Sequoia Sentinel
Sequoia PTSA's weekly eNewsletter in partnership with the Sequoia High School Education Foundation
MAIN MESSAGE
Principal Sean Priest
Last Friday, members of Sequoia’s ASB Leadership class got together with students from Ms. Wenzel’s ELD II class for one of their regular intercambios, or cross-language mixers. Ms. Wenzel’s students are among the 175 or so Ravens whose focus is the development of English fluency. This happens through targeted language classes as well as specialized core area classes such as math and science. In most cases, ELD students have been in our country fewer than three years. Most reside in Spanish-speaking homes, but others speak different languages such as Tagalog or Arabic.

Ms. Wenzel brings students in our ASB Leadership program together with ELD students to design fun, collaborative activities — relationship-building as reinforcement of a language goal. In previous sessions, the students have learned TikTok choreography, played games, written and performed skits, and built a website filled with ideas for inexpensive ways teens can have fun.

I’m proud to share the story of this partnership because it is a beautiful example of how our community tends the Unaliyi spirit at Sequoia. Moreover, I think what Ms. Wenzel and Mr. Uhalde are accomplishing works to subvert the dangerous consequences of labeling kids. Even well-intentioned labels like “English-learner” or “leadership kid” can have unintended consequences. I worry, specifically, about fostering a deficit-mindset. Might we not instill purpose and confidence by celebrating our students’ strengths?

For students in our ELD program, an emerging but limited grasp of their second (or in some cases third) language obscures their senses of humor, creativity, and intelligence. We have much to learn if we create and sustain conditions which empower students. When you hear people talk about Tier One supports for mental health and wellness, this is a prime example.

Think about the common dream where you show up to school unprepared for a test, without your homework, or wearing pajamas. These dreams often persist into adulthood because they tap into a deep and universal truth about being an adolescent – you are always on the verge of being exposed, revealed, singled out, or monumentally embarrassed. Put yourself in one of these scenarios for a moment and imagine if, in addition to whatever embarrassing circumstances surround you, you are limited in your comprehension and output of the language being spoken by those around you. The jokes, whispers, and exclamations all go over your head. You feel perpetually 30 seconds behind the reality you’re experiencing.  

Is your heart beating faster yet? Think about the fortitude and determination it takes to live this experience every day.  

Activities like the one Ms. Wenzel and Mr. Uhalde have created are important because they help kids transcend labels, overcome the pajama nightmare, and, as a bonus, add to their list of inexpensive ways to have fun in their community. That’s learning!

Have a great week!

Best,
Sean
Stay on top of things at Sequoia
Besides the Sentinel, our school has many resources for staying on top of things:
PTSA
Sequoia PTSA endorses 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.
Oct. 21, 22: Senior class bake sale!
The senior class is trying to raise money to fund graduation events. We are holding a bake sale at the Homecoming football game Oct. 21 and at the Homecoming Dance Oct. 22. Donations of baked goods would be greatly appreciated, and can be dropped off at the Student Activities Center on Friday, Oct. 21, anytime before 4 p.m. Please email us if you have questions, please email us. Thanks so much!
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!
Thank you 2021-22 volunteers!
Thank you to all the volunteers from 2021-22 who were part of the (under-counted) 4,144 donated hours to Sequoia last year. That translates to the $124,442.24 check the PTSA presented to Mr. Priest this week. From the Board, to the Sentinel team, to the Grad Night team, to Staff Hospitality, to Concessions, the list goes on. The volunteer community at Sequoia is a big part of what makes this school special. By the way, if you weren’t with us at the Principal’s Welcome, you missed out on a great hour-long discussion. Mr. Priest discussed everything from his thoughts on helping kids tip the balance to favor thriving over enduring (something we all need), to how LOUD his voice can get in the halls when passing time is almost over (my kids confirmed this!), to setting the tone to embrace mistakes as learning. What can I say? You had to be there! We are graced with words and a Q&A session from Mr. Priest at every PTSA meeting on the first Tuesday of the month in the Mult-Purpose Room (MPR), 7:00 p.m. See you at the next one.
Haven't joined Sequoia PTSA yet?
Click HERE to join online or fill out the membership form in English or Spanish. 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! Forgot if you joined or have questions? Contact Membership Lead Dana Rechin for help.
CLASS NOTES
Oct. 20: Senior Financial Aid Night
moneybag_graphic.jpg
Seniors and their parents are invited to attend Sequoia’s Financial Aid Night on Thursday, Oct. 20, to receive information about the FAFSA and other financial-aid programs available at a four-year university, community college, or trade school. We will have a guest speaker, formerly from the Financial Aid Office of Stanford, to answer all your questions in the Multi-Purpose Room at 7:00 p.m. A separate presentation in Spanish will take place at 7:00 p.m. in Carrington Hall.

Estudiantes del grado 12 y sus padres están invitados a asistir a la noche de Ayuda Financiera el, jueves, 20 de octubre en Sequoia para recibir información sobre FAFSA y otros programas de ayuda financiera disponibles en las universidades de cuatro años, colegios de comunidad o instituciones que se enfocan en carreras específicas. Tendremos representantes de las oficinas de ayuda financiera de Cal State East Bay y Cañada College en Carrington Hall a las 7 de la tarde. Esta información se dará en español.
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 Tues., Oct. 25, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. or Sat, 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
Support the Ravens by attending this week’s home games. Check seqsports.com for complete home and away fall schedules.

Let’s go, Ravens!
Home games this week
  • Oct. 18: Girls Tennis vs. South SF - varsity 4:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 20: Girls Tennis vs. Capuchino - varsity 4:30 p.m. – SENIOR NIGHT
  • Oct. 21: Football vs. Santa Clara - JV 4:00 p.m., varsity 7:00 p.m. – HOMECOMING
Football Friday – final home games
After a season of mostly away games, Sequoia football will play on Terremere Field for the next three weeks. The Ravens take on Santa Clara for this Friday’s homecoming game, followed by top-ranked The King’s Academy on Oct. 28 and rival Carlmont for Senior Night on Nov. 4.

Come out and support the JV and varsity players, plus Sequoia’s cheer and dance teams. Single-game tickets can be purchased at GoFan.co, but Boosters platinum, gold, and silver supporters receive free admission to all regular-season sporting events. Visit SequoiaBoosters.org to join or renew your membership.

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.
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
Seeking bikes that are ready to roll
Do you have a bike that is in good shape and in great working condition that you no longer need? We have a few students that would love to be able to get to school more easily. If you have a bike that is ready to ride, please email Scott Stalder-Skarmoutsos.

We hope to plan a large-scale bike drive later in the year where we can take bikes needing a little tune up to get back on the road again, but at this time, we are hoping to connect a few students with something ready to roll. Thanks a million for your time and support!
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. 19: Fentanyl Prevention Education: How to Help Teens Make Healthy Decisions. Join Stacey Wisniewski, Senior Prevention Specialist, Prevention Solutions, Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation, to understand the risks of intentional and unintentional fentanyl use among adolescents.

Educación sobre la prevención del fentanilo: Cómo ayudar a los adolescentes a tomar decisiones saludables. Únase a Stacey Wisniewski, especialista sénior en prevención, Soluciones de Prevención, Fundación Hazeldon Betty Ford, para comprender los riesgos del uso intencional y no intencional de fentanilo entre los adolescentes. Enlace de zoom.
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
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS
Let's plant more trees for Redwood City!
CityTrees, a Redwood City nonprofit volunteer-run organization, has recently received a $90,000 grant through Cal Fire and the California ReLeaf network. We would love for volunteers ages 14+ to join us as we grow our local urban canopy.

Fall/Winter 2022-23 Planting Dates:
  • Saturday, Nov. 19, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. — register here
  • Saturday, Dec. 17, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. — sign ups will open closer to the date.
  • Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. — sign ups will open closer to the date.

Please visit CityTrees with questions or for more information. Volunteers under 18 years old require a parent/guardian signature on our waiver.
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!

Submissions are due the Wednesday before you'd like your contribution to run.

Optionally, include a Spanish translation from a native or bilingual speaker (no Google translations please).

Thanks for keeping the Sequoia High School community updated!

Click here if you would like to subscribe to the Sentinel. Click here to view issue archives. Use the the link at the bottom of your email to unsubscribe, or contact us at sequoiasentinel@gmail.com.
En Español:
¿Quieres traducir este boletín ahora?
En Español
  1. 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.
  2. Abra una página nueva del navegador web y vaya a google translate.
  3. 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.