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Whittier Union High School District

  • Whittier Union Adult School Student Receives Award of Merit for Resilience, Determination

    At a crossroads with her education, California High School Class of 2018 graduate Abigail Villanueva had completed her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and public health at the University of Southern California, with a goal of enrolling in medical school. But before she could apply to a college, Villanueva needed to gain clinical experience in a medical setting. Taking the advice of a friend and former Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) student, Villanueva enrolled in the WUAS medical assistant program, a comprehensive two-quarter course where students gain essential clinical and administrative skills through hands-on training that prepares them for real-world scenarios, clinical training, and internships.

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  • Whittier Union Alumna Seeks to Give Back to Community as Human Rights Advocate

    California High School Class of 2016 graduate Alondra Saldivar has a passion for helping others. From her days leading Cal High Condors into community service projects as Interact Club president to her current role as a law graduate working for the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in Arizona, Saldivar has worked tirelessly to champion human rights while inspiring others to become community volunteers. Saldivar’s post-secondary journey has been a whirlwind of education and advocacy, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a Juris Doctor degree at the University of San Francisco (USF), all while continuing to mentor young students and encourage them to pursue participation in community service clubs.

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  • Whittier Union Senior Celebrated, Receives $50,000 Edison Scholarship Surprise in Class

    Pioneer High School senior Olivia Jimenez envisions a day when socially assistive robotics will provide equitable and affordable support for children with special needs, helping them with their cognitive development and social skills. Jimenez’s goal is to use the field of mechanical engineering as a template for doing good work. Jimenez became inspired to work in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) after watching her sister, who is autistic, struggle to find the support she needed in under-resourced schools. Jimenez became fascinated with STEM, immersing herself in projects, exploring all possibilities, and searching for answers, a pursuit that led to her becoming Pioneer High’s Science Club president.

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Pioneer High Teacher Continues Legacy of Success with Escalante Summer Math Academy

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.

Cal High Summer Program Introduces Incoming Freshmen to High School through 3-week Summer Program

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 Spending Plan Includes Expanded Credit Recovery Programs, Academic Mentor Training

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 Teacher Accepted into Google for Education’s Innovator Program

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.

Experienced Leader to Helm Whittier Union’s New Transportation Department

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)

Whittier Union Names English Instructor as 2018-19 Teacher of the Year

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 Receives $3,000 Budding Botanist Grant to Explore Wisdom of Weeds

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.

2 Whittier Union Students Awarded $30,000 in Scholarships

Two Santa Fe High School graduating seniors, who have developed a passion to give back to their community and inspire those around them, have collectively earned $30,000 in scholarships from the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce to pursue their dreams as first-generation college students. Students Sarah Garcia and Jennisa Casillas are among seven recipients of a Destiny Scholarship, awarded by the Chamber/League Youth Enrichment Fund. Casillas won $10,000 while Garcia was named the winner of the $20,000 Destiny Scholarship, aimed at providing students the opportunity to change their direction in life, or their “destiny.”

Whittier Union Celebrates Nearly 3,000 Graduates

El Monte Union High School District honored more than 2,000 members of the Class of 2018 in commencement ceremonies. The District celebrated 530 graduating seniors from Arroyo High School, 427 students from El Monte High School, 322 students from Mountain View High, 394 seniors from Rosemead High and 305 students from South El Monte High. Fernando R. Ledesma graduated 75 students and the El Monte-Rosemead Adult School celebrated 90 students. Together, the five comprehensive high schools produced 58 valedictorians with GPAs of 4.2 or higher.

Whittier Union Students Celebrate College, Career Choices

Whittier Union High School District students took their first steps toward the next chapter of their academic futures during College Signing Day Ceremonies and Decision Day celebrations hosted by each comprehensive high school. Students signed “I’m Going to College” posters, decorated emblems and took celebratory group photos.