SCHOOL CALENDAR CHANGE
Friday, March 5th will be changed from a full-day of school to an early release day (12:23PM). This calendar change will allow staff members to receive their second dose of COVID vaccine without the school district having to bring in a large number substitute of teachers to cover. Sorry for the inconvenience, but it is a necessary change to provide a safe learning environment for both the students and staff.
Parents,
Roads to Helix are in great shape. Helix to Athena is decent, but one lane in some areas. We will run a two-hour late start tomorrow, which will allow the school parking lot and sidewalks to be cleaned. Hopefully, this will be the last inclement weather delay of the school year. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Want to recognize an amazing staff member at your school? Nominate them for a 2021 Crystal Apple Award at: https://forms.imesd.k12.or.us/crystal_apple_nomination_form. Nomination Deadline is April 2, 2021. Those eligible to win a Crystal Apple are principals, assistant principals, teachers, paraeducators, office staff, maintenance staff and other district staff. Anyone can nominate.
For more information, visit the Crystal Apple page on the IMESD website at: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/page/crystal-apple-awards
Parents,
Based on the current conditions, I feel a two-hour late start is prudent for Friday, Feb. 12th for the Helix School District. This extra two hours will let the road crews improve driving conditions. Please read the School Closure Protocol letter on the school Facebook or webpage for more specific info. Thanks, Darrick Cope
School Closure Protocol
Parents,
For the first time in nearly 11 months, the Helix School District has K-12th grade students, in-person for a full day of instruction. A huge thanks to the Helix staff and parents for your perseverance since we had to shut down on Friday, March 13th, 2020. Please continue to self-screen your students and keep them home if they are sick or have COVID related symptoms. Please contact the school office if you have questions. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Parents,
Good morning. Another great week in the Helix School District as we welcomed back the 6th-8th grade students. Starting next Monday, we will have all of the K-12 students in school for a full day of classes. We ask that the 9th-12th grade students return and check in their Chromebooks on Monday, Feb. 8th. Thanks for all your support and have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks, Darrick Cope
Good evening and Happy Tuesday! A few busing related announcements: If you have a 6-8th grade student who will be riding the bus and do not know the AM or PM schedule, please contact the office. The noon bus for LIPI students that stops at Midway Elevator and Hwy 37/334 has not been used by anyone. We will run this route Wednesday and if no one utilizes it, we will discontinue it. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Good evening. First day back for full-day, in-person instruction for K-5 went awesome! With exception of one situation, we had 100% attendance today. Katie Zmuda, our new cook, prepared a hot lunch for the kids. The snow caused some issues for recess, but nothing we couldn’t handle. Last week’s positive COVID count for Umatilla County decreased, so all things are going well. Looking forward to 6th-8th grades coming in next.
Thanks for all your support and have a great week!! Thanks, Darrick Cope
Parents,
We are excited and ready for the K-5 students to be at Helix for a full-day,
in-person, starting Monday, Jan. 25th. The AM and PM bus schedules have been distributed. Call the office with questions. We will also be offering a noon bus for the 6th-12th grade students in LIPI next week, with the exception of Thursday. The only stops will be Hwy 37/334 at 12:15pm and Midway Elevator at 12:35pm. Please call the office if you would like to have your student ride this bus. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Parents,
Good evening. We have a plan in place to bring students back for full-day, in-person. K-5 will return Monday, Jan. 25th; 6th-8th will return Monday, Feb. 1st and the high school will return on Monday,
Feb. 8th. For more information and a letter that explains this plan, go to the school webpage, click on Parent Resources, scroll down to the folder labeled Operational Blue Print Plan and open the .pdf file named Opening Plan Final Letter. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Thank you to the Helix School Board! January is School Board Recognition Month.
Even during a pandemic, it’s worth taking time to thank our elected school board members for charting the future of our students and communities. The Oregon School Boards Association has set aside the month of January to honor the unpaid elected volunteers who serve on Oregon’s 197 local school boards, our 19 education service district boards, and our 17 community college boards. These dedicated local leaders give their personal time and energy to handling the critical tasks of budgeting and overseeing the management of Oregon’s public education structure.
On Tuesday, January 19th Governor Brown will be announcing changes to the school reentry metrics and guidance. Based on likely changes to our operational blueprint and potential liability coverage issues, I will be recommending to the board we push the start day back one week. So, K-5th start on Monday, Jan. 25, 6th-8th start on Monday, Feb. 1st and 9th-12th start on Monday, Feb. 8th. Sorry for the change, but compliance with ODE guidance is a necessity to open our doors and keep them open. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Good evening and Happy New Year! We will be continuing with LIPI for all grades, including 7th & 8th grades, over the final two weeks of 2nd quarter. The same AM & PM schedules will be used. Feel free to email me if you are uncertain of the schedule. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Parents, students and Helix community,
As I’m sure you have heard, Gov Brown, ODE, OHA, and others are going to begin a transition from the current COVID metrics to a more locally controlled advisory status, which will eventually allow for in-person instruction. It appears the Feb. 15th date is still something the Gov is shooting for as a state-wide reopening date. I would anticipate the Helix SD will be running full-day, in-person in K-3, or maybe even K-8, a lot earlier than that. We are waiting for one more level of guidance from the State to be distributed in mid-January, but I will begin making plans for reopening upon our return on January 4th. I would anticipate students, parents and community members all want to know what the Helix SD plans to do based on these changes. Please be patient as implementation plans are developed and know that everyone will be notified once the State releases the new guidelines and our final plans are made. The District will do its best to get students (and staff) safely back in the building, full-time, as soon as possible.
Hope you have a wonderful break and a Merry Christmas!!!
Thanks, Darrick Cope, Superintendent, Helix SD
I feel so honored and blessed to work in a school district with such a wonderful PTO, parents, students and community. The snacks and various items given to the staff this week were so awesome and much appreciated. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!! See you in 2021!! Thanks, Darrick Cope
Welcome! The Helix School District has partnered with My MealTime, a fast, secure online service for making credit or debit card deposits and monitoring your student’s lunch account. You can access this from the Helix School District Webpage (helix.k12.or.us) and click the HELPFUL LINKS button at the top of the page. Scroll down to MealTime Breakfast/Lunch Program and follow the directions.
Good morning. If you would like to order your student’s pictures online at mylifetouch.com, use this picture ID# EVTGS8KSG. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Good morning. Just a reminder that Monday, Dec., 14th is picture day, so please send your picture packets with your child. Also, Friday, Dec. 18th is a full LIPI day. Check with your child’s teacher for more info. Thanks, Darrick
Today, Governor Brown outlined a new health and safety framework for the state of Oregon that aligns to the metrics being used for K-12 schools.
These statewide health and safety metrics have no operational implications for schools and districts under the Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance.
School will resume in LIPI as we have been operating the last month or two.
Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks, Darrick Cope
A huge thank you to all those who donated to the Helix Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive. Your generosity helped make this event very successful.
Umatilla County Health Dept will be hosting drive thru school age vaccination clinics on:
Mon. December 7th 1-6pm at Gib Olinger Elementary in Milton-Freewater
Tues. December 8th 1-4pm at Gib Olinger Elementary in Milton-Freewater
Please note:
1. Pre-registration is required
2. There will be no out of pocket costs, but insurance will be billed if they have it
3. All vaccines recommended for school age kids (grades K-12) will be available, including the flu shot
Parents,
Just a reminder that Friday, Nov. 20th is the final day for the Helix SD canned food drive. Please have all items to your child’s teacher by 1pm on that day. Thanks, Darrick Cope
The Helix School is continuing our past tradition of collecting food prior to Thanksgiving. It will be donated to the food pantry at Athena Christian Church which serves the surrounding communities, including Helix. If you don’t have students in school and would like to donate, you can put your donation on your porch, call the school and we will have it picked up for you. helping others is a great way to brighten your day. If your family could use assistance, please contact the school also. We hope everyone has a safe and bountiful holiday. The food we are collecting is listed below.
Parents,
ODE just confirmed that schools are not directly impacted by the Governor’s 2-week “freeze”. Helix will be able to continue with our Limited In-person instruction (LIPI). There will be a travel advisory for those leaving the county or state. The Governor really wants families to stay home for the next two weeks, and keep your interactions to 6 people or less and a maximum of two households. Have a great weekend! Thanks, Darrick Cope
Parents,
As of this afternoon, I heard that Limited In-person instruction may be exempt from the 50 person max rule by ODE and OHA during the “pause”. I have advised the K-8 teachers not to make any changes to AM & PM classes until after my 2:00PM ODE meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10th. Sorry for the confusion, but it seems this info changes by the hour. Thanks for your patience, Darrick Cope
The Helix School District will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. This means ALL Virtual and In-Person Instruction will not occur.
A huge thanks to the Helix SD parents and students for their perseverance as we all navigated 1st quarter via CDL. I was totally amazed and proud to learn the K-12 students had a participation rate of 98.38% for 1st quarter. That is AMAZING! Keep up the good work and extend some grace as we begin CDL for 2nd quarter. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Parents,
Last week Governor Brown and 0DE announced adjustments in the metrics used to reopen schools. These variations will not allow any immediate changes for the Helix School District. We will continue with Limited In-person. To open full-day, in-person, the weekly Umatilla County COVID case count will need to be around 35. Check the school Facebook and webpage for updates. Thanks, Darrick Cope
A huge thanks to Dr. Derek Earl and his staff from Family Health Association in Hermiston for taking the time to conduct ImPACT concussion tests and sports physicals for our students on Tuesday evening. The ImPACT test has two primary uses: before the onset of an activity, a baseline test is conducted to measure the athlete's performance baseline. Baseline test are taken every other year. In the event of an injury, a post-injury test is administered and compared to the baseline. The resulting objective data is then evaluated by a trained ImPACT Consultant (Dr. Earl) and a plan is created to track a student's safe return to activity.
Parents,
Parent teacher conferences will occur Thursday, Nov. 5th 8:00am-8:00pm and Friday, Nov. 6th from 8:00am-Noon. You should be contacted very soon to choose a date, time and format that fits your schedule. Contact your student’s teacher for more information. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Parents,
Just a reminder, Dr Derek Earl is offering free physicals today (Wed., Oct . 28) from 2:00-5:00pm in the multipurpose room. Call the school office if you have any questions. Thanks, Darrick
7th - 12th Grade Parents,
For information about 1st Quarter grades, please go to the Helix School webpage, click on Helpful Links, 1st Quarter Grades. Call the office or talk with your student’s teacher, if you have any questions. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Parents, Good morning. Following the Limited In-person guidelines, it appears that the Helix SD has the capacity to allow the 4th & 5th grade to attend in-person, a couple of days per week. Please contact your student’s teacher or the office for more info. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Dear Parent(s) of Seniors or graduates,
As a current senior or recent graduate, it is time to complete the FAFSA for the 2021-2022 academic year. FAFSAs can be completed at www.fafsa.gov. By submitting it prior to December 1st, you will maximize the financial aid eligibility.
Parents,
The 6th - 12th grade teachers will have a Character Strong training Tuesday, Oct 20th. Students in those grades will not be involved in Zoom classes with their teachers, on that day. However, students in grades K-5th, will follow their normal class routine. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Registration Open for AWS Girls' Tech Day
Amazon Web Services Girls’ Tech Day is going virtual this year! We hope that you will encourage your students to join us on a magical and adventurous journey to explore Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Virtual Reality, Robotics, and more! This complimentary event will inspire and motivate girls and young women, ages 8-24, to develop and pursue their interests in technology.
Girls’ Tech Day includes:
Speaker Sessions – Learn about the experiences of students and women in technology.
Interactive Coding Sessions – Compose a melody, code virtual models to walk a runway, program an online robot, or build avatars using artificial intelligence.
Fun with STEAM – Create magic with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics), download the Girls’ Tech Day playlist, and much more.
Activities are designed so that students can go at their own pace, and join the event as many times as they like between November 14 – 28. Our program also supports teachers and staff who want to participate with their classes, girls’ tech groups and clubs.
If this sounds exciting, we ask that you share this information with your faculty, staff, parents and students. Only parents, guardians and teachers may register participants under the age of 18. All activities require an electronic device like a computer or mobile phone with Internet connection.
Registration is now open, and simple. If you would like to learn more about Girls’ Tech Day, or register, click here http://www.cvent.com/events/aws-girls-tech-day/event-summary-bd517818d92949a99198c428f7b8a8bf.aspx , or contact me at deoldham@amazon.com.
Donna E. Oldham, APR (she/her/hers)
Amazon Web Services
Community Engagement Manager – Americas
It was great to see the 3rd graders in the classroom today. Hope you all had a wonderful time and are ready to come back tomorrow.
As Thursday came, so did the 2nd Graders. Great to see more students in the building, even if it is only for two hours.
The 1st graders are here, let's give a cheer!! Yeah, I know its corny, but it rhymes. =-)
Glad to see another group of students taking advantage of the Limited In-person instruction.
There will be a parent meeting on Thurs., Sept. 24th at 7:00pm in the Helix main gym for all high school students interested in doing sports for the 2020/21 school year.
As we begin using the technology for Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL), it is inevitable that issues will arise. The IMESD is offering a Student and Family Technology Support line. See the attached flyer for more info.
Just a reminder that Mon., Aug. 31 - Wed., Sept. 2 will be Orientation and materials pick up at the Helix School District. You should have been contacted and given a day and time to meet with your student’s teacher. If you have not been contacted, please call the office on Monday. Also, please bring a backpack, wagon, wheel-barrow, etc., to haul home your student’s materials. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Good afternoon. Just to reassure those wondering, out-of-district students who are currently enrolled and their preschool siblings are exempt from the regional moratorium on transfers. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Parents
Reminder, Mandatory Registration Tues., Aug. 18 & Wed., Aug. 19, 7am-3pm. Helix will conduct Orientation on Mon., Aug. 31-Wed. - Sept. 2. Orientation will give parents and students a chance to meet with their teachers. More info will be give out at registration. Thanks, Darrick Cope
HELIX MANDATORY REGISTRATION
If your last name begins with A-L
Tuesday, August 18 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
If your last name begins with M-Z
Wednesday, August 19 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Contact the district office, if you are not able to make it on the these dates/times to register. We will do our best to work with your schedule and set up an appointment.
Please remember to bring your updated vaccination records. Face coverings are required by the state. If you are not wearing a face covering, we will assume you have a medical condition and can’t wear one. Thanks, DC
Good evening. The mandatory registration scheduled for Aug 11th and 12th has been rescheduled for Tues., Aug 18 and Wed., Aug 19. This change was initiated due to the final ODE, OHA and Gov Brown school update which will occur on Aug 11th. That will give the District time to implement any changes prior to registration. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks, Darrick Cope
It is with a heavy heart and a high level of frustration that I send this message. In a press conference today, Gov Brown and OHA reported on a COVID health metrics they have been using to assist them in determining whether or not schools can resume in-person instruction for the start of the 2020 school year. At this time, most schools in Oregon will not be allowed in-person instruction to start the school year. All school districts will be required to offer only Comprehensive Distance Learning instruction. Hopefully, as the health metrics change in Umatilla County and the cases per 100,000 decrease, the Helix School District will be allowed to return to in-person instruction. Thanks, Darrick Cope
Employment opening in the Helix School District
Good evening. Just so everyone is aware, the plan is to have onsite classes in the Helix SD starting Monday, August 31, Monday-Friday, 8:23am-3:19pm. I am preparing an Operational Blueprint for Reentry that makes a few adjustments and provides for the required social distancing guidelines. More info will be provided as the plan develops. Contact me with questions or concerns. Thanks, Darrick Cope, Superintendent
Don't forget that Thursday, Sept. 5th is Grandparent lunch in the Helix School District. All grandparents are invited to have a FREE lunch with their grandchildren and visit their classrooms afterward. Students K-4th grade go to lunch at 11:05am, 5th-8th grade at 12:00pm and HS at 12:08pm. Hope to see you there!
A huge thanks to Dr. Derek Earl and his staff who gave free physicals to 20 Helix students during registration on Tuesday, Aug. 13th. Dr, Earl has also donated countless hours as the Helix School District's official concussion specialist.
Employment openings in the Helix School District: Coaching -HS Boys Basketball, MS Boys Basketball, Hs Tennis
Don’t forget the mandatory registration on Tuesday, August 13th from 7:00AM to 6:00PM and Wednesday, August 14th from 8:00AM to 12:00PM. Also, Dr. Earl will be offering free sports physicals from 9-11am on Tuesday, Aug. 13th. Call the Helix office 457-2175 if you have questions.
Congratulations to 1962 Griswold High School graduate Ret. General Raymond (Fred) Rees for being selected as the Grand Marshal for the 2019 Pendleton Bike Week.
Good times at the Helix Elementary School Wheel-a-Thon.
Box Tops Collection
Junior Class BBQ Hamburger Feed at 5:00-6:30pm, tonight. Feed the family before you go to the Spring Concert at 7:00pm.
Friday, May 3rd is an early dismissal, 12:23PM.
The Class of 2020 will be hosting a BBQ Hamburger fundraiser in the Helix School cafeteria on Tuesday, May 7th, from 5:00 – 6:30 PM. This event will be in conjunction with the Spring Concert.
Helix Easter Egg Hunt, Sat., April 20th
Just a reminder, there will be an 8th grade parent meeting at 5:30pm and a Junior parent meeting at 6:00pm tonight in Mrs. Deruwe's classroom. Call the office at (541) 457-2175 to RSVP or if you have questions. Pizza, cookies and a beverage will be served.
The Class of 2021 will be hosting a Baked Potato feed in the Helix School cafeteria on Thursday, April 4th, 4:30 to 7:00 PM. This event will be in conjunction with the Parent Teacher Conferences.
Friday, March 22nd is an early dismissal at 12:23 PM. Spring break will be March 25th – 29th. Parent teacher conferences are Thursday, April 4th and Friday, April 5th. Sophomores will have a Baked Potato Feed on Thursday, April 4th.
Thursday, March 7th, ~ Two hour late start for the Helix SD.
Thanks, Darrick
Just a reminder, Friday, Feb. 1st is a teacher inservice day and an early dismissal. Students will be excused at 12:23 PM.
Griswold High School Basketball;
Friday, Feb. 1 @ Nixyaawii--varsity only--6:00 PM girls, 7:30 PM boys;
Saturday, Feb. 2 @ Cove--(possible 2:30 PM start with 1/2 JV girls) varsity girls at 4:00 PM, boys at 5:30 PM
Just a reminder, Friday, Jan 11th is the end of 2nd quarter and an early dismissal day. Students will be excused at 12:23 PM.
To check your 6th - 12th grade student's academic progress, login into the following website: https://sm.helix.k12.or.us/FamilyLink/Login.aspx?timeout=true
For an OSAA Physical Form, you can click on the following link:
http://www.osaa.org/docs/forms/PhysicalExamination-2017.pdf
For an OSAA Physical Form, click on Menu (top of page) and then Parent Resources. You will find a .pdf form in the Athletics folder.
STEM Night at Helix Elementary. Fun times building Bucket Towers in Ms. Allison's room
Students, parents, staff and community members are encouraged to use SafeOregon, a statewide tip line for reporting student safety threats. The website is www.safeoregon.com.
Great night at the Crab Feed.
