High Desert School Hawk Happenings

Good evening High Desert Hawks and Families,

Each week, we would like to share some tips for supporting middle schoolers from home:

• Focus on Testing Preparation: This week, our students will begin our state's standardized test. By working together, we can help your child have a positive and successful testing experience this year.

You are an important part of your child’s education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking tests, you can:

• Explain to your child that these tests are tools to help them learn, and they should not be anxious or scared.

• Explore the practice tests with your child at home so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.

• Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best and are there to help, every step of the way. - Smart Start for Parents

Preparation for testing should include:

• Getting a good night’s rest

• Eating a nutritious breakfast each morning

• On-time arrival to school and 100% attendance

• Confidence! Students should go into testing with confidence and do their best at each testing session.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is California's system of end-of-year state assessments comprising of computer-based and paper-based assessments that is administered each Spring. This includes:

• Smarter Balanced assessments (SBAC) for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8
• California Science Test (CAST) in grades 5 and 8
  
• Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) in grades 5 and 7

The CAASPP assessments allow students to demonstrate analytical writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills along with their knowledge of facts in ELA, mathematics, and science. Overall state and district results will be released on the California Department of Education (CDE) website in the fall.

Understanding the Results

After students take the Smarter Balanced assessments, their results are reported in two primary ways: scale scores and achievement levels. On this page, you can learn more about scores, as well as how achievement levels were determined and how they are used by educators and parents.

Additional Information and Resources

If you have questions regarding the information in the CAASPP report or the testing program in general, please contact your student's teacher or principal. Additional resources are included below.

• Frequently Asked Questions - Smarter Balanced Assessments (CDE)
• Parent and student resources (CAASPP and CDE)
• California Department of Education CAASPP System
• Test Score Guide

CAASPP Testing Parent Letter with Testing Schedule

• 5/6th - English / Spanish
• 7/8th - English / Spanish

Monday, May 6

• CAASPP Testing Week
• Teacher's Appreciation Week
• 6th Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
  
• Track - Running Practice 2:45-3:30pm

Tuesday, May 7

• Booster Club Staff Appreciation Luncheon
• 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
  
• 7/8th Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
• Field Practice 2:30-3:15pm
• Spirit Squad Practice 2:30-3:30pm

Wednesday, May 8

• Early Release - Dismissal 1:10pm
  
• 100-Mile Club 1:15-1:45pm

Thursday, May 9

• 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
• Spirit Squad Practice 2:30-3:30pm
  

Friday, May 10

• Minimum Day - Dismissal 12:05pm
  
• HDS Hawks Spirit Day
  
• Career Day

Have a great week and Go Hawks!

Join us this week in celebrating College and Career Week as we get ready for Career Day on Friday.

• Mon 5/6 - Career Day: Dress up as what you want to be when you grow up
• Tues 5/7 - College Spirit Day: Wear your favorite College gear
• Wed 5/8 - Our Futures are Bright: Wear Neon Colors and Sunglasses
• Thurs 5/9 - Headed to High School: Wear VHS Colors, Purple and Gold
• Fri 5/10 - Your Future Starts Here: Wear your HDS Spirit Gear, Green and Black - GO HAWKS!

"On Food Services Staff Appreciation, we want to say thank you to our amazing Food Services staff members who work tirelessly to feed our students each day. They have such a positive presence and a love for our students. We are grateful for their service and dedication."

~ HDS Students and Staff

• AVID - This week, we are working on preparing for Career Day with College and Career Week.
• SEL - This week we continue supporting students with learning about integrity, stereotypes, and how to avoid bias. We want to encourage students to get the facts, be an upstander, see people as individuals, and use empathy to connect with others.

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

Registration is now open, and those who sign up by May 10th will receive a $70 Early Registration Discount. As a bonus, those who attend our meeting with learn how to receive an additional $100 credit applied to your account on top of the $70 Early Registration Discount! Don’t miss out!

I also wanted to share our trip website with you: High Desert School's Florida Splash into Science Trip | WorldStrides 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

Bridge the gap, ignite the spark! Summer learning that keeps you growing. We will be offering Summer Support for students entering 1st-6th grade at Meadowlark, which will be a Literacy and Math Intervention program with a weekly art lesson component as well.

The dates for Summer School are June 20th thru July 19th. Summer School hours are 8:30am - 11:45am.

If you are interests in your child attending summer school, please click the link to register.

Summer School 2024 Registration Link

Academic Continuity and High School Readiness. We will be offering Summer Support for students entering 7th-12th grade at Vasquez Seventh and eighth grade will be offered Literacy and Math Intervention and summer learning loss support. We are planning to incorporate a weekly art lesson as well. This program will be held at VHS.

For our incoming 9th grades we are offering a transition to high school Boot Camp. This program will include a transition to high school exploration class and intervention Math and ELA.

The dates for Summer School are June 20th thru July 19th. Summer School hours are 8:30am - 11:45am.

If you are interests in your child attending summer school, please click the link to register.

Summer School 2024 Registration Link

Congratulations to the HDS ASB/Yearbook Class and Mrs. Goodstein on the successful completion of the 2024 HDS Yearbook. They followed the yellow brick road to success as they built a book to celebrate all of the great things happening on campus this year.

It's not too late to get in on the memories... Order your yearbook today at https://yearbookforever.com/ or using the order form available in the HDS office. Price increase to $40 cash only starting on May 15th.

Great job to all of the students and Mrs. Goodstein for making this year's book possible!

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

Families, please click this link to apply.

Thank you for your interest in participating in the High Desert Talent Show. To ensure your spot in the show, please follow these steps:

1. Permission Forms: Please have the bottom of this paper signed by both your parent and homeroom teacher to grant permission for your participation in the talent show.
2. Audition Requirements: For your audition, remember to bring:

• Your signed permission slip
• All materials necessary for your performance, such as props, music, mats, etc.

Audition Dates:

• May 8 and 9th at lunch
• 5/6th - Audition in Room 316 at lunch on either day
• 7/8th - Audition in Room 302 at lunch on either day

Talent Show Date:

• May 24 6:00 PM (Performers must arrive at 5:30 PM to prepare)

Rehearsal Dates:

• May 16 and 23 (dress rehearsal)
• After school in MPR from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Kindly direct any inquiries regarding the talent show to Mrs. Goodstein or Mrs. Ayers. Thank you for your cooperation and dedication to making this event a success!

Live to run and run to live! Track and field events include distance running, relay races, discuss throwing, and the long-jump. Coach Erika is looking for motivated athletes to join the track and field team representing High Desert this year.

Track and Field Schedule - Week of May 6th

• Monday - Track Practice 2:45-3:30pm
• Tuesday - Field Practice 2:30-3:15pm

Track and Field Flyer PDF

Staying informed about online safety is crucial, especially when it comes to protecting our children. As the digital world continues to evolve, so do the potential risks our kids face online. We've gathered some simple but effective tips to help you navigate this landscape.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Stay Informed: Regularly educate yourself about the latest online threats, trends, and safety measures. Awareness is the first step towards effective digital parenting.
2. Open Communication: Foster an open and honest dialogue with your child about their online experiences. Encourage them to share any concerns or encounters they may have had.
3. Set Boundaries: Establish clear guidelines for screen time, app usage, and online activities. Regularly review and update these boundaries based on your child's age and maturity.
4. Empower Yourself: Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the online world alongside your child.

To further support you on this journey, we encourage you to take Cyber Safety Cop's Digital Parenting 101. This comprehensive 16-lesson course covers everything you need to know to keep your child safe and thriving online, including:

• Protecting your child from online dangers such as cyberbullying, online predators, and inappropriate content.
• Setting healthy screen time limits and choosing age-appropriate apps and games.
• Initiating conversations with your child about online safety and monitoring their online activity.
• Assisting your child in developing healthy digital habits.
• Gaining knowledge to discuss online drug access and substance abuse risks with your child.

Remember, our mission is to help children not just survive online but thrive while staying safe and informed. Digital Parenting 101 is the essential first step to ensuring your child has a safe and positive experience online.

High Desert School and ASMO proudly present HDS Music and Talent Night on May 24th at 6pm. The show will feature talent from our HDS students as well as ASMO music performances from our 5th grade, 6th grade, and 7/8th grade VAPA class. We look forward to seeing the talents of our Hawks soaring on stage.

You're invited to our High Desert Student Showcase and Open House on May 30th at 6pm. Our Hawks are excited to share all of the great things they have been learning and doing this year. The show will feature: academics, electives, athletics, 100- Mile Club and performances from: Dance Force, Spirit Squad, keyboarding and Harmonic Bronze Handbells.

If you are doing an pre-Spring cleaning at home, please go through your bookshelves for any books that you are no longer using. Booster Club will be doing a used book sale to help with the "Light It Up" fundraiser while providing new books for our kids to read before summer, filling up classroom libraries, and the school library. We prefer middle school age chapter books, but are open to others as well.

Please bring any used book donations to the office with a slip of paper containing the student name donating and the amount of books to enter in the prize raffle.

HDS Booster Club and Tomahawk Ranch would like to invite all of our athletes and their families to join us for Athletics Appreciation Night on Friday, May 31st at 6pm. RSVP to Jennifer Olson at (818) 926-1393 if you are able to join us.

We will be celebrating the achievements of our High Desert Hawks in our Semester 2 Awards Assemblies. Awards include: Academics, STAR Reading/Math, Athletics, 100-Mile Club, Physical Education, and MOH. Be sure to Save the Date and join us in honoring our Hawks.

Our incredible 8th graders are enthusiastically preparing for the Class of 2024 Promotion! Be sure to save the date to join us for the great event celebrating the hard work of our Hawks. All seating is open and gates open at 5pm. The ceremony begins at 6pm.

We want to thank HDS Booster Club for the beautiful decorations and supporting our students through the year. To join the Promotion Committee, please contact Megan Laviolette or Corrin Bailey.

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.

Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. For more than 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being and provide resources and information to support individuals and communities who may need mental health support.

This week’s focus is on resources to help children and teens build resilience, self-care strategies, and skills for managing life stressors in healthy ways.

Key messages: Supportive families, communities, and resources can help youth build strong foundations for lifelong well-being.

• By teaching children and teens coping skills, we can empower them to take charge of their mental health.
• Know the signs of mental health issues in children and teens. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.
• Start the conversation early: talking about mental health can help children and teens build coping skills and feel comfortable with their emotions.
• Nurturing relationships and environments are important for helping children and teens develop good mental health and manage life stressors in healthy ways.
• Good mental health increases the ability of children and teens to practice self-care and face challenges with resilience.

The AV SELPA invites all parents of students participating in the Special Education Program to join the CAC for an informational meeting regarding IEPs.

Check out the great programs offered for Hawks and their families at Vasquez Rocks!

Early bird pricing is now available for early registration for summer camp. Kids Summer Day Camp is run by Sunny Days and is located at the AADUSD District Office building across from Acton Park. See flyer for more details.

Stay up to date on all of the Hawk Happenings throughout the school year. Check out our Yearlong Calendar for the 2023-2024 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.

Principal, Mrs. Michelle Van Ornum

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