Parent/Guardian Newsletter
Volume II // Issue VII
Reminder: President's Day Holiday Weekend
Reminder: AP Test Information
AP tests are coming up in May. Payment for tests is due 2/12/21. Students who have not paid by that date will not receive an exam.
STEP 1: Sign up through the College Board/AP Central website
STEP 2: Purchase your exam through the Helix Web Store (or in-person through Ms. Peterson)
Finance Office Hours:
Mondays and Wednesday by appointment only (rpeterson@helixcharter.net)
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8am - 12pm
Fridays: 8am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm
Course Request Update
- Students enrolled in an Academic Support class will be met with during their live Academic Support Zoom class.
- Students not enrolled in a support class were sent a link in order to schedule an appointment to meet with either Mrs Gunion or Ms Meza.
Announcements
Celebrating Black History Month
Sophomore Picture Week
Sophomores will be able to take their photos on campus from February 16th - February 19th.
Students are assigned times by last name as follows:
Helix Yearbook Update
Helix Athletics Update
Visit https://helixathletics.net/ for more information.
Spring Term Aspire Programs
Online Tutoring Provided by Helix's Own Academic Support Program
We encourage students to take advantage of this great opportunity! Going early on in the semester can help students develop good habits of seeking support and can help keep them accountable to get their work done on time.
Is Your Student Taking a Dual Enrollment Course during Junior Year?
Looking for Ways to Earn Community Service?
From the College Center
Virtual College Center Visits
Don't miss out on important information prospective colleges have to share and the opportunity to ask questions about specific campuses.
UC Davis Young Scholar Program
Click the flier for more information.
A Bridge for Kids 9th Annual Essay Contest
Essay Topic and Judging:
Students may enter the 2021 A Bridge for Kids Essay Contest by submitting an original essay of 750 words or fewer describing their thoughts on the following:
What is the one life experience that has best prepared you for your future? How did this experience impact you?
A panel of volunteers will judge the essays and the winners will be picked based on the creativity, originality, clarity and overall impact of the essay.
2021 Contest Prizes:
1st Place- $2,500 sponsorship
2nd Place- $1,000 sponsorship
3rd-5th- $500 Amazon Gift Card
6th-10th- $100 Amazon Gift Card
Note: Deadline for entry is midnight on March 1, 2021. Winners will be announced week of April 12, 2021.
HEFAR Mini Workshops
The HEFAR Group is a non-profit company dedicated to helping families plan for college and making education more affordable for everyone.
Check out the latest in their series of Mini Workshops.
How to Bring More Ease, Joy, and Purpose to Your High School Life: 5 Practical Tips for 9th-11th Graders
Here are some common misconceptions that 9th-11th graders have:
- "I'm not good at anything."
- "I should start a non-profit so I can stand out on my college applications."
- "I should know what I want to study (or) I shouldn't change my mind or else colleges will think I'm too indecisive."
- "My interests are boring/too common."
- "College is the only option for me."
But are these things true?
I want to challenge those ideas, or at least have you question them.
In—what else?—a webinar format.
And here's my thesis: I believe that questioning these assumptions can actually bring more ease, joy, and purpose into your life.
Give me 45 minutes to prove it.
How to Bring More Ease, Joy, and Purpose to Your High School Life:
5 Practical Tips for 9th-11th Graders
Feb, 10th @ 4-5pm Pacific Time (7-8pm ET)
On this session, you'll learn:
- How to Discover Your Superpowers (in ~20 Minutes)
- How to Identify a Community Service Project That Matters
- How US Colleges Perceive Students Who Are Uncertain of Their Major or Change Their Mind
- What to Do If You Feel Your Interests Are Common or Boring
- Finding Your Why (aka Considering the Benefits of Skipping College or Taking a Gap Year)
- A Walk-Through of Two Outstanding College Applications By Students Who Did Some of These Things + What You Can Learn from Them
- Q&A
Remote learning or on-campus offerings:
Summer Science and Engineering | Creative Writing Workshop | Sustainable Futures
Women, Gender and Representation | College Admission Workshop
New for Summer 2021:
- Writing Fantasy: A Workshop in Writing Reality-Bending Fiction
- Rebellious Women in American History
- Shaping a New World: Analyzing Race, Gender and Feminism in Science Fiction for a Better Tomorrow
- Sentinels in the Sky
- Sustaining Positivity in an Age of Climate Anxiety
All programs are for young women, female-identified or gender-nonconforming students who will be entering grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 in fall 2021.
Students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds can learn more about postsecondary options while possibly getting a scholarship or on-the-spot college admission by participating in this month’s Black College Expo..
The expo will include representatives from about 50 historically black colleges and universities.
High school students can register for free.
Students who plan to attend also have the chance to win a scholarship from the National College Resources Foundation by submitting a short essay by Feb. 8.
From the Wellness Center
Black Pioneers in Mental Health
Stay Strong for Ourselves and our Children
Coping with a Pandemic
Other Resources
The American Psychological Association Presents: Helping Teens Cope with Missed Milestones