High Desert School Hawk Happenings
Week of January 22, 2024
Good evening High Desert Hawks and Families,
The California Department of Education, in partnership with The Great Kindness Challenge® (GKC), encourages California’s school communities to participate in the GKC, January 22–26, 2024. The theme for the 13th annual GKC Week is Create Kindness. The GKC is a global campaign that promotes kindness, social-emotional health, and bullying prevention in prekindergarten through grade twelve.
The Great Kindness Challenge is one week dedicated to creating a culture of kindness and compassion on campuses worldwide. Our school is proudly participating in this proactive and positive kindness initiative. All students will receive The Great Kindness Challenge checklist. Please encourage your child to complete as many acts of kindness as possible. We are also happy to invite YOU to participate using the Family Edition checklist. Your family can complete the checklist anytime and anywhere. Together, let’s show the world how to ... CREATE KINDNESS!
Weekly Flight Plan
Week of January 22, 2024
Monday, January 22
- 6th Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
- Dance Force Practice 2:30-4:00pm
- Varsity Boys and Girls Soccer Practice 2:30-4:30pm
Tuesday, January 23
- 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
- 7/8th Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
- Varsity Boys Soccer Practice 2:30-4:30pm
- 8th Grade VHS Roadshow 9:00am-12:30pm
- Early Release - Dismissal 1:10pm
- 100-Mile Club 1:15-1:45pm
- Varsity Boys Soccer Practice 1:30-3:30pm
Thursday, January 25
- 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
- Spirit Squad Practice 2:30-3:30pm
- Varsity Girls Soccer Practice 2:30-4:30pm
Friday, January 26
- HDS Pride and Spirit Day
- Coffee with the Counselor 9:00am
- Tournament Team Soccer Practice 2:30-4:30pm
- Varsity Girls Soccer Practice 2:30-4:30pm
- Dance Force Practice 2:30-4:00pm
Have a great week and Go Hawks!
Hawk Happenings
Semester 1 Awards
Students were honored with awards for: Academic Scholars, Principal's Honor Scholar, Medal of Honor, Athletics, 100-Mile Club, STAR Reading and Math Growth, and Attendance.
Congratulations to our High Desert Hawks for their great work representing themselves, our school, and our community.
VHS 8th Grade Parent Information Night
On Wednesday January 24th, the VHS counseling team will be providing a Freshman class of 2028 information night. Please join us in the Vasquez High School library at 6:00 PM. We will be covering information regarding the up coming school year, placement in high school courses, high school graduation requirements, and A-G coursework.
Hawk Highlights
High Desert Opens New Learning Spaces during Lunch
HDS Academics
AVID Advisory and SEL - Weekly Focus
- AVID - This week, we are working on the Great Kindness Week Challenge.
- SEL - This week we continue supporting students with learning about their thoughts and emotions and how them impact the decisions they make.
AADUSD 8th Annual Spelling Bee - Grades 4, 5, and 6
We are busily buzzing around preparing for our district Spelling Bee. All students in grades 4, 5, and 6 are invited to participate in our Spelling Bee. If you are interested in participating, complete the form and return it to your classroom teacher.
Intent to Participate forms are due by Friday, January 19, 2024.
Acton-Agua Dulce Arts Council - Logo Contest
AADAC invites you to submit your ideas for a new logo. Our goal is to modernize and streamline our logo, and reflect our identity as promoting all of the arts.
PRIZE: Winning submission to receive $200
Deadline for submission is February 10, 2024
Step Up Tutoring - FREE for Grades 5-6
Step Up delivers 1-on-1 math tutoring, conducted online with a consistent tutor
Students receive tailored math support using a curriculum that is tailored to address their needs
Tutors focus on relationship-building and provide mentorship in a fun learning environment
Students receive tutoring at least twice weekly via one of three program models: at-home, during an after-school program, or during the school day
HDS Parent/Guardian Involvement for Student Success
VHS 8th Grade Roadshow - Jan. 24th
Attendance Matters
HDS Spirit Wear
HDS Yearbook 2024
Yearbooks are selling quickly. They are a great way to preserve the memories that students make during their middle school years. Purchase your yearbook today online or in the HDS Office.
HDS Athletics and Activities
Little Cesars Pizza Pizza
Order pizzas for the holidays or as a quick meal to store in the freezer. Delicious pizza is just a click away. Help us raise money to support High Desert students.
PureVida Spirit Bracelets
HDS Booster Club is fundraising for programs and equipment for our school. Purchase a spirit bracelet for $8 by Nov. 17th while they are on sale and help support events at our school.
Outdoor Science School - Open to 5th & 6th Graders
Outdoor Science School is fast approaching. High Desert invites both 5th and 6th grade students to attend. Be sure to sign up as soon as possible. You won't want to miss this great opportunity!
Boys and Girls Soccer Tournament Teams
Congratulations to all of the boys and girls who made the Tournament Team. Practices are on Fridays.
Girls Varsity Soccer
Congratulations to all of the girls who made the Varsity team! Practices are Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Boys Varsity Soccer
Congratulations to all of the girls who made the Varsity team! Practices are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
HDS Tournament Team - Grades 5-6
High Desert is hosting a soccer tournament for students in grades 4-6. Students in grades 5 & 6 are eligible to join High Desert's tournament team. We also welcome other groups and schools to form a team and participate in the tournament. Contact Athletic Director, Mrs. Gina Botton with any questions.
HDS Counseling Corner
Happy Holidays from WeCare AADUSD
As many of you know, this can be a beautiful time to gather with loved ones and create memories; however, this time of year isn’t always the brightest for everyone. Please take some time for yourself - journal, go for a walk, connect with a trusted friend or family. Our WeCare AADUSD mental health team has created this video for our students and compiled some resources for parents and guardians.
Happy Holidays!
Teen Mental Health Toolkit - For Parents and Guardians
About half of teens in the U.S. had a mental health concern at some point in their life. Recognizing teen mental health issues and connecting to early intervention and treatment can be lifesaving. Check out this free guide to the most common teen mental health challenges and find local mental health resources.
HDS Community Opportunities
Teen Tix LA - $5 Art Pass for Teens
This is a program called TeemTix LA that gives teens an opportunity to go to art, dance, and theater events in LA for $5 a ticket.
Antelope Valley CAC Meeting
The AV SELPA invites all parents of students participating in the Special Education Program to join the CAC for an informational meeting regarding IEPs.
AYBL Winter League
Acton Youth Basketball League is starting its Winter Season. They are looking for players in grades 1st thru 8th. Sign-up to improve your basketball skills and get ready for the season.
Sierra Youth Sports Baseball/Softball Registration
SYS is looking for baseball and softball players to join their team this season. This is a great opportunity to increase skills prior to entering high school.
VFW Illustrating America Art Contest
The VFW is pleased to present this National art contest to introduce, encourage, and recognize young artist with patriotism through art. Entries will be judged on patriotic theme and technique. Entries are due by March 31, 2024.
VFW Auxiliary National Singing Contest
The VFW encourages students to "Get Excited for the Red, White, and Blue!" Students enter by submitting a video solo vocal performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. Entries are due by March 31, 2024.
5th Grade Art Contest
The U.S. DOJ sponsors this national poster contest to raise awareness and bring attention to children who have been recovered, as well as the children who are still missing. The winner at the California state level will be receiving a pizza party for themselves and their 5th grade class! Entries are due by February 9, 2024.
High Desert School
Email: mvanornum@aadusd.k12.ca.us
Website: http://aadusd.k12.ca.is/domain/9/
Location: 3620 Antelope Woods Road, Acton, CA, USA
Phone: (661) 269-0310
Facebook: facebook.com/hdsboosterclub/
Twitter: @Highdesert_aad