I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Intersession Break! It was important to take a "mind" break to get some good rest to help rejuvenate for your return. Although the month of November and thanksgiving season will be approaching soon, we want to encourage students to keep working towards their goals and plan. They are doing GREAT!

On behalf of Del Mar College and our school, we would like to invite all our families and students to enjoy Viking Fest on Friday, October 25. Some of our student clubs will have booths and would appreciate your support. Come enjoy the fun, games, and food with friends and family. Costumes are welcomed!

During the upcoming week, you will see the halls displayed with student-created art, including some creative Dias De la Muertos skeletal structures, in addition to a beautiful display area that showcases the culture and history. Donations are welcome and noted under the Volunteerism section below.

You will also notice that our Safety Vestibule is complete and all students/guests must enter on the south side facing the new white library building and will be greeted/checked-in by our new clerk, Mrs. Diaz. As a reminder, the exit is located on the north side opposite end of the building facing the gymnasium.

It is also "student progress report" time in which grades have been finalized. We have less then 3 weeks before the end of the 2nd six weeks, so please continue to praise your student's efforts and/or please share if your student needs additional assistance. Meeting deadlines, similar to a life skill, is an important priority for students to practice. We want to encourage students to ask or seek assistance immediately when or if needed BEFORE a deadline is finalized.

Lastly, we are beginning the early college high school recruitment process this month and have opened our application on our website. Feel free to share this information with friends or extended family members. We are currently accepting early college applications for consideration for next year (2025) for grades 8-12 students. If you know of any family or friends that would like to learn more about early college or need additional information, please invite them to one of our Fall Informational meetings noted in the flyer provided below.

If you need any additional information or have questions about any items noted, please feel free to contact the school's office. Thank you for you continued support!

Respectfully,

Dr. T. Rodriguez, Proud Principal/Director of Early College HS

We are pleased to announce that the recruitment and selection process will begin early for the 2025 school year. Feel free to share or invite any interested families or students to attend one of the informational meetings noted below.

Join us for the Fall 2024 Zombie & Monster Walk/Run

Onsite Registration starts at 5:30pm (Wear Your Costume) or register at the DMC-Intramural Sport webpage.

Date: October 25, 2024
One Mile Run/Walk
Free T-shirts for the First 50 to register

Students may begin working on any technolog projects that they would like to showcase at the annual Multimedia Fair. Various categories are noted on the flyer below for student interest or consideration.

Celebrate the kick off of Breast Cancer Awareness month by wearing PINK! Every thursday will be "Think PINK" in the month of October to honor all those families and friends that know someone with this medical diagnosis.

Mark your calendar for Homecoming to celebrate "A Whimsical Wonderland Tea Party" on Friday, November 8. Tickets are on sale now! Please review the attachment below for details.

We are super proud of all those students that attended the PSAT workshop to prepare for the PSAT exam that took place yesterday (10/22). This will serve as great practice for students when they take the SAT during their Spring semester of junior year. Please see Mrs. Jimenez, College and Career Counselor, for more information or quesions about this exam.

Please review the attachment below to view the upcoming dates for TSI. As a reminder, TSI scores are utilized to determine student eligability for interested college courses.

Sign up with Mrs. Jimenez if you are interested in taking the ASVAB test for military consideration.

Three Week Progress Reports are posted in the Home Access Center (BLUE button below for more details) or your students CANVAS account. If you have any trouble with access, please contact the school office or Mr. Porter, IT Specialist, for assistance at 512-689-3821 or gilbert.porter@ccisd.us. As a reminder, paper progress reports and report cards are no longer mailed out by the district/campus.

Election time is here! On behalf of the District Administration, below is a brief fact sheet that will provide a summary of items that will be part of the Bond 2024 Plan.

Parents - Thank you for your help! Our campus goal is to reach 97% daily! Please continue to ensure students get to class on time and are at school daily. Depending on your student's schedule, your student must be dropped off early enough to ensure that they are in class seated on-time. Friday attendance is especially important. The building doors are open by 7:00 am to assist families and students with early drop off as needed. In addition, breakfast is available daily for ALL students. Transportation is now available to assist those that may need it. For more information, please contact our office.

As a reminder, students with persistent absences and/or tardies are required by law to make-up time to recover class minutes. If a student has an attendance or academic concern, it will be necessary for the student to stay on designated Fridays till 4 pm. According to the law, high school students must be in EACH class 90% of the time to receive a documented grade or earn credit. Students that do not meet this state requirement run risk of loosing credit and required to retake the course. It is necessary to avoid this consequence as this could delay graduation.

Volunteer Hours for Donations......

Collegiate High School will create its traditional "Altar de Muertos," a vibrant shrine dedicated to honoring a lost loved one. The altar will be adorned with colorful decorations and meaningful offerings to celebrate and remember the deceased.

Day of the Dead (Día De Los Muertos) is a two-day celebration that brings together the living and the departed. Families create ofrendas (offerings) as a tribute to their loved ones who have passed. These altars are adorned with bright marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and their favorite foods and drinks. The offerings are meant to welcome the spirits of the deceased, inviting them to return for a visit as they hear prayers, smell the food, and partake in the joyful celebration!

Please, bring your ofrendas by Friday:

Ofrenda Supplies:

Most of these items are at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Michaels, and HEB.

1. Mexican Candy

2. Candy Skulls: Sugar, chocolate, or amaranth Candy skulls

3. Food: Mole, atole, chocolate la Abuelita, tamales, fruits like oranges and apples, and desserts like the calabaza en tacha (candied pumpkin)

4. Pan de Muerto

5. Photos

6. Flowers—Marigolds are also known as Flor de Muerto or Flowers of the Dead in Spanish and Cempazuchitl in Nahuatl, the native language.

7. Skeleton Figurines

8. Monarch Butterflies: Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico every year. Their arrival typically coincides with November 1, the start of the Day of the Dead. According to traditional beliefs, this is because they contain the souls of the dead returning to their shrines for the celebration.

9. Chiseled Paper: Papel Picado

10. Religious candles

11. Dogs: small models or figurines of dogs.

12. Incense - Lanterns - White Cross

13. Drinks: Mexican Coca-Cola, Manzanita, Jumex, Fanta, Agua Mineral, coffee, etc.

14. Religious Elements: The most common are crucifixes, Virgin Mary, and patron saint images.

15. Ornaments: Candleholders, incense burners, paper Mache, or clay figurines such as skulls, skeletons, or animals.

Every year our students are invited by the Junior Achievement organization to volunteer to assist at the annual Harbor Half Marathon. This will likely be the last marathon to be conducted on the old bridge. Students are welcome to register as a volunteer for this event on the attached form.

We are pleased to announce that our High School Heros will be presenting to students in grades K-5 at Club Estates Elementary on Friday, October 25. We are pleased to see our students engaged in community activities that help support elementary students.