September Newsletter
Class of 2027
Class of 2027 Grade Level Team
(Ms. Bojorquez, Mrs. Gunion, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Carbajal, Mr. Watkins, Ms. Castrejon, Ms. Soto)
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Labor Day - Monday, September 4
No School. Enjoy your holiday!
Athletic Eligibility Determined - Thursday, September 14
Find more info on helixathletics.net
Screenagers Movie Showing - Cancelled
The movie screening that was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 7 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. We will announce the date shortly. Thank you for your patience.
Algebra 2 / Financial Algebra 2 Info Night - Thursday, September 14 at 6pm
In this Algebra 2 Info Night, we will explain the class, how we keep students on track, helpful resources, how to stay up to date with your student's progress and more. Jonathon Childers, Math Department Chair will present and be available to answer questions. This event will be held in the Helix library from 6-7pm. Students are welcome to attend. Registration is not required. Refreshments provided. Doors open at 5:45.
College Application Process - Thursday September 21st at 6pm
This event is open to Class of 2024 students and families to learn about the college application process, including important time lines and resources. This event will be held in person in the Helix Library from 6-7pm.
Algebra 1 Info Night - Thursday September 28th at 6pm
In this Algebra 1 Info Night, we will explain the class, how we keep students on track, helpful resources, how to stay up to date with your student's progress and more. Jonathon Childers, Math Department Chair and Melody Soto, 9th Grade Counselor, will present and be available to answer questions. This event will be held in the Helix library from 6-7pm. Students are welcome to attend. Registration is not required. Snacks and refreshments provided. You can park in solar parking lot at 4200 Lowell St, walk straight passed the admin building, pool and baseball fields. The library is located in the 300 building, behind the lunch tables. Doors open at 5:45.
Student & Community News
ASPIRE Club Fall Lineup
Click here to check out the lineup and register.
Food Services Reminders
Students will need to know their ID number to get meals at school. All students receive a free morning meal and lunch meal. They can choose either breakfast or nutrition break meal at no charge (not both). If they chose both breakfast & nutrition break on the same day, they will be charged for nutrition break. You may add funds to STUDENTS ACCOUNTS HERE. Students may pay at purchase, use their school pay account or purchase now and pay later. If they have food restrictions we should know about, please COMPLETE THIS FORM and send it to your grade level team. Please fill out the SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM APPLICATION regardless! It helps us with necessary funding and student information.
Club Rush - September 6th during Lunch
On Wednesday September 6th during lunch students will have an opportunity to learn more about all of the student-run clubs that Helix has to offer.
Choir Performance - September 18 at 6:40pm
WANTED! Singers & performers for the Helix Award-Winning Show Choirs
Auditions were last May, but there is still room in our treble show choir for soprano/alto voices! If you sing in a lower range just let your counselor know to sign you up for our tenor/bass show choir, no audition required! Please email tolvo-chan@helixcharter.net for more information, and get ready for a fun and exciting year in CHOIR!
City of La Mesa Youth Advisory Annual Recruitment
The City of La Mesa is now accepting applications for its Youth Advisory Commission. The City is looking for students between the ages of 13 and 20 years old who live OR go to school within the City limits. Commission meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. If you could please post and/or distribute the attached flyer and application to students it would be greatly appreciated. The application deadline is Monday, October 2nd.
Support Helix Charter High School!
Receive fresh, organic produce conveniently delivered right to your home or office
while earning 10% for Helix Charter High School! Farm Fresh To You, a family farm
growing organically since 1976, is proud to partner with Helix Charter High School to offer our members a healthy way to fundraise.
Click on the link below for more information
Promo Code: HELIXCHARTER
One Book, One Helix
One Book, One Helix invites you to participate in the BACK-TO-SCHOOL BACKPACK DRIVE!
(All proceeds will benefit San Diego students in the IRC - International Rescue Committee - Youth Program.
Students can earn up to 10 Community Service Hours!
Click on the link below for more information!
Order Your School Photos
Helix Instrumental Music Association Needs Your Help!
Box Trailer Wanted for HIMA
Helix High School’s band program needs your help! We are looking for a donation or a great deal on a 24 foot enclosed trailer with a rear ramp door and a 10,000 GVWR. This will help transport instruments and props to our competitions this season. Please email us at info@helixinstrumental.org if you are a business or community member that can help us out with this. Helix Instrumental Music Association is a 501c3, so donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your consideration!
Attendance FAQs
What if I am late, like really late?
- Students arriving late for 1st period, must first check in with the Attendance Office. For verification purposes, a note signed by a parent/guardian is preferred, but a phone call to the Attendance office is acceptable. Parents/guardians may also clear tardy/absences through Parent Vue.
What if I miss a day of school?
Full-day absences must be verified with the Attendance Office within 24 hours. Failing to clear an absence within 24 hours may result in a consequence for the student. A phone call from the parent/guardian to the Attendance Office on the day of the absence is preferred. Verification through ParentVue, parent/guardian signed note or email verification is also acceptable.
What if I need to leave campus early?
If a student needs to leave campus for any reason before their school day is over, they must first obtain an Off-Campus Permit. Off-Campus Permits are issued upon the request of a parent/guardian through the Attendance Office. Requests for an Off-Campus Permit should be presented in writing (preferred) before the start of school or by phone to the Attendance Office. Requests for early release should be made in advance whenever possible to accommodate the timely release of your student.
Students who leave school early without school authorization are considered truant and will be assigned a consequence.
Student Highlight of the Month!
Our Student Highlight for the month of August is Dahlia Dixon!
Huge shoutout to Dahlia for helping Ms. Villegas pick up trash completely unprompted. Way to go Dahlia! đź’š
Every month your GLT will be recognizing students who have gone above and beyond and have shown what it means to be a true Scottie.
Tutorial
Teacher Tutorial 2:54pm-3:35pm
Monday/Wednesday
Art, English, Helix First, LOTE, PE, Performing Arts, Science
Tuesday/Thursday
Business, Family/Consumer Science, Math, Social Science, Tech
Academic Support Tutorial 3:00pm-4:00pm
Room 1340 Monday-Thursday
Link Crew
Shoutout to Link Crew!
A huge shoutout to Ms. Gianas’ Link Crew members for all of their hard work and dedication this Summer.
During the Summer, Link Crew helped over 500 Freshman during Scottie Pride Day by giving campus tours and leading a series of activities in order to build connections and help facilitate the transition from middle school to high school.
Link Crew members will be available all year to help support Freshman in any way they can. Link Crew will also be giving mini lessons to Freshman during Advisory. Thank you to Link Crew and Ms. Gianas for all of their hard work and commitment to our Freshman. Way to go Link Crew!
What is Link Crew?
Link Crew is an internationally recognized high school student leadership program that welcomes and mentors freshman students to help them feel more comfortable about the first year of their high school experience. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed, students from the junior and senior classes go through an 8+ hour training to be Link Crew Leaders. As positive role models, Link Crew Leaders will help guide freshman students to discover what it takes to be successful during the transition to high school, help facilitate freshman success at HCHS, and make a positive impact on our school culture.
More and more studies show that if students have a positive experience during their first year in high school, their chance for success increases dramatically. Link Crew provides the structure for freshmen to receive support and guidance from juniors and seniors who have been through the challenges that high school poses, and understand that the transition to a larger school environment can sometimes be overwhelming.
The goal is to provide a structure in which students make real connections with each other. In August, Link Crew begins with a powerful orientation day that makes freshmen excited and proud to be attending their new high school and allows them to begin developing relationships and strategies that will contribute to their high school success.
How Does It Work For Freshman?
Freshmen are put into groups of about ten with two Link Crew Leaders. This group will work together and meet throughout the school year. The Link Crew Leaders, who are juniors and seniors, will be a support system for the freshman students in order to make them feel comfortable and welcomed during their transition into high school. All they need to do is show up to the small hangouts and fun events we plan to have a good time! Freshmen can reach out to their leaders with any questions regarding the first day of school, finals week schedules, or anything else they might need!
What Do Link Leaders Do?
Link Crew Leaders co-lead a group of approximately 10-15 freshmen. Starting from the freshmen orientation, Leaders volunteer to be a resource to the freshmen in their group, guiding them through their first year. Committing to a year long program, these leaders are dedicated to reaching out to their freshman and attending Link Crew events. All Link Crew Leaders are devoted to the success of freshmen as they transition to the high school environment.
In early spring, students receive an invitation to apply to be a Link Crew Leader based on teacher recommendations, but students can also self-select to apply.
Want more information? Email Link Crew Coordinators Ms. Gianas (gianas@helixcharter.net) or Mr. Krzywicki (krzywicki@helixcharter.net)
Parent Volunteer Opportunities
Community Service
In addition to completing our A-G requirements, students also have to complete 40 hours of community service. It is recommended that students complete 10 hours every grade level to avoid overwhelming an already busy Senior year. While Helix only requires 40 hours to graduate we HIGHLY encourage students to complete more than 100 hours. Colleges look for students who go above and beyond and who can show commitment starting their Freshman year through their Senior year.
Beyond 40 hours enhances college applications and earns distinctions on their high school transcript.
- Silver Level Service Performer: 50 - 99 hours
- Gold Level Service Performance: 100 - 199 hours
- Platinum Level Service Performance: 200+ hours
Why is volunteering important?
Volunteering can have a positive impact on your community and can instill in you a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Your volunteer opportunities may provide content for your student resume.
Volunteering gives back to your community in a meaningful way and offers an opportunity to learn valuable networking skills.
Colleges, Universities and employers care about what you do outside of school and prefer students who exhibit personal growth and develop leadership skills.
+ So much more!
Your volunteer experience should reflect quality vs. quantity. Colleges are more impressed with students who volunteer for a few organizations, or causes, over a longer period of time. This shows your growth and commitment as a person and more likely, will provide you with leadership opportunities vs. volunteering for too many short term things that didn’t inspire much personal growth, develop leadership skills or lacked commitment. Experience many volunteer opportunities early and then commit to only the few that you feel most excited about or drawn to.
When attending a community service event, make sure to take a community service form to receive credit. These forms can be found in the front admin building. It can also be found on our Helix website under Documents & Forms.