Dear HTeX Community,

Happy February! One of HTeX’s vision statements is to create an environment where the diversity and cultural backgrounds of our students and families are appreciated and represented in our daily curriculum. We strive to acknowledge the important and significant contributions made by all people. As part of our vision for this month, HTeX has been proudly celebrating Black History Month through our school wide commitment to ensure meaningful integration in every classroom and during our HTeX community meeting. Students have engaged in lessons, presentations to other classrooms, discussions, and activities that highlight the achievements, history, and contributions of Black leaders, artists, scientists, and changemakers.

We invite you to connect with your student and teacher on these powerful moments of learning and celebration. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home by exploring books, historical figures, and the rich culture and heritage of the Black community. Thank you for your support in fostering an inclusive and inspiring learning environment for all!

Big love and appreciation for our Parent Association for a joyous Book Fair!

With appreciation,

Dr. Melissa

Student leaders, Addison, Mai, Savannah, and Ms. Destiny doing a read aloud in celebration of Black History Month in the February HTeX Community Meeting via Zoom due to the rain. The book is titled The Year We Learned to Fly

by Jacqueline Woodson

5th grade student, Sabine, student presentation and co-facilitating a staff meeting with 4th grade teacher Ms. Tavin on why we celebrate Black History Month.

Please mark your calendars for the following important dates:

• Fri, Feb 14 & Mon, Feb. 17: No School - Presidents Day Holiday

• Feb. 19th: HTeX 4th & 5th Grade Parent Info Session to HTM/HTMMA 1:15-2:15

• Fri, Feb. 28: Progress Reports Sent Home

• Mon, Mar. 3 - Thurs, Mar. 6: Student Led Conferences - Minimum Day Dismissal at 12:45pm

• Fri, Mar. 7: No School due to HTH All Staff Day

• Wed, Mar. 26: Full Day Dismissal at 2:45pm

• Fri, Mar. 28: Minimum Day Dismissal at 12:45pm

• Mar. 31 - Apr. 14: Spring Break

• Tues, Apr. 15: Students Return to School

• How to Celebrate Black History Month with Kids

• The Black Families' Guide for Talking About Racism

• White parents, it's time to do the work honoring Black history

Books by Grade Level

Grades TK-2

• Before the Ships by Maisha Oso, illustrated by Candice Bradley

• Brown Girl, Brown Girl by Lesle Honore, illustrated by Cozbi Cabrera

• Crowning Glory by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Ekua Holmes

• Everywhere Beauty is Harlem by Gary Golio, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

• Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett, illustrated by Daniel O'Brien

• The Last Stand by Antwan Eady, illustrated by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey

• My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper, illustrated by Frank Morrison

• My Daddy is a Cowboy by Stephanie Seales, illustrated by C.G. Esperanza

• My Hair is a Book by Maisha Oso, illustrated by London Ladd

• Ode to Grapefruit by Kari Lavelle, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Grades 3-8

• Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renee Watson

• Black Star by Kwame Alexander

• Gamerville by Johnnie Christmas

• Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek by Kwame Mbalia

• Mid-Air by Alicia Williams

• One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome

• The Science of Friendship by Tanita Davis

• The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

• Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston

• Weirdo by Tony Weaver

Dear HTeX Community Members,

In our community, we prioritize teaching problem-solving skills to our students. If your student is experiencing a challenge at school, please involve our teachers in the solution process rather than directly contacting other guardians.

By doing so, we can provide the necessary support to all students involved and help them navigate conflicts in a positive and constructive manner. This approach strengthens our school community and fosters strong, healthy relationships among students.

We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to maintaining a supportive and respectful environment for our children.

Also, In light of recent presidential executive orders, our staff community came together and decided to make the front double doors our primary entry point when entering and exiting the building. During dismissal, adults will only enter through the front double doors. The exits through the yellow hall's side doors and the playground gate will only be available for emergency exit. All adults will only enter and exit through the front doors at any time while gaining access to or leaving the school. 

Schools are meant to be safe spaces where children learn and grow without fear. As a community, we want to ensure that our students and their adults feel safe and welcomed at Explorer. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for our community.

Mental Health Supports for Explorer Students

If your child is experiencing social, emotional, and/or behavioral difficulties that are impacting them at school, wellness check-ins are available to all students as a support. Wellness check-ins can take place as needed throughout the year.

This year we will also work to offer monthly lunch bunches for students struggling to connect with their peers during unstructured times. This support will also be available to all students throughout the year.

If you have any questions about any of these supports please email Ericah Edwards at eedwards@hightechhigh.org.

Let’s continue to work together this school year to create a community that connects all students to the supports that they need and deserve!

Mental Health Supports In-Home + Community

Rady Children's and SDCOE have collaborated to create a webinar series for parents and caregivers that addresses mental health challenges faced by youth. These are a great opportunity for families to connect to resources and have some of their questions answered by clinicians. Some of the topics include bullying, self-harm, and stress/resilience. 

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/12m2SwqAJ4O0C5WPu22eKa0Y7ut6PFoob/view

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VII7yBVVSxE56QH-WEA2dZ6JKywQ79oL/view?usp=drive_link

As part of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative’s (CYBHI) to improve equitable access to mental health support for all young Californians, two free programs — BrightLife Kids and Soluna — were created in partnership with CalHOPE.

• https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wP4-T_E8TLewycrEVwdYIAMbPgexyzMN

Additional Resources:

• Parent Guide to Mental Health and Wellness/ Guia Para Padres de Salud y Bienstar Mental

• Call the National Parent Helpline: 1-855-4A PARENT (1-855-427-2736) to get emotional support from a trained Advocate and become empowered and a stronger parent. They are available Monday through Friday from 10 am to 7 pm

Dear HTeX Community,

Thank you so much for supporting and participating in our book fair. It was wonderful to see the joy and excitement of our students when selecting their own book and experiencing what a book fair was like. Thank you to all of our volunteers, this event was a huge undertaking and could not have happened without all of your help. Thank you to all of the teachers and staff for taking time out of your normal school schedule to promote and communicate to families about the book fair, give helpful tips about past experiences, and for bringing your students to visit the fair. Our partnership was crucial in making this a fun and successful event. Thank you to everyone who donated to share the fair and/or to purchase books for classroom libraries. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. A special shout out to Melanie for being the chair of this event and leading the way. I am so glad that we brought this event back and I am so grateful to be a part of such an awesome community that could work together and make this happen. Happy reading!

Best Wishes,

Marissa

(On behalf of the PA)

Friendly Reminders: Absences

While we love to see your children’s smiling faces in school, and regular daily attendance is important to all we do, we do want to remind you to keep students home if they are ill, particularly if they have a fever.

COVID-19 Reminder For Students

• If they are symptomatic, they should be encouraged to test and/or share with parents they should test.

• If they test positive, they should also stay home if they are symptomatic.

• They can return to school when they are also fever-free for 24-hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and other non-fever symptoms are improving.

• If they test positive but are asymptomatic (no fever, and no other symptoms) they can remain at school unless symptoms develop.

• They should be encouraged to wear a mask through Day 10 (masks should be available at the front desk).

Tests

• Everyone can, once again, order four free boxes of COVID-19 tests via USPS. This can be done through this link.

Please continue to communicate with the school if your child will be absent due to illness by contacting Maggie at mfragoso@hightechhigh.org. Please notify Ms. Maggie the day of student absence.

We are looking forward to an exciting school year of learning and want to help keep our community healthy!

HTeX Community Meetings - Call for Presenters

The HTeX Community Meeting is a cherished time for our entire school community to unite, creating a space for collective learning, sharing valuable information, and celebrating the diversity and achievements within our community. It serves as a focal point where students, parents, and educators come together to strengthen the bonds that make our community special.

Our Community Meetings are co-led by our Student Ambassadors and mentor staff, Ms. Nikki, Ms. Clara, and Ms. Destiny! We hold our Community Meetings once a month on the black top.

If you are interested in presenting to our students for our school wide Community Meeting, please complete this form.This is an OUTDOOR event. Presentations will be up to 20 minutes.

We will reach out to you to follow up.

-Ms. Nikki, Ms, Clara, & Ms. Destiny

Grades 2 - 5 MAP Testing Feb. 18 - 28

On February 18-28, grades 2 -5  will be conducting the MAP assessments in reading and math.  

You can access the website here to learn more about the MAP test. We would encourage you to talk with your child about the test, how to prepare, and what to expect during the test. We also will be having these conversations at school in preparation for our testing. 

The MAP Test is an internal test that High Tech High students take along with the statewide required CAASPP/SBAC testing at the end of the school year. At the beginning of the year, teachers use MAP testing to gather a baseline of where students are in reading and math so that we can tailor our instruction to student needs. Then, at the end of the year, teachers use the MAP test, along with the CAASPP, as metrics to look at student growth in reading and math. 

Our students are FOR SURE not numbers, but data is an important tool to help us inform instruction and to help inform you as parents for how you can support at home.  Beyond that, we use our MAP and CAASPP results as part of our reporting to stakeholders as part of annual authorization for continued operation of our schools. 

As we prepare for testing, please consider these tips and ideas on how you can help support your student PRIOR to testing. 

Once we are done testing, if you would like a report for the MAP testing for your child, then please email your teacher. 

Please let us know if you have any questions!

High Tech Eats February Menus

Hello HTH Families,

The February breakfast & lunch menus for High Tech Eats are now available!

• View the live menu here for any updates.

• Print the attached version if you prefer a hard copy.

Thank you!

High Tech Eats

February Lunch (English) 

February Breakfast (English) 

February Lunch (Spanish) 

February Breakfast (Spanish) 

Hello Parents,

It has been a pleasure getting to know all the students, and the team and I are  excited to bring new ideas to the program. Everything is progressing well, and this is just the start of many exciting things ahead!

We’ve also made an important improvement to our sign-out process. Please remember to sign the sign-out sheet and include the pick-up time. This helps us monitor attendance and enhances our safety procedures.

In addition, be on the lookout for our camp sign-up form this week. We’re also thrilled to introduce our new after-school website and email address, which will make communication more accessible and efficient. There, you can find your school's web page, camp dates, and newsletters. Links are provided below.

After - school website

Htexplafterschool@hightechhigh.org

Some important information:

We will be conducting a thorough review of all enrollments, verifying FASS forms, managing billing processes, and ensuring everything is properly organized,  Please be on the lookout for invoices that will be sent via Square.

Additionally, when picking up your child, please wait to be buzzed in before entering. Once inside, sign your child out, locate their card, and scan them out. This process is essential for safety and compliance with the requirements of our ELO-P program. 

FASS INFO: Also, if you haven’t filled out the FASS form for the 2024-2025 school year, please note that High Tech High has replaced the Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) applications with the new Family and School Support (FASS) form. This change aligns with the school's adoption of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows all students to receive free breakfast and lunch without needing to provide detailed household income information.

While the FASS form is simpler, it’s important for all families to complete it to help secure additional state funding that enhances educational resources and services. Your participation is vital in supporting our school community.

FASS Link: Please take 2 minutes to fill out the form linked HERE.

The HTex Afterschool Team

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