Hello Phoenix families,

My daughter told me yesterday that there are only nine Saturdays until Christmas time sure does fly! Whatever holiday(s) you celebrate this time of year, November usually ushers in a host of busy times with friends, family, and even work. As we enter this holiday season, we wish all of you the time to relax and enjoy what you find most important. It is our sincerest hope that you are able to enjoy the holiday season with those you love.

Our Spirit Week was a resounding success with many students wearing pink in support of Breast Cancer, many twins (including the staff) showing up on Tuesday, lots of orange & black, comfortable pajamas and, of course, some fabulous costumes! Student life here at HSMC continues to be supportive, fun, and creative. Thank you to our fabulous ASG class for organizing such a fun week.

Don't forget the time changes this weekend so after you "fall back" Monday may be a difficult wake-up day. That will also mean that our Juniors and Seniors will be dismissing in the dark so if you are coming into our parking lot during that time, please be extra careful and vigilant.

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Mrs. Dyan McIntosh dmcintosh@mrpk.org

HSMC School Counselor

Mon/Wed & Alternating Fridays

Registration day for HSMC is Nov. 10th

Nov. 1st for ACCESS Students

10-12th grade students need to send an email to Dr. Oplustic and Mrs. McIntosh with your MC course choices for Spring by Nov. 2nd

DE MOU’s need to be submitted to MCAdmissions for approval.

Hello Seniors,

Below is the list of VCCF Scholarships that are available to you. They give out over 2 million dollars $$$$. I also attached a Writing a Scholarship Essay PPT as well. For more information please visit the VCCF scholarship website.

https://vccf.org/scholarships/student-applicants/

On November 18th our 9th and 10th graders will be galloping on over to the EATM zoo at Moorpark College to learn about the animals, as well as education opportunities through the Moorpark College Exotic Animal Training and Management program.

It should be a ROARING good time!

Now that the spirit packs have been ordered and delivered, we have some extra tshirts for sale!

Please come in to the office and purchase one today! We have a variety of sizes available on a "first come, first served' basis.

They would make great spirit wear for students, siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. We think everyone should proudly proclaim their Phoenix pride!

The tshirts cost $25.00 each and we take cash or check.

Come into the office and purchase yours today!

See’s Candy is the perfect holiday gift! HSMC is partnering with See’s Candy to raise funds for student activities November 1st through 30th this year. You can order your goodies online and have them shipped to your home for the holidays. Please use the link below to order your delicious chocolate and other treats and support HSMC!

Hello everyone!

Our names are Hershraj and Ezra, and we are representing the HSMC Improvement Committee as a part of ASG. As part of this committee, we have been cataloging your inconveniences, constructive criticism, and suggestions all in the goal to make a lasting change on this school. This will be our first update where we shed some light on what we have been working on, and we have some exciting news to share with you all!

Let’s get into it.

WiFi / Internet

One of our biggest goals for this semester was to address and to begin finding solutions for the internet issues that we have been facing, and we are now proud to announce the following updates:

• The new and improved internet hardware has arrived at our campus.

• We are now waiting for Moorpark College to install this new hardware.

• The current best-case scenario estimate is this being done by Thanksgiving Break.

• Worst-case scenario estimate for the improved internet connection would be around/after Winter Break.

HSMC has had a historically small campus in the past. Because of this, it was never expected that our current internet infrastructure would be dealing with this much of a load. This is why the internet issue could not exactly have been dealt with until now. We know that Moorpark College will take care of this as early as possible to better improve the quality of life at this campus.

Lunch Tables (See Picture Below)

As we were about to submit a request to the college for a new batch of lunch tables, the college happened to install some new lunch tables of their own very close to our campus, rendering the request unnecessary. What this means is:

• Six new tables have been installed but you just might have not noticed them yet.

• They are located near the Moorpark College gymnasium.

• While they are in a more secluded location, they provide sufficient space for seating, so bring your friends there with you!

There will now be no more need for new tables because we now have more table space than students during lunch. If you need help locating these tables, ask a teacher or ASG member!

PE Improvements (PE Lockers + Curriculum + Facilities)

Dr. Oplustic is working hard at the moment to improve the current PE experience at HSMC. One of her main goals is to improve the PE curriculum and facilities by next year. The PE program is under review and there could be changes, but there are too many variables at the moment to promise anything for certain. Improvements are being looked at and changes are coming.

9th/10th Grade College Campus Access

Recently, Dr. Oplustic has revealed to us her philosophy and policy on 9th/10th grade college campus access. The new policy goes as follows:

• During school hours, Freshmen must stay on the HS@MC Campus. The only exception is for attending the freshmen Spanish class.

• During school hours, Sophomores are allowed to walk up to the college campus bookstore but they must return back to the campus. They are not allowed to loiter around the Moorpark College campus.

• Juniors and Seniors may access the college campus and its facilities during school hours.

Industrial Refrigerators and Food Warmers

In order to provide an enjoyable lunch experience for all grade levels, the following changes will be made:

• A food warmer and industrial refrigerator will be moved onto campus in the TR-5 room to preserve the quality and freshness of the food.

• We are waiting for college to install the electricity necessary to power the warmer and fridge.

• The best-case scenario estimate is by Thanksgiving Break.

• The worst-case scenario estimate is this being implemented by Winter Break.

Miscellaneous

• The School Bulletin Board has been redone and we are looking for artwork! Contact ezrateo5@gmail.com if you have any student-produced artwork that you would like to be displayed on the board.

• School website has been updated with new and up-to-date information (We worked directly with Dr. Oplustic to facilitate this improvement)

• The pricing of the on-campus school vending machine (located near the bathrooms) cannot be changed as the district controls those prices.

• There will be no new bird feeders.

Conclusion

Now, this is only the beginning of things to come. We have many other projects planned out (for example the possibility of a school snack-shack), and we will absolutely be sure to keep you all updated with our pursuits and progress in the future. I really hope you all keep bringing in your suggestions and ideas as these things would not have been possible without your input!

If you would like to suggest any ideas, please use the HSMC Improvement Committee Google Form: https://forms.gle/SRnE4QhaUpFRgo2E8

Thank you!

• Hershraj Niranjani & Ezra Teo

HSMC gives back to the community! Donate the items below to the tubs in the classrooms. All donations benefit the unhoused community of Simi Valley and Moorpark.

Donations needed:

• NEW socks and shoes

• Unopened hygiene products

• Deodorant

• Feminine hygiene products

• Travel size shampoo and conditioner

• Soap and body wash

Do you want to see the HSMC staff do some crazy stunts? Donate money and help raise funds for Prom 2022 at the same time! Donation jars will be in the office beginning October 1st. Once each goal has been reached, staff will do the stunt on the following Friday at noon.

Challenges:

Use one hand for a day $50

Get slimed $70

TikTok dance $90

Relay race with students $120

Wear a costume of student's choice $140

Recreate a scene from a movie $160

Pie in the Face $180

Ordering an HSMC yearbook is quick and easy! Visit treering.com to customize your TWO FREE PAGES and order your yearbook online. See attached yearbook information for our school code and instructions on customizing and ordering a yearbook. ** Please note that yearbook is NOT part of the Spirit Pack that will be offered.

• Yearbook website for customizing and ordering: www.treering.com

• Deadline to customize and order: April 8, 2022

• Purchase price: $50

HSMC Passcode: 1014109872723234

Senior Project Mock Interview Hosts WANTED!

HSMC Senior Project is looking for Job Shadow and Mock Interview hosts! If you are in one of the following career fields, and would like to help our seniors explore this career pathway, please contact Mrs. Sandoval at jhendrixsandoval@mrpk.org.

• Anesthesiologist

• Biomedical engineer

• Neural engineer

ARC “R Word” Presentation

On Friday December 17th participants of the ARC of Ventura County will be visiting our campus and educating our students about the “R Word” and the damaging effects it has on the community of adults and students with disabilities. This is a great opportunity for our students to meet some very special people and have some fun learning and practicing empathy!

Senior Project Mock Interview Hosts WANTED!

HSMC Senior Project is looking for Job Shadow and Mock Interview hosts! If you are in one of the following career fields, and would like to help our seniors explore this career pathway, please contact Mrs. Sandoval at jhendrixsandoval@mrpk.org.

• Anesthesiologist

• Biomedical engineer

• Neural engineer

Social Media

Do you LOVE The High School at Moorpark College? Let us know! Help us spread the word about this incredible and successful school. Please follow these links and tell us your experience with our wonderful school.

• Facebook Officialhsmc

• Twitter OfficialHSMC

• @officialhsmc on Instagram

Senior Portraits and Quotes WANTED!

Seniors can submit their portrait photo of choice to the yearbook gmail. This photo must be submitted by DECEMBER 10, 2021 to hsmcyearbook2022@gmail.com. Please see the attached information for requirements, resolution, and suggested photographers.

Please note that photos do not have to be taken by a professional photographer, but the lighting, quality, and content must be professional in nature.

Those who choose not to submit senior portraits will have their Cornerstone photos in the yearbook.

Senior quotes are not mandatory. Students can submit quotes that are 140 characters or fewer, and are school appropriate. Quotes must be submitted by DECEMBER 10, 2021 to hsmcyearbook2022@gmail.com.

For any questions, please contact Mrs. Sandoval at jhendrixsandoval@mrpk.org.

Debate Club

Are you interested in learning more about debate and engaging in interesting discussions? Join the HSMC Debate Club! The next meeting will be held virtually Thursday Sept. 9th at 5PM at https://meet.google.com/caq-gakg-ogr . If you have any questions, please contact the club's Founder, Ashley Kim at 5109520@mrpk.org.

HSMC Art Club

Bring your artistic talents and passion for art and meet virtually with other artists and art lovers on Friday Sept. 10th at 4:30pm https://meet.google.com/gaq-xxpx-aoe Each week the art club's work is featured in the HSMC newsletter! Art club also has wonderful opportunities for scholarships, collaboration in school events, guest speakers and showcasing art in the community! We hope to see you there. For more information, please email the club's founder Emily Fisher at 5100307@mrpk.org.

LGBTQ+ History and Book Club

Discuss books with LGBT+ themes or authors and their historical context. LGBT+ people and allies are welcome! Meet every other Friday 3:00-3:30pm in person in Ms. Pistone's room. First meeting will be Friday September 17th. Google Meets link is https://meet.google.com/hqa-kacy-soo

Tabletop Roleplay Game Club (TTRPG)

TTRPG is a club that promotes creativity through playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. You can play an exotic spellcaster who wishes to rule the world with an iron fist or you can play Bob who wants to settle down on a farm with a loving family. No Experience with TTRPG? Doesn't matter! Our main goal is to just have fun so we welcome anyone who is open to playing no matter their experience!

Meetings every Friday from 12-1pm in Ms. Pistone's room. Questions? Email Ryan McCombs at 5116653@mrpk.org

Film and Photography Club

The film and photography club on the HSMC campus will have weekly themes, as well as an opportunity to present your photos/films every week. You can make them as funny or as serious as you would like. This club will differ from Mr. Hoobs' film class in that we will not be watching films, but shooting them, or, if that's not your style, just taking photos. The club will be meeting in TR-3 every friday from 12:00 - 12:40. This is a place where you can express your personal identity, while also creating a laid back environment to destress every week. For questions, please contact Mars at 5116634@mrpk.org

Instagram: @thesunin.rags

Chess Club

Are you a Grand Master of chess? Or maybe just a pawn? Come to Chess Club in person to learn more and practice your skills! Chess club will be meeting Thursdays from 11:40 to 12:40 in Mr. Hoobs' room. For more information, contact Hersh Niranjani at hershraj_niranjani1@my.vcccd.edu.

Wednesday, November 3, 2021 - Educational Plan Meetings: Freshmen

Friday, November 5, 2021 - Education Plan Meetings: Freshmen

Monday, November 8, 2021 - Guest Speaker Juan Erazo

Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - Admission Information Night

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - Guest Speaker Lance Hussey

Thursday, November 11, 2021 - No School (Veterans' Day)

Tuesday, November 16, 2021 - PSSA Meeting

Thursday, November 18, 2021 - Field Trip to the Zoo

November 23 - 26 - Thanksgiving Break