The Phoenix

Hours: 7:30 AM - 4 PM

Address: 7125 Hambright Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078

Phone: (980) 399-7554

Website: https://aspiretradehs.org/

Email: info@aspiretradehs.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspiretradehighschool?igsh=ejlwbHJ5dmFtaWVh&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspireTradeHighSchool/

• October 6-10: Spirit Week
• October 21: Q1 (40 Days) Ends
• October 29: Senior Meeting (More Info coming soon)
• October 30 - 31: Teacher Workdays
• November 10: Teacher Workday & PreACT (10th Grade Only)
• November 11: Veterans Day

Attention Phoenix families!

Spirit Week Starts Monday : October 6-10

Get ready, Aspire! Spirit Week kicks off this Monday, October 6th, and we're calling on ALL students and staff to show your school pride!

Please view the Spirit dates in the photo.

* Please note sweatpants is ONLY allowed on Pajama Day *

Get ready for a week full of creativity, school spirit, and some pretty amazing student outfits!

Stay warm while you master your craft with our cozy trade school sweatshirts and full zip jackets—now available for purchase!

Pricing:

• Sweatshirts: $17.00
• Full Zip Jackets: $25.00

When & Where:
Stop by the atrium every morning from 7:40 AM - 8:00 AM to grab yours.

⚠️ Supply is extremely limited—don't miss out! ⚠️

Get yours today and rep your school with pride!

We are excited to announce our new 6th Block Elective courses beginning Oct. 21st (the start of 2nd Quarter).

In an effort to add another layer of wellness for our students, we will begin hosting 2 days of Wellness activities (Tue. & Thurs.) and 3 days of fun elective courses chosen by our staff and students (M., W., F.).

These classes will take place during our new board approved, 6th Block Schedule. Each class will be adjusted to 60 minute classes instead of 75 minute classes. This change has allowed time to build in an additional block to offer the elective classes.

Students are excited about this new opportunity and were allowed to choose classes of interest for 2nd quarter. Some of the offerings are: art, jewelry making, fitness, CSI, woodworking, dance, chess, aquatic life, historical mysteries, wilderness training, study hall, photography and our very own version of JROTC; ATC (Aspire Training Corp).

The best part is that these are quarterly courses which allow students to rotate classes each quarter. By the end of the school year students should be able to participate in 3 different electives. In addition, these are pass/fail courses that do not hold a number grade so there is zero pressure, just the expectation for students to show up and enjoy this time of creativity and exploration. All school rules will still apply including the student code of conduct.

Lastly, this new schedule change allows students to have 30 minute lunches instead of 20 minutes, giving them more time to eat and socialize. Rest assured that students will continue to receive top tier training in their core content and trade classes. Our instructors have worked hard to adjust their curriculum so that instructional time is used thoroughly and with intentionality. The overall school day will remain the same with classes beginning at 8am and ending at 2:39pm daily.

Attached is the new schedule for your reference. We are excited to see our students shine in their respective talents and interests.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We would like to share some important upcoming testing information:

• PreACT (10th Grade Only)

• November 10th – Testing Day

• November 12th – Make-up day

• Testing runs from 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Students who finish early may call home to be picked up.

• Attendance: Please make every effort to ensure your student is present, as this test is required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

• School Attendance on PreACT Day:

• Only 10th graders will report to school.

• Students in grades 9, 11, and 12 will stay home (This will not be a remote learning day, as it was already designated as a teacher workday on our school calendar).

Please Note:

We realize that Friday, November 10th is a teacher workday. However:

- 10th grade students taking the Pre-ACT will report to school from 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

- If a student finishes testing early, they may call home to be picked up prior to 12:30.

- All other students in grades 9, 11, and 12 will remain at home.

-Please note: This is not a remote instruction day.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

• ACT (11th Grade Only)

  • March 10, 2026 – ACT Testing Day

  • On this day, 11th graders will be on campus for testing.

  • Students in grades 9, 10, and 12 will complete remote work from home.

  • More details will be provided closer to the test date.

We appreciate your support in helping us ensure a smooth testing experience for all students. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to d.racquer@aspiretradehs.org.

Getting your driver's license is an exciting milestone! While Aspire doesn't offer driver's education on campus, we want to make sure you know about the affordable options available to our students.

Aspire students can take driver's education through their "home" high school - that's the school you would attend based on your address if you were going to a traditional public school. Through Jordan Driving School, the official partner for public school driver's ed, the cost is just $65, which is significantly less expensive than private driving schools.

Flexible Options That Work for You

We know our students have busy schedules, so Jordan Driving School offers several options for the classroom portion of driver's education. In addition to regular school-day classes, they provide Saturday sessions, summer classes, and virtual options. This flexibility means you can complete your driver's education without worrying about schedule conflicts.

The program includes both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel driving lessons, giving you everything you need to become a safe, confident driver.

To get started, visit their website at: https://www.jordandrivingschoolcharlotte.com/index.html

Driver Certificate Of Eligibility

If your student is requesting a Certificate of Eligibility, please allow two weeks for the processing to be completed. You can request a Student Certificate of Eligibility by contacting Rob Racquer at r.racquer@aspiretradehs.org.

Please note that Same-day Certificate will not be provided.

Get ready for a night a dancing, music & fun. On Friday November 7th 6 PM - 8 PM ATHS will be having our signature Homecoming Dance, and the excitement is building!

This year's celebration promises to be our most spectacular yet, featuring our own unique twist on the traditional homecoming experience. Students can look forward to an unforgettable evening complete with:

• Homecoming Court - showcasing our amazing student leaders
• King & Queen Crowning - celebrating our school's finest
• Dancing, music & fun - a night you won't want to miss!

We will be surveying students during lunch next week to get their input to help make this dance truly memorable.

More information coming soon! Keep your eyes peeled for updates in upcoming newsletters and school announcements.

Front Desk & Safety Procedures Reminder

Early Check-Out

• Cut-off time: 2:15 PM
• All early dismissals must be processed before this time
• Please schedule appointments outside school hours when possible

Check-Out Requirements

• Valid, non-expired photo ID required for ALL visitors and check-outs
• Only authorized individuals on student's pickup list may check out students
• Need to add someone? Contact the front office in advance

Student Walkers

• Written parent/guardian permission must be on file with the front office
• Submit updated documentation if walking arrangements change

Questions? Contact the front office to update information or clarify procedures.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe school environment.

Aspire Trade High School

Regular attendance is crucial for your student's success in our trade programs. Unlike traditional classes, our hands-on trade programs require students to be present to learn essential skills. Missing lab time means missing critical experience with equipment and techniques that can't be made up later. Students with good attendance are 5 times more likely to graduate and enter the workforce with the skills employers demand.

Reporting Attendance

Please do not call the school for attendance matters. Instead, kindly email Ms. Lyall at s.lyall@aspiretradehs.org so we have proper documentation.

Help your student build the habits that lead to career success—it starts with showing up every day.

Dress Code Reminder

REQUIRED:

Top: Aspire Trade shirt (must be visible outer layer)

Can wear zip/button jacket with NO hood over trade shirt

Trade shirt must show over sweatshirts, long sleeves, or undershirts

Bottom: Jeans (no holes/tears), dress pants, or cargo pants

Shoes: Closed-toe AND closed-heel shoes only

NOT ALLOWED:

Top: Hooded jackets over trade shirts

Bottom: Shorts, dresses, skirts, sweatpants, athletic pants, leggings, pajama pants, yoga pants

Shoes: Sandals, flip-flops, slides, or any open-toe/open-heel footwear

Non-compliance: Students will need to contact family for appropriate clothing. Repeated violations may result in disciplinary action.

Need more school gear? Contact the front office.

Thank you,

Aspire Trade High School Administration

We are writing to inform you of Aspire Trade High School’s policy regarding access to our campus by immigration enforcement officials.

Unlike traditional public schools operating on public property, Aspire Trade High School is located on privately owned property. As such, federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are required to present a judicial warrant—signed by a judge and specific in its scope—in order to lawfully access our property, staff, or students. We want to assure you that no access will be granted to our facilities or to any student information until our legal counsel has reviewed and verified the validity of all documentation.

This policy is aligned with our obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects the privacy of student education records, and with the guidance provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) concerning the protection and safety of students on school campuses.

Below is an excerpt from our official Parent/Student Handbook that outlines how staff are instructed to respond in such situations:

• Response Protocol for Immigration Enforcement Inquiries:
• School personnel must immediately contact the Executive Director if approached by immigration law enforcement agents.
• Staff must attempt to contact the student’s parent or guardian without delay.
• The Executive Director must take the following steps:
• Request official identification from the agents and retain a photocopy.
• Request and photocopy a judicial warrant; administrative warrants (e.g., ICE Form I-200 or I-205) do not provide lawful grounds for access.
• If no valid warrant is provided, request the basis for the visit, document the interaction, and immediately contact legal counsel.
• Document the names of any students involved and the stated reasons for the inquiry.
• Refrain from disclosing any student information, including class schedules, without legal counsel present.
• Provide agents with a copy of the school's policy and governing resolution.
• Request the agents' contact information and advise them that these steps must be completed prior to any access being granted.

We take seriously our responsibility to protect the rights and safety of all our students. Our staff is trained to follow this protocol to ensure compliance with applicable laws while upholding the dignity and privacy of every student in our care.

Thank you to all of our families who have worked with us to make the start of this school year's bus transportation run smoothly!

We currently have families on the waitlist for bus transportation. If this is a service your family will need, please reach out to Mr. Canel as soon as possible.

For questions or to request bus transportation, contact: Mr. Márlon Canel: m.canel@aspiretradehs.org

Special Education Updates

IEP progress monitoring is underway, and October check-ins are in progress. Please communicate any academic, behavioral, or social-emotional concerns to the EC team as early as possible so we can provide timely support and adjustments.

We are excited to introduce our PTA leaders: Lori Jennings, Lisa Smith, and Tiffany Blythe!

They are excited to get things started for the school year. From fundraisers to holiday events, they have plenty of plans in the works—so keep an eye out for an email from us soon!

If you’d like to join the PTA, you can sign up anytime by emailing your contact information to aspiretradepta@gmail.com

Calling all Aspire Trade High School Students & parents! We need YOUR help to create a magical prom experience that our juniors and seniors will remember for years to come.

Join Our Prom Committee

We're seeking 4-6 dedicated junior and senior parents to assist with planning and executing every detail of this special milestone event. With our close-knit senior class, your involvement will make a real difference in creating something truly memorable!

Committee Details

Next Prom Committee Meeting: October 9th at 6:00 PM via Zoom
Prom Date: April 24, 2026
Venue: Lake Forest Church, Huntersville, NC

Ready to Volunteer?

Contact our coordinators with your student's name to secure your spot:

Madelyn Daggerhart
📧 m.daggerhart@aspiretradehs.org

For Zoom meeting details and additional information, reach out to Madelyn

We're excited to announce that Aspire Trade High School's Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 6th, 2026 at 4:00 PM at Lake Forest Church in Huntersville, NC.

Congratulations in advance to our Class of 2026 – we can't wait to celebrate your success!

Parents and students,

Please remember that all lunch orders are due by Thursday at 11:45 PM each week.

Orders placed on Friday will not be included for the lunch for the up coming week.

All orders must be completed by Thursday.

Our lunch orders for the following week are placed with our lunch providers on Friday morning, so it's important to get your orders in on time to ensure your student receives their meals. Lunch may be conveniently ordered online at foodese.com. If you miss the Thursday 11:45 PM deadline, your student will need to bring lunch from home or purchase from our vending machine.

Thank you for helping us maintain our lunch service schedule!

Attached is the official board approved school calendar that contains all important dates for the academic year. Please review and save for reference.

Need Infinite Campus? Email Mrs. Davi Racquer at d.racquer@aspiretradehs.org

If you have any questions regarding Infinite Campus Parent Portal, please email her directly.

Want to check your student's grades or attendance? Click the button below to log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal:

Jennifer Nichols - Executive Director : j.nichols@aspiretradehs.org

LaFrieeda Busby - Executive Administrator : l.busby@aspiretradehs.org

Davi Racquer - Director of Curriculum & Compliance : d.racquer@aspiretradehs.org

Suzanne Evans - Director of HR & Finance : s.evans@aspiretradehs.org

Martha Sanders - Director of EC : m.sanders@aspiretradehs.org

Rob Racquer - Director of CTE and Facilities : r.racquer@aspiretradehs.org

Iesha Williams - Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor : i.williams@aspiretradehs.org

Saige Lyall - Enrollment and Academic Advisor : s.lyall@aspiretradehs.org

Madeline Mobley - Front Desk : m.mobley@aspiretradehs.org

Márlon Canel - Facilities and Transportation Management : m.canel@aspiretradehs.org