Nearly 750 incoming ninth-graders at California High School will preview classes, meet teachers, make new friends and learn more about the Condor campus – their home for the next four years – on Tuesday, Aug. 13 as part of Whittier Union High School District’s Freshman First Day program. This year, Whittier Union will welcome over 2,700 freshmen and over 11,000 overall. The first day of school for all students is Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Pioneer High School math teacher Carolina DeHart has been selected Whittier Union's 2019-20 Teacher of the Year. DeHart has spent nearly 30 years making a positive impact on Pioneer students as a teacher and tutor, instilling high expectations while pushing students to attend college and pursue their dream careers. She was hired as a calculus teacher at Pioneer in 1989. Over the years, she has taught every math class at Pioneer, from algebra and geometry to trigonometry and math analysis. In addition, she tutors three afternoons a week as part of Pioneer’s Prep Program.
Hundreds of friends and family members cheered as over 500 students were awarded certificates on July 18 for completing the 29th annual Pioneer High School Summer Math Academy, an accelerated six-week mathematics program inspired by renowned educator Jaime Escalante.
Three longtime Whittier Union High School District educators will transition into new administrative roles for the 2019-20 school year, bringing years of veteran leadership and knowledge to essential managerial positions. The three administrators – all hired by the District in 2004 – are Kristin Kooiman, Director of Personnel Services; Lilia Vasquez, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Santa Fe High School; and Diana Salazar Baez, Assistant Principal of Business Activities at Whittier High School.
In its ongoing efforts to improve student learning and achievement, Whittier Union will continue to offer an after-school credit recovery program and provide additional support classes during the school day to ensure students master the standards and content the first time they take a course to successfully meet college entrance requirements.
Whittier Union Approves 2019-20 Spending Plan
Whittier Union will continue to offer an after-school credit recovery program and provide additional support classes during the school day as part of its 2019-20 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and budget. The LCAP aims to ensure students master the standards and content the first time they take a course to successfully meet college entrance requirements. For 2019-20, Whittier Union will invest $24 million to develop programs specifically targeting its high-needs groups: economically disadvantaged students, foster youth and English learners.
Whittier High School will host a Celebration of Life memorial service in honor of one of its most distinguished Cardinals, William C. Gordon, a Class of 1955 graduate and donor to the campus who passed away in March. He was 82. The celebration will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29 in the William C. Gordon Library at Whittier High School, 12417 Philadelphia St., Whittier.
Whittier High School to Honor Alumnus with Memorial Service
Whittier High School will host a Celebration of Life at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29 for Class of 1955 graduate William C. Gordon, who died in March at age 82. A renowned author and attorney, Gordon donated more than $230,000 to the school. The event will be in the William C. Gordon Library at Whittier High, 12417 Philadelphia St., Whittier.
The Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees recognized the lifetime contributions of La Serna High School physical education teacher and former varsity softball coach Ginger Larsin, approving the dedication of the school’s new softball field in her honor during its May 14 board meeting.
Frontier High School history teacher Mary Ann Fajardo is one of six Los Angeles-area educators selected to travel to Germany in June as part of a 10-day program that will provide first-hand accounts of the Holocaust from survivors, eyewitnesses and scholars.
