By Jennifer Osborn 

Helix helping Helix

Helix just began its annual food drive to assist 15 Helix families who are most in need. All donations will be given to the families during finals week in December. Students and staff members will be donating food, and staff will contribute money for gift cards. We welcome our community to participate. Anyone interested in contributing to this cause should email Helix social worker Danielle Yee at [email protected]

Student Empowerment Club

The Student Empowerment Club hosted the Fall Clean Up Day on campus on Saturday, Nov. 19. Approximately 50 students participated, working on general projects to tidy up the campus. Students earned community service hours to put toward the 40 hours required for graduation.

New technology course

The Technology Department will pilot a new class called MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) starting in January. We are hoping to align more with industry standards and are hoping to grow pathways from this new class.

Helix already has an after school program for those interested in Engineering, Architecture and Construction (ACE). In this program, students learn elements of all three areas, and create a model of an actual structure, using the principles learned. They then participate in an event with other ACE programs from around the county where each school showcases their project. Helix students consistently earn scholarships and cash awards at the event each year.

The new MESA course and the ACE program continues Helix’s efforts to prepare students for life after graduation.

Helix Girls and Boys Golf programs

The Helix Girls and Boys Golf Programs are selling discounted ($15 off the regular price), single day admission tickets to the PGA Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course, which will take place Jan. 25–29, 2017. Tickets are $35 each, with $25 from each ticket sold going back to the Helix Golf Programs. The money raised will be used to support equipment and operating costs. Contact Frank Theroux at [email protected]

2017-18 enrollment

Enrollment for the 2017-18 school year is rapidly approaching. Families interested in enrolling their incoming ninth grader, or new students grades 10–12, will need to attend an upcoming Intent to Enroll meeting in order to be considered for enrollment. The following are the scheduled dates and locations (all are on Wednesdays):

• Jan. 11, 6 p.m. – Helix Charter High School
• Jan. 18, 6 p.m. – Vista La Mesa Academy
• Jan. 25, 6 p.m. – Lemon Grove Academy
• Feb. 1, 6 p.m. – Parkway Middle School
• Feb. 8, 6 p.m. – La Mesa Arts Academy
• Feb. 15, 6 p.m. – Mount Vernon Academy
• Feb. 22, 6 p.m. – Helix Charter High School

More details regarding the enrollment process are in the works – we anticipate having this information finalized by early January. When information is available, it will be found on the school website, helixcharter.net (click on “Entrance Boundary/Lottery Information” on the left side of the page).

If you are interested in finding out more about Helix Charter High School, please attend one of our Excellence in Education Tours, held twice monthly. The tours for January are the Jan. 5 at 8:10 a.m. and Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. Reserve your spot using our website, helixcharter.net.

As always, we welcome your input. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected].

—Jennifer Osborn writes on behalf of Helix Charter High School.