Congratulations to Remi Davis for winning the drawing for the First Aid Kit!
As we approach the Christmas holiday, I would like to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to each parent and senior. This season is one of reflection, gratitude, and togetherness, and it holds special meaning for our senior students and their families.
For our seniors, this Christmas break marks an important milestone; it is your final holiday season as students in our district. In just a few short months, you will be completing a journey that has been shaped by hard work, perseverance, and growth. It has truly been a pleasure to support you throughout your educational experience, and especially during this final year as you prepare for the next exciting chapter of your lives.
To our parents and families, thank you for your continued partnership and support. Your encouragement and commitment have played a vital role in helping our students reach this point, and we are grateful to walk alongside you during this meaningful time.
On behalf of the Board of Education, our dedicated staff, and the entire school community, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a joyful, restful holiday break. May this season bring you peace, happiness, and special moments with those you cherish most.
We look forward to welcoming our seniors back refreshed and ready for the opportunities that lie ahead in the new year.
Warm regards,
Dr. Mike Hernandez
Superintendent of Schools
Getting Ready For Life After High School
Got Skills?
You are about to be at home for a few weeks and likely will be perusing social media if you have an account or considering getting an account. Let's take a moment to reflect on the dos and don'ts.
Social media is a powerful way to stay connected, express yourself, and build your identity—but it’s important to remember that what you post can have a life far beyond the moment. Photos, videos, comments, and even “likes” can be saved, shared, or taken out of context, even if you later delete them. As you prepare to graduate and move into college, the workforce, or the military, it’s smart to pause before posting and ask yourself whether you’d be comfortable with a teacher, coach, family member, or future employer seeing it.
Future employers often look at social media to get a sense of a candidate’s judgment, communication skills, and professionalism. They are not necessarily expecting perfection, but they do look for red flags such as posts that show disrespect toward others, harassment or bullying, illegal activity, or extreme or offensive language. On the positive side, employers may also notice leadership, creativity, teamwork, community involvement, and how you handle disagreements. Your online presence can either support your goals or quietly work against them.
Being safe on social media also means protecting yourself. Use privacy settings wisely, be cautious about sharing personal information like your location or daily routines, and think carefully before engaging in online arguments. Scammers, impersonators, and people with bad intentions often target young adults who overshare. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and a smaller, trusted audience can help keep your accounts secure.
As you move forward, think of social media as part of your personal brand. You get to decide what story your online presence tells. Posting content that reflects your values, interests, and ambitions—or choosing not to post at all—is a valid and responsible choice. Making thoughtful decisions now can help protect your safety, your reputation, and your future opportunities.
Employed
For high school seniors considering a career in the wireless communication retail business, this field offers a strong entry point into the workforce with real opportunities to learn, earn, and advance. Wireless retail stores, such as those selling mobile phones, plans, and related technology, often hire directly out of high school. Most positions require a high school diploma or a GED, as well as basic math and communication skills, reliability, and a willingness to learn. Previous work experience is helpful but not always required; many employers provide paid training on products, sales techniques, and customer service.
Compensation in wireless retail is typically a mix of hourly pay and performance-based incentives. Entry-level sales associates often earn an hourly wage that ranges from the mid-teens to the low twenties per hour, depending on the location and employer, with commissions or bonuses added on top. High-performing associates can significantly increase their income through commissions tied to device sales, service plans, and accessories. It’s not uncommon for motivated employees to earn several thousand dollars more per year through incentives, especially during peak sales periods.
One of the biggest advantages of the wireless retail industry is the opportunity for advancement. Employees who demonstrate strong sales skills, reliability, and leadership can move into roles such as senior sales associate, assistant manager, or store manager, sometimes within one to three years. Management positions often come with higher base pay, larger bonuses, and benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and tuition assistance. Beyond the store level, there are also career paths into district management, training, marketing, or corporate operations.
Working in wireless retail also builds valuable, transferable skills. You gain experience in customer service, sales, problem-solving, technology, teamwork, and communication skills that are useful in almost any career. Whether you have plans to stay in the industry long-term, attend college later, or transition into business, technology, or management roles, the wireless communication retail business can provide a solid foundation and a pathway to professional growth.
Check out the video below about the day in the life of a Verizon retail associate.
Enrolled
Do you ever wonder why graduate students show up at home with much longer breaks than a typical high school student has? Well, their academic calendar is different. Here is some more in-depth info as you plan for next year.
As high school seniors prepare for college, it’s helpful to understand how college and university academic calendars usually work. Most colleges operate on a semester system, with two main terms each year: fall semester (typically late August through December) and spring semester (January through May). Each semester usually lasts about 14–16 weeks, including time for final exams. Unlike high school, you’ll often take fewer classes at a time, but each course meets for longer periods and moves at a faster pace.
In college, most classes last for one semester only, meaning you complete the entire course content, assignments, exams, and final grade, within that term. Instead of year-long classes, you start fresh with new courses each semester. Many classes have a final exam at the end of the term, which may be a comprehensive test covering everything learned, a major project, a research paper, or a presentation. Final exams usually take place during a dedicated finals week, and exams may be scheduled at different times than regular class meetings, sometimes requiring careful planning and time management.
Many colleges also offer summer terms, which are optional but popular. Summer classes are often shorter and more intensive, lasting anywhere from 4 to 10 weeks. Because they move quickly, students usually take fewer classes at once. Summer terms can help students catch up, get ahead, reduce their regular semester course load, or focus on one challenging subject. Some students also use summer courses to save money or graduate earlier.
While semesters are the most common system, some colleges and universities use a trimester or quarter system. Trimesters typically divide the year into three academic terms, often fall, winter, and spring, with optional summer sessions. These terms are shorter than semesters, and classes move even faster, but students take more terms per year. Regardless of the system, college courses require strong organization, consistent study habits, and planning ahead, especially during midterms and finals. Understanding the academic calendar ahead of time can help students make a smooth transition from high school to college.
Enlisted
The United Service Organizations (USO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the men and women of the United States military and their families. Founded in 1941, the USO’s mission is to strengthen America’s service members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country throughout their military service. The organization operates worldwide, providing programs and services at every stage of a service member’s journey—from enlistment through deployment and transition back to civilian life.
One of the primary ways the USO helps the military is by offering welcoming centers at airports, military installations, and overseas locations. These centers provide a safe and comfortable place for service members to rest, connect with loved ones, enjoy meals, and access internet and communication tools while traveling or stationed away from home. For many troops, especially those far from family, USO centers offer a sense of familiarity and emotional support during challenging times.
In addition to physical spaces, the USO delivers programs that boost morale and well-being, such as live entertainment, holiday celebrations, care packages, and family support initiatives. These efforts help reduce stress, foster resilience, and remind service members that their sacrifices are recognized and appreciated. Through these programs, the USO plays a vital role in supporting the mental, emotional, and social needs of the military community.
Overall, the USO serves as a powerful link between the American public and the armed forces. By relying on donations and volunteers, the organization ensures that service members receive support beyond what the military alone can provide. Its work helps strengthen morale, readiness, and quality of life for those who serve, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to its military personnel and their families.
Questions, suggestions or concerns?
Always feel free to reach out to me whenever you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns.
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