SOAR Updates
1/7/22
Welcome Back & Happy New Year
Please feel free to stop by and say hello!
Sincerely,
Wendi Johnston
SOAR Principal
Thank You
I want to take a moment and wish Dr. Herrera all the very best as she moves on to a new chapter in her professional and personal life. She continues to be a valuable part of our SOAR family as we work closely together to ensure a seamless transition.
If you'd like to stay in touch with Dr. Herrera, her new email is sherrer4@umassglobal.edu or you can connect with her on LinkedIn.
Thank you, Dr. Herrera! You will always be a SOAR STAR!
Classes Begin January 10th!
As we look forward to the start of the spring semester, we do so with the understanding that the Omicron surge will bring fresh challenges to the start of the new semester. Please review the most updated guidelines issued by the State of CA and the LA County Department of Health. This communication was sent by the district on Thursday, Jan. 6th, and it is also noted below. We will work together to navigate these uncertain times. Of the utmost importance is the health and wellbeing of our SOAR community, so please be patient as there may be changes to upcoming events given the current state of the pandemic.
At present, we are looking forward to returning to in person learning. Students, you'll have access to your schedules on PowerSchool. On January 10th and 11th, students will receive their college textbooks through their AVID Class. For more information regarding AVC's book distribution, please visit: https://www.soarhs.org/students/soaravc-book-information
COVID-19 Realities
In response to the high levels of COVID-19 transmission, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) has revised its Reopening Protocols for K-12 Schools: Appendix T1.
Most importantly, please continue to self-screen and remain home if you're not feeling well!
Below you will find a summary of the changes that impact our schools:
Masking
Masks continue to be required at all times while indoors. The recent change to the health order now requires students to wear masks in crowded outdoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible. LADPH strongly recommends that students wear masks that are well-fitted, non-cloth with multiple layers of non-woven materials with a nose wire. Masks are available at each school should your student need one.
COVID-19 Testing for Close Contacts
COVID-19 testing is now required for all staff and students who are identified as close contacts regardless of vaccination status or recent COVID-19 diagnosis.
Students who are not fully vaccinated or those who are vaccinated but are eligible and have not received the booster:
Quarantine is required for 10 days from the last known contact.
After 5 full days have passed from the last known contact, the staff member or student can provide proof of a negative viral test result from a specimen collected on Day 5 to return to school on Day 6.
Students who have received the booster or are fully vaccinated but not yet eligible for the booster:
Quarantine is NOT required. Students and staff can remain in school but must test on Day 5 of their last known exposure.
All close contacts, regardless of vaccination status are required to upgrade their mask for 10 days from the date of their last exposure and monitor for symptoms.
For those choosing to participate in testing, the test must be an FDA-authorized viral COVID-19 test. FDA-authorized over-the-counter test is acceptable for these testing requirements.
Isolation for Students and Staff Confirmed Positive Case of COVID-19
All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, previous infection or lack of symptoms, who reside in the Los Angeles County Health Jurisdiction who have tested positive for or been diagnosed with COVID-19 are required to isolate themselves for at least 5 days and until you are no longer at risk for spreading COVID-19.
For students with symptoms: You may only end your self-isolation after Day 5 if at least 5 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared, your symptoms have improved and you are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications. Additionally, you must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test result from a specimen collected on Day 5 or later.
For students without symptoms: You may only end your self-isolation after Day 5 if at least 5 days have passed since your positive COVID-19 viral test result and you have remained symptom-free. Additionally, you must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test result from a specimen collected on Day 5 or later.
For those individuals unable to test or choose not to test, and symptoms are not present or are resolving, your isolation can end after Day 10.
Detailed information on isolation can be found HERE.
SOAR Self-screening Procedures
Students will no longer need to register or submit a daily screening through the STOPIt Survey for high school campus entry. They will, however, need to do a self-screening daily prior to coming to campus; this is in line with the AVUHSD. Again, there is nothing that students will need to submit or show for entry onto the high school campus. The self-screening questions include the following:
Have you been in close physical contact in the last 14 days with anyone known to have COVID-19 or anyone who has any symptoms of COVID-19?
Are you currently quarantined because you may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19?
Has anyone in your household recently tested positive for COVID-19?
Are you currently awaiting test results for a COVID-19 test?
Are you currently experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Fever at or above 100.4 degrees
Chills, sweating and/or repeated shaking or shivering
Cough
Sore throat
Mild or moderate difficulty breathing/shortness of breath for unknown reasons
Muscle aches or body aches
Vomiting or diarrhea
Loss of taste or smell
Runny or congested nose
Headache
Feeling unusually tired or weak
If you answered yes to any of these questions, DO NOT report to school. Stay home and email jandrews@avhsd.org to report the absence.
SOAR Application Season
Please pass this information onto potential candidates for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.
Be a STAR!
STUDENTS, don't forget to Be a STAR no matter where you are -- that's in the classroom, on campus, connected online, or in the community -- again, we're promoting Self advocating, Teachable, Accountable, and Respectful leaders -- STARs -- here at SOAR!
Our next STAR Celebration will take place on Thursday, January 27th from 9am - 2pm in the front office -- don't forget to keep your STAR Card in a safe place and bring it with you!
Food Services to Provide Universal Feeding in 2021-22
Food Services is pleased to announce that beginning in 2021-22, your student will receive meals at no charge as part of their school day thanks to the USDA's COVID Relief Plan. This is an automatic benefit for all enrolled students throughout CA. It is important that our students are nourished in order for them to learn and not have the pressure associated with program eligibility.
These changes mean students are not required to complete a meal application or provide any specific documentation, however, the AVUHSD is still required to gather family income and demographic information to ensure that your student benefits from additional state and federal programs that are available.
The CDE uses this confidential information to identify qualifications for additional funding that provides for many programs and opportunities for our students. Based on the information provided, eligible students may receive fee waivers for the PSAT or SAT, free college applications, and much more. The AVUHSD is eligible for additional Supplemental and Targeted funding for student programs and services based on a variety of factors, including this data.
Please help us provide the best opportunities that we can for our students by taking a few minutes to fill out this form: https://family.titank12.com/income-form/new?identifier=3JD2ZE
Visit the Food Services website at avfood.org for more information or to contact them with any questions regarding the above link.
Students are always welcome to come to campus for breakfast (7:15-7:45am) and lunch (12:30- 1:20pm). Remember, there is no cost for meals this year. All meals are served out of the "Lunch Box" between the office and S-1.
Student Handbook
It's important that all members of the SOAR community are familiar with behavioral expectation, academic integrity policies, dress code, etc. Students will be getting a copy of the planner through AVID classes soon. Again, until then, we ask that you review our online version of this document.
Expectations for Staying on Campus
We ask that you please have a conversation with your son/daughter about this topic, especially if they drive themselves to campus. Again, all students must be checked out through the office and may not leave campus between high school classes. If you have any questions, please contact the front office.
Grade-level Google Classrooms
New Document Delivery Option in PowerSchool
The Antelope Valley Union High School District has added a document delivery feature to PowerSchool. This will enable SOAR High School to send report cards via email. In order for this feature to work, parents will need to log into their PowerSchool account and "Opt-In" for document delivery.
Please review the instructions to opt-in below:
English Instructions: http://bit.ly/DocOpt-InEng
Instrucciones en espaƱol: http://bit.ly/DocOpt-InSPAN
AVC Hearts and Hands Information
Fridays at SOAR
Don't forget to be a STAR!
SOAR Stars are also life-long learners and self-advocates who solve the most pressing challenges through an unwavering pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, becoming engaged and productive leaders in their communities.
About Us
Email: sherrera@avhsd.org
Website: soarhs.org
Location: 3041 West Avenue K, Lancaster, CA, USA
Phone: (661) 722-6509
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soarhighschoolca/
Twitter: @soarhighschool