Class of 2025 Newsletter

Class of 2025 Families,

The weather may be cooling off but calendars are heating up with deadlines springing up all around. November is College Application Month as students are near the first major college application due date. The University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) system applications must be submitted by December 2, no exceptions, but the deadline to submit for review is November 15th (more info below).

In addition to college applications, the Grade Level Team and College & Career Center were out in classrooms to present regarding all post secondary options and planning with seniors. College. Trade/Vocational Programs. Military. Workforce. It is an exciting time to think about all the opportunities and paths that are waiting for them to take hold of, yet at the same time may stir up a lot of emotions with students as they enter a realm of uncertainty and ambiguity for what lies after graduation. The Grade Level Team and College & Career Center are here for support and to help with any questions as students begin to navigate their path.

Please continue to check in, offer support and reminders and reach out to the the Grade Level Team for assistance or good news you would like to share with us.

Mark your Calendar:

November 7: Student Minimum Day - Staff PD

November 7: Teen Brain Development

November 11: No School - Veteran's Day

November 14: ELAC Mixer

November 15: Deadline to Submit College Applications for Review

November 18: Progress Reports Due - Fall Semester 2

November 20: Athletic Eligibility Determined

November 21: Financial Aid Info Night

November 25-29: No School - Thanksgiving Break

December 1: FAFSA/CADAA Application Opens (College Financial Aid)

December 2: CSU and UC Applications Due

December 3: Perfectionism and Healthy Expectations Family First Night

December 12: Student Minimum Day - Staff PD

December 13: I've Applied Party

December 19-20: Fall Semester 2 Finals

December 21-31: Winter Break

December 26: Athletic Eligibility Determined

January 1-7: Winter Break

January 8: First Day of Spring Semester 1

January 20: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 22: Back to School Night

January 25: Winter Formal

January 30: Student Minimum Day - Staff PD

January 30: Parent Shadow Day

Congratulations to Ivy Bottroff, Dylan Hong and Aidan Sweeney for being named as Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from Helix and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, were presented to these scholastically talented seniors.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2025 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

"Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."

Congratulations to the 412 - Class of 2025 students who received Honor Roll for Fall Semester 1 during the 2024-2025 school year!

Students on this list earned a 3.5 GPA or better for the Fall Semester 1 marking period.

Congratulations to the 74 - Class of 2025 students who had Perfect Attendance for Fall Semester 1 during the 2024-2025 school year!

Students on this list were at school everyday, on time, with no marks throughout the day for the Fall Semester 1 marking period.

Congrats to our Senior Cross Country Runners on Senior Night!

Left to Right: Coach, Isai Rodriguez, Stone Arellano, Wyatt Robertson, Joel Nickerson, Coach, Stellamaris Scott, Emiliia Mozalova, Abby Ramirez

Photo Credit: Lucy Luo, President of the Helix Photography Club

Amaya has been the most energetic and hard working athlete in practices and in games. She can play multiple positions and makes a positive impact wherever she plays. Her sense of humor keeps us laughing and she is great at sharing her wisdom with our newer players.

Congrats to our Senior Girls Volleyball Players on Senior Night!

Left to Right: Aria Imran, Lauren Farace, Kyra Miles, EJ Bausa and Taylor Holland.

Congrats to the Boys Club Beach Volleyball for being the runner-ups this Fall. They played an amazing game and gave Poway a great game!

Seniors Left to Right: Cory Lipscomb, Nigel Cross, Jayden Smith-Solorzano, Nathan Steele and Nico Reese.

San Diego Graduate Services is Helix's official supplier of Cap and Gowns for graduation. To order your cap and gown please order online TODAY at SDgrad.com. Select Helix in the drop down menu. Along with cap and gowns they also sell letter jackets, class rings and graduation announcements.

To be included in the Helix 2024-2025 Yearbook, you must take your Senior Portrait with Cherished Memories Photography.

Only studio appointments are available at this time. The studio has moved to 7950 University Avenue, Suite 410, La Mesa, CA 91942.

If you previously booked your appointment at the El Cajon studio, that location no longer exists. You will now be taking your Senior Portraits at the new studio in La Mesa.

For more information on how to book your in studio session, check out the flyer below.

Yearbooks are currently for sale for $75 at the Dawg House and through the student store.

The cost will increase to $85 in January and yearbooks SELL OUT, so buy one now if you are interested!

The Highland Fling, our student-run newspaper has returned! Journalism students have been busy learning the basics of interviewing, reporter ethics, and newswriting! We are SO excited to share their work with Helix students, staff, and the community!

The Highland Fling is currently a digital publication that can be found on the Helix Website and here: highlandfling.net

They are a brand new staff - so they have a lot to learn, but these amazing students have become a strong team and they love representing Helix!

As we welcome the fall and winter seasons with their festive cheer and traditions, it is also the time of year when colds, flu, and missed school days become more common. To support student wellness and learning, please keep your student home if they show signs of illness, such as a fever or vomiting. If your student is experiencing anxiety or stress please be sure to contact the Grade Level Team for support options. We also encourage families to avoid scheduling trips or vacations during school days, as missing school can create added stress for students.

Please mark these important dates on your calendar:

• Monday, 11/11/24: Veterans Day (No School)
• Monday, 11/25/24 - Friday, 11/29/24: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
• Thursday, 12/19/24 & Friday, 12/20/24: Helix Fall Semester 1 Finals
• Monday, 12/23/24 - Tuesday, 1/7/25: Winter Break
• Wednesday, 1/8/25: Start of Spring Semester 1

• Students arriving late to school must go directly to the Attendance Office. Even if they arrive between class periods or at lunch.
• If a student needs to leave campus for any reason before their school day is over, they must first obtain an Off-Campus Pass.
• If a student becomes ill while at school, the student must report to the School Nurse’s Office with a pass from their teacher. The nurse will then notify the parent/guardian to determine if an early release from school is necessary.
• Students who leave campus early without authorization before leaving are considered truant and will be assigned a consequence.
• Parents/Guardians must notify the school of the reason for their student’s absence, as soon as it is known a student will be absent. Absences that are not cleared within three (3) school days will change to a truancy.

Thank you for your support in keeping our school community healthy and engaged!

We are so excited to introduce The DEN, a student-centered space that provides academic support both before school and after school in ExL, Room 1600.

The DEN is staffed by Academic Coaches and Credentialed Teachers in order to provide student support and facilitate achievement. Students can come in before school and/or after school to receive help in all subjects. Here are some of the support systems the DEN will provide: tutoring, remediation, test prep, test proctoring, timed writings, study groups and student-centered support in any academic capacity.

Beginning this Thursday, Helix parents/guardians will receive an automated phone call and email notification, if your student is currently failing one or more classes. The purpose of this call is to ensure that you are aware of your student's academic standing and to encourage timely intervention.

Students who receive this notification should attend tutorial sessions on Friday morning, starting at 8:30am, with their teacher(s). This will provide them with the necessary support to improve their grades and understanding of the subject matter.

Please review the tutorial schedule below.

LivingWorks is committed to equipping students with the skills to support those experiencing a mental health crisis. From now until December 2024, LivingWorks Youth Summit is offering California high school students with a FREE 90 minute suicide prevention training.

Given the importance of this topic, we will award any student who completes the training 3 hours of community service upon submission of their certification of completion. Please submit your certificate to Ms. Markey. Click the link below to access the training.

Access the training here.

We hope all families will consider joining the Helix PTSA, click here to join. There is no commitment involved. It is just an annual, one-time donation of $13. The funds raised through PTSA memberships go directly back to the school and students for scholarships, special programs and anything the students may need! The more members we have, the greater access we have to grants and programs that will support Helix students.

***Any students interested in applying for PTSA scholarships (we give out $5,000 each year) must be PTSA members.***

If you want to make more of a commitment, consider joining the PTSA board. This means attending one meeting per month (if you are available) and being on an email distribution that shares information about upcoming volunteer opportunities. The meetings are typically held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 5pm at Helix or via Zoom. If you are interested, please email PTSA President Dave Hardenburger at helixptsapresident@gmail.com.

If you just want to be informed about upcoming events and school news, follow Helix PTSA on social media on Facebook and Instagram.

Club College meets every Wednesday from 3:30pm-5:30pm in Room 210. If you do not have a 4th period, you may head over to Room 180 for Club College before moving to Room 210 after school.

REMEMBER...it is extremely important to get your college applications checked by a member of the Helix Student Support Department before you submit them.

The last day to submit your college application for review is Friday, 11/15/24.

At the end of October the Grade Level Team was out in classrooms presenting to students about the 4 doors of opportunity after high school: College (2 or 4 year), Trade/Vocational Programs, Military (6 branches), and Workforce.

To view the presentation, click on the link below.

If you require a letter of recommendation for a College Application or Scholarship Application, please provide teachers/staff members with at least 10 days to complete. It is a great idea to give letter writers a thorough Brag Sheet to help them write the best letter about you!

Almost every student applying to college has the following traits: hard working, great grades, focused and determined. Your letter of recommendation is an opportunity for us to tell the colleges more about you BEYOND the traits that everyone in college has, how can we tell a more unique story for you? The more thoughtful you are in responding to each of the questions, the better job we can do for you. TELL us about you!!! Remind us of a lesson or conversation that we may have had that was pivotal for you. Admissions officers do not want to read the cover of your book in these letters, they want the heart of the book in them.

***REMEMBER...ONLY REQUEST A LETTER IF YOU TRULY REQUIRE A LETTER.***

Only request a transcript when the college asks for it, not earlier as it may get lost. Please make all requests through Xello.

Student athletes should see Mrs. Street or Ms. Markey for transcript requests for college coaches or the NCAA.

***REMEMBER...ONLY REQUEST A TRANSCRIPT WHEN THE COLLEGE ASKS FOR IT.***

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is excited to kick off the 26th year of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards! Applications are officially live for their educational grants of up to $4,000 to support the Class of 2025 as they pursue higher education or launch community-focused initiatives.

• Community Service
• Education
• Engineering
• Entrepreneurship & Business
• Green Sustainability
• Healthcare & Science
• Media & Entertainment
• Public Service & Social
• Justice
• Technology

To be considered, students must:

• Be currently enrolled in high school, graduating in the spring of 2025.
• Hold a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or 7.5 on a 10.0 scale.
• Enroll at an accredited higher education institution in 2025 - 2026.
• Be of Hispanic heritage (including Spain, Brazil, Philippines).
• Attend their regional virtual ceremony, if selected.

Youth Awards applicants and recipients will join HHF's extensive network of over 300,000 professionals and be integrated into its cycle of leadership pipeline, where we meet America's priorities in the classroom and workforce.

Applications are open until Sunday, 11/3/24. Interested students can apply online at www.HHFYouthAwards.com.

Every Thursday at 6pm, Helix Staff or special guests present on different topics applicable to high school parents. These events are held in ExL (room 1600) and are open to the public. See below for our upcoming schedule. Visit helixcharter.net/FamilyFirst for more information and for links to previous recordings.

If you have ever struggled to understand your teenager, this Info Night is for you! Julie Damschen, Child Development & Psychology teacher will present the latest information about teenage brain growth and development. With new technology, we better understand why peers have such a big influence on our teens, why substance abuse can be more harmful to teen brains and how parents can best support their teens through this developing brain period.

This event will be held in ExL (room 1600) at 6pm and is open to all parents and guardians. Students (and siblings) are welcome to attend. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP here for food ordering purposes.

Please park in the staff lot located at 7323 University Avenue, above the big H. This is the entrance from University Avenue. & Yale Avenue.

For translation services, CLICK HERE.

You are invited to attend our first ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee) meeting of the school year with Mrs. Burrough, our English Language Coordinator. Your involvement is vital in shaping a successful educational journey for all students. We value diversity and inclusivity and want to work together to support our English Learners and create a nurturing academic environment.

This event will be held in ExL (room 1600) at 6pm and is open to all parents and guardians. Students (and siblings) are welcome to attend. Dinner will be provided, please RSVP here for food ordering purposes.

Please park in the staff lot located at 7323 University Avenue, above the big H. This is the entrance from University Avenue & Yale Avenue.

For translation services, CLICK HERE.

We invite the class of 2025 students and families to join us to learn about the FAFSA/CADAA and what financial aid options are available to help make college more affordable.

The English presentation will be held in ExL (room 1600) and the Spanish presentation will be held in room 1615 at 6pm. Students and siblings can attend with you, registration not required. Snacks will be provided.

Please park in the staff lot located at 7323 University Avenue, above the big H. This is the entrance from University Avenue & Yale Avenue.

For translation services, CLICK HERE.

Come join other students and parents as we learn how to navigate perfectionism and balancing healthy expectations. With finals coming up, this an important topic and we are offering students one community service hour for attending this presentation. This will be presented by Amy Chavez with San Diego Youth Services.

This event will be held in ExL (room 1600) at 6pm and is open to all parents and guardians. Registration is not required. Students and siblings are welcome to attend with you. Snacks will be provided.

Please park in the staff lot located at 7323 University Avenue, above the big H. This is the entrance off of University Avenue & Yale Avenue.

For translation services, CLICK HERE.

The Highland Players are pleased to present Aresnic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring. Read about the show and cast here.

Performances will be in the Helix Black Box Theater at 7pm from Wednesday, 10/23/24-Saturday, 10/26/24 and Friday, 11/1/24-Saturday, 11/2/24. There will be 2 matinee performances at 2pm on Saturday, 10/26/24 and Saturday, 11/2/24. More info on THE HIGHLAND PLAYERS WEBSITE.

Fleet Week San Diego Student STEM Days will take place from Wednesday, 11/6/24 - Friday, 11/8/24 at the Broadway Pier in Downtown San Diego. Fleet Week STEM Days is an opportunity for schools and families to participate in the Fleet Week’s Innovation Zone where employers and military departments host activities showcasing emerging technology, including drones, robotics, virtual reality and augmented reality, energy, weather, and more!

EVENT DETAILS

• WHERE: Broadway Pier; 1000 N Harbor Dr, San Diego 92132
• WHEN: Wednesday, 11/6/24 - Friday, 11/8/24; 9am - 3pm each day
• WHO: 5th – 12th grade students and educators

The Helix Vocal Music Department presents Fall Cabaret on Wednesday, 11/13/24 and Thursday, 11/14/24 at 7pm in the Helix PAC.

They will showcase all 5 Helix Choirs and feature specialty acts from our talented Helix singers!

We are 11 school days away from progress reports, which are due on Monday, 11/18/24. 📉🤯📈

Please take advantage of Academic Support opportunities over the next 2 weeks to make sure you are passing all of your classes! 📚📝

Remember…these grades will be used to determine Athletic Eligibility on Wednesday, 11/20/24. If you are playing a winter sport, you must earn at least a 2.0 GPA to remain eligible. 🏀⚽🤼🤽🏼‍♂️

YOU GOT THIS!!⭐️💚🐾

Our Voices 2024 is the Helix Dance Winter Concert. It will be held in the Helix Charter High School Main Stage Theater on Thursday, 11/21/24 and Friday, 11/22/24 at 7pm.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

• All ticket sales will be sold online only. No physical day-of box office sales.
• Pre-sale price for all tickets is $12/human, all ages.
• Tickets will be emailed to your email address with a QR code to scan for entry.
• Your ticket sales will be on a master list on the day of performance in case you forget your confirmation.
• Email Katie Pipes with questions: pipes@helixcharter.net

Visit www.helixdancers.com for more information.

Remember that the ACT is still required for some out of state colleges. We encourage students to sign up for the Spring Test Dates.

Remember that the SAT is still required for some out of state colleges. We encourage students to sign up for the Spring Test Dates.

The Wellness Center is here to support you and your family with any social-emotional needs.

If students need support during school, they can drop by their Grade Level Team in the Admin Building or the Wellness Center, located at the back of the school by the IT service window. If you would like to get in contact with the Wellness Center, you can reach them at HWC@helixcharter.net or by phone at 619-644-1940 x580.

Here are the different types of support offered by the Wellness Center:

• Individual check-ins

• Support groups

• Consultation/collaboration with families, administration, School Psychologists, teachers, coaches, etc.

• Crisis intervention

• Referrals to therapy/community support services

• Home visits

• Parent workshops

• Homeless/foster care/military liaison

• Project Safe (Human & Labor Trafficking) liaison

Looking for a mental health provider but not sure where to start?

You are not alone, this can be the biggest barrier to getting help. Helix partners with Care Solace to help solve this problem. Care Solace helps individuals find mental health care providers and substance use treatment centers. Their Care Companion™ team is available any time of day to quickly connect you to carefully verified providers in your community. Students, staff, and families may access Care Solace services in two ways:

• Call (888) 515-0595 at any time. Support is available in 200+ languages. A dedicated Care Companion™ will help you every step of the way to research options, secure appointments, and follow up to make sure it is a good fit.

• For an anonymous search, answer a few questions to get matched with an extensive list of care providers at www.caresolace.com/helixcharter

For more information, visit the Wellness Center's website by clicking the button above.

Mrs. Yolanda Street - School Counselor

Ms. Danika Markey - Academic Advisor

Ms. Sara Brown - Administrative Assistant

Ms. Brenda Flores - Attendance Technician

Mrs. Danielle Yee - School Social Worker