The SOAR Connection

Hello SOAR!

Thank you to our families and caregivers who completed the involvement survey. Please take a few moments to vote to select representatives for our School Site Council. Get involved!

A School Site Council (SSC) is a mandated decision-making and advisory body required for public schools in California. It brings together school staff, parents, community members, and students to oversee school improvement and plan resource allocations.

Core Role & Duties

School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA): Develops, reviews, and annually updates the SPSA to set student achievement goals and direct categorical/supplemental funding (such as Title I).
Budget Oversight: Approves and monitors the expenditure of school site funds to address the specific needs of at-risk and general student populations.
Data Review & Evaluation: Analyzes student performance data, attendance, and discipline records, and conducts annual program evaluations.
District Alignment: Ensures school goals align with the local school district's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

*Taken from the CDE Website

With a H.U.G.,

Dr. Krishna D. Spates
Proud Principal

Dream High. SOAR Higher. #WatchOurStarsSOAR

High Expectations. Unwavering Support. Genuine Belonging. (H.U.G.)

Purchase SOAR Merch

Purchase on line here

SOAR Lancaster Mock Trial Team Makes Their Case and Earns Winning Verdict!

SOAR Lancaster did not come to play! They won their first verdict! We are so proud of their hard work, heart and preparation. Thank you Mrs. Pineda for preparing an incredible team.

Team Draco take 1st Place in the League

SOAR Palmdale's Robotics Team (Draco) takes 1st place in the league! Thank you to their faculty advisor, Ms. Mendez for her heart, time and leadership. Students we are so proud of you! Keep shining ✨

Important Dates

November 4 - AVC Spring Registration opens at 9 am
November 11 - Veterans Day
November 13 (Friday): Monday/Wednesday schedule due to having Veteran’s day during the week
November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break at SOAR High School

November 26-27: Thanksgiving Break at AVC (No college classes)

SOAR Merch

Grab your SOAR Merch! We now accept credit cards for sweatshirt sales. Here's the link for your convenience! There are two color options in sizes XS-2XL, all for $25 each, just make sure to add your name for distribution.

https://soarhighwebstore.myschoolcentral.com/(S(1y1n2vemgp0prxcg3jiqwgre))/Index.aspx#/780506/product/102904

Future Ready Campaign

We are excited to launch our Future Ready: Road to Submit Campaign, which will run from October through December. The campaign is designed to help students take meaningful steps toward their postsecondary goals.

Activities for Seniors:

Road to Submit Promotion: Seniors will receive information and support with completing college applications, the FAFSA, and the California Dream Act Application. I have attached our Road to Submit Flyer checklists that seniors have received. Feel free to post.
In-Class Application Workshops: Counselors will visit AVID 12 classes to provide line-by-line workshops for the FAFSA/CADAA, UC application, and CSU application.
Celebrating Application Submissions: We will recognize seniors as they submit their college applications and celebrate this important milestone so that the whole school can.

Activities for AVID 9, 10 & 11:

Check whether they have a CalKIDS Scholarship and claim their accounts if eligible.
Explore and apply for additional scholarship opportunities.
Ask your student to look for the flyer about CalKIDS in their Grade Level Google Classrooms

Please help us promote these activities, encourage students to participate, and share the campaign information with families. Thank you for supporting our students as they prepare for their futures!

🎓 SOAR Counseling Department Updates

🌐 Stay Connected with SOAR Counseling

Visit the SOAR Counseling Department website for counseling information, college and career resources, workshops, and important updates:

SOAR Counseling Department Website

📚 AVC Spring Registration Update

All SOAR students registered for their Spring AVC classes this past Wednesday.

Students can review their Spring schedule by logging in to myAVC and going to:

Tools → Register → Detailed Class Schedule

We encourage students to check their schedule carefully and continue monitoring their AVC email for any updates or changes.

🎓 Senior College Application Support

SOAR counselors were in AVID 4 classes this week supporting seniors with their college applications.

During these visits, counselors worked with students to complete the Academic History/Academic Information portions of the CSU and UC applications. Seniors should continue working on the remaining sections of their applications. The deadline for both applications is November 30th.

No Soccer Balls on SOAR Lawn

Unfortunately, two windows have been broken on the Gym near the SOAR Lawn. AVC is no longer allowing soccer balls on the SOAR Lawn.

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

Palmale Campus Updates

SOAR Palmdale invites friends and family to attend the Autumn Carnival

You are invited to attend SOAR Palmdale's Autumn Carnival this Thursday from 3:30 to 6pm. Clubs will be hosting free carnival games and selling snacks and items and there will be a Haunted House. There is no entry fee so come spend some time with your friends and support clubs fundraising.

Senior College Applications Extravaganza!

The senior college app extravaganza will take place in AVID 12 classes on November 9th-10th to finalize the non-academic portion of the UC/CSU applications. Thank you Ms. Dawes and Mrs. Bilderback!

Journalism Updates

Journalism News Now!
Yearbook prices are going up! Get yours now while the price is lower so you can capture the memories of today to have with you forever! November price is currently $70. Visit https://tinyurl.com/2f27ep3n and enter school passcode 26741 to purchase your yearbook. Capture the memories today so your student can relive them for a lifetime!

Celebrate Your Senior with a Yearbook Senior Ad! Honor your SOAR Palmdale graduate with a personalized message, cherished photos, and memories that will last a lifetime! Senior ads are available for $100 for a half page or $125 for a full page. Space is limited, and pages are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis once payment is received. Important deadlines: Submit your ad request by January 10, 2027, complete payment by February 5, 2027, and submit photos by February 12, 2027. Don't wait until the deadline, as pages may sell out sooner! Request your senior ad today: https://forms.gle/abFcTgpGgwKwybS17. Help us celebrate the Class of 2027 and create a lasting tribute to your senior's accomplishments!

Senior Ads
- Pricing: $125 (Full Page) | $100 (Half Page)
- How to Reserve: Fill out the https://forms.gle/abFcTgpGgwKwybS17
- Payment: Online, or in person (exact cash/check) at the Accounting Office on Tuesdays/Wednesdays during school hours or on the SOAR Website https://tinyurl.com/45am89xz once you’ve filled out the reservation form.
Order Your Yearbook
- Option 1: Online
- Option 2: In Person

Academic Support

Tutoring is available at SOAR Palmdale in all different ways, both with the AVID teacher conferencing w/students once a week, tutors conferencing w/them every class, and the tutoring available all across campus! Plug into opportunities galore for support and improvement!

College Field Trips

Speaking of opportunities, all of our sophomores and some seniors will have the opportunity to visit Cal State LA & UCLA November 6th! At Cal State LA, SOAR Palmdale alumni Sierra Otero will give the students a tour and provide a Q&A about all the opportunities CSULA provides students. At UCLA, SOAR Palmdale alumni Aliya Russell will also provide a tour and Q&A for students. Both alumni are excited to share opportunities with our students and help them to prepare for next steps of continuing their university journeys!

By Ms. Mercado, SOAR's Educational Social Worker

Our Groups Social Emotional Wellness Groups Have Begun!

VIBE CHECK

An Anxiety Support Group

Big feelings. Real conversations. Tools that help.

Feeling overwhelmed by school, overthinking, or everyday stress? Connect with other students, explore coping skills, and practice ways to manage anxiety in a supportive space.

Lancaster Let's Meet!

THURSDAY SESSIONS

10:15–11:00 AM

November 5, 12 & 19, 2026

December 3, 10 & 17, 2026

Palmdale Let's Meet!

TUESDAY SESSIONS

During lunch • 12:10–12:40 PM

TUESDAY SESSIONS

Tuesdays • 10:15–11:00 AM

November 10 & 17, 2026

December 1, 8 & 15, 2026

LOCATION: S7

Facilitated by
Ms. Mercado

Come as you are. ♡

Email Ms. Mercado for details: amercado@avhsd.org

Know Your Student & Notice Changes

Teenagers naturally experience changes in mood and behavior. What can be especially important is noticing significant, persistent, or concerning changes from what’s typical for your student, such as:

Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they enjoy
Significant changes in sleep, eating, mood, or school functioning
Increased sadness, anxiety, irritability, anger, or hopelessness
Talking about feeling trapped, hopeless, or like a burden
Talking about self-harm, death, wanting to die, or suicide

One sign alone doesn’t necessarily mean a student is experiencing a crisis, but changes are an opportunity to check in.

If You’re Student Tells You They’re Struggling

Stay calm and listen. Thank them for trusting you and take what they share seriously
Ask about safety. If you’re concerned about suicide, it is okay to ask them directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Asking directly does not put the idea into someone’s head.
Connect them with support. Reach out to an appropriate school mental health professional, healthcare provider, or mental health professional. Continue checking in even after your student begins receiving support.

If There Are Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide

Don’t dismiss or minimize what they are experiencing. Stay with them, seek professional support, and reduce access to potentially dangerous items. If you’re student is thinking about suicide, has a plan or access to a way to harm themselves, cannot stay safe or you are unsure about the level of danger, call or text 988 for immediate crisis support. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. The Behavioral Health Urgent Care Clinic (BHUCC) in Lancaster is also an additional resource families have if their student is experiencing suicidal thoughts. They can also help link families up with additional mental health support such as therapy.

Family Reminder

Students need to know that struggling does not make them a burden and asking for help does not make them weak. Our response when they reach out can help make it easier for them to reach out again. A response such as: “Thank you for telling me. I’m here with you, and we’re going to find the support you need” can go a long way.

Support is Available

988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or a mental health/suicide crisis.
California Youth Crisis Line: Call or Text 1-800-843-5200 for 24/7 crisis support and resource referrals for California youth and young adults age 13-24 and their families
The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 for 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-24.
Crisis Text Line: text HOME or HOLA to 741741 to receive 24/7 text-based support with a trained crisis counselor

Additional Resources

Soluna App: A free and confidential mental health app that can be downloaded onto your phone for California youth and young adults ages 13-25. Students can access 1:1 coaching 24/7 with a trained counselor, self-guided wellness tools, moderate peer support, and get help connecting to additional mental health resources. *SOLUNA IS NOT A CRISIS SERVICE*
TimelyCare: A virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7 for AVC students. Students get additional support for common health issues such as the cold, flu, and allergies, 24/7, on demand emotional support to talk about anything including anxiety, depression, relationships, and school-related stressors, scheduled counseling, basic needs support like housing assistance, food assistance, transit support, access to self-care content, and connect with a peer community.
Kaiser Permanente’s Mental Health Line: 661-951-0070 to be connected to therapy

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