Class of 2026 Newsletter
January 2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023!
Course Request Information
Happy New Year, everyone! The 2026 GLT will be hitting the ground running this month with course request season.
During this time, students will have the opportunity to select their classes for 10th grade. As sophomores, the Class of 2026 will have a broader selection of classes to choose from. Although the process may seem daunting, we are here to support you and your student every step of the way. Below you will find a timeline of the process and some information regarding our upcoming parent presentation. During this presentation, we will go in depth on what requirements our current 9th graders will need to accomplish next year.
Here we go!
NEW COURSES now available!
Language Placement
Interested in taking Spanish as your Foreign Language?
Placement testing for Spanish will take place 1/12-3/2:
Spanish SPEAKER placement testing: Thursdays 2:54-3:35 in room 400
Regular Spanish placement testing (non-Spanish speakers, those hoping to enter Spanish 120 or 3/4C): Thursdays 2:54-3:35 in room 430
Students who have a background in a language are highly encouraged to take these placement exams in order to accurately assess their level.
If you are a student who has taken an AP Language test, please send the score report to Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Lopez-Barajas in order to update your transcript. Make sure your name is visible on this report.
9th Grade Winter Formal Eligibility
Winter Formal Eligibility Requirements
Between January 9 - February 10, 2023 student must have:
- No truancies
- No suspensions
- No more than ONE lockout
- No more than 5 tardies
- No more than 5 excused absences
- Must have 2.0 GPA from the December report card
- Mrs. Trevino sent emails to only those students who have unserved detentions from November and December. Your dance privileges for Winter Formal have been taken away. If you received one of those emails and want to attend the dance, read the email and follow the directions on the email.
Ticket sale schedule:
Today through January 10th: $47 - Helix students only
January 11th - 17th NO ticket sales
January 18th - February 9th: Helix students $52; Guest tickets $55. Must have clearance paperwork to purchase tickets at during this time.
Only students who purchase their reservation for the dance by the end of the day on January 10th will be able to buy a guest ticket separately.
Self-Esteem Group
The Self-Esteem Group for 9th graders begins January 12, 2023.
Students will learn and practice evidence-based strategies, based upon mindfulness and self-compassion, to improve students confidence and self esteem. This group meets weekly for 8 weeks and rotates through each period once per month. If you are interested in this group, please reach out to Miss Smith at rsmith@helix charter.net for more information or to sign up!
Anxiety Support Group
The Anxiety Support Group for 9th graders will begin January 19, 2023.
In this group, students will learn and practice evidence-based strategies to help them manage their anxiety. This group meets weekly for 7 weeks and rotates through each period once per month. If you are interested in this group, please reach out to Mr. Smith at ksmith@helixcharter.net for more information or to sign up!
Fall Semester Term 2 Honor Roll
We'd like to recognize our Fall Semester Term 1 Honor Roll students. All of the students listed earned a 3.5 GPA or higher.
These students will be recognized this upcoming Tuesday, November 1st at lunch.
Fall Semester Term 2 Perfect Attendance
Big congratulations to our students who earned Perfect Attendance for Fall Semester Term 2. To earn perfect attendance, a student must be present every single day with no tardies, no lockouts, and no off-campus passes.
Truly a remarkable accomplishment!
Directing Change Hope & Justice Category: November Award
We are excited to announce that our very own, Jackson Ellis, was selected for Honorable Mention in the November Hope and Justice contest for his entry "Justice for Hope."
About his drawing, Jackson had to say the following, "I drew this during the Black Lives Matter movement and COVID lockdown. It gave my little sister and I the chance to spend time together and bond during a challenging time. Being black myself, I learned that my life may be more difficult and different than others around me who may not experience the same bias or criticism because they are not black. I have to prepare myself for whatever may come my way because of the color of my skin. But I hope that whatever comes is more positive than negative."
The Directing Change Program holds film and art contests for young people to learn about the topics of suicide prevention, mental health, social justice and more. By creating short films, written works, and art projects youth can communicate positive messages to peers and adults in their community to inspire them to take action. And wish cash prizes and gift cards!
Interested in participating?
- Annual Film Contest (entries are due March 1 every year). Multiple submission categories for 30-second and 60-second films focused on mental health and suicide prevention topics. Win up to $1000 in cash prizes and be recognized at a statewide red carpet award ceremony! Learn more here.
- Monthly Hope and Justice Art and Film Contest (entries accepted on a monthly basis and are due the last day of the month at midnight). Art, written works, films and original music accepted! You can submit to the Hope or Justice theme every month, or to the monthly prompt that changes each month. Win up to $300 in Amazon gift cards!
Check out to Directing Change website for more information: https://gallery.directingchange.org/contest/
Class of 2026 in the Lab!
Currently, there are 5 freshman who obtained an internship at the Boz Institutewith the Metagenomics Program! Special thanks to Ms. Harrington for exposing Biotech students to these wonderful opportunities to work alongside industry professionals!
The following students were chosen to receive internship credits as they participate in this unique opportunity.
Mia Feldman 9
Maggie Funk 9
Malak Hasaballa 9
Jake Mortier 9
Viola Ross (Vi) 9
Pictured below are Freshman Maggie Funk and Malak Hasaballa with Program Director, Ken Hirata, learning how to use the centrifuge.
Students can now apply online for the 2023 Summer Term High School Programs at Boston University, via the website.
They are offering five pre-college programs, two of which the Class of 2026 can participate in. These programs provide rigorous and collaborative college life experiences that will enable students to gain a strong sense of their personal and academic potential. Here is a brief overview of each:
- Summer Challenge is a two-week residential or online program in which students take two non-credit seminars of their choice and experience college life. Students must be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in fall 2023.
- Summer Preview is a one-week, non-credit residential or commuter program in which students explore one subject of interest while previewing the college experience. Students must be entering eighth grade or their freshman or sophomore year of high school in fall 2023.
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