April has felt like a sprint to the end of the year with so much activity going on. Juniors wrap up SBAC testing in the next week and we must acknowledge they had an impressive showing. Thank you for supporting your students as they tackled testing over the last month. We are now transitioning to AP testing in May for students enrolled in AP courses. As always please help your student get plenty of rest, eat a healthy breakfast and arrive to school with plenty of time to settle in and calm any testing nerves.

In May the Grade Level Team will be excitedly preparing for Summer Conferencing. If you have not completed the online enrollment process and scheduled you summer conference appointment, please take a look at the information below to get that done as soon as possible.

We are looking for a strong finish to Junior year. More than ever, students need those nudges and reminders to stay focused on a strong finish to the year (and keep Senioritis at bay)!

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Grade Level Team or your students teachers with any questions, concerns or good news you would like to share with us. As always, continue to check in with your teenager on a regular basis.

Online Enrollment and Summer Conferences are REQUIRED steps in securing your student's enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year. Verification of your student's online data in ParentVUE must be completed by Wednesday, 5/21/24.

Click on the photo below to view the steps for completing online enrollment and scheduling summer conferences online.

One of the special things about Helix is that we meet with every family in person each summer. We are gearing up for these summer registration appointments and will be emailing everyone shortly with more information and a link to schedule your appointment. Summer registration is mandatory every year for enrollment at Helix.

What to expect during Summer Conferences:

• In-person meeting with GLT to discuss class schedule and the upcoming school year
• 90 minute experience to prepare for the upcoming school year
• Student should attend conference with one parent/guardian

• School photo for ID cards (Senior Portrait information coming soon)
  
• Finance Office for Class Spirit Pack, pay fines, purchase spirit items, yearbook, etc.
• Completion of Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Steps (if applicable)

Grade Level Teams are looking forward to meeting with all students and families to reflect on the school year and review what is coming next year!

Congratulations to 11th-grade student Enrique Alvarez-Malo!

Enrique has been selected to attend the prestigious ACE Mentor Summer Camp this summer at the University of Colorado, Denver. He is one of only six students from San Diego chosen to participate in this highly competitive program, which brings together aspiring architects, engineers, and construction professionals from across the country.

As part of this incredible opportunity, Enrique will:

• Collaborate on a hands-on design-build project with peers from ACE Mentor affiliates nationwide

• Learn from experienced faculty and student teaching assistants from the College of Architecture and Planning

• Gain experience in architectural design software, sketching, and model building

• Use professional tools and machinery in a supervised environment

• Attend guest lectures and site visits with industry experts

• Live in a university residential hall and experience campus life firsthand

• Participate in admissions events and connect with current students

We’re so proud of Enrique for earning this opportunity—what an exciting step toward a future in design and construction! Congratulations again!

Yusuf Yusuf and Susana Juarez, along with 2 other Helix students, gave a moving and heartfelt 40-minute presentation about their experiences as Long Term ELs to approximately 150 teachers and administrators in April whose LEAs are on Differentiated Assistance through SDCOE. They were the opening presenters and had the audience taking notes and learning from their wisdom. Afterwards, adults with tears in their eyes came to thank them for sharing so honestly. It was absolutely impressive and definitely a memorable educational moment for all of us. We are so proud of them!

Congratulations to the students that have qualified to represent Helix at the National Speech & Debate Championships in June. This year we only had 6 students compete to qualify for Nationals. All represented Helix very well, with 4 making it to Nationals, including two Juniors!

• Emma Browne
• Kaia Mayland

Two qualified at our District Qualifiers (all of San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and parts of East Los Angeles) over Spring Break. The other two competed this past weekend in the NSDA Last Chance Qualifier online against students from across the nation. Individual results for each:

District Quals

• Emma Browne/Kaia Mayland - Duo Interpretation - 1st place - Qualified
• Kaia Mayland - Informative Speaking - 4th place
• Emma Browne - Informative Speaking - 5th place

May 5 - 16 - AP Testing, click here for more information

May 7 - Athletic Eligibility Determined

May 15 - Minimum Day, Students Dismissed at 1:20

May 21 & 22 - Minimum Days, Students Dismissed at 1:20

May 21 & 22 - Minimum Days for Senior Boards, 9th - 11th Grade Students Dismissed at 1:20

May 17 - Prom

May 26 - Memorial Day, No School

June 3 & 4 - Finals, Students Dismissed at 2:00pm

June 4 - Last Day of School & Class of 2025 Graduation

June 9 - July 1 - Summer Conferencing

June 10 - July 1 - Summer School

Next Year's School Calendar Can Be Found Here

May is here and I imagine students are getting excited and maybe a bit anxious for their upcoming exams - the following are some hints and reminders that may help.

Most students will be taking their AP Exam through Bluebook (already installed on student chromebooks). Please make some time to ask your student to open the Bluebook app and complete a practice exam: https://bluebook.collegeboard.org/students/practice

Please ask students to:

1. Open Bluebook on your device and click Test Your Device at the top right of the sign-in page to make sure your device meets requirements.

2. Sign in to the app with your College Board account.

3. On the Bluebook homepage, locate your upcoming exam under Your Tests.

4. Go to the Practice and Prepare section and try a test preview.

What to Bring on Test Day:

• Fully charged device with Bluebook installed. Your device should be able to hold a charge for 4 hours.

• Your device’s power cord and/or a portable charger. Note: You might not have access to an outlet during testing.

• A pencil or pen with black or dark blue ink. Scratch paper will be provided—do not bring your own.

• An external mouse if you use one.

• An approved photo ID if you’re not testing at the school you attend regularly.

Senior Boards is a graduation requirement for all Helix seniors, and we’re looking for volunteers to serve as judges alongside our teachers and staff. As a judge, you'll listen to seniors share their high school experiences and talk about their plans for the future. It’s a meaningful way to connect with our students and engage with the Helix community. We’re hoping to involve as many parents and community members as possible to bring diverse perspectives to the judging panels. You’re welcome to join us for one or both days—from 12:15 PM to 3:30 PM. Judges will meet in the library for a catered lunch, followed by a brief orientation explaining the project and the judging rubric. Then, we’ll head to classrooms around campus to watch the presentations. If you’re interested in volunteering, PLEASE RSVP HERE.

Wednesday, May 21 & Thursday, May 22 will be minimum days to accommodate Senior Boards. 9th - 11th graders will be dismissed at 1:20.

Two sessions available: June 9th-12th OR June 23rd-26th
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Calling all rising seniors! Kickstart your college journey with our 4-part summer workshop series designed to give you a head start on applications, essays, and financial aid. Over the course of one week, you’ll dive into everything from building your college list to crafting your personal statement and exploring ways to pay for school. Whether you're just getting started or looking to get ahead, this series will give you the tools and confidence to take on senior year with a plan.

Workshops include:

• Finding Your Why & Creating your College List

• Writing Amazing College Essays

• How to Brag: Building a Strong Activities List & Resume

• Financing Your Education

Choose from two summer sessions that fit your schedule. Space is limited—sign up today!

Thank you to all the families who joined us on April 11th for the Preparing for Senior Year and What To Expect Info Night.

If you were not able to attend, please check out the presentation below.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Grade Level Team at glt2025@helixcharter.net

This event will be held virtually via Google Meet. Does your student have an IEP or 504 plan? Does your student receive accommodations in their high school classes and plan to take a dual or concurrent enrollment college class? We will discuss the required steps students must complete in order for Grossmont/Cuyamaca College to potentially honor some accommodations from their IEP or 504 plan. Families and students will learn how they can submit a copy of their IEP or 504 to Grossmont College's Accessibility Resource Center (A.R.C.). To join the video meeting, click this link. Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 361-248-9282 and enter this PIN: 119 171 064#.

Join us for an evening of learning, discussion, and action at Helix Charter High School! We'll share exciting updates on our Sustainability Pathway program and the progress we've made on our Sustainability Action Plan. You'll also hear the results of our recent Commuter Survey and learn about new options for getting to campus more sustainably, featuring our partners at SANDAG.

Whether you're a student, parent, staff member, or community member, this is your chance to learn and help shape a greener future at Helix and beyond. Free dinner will be provided for all attendees! Registration is required here.

This event will be held in room 1600 (ExL). Siblings and students are welcome to attend also. Students will earn 1 community service hour for attending.

Be part of the movement toward a healthier, more sustainable Helix!

This event is open to new and existing students to learn about our English Learner program. We will greet our incoming students and celebrate our students who have been reclassified in an RFEP Ceremony! Dinner will be provided, registration is required here. This event will be held in ExL, room 1600. Students and siblings are encouraged to attend!

Helix is now using Anonymous Alerts, a confidential system that allows students to report bullying, behavioral concerns, or campus safety issues 24/7, either through a mobile app or a web-based platform. This system replaces the previous Student Safety Form and offers enhanced features, including the ability for staff to communicate anonymously with the person reporting. This two-way communication allows us to gather additional details, provide follow-up, and respond more effectively to concerns.

To get started:

• We recommend all students download the Anonymous Alerts app on their phones if possible. They can also use this link to the web-based platform - https://tips.anonymousalerts.com/helixcharterhs/

• Enter activation code: helixcharterhs

We appreciate your continued support in keeping our campus safe and welcoming for everyone.

Join us for 2025 Pops and celebrate the magic of Broadway with TWO nights of music with TWO different shows! Night 1 features Bagpipes, Colorguard, and Orchestra on Wednesday 4/30 at 7:00pm.Night 2 features our Band ensembles: Concert Band, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Band on Thursday 5/1 at 7:00pm. Purchase tickets here.

Join us for our upcoming production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, a powerful and imaginative play based on the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon. The story follows 15-year-old Christopher Boone, a brilliant young man who sees the world differently. When he discovers a neighbor’s dog has been mysteriously killed, Christopher sets out to solve the mystery—uncovering unexpected truths about his own family along the way. Told through Christopher’s unique perspective, this play uses multimedia, movement, and creative staging to bring his inner world to life. Please note: the production contains some mature themes and language, and is best suited for middle school-aged students and older. We hope you’ll join us for this moving and visually stunning performance! All performances in the Black Box Theater. Tickets will be available through the Highland Players website.

Helix Dance presents their Spring Dance Concert, "And The Beat Goes On". This will feature student-choreographed and faculty-choreographed works. Please join us and support the Helix Dance Program. Buy tickets here. All ticket sales will be online only, no physical day-of box office sales. Pre-sale price for all tickets is $14/person, all ages general admission. Pre-sale ticketing price will be available until 12 hours before each performance​. Your ticket sales will be on a master list on the day of the performance in case you forget your confirmation. Email Katie Pipes with questions at pipes@helixcharter.net

Celebrate the end of the 2025 school year with the award winning Helix Choirs! Spring Cabaret features all 5 Helix choirs, specialty acts and a tribute to the class of 2025. Click here for tickets.

The Helix PTSA is in need of additional chaperones to assist with Class of 2025 Grad Night. Parents with children attending Grad Night interested in attending free of charge as a group chaperone can contact Katie Smith at katiem_smith@yahoo.com. Chaperones will be asked to attend the entire event, including riding the buses to and from the event, beginning afternoon Friday, June 6 overnight to the morning of Saturday, June 7.

This event includes Keynote Speakers, a live DJ, Swag Bags, a Glam Zone, STEAM activities, a free T shirt, catered meal, all female instructors, speakers, staff, volunteers and VIPs, along with an expanded art zone, ice skating, a zen zone and a resource fair! Registration is only $5/girl (scholarships available) and we especially encourage foster, adoptive, low income and any at risk youth and their sisters 11-18 to attend. You can find more information, FAQs, the Brave Podcast, and the Brave Global website here: https://sd.kroccenter.org/kroc-san-diego/brave

Auditions for the award-winning Helix Show Choirs, HD (intermediate treble) and HLX (advanced mixed) will be SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2025 in the choir room (room 925) in the Performing Arts Center at Helix Charter HS. See application for specific times.

A list of community service opportunities can be found at helixcharter.net/community.

Don't miss this opportunity with the City of La Mesa. This leadership program has a fee associated with it because of the field trips you'll be attending. You would also get community service hours. To sign up, email: CConnors@cityoflamesa.us and LDrew@cityoflamesa.us. The deadline is June 2nd.

What’s it like to work in law enforcement? Here’s your chance to find out! The San Diego Sheriff’s Office invites you to attend the Junior Women’s Academy, a four-day camp like no other. Meet our staff and learn about life behind the badge. Prepare for an adventure and learn about patrol tactics, defensive tactics, dispatch, crime-scene investigations, detention services, and more. Enjoy demonstrations from our Sheriff’s K-9, SWAT, and CSI. Plus, level up your awareness on internet safety, human trafficking, and self-defense tactics. Eligible participants must be between 14-18 years old and are currently (or plan to be) enrolled in a high school program. Join us to experience this one-of-a-kind event! We can’t wait to meet you!

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

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

This Year's theme is "Turn Awareness into Action".We would like to highlight the importance of Mental Health by having conversations and finding healthy ways to cope with our emotions. So let's raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote understanding of mental health issues. Wear green every Monday in support of Mental Health Awareness.

Here is a great overview of what we need to support our Mental Health. The 5 C's of mental health are: Connection, Compassion, Coping, Community, and Care. These elements provide a framework for fostering mental well-being, resilience, and overall quality of life.

Here's a brief overview of each:

• Connection:
  Humans are social beings, and strong social connections are vital for mental well-being.

• Compassion:
  Extending kindness and understanding to oneself and others can significantly impact mental health.

• Coping:
  Developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress and difficult emotions is crucial for resilience.

• Community:
  Being part of a supportive community provides social support and a sense of belonging.

• Care:
  Prioritizing self-care, including physical and mental health practices, is essential for maintaining well-being. (ICAN non Profit)

• Upcoming Events:

• Wear Green on Mondays to enter in a raffle

• NAMI Club Mental Health Fair on May 7th during lunch in the quad.

• Mind Out Loud Watch Party with donut (date and time TBD)

Mrs. Paula Ann Trevino (trevino@helixcharter.net) - Grade Level Principal

Mr. Hugo Gonzalez (gonzalez@helixcharter.net)- School Counselor

Ms. Rebekah Smith (rsmith@helixcharter.net) - School Social Worker

Ms. Lopez-Barajas (lopez-barajas@helixcharter.net)- Academic Advisor

Ms. Cabral-Grajeda (cabral-grajeda@helixcharter.net) - Administrative Assistant

Ms. Brenda Flores (bflores@helixcharter.net) - Attendance Tech