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Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Adult School Plumbing Program Success Recognized by South Bay Workforce

    The Whittier Union Adult School’s (WUAS) Plumbing 1 class has served as a pipeline of employment since its inception in 2022, with the career technical education (CTE) course providing students with expert guidance that emphasizes employability, efficiency, accuracy, and relationship-building. Preparing the next generation of plumbers, the class currently has an 80% employment rate. The rapid success of the program has been recognized by the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB), who awarded WUAS with its 2025 Outstanding Program Performance Award. The school will receive its award at SBWIB’s 30th Annual Awards Ceremony, held Oct. 30 at the Torrance Marriott South Bay.

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  • Whittier Union Celebrates Community, Student Success at Inaugural State of the District Event

    Whittier Union High School District spotlighted its success in preparing students for bright futures during its inaugural State of the District event on Oct. 1, engaging nearly 200 community members, elected officials, students, families, and staff with a catered dinner reception, live student performances, and a program that emphasized strong community partnerships and a deep commitment to academic excellence. The event, held at California High School and generously sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, was attended by state leaders such as Senator Bob Archuleta and Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco. Local leaders in attendance included Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri, Whittier City Councilmembers Cathy Warner and Mary Ann Pacheco, Whittier City Manager Conal McNamara, Santa Fe Springs Mayor Bill Rounds, Norwalk Councilmember Ana Valencia, and La Mirada City Councilmember Michelle Velasquez Bean.

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  • Whittier Union Senior Receives Award of Merit for Leadership, Commitment to Mental Wellness

    Pioneer High School senior Nydia Palacios is known as a natural leader and an academic role model who loves to challenge herself, acquiring both high school and college credits at a lightning pace while enjoying as many extracurricular activities as she can fit into one day. Palacios, who boasts a 4.05 GPA, entered her senior year with 286 credits, which far exceeds the traditional 220 credits needed to graduate. Palacios has also gotten a start on higher education, having completed seven community college dual enrollment courses, in addition to her myriad campus leadership positions and musical and athletic pursuits as a member of the PHS Jazz Band, track & field, and girl’s cross-country teams. Palacios’ love of volunteering has seen her devote countless hours to help serve those in need, whether she is engaging in afterschool tutoring for the Boys and Girls Club, or serving as a Youth Leader for her church. Palacios has also emerged as a campus leader. She is currently president of Pioneer’s PTSA Club and as a junior was vice president of the school site council.

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Whittier Union Receives $45,000 from Credit Union of Southern California

Whittier Union High School District will receive $45,000 from the Credit Union of Southern California, which was presented to the District during its July 13 Board of Trustees meeting. The funds will be used primarily to enhance sports programs across the District and will also benefit student-athletes for years to come.

Whittier Union Girls Swim Team Captures CIF-SS Division IV Championship

The Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees honored California High School’s girls swim team during a board meeting on July 13. The Lady Condors were celebrated for winning the CIF Southern California Division IV championship. During the recognition, Coach Todd Jacobsen presented each athlete with a certificate of achievement, celebrating their dedication to the sport and perseverance during an unprecedented year.

Whittier Union High School District Receives $13.7 Million in Relief Funds

Whittier Union High School District will benefit from $13.7 million in relief funds, presented by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez during a July 8 distribution event at Pioneer High School. The financial relief stems from the American Rescue Plan, which allotted funding for public education through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds. The funds, supported by Congresswoman Sánchez, will help ensure the District’s recovery out of the pandemic. The financial relief stems from the American Rescue Plan, which allotted funding for public education through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds. The plan, supported by Congresswoman Sánchez, will help ensure the District’s recovery out of the pandemic.

Baldwin Park High School Boys Soccer Team to be Recognized by City

The Baldwin Park High School boys varsity soccer team will be recognized by the City of Baldwin Park during its regular city council meeting at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 7. The Baldwin Park Unified soccer team won the CIF Southern Section Division V Championship in May – the school’s first title since 2014.

Whittier Union Hosts Food Giveaway During Drive-Thru Event

Whittier Union High School District, in partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Supervisor Janice Hahn and the City of Santa Fe Springs, will host a food giveaway during a drive-thru distribution event from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, July 7. The event will take place at Santa Fe High School, 10400 Orr and Day Rd., Santa Fe Springs. The event is strictly drive-thru, no walk-ups will be allowed. Face coverings are required, and line formation will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Whittier Union to Return to Full-Time Instruction for 2021-22 School Year

Whittier Union High School District will return to full-time, in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year, which begins Thursday, Aug. 12. All students have been automatically enrolled for in-person learning, which consists of six-hour days, five days a week. Families who are not yet ready to return full-time have the option to enroll in the District’s Independent Study Program.

Whittier Union Offers Curbside Meal Distribution During Summer Months

Whittier Union’s Food and Nutrition Services Department will offer curbside meal distribution for its community through Thursday, July 15. Meals are available Mondays to Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for those 18 years of age and under. On Thursdays, Whittier Union will distribute bulk meals that include four breakfast and four lunch meals. Meals are available at all five of the District’s comprehensive high schools.

Whittier Union Honors Class of 2021 with In-Person Commencement Ceremonies

Nearly 2,800 Whittier Union High School District students made their way across the graduation stage during in-person graduation ceremonies held June 1-3, marking their milestone achievement through an unprecedented school year with emotional speeches, musical performances and tears of joy. The socially distanced ceremonies looked vastly different than years past, but provided a sense of normalcy to students, families and staff. Students maintained their distance from each other as they were escorted onto the field and seated six feet apart. Families remained socially distanced in the stands through fixed seating, implemented to ensure compliance with county and state regulations.

Whittier Union Correspondence Chess Players Gain National Prominence

When Whittier High School senior Isabel Luna joined the school’s Chess Club, she was looking to challenge herself and connect with her peers in a way that went beyond Zoom conferencing. At first intimidated by what she perceived was a male-dominated sport, Luna learned that chess can be mastered with patience and dedication. Quarantining at home, Luna discovered correspondence chess, which is typically played through the postal system or email. Through correspondence chess, Luna has sharpened her skills in the comfort of her home, gained new friends and exercised her brain. In the process, Luna has emerged as one of the top-ranked female correspondence chess players in the United States.

Whittier Union Student Receives $20,000 Destiny Scholarship from Santa Fe Springs Chamber

Santa Fe High School senior Madison Kelly will pursue her dream of studying aquatic mammals and ecosystems at UC San Diego – on her way to a career as a marine biologist – with the help of a $20,000 Destiny Scholarship, awarded annually by the City of Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce. Kelly – recognized as an exceptional graduating senior by the chamber – has completed six Advanced Placement classes, five Honors classes, is listed as one of Santa Fe’s Top 100 students and has competed on Santa Fe’s swim and water polo teams. Kelly is also a public programs docent for the Ocean Institute of Dana Point.