May 2024 Newsletter
Class of 2026 Newsletter
A Message From Your 2026 Team
Class of 2026 Families,
We are quickly approaching the end of sophomore year which will mark the halfway point of high school. Our students are growing and spreading their wings of independence -- driver's permits/licences, jobs, college planning! It is an exciting time in their high school career but also a moment for us to pause and remind ourselves that despite busy schedules we remember to have intentional conversations with our students about the choices they make. Whether it is a party they attend or a college major they are tossing around, they value the input of their families (even if their response is an eyeroll). As the saying goes, "we cannot force a person to hear a message they are not ready to receive, but we cannot underestimate the power of planting a seed." Have a wonderful month of May!
Please do not hesitate to contact the Grade Level Team with any questions, concerns or good news you would like to share with us.
Mark Your Calendar
May 6: Progress Reports- Spring Semester 2
May 8: Athletic Eligibility Determined
May 27: No School - Memorial Day
May 28 & 29: Senior Boards (Minimum Days)
June 5-6: Spring Semester II Finals Days-- Finals Schedule
June 6: Graduation
June 11th-July 3: Summer Registration Dates
June 12th- July 3: Summer School dates
August 8: First day of 11th grade
2024-2025 Online Enrollment and Summer Conferences
Online Enrollment and Summer Conferences are REQUIRED steps in securing your student's enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year. Verification of your student's online data in ParentVUE must be completed before the end of the school year. Online enrollment is currently open!!
Click on the photo below to view the steps for completing online enrollment and scheduling summer conferences online.
*If your student will not be returning to Helix next year, please notify your Grade Level Team ASAP.*
Summer Conference Appointments - June 11 - July 3
What to expect during Summer Conferences:
- 90 minute experience to prepare for the upcoming school year
- Student should attend conference with one parent/guardian
- In-person meeting with GLT to discuss class schedule and the upcoming school year
- School photo for ID cards and the yearbook
- Finance Office for Class Spirit Pack, pay fines, purchase spirit items, yearbook, etc.
- Completion of Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Steps (if applicable)
Summer School 2024
Summer School will run from Wednesday, June 12th to Wednesday, July 3rd. We will offer students the opportunity to earn 10 credits this Summer by running a Morning Session and an Afternoon Session.
If your student has failed a class this school year, please plan on having them attend summer school.
- Alternate Site Summer School: Although we can't recommend a specific school, we ask that the classes students take are A-G and/or NCAA approved. If your student will take Helix summer school classes, we recommend contacting these schools as soon as possible and let them know that you are interested in having your student take classes after Helix's summer school (ends July 3). All classes taken at an alternate site must be completed by July 31.
- Mandatory Summer School Family Information Night: More information to come!
Math 176
Students interested in taking Math 176 over the summer in preparation for 11th grade AP Calculus, should expect to attend Summer school during the following dates:
Monday, June 10th - Wednesday, July 3rd
8:00 a.m. - 1:40 p.m.
Break(s) determined by instructor
Lunch 11:15 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.
Speaking of Jobs... How To Obtain A Work Permit
A work permit is a legal document required by the state of California that allows a person under 18 years of age to hold a job.
There are four steps in obtaining a work permit:
1. Obtain a work permit application from Work Permit Supervisor. Email Coach Jones- Djones@helixcharter.net to get an application.
2. Fill out the personal information at the top of the application, get your prospective employer to fill out the information required in the middle portion, and have a parent or guardian sign the bottom portion of the application.
3. Scan or take a picture of completed Application and email to Coach Jones Djones@helixcharter.net . Your work permit will be processed and sent to you electronically.
4. Bring the work permit back to the prospective employer.
Work Permit Supervisor:
Mr. Damaja Jones
(619) 644-1940 ext. 130
To learn more about work permits, visit the site below.
Class of 2026 Spotlight
Best Performers!
Congratulations to sophomores Jake Mortier and Joseph Pangelinan for winning the "best performer" awards for their groups at Saturday's show choir festival at John Burroughs High School in Burbank!
At a separate competition, Sophomore Mia Feldman was also awarded one of the best soloists!!
Congrats to the entire Choir program for such a successful competition season!
Psych Fair
Our 2024 Psychology Fair was a huge success. During this fair, Psychology 1C/2C students teach the freshman class about a variety of different psychology theories and concepts such as love languages, gambler's fallacy, reconsolidating, selective attention theory and so much more!
This year, twenty-four out of the twenty-nine students presenting were 10th grade students!
Advanced to the semi-finals!
Brock Lorenzo was one of 3 Highlanders who advanced to the semi-finals in the league boys individual tennis tournament at Valhalla. Brock went on to compete in the CIF individual boys tennis playoffs at Balboa park on Monday, April 29th.
Way to go, Brock!
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Spring Fling - Wednesday, May 1 from 5pm - 7pm
Helix's annual Spring Fling Showcase for incoming freshmen is coming up! Helix Academics, Arts, Activities and Athletic programs will be showcased throughout the event allowing families to get acquainted with the many curricular and extracurricular programs offered at Helix. Incoming 9th Graders will receive a complimentary meal ($5 ea. for additional family members). Students will be able to sign-up for school athletic teams, clubs, and service organizations. Teachers will be available to provide information and answer questions regarding Helix academics and students from the Helix Performing Arts Programs will perform. For more information on upcoming events for next year's freshmen, check out this newsletter.
Chess the Musical - April 30, May 2, 3, 4 at 7pm
This musical will be performed on the Helix mainstage theater on April 30, May 2, 3, 4 at 7pm with an understudy matinée on May 4 at 2pm. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE. In this musical, Chess becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics, and international intrigue. From Bangkok to Budapest, the players, lovers, politicians and spies manipulate and are manipulated to the pulse of a score that includes “One Night in Bangkok” and “Heaven Help My Heart.”
Helix Dance Performance - May 9 & 10 at 7pm
Spring Cabaret - May 16 & 17 at 7pm
AP Testing - May 6-17
If you are taking any AP Tests this year, here are a few reminders:
Check-in early at testing location before exam:
7:15am for 8:00am exams
11:30am for 12:00pm exams
Students need to bring a photo ID (Helix ID okay)
Students should bring 2 pens (blue or black ink) and 2 pencils with a good eraser
Students are welcome to bring water into the testing room
All smart devices (watches, cell phones, etc.) will be collected upon arrival and returned once the exams are complete
Students must stay once they complete their exams - everyone will be released at the same time
Here is a complete list of AP terms and conditions: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org
No School on Memorial Day - Monday May 27
Enjoy your holiday!
Graduation & Last Day of School - Thursday, June 6 at 6pm
Congrats to our Class of 2024! Graduation will be held in the stadium on June 6 at 6pm. For more details and information about tickets, click here and scroll to page 2.
ASPIRE Summer Camp - June 10 - 28
Our Family First Info Nights is a Helix tradition of keeping parents informed and connected. In this series, we offer presentations about a variety of topics. Most are held on Thursdays at 6 for constancy, also some virtual events may vary. See below for our upcoming schedule. You can also visit helixcharter.net/FamilyFirst for more information and for links to previous recordings.
NCAA Eligibility Workshop via ZOOM - Thursday, May 2 from 6-7pm
Interested in participating in college athletics? Come get the latest information on the NCAA eligibility process from Damon Chase, Athletic Director and Kathryn Welch, Assistant Athletic Director.
Click here to join this Zoom meeting. Registration not required.
Helix's Sustainability Work - Thursday, May 9 from 6-7pm
Kevin Myron, Science Teacher and Sustainability Coordinator, will present on all of the exciting work Helix is doing to improve our sustainability including new recycling, Green Schools Conference attendance, research on sustainability in schools, and more. He will cover our new Student Office of Sustainability and students from that office with share. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions, express concerns and share ideas about this work. We are also interested in hearing from Helix parents and community members who may be interested in being on a new Sustainability Advisory Board to oversee the implementation of a sustainability action plan.This event will be held in the Helix library from 6-7pm. Dinner will be provided, please RSVP here for food ordering purposes. Students and siblings are welcome to attend with parents/guardians. For translation services, click here.
Mid-High School Reflection Family Info Meeting-- May 14th from 6pm-7pm
Medicine Pathway Info Night - Wednesday, May 16 from 6-7pm
Come learn about the Sports Medicine Pathway classes (Beginning Sports Med & Advanced Sports Med) from teacher and CTE pathway leader Kathryn Welch. We will cover the expectations, workload and requirements to be successful in this class. This event will be held in the Helix Library. Registration not required. Students & siblings are welcome to join you. Refreshments will be provided. For translation services, click here.
English Learner Info Night (ELAC) & Celebration - Thursday, May 23 from 6-7pm
This event is open to new and existing students to learn about our English Learner program. We will greet our incoming students and hear from past students. We will also celebrate our students who have been reclassified in an RFEP Ceremony! This event will be held in the Helix Library. Dinner provided and catered by one of our Helix families! Doors open at 5:45. Registration is required here for food ordering purposes. Please indicate if translation is needed on the registration form.
Student & Community News
See Something, Say Something
This is a reminder to everyone in our school community that if you SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. Everything that is reported will be investigated thoroughly and any threat made toward our school may result in criminal prosecution and/or expulsion.
We have a simple way to report threats anonymously through the Student Safety Hotline form. This form can be accessed from our homepage (in the Find It Fast section) and we have created stickers (attached) that are placed around campus with a QR code that links to the form.
Thank you for helping us keep our campus and community safe.
Grad Night Chaperones Needed
The Helix PTSA is in need of additional chaperones to assist with Class of 2024 Grad Night. Parents with children attending Grad Night interested in attending free of charge as a group chaperone can contact Katie Smith at katiem_smith@yahoo.com. Chaperones will be asked to attend the entire event, including riding the buses to and from the event, beginning afternoon Sunday, June 9 overnight to the morning of Monday, June 10.
Brave Empowerment Event for Girls at the Kroc Center - Saturday, May 4 from 4-8pm
This fun & free event at the Kroc Center will educate and connect girls with community resources! There will be Powerful speakers and testimonies, DJ, Dinner provided by In and Out, Inflatables, Yoga, Glam zone featuring hair and nails, Resource Fair, Raffle, A Swag Bag stuffed with a journal, pen, free guest passes for our facility and other goodies and more!
Choir Auditions - May 11
Auditions for the award-winning Helix Show Choirs, HD (intermediate treble) and HLX (advanced mixed) will be SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024 in the choir room (room 925) in the Performing Arts Center at Helix Charter HS. See application for specific times.
City of La Mesa Career Expo - May 16
Everyone from the Helix community is invited to attend the City of La Mesa's Career Fair. There will be information about local jobs and training programs.
Community Service Opportunities
A list of community service opportunities can be found at helixcharter.net/community. Local little leagues are always looking for Helix students to help in the snack bar. It's a good opportunity to get work experience and learn the ropes for service industry jobs! Students can find sign up sheets in the sheet linked above.
Join the Junior Leader Team at the Kroc!
Attached are flyers and applications for our teen volunteer program as well as a QR code to apply for our youth development leader position. Please note that students must be 15-17 to volunteer and at least 18 by June 10th to work as a YDL.
Care Solace-- A resource available to all of our Helix families
Helix Charter High School partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs regardless of circumstance.
If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
- Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language.
- Visit www.caresolace.com/helixcharter and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
Ruff Ruff News: Apri 12th, 2024
Ruff Ruff News: April 19th, 2024
Special offer from our Neighbors: The Dental House!
The Dental House has two specials for our students: Teeth Whitening and Y2K Tooth Gems!
This offer is available to all students. See the image for more information.
Let's Stay Connected- Click the icons to visit our pages!
Contact Information
Mrs. Paula Ann Trevino (trevino@helixcharter.net) - Grade Level Principal
Mr. Hugo Gonzalez (gonzalez@helixcharter.net)- School Counselor
Ms. Lopez-Barajas (lopez-barajas@helixcharter.net)- Academic Advisor
Ms. Joan Urich (urich@helixcharter.net) - Administrative Assistant
Ms. Brenda Flores (bflores@helixcharter.net) - Attendance Technician
Ms. Rebekah Smith (rsmith@helixcharter.net) - School Social Worker