Class of 2026 Newsletter
December 2022
Class of 2026 Announcements
A Message from Your 2026 Team
Fall Semester 2 is coming to an end! There are only two more weeks of the semester. Final Exams will take place during the week of December 12th-16th.
Students will get a final grade for both their every day classes and their every other day classes.
Please encourage the students in your household to attend tutorial and start preparing for finals now!
Teacher Tutorials:
Mondays - Thursdays (depending on the subject)
2:54 pm - 3:35 pm
Monday/Wednesday: Art, English, LOTE, PE, Performing Arts, and Science
Tuesday/Thursday: Business, Family/Consumer Science, Math, Social Science, and Tech
Academic Support and ASPIRE tutorials:
The Hub is available Monday through Friday from 7:15 AM to 8:15 AM in Room 1815.
Academic Support Tutoring is available after school Monday through Thursday until 4:00pm in Room 1340.
If you have any additional concerns, please contact your Class of 2025 Grade Level Team at glt2026@helixcharter.net
Preparing for 2023 & Beyond
4 Year Plan Presentations
Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Lopez-Barajas visited Helix First classrooms on November 28th and 29th to discuss 4 year plans. Students recieved a 30 min presentation where we covered A-G requirements, additional Helix requirements, and then got the opportunity start drafting their plans.
Below are some things to note.
View the entire presentation by clicking below.
Course Request After Break
Starting in January, students will begin to select their courses for sophomore year. Students will individually meet with someone on their GLT to discuss their planned courses. Students are encouraged to review the 10th-12th grade course catalog to view all the courses we currently have available.
We will be offering a parent/guardian presentation during the month of January to provide parents and guardians the knowledge they need to support their students through this decision process. More information on this presentation to come.
NEW Schedule at the start of Spring Semester Term 1 (After Winter Break)
Students will begin their Spring Semester schedules once we return from Winter Break. To view their Spring Semester Term 1 schedules, students are encouraged to log onto their Studentvue portal. The GLT will be distributing NEW copies of schedules on the first day of the semester in the quad.
Log in utilizing Student ID as Username & Helix Gmail Password as Password
Achieve3000 Recognitions!
During the month of December, the 2026 GLT will be recognizing a handful of students for their work in Achieve300.
Students from the following categories will be acknowledged.
- Most Articles completed with a score of 75% or higher
- Most Improved Lexile
- 1600L or Higher
More information to come!
School-wide Announcements
A Note on Attendance
Helix Families,
During the final three weeks of school before winter break, we are grateful to everyone for helping to restore a routine for showing up to school while supporting students and families.
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to avoid taking extra time before and after the winter break. As long as your student is healthy, please encourage showing up to class when school is in session.
Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as to connect to their peers and teachers.
We thank:
● Our students and their families who do their best to show up daily even when it isn’t easy.
● Our teachers who go above and beyond to make school a welcoming and safe place for all students to learn.
● Our counselors, school social workers and administrators who help us work together to ensure we create a physically and emotionally safe and engaging learning environment.
● Our many, many healers and helpers - the support staff who provide the extra hands and attention our children need.
We appreciate each one of you. May these days off be restful and healing.
● If your family or your student needs support, please reach out to your Grade Level Team for assistance.
Class of 2023: glt2023@helixcharter.net Class of 2025: glt2025@helixcharter.net
Class of 2024: glt2024@helixcharter.net Class of 2026: glt2026@helixcharter.net
Thank you for partnering with us!
There will be regular instruction on Jan 5th & 6th, not "Welcome Back" Days
Join us for PARENTS NIGHT OUT! Screenings of SDCOE parent webinars
We will be serving a light dinner for our screening of the following SDCOE parent webinar, "Taking care of your emotional and mental health while parenting." The webinar will begin at 6pm and should last approximately an hour.
Our intent is to have a counselor or social worker present to run a Q and A at the end.
Celebrating our New Blue Ribbon Distinction
Getting Involved On Campus
Participate in Spirit Week! 12/5-12/9
Monday Dec. 5th: Pajama Day
Tuesday Dec. 6th: Twin Day
Wednesday Dec. 7th: Holiday Gear
Thursday Dec. 8th: Ugly Sweater Day
Friday Dec. 9th: White Out
Winter Formal
When: February 11th
Theme and venue will be revealed soon!
Tickets are on sale NOW until January 10th for $47 at the Helix Finance Office. Ticket prices will increase as we approach the date.
Scottie Connect (room 1300)-- Upcoming Career Presentations
Most presentations last 30 minutes of period 2 and the first 30 minutes of period 3. Students not enrolled in Academic Support during periods 2 or 3 can email Ms. Castrejon (castrejon@helixcharter.net) for a field trip permission slip.
12/5: California Flight Academy Presentation in Scottie Connect (Monday)
1/23: San Diego Fire & Rescue Presentation in Scottie Connect (Monday)
2/6: San Diego FBI Presentation in Scottie Connect (Monday)
2/24: San Diego Mesa College Personal Trainer Presentation in Scottie Connect (Friday)
3/6: Graphic Design Cuyamaca College Presentation in Scottie Connect (Monday)
4/10: Sports Marketing (SD Seals) Presentation in Scottie Connect (Monday)
Ruff Ruff News: Volume 4 & 5
NEW CHOIR CLASS!
Open to ANYONE that can sing in a low range (tenor or bass).
Class will be available during 4th period. Contact Mr. Gonzalez or Ms. Lopez-Barajas for more information.
College Center Updates
Check out the College & Career page on the Helix website for more information and resources! https://www.helixcharter.net/CCC
Student Opportunities page for scholarships, college fly-in opportunities, internship programs, and more!
Campus Towns USA
Come travel across America with Campus Towns USA
In this digital series, you will learn about the amazing towns that colleges call home. The stories about these locations are told by real students living in these locations right now!
Some of the places highlighted: Durango, CO, Melbourne, FL, and Johnson City, TN! Click the link below to learn more!
Off-Campus Opportunities
There are many opportunities for students to earn their community service hours during the month of December. We encourage all students to get started on this graduation requirement as soon as possible. Please refer to the Student Opportunities page for more information.
INVESTIN; STEM & Medicine Summer Internships: For Ages 12-18
Do your students want to experience life as a doctor or engineer in London next summer? We are offering them the chance to work alongside top professionals in the internship of their dreams.
Highlights:
Medicine: shadow doctors in a teaching hospital; experience emergency theatre; learn to take blood
Engineering: explore a Boeing jet alongside aerospace engineers; study supercar engines in a private showroom; design a sustainable flood-prevention solution
Plus 8 other industries listed below. Work experience is an essential ingredient for university applications, especially in Medicine.
STEM & Medicine Summer Experiences
Architecture: complete design projects in a real studio
Dentistry: drill teeth on phantom heads
Engineering: take apart a petrol engine with F1 engineers
Forensic Science: explore a simulated crime scene
Investment Banking: trade the markets live in a London skyscraper
Medicine: shadow doctors in a London teaching hospital
Psychology: carry out patient consultations in a simulated clinic
Software Engineering: create your own app from start to finish
Veterinary Medicine: examine and diagnose real animals
Video Game Design: design a game and pitch to industry leaders
Georgetown University: Pre-College Online courses for summer
Give Your Students a Jump on College This Summer Summer is a perfect time for motivated high school students to start thinking about college. Georgetown University’s application period for summer is now open. The online pre-college programs help students ages 13 and older explore their interests. Through participating in our courses, students can discover if an interest could lead to a college major or even a future career. Even more exciting, we've just added a new psychology course to the portfolio. Psychology: How the Brain Influences Behavior offers an in-depth introduction to psychology, offering the latest insights on topics such as what motivates behavior, sexuality, the effect of drugs, learning disorders, how social media affects the way we think, and more. Georgetown University invites your students to get a taste of college study this summer.
What are your hopes for 2023? (Special Tik Tok Challenge)
Reflect on the past year and share your hopes for the New Year. What changes do you want to see in yourself, your community or even in the world?
Visit the website to learn about our Special Tik Tok Challenge for this prompt!
Apply to the SABLE Education Advisory Board
The Student Advisory Board on Legislation in Education (SABLE), a conference hosted by the California Association of Student Councils (CASC) is coming up from Monday, January 9th through Wednesday, January 11th! Student representatives from across California have met annually to develop proposals on the most pertinent issues in the California education system and present them to the California Assembly's Committee on Education. SABLE is also the chance for students to interact with figures in education and legislation, lobby at the capitol, build relationships with students across California, and lots more!
Students are encouraged to apply soon for this amazing opportunity!
Conference Details
DATE: Monday, January 9, 2023 through Wednesday, January 11, 2023
LOCATION: Residence Inn By Marriott 1121 15th St. Sacramento, CA 95814
MORE INFORMATION:
Registration Links:
Online (automatic payment)
Paper:
https://www.casc.net/_files/ugd/d9c98c_17d9dc6e62f946f4a66de9bbf16e6415.pdf
Scholarship:
https://www.casc.net/_files/ugd/d9c98c_8878c36ca68d4392a1ff7bb5c439b1a7.pdf
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact the Education Policy Director ava.gebhart@casc.net.
Wellness Center Updates
SDCOE FREE WEBINARS FOR PARENT/GUARDIANS
The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Student Wellness and School Culture Department is pleased to offer two free parent webinars:
- Taking Care of Your Emotional and Mental Health While Parenting - Thursday, 12/15/22
Check out the flyers below for more information. This webinar will be screened in the Helix Library.
Other Exciting Things
Contact Us!
EMAIL
- Mrs. Trevino, Grade Level Principal - trevino@helixcharter.net
- Mr. Gonzalez, Counselor - gonzalez@helixcharter.net
Counselors help you with your academic, college & career goals, but they also help out when life happens too - arguments, family stuff, relationship stuff, etc.
- Ms. Lopez-Barajas, Academic Advisor - lopez-barajas@helixcharter.net
Academic advisors help you with your academic, college & career goals.
Schedule changes, course requirements, college admission requirements, athletic eligibility requirements, etc.
- Mrs. Urich, Administrative Assistant - urich@helixcharter.net
- Mrs. Melendez, Attendance Clerk - amelendez@helixcharter.net
- Mr. Smith, Social Worker- ksmith@helixcharter.net
- Ms. Smith, Social Worker- rsmith@helixcharter.net
- Helix Class of 2026 - @helix.2026
- Helix College Center - @helixcollegecenter
- Helix ASB - @helixasb
- Helix ASPIRE - @helixaspire
- Helix PTSA - @helix.ptsa
- Helix EDGE - @helix.edge