TEAM SEQUOIA is a movement inspired by Sequoia Chavez, a high-school student with special needs who is being sued by Lincoln County School District in Newport, Oregon.
Bright. Funny. Kind. Witty. These are a just few adjectives that friends and family use to describe Sequoia Chavez, a 15-year-old girl who has grown up in Lincoln County, Oregon. Sequoia was born with a rare genetic disorder called Prader-Willi Syndrome. Currently, Sequoia is attending a residential school called Latham Centers that specializes in her disorder. She is there because it was proven in court that Lincoln County School District (LCSD) was unable to provide Sequoia with a free appropriate public education. As a result of a court order, LCSD is required to fund Sequoia’s education at Latham Centers. Unfortunately, LCSD is fighting this ruling, and, in turn, suing Sequoia so they can stop funding her tuition.
Since arriving at Latham Centers, Sequoia has been thriving; she has made new friends, is in a food secured environment, and taught by Prader-Willi educational experts. It is the most appropriate environment in which she can be successfully educated. And LCSD wants to take it all away from her.
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Our Goal
TEAM SEQUOIA’s goal is for LCSD to continue funding Latham Centers without further litigation.​
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We hope to bring awareness to Sequoia’s educational battle and inspire others to advocate for free appropriate public education for their special needs student. There is a severe lack of support for students with special needs, as well as their teachers. It can be both intimidating and daunting for parents and teachers to ask for the support needed from their district. This needs to change!
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Join us and help make TEAM SEQUOIA a movement that represents advocating for the ethical and educational rights of all students with special needs.
