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!

🎉 Let’s Finish the Year Strong – Anchored in Achievement! ⚓

As we sail into the final month of school, now’s the time to stay focused and finish strong! Here’s how students can wrap up the year on a high note:

✅ Check Aeries
Encourage your student to complete missing work and bring up those grades. Report card grades continue through the last week!

📆 Show Up Daily
On-time, daily attendance is key to learning and participating in the amazing lessons our teachers have planned. Let’s make every day count!

🌟 Make Great Choices
Positive behavior helps students stay eligible for all the fun end-of-year activities. Let’s finish the year with strong effort and even stronger character!

📱 Think Before You Post
Parents, please remind your student not to participate in harmful social media trends—especially those on TikTok that involve vandalism or destruction of school property. These actions lead to serious consequences and take away from the positive, respectful environment we all work hard to create.

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
• Track and Field

Monday, May 12

• CAASPP Testing - Science
• 6th Grade Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
• 100-Mile Club 2:20-3:00pm
• Track Practice 2:30-3:30pm

Tuesday, May 13

• CAASPP Testing - Math
• Project 2 Inspire Virtual Parent Workshop 9:00am
• Spirit Squad Practice at 5/6th Lunch
• School Site Council 2:30-3:30pm
• 7/8th Handbells 2:30-3:15pm
• Track and Field Practice 2:30-3:30pm
• Adult Handbells 6:00-7:00pm

Wednesday, May 14

• Early Release Dismissal at 1:10pm
• 100-Mile Club 1:15-2:00pm
• JV Volleyball Celebration 1:30-3:30pm
• Immunization Clinic 2:00-4:00pm in MPR

Thursday, May 15

• CAASPP Testing - English
• Parent Empowerment Workshop 8:30am
• Justice Choir Practice 2:30-3:30pm
• Track and Field Meet at Knight High School 3:00-5:00pm

• Show your Hawks Pride and Wear Green, Black, and White on Friday!
• Career Day - Minimum Day - Dismissal 12:05pm
• Robotics Team Meeting 12:15-2:15pm

Have a great week and Go Hawks!

Fieldtrip permission slips are being sent home on Monday, May 12th for all 6th graders to attend the 6th grade DryTown Fieldtrip on June 3rd. Fieldtrip forms and ticket payment are due by May 29th.

To Attend:

• Sign and return the Fieldtrip Permission Slip with $20 for the Entrance Ticket
• Sign and return the Dry Town Water Park Trip Guidelines

Any questions, please contact Mr. Rowland at lrowland@aadusd.k12.ca.us

Fieldtrip permission slips were sent home on Thursday, May 1st for all 8th graders. To attend the 8th grade Magic Mountain fieldtrip on the last day of school, June 6th.

For tickets:

• Students may use their season pass and indicate that they have a season pass on the fieldtrip form.
• Or, students may purchase a ticket online and provide a copy of it attached to the fieldtrip form.

Permission slips are due May 16, 2025.

This past week, our amazing counseling team gave Reducing Testing Anxiety presentations to each of our AVID classes. They spoke with students about ways to prepare for and relax during testing. They also provided them with strategies to stay focused. Our goal is to support students with doing their best on all assessments.

AADUSD honored HDS Staff at the School Board Meeting on May 8th. Each school was asked to select staff members to recognize this year, the inaugural year of what will likely become an annual recognition event.

"To the incredible staff of High Desert School—thank you for the dedication, care, and tireless effort you bring to our campus each and every day. Whether you're guiding students in the classroom, supporting them behind the scenes, or creating a safe and welcoming environment, your impact is felt in every corner of our school. You are the steady hands and open hearts that keep our students anchored in achievement. What sets you apart is not just your commitment to excellence, but the deep love you show—for your work, for one another, and most of all, for our students. Together, you’ve built more than a school—you’ve built a family. Thank you for making High Desert soar. We are proud to be part of this Hawks Family."

~ Mrs. Van Ornum, Principal

HDS 2025 Honorees:

• Odalis Lomeli-Lovo - Special Education Instructional Aide
• Chelsea LoBello - Library Aide
• Janet Olson - Special Education Instructional Aide
• Juan Hernandez - Maintenance
• Maria Gonzalez - Custodian
• Heather Campbell - School Secretary
• Monique Ortiz - Office Clerk
• Zuly Quezada - School Counselor
• Gina Botton - Teacher
• Nicole Acuña - Teacher
• Arcelia Reveles - Teacher
• Denise Seymour - Teacher
• Larry Rowland - Teacher

Anchored in Achievement, this year’s yearbook is packed with memories you won’t want to miss! From splashy spirit days to wave-making wins, our ASB/Yearbook crew has captured it all. Huge congratulations to the class on completing this epic voyage, and a special thank you to Mrs. Goodstein for steering the ship with creativity and dedication! Dive into this year’s book before it sails away—the deadline to purchase online is May 15th! After that, it’s $40 cash only while supplies last. Don’t miss the boat! ⛵📘

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.

Don’t miss the last chance to purchase the unforgettable 8th Grade Panoramic Photo—a memory to last a lifetime as we celebrate our students being Anchored in Achievement! This fun and meaningful keepsake captures your student’s final year at High Desert School. Order today at www.shopstudio1.com, enter the school code H621, and click on "2024-2025 Panoramic".

Sail fast—before this opportunity drifts away!

Go Hawks!

8th Grade T-shirts are in and they are selling out quickly. Purchase yours today and have a memory to wear forever.

Cost $25

Get yours now while supplies last!

"Mr. Jordan has really stepped up in second semester filling the roles of RSP for both 5/6th and 7/8th. He rose to the challenge and has maintained a positive attitude throughout. His diligent work and attention to detail has ensured that we met timelines while supporting teachers and students. We are grateful for his support this school year."

~HDS Staff

"Drue has shown a lot of leadership qualities this past semester. Specifically in supporting the 4th Grade Roadshow. He served as a leader, took the role seriously, and ensured that the 4th Graders had a great time at HDS."

~ Mrs. Goodstein

Congratulations to Mrs. Denise Seymour for earning her Masters Degree in Teaching from the University of Massachusetts Global. She has been working hard the past two years to complete her Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential and her Masters Degree all while teaching full time and raising her family! We are so grateful for her example of pursuing higher education and commitment to working with our students to help them reach their highest potential!

• 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 testing prep.
• 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

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

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