High Desert School Hawk Happenings

Good morning High Desert Hawks and Families,

This school year at High Desert School, we are "Anchored in Achievement!" Set sail on a smooth school year by anchoring strong routines early—review your planner each night and keep your supplies shipshape. Steer clear of rough waters by asking for help when you need it; teamwork keeps the crew afloat!

Student Success Reminders:

• On-Time to School Behavior - Being on time to school is important for many reasons, including:
• Learning - Students who are on time can settle into the classroom, prepare their materials, and focus on lessons. A student who is late 10 minutes every day misses 30 hours of instruction per year.
• Respect - Being on time shows respect for teachers, classmates, and the school community. It also helps create a positive and collaborative learning environment.
• Preparation for future success - Punctuality is a valuable skill that can help students succeed in the workforce.
• Stress reduction - Being on time can help reduce stress and anxiety for both students and teachers.
• Positive habits - Students who are on time every day develop the habit of being punctual with important commitments.
• Self-esteem - Arriving on time every day can make students feel good about themselves.
• Important information - School days often start with announcements and introductions to new lessons. Students who are late may miss out on important information.
• Disruption - Being late can disrupt the flow of the classroom and impact the learning experience of other students.
• The Advantages of Being on Time vs. Being Late to School

Athletics

• Games start this week for JV Girls Basketball!
• Please remember that you are a member of the team on and off the field. Keep up your grades and good behavior to remain eligible all season!
• Sports Currently in Season
• Varsity Girls and Boys Volleyball
• JV Girls Basketball
• JV Boys Soccer
• Cross Country
• Spirit Squad
• 100-Mile Club

Monday, September 30

• 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
  
• Varsity Volleyball Practice - Green/White 2:30-4:30pm
• Cross Country Practice 2:30-3:30pm @ HDS Outdoor Stage

Tuesday, October 1

• Varsity Boys Volleyball Practice 2:30-4:30pm
• JV Girls Basketball Practice 2:30-4:00pm @ HDS Outdoor Courts
  
• JV Boys Soccer Practice 2:45-4:45pm @ HDS Lower Field
• Cross Country Practice 2:30-3:30pm @ Outdoor Stage

Wednesday, October 2

• HDS Booster Club Meeting 8:45am
• Early Release Dismissal at 1:10pm
  
• 100-Mile Club 1:15-2:00pm
• Varsity Volleyball Game - 3:00 Hawks White, 4:00 - Hawks Green, 5:00 - Boys @ HDS MPR

Thursday, October 3

• Cross Country Practice 2:30-3:30pm @ HDS Outdoor Stage
  
• JV Boys Soccer Game 3:50pm @ SC Soccer Center
• JV Girls Basketball Game 3:30pm @ Delphi Academy of LA

• Show your Hawks Pride and Wear Green, Black, and White on Friday!
• Coffee with the Counselor 9:00am
• ASB Meeting 1:30pm
• Spirit Day - Superhero Day and Draw on Your Back Challenge at Lunch
  
• JV Girls Basketball Game 3:30pm @ OLPH
• Cross Country Meet 3:30pm @ Joe Walker

Have a great week and Go Hawks!

High Desert School Booster Club: LIGHT IT UP FUNDRAISER!

Submit your bid to win tickets to the

LA Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings game on 10/24.

The winner will receive:

3 club seat tickets with pink lot tailgate parking.

The value of this bundle is set at $1700.

Bidding deadline extended to Tuesday, October 1st at 8pm.

Scan the QR Code or bid here:

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!

On September 19th, High Desert invites speaker, Ron L. James to speak to our Hawks about the choices they make in their lives. His goal is to help students make their next choice the best choice. Topics that he will speak about include: bullying, discrimination, making better choices, kindness, gratitude, and making positive changes in their lives.

"Mrs. Graff supported our High Desert Hawks at the 7/8th History Guest Teacher to start out the school year. She is such an incredible supporter of the students and team member for our staff. We are extremely grateful for her service and hard work that helped us start the year off well. Thank you Mrs. Graff!"

~ HDS Staff

• 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.

5th Grade will be returning to Outdoor Science School this year at Thousand Pines. Payment #1 is due by October 1st to secure students' spot on the trip. Make the first payment today! Your student won't want to miss this great educational opportunity.

Acton Agua Dulce Library would like to invite you to participate in LA County Library’s 45th Annual Bookmark Contest, an annual program that encourages a love of books and reading while also promoting creativity, artistic expression, and community engagement. Students will have the chance to see their bookmark designs featured at their local library and throughout Los Angeles County. Participants compete in the following age categories:

• Grade 3 – Grade 5
• Grade 6 – Grade 8

Completed entry forms can be dropped off at individual library locations, sent in by mail, or submitted digitally via a link on the Library’s website. The deadline for entry is October 5, 2024.

The winning bookmarks from each library will be shared with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, who will select winners that reside in their District from each category. Winners selected by the Board of Supervisors will be recognized by the Board in the spring of 2025.

Assemblyman Lackey is pleased to announce the 34th Assembly District Student Art Show for 2024. This is open to students in grades K-12 and Special Education who reside in the Assemblyman’s District.

Attached, please find, the application and rules for the contest; the deadline for student submissions is October 4, 2024.

This year’s theme is “California Dreamin” and the Assemblyman is looking forward to seeing the Golden State through the eyes of the students.

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 "How are you inspired by America?" by Friday, October 25th.

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

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)

Hello Students and Parents,

HDS is taking a trip to the Florida Keys on the Splash into Science program!

This trip is all-inclusive, and we’ll be going over what we’ll get to see and do on our program, such as:

• Swim with dolphins
• Snorkel the coral reef
• Kayak the mangroves
• Behind the scenes visit at The Turtle Hospital Rescue, Rehab, Release Center
• Explore Everglades National Park

Please contact me if you have any questions about itinerary highlights, information regarding WorldStrides FLAG Financial Assistance, Extended Payment Options, and other important items you need to know about Educational Travel.

HDS Florida Trip Registration Link

HDS Florida Trip Registration Flyer - English / Spanish

Our School Counselor, Ms. Zuly Quezada, and our School Therapist, Miss Alondra Conde, have been doing classroom presentations for our all of our classes. They are sharing information about their program and ways that they can support students. In addition, they are meeting with students individually to get to know them and offer support/guidance as needed.

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.

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.

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.

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