2021.12.17
The Winter Break Edition
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SALK Lab Visit in 6th Grade
The Salk Mobile Science Lab is a free 3-day biotechnology program serving middle schools throughout San Diego County. This program provides a unique opportunity for your students to learn about genetics and DNA from real Salk Institute scientists. The Salk Institute is a world renowned laboratory on the cutting edge of genetics research. During the three-day mobile science lab curriculum titled “Discovering DNA”, students conduct experiments designed to illustrate that traits are coded for by a set of instructions called DNA. Students not only learn about the structure and function of DNA but also the techniques that are used everyday in real labs to analyze DNA. On the first day, students look at populations of fruit flies under a microscope to learn about the uses of model organisms, the effects of genetic transmission, and mutations. On the second day, they extract actual DNA from wheat germ. Finally, students simulate techniques used to analyze DNA fragments.
Fire Project Lab in 7th Grade - With Ms. Jacob
8th Grade Talent Show - So Much Joy
Spit Take: students working to make teachers laugh - and spit out the water in their mouths.
Meet and Greet Video Recording & QnA
In case you were unable to attend the Family Meet and Greet last night, you can find the slides and the recording linked below! Please reach out to Sarah (sstrong@hightechhigh.org) if you would like to follow up on anything from the presentation or have lingering questions.
Winter Break At-Home Covid Testing
Your child received a test kit to take home with them, along with paper-based instructions.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR AT HOME COVID-19 TESTING BEFORE RETURNING FROM BREAK
In order to support our safe return to school after winter break, we are asking all families to take the COVID tests provided by HTM prior to returning to campus.
STEP 1: TEST YOUR STUDENT
Students who do NOT have any COVID-19 symptoms and have NOT had a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 should test two times:
Test #1: Three (3) days before returning to school (Jan 01)
Test #2: The day before returning to school (Jan 3rd)
Watch the video on how to test: How to do an iHealth Rapid Test
STEP 2: SHARE YOUR TEST RESULTS
Please submit results for each of your HTM students’ to the HTM Form: https://forms.gle/qNFBxHnHLoJmhu5R8
STEP 3: UNDERSTAND YOUR RESULTS
If the test is negative:
If your student has no COVID-19 symptoms, return to school!
If your student has symptoms or has been in contact with someone with COVID-19, please call the school before they return EVEN IF THE TEST IS NEGATIVE. More testing might be needed.
If the test is positive: Stay home from school and contact your doctor and school right away. You might also be asked to get a PCR test by the local health department. Isolate for 10 days.
If the test results are not clear: Contact the school for next steps or find a local testing site to retest. Make sure you have a photo of your test.
Contact sstrong@hightechhigh.org with any questions.
7th Grade Ice Skating Rescheduled
Our 6th and 8th grade teams were able to enjoy a day of ice skating, unfortunately the 7th grade teams were drowned out by the rain. Fortunately we have been able to reschedule their skating trip for January 6th! This would not have been possible without generous support from our Parent Association and families. Thank you for all you do!
Student Leadership Hosted a Spirit Week
We wanted to share a big shout out to our student leadership group for organizing our Winter Spirit Week - complete with dress up days and fun activities.
Leadership group planning for the Winter Spirit Week during X-Block
Keeping Our Community Safe
Today was a joyful day despite the potential for Tik-Tok inspired threats of school violence. Thank you all for your vigilance and for talking with your children about how to use social media responsibly (especially by not reposting messages that could be understood as school safety threats).
We know that many students will receive gifts of games, toys, clothing and more during the upcoming holidays - students may want to bring these things to school to show to their friends. As we prepare for a safe return in January, we want to take this opportunity to remind students and families of the items that should be left at home.
Please have your child leave the following items at home:
portable gaming systems (ex: Nintendo Switch/DS)
toy weapons (nerf style guns, knives etc.)
pepper spray
clothing with offensive/drug related content
actual weapons (pocket knives, guns, brass knuckles etc)
If you have any questions about what is appropriate for school, please reach out. 2021-2022 Student Handbook: English | Spanish
Thanks to the Parent Association
On behalf of all of High Tech Middle staff, we wanted to send a special thanks to the Parent Association and all of the families who contributed to teacher gift bags and tokens of appreciation. We felt a huge outpouring of love!
Winter Break is Here!
For the next two weeks, December 20th to January 3rd, HTH schools will be closed for Winter Break. Over this break, I am asking that our teachers and staff take the week to rest, relax and disconnect from their devices. I am incredibly grateful to the entire HTM staff for all that they have done to welcome and engage students in learning this semester. Thank you also to our greater HTM community for supporting us in all that we do, we are lucky to have such an amazing community!
Staff are finalizing their semester feedback and grades from semester one so they can be shared with families the week of January 17th.
Important Dates
12/17 - End of Sem 1 & Half Day
12/20/21 to 01/03/22 - Winter Break (No School)
01/03/22 - Monday, Staff Development Day - No Students on Campus
01/06/22 - HTM English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), 6-7p
01/17/22 - Martin Luther King Jr Observation Day - No School
Celebrating HTM's Community Partners
