December 2 - Return from Thanksgiving Break

December 12 - Minimum Day, Students Dismissed at 1:20pm

December 19 & December 20 - Finals for Fall Semester 2

December 26 - Athletic Eligibility Determined

December 23-January 7 - Winter Break

January 8 - First Day of Spring Semester 1

January 9 - Family First Info Night: Class of 2028 10th Grade Course Request

January 20 - MLK Day, No School

January 22 - Back to School Night (Virtual)

January 30 - Parent Shadow Day

January 30 - Minimum Day, Students Dismissed at 1:20pm

On December 2nd and 3rd, the Class of 2028 Grade Level Team will visit your student's Helix First classroom to introduce the 4-Year Plan. This plan gives students an opportunity to start brainstorming the classes they would like to take during their time at Helix, while also mapping out their schedule to ensure they meet all graduation requirements or complete any Career Technical Education Pathway (CTE) courses.

As part of this process, we will also help students become more familiar with the Helix Course Catalog, giving them a better understanding of the courses and pathways available to them.

It is important to note that the 4-Year Plan is a flexible tool, not a fixed schedule. Its purpose is to encourage 9th graders to think ahead about how they want to spend their time at Helix and what they hope to achieve.

In January, the Grade Level Team will review 10th-grade course requests with students. Additionally, we will host a Family First informational night on January 9th to discuss these topics in more detail.

Mark your calendars! When we return from Winter Break, the Class of 2028 will host a Family First Info Night on Thursday, January 9th to discuss 10th Grade Course Requests.

During this event, we will share important information to guide your student in making informed decisions about their 10th-grade classes. Both students and their families are encouraged to attend.

To help us plan accordingly, please RSVP to let us know if you’ll be joining us.

This is a reminder that students' schedules will change at the start of the new semester when they return from winter break in January. Before returning to school, it is important for students to check their StudentVue account to view their updated Spring Semester 1 schedule.

Follow the steps below to access you StudentVue account.

1. Go the the Helix website and click on the "Students" tab at the top. Then, select "StudentVue" on the left hand side.

2. Select "I am a student".

3. Please note, the Username and Password are the same as your Chromebook.

Every Thursday at 6pm, Helix staff or special guests present on different topics applicable to high school parents. These events are held in the Helix Library 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.

Come join other students and parents as we learn how to navigate perfectionism and balancing healthy expectations. With finals coming up, this is 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, the 1600 building, and is open to all parents and guardians. Registration not required. Students and siblings are welcome to attend with you. You can park in the staff lot located at 7323 University, above the big H. This is the entrance off of University & Yale. Snacks will be provided. For translation services, click here.

*The event may be rescheduled if the applications are not yet live

We are going to celebrate Duchess' 4th Birthday on Friday, December 6th during lunch in the grass area by the 1300 bldg. All students are welcome to join us to sign happy birthday and show Duchess some love.

Students can earn up to 6 hours of community service by bringing pet toys or supplies to donate to the San Diego Humane Society. 1 item = 2 hours of service. Please drop off items between Monday, Dec 2nd - Friday, Dec 6th to the Wellness Center, Admin Building, Library or Old Admin BLdg (next to IT service window).

And if you just want to be informed about upcoming events and school news, follow us on social media at Facebook and Instagram.

Discover the wonders of the ocean and expand your knowledge through exciting presentations and hands-on activities. There will be free food for all attendees, ensuring you’re fueled up for a night of learning and fun! Wear your neon colors to light up the event and show your enthusiasm! This event is FREE and open to the public, so bring your family and friends for a night of connection, creativity, and ocean love. We can’t wait to see you there! Want to learn more about Black in Marine Science and BIMS Week? Visit www.BIMS.org.

The Winter Snow Jams Concert will perform on the Helix PAC Mainstage on December 11 & 12 from 7-9:30pm.

Helix's 12th Annual Supporters Breakfast will be held on Friday, December 13, from 8:00 a.m - 9:00 a.m. in the Helix Gym. All parents & community members are invited to join us for a special community event featuring a complimentary breakfast and exciting performances by the award-winning Helix performing arts department! We will celebrate Helix's top performance scores, AP pass rates and the highest graduating class in our history! We will hear from inspiring past and present students and share opportunities to assist us in our mission of preparing ALL STUDENTS to be college-ready and successful after graduating. This event has limited space, registration is required here.

The Helix PTSA is selling Finals Care Packages again! For $15, students will get a Submarina sub sandwich, chips, a cookie and a drink. You can place your order by clicking here - https://helixptsa.myptezcentral.com/. You must order by Friday, December 13. Students can pick up their meal during lunch on Wednesday, December 18 in the gym. Please let your student(s) know you’ve ordered for them so they know to pick them up. The proceeds go to the Helix PTSA, which helps pay for student enrichment, scholarships and more. To learn more about getting involved in the PTSA, email helixptsapresident@gmail.com.

Prepare for takeoff on 25/25! Winter Formal will take place on January 25th at the Air & Space Museum. Tickets are on sale now at the Dawg House. All students must be cleared prior to purchasing tickets.

Please see the video below with instructions on how to set up a Parent Observer Account in Canvas.

Parent Observers can link their Canvas account to their student's account so they can see assignment due dates, announcements, their student's grades, and other course content.

Helix students are required to complete at least 40 hours of community service to graduate.

It’s never too early to start! We recommend that 9th graders aim to complete at least 10 hours of community service during their freshman year.

After completing your community service hours, please fill out THIS FORM and submit it to your Academic Advisor, Mrs. Naranjo.

• Go to "Student Info"
• Scroll to the bottom of the page to where it says "service learning hours".
• You will see the number of hours you have logged.

To help students find opportunities, we regularly update the Student Opportunities sheet with information on community service, jobs, internships, college visits, and more! Explore community service opportunities here: helixcharter.net/community

Students can get community service hours for helping at this event. For more information about volunteering, please contact MGonzalez@lemongrove.ca.gov.

Ms. Michelle Reed is a Lead Academic Coach for Helix’s nationally recognized Academic Support Program. She plays a key role in Extended Learning (EXL), a welcoming environment designed to support our newest Scotties as they transition from middle school to the ‘Helix Way.’ In EXL, students work in pods, where Ms. Reed and her team of Academic Coaches provide personalized support and one-on-one mentoring, ensuring each student builds the skills and confidence needed to thrive at Helix

Week 1 (Dec. 4 - Dec. 8) CRUNCH TIME
Week 2 (Dec. 11 - Dec. 15) FINAL DAYS TO TURN IN LATE WORK
Week 3 (Dec. 18 - Dec. 21) FINALS WEEK

• Fall Semester 2 FINAL EXAMS: DEC. 20 - DEC. 21

Ms. Hampton graduated from Helix in 2014. She graduated from California State University Stanislaus in 2020. This is her 3rd year as an academic coach working in ExL. She really enjoys all the joys and challenges that come with working with freshmen. There's so much transformation that they go through in such a short period of time. Watching each student grow within themselves socially and emotionally is rewarding.

What was your dream job as a child?

My dream job as a child was to be an astronaut because I am fascinated with outer space. I wanted to be floating around looking at the stars completely oblivious to the physics and engineering of it all. These days I hope to become a licensed therapist helping as many clients as possible.

What is number one on your bucket list?

The number one thing on my bucket list is to go on an Antarctic expedition to see the penguins in their natural habitat. Macaroni (gross but cute) & King Penguin have been my favorite animals since I was a child.

Finals will fall on 12/19-12/20 - Adjusted Bell Schedule will be going out as these days are minimum days.

• DEN TUTORIAL: Ensure students are taking advantage of this time, and are planning it out accordingly! Den tutorial will be scheduled like normal, except Thursday, where it will only be available in the morning.

Final Exam Studying Habits

• Start your study guides/practice ASAP - having more time with the material gives you more time to figure out what you know and what you need more time on
• Order your material from least confident to most confident - prioritizing this can help organize yourself and maximize time
• Organize your resources! Find notes, old homework, quizzes, or tests to help make review guides - a lot of teachers build off of material they have already assigned.
• Break your studying up between more days - more time to really know material and it feels less stifling when you are not cramming
• Find a quiet place! Studies show that the brain cannot focus on many things at once, so having a space where your focus is targeted to your work is most productive
• Explain what you’re learning to someone else!
• Find extra practice online or from your teacher!
• Bring Questions to Class!

‘Doomsday’ prepping - sleeping, eating, rest, taking breaks!

Self-Care

• Can be anything from preparing your favorite snack, partaking in your favorite pastime, or simply relaxing! These additions to your Finals Routine are just as important as the Studying aspect of Finals Prep.

Teacher Tutorials are opportunities for students to retake papers or makeup tests that they have missed. Teachers may be able to offer one-on-one support if they are available. Tutorials are held every Friday, the schedule is below

In addition to tutorial hours on Friday morning, The Den is a place to get academic support before and after school. It will be open Monday through Thursday in ExL (room 1600). Students can drop in before and/or after school to receive help in all subjects from academic coaches and credentialed teachers. They will provide tutoring, remediation, test prep, test proctoring, timed writings and study groups. Any students needing mid-week tutorials should definitely drop in to the Den! See below for the daily schedule.

Monthly Topic: Winter Break And All That Comes With It

Hi Everyone!

Our names are Jalen Davis and Julieta Hernandez; we are the interns of the 11th and 12th grade counselors, Mr. González and Mrs. Street respectively. We will be creating different presentations during each month to keep you informed about different topics that we hope you will find useful.

We hope you all have a restful winter break and spend some time recharging and reflecting. This month's presentation includes mindfulness activities, reflective questions, and gentle reminders to help you feel ready for next semester!

Please feel free to contact Jalen Davis (jdavis@helixcharter.net) or Julieta Hernandez (jhernandez@helixharter.net) with any questions, thank you!

Tema Mensual: Vacaciones de invierno y todo lo que conlleva

¡Hola a todos!

Nuestros nombres son Jalen Davis y Julieta Hernandez, somos pasantes de los consejeros, Mr. González y de Mrs. Street. Estaremos creando diferentes presentaciones durante cada mes para mantenerlos informados sobre diferentes temas que esperemos que encuentren útil.

Esperamos que todos disfruten de unas relajantes vacaciones de invierno y pasen un tiempo recargando energías y reflexionando. ¡La presentación de este mes incluye actividades de atención plena, preguntas reflexivas y recordatorios amables para ayudarte a sentirte preparado para el próximo semestre!

No dude en comunicarse con Jalen Davis (jdavis@helixcharter.net) o Julieta Hernandez (jhernandez@helixharter.net) si tiene alguna pregunta, ¡gracias!

• Savoring the Season
• The Practice of Gratitude During the Holidays
• Avoiding Holiday Stressors: Tips For a Stress-Free Season
• 5 Things to do When the Holiday’s Aren’t Uplifting
• Handling the Holidays in a Non-LGBTQ+ Affirming Environment
• Free Support During the Holidays

Pay attention to your feelings.

Remember that it is okay to feel unhappy during the holidays. Recognizing your feelings is the first step to addressing and nurturing them.

Develop a plan for when you may be feeling stressed, sad, or lonely.

This plan may include calling a friend or family member, going for a walk, engaging in a joyous activity, or watching a favorite movie.

Be intentional in caring for your mind and body.

Schedule time for yourself to recharge your mind and body. This may include reading a book, working out, time in nature, and practicing stress management skills, such as deep breathing or mindfulness. Remember to eat a balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and find time for exercise.

Connect with community.

If you can’t be near loved ones finding a supportive community can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Consider scheduling a regular phone call with family and friends as well.

Support others during this time of year, grief and loss can be amplified.

Check-in on loved ones who may be alone or struggling. Helping a friend or neighbor not only gives others joy but can also improve your happiness and well-being.

Adapted from resources provided by SAMHSA

Grade Level Principal: Mr. Damon Chase chase@helixcharter.net x127

Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Vicky Rodriguez rodriguez@helixcharter.net x145

Counselor: Mrs. Olivari olivari@helixcharter.net x147

Academic Advisor: Mrs. Deborah Naranjo naranjo@helixcharter.net x136

School Social Worker: Mrs. Lorena Fernandez fernandez@helixcharter.net x395

Attendance Technician: Ms. Bridgette Bojorquez bojorquez@helixcharter.net x231

2028 Grade Level Team Email: glt2028@helixcharter.net

Click the icons to visit our pages!

Email: glt2028@helixcharter.net
Website: www.helixcharter.net
Location: 4200 Lowell Street, La Mesa, CA, USA
Phone: 619-644-1940