Celebrating our School Counselors!
Last week we celebrated National School Counseling Week! We are so grateful for the work our school counseling teams do to support both the academic and social-emotional needs of our students. School counselors are a vital part of our mission in preparing students for life after high school. Thank you AVUHSD School Counselors!
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Update
On Monday, Dr. Mark Ghaly, California Health and Human Services Secretary, led a press conference for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) where he outlined, “the current COVID-19 data trends, provided context for state masking requirements, and previewed an approach to keep schools open and thriving.” As COVID-19 cases are rapidly declining in our state, Dr. Ghaly stated, “Masking requirements will expire as conditions improve. Masks are not intended to be in place in perpetuity. The question is when, not if.”
As of today, there is, no change to the CDPH indoor school masking requirement. On February 28, 2022, CDPH stated they will reassess data/conditions for a future change to the statewide school masking requirement. Please note that outdoor masking is no longer required, but recommended.
AVUHSD follows all CDPH and Los Angeles Department of Public Health requirements and guidelines and therefore when the indoor masking mandate is moved from a requirement to a recommendation, AVUHSD will reflect that change immediately. Once the state and county requirement is moved to a recommendation, students and staff will have the choice to wear face masks or not. To be clear, at this point in time, AVUHSD as a school district, its schools, staff or board, does not have decision-making authority to change, overturn, ignore or not enforce the state and county requirement for schools.
As additional information comes forward, we will provide updates.
Career Technical Education (CTE) Month
The month of February 2022 has been designated Career and Technical Education Month by the National Association for Career and Technical Education and the Antelope Valley Career Prep Council. Check out this video to learn more about our Career Technical Programs!
Lancaster & Palmdale High Kick Off Wolf Connection Series
Students at Lancaster and Palmdale High Schools will begin participating in Wolf Connection this month. The Wolf Connection is a unique educational sanctuary and wilderness retreat center that brings students together through a direct relationship with rescued wolves for the purpose of empowering the next generation to become authentic leaders and stewards of the earth. With the help of the animals, at-risk students reconnect with nature, learn to be of service by responsibly caring for another being, and work towards becoming the kind of person they want to be. The animals help them focus on their impulses, feelings, and emotions in a constructive way; they learn to forgive and give others (and themselves) a second chance.
Highland High School’s Art Department Competes in Vans High School Custom Culture Competition
Highland High School’s Art Department was one of the 250 High Schools selected Nationwide to participate in the Vans High School Custom Culture Competition. The Custom Culture competition was created to inspire & empower high school students to embrace their creativity through art & design & bring attention to diminishing art education budgets. They believe everyone should be empowered to express themselves creatively & should be given the tools to do so. This competition uses blank Vans as the canvas to be customized around the 2022 theme "Hometown Pride". If selected in the Top 50 - our shoe will go on their website for viewing and voting. First place receives $50,000 for their arts department (2nd-4th receive $15,000!)
