High Desert School Hawk Happenings

Good evening High Desert Hawks and Families,

This school year at High Desert School, we are "Anchored in Achievement!" Set sail on a smooth school year by anchoring strong routines early—review your planner each night and keep your supplies shipshape. Steer clear of rough waters by asking for help when you need it; teamwork keeps the crew afloat!

Student Success Reminders:

As we enter a new month filled with hope and possibility, we want to focus on our goal of being Anchored in Achievement by supporting our students maintaining good work habits! Here are some tips:

• Check Aeries: The end of 4th Progress Period is April 11th. Students should work to complete missing assignments and bring grades up so that end of the year grades will positively reflect their efforts.
• Attend Daily: Daily on-time attendance is critical to participate in the incredible lessons teachers have prepared and ensure that students are learning the content.
• Encourage Positive Behavior: Encourage your student to focus on good choices and staying on task. Reminder that positive and productive behavior will help students maintain eligibility to attend the many events that close out the year.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your student’s success!

Athletics:

• Reminder to all parents: Please be mindful of practice end times and pick up your athletes promptly.
• Reminder to all athletes: Please remember that you are a member of the team on and off the field. Keep up your grades and good behavior to remain eligible all season!
• Sports Currently in Season
• Spirit Squad
• 100-Mile Club
• JV Flag Football
• JV Girls Volleyball
• Varsity Girls Basketball
• Varsity Boys Basketball

Monday, April 7

• i-Ready End of Year Diagnostic Testing Continues
• 5th Grade Outdoor Science School - Bus Departs 8:00am
• 6th Grade Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
• 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
• JV Flag Football Practice 2:30-4:30pm
• Varsity Girls Basketball Practice 2:30-4:30pm

Tuesday, April 8

• Project 2 Inspire Virtual Parent Workshop 9:00am
• Spirit Squad Practice at 5/6th Lunch
• School Site Council 2:30pm
• 7/8th Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
• JV Volleyball Game at HDS 3:30pm
• Varsity Basketball Game at Knight Prep (3-Girls, 4-Boys)
• Adult Handbells 6:00-7:00pm

Wednesday, April 9

• HDS ELAC Meeting 8:30am
• Early Release Dismissal at 1:10pm
• 100-Mile Club 1:15-2:00pm
• JV Girls Volleyball Practice 1:30-3:30pm
• JV Flag Football Game 3:00pm

Thursday, April 10

• Mental Health Parent Workshop - Understanding Childhood Behaviors and Disorders 8:45am
• Outdoor Science School - Bus Returns between 11:00am and 12:00pm
• Justice Choir Practice 2:30-3:30pm
• JV Girls Volleyball Game @ HDS MPR 4:00pm
• Varsity Basketball Game vs. iLead @ Marie Kerr Gym (3 - Girls, 3:45 - Boys)
• HDS Presentation at AADUSD Board Meeting (Recognizing Spelling Bee Winners) 7:30pm

• Show your Hawks Pride and Wear Green, Black, and White on Friday!
• Mental Health Parent Workshop - Understanding Childhood Behaviors and Disorders (Spanish) 8:00am
• Spring Spirit Rally 1:30pm
• Robotics Team Meeting 2:30-4:00pm
• HDS Music and Talent Night 6:00pm (Performers arrive at 5:30pm)

Have a great week and Go Hawks!

We need your input! As part of our ongoing commitment to student success, we are asking all parents to complete the LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) Survey. Your feedback directly impacts decisions about school programs, student support services, and funding priorities.

By completing the survey, you help us:
✅ Improve academic programs and interventions
✅ Enhance student well-being and mental health resources
✅ Strengthen school-community partnerships
✅ Ensure all students receive the support they need to thrive

Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by clicking the link below:

LCAP Survey - English

LCAP Survey - Spanish

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. Your input helps us create the best learning environment for our students.

Every year, California students take several statewide tests. When combined with other measures such as grades, class work, and teacher observations, these tests give families and teachers a more complete picture of their child’s learning. You can use the results to identify where your child is doing well and where they might need more support.

Students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Your child will take the following tests, depending on their grade level or instructional program:

• Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts and math, required tests in grades 3–8 and 11 - SBAC Parent Guide

• California Science Test (CAST), a required test in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school - CAST Parent Guide

• Physical Fitness Test (PFT), a required test in grades 5, 7, and 9 - PFT Parent Guide

You are an important part of your child’s education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking tests, you can:

• Explain to your child that these tests are tools to help them learn, and they should not be anxious or scared.

• Explore the practice tests with your child at home so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.

• Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best and are there to help every step of the way. - Smart Start for Parents

Preparation for testing should include:

• Getting a good night’s rest

• Eating a nutritious breakfast each morning

• On-time arrival to school and 100% attendance

• Confidence! Students should go into testing with confidence and do their best at each testing session.

Calling all athletes... Athletic Sweatshirts have arrived and are in stock. Purchase yours today to stay warm and support your team!

The Booster Club plays a critical role in making extracurricular activities happen for our students. If every family donates $20 per student, Booster Club will be able to fund the many events and activities the Booster Club supports. In addition to financial donations, we need parent support through donations of snack bar items and help running the snack bar during home games. These fundraising efforts directly benefit our athletics programs, and this year, funds are being raised to light up our fields for evening events. Flyers are going home today with students for ways to support.

Snack Bar Donation Ideas:

• Regular Size Candy Bars or Packs
• Snack Bags of Chips
• Popcorn Bags
• Sports Drinks
• Water

"Homero has been working tirelessly to complete missing assignments and bring his grades up. He's been very motivated."

~ Mrs. Graff

"Myla always tries her best. She always strives to get an A+ no matter the circumstance."

~ Mrs. Graff

"Adrian has improved his overall focus in all classes. He is also teaching other students how to be more tech savvy. Great work Adrian."

~ Ms. Acuna

"Not only is Darrin regularly polite and helpful, but he went above and beyond by organizing the class Chromecart. Darrin organized them all, then instructed the class which charger went with their computer. Thank you!"

~Mrs. Higdon

"We are so proud of Abraham as he demonstrates what it means to have courage when faced with an academic challenge. Keep it up!"

~Ms. Acuna

• AVID - This year in AVID, we will be focusing on organization, goal setting, and academic achievement with the support of WICOR strategies implemented in all classrooms. This week, the focus is courage.
• SEL - Each week, on Wednesday, our students will be working on soft skills to support their social and emotional development during middle school.

i-Ready Classroom Mathematics is a robust mathematics program designed to help your student become a strong, independent mathematical thinker. Through the Try-Discuss, Connect framework, students deepen their conceptual understanding and collaboratively solve problems. Check out the family center for more information on how to support your child with mathematics from home.

Check out i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Family Center

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

All students must have a new athletic physical and online clearance each school year. To complete the online clearance go to: https://www.homecampus.com/login

• For School - Select Vasquez
• For Sport - Select the sport the applies with MS in the title (ex: MS Volleyball)

You will need to submit the following documents as part of the clearance process:

• Current health insurance card
• Physical (Medical History / Physical / Clearance)

CalHope Mental Health Resources

Digital mental health support for youth, young adults, and families provides free, safe, and confidential mental health support for young people and families across the state with two easy-to-use mobile apps: Brightlife Kids and soluna.

BrightLife - Mental health coaching and resources for parents with kids ages 0-12

Soluna — your space to de-stress, bounce back, and reset. Completely free and confidential for California teens and young adults. Always.

Soluna | California's Mental Health App for 13 - 25-year-olds

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.

Stay up to date on all of the Hawk Happenings throughout the school year. Check out our Yearlong Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year.

Our School is using PBIS Rewards to help us with our PBIS program! PBIS Rewards is a technology-based PBIS Management System that helps us with our behavior incentive program. You can learn about PBIS Rewards at their website (www.pbisrewards.com).

Our students can earn rewards throughout the day by meeting our behavior expectations. These rewards are in the form of electronic points. They can redeem these points for privileges, tangible items, access to events, and other similar things. Our expectation is that we will see overall behavior improve throughout the school and that the number of referrals we have will decrease.

PBIS Rewards has a Family App that will give you some insight into how your child is doing with respect to our PBIS program. The Family App will run on most smart devices, including smartphones and tablets. You can find it in the iPhone/iPad App Store, Google Play, and the Amazon App Store. Just search for "PBIS Rewards Family."

An email has been sent to families to get you set up on the PBIS Rewards Family App. Please access this email from PBIS Rewards if you wish to access your child's progress. If you did not receive an email, please contact Mrs. Van Ornum so she can help get you set up.

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