Whittier Union High School District students are receiving expanded Social Emotional Learning (SEL) services during the 2022-23 school year, an initiative that aligns with Whittier Union’s commitment to supporting the development and well-being of students. Guided by the District’s multi-tiered SEL Pyramid, Whittier Union aims to have services available for all students, whether they need someone to talk to or need crisis intervention and referral services. Students are supported by an SEL Collaborative of student well-being liaisons, student well-being interns, counselors, psychologists and school social workers. Every Whittier Union school has one full-time social worker on staff to assist with the day-to-day concerns of students. At the District office, two full-time social workers are available to work with students who have more pressing social emotional needs and offer a lifeline of support to keep them in school. Calming rooms with comfortable furniture and amenities have also been created at every school, providing students a safe space where they can ease their stress and anxiety.
Nearly 11,000 Whittier Union High School District students made their way onto campuses bedecked in colorful posters and balloons for the first day of school on Aug. 17, welcomed by cheer teams, Associated Student Body members, principals, administrators and peers. Across campuses, students made their way down red carpets, hugged one another and high-fived as band members played thrilling tunes to create an exciting environment for students and set the tone for a successful 2022-23 school year. Freshmen students kicked off the new school year during the District’s Freshmen First Day on Aug. 16 – an annual tradition that aims to ease the transition into high school for students.
Reflecting the Whittier Union High School District commitment to provide equity for every student and maintain high teaching standards, eight teachers have been awarded $25,000 grants by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as part of a statewide incentive program to retain and train National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) to teach at high-priority schools throughout California. The grants will be spread out over five years, with the recipients receiving $5,000 annually beginning July 1, 2022. To receive the grant, the recipients – who are all National Board Certified teachers – have agreed to continue teaching at their schools for five years. The grants will be paid through the California Department of Education.
Whittier Union Teachers Receive $25,000 National Board Grants
Six Whittier Union High School District teachers have been awarded $25,000 grants by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as part of an incentive program to retain and train National Board Certified Teachers to teach at high-priority schools throughout California. The recipients are Lindsey Garcia, Julie Tonkovich, Laura Mejia Torres, Virginia Glasscock and Rebecca Doran from California High School and Robin Hernandez from Whittier High School. The grants will be spread out over five years, with the recipients receiving $5,000 annually, beginning July 1, 2022.
The Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees honored three graduates who were unable to walk during commencement ceremonies, presenting them with their diplomas and gift baskets during a Board meeting on June 14. The graduates recognized during the meeting were California High School Summa Cum Laude graduate Anthony Franco and La Serna High School Magna Cum Laude graduates Anabelle Rocha and Andrew Reyes. During the presentations of diplomas, the Board shared words of gratitude for each graduate and expressed their congratulations for achieving high academic success at Whittier Union. The students were joined by their family, peers and school administrators.
Whittier Union to Celebrate Class of 2022 with Stadium Graduations
Students from the Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools and adult school will celebrate the conclusion of their academic journeys during stadium commencement ceremonies at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, Wednesday, June 1 and Thursday, June 2. Ceremonies will be held at full capacity at the District’s two stadiums: Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson Stadium, 9800 Mills Ave., and Dick Torres Memorial Stadium, 10800 Benavon St. This year, the Whittier Union Board of Trustees will honor a group of students from each comprehensive high school with the 2022 Trustee Award. Honorees were recommended by principals, counselors and teachers for outstanding academic achievement and demonstrating exemplary citizenship during their four years of high school.
Students from the Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools and adult school will celebrate the conclusion of their academic journeys in the District during stadium commencement ceremonies. Ceremonies will be held at full capacity at the District’s two stadiums. This year, the Whittier Union Board of Trustees will honor a group of students from each comprehensive high school with the 2022 Trustee Award. Honorees were recommended by principals, counselors and teachers for outstanding academic achievement and demonstrating exemplary citizenship during their four years of high school.
The Whittier Union High School District has selected Mary Chapman, Pioneer High School’s current assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, to take the helm as the school’s new principal. Chapman, who has more than 15 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, came to Pioneer in 2016 as the assistant principal of guidance and counseling. Chapman will succeed current Pioneer Principal Lilia Bozigian, who will join Whittier Union’s executive cabinet as assistant superintendent of educational services. Photo
Frontier High School was recognized for its commitment to providing students with a caring and supportive alternative education environment, receiving multiple honors from the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA+) during its Professional Awards Luncheon, held May 7 at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel. Frontier High Principal Dr. Margie Moriarty was named CCEA+ Administrator of the Year, Frontier High counselor Roberto Tamayo was named CCEA+ 2022 Counselor or Support Person of the Year and Frontier High junior James Martinez was recognized as the CCEA+ Student Essay Contest second-place winner. Frontier High is an eight-time CCEA+ Model Continuation School recipient.
For the fourth year in a row, the College Board has recognized Whittier High School for expanding young women’s access to Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science classes, bestowing the school with its 2021 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. Whittier High received the award for fostering equal gender representation in AP Computer Science Principles during the 2020-21 school year and is among 1,200 high schools across the United States honored by the College Board. The recognition reflects the increased interest in STEM classes among all Whittier High students, particularly incoming freshmen, led by strong recruiting efforts by teachers and counselors at Whittier Union’s partner elementary and middle schools.
