By Jennifer Osborn 

National Signing Day

Helix’s class of 2016 participated in Helix’s first-ever National Signing Day event, which is part of the First Lady’s Reach Higher Initiative. Students who committed to four-year universities were recognized for their accomplishments, much like promising athletes who are recognized when they select their college.

Almost 90 percent of Helix students state plans to attend college following high school, and half of those plan to attend a four-year institution. While not all of those accepted had made a final decision as to where they would attend before the event, 135 students participated in the Signing Day event, committing to 38 different colleges.

School officials announced each school and the names of the students who had committed to that school. The students came forward and signed a certificate in front of a packed house in the Performing Arts Center. Family and friends celebrated with the students after the ceremony. Schools, organizations, community leaders and influencers hosted National Signing Day events all over the country to celebrate graduating seniors, showcase student leaders and inspire more young people to take the first steps on their journey to higher education. According to the Reach Higher Initiative website, education after high school is a critical part of a successful future. College graduates have more opportunities than those who choose not to pursue their education past high school. In fact, according to Georgetown’s Center on Education and Workforce, college graduates are set to make 84 percent more income over their lifetimes than high school graduates.

Spring Sports Season

• The Boys’ Tennis team and the Softball were Grossmont Valley League Champions and participants in the CIF Playoffs.
• The Swim and Dive teams qualified several athletes for the CIF Championships.
• The baseball and track teams are looking forward to competing for a CIF Championship in the coming weeks.

Helix 2.0

The 2016-17 school year will feature an expansion of Helix’s 1:1 program. Through the 1:1 program, students in Helix’s freshman and sophomore classes each will be issued a Chromebook, which will allow teachers to integrate technology into the curriculum and provide all students with access to these resources.

The program is being overseen by a team of teachers and staff members who are working on all aspects of the program, from hardware and software selection, to troubleshooting, assessment, and outcomes. Early in the school year, members of the team visited other schools to observe how they are using their 1:1 program. During the spring term, the entire faculty then participated in a staff development program which entailed every Helix teacher visiting another campus to gather ideas to better integrate technology into their curriculum.

Goals the team has set for next year are to provide a student-run help desk, and to work with community partners to promote the use of technology. If you are interested in being a community partner, please contact me at [email protected]. We’re excited to hear what you have to offer.

Commencement Ceremony

Approximately 500 seniors will graduate from Helix on Thursday, June 2 on Jim Arnaiz Field at Benton Hart Stadium on the Helix campus. A ticket is required for admission, and tickets will be issued to all graduates.

Helix’s offices will be open through the month of June to meet with the families of all students who will attend in 2016-17, then will be closed for the month of July. The first day of the 2016-17 school year is Wednesday, August 3.

—Jennifer Osborn writes on behalf of Helix Charter High School. Reacher at [email protected].