HHS Principal's Update: Week 4

Can you believe it's already been a month since we returned to school? Time is flying by! We hope everyone enjoyed the Labor Day holiday and our Back to School Night last Wednesday. It was wonderful to see so many of you there, connecting with teachers and learning about the exciting year ahead. We’re excited to share that our Morning Math sessions are very full each day, and more students are participating in extracurricular activities than ever before!

As we settle into this time of the year, things are starting to feel more routine. Progress Reports will be coming out soon, so please keep an eye out for those updates. At Highland High School, student safety is always a top priority. While negative behaviors are rare, they do occasionally occur. This morning, we experienced a brief lockdown due to a disturbance outside of campus. We want to reassure you that lockdowns are extremely rare, and we always take these measures out of an abundance of caution. We promptly emailed all families within two minutes of the lockdown starting and communicated again as soon as it was lifted. Rest assured, we are committed to keeping you promptly informed.

Highland High School is a fantastic campus with amazing students, a dedicated staff, and some of the highest success rates in academics, athletics, and activities in the entire Antelope Valley. This success is truly a testament to our wonderful students!

Also, a reminder that Saturday School kicks off this Saturday, the 7th. For more information and to access applications, please see the message below.

Have a great Friday and 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 *

• Fall Climate Survey (Open now!) Take Survey Below
• Senior Sunrise: TOMORROW MORNING
• Home Football vs Mission Viejo High School: 9/13 (UPDATED ENTRY INFO)
• e-Sports Tryouts (See Information Below)

***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.

We value your feedback and invite you to participate in the Fall Campus Climate Survey. Your input is essential in helping us create a positive and supportive environment for everyone at HHS.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by September 30, 2025, at the following link: Fall Campus Climate Survey.

Thank you for your time and support in making HHS the best it can be!

Next Friday, Highland High School is wrapping up our preseason by hosting Mission Viejo HS, one of the top football programs in California. At HHS, we pride ourselves on playing against the best because we always strive to be the best! Come out and support our Bulldogs in their final preseason tune-up before league play begins. Be sure to also check out our amazing band, cheer team, JROTC, and ASB, as their hard work will be on full display! Let's show our support for ALL HHS athletics and activities, as every team and group dedicates countless hours to excel and make us proud.

Also, if you have yet to come and watch our Flag Football team, you are missing out! They are having a great start to competition and begin league play this week. We are excited for them go for a championship!

Let's rally together and cheer on our Bulldogs! Go Dawgs!

******UPDATED ENTRY REQUIRMENTS******

Important Reminders:

At Highland High School, we prioritize making all athletic events family-friendly while upholding our core values. To maintain this standard, we enforce the following policies at all home games:

• HHS Students: Must present their PHYSICAL Student ID Cards for entry. Photos and PowerSchool will not be accepted– no exceptions.
• • Non-HHS Students: Must show their school ID cards and sit on the Visitor Side.
  • All Other Minors: Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian – no exceptions.
  • Prohibited Items: Backpacks, large bags, and coolers are not allowed in the stadium.
  • Code of Conduct: Anyone failing to follow our code of conduct will be immediately removed from the venue.

We look forward to seeing you there for a night of community, celebration, and school spirit! Go Bulldogs! Let's make this season one to remember—see you there!

Jayda has been unstoppable, leading our Lady Bulldogs to a fantastic 4-1 start in Flag Football, including big wins over Fillmore and Hueneme!

Coach Stowe says, "Jayda has been a beast this season, with 4 TDs in our first game. She’s a key part of our success—she's amazing!"

Let’s go, Bulldogs!

Attention all gamers! Are you ready to take your skills to the next level and join the nationally ranked esports teams at Highland High School? Tryouts for our varsity and JV squads are happening September 9th-20th, so don't miss your chance to be part of the action.

Whether your game is Fortnite, League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, or any of the other top titles, we've got a spot for you on our state-of-the-art esports arena in room 103. Train alongside the best and compete against the best - this is your opportunity to showcase your talents and be part of something bigger.

Don't just take our word for it - our teams have earned national rankings and represent Highland with pride. If you've got the skills and the drive, we want you on our squad. Sign up today by emailing sharrington@avhsd.org. See you at tryouts!

ATTENTION SENIORS! Don’t miss out on one of your first big senior moments—Senior Sunrise! Join us at 6 AM TOMORROW at the HHS Stadium to kick off your final year with friends, fun, and unforgettable memories. For just $20 presale or $25 at the door, you’ll enjoy food, drinks, games, a photo backdrop, music, and more. Plus, every dollar raised helps lower the cost of future senior events like Grad Night at Universal Studios, Senior Sunset, and your Graduation Week breakfast. Let’s start this year off right—see you there!

Interested in CSF? Checkout the information below.

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!

9/13: Home Varsity Football vs Mission Viejo HS

9/20: Golden League Kickoff vs QHHS

9/27: Noche en la Plaza

9/5: Flag Football vs QHHS

9/11: Cross Country Meet

9/12: Girls Golf

9/13: Football vs Mission Viejo HS

9/13: Girls Volleyball vs Cal City

9/17: Flag Football vs Littlerock HS

9/17: Girls Volleyball vs Littlerock

9/17: Girls Tennis vs Littlerock @ QHHS

9/20: Football vs QHHS

9/24: Flag Football vs EHS

9/24: Girls Tennis vs EHS @ QHHS

9/24: Girls Volleyball vs EHS

9/25: Flag Football vs KHS

9/26: Girls Volleyball vs KHS

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:

9/7, 9/14, 9/21 (Super Saturday Grade Boost), 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19 (Super Saturday Grade Boost), 10/26, 11/16 (Super Saturday Grade Boost), 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.

We are excited to announce that all subject morning tutoring will be available. Morning general tutoring will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 7:45 AM to 8:40 AM in the Student Union. Our tutoring services cover all subjects, providing students with a valuable resource to enhance their learning.

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