HHS Principal's Update: Week 16

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving break filled with food, friends, and family. For many of us, it was also filled with football as our Bulldogs claimed the CIF Championship last Friday in a thrilling victory over Long Beach Wilson High School! Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches, and families on this incredible achievement—making it to a CIF Championship is rare, and winning it is even more extraordinary!

But we’re not stopping there! Tomorrow, our Bulldogs travel to Coalinga to compete in the 4AA State Regional Championship Game. We’re excited to cheer them on as they aim to build on their CIF Championship success with a potential State Championship victory. Let’s wish them the best of luck!

On another exciting note, we’ve received our academic assessment results, and I’m thrilled to share that Highland High School improved in all metrics! We saw significant gains in Math, ELA, EL performance, and graduation rates. These results are a testament to the hard work of our students and faculty, proving once again that HHS excels both inside and outside the classroom. As we celebrate these achievements, let’s stay focused and finish the final two weeks of the semester strong. Great things are happening at HHS, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Charles Dunn

Your Principal

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*NEW UPDATES THIS WEEK *

• Semester 1 Finals & Winter Break Information

***Don't forget to check out our weekly 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.

The semester ends on Friday, December 20th, with Final Exams scheduled from Wednesday, December 18th, to Friday, December 20th. These will follow the normal daily schedule. Winter Break begins on Monday, December 23rd, and runs through Friday, January 10th. Semester 2 will start on Monday, January 13th.

A huge shoutout to the 2024 Division 9 CIF Champions!

Lights, books, and cozy fun! Join Highland High's Avid Club for their FREE Winter Literacy Event on 12/7, 3-6PM. Snacks, crafts, and an immersive book experience await. RSVP at the QR code for a magical literary adventure!

We take great pride in presenting the remarkable talent of our students in the HHS Film class through their production of "The Weekly Bite." This captivating show is crafted and brought to life by our students on a weekly basis. We cordially invite you to watch and immerse yourself in each episode, as it provides a wonderful opportunity to witness the creativity and dedication of our students firsthand. Prepare to be amazed by their hard work and artistic prowess!

Check out works from our VAPA courses throughout the year!

12/19 - 12/20: Final Exams (Regular Bell Schedule)

12/20: Last Day of Semester 1

12/23 - 1/10: Winter Break

12/10: Girls Soccer vs LHS

12/10: Girls Basketball vs LHS

12/11: Boys Soccer vs LHS

12/11: Boys Basketball vs LHS

12/12: Girls Soccer vs EHS

12/12: Girls Basketball vs EHS

12/13: Boys Soccer vs EHS

12/13: Boys Basketball vs EHS

12/18: Girls Soccer vs LnHS

12/18: Boys Soccer vs EHS

12/18: Girls Basketball vs LnHS

Please click on the link below for the 2024-2025 Bell Schedule Below.

Are you behind on assignments or need to make up missed school days? If you're looking for a quiet place to study, we have the perfect solution for you! Starting in September, HHS will be hosting Saturday School sessions for Semester 2. Signing up is simple, just choose one of the Saturday School Applications below and select your preferred dates from the provided links. Remember to bring the completed application with you, whether it's a digital or hardcopy version.

Saturday School Semester 1 Dates:

12/7, 12/14

Every Week, Monday thru Friday, HHS students will have an amazing opportunity to benefit from a variety of interventions aimed at enhancing their math skills and ensuring success in their math classes. These sessions, which run from 7:45 AM to 8:30 AM, also offer valuable preparation for several important assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, CAASPP, AP, and NWEA.

Need help with your studies or want to improve your grades? You're invited to our free tutoring sessions! Join us in the Student Union on Mondays & Wednesdays after school from 3:45-4:30 PM and Tuesdays & Thursdays before school from 7:45-8:40 AM. Let’s work together for your success!

Did you know you can use Short-Term Independent Study (IS) even if you’re only missing one day of school? Whether it’s for a vacation, a doctor’s appointment, or any other reason, you can complete a Short-Term IS application for the days you’ll be absent.

Why choose Short-Term IS?

• You won’t be marked absent for the days you miss.
• You’ll receive assignments to complete during your absence, which helps reduce the stress of making up missed work.
• You can maintain your positive attendance status without needing to attend Saturday School.
• You’ll remain eligible for our positive attendance incentives!

To participate in this program, print out the IS application below or pick one up from the front or attendance office. For any additional questions, please contact our attendance office or Vice Principal Palmer.

Click on the link below to access the HHS Policies & Procedures which include but not limited to:

• Student Dropoff & Pickup
• Substance abuse & Physical Altercations
• Food Deliveries
• Attendance & Tardy Policy
• Dress Code
• Campus Cleanliness

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

Special Education Vice-Principal: Jason Spitzer jspitzer@avhsd.org

Athletics & Alt. Placement Vice-Principal: James Dunlavey mdunlavey@avhsd.org

Outreach & Interventions, Attendance Vice-Principal: Amanda Palmer apalmer@avhsd.org

To view your student's grades in the Antelope Valley Union High School District, you have three options:

1. AV High School District App (Parent Link): This app is available for both Apple and Android devices. You can find it in the App Store by searching for "AV High School District." Download the app to access news, information, and track your student's progress.

2. PowerSchool App: The PowerSchool app is directly linked to the PowerSchool parent portal, providing real-time updates on your student's grades and attendance. You can find it in both the Apple App Store and Android App Store. Search for "PowerSchool" and use the district code NWMZ to access your student's information.

3. Parent Portal: Access the Parent Portal directly at https://powerschool.avhsd.org. This portal allows you to view your student's grades and other relevant information.

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Choose the option that suits you best to stay informed about your student's academic progress in the Antelope Valley Union High School District.

To stay well-informed and receive important updates, it is essential to download the AVUHSD app. This app, in addition to email, will be one of our main communication channels during the school year. Here are the steps to download it:

1. Open the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your device.

2. Search for "AVUHSD" and download the app.

3. Once the app is downloaded, open it and select the checkboxes for HHS to receive updates specifically tailored to our school. That's all!

By following these steps, you will have the AVUHSD app installed and customized to receive relevant information and updates related to Highland High School.

Stay updated with all the exciting news and updates by following HHS today!

Instagram: highlandhighschool1989

Facebook: Highland High School Bulldogs

At HHS, we believe that attendance is vital for student success. We understand the importance of regular attendance in achieving academic goals. Therefore, for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, we are dedicated to actively encouraging and promoting daily attendance and punctuality. Our goal is to ensure that all students are present and on time for every class, every day.

To report an absence, please use the following contact information:

Email: HHS-ATTENDANCE@AVHSD.ORG

Phone: (TBD Soon)

We highly recommend that you utilize our school website, social media pages, and the AVUHSD App to stay informed about the latest updates and information. These resources are designed to keep you up-to-date on school news, events, and important announcements. By regularly checking these platforms, you can stay connected with our school and the district.

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