State Organization Studies Whittier Union for Driving Student Success
The California Collaborative on District Reform – a state group that aims to inform district-level efforts to improve instruction and outcomes for all California students – gathered at the Whittier Union High School District in June for a two-day meeting in which educators, researchers and policy-makers studied the District's success in local and state assessments and teacher leadership to improve student achievement. Participants included members of the state Board of Education, CDE deputy superintendents, the executive director of the California Office to Reform Education, researchers from Northwestern, Stanford and Brown Universities, and educators from area school districts.
Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal. At least that’s the case for Stephen Zavala, a 2011 Whittier High School graduate who was recently selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 37th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Zavala – a star catcher on the Whittier High Cardinals Baseball team and member of Whittier College’s 2015 graduating class – has already signed a contract and reported to St. Louis’ Class A minor league affiliate in Palm Beach, Florida. Zavala began playing baseball when he was 8 years old, combining his natural talent with a studious approach that allowed him to advance quickly. After spending his freshman year on the Whittier High junior varsity squad, Zavala became the starting varsity catcher for the next three seasons, batting .365 while developing a reputation as a strong-armed backstop. After graduating from Whittier High, Zavala spent four years as a standout player for Whittier College, a member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), batting over .300 each season. Zavala is believed to be the only Whittier High Cardinal selected in the 50-year history of the MLB draft.
The Whittier Union High School District plans to invest $15 million to expand summer school courses, broaden student mental health services, strengthen technology support and implement a unique Academic English course that will directly support English learner students as part of its 2015-18 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Programs in the plan, a requirement of the state’s school funding system, include reduced class sizes, additional counselors, additional tutoring services, support classes in English/Guided Study, field experiences and college visits and funding for the Horizons program, among others. The Board of Trustees will vote Tuesday, June 23 on the LCAP and budget for the 2015-16 academic year.
Follow-up Story: More than 3,000 students from Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools and adult school capped their high school careers with commencement ceremonies this week, with Pioneer High School celebrating its graduation in the brand new 7,000-seat Dick Torres Memorial Stadium. Frontier and Sierra Vista high schools and the Whittier Adult School held their ceremonies June 2 while California, La Serna, Pioneer, Santa Fe and Whittier high schools held their graduations June 3. Photos are available.
Follow-up Story: Frontier High School Principal Margie Moriarty has been named Administrator of the Year by the California Continuation Education Association, a state group that recognizes quality alternative education programs and excellent administrators who cultivate a supportive environment. The recognition of Moriarty’s leadership follows recognition of Frontier as a Model Continuation High School by the state Department of Education in March. Moriarty – who has been at Frontier since 2011 and Whittier Union since 1993 – represents District 7, which includes all non-Los Angeles Unified school districts in Los Angeles County. Frontier teacher Denise Gimenez was also awarded Whittier Union High School District’s 2014-15 Teacher of the Year.
Whittier Union Seniors Cap Off Academic Careers with Commencement
Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools will cap off their high school careers with commencement ceremonies on Wednesday, June 3. Pioneer High will celebrate its graduation at 6 p.m. in the brand new 7,000-seat Dick Torres Memorial Stadium, 10800 Benavon St. Cal High will hold its graduation at 6:30 p.m. in its school stadium, 9800 S. Mills Ave., Whittier; La Serna High’s graduation will be at 6 p.m. in the La Mirada High School Stadium, 13520 Adelfa Ave., La Mirada; Santa Fe High School will hold its ceremony in the Cerritos College Stadium, 11110 E. Alondra Blvd., Norwalk; and Whittier High will hold its ceremony in the Whittier College stadium, 13847 Earlham Drive.
La Serna High School will hold a special ceremony at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 27 in the school gym to recognize 24 Whittier Union student-athletes who have signed letters of intent or who have committed to play at a college or university. Each senior will have banners and decorative items representing the local and national universities they will attend, from Cal Baptist University to the University of Southern California. Sports represented include bowling, soccer, cheer, volleyball, soccer, water polo, softball, baseball, football, tennis, track and swim. La Serna is at 15301 Youngwood Drive.
Follow-up Story: La Serna High School student leaders on May 11 challenged more than 550 classmates to “Shatter the Stigma” associated with mental health through the debut of a “Notice, Talk, Act” pilot program, which encourages students to actively support friends who may struggle with mental illness. The presentations were among several activities planned for La Serna’s “Mental Health Awareness Day.” The school also screened a student-produced video encouraging students to use the “Notice, Talk, Act” approach to reach out to friends in need and hosted a presentation outlining the benefits of seeking professional mental health counseling.
Follow-up Story: Thirty California High School Seniors were formally recognized by the Whittier City Council at a meeting held April 28 for their successful completion of the “Whittier Students in Government” (WSIG) Program, a collaborative effort between the City of Whittier and the Whittier Union High School District that offers students who are interested in government with ground-level, hands-on experience working at the municipal level. The Advanced Placement (AP) Government students were given the opportunity to serve in roles that parallel those within existing city government, including mayor, mayor pro-tem, city council members, city manager and administrative staff. Students conducted research over the course of several months and organized proposals.
Whittier High School ASB Students Love Their Lunch Lady
Whittier High School’s food services manager Kathy Tyler won the Southern California School Nutrition Association’s inaugural “I Love My Lunch Lady” competition after Associated Student Body students sang their praises for her in a video they produced spoofing Weird Al Yankovic’s “Girls Just Want to Have Lunch.” The honor brings with it a $1,000 award that will be split between Tyler and Whittier High. The student-produced video is available at www.EatSmart2beSmart.org.
