

HHS Principal's Update: Week 21
Thursday, January 30th
Good Evening HHS Students and Families,
What a week! We started with snow and are ending with some beautiful weather. It was fantastic to see so many families at Back to School Night as its always a night of celebration and motivation. As we wrap up January and head into February, we’re looking forward to all the exciting activities coming up for our students. Our first reminder is that we have no school next Wednesday, February 5th so our staff can participate in Professional Development.
This week’s message includes important information for students interested in joining CSF, along with two key surveys—our annual Semester 2 Campus Climate Survey and a survey on cell phone use in our schools. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts!
Keep up the great work, Bulldogs!
Have a great weekend,
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 *
- NO SCHOOL Wednesday, February 5th for Staff Professional Development
- Cell Phone Use in Schools District Survey
- Semester 2 Campus Survey (See Link Below)
- CSF Applications
- esports Tryouts (See Flyer Below)
***Don't forget to check out our weekly episode of The Weekly Bite! (Video below)***
Highland High School's Student Learning Outcomes
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.
NEW UPDATES AND INFORMATION
Staff Professional Development: NO SCHOOL Wednesday, February 5th
Highland High School will be closed on Wednesay February 5th, for Staff Professional Development. Classes will resume on TThursday, February 6th, following the normal schedule. Thank you for your understanding and support as we dedicate this time to enhancing our staff's professional growth.
AVUHSD Cell Phones in Schools Survey
Cell phone use in schools is an important topic of discussion, and our district is seeking input from staff, students, and parents through the survey linked below. Your feedback will help shape future policies, and there is also an opportunity to express interest in joining the district’s planning committee on this issue. We encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your thoughts. Your input is valuable, and we appreciate your time and participation.
CSF Applications NOW OPEN!
Do you want to graduate in GOLD? If the answer is yes, then you need to join CSF.
Please click on the following links for the application and requirements.
HHS Semester 2 Campus Survey
Students, parents and staff, please take 2 minutes to take the HHS Semester 2 Survey. We use this data to continue our campus improvements as we move forward. Thank you!
STUDENT ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS & INFORMATION
HUGE SHOUTOUT to our incredible cheer team! Both our Gold Team and Cardinal Team took FIRST PLACE at Nationals in Las Vegas! This is a historic moment for Highland High—our first time having two teams win first at Nationals! Great job Bulldogs!
Prom 2025 Ticket Sale
Prom 2025 is just around the corner, and the Flash Sale is happening on February 4th! With only 600 tickets available, prom is expected to sell out quickly.
Seniors with Senior Packages already have their tickets included and do not need to purchase one.
Don’t wait—buy your ticket during the Flash Sale!
Join HHS's Nationally Ranked esports teams!
Highland High School is hosting tryouts for various esports games this spring. All tryouts will take place after school and end around 5:30 PM. Mark your calendars for the following dates:
- Chess: Monday, January 27th
- Fortnite: Monday, February 3rd
- Brawlhalla: Tuesday, February 4th
- League of Legends: Thursday, February 6th
- Smash Ultimate: Tuesday, February 11th
- Marvel Rivals: Wednesday, February 12th
- Rocket League: Thursday, February 13th
- Overwatch 2: Tuesday, February 18th
- Valorant: Wednesday, February 19th
- Apex Legends: Thursday, February 20th
If you're interested in competing from home in games like Deadlock, Splatoon 3, Minecraft Bedwars, Mario Kart 8, or Rainbow 6: Siege, email Mr. Harrington at sharrington@avhsd.org.
The spring esports season runs from February 24th to May 2nd. Don't miss out—show off your skills and join the team!
THE HHS WEEKLY BITE: Season 3: Episode 13
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!
HHS Visual & Performing Arts Weekly Showcase
Check out works from our VAPA courses throughout the year!
STUDENT & PARENT RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS
February Calendar of Events
2/5: Staff Professional Development (NO SCHOOL)
2/10: Lincoln's Birthday (NO SCHOOL)
2/17: President's Day (NO SCHOOL)
February Home Varsity Athletic Events
1/31: Boys Soccer vs AVHS
1/31: Boys Basketball vs AVHS
2/3: Boys Soccer vs LnHS
2/3: Boys Basketball vs Palmdale
2/5: Girls Basketball vs Palmdale
2/5: Girls Soccer vs LnHS
2/7: Wrestling vs QHHS
2024-2025 Bell Schedule
Saturday School Information & Forms (Semester 2)
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 2 Dates:
2/1, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 4/5, 4/12, 5/3, 5/17, 5/31
DAILY Math Tutoring & Support
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.
All Subject Tutoring
Short-Term Independent Study: Stay On Track While You're Away for even 1 day!
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
IMPORTANT HHS CONTACTS
High School Administration Team Contact Information
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
HHS Counseling Contact Information
Accessing your Student’s Grades in PowerSchool:
To view your student's grades in the Antelope Valley Union High School District, you have three options:
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.
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.
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.
Choose the option that suits you best to stay informed about your student's academic progress in the Antelope Valley Union High School District.
Don't Miss Any Important Information: Download Parent Link TODAY
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.
Follow Us On Social Media!
Stay updated with all the exciting news and updates by following HHS today!
Instagram: highlandhighschool1989
Facebook: Highland High School Bulldogs
Attendance and Absences (Contact Information)
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)
Highland High School
Website: https://www.highlandhs.org/
Location: 39055 25th Street West, Palmdale, CA, USA
Phone: 661-538-0304
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highlandhs