Class of 2024
April Newsletter
Grade Level Team
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
2024 Grade Level Team Email: GLT2024@helixcharter.net
Upcoming Dates & Events
April 1: First Day of Spring Semester 2;
Deadline to submit Community Service Hours
April 3: Grossmont College Onboarding Make-up Day
April 10: Trades Day;
Deadline to purchase Grad Night Tickets
April 12: College Rejection Party
Important Senior Dates
April 1: Deadline to submit Community Service Hours
April 12: College Rejection Party
May 10: Military Luncheon;
Deadline to submit Helix PTSA Scholarship applications
May 18: Prom 7pm-11pm at Venue 808 in downtown San Diego
May 22: College Signing Day at 6pm in the Helix Gym - Must RSVP to attend: morgan@helixcharter.net
May 28-29: Senior Boards
TBA: Senior Sunrise
June 3-4: Senior Finals
June 5:
· Senior Check Out
· Senior Awards Night
June 6:
· 8am Graduation Rehearsal followed by Senior
Breakfast
· 6pm Graduation
June 9: Grad night at California AdventureClick HERE for more details about each event.
Graduation Information
Graduation is June 6th 2024 at 6pm
Graduation will take place in the Helix High School Football Stadium.
Graduation Ticket FAQs
How many tickets does each student get?
6 Tickets. If they submitted their FAFSA by March 14th and sent Ms. Naranjo a screenshot, they get an additional 2 tickets for a total of 8.
How can they find out how many tickets they have?
If students completed the FAFSA by March 14th and sent a screenshot to the GLT, they should have received a confirmation email. Parents can email naranjo@helixcharter.net to confirm.
Can parents buy extra grad tickets?
No, we do not sell tickets and extras are not given because we always reach max capacity.
Can people sell tickets to each other?
It is not encouraged by the school but people can give any extra tickets to people who need them.
Graduation Event FAQs
Check-In:
Graduation student check-in is at 4:30 p.m. in the Sports Med room (1160). Please have students carry their cap and gowns, they’ll put them on right before walking out. The best place to drop off your student and park is in the solar parking lot at 4200 Lowell St. Attendees may enter the stadium starting at 4:30 p.m. If you have a family member with mobility issues, make sure that your student requests the visitor’s side of the stadium for seating.
Parking:
The primary parking lot is the large, solar parking lot at 4200 Lowell St. but it always reaches capacity, so we encourage you to carpool, walk or utilize overflow parking on Lowell St, Highlander Dr. and at the Hill Church (located at 7485 Orien Ave, right above our parking lot). Handicap parking is available in the solar parking lot (take your first left after turning in). There will be cart transportation from this area of the parking lot into the stadium from 4:30-6:00 p.m.. If that handicap section is full, you may also park by the “old front” of the school, at 7323 University Ave, in the roundabout by the flagpole. There will also be cart transportation from there. Campus supervisors will be located around the campus and available to help.
Diploma Pickup:
Right after the ceremony, students turn in their cap and gown and pick up their diploma. Diplomas will be available to pick up until 45 minutes after the end of the ceremony.
Live-Stream:
We will be live-streaming the event, link will be sent out the week prior.
Please remember that balloons are not allowed in the stadium.
Grossmont College Onboarding Make-Up Day
If you plan to attend community college after high school, and missed the first Grossmont Community College Onboarding Day, we are having a make-up day on April 3rd.
If you did not make it to the first onboarding day and if you did not already get an email from Ms. Morgan with an appoinment time for the April 3rd date and wish to secure an appointment time, please email her at: morgan@helixcharter.net.
Appointments are between 8am-12:30pm during the school day and will take about 30-40 minutes to complete!
Helix Trades Day
Wednesday, April 10 from 9am - 2pm
Helix's Trades Day is a career expo that exposes our students to unique career paths that don't require a college degree like construction trades, law enforcement, cosmetology, real estate and more. We will have over 25 career vendors available to talk to students, explain how to get into the industry and even sign up for training programs on the spot. All interested students are invited to participate. Certain classes will be coming out or students can come out during break, lunch or free periods.
College Rejection Party - April 12th
Grad Nite at Disney's California Adventure on June 9th!
All payments are due by April 10th
Click HERE to reserve your spot!
Please email any questions to: gradnight.helix@gmail.com.
The Princess Project San Diego
Get a Free Prom Dress and Accessory!
Dress Giveaway Dates Begin March 27th and Continues Through May 4th!
Book Your Appointment Online:
Family First Info Nights
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.
Graduation Regalia - Thursday, April 4 at 6pm via Zoom
Our Student Support team will explain about the requirements to get a Platinum Cap, Golden State Seal, Biliteracy Seal, Honors Cord, and Valedictorian recognitions. Families from all grade levels are invited. The meeting will take place on Zoom. Please click here to join the webinar.
Accessing Accomodations for College Classes - Thursday, April 18 at 6pm via Zoom
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? Please come to our Family First Zoom webinar on "How to Access Accommodations for College Classes" happening April 18th starting at 6pm. 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.). This event will be held via zoom. Please click here to join the webinar. For translation services, click here.
C4Me (College Tour Trip for Juniors) - Thursday, April 25 at 6pm via Zoom
Find out more about this amazing college tour trip experience from C4Me Coordinator Yolanda Street & the 2026 team. Class of 2026 & 2027 students are invited to attend. We will explain the requirements your student must fulfill in order to attend and upcoming steps. This event will be held via zoom. Click here to attend. Registration not required.
NCAA Eligibility Workshop - Thursday, May 2 at 6pm
Interested in participating in college athletics? Come get the latest information on the NCAA eligibility process from Damon Chase, Athletic Director and Kathryn Welch, Assistant Athletic Director.
Student & Community News
Spring Fling - Wednesday, May 1 from 5pm - 7pm
Helix's annual Spring Fling Showcase for incoming freshmen is coming up! Helix Academics, Arts, Activities and Athletic programs will be showcased throughout the event allowing families to get acquainted with the many curricular and extracurricular programs offered at Helix. Incoming 9th Graders will receive a complimentary meal ($5 ea. for additional family members). Students will be able to sign-up for school athletic teams, clubs, and service organizations. Teachers will be available to provide information and answer questions regarding Helix academics and students from the Helix Performing Arts Programs will perform. For more information on upcoming events for next year's freshmen, check out this newsletter.
Summer Conferencing & Online Enrollment COMING SOON!
Notifications about Helix's annual online enrollment and summer conferencing scheduling process will be coming soon. At the end of April, keep a look out for more information on our annual required process. Dates, times and links will be shared at that time. Grade Level Teams are looking forward to meeting with all students and families to reflect on the school year and review what is coming in the upcoming school year.
Pancho Sanchez Concert - Friday, April 12 at 7pm
Join us for this exciting event in our Performing Arts Center. Purchase tickets here.
Bike Safety Classes for Teens Riding in La Mesa
The SD Bike Coalition & the City of La Mesa are offering FREE bike safety classes for teenagers riding in La Mesa. Visit www.sdbikecoalition.ord/events to register for one of their free upcoming events.
Performing Arts Auditions
Support Helix through Farm Fresh To You
Use promocode: HelixCharter when purchasing Farm Fresh to You products and they will give 10% back to Helix.
College & Career Readiness
Club College - Every Thursday After School
Seniors and their families are welcome to drop in to Club College in room 180 (The College and Career Center) anytime between 3:35pm-6:00pm on Thursdays after school to get help with any college, scholarship, or financial aid related questions.
The College & Career Center
If students need help outside of Club College hours, they are welcome to swing by The College & Career Center in room 180 before school, after school, or during a break!
Please email the College and Career Advisor, Ms. Morgan at morgan@helixcharter.net for more information.
Scholarship Opportunities
Helix PTSA Scholarships
DEADLINE- May 10th, 2024
The Helix Charter High School PTSA is proud to announce its annual Scholarship Application for the Class of 2024!
Your completed application and accompanying essay will entitle you to be considered for one of the following scholarships:
GOLDEN APPLE EXCELLENCE AWARD $500*
This student excellence scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who has shown excellence in Academics, Character, and Scottie Pride. You must have a GPA of 3.5. Applicants are also judged on character and extra-curricular activities. Two letters of recommendation are required: one from a teacher and one from a counselor. Essay should focus on how attendance at Helix has impacted academic growth and achievement.
HELIX COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP $500*
This scholarship will go to a graduating senior who has demonstrated active community service during their four years as a Helix Charter High School Scottie. Applicants will be judged on community service, NOT school service. One letter of recommendation required from a community member. Essay should focus on how active participation in community service has impacted the applicant and the organizations for which the applicant volunteered.
LEADERSHIP AWARD $500*
This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who has demonstrated an active leadership role, on or off campus, throughout high school. In your essay describe how your leadership role has impacted others and how you have dealt with adversity. One letter of recommendation from either a community member or a faculty member.
BENTON HART AWARD $500*
This scholarship will go to a graduating senior who has been involved in school and community service. Essay should focus on how community and school service has impacted academic, social and community growth. One letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
PTSA AWARDS $500*
This scholarship is primarily for seniors who have participated with PTSA as a student member throughout the years. Essay should outline participation in PTSA and sponsored events.
**APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59pm ON MAY 10th, 2024**
Be sure to read all directions and information carefully. Answer the short-answer questions, and also include three brief (250-350 word) essays on the topics addressed on the application form. Please also include a letter of recommendation from a Helix Charter High School staff member and/or a community member.
Submit completed google form with attachments, and letter(s) of recommendation via
*You are encouraged to retain copies of your submission. Include your email address and phone number so we may confirm that we have received your scholarship application*
Direct questions and concerns to the 2024 PTSA Scholarship Chairperson, Shannon Urnezis at urnezis@helixcharter.net.
Best of luck!
A Bridge for Kids - 5th Annual College Scholarship Program to Award $30,000
Scholarship for all San Diego high school seniors who qualify for the Government Free and Reduced Lunch Program and can demonstrate excellence achieved in high school academics, athletics, and/or the arts.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on April 15, 2024.
2024 Republican Women of California El Cajon Valley “Founders’ Scholarship”
This Scholarship honors the women who founded our organization in March 1978. Education is a large part of our club focus and we are pleased to offer this opportunity to students who will be applying to college to further their education.
An award of $1,000 will be granted to the student who exemplifies high academic performance, leadership skills and community involvement. The scholarship winner will be notified in the month of May 2024 and will be asked to participate at a subsequent general meeting of the RWCECV to read their essay and be presented the award.
Requirements: (Please use this as your checklist)
1. You must be a “2024” graduating high school senior.
2. Provide a written essay titled: “What the United States Constitution Means to Me”.
(No more than 1,000 words).
3. Your high school transcript must be officially signed by a school official and
returned in a sealed envelope along with your application package.
4. Your signature must be on the application, AND ALL PAGES COMPLETED.
5. Please Include at least one letter of recommendation (personal reference).
6. Please Include at least one letter of recommendation (professional reference).
7. Please include a color senior photo.
Click HERE for the application.
All applications must be received by postal mail on or before April 15, 2024.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Communiuty Service
Community Service Graduation Requirement
All students are required to complete a total of 40 community service hours as part of Helix's graduation requirements. These hours are due on April 1, 2024 for the Class of 2024. If you have not yet completed your hours to fulfill this graduation requirement, please contact your Academic Advisor ASAP at: naranjo@helixcharter.net.
Click on the button below for a list of community service opportunities, as well as paid jobs and internships.
Don't forget to complete your community service form to get credit for volunteer hours. Completed forms can be turned in to your Academic Advisor. Click the button below to access the form.
For any questions about community service, please contact your Academic Advisor, Mrs. Naranjo at: naranjo@helixcharter.net.
Become a Homework Coach at the La Mesa Library
The La Mesa Branch Library is offering a student volunteer opportunity for students that have at least a 3.0 GPA. They have launched a new program called “Homework Help” for K-8th graders. Email Denise at lamesalibrary@sdcounty.ca.gov for more information.
HandsOn San Diego
HandsOn San Diego is a nonprofit on a mission to make volunteering easier and our communities stronger. Our projects are hand selected to ensure our volunteers have a great experience and truly make a difference.
Ready to volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about? Projects that fit your schedule and interests are waiting for you!
Easily search our volunteer calendar based on your age, location, or impact area.
Academic Support Opportunities
Helix Resource Centers & Extra Curriculars
Contact Information
Email: glt2024@helixcharter.net
Website: www.helixcharter.net
Location: 4200 Lowell Street, La Mesa, CA, USA
Phone: 619-644-1940
Instagram: instagram.com/helix.classof2024/