High Desert School Hawk Happenings
Week of January 8, 2024
Good evening High Desert Hawks and Families,
We are excited for students and staff to return to campus on January 9, 2024 for the start of Semester Two. "The beginning is the most important part of the work." ~Plato
As the new semester begins in the new year, we look forward to wonderful second half of the school year fill with achievement, growth, school spirit, and success in our students and staff! Communication between home and school is crucial for the success of our students, so we encourage you to stay engaged and involved. Whether through parent-teacher conferences, Booster Club, school events, or regular updates from our school, your support makes a significant impact on your child's education.
On-time behavior is a great way to start the new year. Students should arrive by 7:55am so they can be in the classroom in their seats when classes begin at 8:00am.
Please review our Welcome Back Infographic for Student Success Reminders.
Weekly Flight Plan
Week of January 8, 2024
Monday, January 8
- NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 9
- School Resumes - Start of Semester 2
- 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
- Spirit Squad Practice 2:30-3:30pm
- 7/8th Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
- HDS Booster Club Meeting 8:45am
- Soccer Team Interest Sign-up @ both lunches
- Early Release - Dismissal 1:10pm
- 100-Mile Club 1:15-1:45pm
Thursday, January 11
- Soccer Team Interest Sign-up @ both lunches
- 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
- Spirit Squad Practice 2:30-3:30pm
Friday, January 12
- HDS Pride and Spirit Day
- Dance Force Practice 2:30-4:00pm
Monday, January 15
- NO SCHOOL - MLK Day
Have a great week and Go Hawks!
SAVE the DATE - Semester 1 Awards
Awards include: Attendance, Honor Roll, STAR Reading and Math Growth, MOH, Athletics, 100-Mile Club
- 5th Grade - Thursday, January 18 @ 8:15am
- 6th Grade - Thursday, January 18 @ 9:00am
- 7th Grade - Friday, January 19 @ 8:15am
- 8th Grade - Friday, January 19 @ 9:00am
Hawk Happenings
Mr. Rowland and Harmonic Bronze Handbell Ensemble
This week’s Hawk Highlight is for Mr. Rowland and the Harmonic Bronze Handbell Ensemble for their beautiful performance on December 16 at Universal Studios! The group included students from High Desert and Vasquez High School. The five numbers they performed captivated the audience and
brought the holiday spirit to all. Their precision, professionalism, and poise made High Desert proud! Congratulations!
Congratulations to Mrs. Heather Goodstein for completing her Induction Program!
Through a partnership with the Riverside County Office of Education, Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District supports teachers who are just beginning their career with clearing their credential. Mrs. Goodstein has been working diligently to complete the program while taking on new subject areas and new electives, like ASB, Yearbook and Video Production. From Mrs. Goodstein, "I have actively worked to create a classroom environment that is supportive and ensures that every student feels valued and respected. Through continuous self-reflection and professional development, I have improved my skills in adapting my teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of my students. This growth has not only positively impacted my students' learning experiences but has also reinforced my commitment to providing an enriching educational journey for each and every one of them." Thank you to Mrs. Marilynn Alford Walsh for being her mentor through this program.
Congratulations Mrs. Goodstein!
VFW Patriot's Pen 2023 Winners
For the Veteran's of Foreign War's Quartz Hill Post - Patriot's Pen Scholarship Competition, the requirement was to submit a 300-400 word essay on the topic, "What inspires you about America?"
Congratulations to our High Desert Hawks for their great work representing themselves, our school, and our community.
1st Ailen Cabrera
2nd Alexis Van Ornum
3rd Connor Koopman
3rd Aiden Duenas - Joe Walker Middle School
Honorable Mention Esther Rivas
Honorable Mention Valeria Gonzalez-Medina
Honorable Mention Addison Walker
It was an honor to attend the ceremony. At the ceremony, they also awarded a teacher of the year and a law enforcement office of the year, who also have both served in the military. Our students are making a difference on campus and in the community.
Breakfast is Served
Mrs. Acuna inspires her students to excel in the classroom and to develop skills that will take them far beyond the school campus. On Friday, December 15th, Mrs. Acuna's Room 301 Restaurant opened its doors and served pancakes to all of the staff on campus. Students learned the science about states of matter and how heat changes the physical properties of food. They also learned customer service, how to take orders and fill them, including providing a wide menu of options for the pancakes. Thank you to Mrs. Acuna for her amazing work with her students and to her class for the excellent customer service with a smile!
Hawk Highlights
Abigail Seymour
"Abby is a wonderful member of our classroom. She is always working hard to achieve success and she is kind to everyone."
~ Mrs. Reveles
Ailen Cabrera
"Ailen is a quiet presence in our classroom who models for her peers exceptional citizenship, scholarly behavior, gentleness, modesty, humility, and kindness each and every day at school. She is a great participant in class and it is a true privilege to have the honor to work with her this year."
~ Mr. Rowland
Bentley Koopman
~ Mrs. Van Ornum
Levi Corpolongo
"Levi has made a commitment to his learning goals and becoming a leader on the HDS campus."
~ Mrs. Acuna
Cameron McGriff
"Cameron has been excelling as a scholar athlete on campus. Working hard during volleyball, cross country, and ASB events, he has been a great role model."
~ Mrs. Botton
Cole Stueve
"Cole has been excelling in his running talents this year both in cross country and personal races. He placed 5th overall in the Spacerock Race. Hi academics remain on point and is an awesome role model and participant on campus during ASB event and morning announcements."
~ Mrs. Botton
Julian Ochoa
"Julian has been practicing hard during cross country practice and meets. He even has been challenging himself on his personal time and competing in the Vasquez Spacerock."
~ Mrs. Botton
Patrick Ellis
"Wherever Patrick is... at the volleyball court, basketball track, cross country path, and even in the classroom, he is always pushing himself to do his best."
~ Mrs. Botton
Vincent Ortiz
"Vincent has been volunteering his time to support younger PE classmates, is a positive leader, worked hard during volleyball season, and is still pushing himself during cross country."
~ Mrs. Botton
HDS Academics
AVID Advisory and SEL - Weekly Focus
- AVID - This week, we are working on goal setting for the New Year and completing our STAR Reading and Math benchmark assessments.
- SEL - This week we continue supporting students with learning about their thoughts and emotions and how them impact the decisions they make.
AADUSD 8th Annual Spelling Bee - Grades 4, 5, and 6
We are busily buzzing around preparing for our district Spelling Bee. All students in grades 4, 5, and 6 are invited to participate in our Spelling Bee. If you are interested in participating, complete the form and return it to your classroom teacher.
Intent to Participate forms are due by Friday, January 19, 2024.
HDS Parent/Guardian Involvement for Student Success
Love and Logic - Free Parent Workshop
Few things are more upsetting than discovering that your child has become the target of teasing or bullying. It all comes down to recognizing that we cannot create a stress-free and conflict-free world for our children. No matter how much we protect them, they will eventually face a world full of difficult, even dangerous, people—a world where rescue is not always possible. Helping them at an early age to develop the skills and emotional strength necessary to handle bullying will help them throughout their lives.
Join us on Thursday, January 11, for our next FREE Online Event, When Your Child Is Teased or Bullied, and learn strategies that will empower your kids to handle these difficult situations. We have three time slots available!
LA County Library - Winter Reading Club
Calling readers of all ages! Now through January 15, 2024, join our Winter Reading Club challenge to earn prizes and help us reach our communal reading goal of 1 million minutes! Simply log at least 400 minutes of reading to complete the challenge.
Sign up as an individual or as a family, with accounts for each of the readers in your household.
Kids and teens will earn a free book for completing the challenge, and adults are entered into weekly drawings and even a grand prize for a Kindle Fire.
Get cozy with some great books and join the fun!
HDS Booster Club Meeting - YOU'RE INVITED
Attendance Matters
HDS Spirit Wear
HDS Yearbook 2024
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 Athletics and Activities
Little Cesars Pizza Pizza
Order pizzas for the holidays or as a quick meal to store in the freezer. Delicious pizza is just a click away. Help us raise money to support High Desert students.
PureVida Spirit Bracelets
HDS Booster Club is fundraising for programs and equipment for our school. Purchase a spirit bracelet for $8 by Nov. 17th while they are on sale and help support events at our school.
Outdoor Science School - Open to 5th & 6th Graders
Outdoor Science School is fast approaching. High Desert invites both 5th and 6th grade students to attend. Be sure to sign up as soon as possible. You won't want to miss this great opportunity!
HDS Soccer Tryouts
Our soccer coaches are looking forward to a great season. They will be on campus during lunch this week for sign-ups. Tryouts start next week. Students need to be sure that they have submitted their online athletic clearance including physical and insurance card.
HDS Counseling Corner
Happy Holidays from WeCare AADUSD
As many of you know, this can be a beautiful time to gather with loved ones and create memories; however, this time of year isn’t always the brightest for everyone. Please take some time for yourself - journal, go for a walk, connect with a trusted friend or family. Our WeCare AADUSD mental health team has created this video for our students and compiled some resources for parents and guardians.
Happy Holidays!
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
Antelope Valley CAC Meeting
The AV SELPA invites all parents of students participating in the Special Education Program to join the CAC for an informational meeting regarding IEPs.
AYBL Winter League
Acton Youth Basketball League is starting its Winter Season. They are looking for players in grades 1st thru 8th. Sign-up to improve your basketball skills and get ready for the season.
Sierra Youth Sports Baseball/Softball Registration
SYS is looking for baseball and softball players to join their team this season. This is a great opportunity to increase skills prior to entering high school.
VFW Illustrating America Art Contest
The VFW is pleased to present this National art contest to introduce, encourage, and recognize young artist with patriotism through art. Entries will be judged on patriotic theme and technique. Entries are due by March 31, 2024.
VFW Auxiliary National Singing Contest
The VFW encourages students to "Get Excited for the Red, White, and Blue!" Students enter by submitting a video solo vocal performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. Entries are due by March 31, 2024.
5th Grade Art Contest
The U.S. DOJ sponsors this national poster contest to raise awareness and bring attention to children who have been recovered, as well as the children who are still missing. The winner at the California state level will be receiving a pizza party for themselves and their 5th grade class! Entries are due by February 9, 2024.
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