SOAR Updates
5/13/22
Principal's Message
Next week begins Classified Appreciation Week! I want to give a SHOUT OUT to our outstanding classified staff! Thank you Ms. Andrews, Ms. Bernal, Ms. Galindo, Ms. Gonzalez, Ms. Hogan, and Ms. Schaeffer - you are ROCKSTARS! These ladies are the backbone of our SOAR community! Thank you for all you do!
We ended our week with Senior Awards and Grad Night! I cannot begin to express how proud I am of our seniors and their accomplishments over the course of their four years at SOAR High School. They emulate our STAR values - they are self advocates, teachable, accountable, and respectful! I am grateful to have the opportunity
Finally, please remember, if you're not feeling well, please stay home! I know it's that time of year where our students don't feel like they can miss any class, but the health and well being of our SOAR family is so important! We will make any necessary accommodations in the event of an illness.
Want to stay current with what's happening on SOAR High School's campus? Follow us on Instagram @soarhsprincipal or @soarhighschool
With Gratitude,
Wendi Johnston
Principal
Shout Outs!
Things You Might Like to Know...
- May 20th is a Student Activity Day
- Carnival is May 20th, and ASB is hosting inflatable rides. To get unlimited access you can buy a wristband, the last day to purchase has been extended and is now Monday the 16th. 1 for $20 and 2 for $30. They’re being sold all day in front of the office.
- ASB is also hosting Late Night Tutorials on May 20th from 5pm-8pm, this is an opportunity to study with friends and a chance to have your teachers present for questions. Refreshments and food will also be provided.
- Dance club is hosting a Modern Tea Room fundraiser all day on May 20th
- Here are ASB Board of Control meeting minutes from May 12, 2022 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ixOoiF8b-bPldjVcol1gEVeHNe8JDIBX6_ozEt7Z4ms/edit
Wellness Corner
Finals are quickly approaching! This is the time of year where emotions run high - we're nearing the end of a turbulant two years in education, we're coming up on finals and commencement activities, we have wonderful events planned, and we're gearing up for the next year. Here are five things that can help you learn to cope with anxiety:
- Start with a ‘growth’ mindset. Some people have a fixed mindset. They might think, “This is how I am. I get anxious before speaking in class. So I don’t raise my hand.” With a fixed mindset, people don’t think things can change. They think they are the way they are, period.
But brain science has shown that you can teach your brain new ways to respond. People with a growth mindset know this. They know they can get better at just about everything — with effort and practice. That includes coping with anxiety. - Notice what anxiety feels like for you. Get to know the body feelings that are part of anxiety. Describe them to yourself. When you’re anxious, do you feel ‘butterflies’? Sweaty palms? Shaky hands? A faster heartbeat?
Know that these feelings are part of the body’s normal response to a challenge. They’re not harmful. They fade on their own. Next time they happen, try to notice the feelings without getting upset that they’re there. Accept them. Let them be there. You don’t have to push them away. But you don’t have to give them all of your attention either. See if you can let them be in the background. - Breathe. Take a few slow breaths. You could breathe in for a count of 4, then breathe out for a count of 6. You could use your fingers to count four or five breaths. Taking a few slow breaths doesn’t make anxiety go away. But it can reduce it. It can help you pay less attention to anxious thoughts and feelings. It can help you ‘reset’ and be ready to move forward.
- Talk yourself through it. When you’re anxious, it’s common to tell yourself things like, “I can’t do this.” Or “What if I mess this up?” Instead, plan to tell yourself something that could help you face the moment with a bit of courage: “I can do this." Or, “It’s OK to feel anxious. I can do this anyway.”
- Face the situation — don’t wait for anxiety to go away. You might think that you’ll put off speaking in class until you no longer feel anxious about it. But it doesn’t work that way. It’s facing the anxiety that helps you manage it. (https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/anxiety-tips.html)
FRIDAYS AT SOAR
Be a STAR!
STUDENTS, don't forget to Be a STAR no matter where you are -- that's in the classroom, on campus, connected online, or in the community -- again, we're promoting Self advocating, Teachable, Accountable, and Respectful leaders -- STARs -- here at SOAR!
SOAR Stars are also life-long learners and self-advocates who solve the most pressing challenges through an unwavering pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, becoming engaged and productive leaders in their communities.
Our next STAR Celebration will take place on Thursday, March 3rd from 9am - 2pm in the front office -- don't forget to keep your STAR Card in a safe place and bring it with you!
STUDENT HANDBOOK
It's important that all members of the SOAR community are familiar with behavioral expectation, academic integrity policies, dress code, etc. Students will be getting a copy of the planner through AVID classes soon. Again, until then, we ask that you review our online version of this document.
SOAR Self-screening Procedures
Students will need to do a self-screening daily prior to coming to campus; this is in line with the AVUHSD. There is nothing that students will need to submit or show for entry onto the high school campus. The self-screening questions include the following:
Have you been in close physical contact in the last 14 days with anyone known to have COVID-19 or anyone who has any symptoms of COVID-19?
Are you currently quarantined because you may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19?
Has anyone in your household recently tested positive for COVID-19?
Are you currently awaiting test results for a COVID-19 test?
Are you currently experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Fever at or above 100.4 degrees
Chills, sweating and/or repeated shaking or shivering
Cough
Sore throat
Mild or moderate difficulty breathing/shortness of breath for unknown reasons
Muscle aches or body aches
Vomiting or diarrhea
Loss of taste or smell
Runny or congested nose
Headache
Feeling unusually tired or weak
If you answered yes to any of these questions, DO NOT report to school. Stay home and email jandrews@avhsd.org to report the absence.
About Us
Email: wjohnston@avhsd.org
Website: soarhs.org
Location: 3041 West Avenue K, Lancaster, CA, USA
Phone: (661) 722-6509
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soarhighschoolca/