The SOAR Connection

Hello SOAR!

As progress reports come out, I find myself thinking about two things: productive struggle and motivation.

SOAR is intentionally rigorous. Our students are taking high school and college courses, and sometimes they are going to struggle. That does not mean they are failing. It does not mean they do not belong here. In advanced learning, there should be moments when students have to wrestle with something, ask for help, change a strategy, recover from a disappointing grade, and try again.

Excellence is not perfection.

But I am also beginning to wonder about something else: Whose goal is this?

Is the student motivated to be at SOAR because this is the experience they want? Or are they working to stay because the adults who love them believe this is the best path for them? As a parent, I understand the difference is not always easy to see. I have pushed, encouraged, cajoled, incentivized, and probably pushed too hard at times because I could see possibilities for my children that they could not yet see for themselves.

I remember watching my son, a gifted Creative and Artist, complete the work for an AP Art course and then not turn it in. He is also a perfectionist. I was frantic. In my mind, I could see college opportunities disappearing, and I could not understand why he would seemingly sabotage himself when the work was already finished.

He also has a 504 Plan and has had to learn how to navigate a medical condition while being a college student. That has required him to advocate for himself, communicate with professors, work with doctors, adjust routines, research his condition, and figure out what helps him be successful. Those are skills I could never have simply handed to him. He had to learn them through experience. He is attending school full-time, working part-time, enjoying his college experience, and continuing toward his degree. Today, he is in his fourth year at Sacramento State. His degree may take five years, or five and a half. And guess what? He is okay. I am confident he will earn it.

That experience has caused me to reflect on the difference between supporting our children through struggle and trying to control the outcome of their journey.

Sometimes what looks like procrastination, avoidance, or even self-sabotage may be worth a deeper conversation. Is perfectionism getting in the way? Are they afraid to disappoint us? Are they pursuing a goal that is genuinely theirs? Are they taking a particular course because they want the challenge, or because we believe they should? Do they want to be at SOAR, or would they thrive differently at their home high school?

Those are not easy questions, but they are important ones.

SOAR is an incredible opportunity. I believe deeply in this program. And SOAR is one pathway, not the only pathway. Our comprehensive high schools offer strong programs, extracurricular experiences, and opportunities for students to take college courses while moving at a pace that may better fit their goals.

If your student is struggling in a course or two but remains motivated, engaged, and willing to seek support, struggle may simply be part of the learning. Give them the opportunity to work through it.

And when support is needed, we expect students to use it. On Monday, I will send our D/F and no-tutoring list. Students have multiple opportunities for in-person academic support through faculty office hours, SOAR tutoring, AVID tutors, AVID Tutorials with college students, and live tutoring through Tutor.com.

As you review progress reports, I encourage you to look beyond the letter grade. Ask about the struggle. Ask about the plan. And perhaps most importantly, ask about the motivation. Our goal is not to raise children who never struggle. It is to help young people learn who they are, what they need, what they want, how to advocate for themselves, and what to do when the path becomes difficult.

With a HUG,

Dr. Krishna D. Spates
Proud Principal

Dream High. SOAR Higher. #WatchOurStarsSOAR

High Expectations. Unwavering Support. Genuine Belonging. (HUG)

Stay Connected with SOAR Counseling

Families are encouraged to visit the SOAR Counseling Department website throughout the year for counseling information, college and career resources, upcoming events, workshops, and important updates:

Visit the SOAR Counseling Department Website

🚗 Future Ready: Road to Submit

October kicks off our Future Ready: Road to Submit Campaign! Throughout October–December, the SOAR Counseling Department will help students take important steps toward college, financial aid, and future planning.

For our seniors, we will be:

• 💰 Providing classroom workshops to help students complete the FAFSA/CADAA

• 🎓 Providing UC and CSU college application workshops

• 📝 Promoting college applications through UC Admissions, Cal State Apply, Common App, and the Common Black College Application

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Hosting our Virtual Senior Parent Information Night (October 6th). Check out the recording and presentation on our website!

• 🎉 Celebrating seniors as they submit their college applications

For our 9th–11th grade students, we will encourage students and families to:

• 💵 Check to see if they have a CalKIDS Scholarship account and claim available funds

• 🔎 Begin exploring and applying for additional scholarship opportunities

Our goal is to help students move from planning to submitting while making sure they have the information and support they need along the way. It’s time to get on the Road to Submit!

Please check out the Road to Submit checklist flyer for seniors and our CalKIDS flyer!

Senior Ads: Celebrate your graduating senior with a special yearbook tribute! Families can reserve a page in the yearbook to honor their senior’s achievements, memories, and journey through high school. Click on the QR code and a yearbook staff member will be in contact. A full page ad is $150 and a half page ad is $135. Please contact Mrs. Jefferson at sjefferson@avhsd.org for more information or https://bit.ly/soar2027seniorads

Yearbooks are currently on sale! This year is SOAR’s 20th anniversary so grab a copy before they sell out! You can purchase online at https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1642294/SOAR-High-School/ or reserve a copy for just $5 to lock in current pricing. Pay off the balance in May when books arrive. Remember, no cancellations or refunds. All sales are final.

Year-Round Pricing

• Sept: $60 [PRICE No longer available]
• Oct/Nov: $65
• Dec: $70
• Jan/Feb: $75

• Purchase the Palmdale SOAR Yearbook: https://yearbookordercenter.com | Código: 26741
• SOAR High School Website
• SOAR High School on Facebook
• Bell Schedules
• The Counseling Department
• SOARing Through the Stars | Palmdale Campus Student Updates & News
• TheSOARce | Lancaster Campus Student Updates & News

Seniors: College Application Links

Four of the most commonly used college application platforms for our students are:

• UC Application – Used to apply to University of California (UC) campuses.

• Cal State Apply – Used to apply to California State University (CSU) campuses.

• Common App – Used by more than 1,100 participating colleges and universities across the country and internationally.

• Common Black College Application – CBCA allows students to apply to multiple participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through one application.

⭐ Fee Waiver: Common Black College Application
AVUHSD has received an application fee waiver code for students using the Common Black College Application. Students can enter the following code when completing their application:

Fee Waiver Code: AVUH27

Ms. Graves, Ms. Mercado, Ms. Bell, Mrs. Forbes, Mrs. Jefferson and AI (graphics and thought-partner for Principal's message)

Week 1 | Semana 1: https://app.smore.com/n/jyfe3

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