HHS Principal's Update: Week 37

This is my final update for the 2022-2023 school year, and what an incredible year it has been! First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Class of 2023. Your dedication and perseverance have been truly inspiring, and we are immensely proud of your achievements. As you embark on the next chapter of your lives, we are confident that the valuable experiences you gained at HHS will serve as a roadmap for your future endeavors. We can’t wait to celebrate your accomplishments at the upcoming graduation ceremony next Thursday.

To our returning students, I encourage you to finish the final week of this year with determination and enthusiasm, and then take the time to enjoy a well-deserved summer break. As our future campus leaders, you hold the power to set a remarkable example for our incoming freshmen. We believe in your ability to lead HHS towards even greater success. We are excited to witness the remarkable achievements of the Classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026. For those of you who may need to make up or improve your grades, remember to sign up for the June Intersession and Summer School programs.

Lastly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all our families for their unwavering support of our school community. We understand the significance of providing the best education and opportunities to our students, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in their futures. Your support has been crucial in our mission, and we deeply appreciate it. At HHS, we continuously strive for improvement and refuse to settle for the status quo. We remain committed to ensuring that each new class of students has even greater opportunities than the previous one.

I wish each of you a great Memorial Day Weekend, and let's make the final week of school a truly memorable one. I will resume my updates in early July, so please keep an eye on your emails.

Charles Dunn

Your Principal

Para asegurarse de que todas nuestras familias tengan acceso a estos mensajes, haga clic en la función de traducción en la parte superior derecha de este mensaje para el idioma que prefiera. Gracias.

*NEW UPDATES THIS WEEK *

• Memorial Day: School Closed on May 29th (NO FLEX DAY ON 5/30)
• Final Exam Schedule: 5/31 & 6/1
• Graduation Ceremony Information and TIPS
• Summer School Registration
• June Intersession Signups

***Don't forget to check out our Final episode of The Weekly Bite! (Video below)***

Students embody our BARK core values. At Highland High School:

• Brilliant students have multiple experiences and opportunities for academic, collegiate, professional and personal growth.

• Accountable students are academically proficient and prepared for college and career readiness.

• Respectful students cultivate a safe and secure, positive school culture that supports all students’ personal and academic growth.

• Kind students communicate effectively and continue to build relationships with all community members.

Shoutout to the HHS Choir! You're making history as the only California school invited to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall on Monday, May 29th! Your talent and hard work have paid off, and now it's time to shine on one of the world's most iconic stages. Give it your all and let your voices resonate throughout the grand hall. We're proud of you and can't wait to witness your incredible performance!

HHS will be closed on Monday, May 29th to celebrate Memorial Day. Enjoy the well-deserved long weekend! Just a friendly reminder that Tuesday, May 30th will not be a flex day.

Final exams will be taking place on Wednesday, May 31st, and Thursday, June 1st. Mark your calendars and get ready to showcase your knowledge. Remember, we'll have an early release time of 1:45 PM on both days. Good luck to all the students!

Attention all graduates and guests attending the HHS graduation ceremonies on Thursday, June 1st. As you know, HHS arranged two ceremonies, allowing you to celebrate your achievements with many of your loved ones. It's going to be a day filled with joy and pride! To ensure a wonderful experience for our families, here are some helpful tips:

Save the Date: Mark your calendars for the memorable ceremonies ahead:

• Ceremony 1: 3:00 PM (Gates open at 2:00 PM)
• Ceremony 2: 6:00 PM (Gates open at 5:15 PM)

Pack Light:

• For everyone's safety and convenience, we kindly request that you do not bring any bags (excluding diaper bags or clear bags). Please leave other bags at home as they will need to be searched through a different line which will delay entry into the stadium.

Beat the Heat:

• We want you to stay cool and comfortable throughout the ceremonies. As it's going to be a sunny day, make sure to bring sealed water bottles to keep hydrated. You may also want to bring a towel or blanket to sit on during the 3 PM ceremony as the bleachers can get hot.

Cheers, Not Chores:

• Let's focus on making beautiful memories together! To ensure a smooth and enjoyable event for everyone, no balloons, noisemakers, umbrellas, or canopies are permitted into the stadium.

Traffic Tips:

• We anticipate heavy traffic congestion between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM when the first ceremony concludes. For those attending the 6:00 PM ceremony, we recommend arriving after 5 PM to avoid any delays. Pro tip: The southeast parking lot has plenty of available spaces for easier parking.

Sharing Is Caring:

• Lastly, we kindly ask families attending the 3:00 PM ceremony to wrap up their on campus celebrations promptly. By meeting your graduates in the north parking lot as they are released, we can ensure a smooth transition and prepare for the arrival of guests attending the 6 PM ceremony.

Let's celebrate your achievements and create unforgettable moments together! It's time to cheer, applaud, and make lasting memories. We can't wait to see you shine on your special day. Congratulations, graduates!

SPACES are Filling FAST, do not wait to register to guarantee a spot. As Summer School at Highland High School approaches, it's important to register using the two links provided below if you plan to participate in the program. The program will run from July 3rd to July 28th, with classes held from 8:30am to 2:00pm each day, except for July 4th which is a holiday. To be eligible for the program, both links must be completed. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact the AP Office at (661) 538-0304 ext. 375 or via email at jengriffey@avhsd.org.

HHS is offering a 3-Week June Intersession to provide an opportunity for students to make up specific failed classes. It's important to note that this program is distinct from summer school, as its primary purpose is to help students recover credits for core academic classes in which they have not achieved passing grades within a certain percentage range. Only classes that were not successfully completed during the Spring Semester are eligible for completion during the June Intersession.

The June Intersession will be conducted in a hybrid format, combining virtual and on-campus attendance. Attendance is mandatory for both modes of instruction. The program is scheduled to run from June 12th to June 30th. If you are interested in participating in the June Intersession, fill out the form provided below.

We are proud to showcase the talent of our students in the HHS Film class through their production of "The Weekly Bite". Each week, the students create and produce this show, and we invite you to watch and enjoy each episode. It's a great opportunity to see the creativity and hard work of our students.

5/29: Memorial Day: No School

5/29: HHS Choir Performance at Carnegie Hall

5/30: NO FLEX DAY

5/30: Graduation Practice

5/31: Graduation Practice

6/1: Class of 2023 Commencement & Last Day of School

All sports have completed their 2022-2023 seasons. Great year Bulldogs, now on to 2023!

Looking to catch up on some missed assignments or makeup some missed school days? Seeking a peaceful study environment? Great news! We've got just what you need! Starting on February 4th, HHS is launching our Semester 2 Saturday School sessions. You can easily sign up by using one of the Saturday School Applications below and selecting your preferred dates from the links provided. (Just complete one application - either digital or hardcopy - and bring it with you.)

Starting at 7:45 AM and running through to 8:30 AM, Monday to Friday, students will have a fantastic opportunity to take advantage of a range of interventions designed to help them succeed in their math classes, while also providing valuable preparation for a number of assessments, including the PSAT, SAT, CAASPP, AP and NWEA.

We're pleased to offer morning tutoring starting at 8:00 AM in the Student Union. To ensure that the venue is being used for academic purposes, we kindly ask that students not working on class work or attending tutoring for academic reasons leave the premises. With all subjects available for tutoring, students can benefit from this valuable resource. Additionally, we offer after-school tutoring on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:45 PM to 4:30 PM.

Please click on the link below for the 2022-2023 Bell Schedule Below.

We encourage you to reach out to our administration if you have any questions regarding their areas of supervision. They will be more than happy to assist you.

Principal: Charles Dunn

Assistant Principal: Jennifer Griffey: jengriffey@avhsd.org

Activities & PBIS Vice-Principal: Jose Cortinas jcortinas@avhsd.org

Special Education Vice-Principal: Annitra Edmond aedmond@avhsd.org

Athletics & Attendance Vice-Principal: Amanda Palmer mailto:apalmer@avhsd.org

Outreach, Interventions & Alt. Placement Vice-Principal: Sajae Davison mailto:smdavison@avhsd.org

There are three options available for viewing your student's grades in the Antelope Valley Union High School District:

1. AV High School District App (Parent Link) - Our app is a convenient way to access news, information, and keep track of your student's progress. It's available for both Apple and Android devices. Simply search for AV High School District in the App Store and download the app to start using it.

2. PowerSchool App - Our app is directly linked to the PowerSchool parent portal, providing you with real-time updates on your student's grades and attendance. It can be found on both the Apple App Store and Android App Store. Simply search for PowerSchool, and use the district code NWMZ to access your student's information.

3. Parent Portal: https://powerschool.avhsd.org
   

To stay informed and up-to-date on important events and updates, it's crucial that you download the AVUHSD app. This app, along with email, will be one of our primary modes of communication throughout the school year. Here's how you can download it:

• Open the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your device.
• Search for AVUHSD and download the app.
• Once you've downloaded the app, open it and select the checkboxes for HHS to receive updates specific to our school. That's it!

Don't miss any exciting information. Follow HHS today!

Instagram: highlandhighschool1989

Facebook: Highland High School Bulldogs

Achieving success at HHS starts with being present in the classroom. We recognize that regular attendance is key to student success, and for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, we are making a concerted effort to encourage and promote daily attendance, and punctuality. Our aim is to ensure that all our students are in class, on time, every day.

If you need to report an absence please use the following contact information:

Email: HHS-ATTENDANCE@AVHSD.ORG

Phone: (TBD Soon)

We encourage you to take advantage of our school website, social media pages, and AVUHSD App to stay informed of all the latest updates and information. By utilizing these resources, you can stay up-to-date on news, events, and important announcements related to our school and the district.

Email: cdunn@avhsd.org
Website: https://www.highlandhs.org/
Location: 39055 25th Street West, Palmdale, CA, USA
Phone: 661-538-0304
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highlandhs