If a student feels they are in conflict with a peer or feel they are being bullied or harassed, students are encouraged to report the behavior to the Administrative Vice Principals’ (AVP) Office via email, phone call, and by completing an Incident Report Form available from the AVP Office.  Students/parents may contact the Ms. Chavez, Ms. Olliver, or Mr. Gooch using the email addresses below or by calling (650) 367-9780. 

Ms. Chavez - Grades 9 & 10, Last Names A-L; cchavez@seq.org

Ms, Olliver - Grades 9 & 10, Last Names M-Z; solliver@seq.org

Mr. Gooch - Grades 11 & 12; ggooch@seq.org

Dress Code Policy

Dress Code:

The dress code is designed to allow for student comfort and personal expression while maintaining an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the educational setting. An educational setting is a professional setting thus behavior and dress should reflect the environment.  

The primary responsibility for students’ attire rests with the student and parent(s)/guardian(s). Sequoia is responsible to see that student attire does not interfere with the health and safety of any student and does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student. 

Students must wear:

• A shirt and
• Bottom (pants/jeans/sweatpants/shorts/skirts/dress - may count as shirt and bottom)/leggings or equivalent) and
• Shoes

Students cannot wear:

• Images or language depicting/suggesting drugs, alcohol, vaping, paraphernalia (or any illegal item or activity)
• Accessories or attire that could be deemed unsafe
• Clothing that demeans others with regard to gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, etc.
• Images or language that create a hostile or intimidating environment (including hate speech, pornography, or violence)
• Visible undergarments (visible waistbands or visible straps are not in violation)
• Swimsuits (except as required for a class or athletic event)

Sequoia wear is always encouraged!

Prohibited Items

In addition to items prohibited by the California Education Code, the following are also prohibited on campus during school hours:

• Laser pens
• Cigarette lighters and matches
• Bullhorns
• E Cigarettes/Vapor Pens

Violating this rule will result in parent contact, confiscation of the item, and may result in further disciplinary action.

Updated Cell Phone Policy

In order to support a more focused and respectful learning environment, Sequoia High School has updated our cell phone policy for the 2025–2026 school year. This policy is designed to minimize distractions, support academic engagement, and encourage healthy boundaries around technology use during the school day.

• Cell Phone use is prohibited in classrooms unless specifically approved by the teacher for instructional purposes.
• Students who bring cellphones to school will be required to place them in teacher-provided “cell phone pockets” for the duration of class time.
• Students may not take phones with them on restroom breaks.
• Cell phone use is permitted only during lunch and passing periods.
• Phones must remain off or silenced and in the cell phone pocket during all class periods unless otherwise directed.
• Repeated violations will result in confiscation and follow-up with families.

Why Limit Cell Phone Use?

Research and experience show that limiting cell phone use in schools leads to:

• Improved academic focus and fewer classroom distractions
• Enhanced student participation and collaboration
• Reduced incidents of academic dishonesty and cyberbullying during the school day
• Better use of face-to-face social time among students

 

1. The first reported offense will result in having the device taken away and held in the vice-principal's office until the end of the school day. The offense will be recorded in the student's discipline file.

2. The second, and subsequent offenses, will result in the device being taken away and returned only to the guardian of the student. There are no exceptions to this rule. All offenses will be recorded in the student's discipline file. Also, the student will receive an after-school detention.

3. For the third and subsequent offenses, the student will have the device confiscated as mentioned above and two after-school detentions assigned.

4. This policy begins in the 9th grade year and accumulates every year the student is in school. It does not begin new each school year.

Repeated violations will result in further disciplinary action.

Closed Campus

Sequoia High School is a Closed Campus. Students are not permitted to leave campus during school hours. Students who have doctor appointments must get advance passes to leave campus. Gates to the campus are closed during lunchtime. To exit during lunch with a pass, students are to exit through the Brewster pedestrian gate or by the basketball courts. Student drop off or pick up zones will be at the Elwood or James Street parking lots only.

Out of Bounds Areas

During passing periods and lunch, students must remain in designated areas of the campus including; the buildings, quad area, the lawns immediately in front of the school, and the area back by the Speedway.

The following are areas where students are not allowed:

• All parking lots
• Baseball, soccer and football fields
• Tea Garden area
• 20 feet away from any fence around the perimeter of the school
• From the concrete slab in front of the school to El Camino
• Any designated construction area

Tardy Policy

SCHOOL BEGINS EACH DAY FOR STUDENTS WITH A FIRST OR SECOND PERIOD AT 8:30 A.M. Please adjust your schedule accordingly to make certain your child is on time. It is disruptive to the learning environment to have students coming in late. Also, when class begins at 8:30 and your child arrives late, he/she may miss valuable information and classwork.

Students are offered a warning bell (usually five minutes before class and a final bell.  Once the final bell has sounded, the halls are cleared of all students who 1) are not in class and 2) do not have a pass from a staff member. These students are taken to the office where they will:

• be assigned detention for that day

Detention may be served by students at lunch or after school each day.  Students can see their detention balance in Infinite Campus.

Students who are chronically tardy may be subject to escalating consequences including, but not limited to truancy abatement contracts, in-house suspension, or suspension from school.

STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE HALLS WITHOUT A PASS DURING CLASS TIME.

California Education Code

• California Ed Code - 48900
  This section of the CA Ed Codes deals primarily with student behavior and the consequences for such.

Students who violate the CA Ed Code are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Cyber-Bullying Policy

Sequoia Union High School District Board Policy

Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harrassment Policy

BP 5145.3(a)

The Sequoia Union High School District Board of Education prohibits

bullying, harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or cyberbullying of

any student by any employee, student, or other person. Prohibited

behavior includes physical, verbal, nonverbal, or written conduct that is

so severe or pervasive that it affects a student's ability to participate in

or benefit from an educational program or activity; creates an

intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment;

has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering

with a student's academic performance; or otherwise adversely affects

the student's educational opportunities.

Scope of Behavior Consequences

Consequences may include but are not limited to the following:

Verbal /Written Warning

Parent Conference/phone contact

Behavioral Contract

Detention – before school, lunchtime & after-school

Campus Beautification

Loss of computer privileges

Loss of school related privileges /activities

Conflict Mediation

Community Service

Class Suspension by Teacher

School Suspension

Alternative to Suspension (Substance/Aggressive Behavior)

Police Report & Involvement

Referral to Principal Level Meeting