Follow-up Story: Surrounded by coaches, family members and friends, California High School varsity softball player Jessika Jaime signed her scholarship letter to play the sport to which she devoted her childhood. Jessika, who has been playing softball since she was 5 years old, signed her letter of intent Nov. 13 to join the Siena Saints softball program at Siena College, a private Division I university in Albany County, New York. D-I schools are the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the country.
Pioneer High School Honors Veterans During Ceremony
Follow-up Story: Whittier’s Pioneer High School held a touching Veterans Day ceremony ahead of the holiday to recognize staff members who have served in the armed forces and to honor alumni who gave their lives in service. The event included a performance by the award-winning school choir, a lighting of the Titan Torch by veterans and a laying of the wreath at the memorial in front of the school. Board of Trustees member Tim Schneider, an Army veteran participated in the presentation. Photos are available. Media contact: Juliette Funes, 909-447-2404 (office)
Whittier Union High School District is expanding Santa Fe High School’s award-winning mental health program to all District schools, providing wellness centers, counseling services and overall support for students who experience barriers to their personal and academic achievement. Following the success of Santa Fe’s Serenity Program, which won a Golden Bell Award in 2013, the District is launching the Student Well-Being Program under its Mental Health Initiative, which involves 16 master- and bachelor-level social work interns who provide on-campus counseling and case management, expanded partnerships with community agencies, implementation of an online referral system and staff training on threat assessment. The District identified wellness services as a priority under its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), a blueprint for how the District will target services for its greatest student needs. Media contact: Juliette Funes, 909-447-2404 (office)
Follow-up Story: The talented marching bands, pep and cheer squads and drill teams from the Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools gave rousing performances to a packed house Nov. 3 at California High School for the annual Band Jamboree. Close to 2,500 spectators were treated to outstanding performances from all student groups. Cheer and song squads performed inside the school’s gym while the marching bands and color guards performed in the stadium. The event serves as a major fundraiser for their respective programs, as well as the District Instrumental Music Program.
Photos are available.
Follow-up Story: Associated Student Body (ASB) members from each of the Whittier Union High School District’s comprehensive high schools held their annual ASB Social/Dinner Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the Sierra Education Center Gymnasium. The event provided an opportunity for the student leaders to get to know one another, share ideas, build District unity and just have fun. The event also gave ASB students a chance to meet the Board of Trustees over dinner and attend a Board meeting to learn how the district is governed.
Photos are available.
Students at the Whittier Union High School District continue to raise the bar for college- and career-readiness, with the latest state data showing more students than ever taking Advanced Placement exams, passing the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) and narrowing the achievement gap. Media contact: Juliette Funes, 909-447-2404 (office)
Follow-up Story: Friendly competition always brews between sisters and fellow Pioneer High School students Leslie, Annai and Valeria Jimenez when it comes to sports and academics. This year, that competitive spirit is bringing them closer than ever. Leslie, a senior, Annai, a junior, and Valeria, a sophomore, are all playing together on Pioneer High’s Varsity Volleyball team. And while each sister has her own unique quirks, they all agree that being teammates has strengthened their sisterhood.
Pioneer High Welcomes New Assistant Principal as Whittier Union Brings on 30 New Teachers
Pioneer High School recently hired Steve Rodriguez – a former administrator at El Rancho Unified with more than 16 years in education – as the new Assistant Principal of Curriculum. Rodriguez, a native of Pico Rivera who now lives in Whittier, said his goal is to improve the learning experience for students and help them achieve their goals. In addition to Rodriguez, Whittier Union kicked off the new school year with more than 30 new hires. This is the largest number of teachers the District has hired in a single school year since 2007, ensuring that it meets its commitment to reducing class sizes and adding more sections. Media contact: Juliette Funes, 909-447-2404 (office)
Follow-up Story: More than 2,000 students met with 60-plus college representatives and attended workshops on college preparedness Sept. 25, when La Serna High School hosted the Whittier Union High School District College Fair. Topics covered included admission requirements and financial aid.
Photos are available.
Whittier High School threw a Welcome Back celebration for student Mason Tellez, who will be returning to school next week after months of therapy and recovery due to a collapse he had while training with the school’s cross country/long distance track team in March. The Whittier Union High School District and Tellez’s peers have rallied behind him in the months that followed, visiting him in the hospital, wearing T-shirts with supportive messages and organizing a run from the school to the hospital where he was recuperating. The Aug. 29 celebration, which included hundreds of students, included Tellez walking out on stage with his dad’s help.
