See Something - Say Something
Important Reminder - Students play a crucial role in keeping their school safe by following the "See Something, Say Something" principle. By reporting bullying, harassment, cyberbullying, or threats of violence, they can protect themselves and their peers. Students can make a difference by writing an incident statement, using the We Tip hotline, emailing the principal, or reporting concerns to a teacher or staff member. Information is power, and speaking up helps prevent harm and ensures a safer environment for everyone.
Fall Sports Picture Day - Oct. 24th
Students in Fall Sports will have team and individual sports photos taken on October 24th. Please be sure that students have their jersey that day for photos.
- Varsity Volleyball (Green/White/Boys)
- Cross Country
- Spirit Squad
- JV Girls Basketball
- JV Boys Soccer
- Varsity Flag Football
District Safety Committee
Our district will be reviewing the District Safety Plan and would like the principal, a teacher, and a parent to participate in the District Safety Committee as representatives of High Desert School.
There are 3 meetings this year.
- Monday, Nov. 18th from 3-4pm
- Monday, Jan. 27th from 3-4pm
- Monday, Apr. 28th from 3-4pm
Please email Mrs. Van Ornum by October 23 if you are interested. mvanornum@aadusd.k12.ca.us
7/8th Handbells - Starts Tuesday, Oct. 22nd
Any 7th and 8th grade students interested in joining and / or returning to the 7th-8th Grade Handbell Group -- we would love for you to participate and join our group this year. Joining the handbell group is a great place to foster friendships, teamwork, and leadership in addition to all the musical skills learned.
Our first rehearsal will be Tuesday, October 22, from 2:30 - 3:15 P.M. in room 326 (one of the trailers down on the basketball courts).
No music background necessary; no fee for participation; you just need a willing and cooperative attitude to work as a musical team.
Please see Mr. Rowland in room 314 if you have any questions regarding participation in the program. Looking forward to conquering new goals and challenges as a group again this year.
Booster Club Membership and Donations
The Booster Club plays a critical role in making extracurricular activities happen for our students. If every family donates $20 per student, Booster Club will be able to fund the many events and activities the Booster Club supports. In addition to financial donations, we need parent support through donations of snack bar items and help running the snack bar during home games. These fundraising efforts directly benefit our athletics programs, and this year, funds are being raised to light up our fields for evening events. Flyers are going home today with students for ways to support.
Snack Bar Donation Ideas:
- Regular Size Candy Bars or Packs
- Snack Bags of Chips
- Popcorn Bags
- Sports Drinks
- Water
Booster Club SchoolStore Fundraising
Hello Parents, I want to personally thank all the families who have already participated in our SchoolStore fundraiser! We are on our way to reaching our goal, but we need everyone's help to make sure our teachers get the essential tools they need to help our students succeed. If your family has not participated, there's still time! This safe and easy fundraiser is 100% online so there is no face-to-face selling, collecting money, or delivering products. Your child will receive a prize just for participating, and more prizes will be awarded when goals are reached. Please help now. It really will make a difference. Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000050255 to show our valued teachers your support.
Thanks, High Desert School Booster Club
P.S. Family participation is the key to our success, and we are counting on you!
Welcome Mrs. Lindsey McGriff - Our New HDS Library Aide
High Desert is excited to welcome Mrs. Lindsey McGriff, our new Library Aide! With this new staff member brings many new and exciting opportunities to utilize our Library for class visits, book club, lunch clubs, and building a love of reading.
"Hello everyone, my name is Lindsey McGriff and I am honored to be here at High Desert as the Library Aide. I have two boys that now attend Vasquez High School, one freshman and one senior. I have been married to my husband for 22 years and as a family we enjoy camping and beach trips with family and friends. Most of our weekends are busy with baseball games and whatever other activities our busy boys have planned. My love for Jesus, family and friends is what fills my heart and I try my best to make the best out of each day. I'm excited to see where this new season takes me, and the new opportunities life brings my way."
AVID Advisory and SEL - Weekly Focus
- AVID - This year in AVID, we will be focusing on organization, goal setting, and academic achievement with the support of WICOR strategies implemented in all classrooms. This week, the focus is on Integrity.
- SEL - Each week, on Wednesday, our students will be working on soft skills to support their social and emotional development during middle school.
VFW Patriot's Pen Essay Contest - My Voice in America's Democracy
Each year more students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000!
The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.
This year's theme: My Voice in America's Democracy
Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download and complete the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen entry form.
Turn in the Entry Form and Your Essay titled "My Voice in America's Democracy" by Friday, October 25th.
Autry Museum - Visions of the Future Art Exhibition
The Autry Museum invites all student to submit a two-dimensional piece of artwork representing the theme: Visions of the Future.
Student application must be submitted online.
Entries due to the HDS Office by February 7, 2025
Step Up Tutoring - FREE for Grades 5-6
Step Up delivers 1-on-1 math tutoring, conducted online with a consistent tutor
Students receive tailored math support using a curriculum that is tailored to address their needs
Tutors focus on relationship-building and provide mentorship in a fun learning environment
Students receive tutoring at least twice weekly via one of three program models: at-home, during an after-school program, or during the school day
2024-2025 Athletics Physicals
All students must have a new athletic physical and online clearance each school year. To complete the online clearance go to: https://www.homecampus.com/login
- For School - Select Vasquez
- For Sport - Select the sport the applies with MS in the title (ex: MS Volleyball)
You will need to submit the following documents as part of the clearance process:
- Current health insurance card
- Physical (Medical History / Physical / Clearance)
Attendance Matters
HDS Yearbook 2025
Yearbooks are selling quickly. They are a great way to preserve the memories that students make during their middle school years. Purchase your yearbook today online or in the HDS Office.
Coffee with the Counselor
Teen Mental Health Toolkit - For Parents and Guardians
About half of teens in the U.S. had a mental health concern at some point in their life. Recognizing teen mental health issues and connecting to early intervention and treatment can be lifesaving. Check out this free guide to the most common teen mental health challenges and find local mental health resources.
Youth Soccer Clinic - Oct. 26th
On Saturday, October 26th, from 3pm-6pm, Athlinics is holding our UCLA Soccer Clinic!
Open to both boys and girls, the event will feature UCLA Men's and Women's (2022 National Champions) Soccer players — Sam Joseph, Cam Wilkerson, Lexi Wright, among others — who will lead a skills training session and team play, concluding with a panel to speak with the players about student-athlete life at the Division I level. This event will take place at Gol Soccer Complex, 11501 Strathern St, North Hollywood, CA 91605.
This is an incredible opportunity for your boys and girls, who will not only develop as athletes but learn about the collegiate athlete experience. Spots are limited.
Here's the link for sign up. They offer a discount code - BRUINS10 - $10 off for youth athletes referred through their school.
Acton Youth Basketball Winter League
Sign-ups are going on now for the Acton Youth Basketball League hosted in Acton at the VHS Gym.
VHS Fall Festival - Oct. 26
Join us for the annual VHS Fall Festival on Oct. 26th from 11am - 2pm at Vasquez High School. Game Booths from HDS include: Booster Club, ASB, 5th grade Outdoor Science School, and more.
CERT Training sponsored by Agua Dulce Women's Club - Starts Oct. 15th
VHS Sophomore Class Fundraiser - Dec. 7
AD Women's Club Parade of Tables - Dec. 7
Agua Dulce Women's Club is excited to host the 30th Annual Parade of Tables. Sponsor a table and support the community and schools!
HDS 24-25 School Calendar
Stay up to date on all of the Hawk Happenings throughout the school year. Check out our Yearlong Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year.
Hawk Handbook
Our scholar handbook contains vital information regarding school policies and procedures, please review with your scholar.
HDS Dress Code
Scholar attire is important to keep the focus on learning. Please review and support your scholar in adhering to the school dress code.
Daily Attendance = Academic Success
On-Time Behavior
Cell Phones - Away for the Day
PBIS Rewards Family App Access
Our School is using PBIS Rewards to help us with our PBIS program! PBIS Rewards is a technology-based PBIS Management System that helps us with our behavior incentive program. You can learn about PBIS Rewards at their website (www.pbisrewards.com).
Our students can earn rewards throughout the day by meeting our behavior expectations. These rewards are in the form of electronic points. They can redeem these points for privileges, tangible items, access to events, and other similar things. Our expectation is that we will see overall behavior improve throughout the school and that the number of referrals we have will decrease.
PBIS Rewards has a Family App that will give you some insight into how your child is doing with respect to our PBIS program. The Family App will run on most smart devices, including smartphones and tablets. You can find it in the iPhone/iPad App Store, Google Play, and the Amazon App Store. Just search for "PBIS Rewards Family."
An email has been sent to families to get you set up on the PBIS Rewards Family App. Please access this email from PBIS Rewards if you wish to access your child's progress. If you did not receive an email, please contact Mrs. Van Ornum so she can help get you set up.
High Desert School
Email: mvanornum@aadusd.k12.ca.us
Website: http://aadusd.k12.ca.is/domain/9/
Location: 3620 Antelope Woods Road, Acton, CA, USA
Phone: (661) 269-0310
Facebook: facebook.com/hdsboosterclub/
Twitter: @Highdesert_aad