Class of 2028

Saturday, March 1st - Deadline to submit the Helix application for NEW students, including siblings.
March 12th & 13th - Finals, Revised Bell Schedule - Spring Semester I
Friday, March 14th - No School, Staff Workday
March 14th - 28th - Spring Break - No School
Tuesday, March 18th - Athletic Eligibility Determined
Monday, March 31st - First Day of Spring Semester II

The deadline for NEW students (including siblings) to apply to Helix for next school year is Friday, March 1. Any applications submitted after March 1 will be placed on a waitlist in the order it was received. We will notify all families of lottery results on Friday, March 14. You will need to log in to SchoolMint to accept placement if offered. Instructions on how to do that will be included in your email. The application and all information about enrollment can be found here - helixcharter.net/Enroll. No action is required for students already enrolled at Helix.

We will have a revised bell schedule during finals on March 12 & 13, with school ending at 2 PM.

Spring Semester I Finals will be held on Wednesday, March 12th & Thursday, March 13th. Friday, March 14th is a teacher work day (no school for students). Spring Break will start on Friday, March 14th and students will return on Monday, March 31st for the first day of Spring Semester II.

Our annual college field trip is coming up on April 16 & 17, giving freshmen the opportunity to explore San Diego State University (SDSU) and UC San Diego (UCSD). Students will experience a day on two college campuses, learning about academic programs, student life, and what it takes to get to college. Permission slips will be sent home after spring break—please keep an eye out! Transportation & lunch will be provided. This is a great chance for students to start thinking about their future. We encourage all freshmen to participate!

The Class of 2028 Grade Level Team has been meeting individually with each 9th grader to review their course requests for 10th grade. Once their meeting is complete, students can view their course requests in StudentVue under the "Course Request" tab. We encourage all students and families to take a moment to review their selections to ensure accuracy. If any changes are needed, please reach out to the grade-level team before the March 7th deadline.

Please note, these course requests are not your final schedule. They serve as a "wishlist" and will be used to help build final schedules when students and their families meet with the Grade Level Team during Summer Conferencing in June.

If any changes are needed, students must request updates by March 7th. To make a change, students can email the Grade Level Team at glt2028@helixcharter.net or visit us in person.

Let us know if you have any questions!

Helix students will be taking their first final exams on March 12th and 13th. As these exams approach, it is important for students to stay on top of their grades and make use of available resources. Teacher tutorials are held every Friday, and The Den offers before and after school tutoring Monday through Thursday. Support is available—whether through teachers, school staff, your grade level team, or academic support.

Self-care is essential to performing well on finals because when we feel our best, we can study and test our best. To set yourself up for success, start by creating a study schedule that spreads your study time over several days rather than cramming, and focus on one subject at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Staying organized is key—keep your class notes and materials in order so you can easily review important concepts. Remember to take short, regular breaks during study sessions to refresh your mind and prevent burnout. If you're struggling with any topics, don't hesitate to attend tutorials or ask your teachers for clarification. By taking care of yourself and your study habits, you'll walk into your test feeling confident and walk out knowing you did awesome.

Managing Wellness During Exam Season

Self Care - Active Minds

MindShift

Manage anxiety & be mindful

Down Dog

An app that provides fitness and wellness content free to high school students.

Friday Morning Teacher Tutorials provide students with a valuable opportunity to make up missed tests, revise papers, and receive extra support from teachers before final exams. Some teachers may also offer one-on-one assistance to help clarify concepts and improve understanding.

Tutorials take place every Friday morning—see the schedule below for details. Take advantage of this time to stay on top of your coursework and finish the semester strong!

In addition to Friday Morning Teacher Tutorials, The Den offers academic support before and after school, Monday through Thursday in ExL (Room 1600). Students can drop in for help with any subject from academic coaches and credentialed teachers. Services include: tutoring & remediation, test prep & proctoring, timed writings & study groups.

If you need extra support throughout the week, The Den is the place to be! Check out the schedule below and take advantage of this great resource.

Every Thursday at 6pm, Helix staff or special guests present on different topics applicable to high school parents. See below for our upcoming schedule. Visit helixcharter.net/student-support/family-first for more information and for links to previous recordings.

Join us for a catered dinner and Family First night, where our school social work interns Angela Drewien and Teneal Trent will discuss the importance of self-care for parents and provide valuable resources to support mental well-being. This event will feature practical strategies, interactive discussions, and helpful tools to help parents prioritize their health while balancing family life. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and invest in your well-being! This event will be held in ExL (1600). Students and siblings are welcome to join you. Dinner will be provided from Wei Wei! Please RSVP here for food ordering purposes.

Our Student Support team will explain about the requirements to get a Platinum Cap, Golden State Seal, Biliteracy Seal, Honors Cord, and Valedictorian recognitions. Families from all grade levels are invited. This info session will be held on Zoom, click here to join. Registration not required. For translation services, click here.

Yearbooks are currently for sale at the Dawg House and through the student store. Yearbooks SELL OUT, so buy one TODAY if you are interested!

The Helix PTSA needs your help recognizing some outstanding Helix teachers and staff. Please fill out this link to recognize some Helix All-Stars. They will be recognized in the all-staff monthly meetings.

Some performing arts classes classes require auditions. Please see the flyer below for dance audition information.

HIMA's 31st Annual Gala will be held at the Thursday Club on March 13th. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Helix Foundation facilitates fundraising that promotes the growth and improvement of the programs, facilities, and activities at Helix Charter High School as well as funding many scholarships for post secondary education to graduating seniors. Their annual golf tournament is coming up and they are looking for both participants and sponsors. Visit helixhighschoolfoundation.com/golf for more information and to register!

Use promocode HelixCharter when purchasing Farm Fresh to You products and they will give 10% back to Helix.

Comienza con un Sueño / It Begins with A Dream ( comienza.ucsd.edu) is a FREE, accessible, and informational event for 6th-11th grade students and their families. The event will run from 8am to 3pm and include workshops in English and Spanish on a variety of topics including academic preparation, insights into university life, UC San Diego admissions and financial aid. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. We anticipate 800 attendees this year.

Registration is open! Be sure to register each attendee individually!

Event Registration

Follow the event on Instagram: @ucsandiego_eaop If you have any questions, feel free to email comienza@ucsd.edu.

Helix students are required to complete at least 40 hours of community service to graduate.

It’s never too early to start! We recommend that 9th graders aim to complete at least 10 hours of community service during their freshman year.

After completing your community service hours, please fill out THIS FORM and submit it to your Academic Advisor, Mrs. Naranjo.

• Go to "Student Info"
• Scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says "service learning hours".
• You will see the number of hours you have logged.

To help students find opportunities, we regularly update the Student Opportunities sheet with information on community service, jobs, internships, college visits, and more! Explore community service opportunities here: helixcharter.net/student-support/community-service.

HandsOn San Diego is a nonprofit on a mission to make volunteering easier and our communities stronger. Our projects are hand selected to ensure our volunteers have a great experience and truly make a difference.

Ready to volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about? Projects that fit your schedule and interests are waiting for you! Easily search their volunteer calendar based on your age, location, or impact area.

Ms. Cynthia Jones, Helix Class of 2014, is the Assistant Manager of Academic Support for Helix’s nationally recognized Academic Support Program. She plays a key role in Extended Learning (EXL), a welcoming environment designed to support our newest Scotties as they transition from middle school to the ‘Helix Way.’ In EXL, students work in pods, where Ms. Jones and her team of Academic Coaches provide personalized support and one-on-one mentoring, ensuring each student builds the skills and confidence needed to thrive at Helix.

• Week 1 (Mar 3 - Mar 7) - Completion of Course Requests
• Week 2 (Mar 10 - Mar 13) - FINALS WEEK (3/12 - 3/13)
• Comes with an adjusted Bell Schedule
• Week 3 (Mar 14 - Mar 21) - Spring Break Part 1
• Week 4 (Mar 24 - Mar 28) - Spring Break Part 2

MS. VIRTO -

Graduated from Monte Vista in 2021. She is currently pursuing a degree in English at SDSU and is graduating this May! This is Ms. Virto’s second year working in the Academic Support Program, and she has experience working in both of our ExL Units and our Science Unit with 10th-12th graders. Through working in the ASP program Carina has loved making connections with the students, and finds it unique that you can see student growth in a different way. In particular, she thinks that the fact that you can see students grow as individuals as well as academics is both inspiring and uplifting. Though she is at work everyday, it doesn’t feel like work to her.

What would be the definition of a perfect day to you?

On a perfect day I would wake up at 8:30am and then get ready for brunch. Brunch is like my favorite type of food, so I will definitely make time for that. After Brunch I would go to Kate Sessions Park to paint for a while. I actually really love to paint but find it extra hard to find time on a regular basis. After this I would go to the Beach and tan (as long as it is warm - that would make the day even more perfect), then go home to shower. Later in the evening I would go out to the movies and then dinner afterwards. It seems like a jam-packed day but I find it more fun to have things to do instead of head home and be there all day, so I would try to do as much as I can!

What Was/Is Your Dream Job?

My Dream job is to be a Flight Officer in the Navy - it is a commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps who specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. I find myself drawn to this career due to it not sounding like something I would normally do. I find trying new things and expanding my experience not only fun for me, but necessary to become a better version of myself. I am actually studying for the O.A.R. - Officer Aptitude Rating - and should be taking the test very soon! Wish me Luck!

DEN SESSIONS LEFT - Take advantage of the FREE support offered here on Campus, especially as the first spring semester comes to a close.

• 8 DEN AM Sessions Left: 3/03, 3/04, 3/05, 3/06, 3/10, 3/11, 3/12, 3/13
• 7 DEN PM Sessions Left: 3/03, 3/04, 3/05, 3/06, 3/10, 3/11, 3/12

SS1 FINALS ARE APPROACHING - HERE’S HOW YOU CAN BEGIN PREPARING

• Start your study guides/practice ASAP - having more time with the material gives you more time to figure out what you know and what you need more time on
• Order your material from least confident to most confident - prioritizing this can help organize yourself and maximize time
• Organize your resources! Find notes, old homework, quizzes, or tests to help make review guides - a lot of teachers build off of material they have already assigned.
• Break your studying up between more days - more time to really know material and it feels less stifling when you are not cramming
• Find a quiet place! Studies show that the brain cannot focus on many things at once, so having a space where your focus is targeted to your work is most productive
• Explain what you’re learning to someone else!
• Find extra practice online or from your teacher!
• Bring Questions to Class!
• ‘Doomsday’ prepping - sleeping, eating, rest, taking breaks,
• Self-Care
• Can be anything from preparing your favorite snack, partaking in your favorite pastime, or simply relaxing! These additions to your Finals Routine are just as important as the Studying aspect of Finals Prep.

Monthly Topic: Healthy Habits

Hello!
Our names are Jalen Davis and Julieta Hernandez; we are the interns of the 11th and 12th grade counselors, Mr. González and Mrs. Street respectively. We will be creating different presentations during each month to keep you informed about different topics that we hope you will find useful. This month we created a presentation on how your students can practice healthy habits and establish a routine to maximize productivity throughout their day. By developing strong organization and planning skills at Helix, students will set themselves up for success, both academically and beyond.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at:
Jalen Davis: jdavis@helixcharter.net
Julieta Hernandez: jhernandez@helixcharter.net

Tema Mensual: Hábitos Saludables

¡Hola!
Nuestros nombres son Jalen Davis y Julieta Hernández; somos los pasantes de los consejeros de 11th y 12th grado, el Sr. González y la Sra. Street respectivamente. Estaremos creando diferentes presentaciones durante cada mes para mantenerte informado sobre diferentes temas que esperamos que te resulten útiles. Este mes creamos una presentación sobre cómo sus estudiantes pueden practicar hábitos saludables y establecer una rutina para maximizar la productividad a lo largo del día. Al desarrollar sólidas habilidades de organización y planificación en Helix, los estudiantes se prepararán para el éxito, tanto académicamente como más allá.

Si tiene alguna pregunta o comentarios por favor contáctenos a:
Jalen Davis: jdavis@helixcharter.net
Julieta Hernandez: jhernandez@helixcharter.net

Grade Level Principal: Mr. Damon Chase chase@helixcharter.net x127

Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Vicky Rodriguez rodriguez@helixcharter.net x145

Counselor: Mrs. Olivari (on maternity leave)

Substitute Counselor: Ms. Reed reed@helixcharter.net x147

Academic Advisor: Mrs. Deborah Naranjo naranjo@helixcharter.net x136

School Social Worker: Mrs. Lorena Fernandez fernandez@helixcharter.net x395

Attendance Technician: Ms. Bridgette Bojorquez bojorquez@helixcharter.net x231

2028 Grade Level Team Email: glt2028@helixcharter.net

Click the icons to visit our pages!

Email: glt2028@helixcharter.net
Website: www.helixcharter.net
Location: 4200 Lowell Street, La Mesa, CA, USA
Phone: 619-644-1940