ASPIRE: DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

December has arrived and with it comes a month full of celebration, reflection, and winter cheer! From final-week programming to exciting campus updates, we are wrapping up the year with gratitude and looking forward to the adventures ahead.

As we head into the holiday season and prepare for Winter Break, we want to extend our warmest wishes to all our students, families, and staff. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the entire ASPIRE team! 🎉✨

Thank you for being part of the Helix ASPIRE community; your energy, commitment, and spirit make this program shine. We are grateful for you! 💚💚

The ASPIRE program is our Before-and-After School programming here at Helix Charter High School. This is a federally-funded ASSETS (After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens) Grant that we receive through San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). We are a part of consortium with SD County where dozens of schools receive this federal funding through the SDCOE. We receive nearly $240,000 annually to support our students with academic, athletic and enrichment programs!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How can I register?

No need to register, show up and attend!

Is this mandatory?

No! You can attend as many programs as you want

Why do you take attendance?

We take attendance because this is an "attendance-based" grant. When we show that our programs have many students attending, we are selected to receive this money in future years.

Can I change programs?

Yes, you can come and go from programs. You can arrive late and leave early if you need to.

What if a program is full?

All programs will accept you! If there are too many students, we will change locations and/or offer more days of the program.

Can students start programs?

Programs are proposed and offered by staff. Helix Students can start clubs. This can be done through ASB.

What if I don't see a program that I have seen in the past?

Programs change frequently. You will probably see that program again in the future.

If you have questions, feel free to email ASPIRE Coordinator, Ms. Markey -- markey@helixcharter.net

Big things are happening with ASPIRE. Check out the latest schedule changes.

🏊 SWIM and STROKE INSTRUCTION

Make a splash starting Tuesday, 12/2/25! Join us Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:15am-8:00am at the Swimming Pool. Don’t forget your goggles!

📣 Helix has Staff Development on Wednesday, 12/10/25.

📆 Because of the Adjusted Bell Schedule for Staff Development, ASPIRE will follow a special schedule on Wednesday, 12/10/25.

• All AM programs will run as usual.
• The AM DEN will run as usual.
• The PM DEN will run from 1:30pm-3:30pm in Room 1340 and 1350 if needed.
• The PM programs will follow a special schedule.
• Checkout the updated afternoon schedule below.

Make sure to plan ahead and join us for ASPIRE! 💚

Due to Fall Semester 2 Finals, our final week of ASPIRE will run from Monday, 12/8/25 through Friday, 12/12/25.

Make sure to swing by, finish strong, and soak up all the winter vibes while you can! ⛄🧣

Good luck on finals, Scotties! You've got this! 💚🐾📚

See you in January for the Spring 2026 ASPIRE programs! ✨

Heads up, Scotties! There will be NO ASPIRE programs running from Monday, 12/15/25 – Friday, 1/9/26, as we head into winter break.

Take this time to enjoy the holiday season with your families, recharge, relax, and come back refreshed! 🎄⛄🎁

We cannot wait to see you again, ASPIRE returns on Monday, 1/12/26 with both returning favorites and brand-new programs!

Keep an eye out for updated schedules… exciting things are coming!

Helix is blooming with excitement, literally! A huge thank you to the Helix Water District for generously awarding our school a grant to help bring a brand-new native garden to campus. This beautiful addition will not only brighten our grounds but also support local ecosystems and provide hands-on learning opportunities for students across programs.

Our ASPIRE Gardening Program is thrilled to team up with the Science Department and our Sustainability Pathway to bring this project from seed to sprout. Together, they will be creating a space that celebrates native plants, water-wise landscaping, and student-powered sustainability.

A special shout-out goes to program supervisors Deborah Naranjo and Cecilia Naranjo, whose leadership helps our garden grow stronger every day. And of course, thank you to the amazing Helix students who participate in ASPIRE Gardening! 🌱♻️

With teamwork, creativity, and a little help from Mother Nature, we cannot wait to watch this garden flourish. Stay tuned for planting days, progress updates, and opportunities to get your hands in the soil! 🌿✨

November whisked the Helix campers off to the wide-open beauty of the Anza Borrego Desert, where they set up at the cozy and well-shaded Tamarisk Grove Campground. Sure, the days were warm, but with some smart planning and plenty of shade, they stayed cool and comfortable. Nights were perfectly pleasant, ideal for stargazing and campfire hangs. 🔭✨

Saturday kicked off with one of Anza Borrego’s most iconic adventures: the Slot hike. Twisting rock walls, narrow passages, and tons of laughter made it a perfect way to start the day. Afterward, they traded sandstone for studio space at the Borrego Art Institute, exploring local creativity and enjoying the AC.

As the sun began its evening show, they headed to Fonts Point, and wow! The sweeping overlook of the badlands gave them a sunset straight out of a postcard.

But one of the true highlights? Gathering around the campfire while Jun strummed guitar and everyone sang along. Good music, good friends, good vibes, the perfect way to end each night.

What a fantastic group of students to explore with. Here is to more adventures ahead! 🔥🎸

Here is the Fall Term ASPIRE Schedule. Program times, locations, offerings MAY be subject to change. Please visit the ASPIRE Website or click on the image below to have the most up-to-date-information.

The ASPIRE DEN is an academic space where students can get support! Students can come in to study, test prep, test, write a formal essay/timed writing, and remediate.

The DEN will be staffed by Credentialed Teachers and Academic Coaches.

DEN Hours

Monday - Thursday

7:15am - 8:15am

3:45pm - 5:15pm

Free Before and After School Programming for Helix Charter High School Students

Email: helixaspire@helixcharter.net
Website: https://www.helixcharter.net/student-life/aspire
Location: 4200 Lowell Street, La Mesa, CA, USA
Phone: (619) 644-1940

ASPIRE is our before and after school programming here at Helix Charter High School. This is a federally funded grant program (ASSETS Grant) that we receive through the San Diego County Office of Education. In the Spring of 2023, we were approved for five more year of funding for our students. Helix is fortunate to be included in this grant because it allows us to offer students incredible programming, all free to Helix students!