High Desert School Hawk Happenings
Week of February 19, 2024
Good evening High Desert Hawks and Families,
This week, we want to share some reminders:
- On-time Behavior is crucial to effective instruction in classrooms. Please support your student in arriving to school on time. Students should be one campus at 7:55am so that they can be in the classroom prepared to learn at 8:00am. In addition, students need to walk to class when the first bell rings. We will be supporting on-time behavior with PBIS Rewards Points for students who are on time. Students with tardies will be assigned lunch detention when they reach three tardies. Thank you for your support in students attending class on time.
- Daily attendance is very important to student success. School, even in the early years, is critical to building a strong foundation for learning that will help your child succeed in middle school, high school and beyond. You cannot make up for too many absences with homework or take-home assignments. Please support your student's school success by ensuring that they attend school each day.
- Cell Phones are to be off and in student's backpacks during the day. Research shows that kids and teens do better with phones away during school hours. Please support your student with focus on school by reminding them to keep their cell phones Away for the Day.
- Dress Code is part of our school campus culture. Please review the school dress code and support your student in following the dress code.
Weekly Flight Plan
Week of February 19, 2024
Monday, February 19
- NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, February 20
- 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
- 7/8th Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
- Spirit Squad Practice 2:30-3:30pm
- Varsity Soccer Game @ Knight Prep - Girls 3:00pm, Boys 4:00pm
- Early Release - Dismissal 1:10pm
- 100-Mile Club 1:15-1:45pm
- Varsity Boys Soccer Practice 1:30-3:30pm
- Dance Force Practice 1:30-3:30pm
Thursday, February 22
- Lockdown Drill
- 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
- Spirit Squad Practice 2:30-3:30pm
- Varsity Girls Soccer Practice 2:30-4:30pm
Friday, February 23
- HDS Hawks Spirit Day
- Pastries with the Principal - AI and Education 9:00am
- 7th Grade Engineer's Week - Per. 4 and 5
- ASB Color Run during Lunch
- Soccer Tournament 2:30-5:30pm - see Athletics section for full schedule
- Dance Force Practice 2:30-4:00pm
Saturday, February 24
- Dance Force Fundraiser at Applebees - see a Dance Force member for tickets
Have a great week and Go Hawks!
Help Wanted - HDS Booster Club Snack Bar
HDS Booster Club Snack Bar is looking for parents who are able to run the snack bar during soccer games.
If you’re able to, please consider donating a little bit of your time and helping out with our snack bar, which is Booster Clubs' most profitable fundraiser. Click to sign up.
Help us raise funds to "Light up the Field."
Hawk Happenings
Engineer's Week - Feb. 18-24, 2024
National Engineers Week partners with DiscoverE (formerly the National Engineers Week Foundation) to shine a spotlight on engineering. Engineers Week is a time to:
- Celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world
- Increase public dialogue about the need for engineers
- Bring engineering to life for kids, educators, and parents
Students will exploring Engineering this week and 7th grade will end the week with a hands-on presentation from our educational partners at Lockheed Martin on Friday, February 23, 2024 during science class.
High Desert SOARS with New Grants and Opportunities
Our High Desert Staff have been working diligently to securing funding for new opportunities for our Hawks. Click the link to check out the new things coming to High Desert School.
Hawk Highlights
Mrs. Marilynn Alford - Medal of Honor Trainer
Mrs. Marilynn Alford Walsh, your unwavering commitment to the Medal of Honor Character Development program has profoundly impacted our campus community. Your dedication shines through in every aspect, from organizing Mentor Days to facilitating insightful lessons and arranging enriching trips to the Reagan Library for the Speaker's Forum. Your efforts provide invaluable opportunities for our students to connect with and learn from Medal of Honor recipients, fostering a deeper understanding of character education and its transformative power. Thank you for your tireless dedication to shaping the lives of our students and instilling in them the values of courage, integrity, and selflessness.
Thank you HDS Booster Club for the Very Brady Brunch
Thank You Mr. C for Teaching Our Students
Mr. Cieslik has had a change in circumstances and needs to resign from his teaching position as of February 15, 2024. Mr. C has made a positive difference for his students and we sincerely appreciate his time here at High Desert.
From Mr. C: “I am sorry to say that I will be resigning as of Feb. 15th as your child’s teacher. I have really enjoyed my time at AADUSD and High Desert. I want to thank you and your child for a wonderful year. It has been nothing but an absolute pleasure and honor to teach and serve your child.”
Welcome Mrs. Hannah Blalock to 6th Grade
This week, Mrs. Hannah Blalock, Mrs. B, will be joining our High Desert teaching staff as a long-term sub for 6th Grade.
From Mrs. Blalock: “Hello High Desert Hawks! I have been a substitute teacher on the campus since October of this year. Before that, I studied Biology at CSU Chanel Islands and worked in a medical lab for a few years. I have always enjoyed learning, but math and science are particular favorites of mine. In my free time, I enjoy camping and spending time at the race track. I was so pleased to be offered a long-term position as a Hawk! Everyone from the students to the staff members has been so welcoming to me. I am so excited about this opportunity because it means that I will be able to get to know students that much better. I am looking forward to working with you all and your students!”
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Blalock to our HDS Hawks 6th grade team.
Welcome Mrs. Shannon Trudell - Instructional Assistant
From Mrs. Shannon: "I call Acton home and love our community. I love the quiet star-filled nights and the 4th of July parade. In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, and spending time with my family. I'm really excited to join the High Desert School community and I am looking forward to getting to know all of the students and staff."
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Shannon to our Hawks Family!
HDS Academics
AVID Advisory and SEL - Weekly Focus
- AVID - This week, we are learning more about Engineer's Week. There is an Engineer within all of us and students will explore career pathways in Engineering.
- SEL - This week we continue supporting students with learning about multiple perspectives, conflict, and how to resolve conflict.
2024 Young People's Art Show
The Acton-Agua Dulce Arts Council invites all students to submit work for the 2024 Young People's Art Show. Artists should be students/and or residents in the Acton or Agua Dulce area in Grades K-12. Artists may enter up to 4 pieces of original, hanging artwork. Any 2D artform is allowed, including painting (oil, pastel, acrylic, watercolor), charcoal, pencil, photography, mixed media, and digital art (no AI allowed).
2024 Young People's Art Show Guidelines
Deadline to submit the Entry Form is March 1st
Deadline to submit Art Work is March 8th
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
Pastries with the Principal - AI and Education - Feb. 23rd at 9am
You're Invited to join Mrs. Van Ornum for Pastries with the Principal on February 13rd at 9:00am. As technology evolves and becomes more sophisticated, it's understandable that we're uneasy about actual and anticipated challenges. Because the development of technology won't slow down enough for us to truly think about—and plan for—its implications, we can explore this uncertainty with students. This month's Pastries with the Principal we'll explore AI and its implications for education.
Coffee with the Counselor Presentation
HDS hosted Coffee with the Counselor on Friday, January 26th. We had a great discussion about social media, cell phones, and vaping and how we can support our students in dealing with these challenging issues. If you wish to see the presentation shared with parents and families at the meeting, here is the link to that presentation.
Coffee with the Counselor: Parenting in the Age of Social Media, Cell Phones, and Vaping
CJSF - Spring Applications due March 1st
CJSF stands for California Junior Scholarship Federation. It is the Middle School's version of High School's CSF (California Scholarship Federation).
CJSF is a statewide organization founded for the purpose of fostering high standards of scholarship, service, and citizenship in the middle grades. CJSF emphasizes service to the community while creating pride in scholastic achievement. Click here to view the CJSF/CSF State Website.
Spring 2024 Applications (based on Fall Semester Grades) are due Friday, March 1st by 3pm.
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
Color Run - Feb. 23rd
Join us for a fun Color Run on Friday, February 23rd. Students will run the course and have fun colors added for each milestone in the course. Please be sure to wear clothes you don't mind getting color on.
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.
Soccer Game Schedule
The Silver League Game Schedule has been released. Click here for full schedule.
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
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
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.
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.
Autry Museum Visions of Freedom Art Exhibition
The Autry Museum invites all student to submit a two-dimensional piece of artwork representing the theme: Visions of Freedom.
Student application must be submitted online.
Entries due to the HDS Office by March 12, 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