Since this is the last Sentinel of 2016, here's wishing your family a restful, joyous, and safe holiday season and winter break.

The staff is looking forward to our holiday luncheon. Thanks in advance to all the PTSA and ELAC volunteers who make this special event possible. Gathering to break bread and share laughs is a wonderful way to close out the semester for our staff.

Students return to Sequoia on January 12, 2017. Zero period will meet. Everyone's first class will be posted in the main hallway as during the first semester. Students will receive a new copy of their schedule only if there have been any changes.

Looking ahead, there is much to be excited about as we begin the second half of the school year. League games for winter sports begin immediately (boys and girls basketball versus Woodside High School is on January 13!). Both varsity soccer teams will be in the hunt for the championships and CC has a playoff berth. It should be a fun couple of months.

Starting in February, current Sequoia 9th-11th graders will begin one-on-one meetings with counselors to discuss next year's schedules. The meetings are an important time for students to reflect on their progress towards meeting UC/CSU A-G requirements, graduation requirements, as well as their elective pathway. I encourage families to review the program planning handbook in order for students to be prepared for those meetings.

I hope you are able to enjoy spending time together as a family over these next two weeks. Thank you for the part you played in making the first semester a success, and looking forward to 2017 at Sequoia.

Sincerely,