Sequoia Union High School District

• 480 James Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94062
• 650.369.1411

Update 5-4-21: The Sequoia Union High School District recognizes that athletics is an integral part of the high school experience, positively contributing to student’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. This recognition is illustrated in the district's Return to Play Safety Plan. SUHSD's schools have done a phenomenal balancing act focusing on the health and safety of all students, coaches, and families while returning to play for the resocialization of student-athletes within a safe and controlled environment. As a result of this effort, thousands of student-athletes have safely participated in successful athletic seasons under strict local and state guidelines. As the school year winds down, the district is supporting schools focusing on Graduation, AP testing, Summer School, and planning for the upcoming school year. Due to these needs, as well as the increased strain on facilities, the district will not be participating in any of the Central Coast Section (CCS) Playoffs (CCS April 26th Press Release). Doing so would require the district to end athletic seasons early (less regular season games) and extend participation beyond the end of the school year. Additionally, athletics schedules did not address or facilitate participation in these playoffs when they were created. The district stays committed to supporting student-athletes throughout the spring and finishing all scheduled contests, regardless of CCS playoff implications. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your school's Athletic Director or administrator.

 

Update 4-12-21: Update to Sequoia Union High School District Athletics: indoor moderate and high contact sports in the yellow tier (according to CDPH guidance) will begin shortly at district schools. Requirements to begin these sports prior to the San Mateo County being in the appropriate colored tier include:

 

For more information, please contact your school's Athletic department.

 

 

• • Weekly Testing: for football and water polo, when adjusted case rates for the county are between 14-7 per 100,000
  • Informed Consent (Español): due to the nature and risk of transmission while participating in Outdoor High-Contact and Moderate-Contact sports, parents and guardians will sign an informed consent indicating their understanding and acknowledgement of the risks indicated herein.

• • Face Coverings: all participants will use face coverings while not competing; face coverings will be used during play to the extent tolerated.
  • Physical Distancing: maintain at least 6 feet of distance between coaches and participants and facilitate physical distancing between participants to the maximum extent possible. 
  • Hygiene and Sanitation: when equipment is shared during an activity, participants perform hand hygiene (wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) before play, during breaks, at half time, and after the conclusion of the activity.
  • Balls or other objects or equipment can be touched by multiple players during practice and play if the above hand hygiene practices are followed.
  • Limitations on mixing by participants: limit participation by athletes and coaches during practice and competition to one team, and refrain from participating with more than one team over the same season or time period. For larger teams, limit mixing by establishing stable smaller training groups for drills and conditioning.
  • Travel Considerations: bus/van travel for members of a team may pose a greater risk. To mitigate COVID-19 transmission risk during bus/van travel, employ universal masking, physical distancing and windows to remain open the full duration of the trip unless not feasible. We plan to have athletes get themselves to competitions to the greatest extent possible (travel by private car should be limited to only those within the immediate family).
  • Additionally, the following requirements continue to be placed upon Athletics in order to operate safely and within all CIF, CCS, PAL, State, and County guidelines:

• • The district is focused on maximizing student-athlete participation in practices and competition. Student-athletes are consistently and actively supervised by their respective coaches, throughout practices and competition. Therefore, observers (as indicated by the updated guidance) are not needed “for the strict purpose of age-appropriate supervision.”
  • Continuing with athletic conditioning cohorts policy, any COVID exposure by athletes or within a team will result in a 14 day shutdown of the team; this includes all practices and scheduled contests.

Due to the state's recent Stay at Home Order being lifted, we are pleased to announce that Season One sports have been approved by the PAL and the Sequoia Union High School District to begin. Please note that only certain sports are eligible to restart based upon the San Mateo County's status in the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. For more information on available sports, schedules, etc., please consult your school's Athletic Department. Additionally, the following requirements have been placed upon Athletics in order to operate safely and within all CIF, CCS, PAL, State, and County guidelines:

 

In response to the Let Them Play campaign, the Sequoia Union High School District would like to provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding athletics. 
 
SUHSD recognizes that athletics is an integral part of the high school experience, positively contributing to student’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. As the California Department of Public Health released updated Youth Sports guidelines on December 14, 2020, SUHSD has been working to finalize plans for restarting district athletics. Numerous collaborative discussions have occurred across the state and amongst various athletic groups, to include the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the Central Coast Section (CCS), and the Peninsula Athletic League (PAL). Additionally, SUHSD has engaged with other  San Mateo County schools and districts to streamline this effort and we are making great progress.
 
Please note that during the current and extended Bay Area's Regional Stay at Home Order, youth sports are not allowed. However, conditioning may continue as previously underway. Look for more information from your school site Athletic Departments on their respective conditioning programs as we wait for more information to materialize on the official restart of district athletics (practices and competitions). Any plan for restarting district athletics will depend upon the county's tier status in the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy (currently "Widespread" - purple), as well as the capacity of the district to meet all health and safety requirements for student athletes and staff members.

 

Update 9-11-20

 

Update 7-21-20

 

 

• NFHS Guidance for Opening up High School Athletics and Activities
• San Mateo County Coalition of Safe Schools and Communities Pandemic Recovery Framework
• California Interscholastic Federation’s Return to Physical Activity/Training Guidelines 
• County of San Mateo County Health Officer’s Shelter in Place Order 

Athletics

Athletics plays an important part in the lives of SUHSD students. Young people learn a great deal from participation in interscholastic athletics. Lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, competition and how to win and lose gracefully are integral parts of our athletic programs. Athletic participation also plays an important part in helping students develop a healthy self-concept as well as a healthy body. Athletic competition also improves school spirit and helps students develop pride in their school.

The interscholastic athletic program shall be conducted in accordance with existing Board of Education policies, rules and regulations. While the Board of Education takes great pride in winning, it does not condone "winning at any cost" and discourages any and all pressures, which might tend to neglect good sportsmanship and good mental health. At all times, the athletic program must be conducted in such a way so as to justify it as an educational activity.

Throughout the course of an athletic season, there may be a time where a student athlete or parent may have questions or concerns. In order to address and value these questions and/or concerns, please communicate directly with your coaching staff to collaboratively work towards positive solutions. In an event where your questions and/or concerns have not been addressed, a need may present itself to discuss further with the Administrative Vice Principal that oversees Athletics at your home school. SUHSD students, staff, and parents pride themselves in honoring the game with positive sportsmanship and integrity at all times. 

 

For more information regarding Athletics at your home school, please contact your corresponding Athletic Director below.

• Carlmont Athletics
• Menlo-Atherton Athletics
• Sequoia Athletics
• Woodside Athletics

 

Sequoia High School Athletic Director
Ext. 63703 

Kryger, Steven
Menlo-Atherton High School Co-Athletic Director
Ext. 53761 
Snow, Paul
Menlo-Atherton High School Co-Athletic Director
Ext. 53761 

Smith, Patrick
Carlmont High School Athletic Director
Ext. 33702 

Faulkner, Tim
Woodside High School Athletic Director
Ext. 43710 

 

• SUHSD Athletic Eligibility & Participation Handbook | Español
• California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)
  Championship information, educational programs, related links, membership details, upcoming events and governance for state collegiate sports.
• CIF Central Coast Section (CCS)
  The Central Coast Section (CCS) is one of ten sections of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) who have been given authority by the State Legislature to govern high school athletics in the state of California.
• Peninsula Athletic League (PAL)
  The Peninsula Athletic League is an 17 member school league. It was formed into a CCS "Super League" in 1996 with the merging of the former NPL and PAL into one big basic league. Schools in our league are geographically located from Atherton to Daly City. Our 17 member schools are divided into "divisions" or "supplemental leagues" by sport according to the strength of each school's program in that particular sport. Our Bay Division is the strongest of our two Bay and Ocean Divisions. We also include a Lake Division in Girls Soccer, Boys Golf and Baseball. Basketball is divided up geographically into North and South Divisions. The league is governed by a Board of Managers consisting of the Principal of each school. The Athletic Directors from each of our schools meet and make recommendations on many issues to our Board of Managers.