Class of 2024
March Newsletter
Grade Level Team
Grade Level Principal: Mr. Damon Chase chase@helixcharter.net x127
Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Vicky Rodriguez rodriguez@helixcharter.net x145
Counselor: Mrs. Olivari olivari@helixcharter.net x147
Academic Advisor: Mr. Frank Theroux theroux@helixcharter.net x136
School Social Worker: Mrs. Lorena Fernandez fernandez@helixcharter.net x395
Attendance Technician: Ms. Bridgette Bojorquez bojorquez@helixcharter.net x231
GLT Email: GLT2024@helixcharter.net
Important Dates
March 3: Last Day to Make Course Request Changes
March 6-9: Finals Week - Spring Semester 1
March 9: HIMA Annual Gala
March 10: Staff Development Day - No School
March 13-24: Spring Break - No School
March 14: Athletic Eligibility Determined
March 27: First Day of Spring Semester 2
Course Requests- Next Steps
You can find your students' official course request in your ParentVue portal. Students have until Friday, 3/3/23 to make any changes to their request. Once we go on Spring Break, changes cannot be made to the request.
We look forward to meeting with every family at your students' Mandatory Registration Appointment in June 2023. More information about scheduling your registration appointment will be available after Spring Break.
NOTE: This is not their final schedule. These courses will be used to build their final class schedules when they meet with their Grade Level Team during Summer Conferencing in June.
College 4 Me (C4ME)
C4Me is right around the corner. Our first group of students (girls group) is leaving on Saturday March 11th and returning on Tuesday March 14th and our second group (boys group) is leaving on Sunday March 12th and returning Wednesday March 15th. We are visiting 9 college campuses in 4 day - it will definitely be a fun experience!
We are having a mandatory Parent/Guardian and student meeting for all participating students on the following dates.
Girls: March 1 @ 6pm, Room 1300
Boys: March 2 @ 6pm, Room 1300
If you have any questions, please email me at c4me@helixcharter.net
Helix Graduation Regalia
Join us for the Family First Night on Thursday, 3/30/23 to learn all about Helix Graduation Regalia.
We will review the requirements to receive the following regalia at Graduation:
- Golden State Seal
- Biliteracy Seal
- Platinum Cap
- Honors Cord
- Valedictorian Recognition
The HEFAR Group: Beat the High Cost of College Financial Aid Night
We invite all families of students in Grades 9-11 to join us on Thursday, 4/6/23 at 6pm via Zoom, for The HEFAR Group: Beat the High Cost of College Financial Aid Night.
It is never to early to start planning how you will fund your students college education. Their certified college planning specialists offer these services at NO COST to your family. For 10 years Helix Families have benefited from this organization.
Remember, as a non-profit company, HEFAR's college planning services are completely FREE.
See you there!
In support of Class of 2024 College & Career Readiness, the GLT has introduced and directed students to complete the following:
My College is Test Optional - Should I Still Take the SAT or ACT? (2:31)
More than half of all 4-year colleges are “test optional”
Some colleges barred from accepting SAT or ACT scores
ACT vs. SAT: Which Should You Take? (bestcolleges.com)
Create Your CollegeBoard Account AND Create Your ACT.org Account
Here are the SAT and ACT testing calendars - SAT calendar ACT calendar
10 Activities to Boost your College Application
Application Essay Tips
10/14/22 Student transcript review and LINK to the 4-YR Plan Form
11.4.22 The College Tour brings you the authentic stories of colleges and universities across America through the eyes of their current students. Watch new episodes on our TV show website and App. XELLO Activity (see directions below) to identify CAREERS and/or COLLEGE MAJORS or TECHNICAL TRAINING
11/18/22 XELLO Activity (see directions below) continue to identify CAREERS and/or COLLEGE MAJORS or TECHNICAL TRAINING
12/2/22 XELLO Activity (see directions below) About Me - PERSONALITY STYLE & LEARNING STYLE & SKILLS LAB tiles
12/16/22 XELLO Activity (see directions below) continue About Me - PERSONALITY STYLE & LEARNING STYLE & SKILLS LAB tiles
2/17/23 Creating Your College List assignment in XELLO.
2/24/23: University of California (UC) Personal Insight Questions (PIQ’s) - video for an overview of the PIQ’s (3:31)
LINK to some resource information that will help you prepare for your Personal Insight Questions.
Grossmont College is hosting four Family College Nights
This year Grossmont College is hosting four Family College Nights for prospective students' families. In addition, they are hosting various Family Heritage College Nights, which are as follows:
- Latinx Heritage Family College Night – April 27, 2023, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- AAPI Heritage Family College Night – May 17, 2023, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Family College Night (Open to all) – April 25, 2023, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Grossmont College wants to build community and support for their future students and their families. These events will include a department fair, how to pay for college, student services available, GCCCD College Promise, and a student panel. Dinner will also be provided to all family members in attendance.
Workshop Series
University of California (UC) Personal Insight Questions (PIQ’s)
LINK to some resource information that will help you prepare for your Personal Insight Questions.
Scholarships
The 2023 College Prep Scholars Program application opens in early February. Sign up to be notified when the application opens >>
Applying to college can seem daunting, and the prospect of paying for it can seem even more overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. The College Prep Scholars Program equips high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to apply to top colleges.
Why apply as a junior? Being a College Prep Scholar is a notable distinction that shows our college partners that you are a competitive candidate for admission. In addition, your application will automatically carry over for the National College Match when you’re a senior, giving you a head start on applying for a full four-year scholarship to our college partners. College Prep Scholars are over five times more likely than other applicants to receive full four-year scholarships through the National College Match.
Awards for College Prep Scholars may include:
- A full scholarship to a college summer program hosted by Yale, Emory, UChicago, and more.
- Quest for Excellence Awards, such as $1,000 for a new laptop or other resources to help the student enhance their college application.
- Exclusive access to a QuestBridge National College Admissions Conference — an invite-only event featuring workshops and a college fair with our college partners.
- Personalized college essay feedback.
- Campus visits or other opportunities from QuestBridge college partners.
- Specialized guidance and resources for the college application process.
- Peer-to-peer support in an online community.
Essay Contest
Eligible students (see contest rules and eligibility below) may enter the 2023 A Bridge for Kids Essay Contest by submitting an original essay of 750 words or fewer describing their thoughts on the following: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 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.
Note: Deadline for entry is midnight on March 1, 2023. Winners will be announced week of April 10, 2023. 2023
Contest Prizes: 1st Place - $2,500 sponsorship 2nd Place - $1,500 sponsorship 3rd-5th - $500 Amazon Gift Card 6th-10th - $250 Amazon Gift Card
2023 Art Butler Memorial Scholarship- (4) $3k Scholarships
The Boys and Girls Clubs of East County Foundation is proud to announce we are officially accepting applications for the 2023 Art Butler Memorial Scholarship.
In Mr. Butler's memory, (4) $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors of GHUSD or Christian High School attending 2- or 4-year colleges or a trade school.
Scholarships are to be used for school expenses. Applications must be submitted here (https://forms.gle/ZaeMbqh2E38xpZrK9) by Tuesday, March 28th at 4:00pm.
Please review the attached document for complete details.