Save The Date!

• Linked HTeX 25-26 Calendar

• Mon, Jan. 19th: No School Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. Holiday

• Mon, Jan. 26th: High Tech Middle Point Loma Schools Info Session for 4th & 5th Grade Families at 8:30am-9:30am @ HTeX Gathering Area

• Wed, Jan. 28th: Virtual HTeX Community Meeting 8:45am-9:15am (Zoom Link)

• Thurs, Jan. 29th: HTeX PA General Meeting at 8:30am-9:30am @ HTeX Gathering Area

• 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

I wanted to follow up on the message we shared regarding personal electronic devices and add some important context around the why behind this expectation.

At High Tech Explorer, our goal is to protect learning time, relationships, and student well-being. When personal devices such as cell phones or smart watches are used during the school day, they often pull students out of the moment—away from collaboration, problem-solving, and connection with peers and adults. Even brief notifications or messages can disrupt focus, increase anxiety, and create social challenges that take time and energy away from learning.

It is also important to share that our school is not set up to monitor or track student communication on personal devices. It has been reported that students are accessing the internet and pulling up videos on YouTube. Because of that, and because we are all here together in a safe, supervised environment, students do not need access to personal communication devices during the school day. If a student needs to reach a family member, or if a family member needs to reach a student, the front desk is always the appropriate and reliable point of contact.

For these reasons, we are holding a clear and consistent expectation across campus:

• Personal electronic devices must be turned off, stored out of sight in backpacks, and not used during the school day.

• If we see a student using a personal electronic device, the device will be confiscated and held by administration until it is picked up by a student’s adult.

• This expectation is not punitive—it is about consistency, safety, and keeping our focus on learning and community.

We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this message with your student. When expectations are clear and consistent between home and school, students are most successful.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us keep HTeX a place where students can be fully present, engaged, and connected. If you have any personal concerns or questions please reach out to me: bburr@hightechhigh.org.

In partnership,
Brian Burr

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

Dear HTeX Families,

We are inviting all 4th and 5th grade families to join us for an informative session about the transition to Middle School at High Tech High. The info session will be with families from both HTePL and HTeX on January 26th at 8:30am-9:30am in the HTeX Gathering Area. 

This session will provide valuable insights into what to expect. Both HTM and HTMMA Directors, Alli and Dave, as well as College and Career Director, Meghan, and HTHMA College Advisor, Brandon will also attend to share the learning pathway we offer at High Tech from elementary through high school. 

Please complete this RSVP survey to share your plans for middle school and RSVP for the Jan. 26th Info Session.

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!

Jog A Thon- Rescheduled to Feb. 4th

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