EDHS Community Update - Jan. 16

Dear Miner Nation,

Happy New Year! As we begin this exciting new chapter, let’s embrace the endless possibilities that lie ahead. The start of a new year brings with it a sense of hope, renewal, and the opportunity to set new goals. It’s a time for fresh beginnings, for dreaming big, and for striving toward our highest potential.

Together, we’ve already achieved so much, and with each new day, we have the chance to build on our strengths, tackle challenges, and support each other in our journeys. This year is filled with endless opportunities to grow, learn, and make a difference — both in and out of the classroom.

Let’s approach this year with a spirit of optimism, collaboration, and determination. Whether it’s academic success, personal growth, or community involvement, there is no limit to what we can achieve when we work together and support one another.

Here’s to a year full of bright beginnings and the endless possibilities that come with it. Let’s make it our best yet!

Warm wishes for a wonderful New Year,

Principal Nelson

Esports - Gabriel Woods, our Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Varsity Captain, won the inaugural PlayVS SSBU Pacific Region Solos Championship! Over 100+ players across Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, British Colombia, and California competed in the event, and we took the championship this evening (in dominant fashion)!

This is now our FOURTH esports championship--giving our esports program eight trophies/plaques in just two years!

FFA Program - The past few months have been a busy and exciting time for our FFA program, with students participating in competitions, industry tours, and impactful community service projects. Here's a quick look at some of the highlights from our FFA students' hard work and accomplishments:

Industry Tours: Our Ag Leadership class has been actively engaged in learning about the agricultural industry through bi-monthly industry tours. These tours provide valuable real-world insights and expose students to various sectors of agriculture. One of the recent highlights was a visit to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department in December, where students met with Ag Crimes detectives and the Sheriff. This experience allowed students to learn about the important role law enforcement plays in agriculture.

Competitions and Achievements: Our FFA teams have also been representing El Diamante with great pride and success in recent competitions:

• FFA Water Team: On November 20th, our Water team competed at the Tulare/Kings sectional contest held here at EDHS, and we are proud to announce they earned 2nd place! Congratulations to Tyler Merry, Chandler Smith, and Kaylee Baca for their outstanding performance.

• FFA Agri-Finance Team: On the same day, our Agri-Finance team competed at the Sectional contest hosted by Ag West Farm Credit. The team placed 1st and won a $600 cash prize! This competition included 9 teams from Tulare and Kings Counties. Congratulations to Jayden Wong, Megan Gahlandro, Jamison Blanchard, Alex Palomino, and Sophia Alvarez for their hard work and success!

• FFA Citrus Judging Team: We are also thrilled to announce that our Citrus Judging team placed 2nd at their first event of the season. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to more successes ahead.

At El Diamante, we are incredibly proud of our FFA students for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence in all they do. These experiences not only help them grow academically and professionally but also provide them with a deeper connection to our local agriculture community.

1,000 Career Points - We are thrilled to announce that Rian Jones-Dillihunt, our senior point guard, has achieved an incredible milestone – scoring 1,000 points at El Diamante! This impressive achievement is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and outstanding skills on the court.

Mr. Harabedian is our new choral teacher at El Diamante High School. He is very excited to become part of the El Diamante community and its tradition of excellence. After spending 20.5 years at Madera South High School, he looks forward to this new chapter. Mr. Harabedian has also taught in Fresno and Riverdale.

Ms. Hansen is a new Educational Specialist at El Diamante High School. Her professional journey has spanned a variety of roles, working with students from ages 5 to 25, including those in regular education, special education, and incarcerated youth programs. Of all these experiences, special education has always been her true passion.

Ms. Hansen is excited about this new chapter in her career and looks forward to being a part of the El Diamante community, where she hopes to contribute to the growth and success of her students.

Semester 1 Grades Due (1/14) - Grades are due Tuesday, January 14th by 4:00 p.m.

Spring Schedule Changes (1/17) - The deadline for submitting Spring Schedule Changes for students is Friday, January 17th, by 4:00 p.m.

Our Student Supervision data reveals several key areas that need attention, particularly in addressing behavioral issues, improving attendance, and providing targeted support for socio-economically disadvantaged and 9th-grade students. While suspensions have decreased, there remains a significant need for comprehensive interventions that address the root causes of misbehavior and tardiness. By focusing on preventive measures, targeted support, and restorative practices, we can work toward improving both behavior and attendance, creating a more supportive and engaging school environment for all students.

Please click on the image below to view our data. Please click HERE to few the key findings and key recommendations of our data.

As we begin the new semester, it is important to review our school policies with our students, particularly those regarding cell phones, attendance and tardiness, and hall passes. Policies are only effective when they are properly implemented, and it is crucial that we all actively enforce them. Let’s work together to ensure consistency and accountability in upholding these standards

The purpose of the Homeroom period is to keep students informed and connected to school events and activities through the Homeroom slides. These slides include important class information, our school news show, PICK reminders, and college/career updates. Additionally, Math and Special Education interventions provide students with opportunities for academic support. Students requiring intervention will be given passes to attend.

There are also teacher-led or course-specific interventions during Homeroom, organized by an administrator. Please note that Homeroom is not a time for students to "hang out" or visit other classes. We ask that you do not allow students who are not on your Homeroom roster to remain in your room.

Registration Videos - I wanted to inform you that starting on January 15th, we will begin our registration season. During this time, students will watch a series of information videos that will guide them through the registration process, provide details on which classes to register for, and offer important information about our course offerings.