Save The Date!

• Linked HTeX 25-26 Calendar

• Feb. 4th Jog A Thon: 8:45am-11:15am at HTeX Playground 

  • 8:45-9:45 TK, K, 1st

  • 9:45-10:45 2nd-3rd

  • 10:45-11:45 4th-5th

• Feb. 9-12 Scholastic Book Fair (details below)

• Feb. 13 & 16 No School - Observance of Presidents Day (Students Return Feb. 17)

• Feb. 17-Mar. 6 Winter MAP Testing for Grades 2-5

Hello Explorer Families,

We are in a time of sickness right now, and we know many households are feeling it. Across San Diego, we are seeing higher rates of flu, colds, and other respiratory illnesses. We want to say this clearly: we deeply care about the health and well being of you and your children.

We appreciate families being thoughtful and cautious when students are truly sick. Following public health guidance helps keep everyone safe. The CDC recommends that students stay home when they have:
• A fever of 100.4°F or higher and until they are fever free for 24 hours without medication
• Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours
• Symptoms that make it difficult to participate in school, such as needing to rest for long periods of the day, struggling to stay awake, or having frequent coughing that is constant, worsening, or requires repeated removal from class

To be clear, a mild or occasional cough, runny nose, or general tiredness alone does not require staying home if your child can participate in learning, eat, play, and engage with others.

When students are feeling well enough to participate and are not within the stay home guidelines, we encourage them to attend school. Learning at Explorer is hands on and collaborative, and projects, group work, and relationship building are happening every day. These experiences are hard to recreate when students are absent.

Our goal is balance: protecting health while also supporting consistency, connection, and growth. We are grateful for your partnership and communication as we move through this season together.

If you are ever unsure whether your child should attend, please reach out. We are always happy to help you think it through.

In partnership,
Brian

Greetings, High Tech High Family,

At High Tech High, our mission is to ensure that every student is well-known and that our schools remain safe, welcoming havens where learning is the priority. We are writing to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting all students and families, regardless of immigration status, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or mental or physical ability.

As we enter 2026, we recognize the heightened anxiety caused by the increase in immigration enforcement. While HTH has had protections in place since 2017, with updated safeguards in early 2025, California has enacted groundbreaking laws to strengthen the "Safe Haven" protections of our campuses. Below is an update on how we are implementing these laws and the specific protocols HTH has in place to ensure your family’s safety.

New California Protections for 2026

Governor Newsom recently signed a series of bills that provide mandatory protections for all California public schools:

• California Safe Haven Schools Act (AB 49): Effective January 1, 2026, school employees are strictly prohibited from allowing immigration enforcement officers into nonpublic areas of our campus (such as classrooms or offices) unless they provide a valid judicial warrant issued by a judge.

• The SAFE Act (SB 98): We are now legally required to immediately notify all students, parents, and staff if the presence of immigration enforcement is confirmed on any HTH campus.

• Family Preparedness Plan Act (AB 495): This law encourages and empowers families to nominate a temporary guardian or caregiver to care for their children in the devastating event a parent is detained or deported, ensuring your child remains in a stable and familiar environment. We are asking that you please update this information in Powerschool. If you do not know how, please contact your student’s school’s site manager. 

Our Protocol: Responding to Immigration Enforcement

High Tech High maintains a strict "Closed Campus" policy. If an immigration agent arrives at an HTH site, our staff is trained to follow these immediate steps:

1. Immediate Notification: The staff member will immediately notify their School Director and/or Dean, who will alert the CEO and General Counsel.

2. Identification Check: Per AB 49, HTH staff will request valid identification from the officer.

3. Warrant Review: Officers will be asked to wait off-site, while their warrant is scanned and sent to our General Counsel, to determine if it is a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge. Administrative warrants issued by an agency do not grant access to HTH facilities.

4. No Voluntary Assistance: HTH does not assist with federal immigration enforcement. Without a verified judicial warrant or court order, agents are not permitted to enter campus or speak with any student or staff member.

Privacy and Student Records

We take the confidentiality of your information seriously:

• No Citizenship Data: HTH does not ask for or maintain records regarding student or family citizenship status.

• No Social Security Numbers: We do not require Social Security numbers for enrollment. For meal program forms, families only need to provide the last four digits of an SSN or check the "No SSN" box.

• Data Protection: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we will not share student records with immigration officials without a parent's written consent or a valid judicial warrant.

Family Resources and Preparedness

We encourage all families to take proactive steps to ensure their emergency plans are up to date:

• Update Emergency Contact Information: Ensure your child’s emergency contact information is current in PowerSchool. Nominate a trusted adult who is authorized to care for your child if you are unavailable.

• Support Apps: We recommend using tools like "Know Your Rights 4 Immigrants" and California Rapid Response Networks (a crowdsourced platform for reporting enforcement activity).

• Mental Health Support: If your student is experiencing anxiety or needs support, please reach out to your School Director. Our mental health team and staff are ready to provide resources to support your family’s wellbeing.

• HTH Safe Zone Website: Resources are available on each school’s website under the HTH Safe Zone page, which can be accessed here. 

HTH remains a proud Safe Zone. We will continue to maintain gender-inclusive restrooms, teach inclusive curricula, and build the strong relationships that define our community. Every child has a constitutional right to a safe, peaceful education, and we are honored to stand with you in protecting that right.

Sincerely,

Diana Cornejo-Sanchez, Ed.D. 

CEO, High Tech High Schools

Parent-Friendly Mental & Behavioral Health Community-Based Resources:

• Virtual Wellness Center – SDCOE (interactive)

• Mental Health Resources - SDCOE (informational)

• SDCOE, Rady Children's Hospital Partner on Webinar Series for Parents Around Student Mental Health (pre-recorded webinar series)

• NAMI Basics (virtual workshop)

• Family-to-Family (support group/classes)

• Father2Child (support group/classes)

• CalHope (CA initiatives/resources)

Establish a Strong Home-School Connection

• Attend school events like Exhibition and Student-Led Conferences (SLCs): These events provide crucial information about your child's learning and school community.

• Communicate Regularly with Teachers: Maintain open communication with your child's teacher. Share any concerns or questions promptly.

Foster Positive Behaviors at Home

• Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine: Ensure your child gets enough sleep for optimal focus and learning.

• Encourage Healthy Habits: Promote a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient water intake for overall well-being.

Build Your Child's Confidence and Skills

• Read Together Regularly: Share the joy of reading and build literacy skills.Plan a trip to your local library!

• Teach Organizational Skills: Help your child develop time management and planning abilities. Teach your child about strategies that have been supportive for you.

• Encourage Problem-Solving: Foster critical thinking and independence. You can help develop these skills by providing time for your child attempt to solve problems independently before completing a task for them.

Get Involved in the School Community

• Volunteer at School: Contribute your time and skills to support school activities.

• Stay Informed: Look out for communication via emails from your child’s teachers, family newsletters, and Konstella.

By following these tips, you can create a supportive environment that helps your child thrive in school.

To learn more about supporting your student’s learning and development, please visit these additional resources:

https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/browse-by-topic

https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/category/parenting/

https://www.understood.org/

HTH Admissions: Spread The Word!

Chaperoning Field Trips - Please...

We deeply appreciate your generosity in volunteering as a chaperone on our field experiences! Please follow the following guidelines:

• Make sure you are cleared to drive on PowerSchool

• Abide by High Tech Chaperone guidelines. This is an academic trip, but also have fun!

• Please make sure student medication and/or epipens are brought while on the trip and are kept with the student's parent or staff member in their group

• No siblings or additional adults allowed without prior approval

• Chaperones are not to buy students extra items (souvenirs etc.)

  • We ask this because if some groups get one experience but not all groups, it’s not equitable

• DO NOT TAKE AND POST PHOTOS OF STUDENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

  • You may send your student’s teacher or other classroom teacher photos

• DO NOT LEAVE FIELD TRIP PROPERTY WITHOUT CHECKING IN WITH HTEX STAFF

Quiet Recess Volunteers

Calling All High Tech Families!!

I hope this message finds you well. As we strive to create a fun and engaging school environment for our students, we are excited to extend an invitation for our students adults to volunteer during recess.

Recess is a crucial time for our students to unwind, socialize, and engage in playful activities. Your presence during this time can make a significant difference in enhancing their overall school experience. Some of our student population has messaged to us that being outside for recess can be overstimulating. We would like to offer our parent volunteers a chance to come in and support those students. Our goal is to keep all students engaged in an activity that meets their individual needs. 

If you're interested in volunteering, please sign up for a specific date and time using this form. We appreciate any time you can contribute.. Our kids love consistency, and we would appreciate a recurring schedule. However, if you have a limited schedule and want to help, we can discuss those opportunities on a case-by-case basis. 

Thank you for considering this opportunity to be involved in your child's school life. Your support is instrumental in creating a positive and enjoyable school environment.

Thanks kindly,

Mr. Brian

Copyright © High Tech Elementary Explorer. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
2230 Truxton Rd San Diego CA 92106

Questions?
Email us at htexpacommunications@gmail.com