March Newsletter
Helix Charter High School
A Message from your 2026 GLT
How quickly we have arrived at the end of Spring Semester 1! With Spring Break just around the corner, we want to remind students to continue attending tutorials and working hard in the final days of the semester.
This semester students have also been looking forward to their 11th grade year as Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Lopez-Barajas were in classes meeting with students individually to determine course selections for the upcoming school. We ask that parents/guardians review their student's course selections (more info below) before we leave for Spring Break as changes cannot be made at a later time.
Lastly, as the weather warms up and summer time with family and friends draws nearer, please keep in mind that the last day of school is Thursday, June 6th.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Grade Level Team with any questions, concerns or good news you would like to share with us.
10th Grade Announcements
Course request season is coming to an end! We have some important dates students need to keep in mind prior to the end of the semester.
We look forward to meeting with every family at your student's Mandatory Registration Appointment in June 2024. More information about scheduling your registration appointment will be available after Spring Break.
This upcoming school year, we will be prioritizing free first and fourth periods for students who either have to leave early for sports or free firsts for those who have trouble arriving to school on time.
Dual Enrollment Class Registration Steps- Complete by March 5th!
Students need a blue slip (image attached) so that the College/Career Center can assist them. If they do not have a hard copy of this slip they will be redirected to the GLT office. Students can pick up one of these sheets at Mr. Gonzalez or Ms. Lopez-Barajas office.
How to access course requests on StudentVue/ParentVue.
Please review the request with your student. You can find course selections on your ParentVue (or StudentVue) portal. Once we go on Spring Break, changes cannot be made to the request.
If you or your student are interested in making a change to a course request, please email email Mr. Gonzalez (gonzalez@helixcharter.net) or Ms. Lopez-Barajas (lopez-barajas@helixcharter.net)
Opt-In Forms
If your student brings home an opt-in form, please have a discussion with them regarding this class selection to ensure it is truly a course they will be successful in.
Students must return this form prior to March 8th.
A sample opt-in form has been attached.
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.
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.
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Enrollment for Next School Year - Deadline is March 1
The deadline for new students (including siblings) to apply to Helix for next school year is Friday, March 1. Any applications submitted after March 1 will be placed on a waitlist in the order it was recieved. We will notify all families of lottery results on Friday, March 8. You will need to log in to SchoolMint to accpet placement if offered. Instructions on how to do that will be included in your email. The application and all information about enrollment can be found here - helixcharter.net/Enroll. No action is required for students already enrolled at Helix.
Spring Semester 1 Finals: Monday, 3/11/24 - Thursday, 3/14/24
Spring Semester 1 Finals: Monday, 3/11/24 - Thursday, 3/14/24
Finals can be a stressful time for students and in your household. To support your student we encourage:
- Plenty of rest: aiming for 8-10 hours per night
- Healthy breakfast and lunch
- Regularly studying: not just completing homework but reviewing notes each evening for understanding, creating notecards where appropriate, brushing up on skills through programs like Achieve or Khan Academy
- Practice breathing to help calm anxiety
Spring Break - March 15 through March 29
Student Spotlight
Helix Student Achieves First Chair in California All State Band- Leo Nolan
Helix Choirs
CONGRATULATIONS to ALL the Helix Choirs for their outstanding performances at the "San Diego Sings" festival hosted by Bonita Vista!
In their respective show choir divisions, HD got 3rd place, TBH got 2nd place, and HLX got 1st place as well as the top music award!
Way to perform, Scotty Singers!!!
Special shout out to our 10th graders!
HD: Emmeline Viraldo, Emily Serrano, Sophie White, Rylee Paza, Sofia Strachwitz, Maricela Pumariega, Mia Feldman, Javay Smith
HLX: Samantha Comiskey, Angel de Antonia Freer, Christopher Hilliman, Jonathan Clay, Nathania Novian, Samantha Hom, Viola Ross, Jake Mortier, Elaiza Dalhoumi
TBH: Joseph Pangelinan
Congrats to our Winter Sports Athletes!
Family First Info 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.
Movie Screening: Screenagers - Thursday, February 29 at 6pm in the Performing Arts Center
Helix families and community members are invited to 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, just show up! Students and siblings are welcome and encouraged to come. The movie is an hour-long and appropriate for kids of all ages. We will have pizza in front of the PAC for anyone attending the screening at 5:30. Eating is not allowed in the theater, so come a little early for a quick dinner before the movie starts at 6. After the movie ends at 7pm, we’ll have a short discussion with the audience and a panel of students and Helix staff members on the stage. Parents will take home a Parent Guide: Talking with Tweens and Teens about Mental Wellness. Helix students can attend this event for 1 community service hour. If you’d like to preview the movie, YOU CAN FIND THE TRAILER AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MOVIE HERE.
Tree Education Event with the City of La Mesa - Wednesday, March 6 at 5:30pm
Helix is excited to collaborate with the City of La Mesa & Tree San Diego on an event open to both the Helix & La Mesa Communities. This will be an interactive class covering tree planting best practices and eco-benefits of trees, followed by a short tree identification walk on campus. We'll discuss the City of La Mesa's urban forestry initiatives and upcoming Arbor Day events provided throughout San Diego County.
This event will be held in the Helix library and is open not just to Helix families but also to community members. RSVP HERE and secure your chance to win a free 5 gl tree! We'll have snacks. You can park in the large solar parking lot at 4200 Lowell St and walk straight back toward the middle of campus (past the admin building, baseball field and pool). The library is just past the lunch tables, on the opposite side of the baseball field. Students can attend this event for community service hours.
Financial Literacy for Parents & Students - Thursday, March 7 at 6pm
Join us for a free catered dinner and presentation with a Helix parent and Wealth Advisor, Alan Grismore, WMCP, Founder and Chief Architect of Alta Private Wealth. Elevate your financial prowess with an evening designed to empower parents of high school students! This interactive session will explore the nuances of budgeting, saving for college, and cultivating savvy money habits in your teens. But here's the kicker—parents can reap the benefits too! Led by a seasoned financial professional, this event is all about unraveling the mysteries of finance, offering practical tips and strategies to confidently navigate the financial terrain. Whether you're charting the course for your child's higher education or fortifying your family's financial resilience, this gathering guarantees valuable insights and a chance to connect with like-minded parents. Seize this opportunity to invest in your family's financial future—because financial savvy knows no age limit!
This event will be held in person in the Helix library from 6-7pm and dinner will be provided. Please register here for food ordering purposes. For translation services, click here bit.ly/46c6iT2
Tough Talks with Teens with the Helix Wellness Center Social Workers - Thursday, March 14 at 6pm
Students from our NAMI Club (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will also present on how parents can support their students by seeing things through a student perspective. They will explain helpful hints and share resources.
This event will be held in the Helix library from 6-7pm. Dinner will be provided, please RSVP here for food ordering purposes. Students are welcome to attend with parents/guardians. Doors open at 5:45.
For translation services, click here bit.ly/46c6iT2
Graduation Regalia - Thursday, April 4 at 6pm
Our Student Support team will explain about the requirements to get a Platinum Cap, Golden State Seal, Biliteracy Seal, Honors Cord, and Valedictorian recognitions. Families from all grade levels are invited. For translation services, click here.
Student & Community News
Performing Arts Auditions
See graphic for dance & choir auditions for next year.
30th Annual Helix Instrumental Giving Gala - Thursday, March 14 at 5pm
On Thursday, March 14th, HIMA will celebrate 30 years of giving in support of music education with our annual fundraising gala. This event includes both live and silent auctions and functions as our largest fundraiser of the year. Enjoy an incredible evening at the Thursday Club in Point Loma for dinner, drinks, live music, and live and silent auction in support of the instrumental music program at Helix Charter High School. Tickets can be purchased here.
Helix Foundation Golf Tournament - March 29
The Helix Foundation facilitates fundraising that promotes the growth and improvement of the programs, facilities, and activities at Helix Charter High School as well as funding many scholarships for post secondary education to graduating seniors. Their annual golf tournament is coming up and they are looking for both partipants and sponsors. Visit helixhighschoolfoundation.com/golf for more information and to register!
Pancho Sanchez Concert - Friday, April 12 at 7pm
Join us for this exciting event in our Performing Arts Center. Purchase tickets here.
Support Helix through Farm Fresh To You
Use promocode: HelixCharter when purchasing Farm Fresh to You products and they will give 10% back to Helix.
Bike Safety Classes for Teens Riding in La Mesa
The SD Bike Coalition & the City of La Mesa are offering FREE bike safety classes for teenagers riding in La Mesa. Visit www.sdbikecoalition.ord/events to register for one of their free upcoming events.
Community Service Opportunities
A list of community service opportunities can be found at helixcharter.net/community. We keep it very updated and some interesting new opportunities have just been added!
Helix Water District Annual Being Water Wise Is... Poster Contest
The Helix Water District is excited to announce the launch of their 2024 “Being Water Wise Is…” poster contest! This contest is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade attending school within their service area.
Through this contest, Helix recognizes K-12 student artwork that depicts how we can use water wisely in our homes or local community. Students can draw, paint, design and create posters for the chance to win prizes up to $75 and recognition by our district.
All entries are due by Friday, April 19, 2024. Please see the attached flyer and entry form for further information on the contest.
Middle School Nights - March 6th and 7th
Featuring LGA, LMAAC, and Parkway, plus the Helix Orchestra and Bands. March 6th is Orchestra night, March 7th is Band night.
In today's digital landscape, cyberbullying remains a significant burden for our youth. Join Valera Health & Care Solace for a FREE webinar to equip you with the knowledge and tools to address cyberbullying and build resilience in teens.
Together, you will discuss:
1. Identifying the signs and impact of cyberbullying on teens
2. Developing effective strategies for intervention and support
3. Exploring valuable resources and fostering emotional resilience
4. Creating a collaborative approach between school counselors and parents
Join them on Friday March 15, at 10am PT / 1pm ET as they explore evidence-based practices and practical solutions to empower both school professionals and parents in addressing cyberbullying and fostering resilience in our teens.
The You School
On-demand digital courses that give students (and those who care for them) a step-by-step plan to build a strong foundation for the rest of life.
Check out some of the episodes below.
Episode 69: Scott Schimmel on Critical Knowledge- The Power of Connection
A powerful study on human connection showed that lack of connection can be as stressful as a fight! When we take that to our interactions with our kids, who as teenagers need to disconnect at a certain level from family and form those new connections, their own tribe, helping them make connections and come back to connections they have can be such a powerful tool. I think we all know the power of connection at some level, but it can be so easy to overlook. We all need the reminder sometimes to check the connection… with our kids and ourselves.
Resource for this episode: Lost Connections by Johann Hari This book does talk about depression, but it is applicable in so many areas of life as we connect with our kids.
Episode 66: Scott Schimmel on The Critical Shifts in Adolescence
Adolescents undergo significant shifts as they transition into adulthood, including physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. These changes include the development of the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and impulse control, as well as an increased focus on social relationships and identity formation. Understanding these shifts is crucial for parents, educators, and mental health professionals who work with adolescents, as it can help them provide appropriate support and guidance during this critical period of development. Additionally, recognizing the challenges and opportunities that come with adolescence can help individuals make informed decisions that set them on a path towards a healthy and fulfilling adulthood. In this episode, Scott dives into the big shifts every kid goes through and how being aware of them can be an important piece to helping them grow up to become happy and healthy.
Episode 51: The Challenges Kids Are Facing with Scott Schimmel
Kids can do everything they’re supposed to—excel and over-achieve, but still miss out on the essential and practical building blocks they need to build a life that matters: a life of significance, meaning, and happiness. Kids don’t yet know who they are, how the world works, what matters most in life, or how to design a roadmap to success (and school isn't designed to help them this way). Kids have limited awareness and exposure to their future opportunities. Kids are under tremendous pressure and stress from multiple angles—not the best environment for clear, conscious decision-making. Hyper-competitive college admissions and exorbitant costs for a degree make the stakes feel even higher. They might figure it all out eventually…but why leave it to chance if they could get more clarity—earlier? What do you think? What am I missing? What are you most concerned about? What’s working?
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