High Desert School Hawk Happenings
Week of September 26, 2024
Good morning High Desert Hawks and Families,
This school year at High Desert School, we are "Anchored in Achievement!" Set sail on a smooth school year by anchoring strong routines early—review your planner each night and keep your supplies shipshape. Steer clear of rough waters by asking for help when you need it; teamwork keeps the crew afloat!
Beginning of the Year Reminders
- Cell Phones
- We are a Cell Phone Free Campus. Please remind students to leave their phones off and in their backpacks while on campus. Away for the Day supports students focus on academic achievement and social-emotional development.
- How Parents Can Help Kids Manage Social Media
Athletics
- Games start this week for JV Girls Basketball!
- Please remember that you are a member of the team on and off the field. Keep up your grades and good behavior to remain eligible all season!
- Sports Currently in Season
- Varsity Girls and Boys Volleyball
- JV Girls Basketball
- JV Boys Soccer
- Cross Country
- Spirit Squad
- 100-Mile Club
Weekly Flight Plan
Week of September 23, 2024
Monday, September 23
- 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
- Varsity Volleyball Game 3:00 - Hawks White, 4:00 - Hawks Green, 5:00 - Boys @ Cal City
- Cross Country Practice 2:30-3:30pm @ HDS Outdoor Stage
Tuesday, September 24
- JV Girls Basketball Practice 2:30-4:00pm @ HDS Outdoor Courts
- JV Boys Soccer Practice 2:45-4:45pm @ HDS Lower Field
- Cross Country Practice 5:30-6:30pm @ Outdoor Stage
Wednesday, September 25
- Early Release Dismissal at 1:10pm
- 100-Mile Club 1:15-2:00pm
- Varsity Volleyball Game - Hawks White, 4:00 - Hawks Green, 5:00 - Boys @ HDS MPR
Thursday, September 26
- MOH Mentor Day
- Spirit Squad Practice 2:30-3:15pm
- Cross Country Practice 2:30-3:30pm @ HDS Outdoor Stage
- JV Boys Soccer Game 3:50pm @ SC Soccer Center
- JV Girls Basketball Game 4:00pm @ HDS MPR
- AADUSD Parent Ambassadors Meeting 7:00pm @ District Office or via Zoom
- Show your Hawks Pride and Wear Green, Black, and White on Friday!
- MOH Mentor Day
- Spirit Day - Twin Day and Dodgeball at Lunch
- Volleyball Game @ HDS - 3:00 Girls White, 4:00 Girls Green, 5:00 Boys
- Cross Country Meet 3:30pm @ Del Sur School
Have a great week and Go Hawks!
Hawk Happenings
HDS Booster Club - Light It Up Fundraiser - Rams Tickets Auction
High Desert School Booster Club: LIGHT IT UP FUNDRAISER!
Submit your bid to win tickets to the
LA Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings game on 10/24.
The winner will receive:
3 club seat tickets with pink lot tailgate parking.
The value of this bundle is set at $1700.
Bidding deadline extended to Tuesday, October 1st at 8pm.
Scan the QR Code or bid here:
HDS Spirit Squad and ASB Represent the Hawks at VHS Homecoming Parade
HDS Hawks, VHS Mustangs, & Acton Royal Court Support AADUSD in Agua Dulce Parade
Mrs. Reveles' 5th Grade Takes on STARBASE at Edwards AFB
CAASPP Testing Scores Now Available
Test results from CAASPP testing in Spring 2024 are now available to parents in the Aeries portal. Login to https://actonaguadulce.aeries.net/student/. Go to Test Scores, the State Test Reports to see the full report.
For questions about how to read the results or what they mean for students, go to https://ca.startingsmarter.org/
Booster Club SchoolStore Fundraising
Hello Parents, I want to personally thank all the families who have already participated in our SchoolStore fundraiser! We are on our way to reaching our goal, but we need everyone's help to make sure our teachers get the essential tools they need to help our students succeed. If your family has not participated, there's still time! This safe and easy fundraiser is 100% online so there is no face-to-face selling, collecting money, or delivering products. Your child will receive a prize just for participating, and more prizes will be awarded when goals are reached. Please help now. It really will make a difference. Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000050255 to show our valued teachers your support.
Thanks, High Desert School Booster Club
P.S. Family participation is the key to our success, and we are counting on you!
Choices Assembly - September 19
On September 19th, High Desert invites speaker, Ron L. James to speak to our Hawks about the choices they make in their lives. His goal is to help students make their next choice the best choice. Topics that he will speak about include: bullying, discrimination, making better choices, kindness, gratitude, and making positive changes in their lives.
Hawk Highlights
Mrs. Goodstein
"Thank you to our amazing teacher, Mrs. Goodstein, for her great work this past week with our amazing students. Mrs. Goodstein and the ASB were great representatives at the Homecoming Game held at VHS on Friday night. The float was amazing and they kicked off the parade with great energy."
~ HDS Staff
HDS Academics
AVID Advisory and SEL - Weekly Focus
- AVID - This year in AVID, we will be focusing on organization, goal setting, and academic achievement with the support of WICOR strategies implemented in all classrooms.
- SEL - Each week, on Wednesday, our students will be working on soft skills to support their social and emotional development during middle school.
5th Grade Outdoor Science School
5th Grade will be returning to Outdoor Science School this year at Thousand Pines. Payment #1 is due by October 1st to secure students' spot on the trip. Make the first payment today! Your student won't want to miss this great educational opportunity.
LA County Library Bookmark Contest
Acton Agua Dulce Library would like to invite you to participate in LA County Library’s 45th Annual Bookmark Contest, an annual program that encourages a love of books and reading while also promoting creativity, artistic expression, and community engagement. Students will have the chance to see their bookmark designs featured at their local library and throughout Los Angeles County. Participants compete in the following age categories:
- Grade 3 – Grade 5
- Grade 6 – Grade 8
Completed entry forms can be dropped off at individual library locations, sent in by mail, or submitted digitally via a link on the Library’s website. The deadline for entry is October 5, 2024.
The winning bookmarks from each library will be shared with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, who will select winners that reside in their District from each category. Winners selected by the Board of Supervisors will be recognized by the Board in the spring of 2025.
Assemblyman Lackey "California Dreamin" Art Competition 2024
Assemblyman Lackey is pleased to announce the 34th Assembly District Student Art Show for 2024. This is open to students in grades K-12 and Special Education who reside in the Assemblyman’s District.
Attached, please find, the application and rules for the contest; the deadline for student submissions is October 4, 2024.
This year’s theme is “California Dreamin” and the Assemblyman is looking forward to seeing the Golden State through the eyes of the students.
Step Up Tutoring - FREE for Grades 5-6
Step Up delivers 1-on-1 math tutoring, conducted online with a consistent tutor
Students receive tailored math support using a curriculum that is tailored to address their needs
Tutors focus on relationship-building and provide mentorship in a fun learning environment
Students receive tutoring at least twice weekly via one of three program models: at-home, during an after-school program, or during the school day
HDS Athletics and Activities
JV Boys Soccer
Varsity Boys Volleyball
Varsity Girls Volleyball
2024-2025 Athletics Physicals
All students must have a new athletic physical and online clearance each school year. To complete the online clearance go to: https://www.homecampus.com/login
- For School - Select Vasquez
- For Sport - Select the sport the applies with MS in the title (ex: MS Volleyball)
You will need to submit the following documents as part of the clearance process:
- Current health insurance card
- Physical (Medical History / Physical / Clearance)
Florida Science Trip - Spring Break 2025
Hello Students and Parents,
HDS is taking a trip to the Florida Keys on the Splash into Science program!
This trip is all-inclusive, and we’ll be going over what we’ll get to see and do on our program, such as:
- Swim with dolphins
- Snorkel the coral reef
- Kayak the mangroves
- Behind the scenes visit at The Turtle Hospital Rescue, Rehab, Release Center
- Explore Everglades National Park
Please contact me if you have any questions about itinerary highlights, information regarding WorldStrides FLAG Financial Assistance, Extended Payment Options, and other important items you need to know about Educational Travel.
HDS Parent/Guardian Involvement for Student Success
Attendance Matters
HDS Spirit Wear
HDS Yearbook 2025
Yearbooks are selling quickly. They are a great way to preserve the memories that students make during their middle school years. Purchase your yearbook today online or in the HDS Office.
HDS Counseling Corner
School Counselor Presentations
Our School Counselor, Ms. Zuly Quezada, and our School Therapist, Miss Alondra Conde, have been doing classroom presentations for our all of our classes. They are sharing information about their program and ways that they can support students. In addition, they are meeting with students individually to get to know them and offer support/guidance as needed.
Teen Mental Health Toolkit - For Parents and Guardians
About half of teens in the U.S. had a mental health concern at some point in their life. Recognizing teen mental health issues and connecting to early intervention and treatment can be lifesaving. Check out this free guide to the most common teen mental health challenges and find local mental health resources.
HDS Community Opportunities
Sierra Youth Sports Fall Ball
Desert Winds Soccer League
VHS and Sierra Youth Baseball Clinic
VHS Fall Festival - Oct. 26
Join us for the annual VHS Fall Festival on Oct. 26th from 11am - 2pm at Vasquez High School. Game Booths from HDS include: Booster Club, ASB, 5th grade Outdoor Science School, and more.
VAPA Committee
Our Visual and Performing Arts Committee is looking for student representatives. If you are interested, email Kate O'Mara, VAPA TOSA.
Free Disposal Day - Oct. 5th
Lancaster Landfill is hosting a free disposal day. Help keep our community clean by disposing of waste during free disposal day.
Acton Royal Court Clothing Drive - Ends Oct. 1st
Dancin' in Acton "Movie Magic" Dance Recital - Sept. 28th
Recital September 28th 12pm & 5pm Tickets available at LPAC.org
Pick your favorite show or come to both!!
Christmas Boutique - Dec. 7th
Join the Acton Faith Bible Church for an amazing Christmas Boutique featuring vendors, bake sale, raffles, and more.
Hawk Scholar/Parent Resources
HDS 24-25 School Calendar
Stay up to date on all of the Hawk Happenings throughout the school year. Check out our Yearlong Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year.
Hawk Handbook
Our scholar handbook contains vital information regarding school policies and procedures, please review with your scholar.
HDS Dress Code
Scholar attire is important to keep the focus on learning. Please review and support your scholar in adhering to the school dress code.
HDS Bell Schedule
On-time Behavior is crucial to effective instruction in classrooms. Please support your student in arriving to school on time.
M/T/Th/F - 8:00am to 2:20pm
W - 8:00am - 1:10pm
Daily Attendance = Academic Success
On-Time Behavior
Cell Phones - Away for the Day
PBIS Rewards Family App Access
Our School is using PBIS Rewards to help us with our PBIS program! PBIS Rewards is a technology-based PBIS Management System that helps us with our behavior incentive program. You can learn about PBIS Rewards at their website (www.pbisrewards.com).
Our students can earn rewards throughout the day by meeting our behavior expectations. These rewards are in the form of electronic points. They can redeem these points for privileges, tangible items, access to events, and other similar things. Our expectation is that we will see overall behavior improve throughout the school and that the number of referrals we have will decrease.
PBIS Rewards has a Family App that will give you some insight into how your child is doing with respect to our PBIS program. The Family App will run on most smart devices, including smartphones and tablets. You can find it in the iPhone/iPad App Store, Google Play, and the Amazon App Store. Just search for "PBIS Rewards Family."
An email has been sent to families to get you set up on the PBIS Rewards Family App. Please access this email from PBIS Rewards if you wish to access your child's progress. If you did not receive an email, please contact Mrs. Van Ornum so she can help get you set up.
High Desert School
Email: mvanornum@aadusd.k12.ca.us
Website: http://aadusd.k12.ca.is/domain/9/
Location: 3620 Antelope Woods Road, Acton, CA, USA
Phone: (661) 269-0310
Facebook: facebook.com/hdsboosterclub/
Twitter: @Highdesert_aad