August Newsletter
Class of 2027
Class of 2027 Grade Level Team
(Ms. Bojorquez, Mrs. Gunion, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Carbajal, Mr. Watkins, Ms. Castrejon, Ms. Soto)
Welcome to Helix!
Welcome to the Helix Family! Your Grade Level Team is very excited to get to know each and every one of you. We are here to support you through the next 4 years of high school. We know transitions can sometimes be difficult but your Grade Level Team is here to serve you!
Newsletters: What Are They?
At the beginning of each month these newsletters will be emailed so that you are aware of any upcoming events, important dates, and just general announcements that we believe you should be aware of. Each grade level creates their own newsletter since there are some announcements that are grade specific. We encourage you to take some time each month to look at the newsletter to ensure you're staying in the know. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding any of the content shared.
This will be the primary place for all upcoming Freshmen dates and events, but we will also be posting information in the following places so be sure to follow us here:
Instagram - @helixstudentlife & @helix.2027
Facebook - @helixcharterhighschool
Website - www.helixcharter.net/Freshmen
Attendance!
Attendance FAQs
What if I am late, like really late?
- Students arriving late for 1st period, must first check in with the Attendance Office. For verification purposes, a note signed by a parent/guardian is preferred, but a phone call to the attendance office is acceptable. Parents/guardians may also clear tardy/absences through Parent Vue.
What if I miss a day of school?
Full-day absences must be verified with the Attendance Office within 24 hours. Failing to clear an absence within 24 hours may result in a consequence for the student. A phone call from the parent/guardian to the Attendance Office on the day of the absence is preferred. Verification through ParentVue, parent/guardian signed note or email verification is also acceptable.
What if I need to leave campus early?
If a student needs to leave campus for any reason before their school day is over, they must first obtain an Off-Campus Permit. Off-Campus Permits are issued upon the request of a parent/guardian through the Attendance Office. Requests for an Off-Campus Permit should be presented in writing (preferred) before the start of school or by phone to the Attendance Office. Requests for early release should be made in advance whenever possible to accommodate the timely release of your student.
Students who leave school early without school authorization are considered truant and will be assigned a consequence.
Upcoming Events!
Back To School Welcome Back Days - Thursday, Aug 10 & Friday, Aug 11
School starts on Thursday, August 10, and we have some exciting things planned for the first two days back. These will be “Welcome Back Days” and the schedules will be slightly revised. Please CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS. We will focus on connecting students to staff and peers, building community and culture, reigniting school spirit and making all students feel welcome and safe. Students will attend their regular classes but we will have a shortened bell schedule and the last part of the day will be packed with fun activities that students can participate in. On Friday, Aug. 11, we'll celebrate our exciting NEW ASPIRE CLUB LINEUP with free games, a rock wall, obstacle courses, face painting and pizza from 12-3pm. ASPIRE club leaders will be set up to answer questions & help students register. Ice cream and sno-cones will be available to purchase.
Picture Make Up Day - Monday, August 21st
Students who did not photograph during Summer Conference MUST take their picture on August 21st. ID cards will be handed out at that time.
Back to School Night - Thursday, August 24
As our new year gets underway, we invite you to visit the first term classes of your student on Thursday evening, August 24 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. This is your opportunity to meet your student’s new teachers and to acquaint yourselves with the instructional programs. Your presence will also provide you with the tools to help your students be successful in their classes.
Parent Shadow Day - Thursday, August 31
We invite you to attend the twenty sixth Parent/Guardian Shadow Day on Thursday, August 31 from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to get on campus during the school day to observe your student’s classrooms and school environment. This is not a day for teacher conferences, those can be scheduled individually. More info will be sent out shortly.
Helix Wellness Center!
The Wellness Center is located in the old administration building on the north end of campus and is open from 8:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. every day (closed at 3:15 p.m. on Fridays).
You can reach them by email HWC@HELIXCHARTER.NET or by phone at 619-644-1940 x 580.
If you know which social worker you'd like to connect with, you can find their information below.
If this is an emergency, please contact the California Youth Crisis Line at 1-800-843-5200.
Family First Information Nights!
Every Thursday at 6pm, Helix staff or special guests present on different topics applicable to high school parents. These events are held in the Helix Library and are open to the public! See below for our upcoming schedule. Visit helixcharter.net/FamilyFirst for more information and for links to previous recordings.
Tech Info Night - Thursday, August 17 at 6pm
Join us for an Info Night all about the different systems we use at Helix to keep track of grades, assignments, communication etc. Brian Kick, our Chief Information Officer, and Dianne Damschen, our Ed Tech TOSA, will walk you through the different platforms, how to log in and stay connected. This event will be held in person in the Helix library at 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Registration is not required. Your students are welcome to join you, snacks and refreshments provided. You can park in solar parking lot at 4200 Lowell St, walk straight passed the admin building, pool and baseball fields. The library is located in the 300 building, behind the lunch tables. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
Mental Health Reminders for Teenagers - Thursday, August 31 at 6pm
We are collaborating with San Diego Youth Services to present to parents, guardians and students about general mental health reminders as well as suicide prevention. This will be presented by licensed social workers from our Wellness Center and Marriage & Family Therapists from SD Youth Services. This event will be held in the Helix library and is open to all parents and students. Dinner will be provided! RSVP is required here for food ordering purposes. Doors open at 5:45pm.
Screenagers Movie Showing - Thursday, September 7 at 6pm
Join us in our Performing Arts Center for a showing of Screenagers: Next Generation, an important movie about teenagers and technology. Registration is not required. Students are welcome to come. Refreshments will be provided and doors open at 5:45. Movie Description: Filmmaker and physician Delaney Ruston uses a personal lens and professional eye to help us all flip the script on stress, anxiety, and depression. We follow Delaney as she finds herself at a loss on how to help her own teens as they struggle with their emotional wellbeing. Ruston sets out to understand these challenges in our current screen-filled society, and how we as parents and schools empower teens to overcome mental health challenges and build emotional agility, communication savvy, and stress resilience. We witness Delaney as she finds her way from ineffective parenting to much-improved strategies. We also observe approaches in schools that provide strategies relevant beyond the classroom setting. Interwoven into the stories are surprising insights from brain researchers, psychologists, and thought-leaders that reveal evidence-based ways to support mental wellness among our youth. The impact of social media and screen time in general is incorporated in topics brought to our attention in Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER, how it may be impacting our teen’s mental health, and what we can do to help support youth in the face of struggles.
Spirit Gear Distribution!
If you ordered a Class of 2027 Spirit Gear pack, your student can pick them up from Ms. Carbajal's desk in the Admin building starting on Aug 10.
Athletics!
Fall Sports Important Dates
CLICK HERE for info on start times, dates and locations for Fall Sports, as well as Athletic Clearance information.
Creating a Parent Observer Account!
Your student will be receiving their classroom announcements, assignments and grades via Canvas. As a parent, you are able to create what is called a Parent Observer Account to view your student's progress. Here is a video you can watch with your student that will assist you with creating a Helix Canvas Observer account. The second link will help with the understanding of what an Observer account is.
If you have multiple students currently enrolled at Helix, the first link will explain how to observe multiple students starting at 1:17.
Free Breakfast and Lunch!
GOOD NEWS! Breakfast and lunch is available for all students regardless of income. Breakfast will be served before school from 7:30am-8:30am as well as during nutrition break. Lunch is available both in the cafeteria and the carts around campus. Keep in mind that there are additional items that the carts have that are for sale.
*NOTE: Students can have breakfast and lunch or Nutrition Break snack and Lunch. They can NOT have breakfast, snack, and lunch.
Although meals are free this year, we are asking all our Helix families to fill out meal applications. You can find the APPLICATION HERE.
Free After School Tutoring for ALL Students!
Helix Academic Coaches will be in room 1340 after school Monday - Thursday from 2:54-4:00p.m. and available to help all students in all subjects.
For more information contact meza@helixcharter.net
Getting Involved On Campus!
ASPIRE Programs have begun!
What is ASPIRE?
ASPIRE are FREE before and after school programs available to students. These programs are adult-led and provide further enrichment opportunities for our students. Individual program descriptions are available on the Helix Aspire website.
Helix Clubs
We are proud to offer a wide variety of clubs at Helix. There is truly something for everyone! Detailed information about our STUDENT-RUN CLUBS is below. Click HERE for a daily schedule. See the ASPIRE PAGE for their schedule.
Community Service!
In addition to completing our A-G requirements, students also have to complete 40 hours of community service. It is recommended that students complete 10 hours every grade level to avoid overwhelming an already busy Senior year.
Beyond 40 hours enhances college applications and earns distinctions on their high school transcript.
- Silver Level Service Performer: 50 - 99 hours
- Gold Level Service Performance: 100 - 199 hours
- Platinum Level Service Performance: 200+ hours
Why is Volunteering Important?
Volunteering can have a positive impact on your community and can instill in you a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Your volunteer opportunities may provide content for your student resume.
Volunteering gives back to your community in a meaningful way and offers an opportunity to learn valuable networking skills.
Colleges, Universities and employers care about what you do outside of school and prefer students who exhibit personal growth and develop leadership skills.
+ So much more!
Your volunteer experience should reflect quality vs. quantity. Colleges are more impressed with students who volunteer for a few organizations, or causes, over a longer period of time. This shows your growth and commitment as a person and more likely, will provide you with leadership opportunities vs. volunteering for too many short term things that didn’t inspire much personal growth, develop leadership skills or lacked commitment. Experience many volunteer opportunities early and then commit to only the few that you feel most excited about or drawn to.
When attending a community service event, make sure to take a community service form to receive credit. These forms can be found in the front admin building. It can also be found on our Helix website under Documents & Forms.