As Whittier Union schools prepare students to take their Advanced Placement exams for the first time ever from home and online – a challenging feat for any student – Pioneer High School teachers and staff showed their support by holding a drive-thru pep rally on May 6. While observing social distancing and wearing protective masks, Pioneer administrators and AP teachers banded together to provide 150 students who are poised to take their AP exams, which begin Monday and continue through May 22, with “survival kits” containing supplies and snacks.
Whittier Union seniors donned college apparel, held school pennants and posed with colorful balloons as they reminisced about their high school experiences and celebrated their next steps – into college, military or careers – during virtual College Signing Day activities on May 1. College Signing Day recognizes high school seniors’ commitment to continuing their education at four-year universities, community colleges, the military or vocational schools. Although many universities have extended decision day until June 1, many students have already made their choices.
Whittier Union’s five comprehensive high schools have been listed among the top-performing public high schools in the state and the nation, according to the 2020 Best High Schools rankings by U.S. News and World Report. California, La Serna, Pioneer, Santa Fe and Whittier high schools ranked in the top 25% or higher of high schools in the nation, in addition to earning high rankings among approximately 2,600 high schools in the state.
Whittier High School engineering teacher Steve Swanson is bringing a little comfort to the medical workers at PIH Health Whittier as they support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using 3D printers, Swanson, who is in his fifth year teaching at Whittier High, created over 300 ear guards for surgical masks and donated them to the hospital’s health care professionals this month.
Whittier Union Engages 95% of Students in Distance Learning
Since launching its Distance Learning program, Whittier Union has engaged 95% of students through Google Classroom, where 98% of teachers are posting assignments and projects. During the transition from in-classroom instruction to remote learning, the District has provided teachers and staff continued professional development to carry out classes from home, adapt the curriculum and become better-versed with technology. To ensure students have the technological access to learn from home, the District has distributed over 1,325 Chromebooks and has secured 300 hotspots to distribute to families.
Whittier Union Senior Wins Full-tuition Posse Scholarship
Santa Fe High School senior Roman Vargas entered middle school without any expectation of ever attending college, but six years of Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes and rigorous academic opportunities taught him to set goals, collaborate with classmates and work toward achieving post-secondary success. Vargas – a first-generation college student with a 4.2 GPA – is on his way toward making his dreams happen after winning a full-tuition Posse Foundation scholarship to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges, a private liberal arts college in Geneva, New York, where he will major in history.
Santa Fe High School senior Roman Vargas entered middle school without any expectation of ever attending college, but six years of Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes and rigorous academic opportunities taught him to set goals, collaborate with classmates and work toward achieving post-secondary success. Vargas – a first-generation college student with a 4.2 GPA – is on his way toward making his dreams happen after winning a full-tuition Posse Foundation scholarship to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), a private liberal arts college in Geneva, New York, where he will major in history.
Whittier High School senior Cristian Rodriguez loves working behind the scenes – whether that’s by providing support as a member of the Vic Lopez Auditorium Technical Crew (ATC) or helping to co-author and publicize his family’s literary projects. Since arriving at Whittier High as a sophomore, Rodriguez has passed four Advanced Placement exams, earned a 4.45 GPA, gained a reputation for his maturity and leadership skills and is poised to be one of the school’s valedictorians.
Whittier Union Alumnus Named New Pioneer High’s Head Football Coach
After graduating from Pioneer High School over three decades ago, longtime educator and athletic coach Steve Randall is returning to his alma mater as its new head football coach, bringing with him championship swagger and an emphasis on character building. Randall, who graduated in 1984, comes to Pioneer after a distinguished career as head coach at Colony High School in Ontario, where he compiled a 64-32 record and guided the team to a Central Division CIF championship in 2014, a year which saw Randall named Coach of the Year.
Whittier Union Schools Earn Recognition for Engaging STEM Programs
Two Whittier Union high schools are being highlighted for their outstanding work to expand access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses and develop robust, engaging programs that prepare students for innovative careers. For the second consecutive year, Whittier High School earned the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in its AP Computer Science Principles course. La Serna High School was recently recognized by Newsweek Magazine and STEM.org as one of America’s Top 5,000 STEM High Schools.
