Whittier Union High School District’s Class of 2021 will be celebrated during in-person commencement ceremonies at District stadiums, held from Tuesday, June 1 to Thursday June 3. Capacity will be limited, and health and safety measures will be enforced. Face coverings and social distancing will be required during the duration of the ceremonies, and directional signs and floor markers will be in place to ensure proper management of movement in the stadiums. The District will share more information regarding capacity and ceremony logistics as it becomes available.
Whittier Union to Offer In-Person Instruction Two Days a Week
The Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees approved a move to Stage Three reopening – with students receiving in-person instruction two days a week – beginning Monday, April 27. Under Stage Three, students in Cohorts A1 and A2 will be combined and attend school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Students in Cohorts B1 and B2 will be combined and attend school on Thursdays and Fridays. Families have the option of continuing 100% remote learning for the remainder of the school year. Students and staff will continue participating in daily health screenings and temperature checks.
California High School senior Bryant Mendez Melchor is one step closer to fulfilling his dream of attending an elite university after receiving a $40,000 College Board Opportunity Scholarship, awarded to just 25 students from across the country. Bryant Mendez, a high-achieving scholar with a 4.55 GPA, will attend Stanford University and major in computer science. As a first-generation American, Mendez’s determination to succeed is inspired by his family and a deep compassion for helping others.
Whittier Union High School District students, carrying colorful posters with messages of encouragement, returned to campus beginning on April 6 and continuing throughout the week, marking the beginning of the District’s reopening for in-person instruction. Students, lined up six feet apart, were excitedly greeted by teachers, administrators, and staff, many of whom were meeting their students for the first time. Students underwent health screenings and temperature checks prior to entering campus.
Whittier Union High School District announced the first phase of scheduled facilities upgrades and improvements from the $183 million Measure AA bond, passed by voters last November, providing structural relief and security enhancement for each of the District’s comprehensive high schools. Roughly one-third of the bonds issued – $50 million – has been earmarked for 16 projects designed to modernize schools and District structures, improve energy efficiency, and provide increased access to technology. The initial round of improvements and construction, which began in January, is slated to proceed through June 2025.
Whittier Union High School District’s Puente Program celebrated the birthday and legacy of Cesar Chavez during a virtual event on March 31. Keynote speaker Anthony Chavez, grandson of Cesar Chavez, addressed Puente students and fielded questions on the legacy of Chavez, community service and the fight for social justice. The event kicked off the Cesar Chavez Day of Service, where students were encouraged to create a service project through art or writing and become eligible to win the Spirit of Cesar Chavez College Scholarship.
Pioneer High School senior Idaly Iturralde has been recognized as a 2021 Dell Scholar by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, receiving a $20,000 scholarship spread over four years as she pursues her college and career goals. As a Dell Scholar, Iturralde will also receive a laptop and access to Dell Scholars Connect, a mentoring program which offers support from other Dell Scholars.
Whittier Union School Partners with Whittier College for Online Tutoring
Sierra Vista High School has partnered with the Center for Engagement with Communities at Whittier College to provide online tutoring opportunities for students. Through the partnership, students will have access to four Whittier College mentors who will support them during online tutoring sessions in all subject areas. One tutor will focus primarily on assisting Learning Pods, a Quarter 4 intervention program at Sierra Vista designed to help students with good attendance but low credit production, and increasing credit production for the final grading period of the school year.
Whittier Union High School Wellness Program Connects with Students
Personalized gift bags – filled with snacks, stress balls, school supplies, resource guides and positive messaging – reached the homes of 55 students as part of California High School’s Cal Cares wellness program, during a distribution event that took place March 17-19. Cal Cares is aimed at connecting Cal High administrators and counselors with students who have experienced social-emotional distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gift bags have been distributed to more than 175 Cal High students through the 2020-21 school year, providing comfort to students who have lost loved ones, are experiencing anxiety or just need to hear a kind word.
La Serna High School senior Diana Gonzalez received an Award of Merit for her determination and leadership from the Whittier Union Board of Trustees during a board meeting on March 9. Gonzalez, who immigrated to California from Mexico with her mother and brother as a fifth grader, spoke no English when she arrived. Determined, positive and resourceful, Gonzalez sought to learn a new language and new culture. Her skills developed so rapidly that she now serves as a peer mentor and role model for English Language Development students.
