Superintendent’s Message

It is great to see the warm colors of autumn returning as all of our schools enthusiastically hum with activity, fully focused on the new academic year. While our data continue to show steady gains in academic achievement and we fully expect our students’ progress to keep climbing this year, in this message, I would like to write about the reasons why we are realizing such tremendous results.

If we are about anything in Whittier Union, we are about focus – a relentless, continuous, purposeful focus on improved student academic performance.  In order to achieve our goal, we focus on the fundamentals: effective instructional strategies, quality curriculum, and best teaching practices.

Our students have benefited tremendously from our commitment to stay the course, to remain focused on our effort to do “Whatever it Takes” to ensure our students achieve, not by enabling them but by holding them to high expectations and providing the tools they need to succeed.

Even so, none of this would be possible without everyone working together toward a common moral purpose which is: to improve the well-being and ability to achieve of every one of our students.

Great organizations achieve what others cannot by defying assumptions. They do so because of their commonly held purpose, beliefs and shared values. Whittier Union has defied the assumption that demographics determine destiny.  We believe in our students and we believe in our ability to make a difference in their lives.

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Sandra Thorstenson

Superintendent

Test Scores Raise WUHSD API

Whittier Union High School District’s students’ state test scores continued to rise in 2010-11, sending the District’s overall California State Academic Performance Index (API) up 11 points to 777, according to results released by the California State Department of Education (CDE).

Each of the District’s five comprehensive high schools exceeded its school-wide API growth target and is in the 92nd to 99th percentiles for growth in the state. Santa Fe High School students achieved the biggest gain with an increase of 17 points for an API of 803, the first time the school has surpassed the state target of 800 points. La Serna High School’s API rose 15 points, reaching 839.

California High School’s API increased 12 points, garnering an API of 788. Whittier High School’s students’ scores raised the school’s API nine points to 771, and Pioneer High School’s API increased eight points to reach 725.

“We are especially proud of our students who are continuing to achieve academically at higher levels than ever before,” said Whittier Union High School District Superintendent Sandra Thorstenson. “To show this degree of continued growth is phenomenal, especially at the high school level and in light of the severe budget cuts we continue to endure.”

La Serna High School to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

La Serna High School is gearing up to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary Nov. 3 and 4 with a full slate of special events.

Alumni and friends will attend a special celebration dinner Thursday, Nov. 3 in the Melvin Locke Gymnasium at La Serna High School. All five La Serna High School principals who have served the school over the past 50 years will attend, including Melvin Locke!

A 50th anniversary tailgate party will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, followed by the La Serna High School Homecoming football game against Pioneer High School from 7 to 9 p.m. at the California High School stadium, 9800 S. Mills Ave. The game will feature a special La Serna 50th Anniversary Halftime Show. Tickets to the homecoming football game are $6 and will be available for purchase at the game. For information, please visit: www.wuhsd.org/lshs or call (562) 698-8121, ext. 6010.

Whittier High Senior Chosen National Merit Semifinalist

Whittier High School senior Michael Wheeler recently was named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist.

Wheeler is one of 16,000 semifinalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. He is one of a select group of academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million that will be offered in the spring.

Wheeler is ranked #1 at Whittier High School, with a 4.35 GPA, said Whittier High School Principal Lori Eshilian.  He has taken math classes at Whittier High since he was in the seventh grade, and currently is one of two Whittier High students taking a math course at Whittier College.

Santa Fe High School Senior Honored

Every year, one stellar student from each Whittier Union high school is chosen to receive special recognition from the Board of Trustees for their achievements. This year, the first student selected for this honor is Matthew Gutierrez, a senior at Santa Fe High School.

Amazingly, only a few years ago, Gutierrez was considering leaving high school, taking the California High School Proficiency Exam and enrolling in community college courses, said Santa Fe High School Principal Kevin Jamero. 

“Following a conference involving Matthew, his parents, and his counselor it was decided that Matthew would continue at Santa Fe,” Jamero told the Board of Trustees. “He admits that the decision to stay at Santa Fe was definitely the right one.”

Frontier High School Principal Gabe Moorman Retires

Frontier High School’s Principal Gabe Moorman is retiring his post in November after almost six years of dedicated service to the school.

“The time I have spent as Principal of Frontier has been extraordinarily fulfilling and has provided me with the opportunity to achieve my life-long goal to provide a better future for students,” Moorman said. “It is a wonderful feeling to know that I played a part in creating a culture at Frontier where all students can learn and be successful.”

Moorman has been an outstanding team player in his six years as a member of the Superintendent’s Council and has worked diligently to support students’ success at Frontier, said Superintendent Sandra Thorstenson.

“Gabe is a man of great integrity and character,” Thorstenson said. “His easy going demeanor and positive personality have truly been appreciated by those who have had the pleasure of working with him.”

New Pioneer High School Assistant Principal Appointed

The Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees recently appointed Annette Ledesma to be the new Assistant Principal of Business and Activities for Pioneer High School.

Ledesma was promoted from her position as Dean of Pioneer High School. As the Dean, Ledesma proved to be a valuable team member of the Pioneer community and quickly established herself as being highly effective and service-oriented.

“We are proud to have Annette take this next step in her professional career leading the activities program at Pioneer High School,” said Superintendent Sandra Thorstenson. “Annette has established positive relationships with the school community, and parents have expressed their gratitude for Annette’s character and leadership.”

California High School Modernization Projects Underway

Modernization projects are in full swing on all of Whittier Union’s campuses this fall.

Construction is nearing completion on California High School’s south walkway that will lead to the newly modernized administration building, which is also under construction. The walkway features attractive stamped concrete, new planters and landscaping. Work is in progress on the remodeling of Building J, which will house the new administrative offices near the school entrance off of Hawes Street. The new administration building is scheduled to be completed in early 2012.

Cal High’s senior quad now features new interlocking pavers and planters, giving the tree-shaded area a clean, updated look. In addition, a new shade structure will be installed on the newly remodeled main quad for shaded amphitheater seating by the end of 2012.