La Serna High School’s incoming ninth-graders will get a chance to preview classes, meet teachers, make new friends and learn more about the Lancer campus – their home for the next four years – on Tuesday, Aug. 14 as part of Whittier Union High School District’s Freshman First Day program.
Whittier Union schools will welcome approximately 2,778 freshmen on Tuesday, Aug. 14 for its Freshman First Day orientation program, which allows students to meet new classmates and take part in fun team-building activities. Students will get a preview tour of their classes and meet their teachers and administrators, as well as Link Crew members, who will serve as mentors during their first year of high school. The program takes place annually at each Whittier Union High School District campus to help smooth students' transition to high school. The first official day is Wednesday, Aug. 15.
Santa Fe High School welcomed 36 incoming freshmen who completed a six-week Summer Bridge program designed to build their confidence and encourage them to get involved in campus activities. Parents and family members attended a completion ceremony on July 19. A part of the Santa Fe curriculum since 1995, the Summer Bridge class consists primarily of students from Lake Center and Lakeside middle schools who score below a 2.0 GPA. Bridge students listened to guest speakers, brushed up on study skills and time management, and immersed themselves in the six pillars of character.
More than 500 local middle and high school students will celebrate the completion of an accelerated six-week summer math academy, inspired by famous math educator Jaime Escalante, with an end-of-summer ceremony at noon Thursday, July 19. The 28th annual Jaime Escalante Math Academy, held in June and July, offered students the opportunity to take Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Math Analysis, Pre-Calculus or Calculus. Pioneer High School is at 10800 Benavon St., Whittier.
More than 530 incoming freshmen sampled high school life during California High School’s HS 102 course, a three-week summer program during which students participate in a variety of activities that introduce them to the academic and extra-curricular opportunities available on campus. Launched in 2013, the program, which ran from June 11-28, acclimates students as they transition from middle school to high school. It also familiarizes students with school expectations and provides them with the opportunity to earn 2.5 credits for completing the course.
Whittier Union High School District on June 26 adopted a spending plan that pledges to continue building on its efforts to increase student achievement, including by providing extra support to English learners and training teachers to identify students in need of intervention. For 2018-19, Whittier Union will invest $21.7 million in supplemental funds to develop programs specifically targeting high-needs students – those from low-income homes, in the foster system or who are learning English – under its Local Control and Accountability Plan.
Pioneer High School ed tech lead and math teacher Lisa Ceja has earned a spot in Google for Education’s Certified Innovator program, a year-long professional development experience that includes mentorship opportunities, online learning activities and an in-person, three-day Innovation Academy that helps participants launch a project related to a challenge in education. The academy will be held Monday, July 9 to Wednesday, July 11 at the Google office in Venice, California.
Twenty five-year transportation veteran Rafael Delgado has been selected to lead the Whittier Union High School District’s new transportation department, which is set to launch service to area students on July 1. Delgado recently served as the director of transportation for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. He previously worked at the Los Angeles County Office of Education coordinating special education routing in the San Gabriel Valley and South Bay/Lennox areas. The District will host meetings from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, Thursday, July 12, Tuesday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 18 so parents meet can Delgado, learn about the improved services and receive information on transportation. Meetings will be held in the District office, 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier. Juliette Funes, 909-447-2404 (office)
La Serna High School English and Puente Program teacher Shelly DeSimone dreamed of a career in education as early as second grade, when a teacher asked her to help a struggling English learner. For DeSimone’s efforts in preparing La Serna English learners for college, she was named Whittier Union High School District’s 2017-18 Teacher of the Year. Over her 34-year career, DeSimone has helped hundreds of students to speak, read and write English, guided La Serna’s Puente Program since its inception and established herself as an author of teen fiction written for English learners.
Rosemead High School will add an unusual component to its student-run organic herb and vegetable gardens – a garden of weeds to examine how common intruders such as dandelions, clover and nettles can benefit the ecosystem. The “Wisdom of Weeds” program will be developed with a $3,000 Budding Botanist Grant, awarded to the school for its commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity. The grant – consisting of a $2,500 check and books/materials valued at $500 – was provided through a joint partnership between Klorane Botanical Foundation and KidsGardening.org. It was presented during a ceremony and garden tour on May 17.
