learn more and DONATE TODAY!

Follow us on Instagram

Looking for a way to get your SHSEF information and news and engage with our community? Follow us on Instagram: @SequoiaEdFoundation 

Junior Achievement Award - Apply Now!

Calling all Juniors! Applications for the Junior Achievement Award are open! This award recognizes students for academic success, community service, and/or resilience. This is a great opportunity to start your college essays, to be recognized for your hard work, and to earn some extra money to continue your education. The deadline for submitting is Monday April 19th, 2025 at 10:00 p.m. For more information about the award please go to https://www.sequoiaptsa.org/junior-scholarships. This year we have multiple awards of at least $125 to offer.

Class of 2026 yard or window sign     

Do you have a graduating senior in your home? Celebrate their accomplishments by ordering a Class of 2026 yard or window sign! Visit the Sequoia PTSA webstore to order one for $15, and please consider donating a sign to a student in our community. You will receive an email in early April for the pickup location and times. For questions, contact Amy Schwartz. 

¡Letrero para el jardín o la ventana de la generación 2026!

¿Tiene usted un estudiante de último año por graduarse en su hogar? ¡Celebre sus logros ordenando un letrero de la Generación 2026 para el jardín o la ventana! Visite la tienda en línea de PTSA de Sequoia para ordenar uno por $15 y siéntase con toda la confianza de donar un letrero a otro estudiante de la comunidad. Usted recibirá un correo electrónico a principios de abril con la información de dónde y cuándo recoger su letrero. Para cualquier pregunta, contacte a Amy Schwartz.

Grad Night ’26 Tickets

Grad Night is right around the corner! Join us June 5–6 aboard the luxurious San Francisco Spirit for an unforgettable night. From the comfort of the yacht, take in stunning views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz while enjoying activities across three decks—including dancing, casino tables, karaoke, and a photo booth.

The price is $125 in April and May, and $135 for last-minute purchases in June, so buy early! Each ticket includes admission, all activities, food, beverages, and transportation. Students will check in at Sequoia on June 5 at 9:00 p.m. and return the following morning around 4:00 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online HERE.

Boletos para la Fiesta de Graduación de 2026: ¡Cómpralos ya!

¡La fiesta de graduación está a la vuelta de la esquina! Acompáñanos del 5 al 6 de junio a bordo del lujoso San Francisco Spirit para una noche inolvidable. Desde la comodidad del yate, disfruta de impresionantes vistas de San Francisco, el Puente Golden Gate y Alcatraz, mientras participas en actividades en tres cubiertas—que incluyen baile, mesas de casino, karaoke y una cabina fotográfica. ¡Es una noche que no te querrás perder!

El precio es de $125 en abril y mayo, y a $135 para las compras de última hora en junio, ¡así que compra con anticipación! Cada boleto incluye la entrada, todas las actividades, comida, bebidas y transporte. Los estudiantes se registrarán en Sequoia el 5 de junio a las 9:00 p.m. y regresarán a la mañana siguiente alrededor de las 4:00 a.m. Puedes comprar boletos en línea AQUI. 

• April 6–April 10 Spring Break

Junior/Senior Prom Volunteers Requested

To the Sequoia Community, We are so excited to host the annual JR/SR prom at one of our favorite venues—the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. We will have school staff and administration on hand to manage the event, but we are also hoping to enlist additional adult support to help cover the Academy's expansive layout.

 If you are interested in attending the event in a chaperone role, please send a quick email note to Sequoia Director of Student Activities, Corey Uhalde. You may also direct any questions to him, and he will follow up with messaging to confirmed volunteers with additional information regarding food, parking, etc. Thank you! 

ATHLETICS

Come cheer on Sequoia High School Baseball as they take on Half Moon Bay at Oracle Park on Friday, April 10 at 8:00 p.m.—a special night under the lights on a major league field!

Bonus: When you purchase discounted tickets (starting at $29) to select San Francisco Giants games this season (12 dates available), you’ll receive a FREE ticket to this Sequoia vs. Half Moon Bay matchup.

Purchase tickets HERE

Go Ravens!

Both home and away games have been added to the Sequoia High School Calendar –and don't forget to follow @seqboosters on social media.

To sign up for the free Parent Venture newsletter, click here. 

Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, MEd, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture, at cmargot@parentventure.org.

¿Preguntas? Comuníquese con Charlene Margot, MEd, co-fundadora y Directora Ejecutiva de The Parent Venture, al correo electrónico cmargot@parentventure.org.

April 16: Ordinary Magic: The Science of How We Can Achieve Big Change with Small Acts

In Ordinary Magic, Stanford psychologist Gregory M. Walton explores how small, wise interventions in everyday life can lead to significant positive change, addressing core questions like "Can I succeed?" and "Do I belong?" Register.

16 de abril : Magia cotidiana: La ciencia de cómo lograr grandes cambios con pequeñas acciones

En Ordinary Magic, el psicólogo de Stanford Gregory M. Walton explora cómo pequeñas intervenciones, bien pensadas, en la vida cotidiana pueden generar cambios positivos significativos, abordando preguntas fundamentales como “¿Puedo tener éxito?” y “¿Pertenezco?” Registro.

How do we support our children’s autonomy while maintaining boundaries? In Autonomy-Supportive Parenting, psychologist Emily Edlynn, PhD offers a flexible parenting framework that can apply to every family and every parental relationship. Register.

¿Cómo apoyamos la autonomía de nuestros hijos mientras mantenemos límites? En Autonomy-Supportive Parenting, la psicóloga Emily Edlynn, PhD, presenta un enfoque flexible de crianza que puede aplicarse a todas las familias y a todas las relaciones entre padres e hijos. Registro.

THE SEQUOIA MEDIA CENTER

What will you learn in the Media Center?

The Spring 2026 Sequoia Media Center Newsletter is here!

Give your teen a competitive edge with the Costa Rica Youth Exchange! This immersive Summer 2026 program in the village of Tilaran moves Spanish learning beyond textbooks through school engagement, outdoor adventures, and creative arts. For 25 years, this program has helped high schoolers gain the confidence, adaptability, and empathy needed to lead in a connected world.

Join founder Ilba Prego for a free info session:

Thursday, April 16 | 6:30–7:30 PM EST

Sunday, April 19 | 1:30–2:30 PM EST

Spots are limited—register today to start their journey toward a bilingual, globally connected life! www.highschoolspanish.org