Saturday, March 18, 2017

Welcome to the March - April 2017 Edition


Image result for west hills high school logo

Welcome to March Wolf Pack Families!  We had a terrific PACK Day on Friday, March 10 with over 500 parents and guardians in attendance. We thank you for your continued support and partnering with us on this fun and educational day.

Looking down the road, April 7 is our next capture date for Progress Report Grades just in time for our April 10-21 Spring Break. Progress grades will be available within a week of our return and we hope you continue to monitor and talk with your students and their teachers about their grades, tutoring as needed, and attending Saturday Scholars for making up work and addressing full day absences. We want to support all students as much as possible in support of our "Academics First" approach.


Image result for saturday scholars


SATURDAY SCHOLARS is Saturday, March 25, 8-12, meet in the Pit to sign in and be assigned a classroom: We expect any student with 5 or more all day absences and / or grades of C- or lower to attend Saturday Scholars with parent and guardian support. This is an excellent opportunity to support student learning in addition to tutorials. Students bring your Chromebooks and we'll be sending out reminders in the portals as well in the student bulletin to attend. Students can bring a snack and water for the break...thank you!


Image result for TestingBeginning the week of April 24, we go into a very different schedule. This is our state and federal testing schedule along with Advanced Placement testing. Please take a look at this testing schedule. It is on our website, and every student will get a color copy from their Period 3 teacher the week of April 3. We know transportation, family coordination of activities and student employment are all important and wanted to get the information out to you and to students early. We will be emailing attachments to you via the Parent and Student portals in Infinite Campus but also wanted you to have it available here. Due to the timing requirements of the exams, we needed to go into a block schedule. This is the same format we have used for the last several years and while it is a bit longer schedule this year, our results have been excellent and we know we are providing the best possible testing environment for our students. We know this will take forward planning for students as they look at a few changes in their ending times of school, thus the need to get the word out early. We thank you for your patience and support!

Image result for Golden Apple Congratulations Mrs. Jennifer Romanowski , English Department Chair and teacher, our student selected "Golden Apple Teacher of the Year"! Students chose Mrs. Romanowski noting that "She always pushes us to think about our words, how we want to express ourselves, and what are really trying to say..." and "Mrs. Romo truly cares about each of us--she KNOWS so MUCH and asks us to do our best." and finally, "I never thought I could write or think about things as critically and deeply as she forces us to. I am a better person for having her as a teacher." WOW!! Way to go Mrs. Romo! We are so proud of you as our "Golden Apple Teacher of the Year"!

Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling
(pictured with alumni Missy Mongiovi and Jhea Espares)

Image result for teacher of the year


Congratulations Kathy Worley our "Teacher of the Year"!  

Teaching for over 25 years, Ms. Kathy Worley was selected by West Hills teachers as our "Teacher of the Year". She currently teaches 5 different classes within our Advanced Manufacturing and Wood shop programs and is our Career Technical Education school site coordinator. Kathy "lives" on campus as she works with her students to complete their drafting, design and wood working projects, often arriving early and staying late to supervise students who need more time on their projects. From Guitar making to bridges, Kathy models "life long learning" as she constantly stays on top of technology and teaching our students the skills, knowledge and attitude needed to earn a high wage, high demand job right out of high school. A Nationally Board Certified teacher, Kathy works with educators in a wide variety of ways to support and teach all learners.  She will now represent West Hills in the District Teacher of the Year selection process leading to San Diego County Teacher of the Year process. We are proud to call Kathy Worley our "Teacher of the Year"! 

Principal Robin Ballarin and Ms. Kathy Worley celebrate her selection as our "Teacher of the Year"


Image result for remind app logo
 Join the free resource for information if WHHS has urgent information for you regarding an EMERGENCY or for a timely TRAFFIC update. Text @bf6c9d to 81010 from your cell phone to join. This is a "one way" messenger only and you control if you want to continue receiving the texts or not. 


Image result for suppliesTHANK YOU for your generous support of our PTSA led "Teacher Supply Day"! With your generous support and donations, teachers received almost all of their requests and are so THANKFUL for your support! 


Image result for school attendance

Please check out our ATTENDANCE policies linked in our STUDENT HANDBOOK online at wolfpack.guhsd.net under "Students". Please remember to CALL in 956-0434 all day absences, and send a note for partial day absences. We are sorry, but we are not able to deliver to classrooms forgotten items--if a student knows to come to attendance to come pick up their items, they are welcome to do so without MISSING class. 

Please remember to UPDATE your home address or phone number with the West Hills office staff if you move or you have changes.This is critical if your student has an emergency and we need to reach you. Simply call 956-0400 and tell us you need to update your information. The PRIMARY parent or guardian listed in our parent portal can also do this online via their login. 

Image result for Counseling Corner

Is your student planning on attending Grossmont or Cuyamaca Community College in the Fall? If you are a current Senior and graduating,  get prepared with information about the next steps to take by attending a  Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College information and registration session on March 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m in S-8 on our campus. Sign up in the Guidance office by March 22 so YOU get the information you need to be successful! 

Image result for under construction sign

Coming soon....WHHS will have Five MAJOR construction projects!

Thank you to our community for your patience with us as we undergo some major construction. 

Project #1: Football and Track Field and Stadium Closed: April 3-29, 2017: Our entire football  field will be replaced under warranty. Due to the extensive nature of this work, there will be NO ACCESS to any part of the track and field of any kind for anyone other than the installation crew.

Project #2: Beginning during Spring Break, our HOME ECONOMICS building will be CLOSED and remodeling begins to build an ADA compliant student restroom and additional specific facilities for students with moderate to severe disabilities. The entire facility will be fenced and the DG lot at the back of the school will be the construction staging areas.  

Project #3: Solar power installation / covered parking in the faculty and East Senior Parking Lot beginning at 1:00 June 8 (yes...the day of graduation): Both entrances and exits to these lots will be closed and no access will be available throughout the summer. This is expected to be ready for the start of school August 15. 

Project #4: Summer School will be centralized in the Social Science building and Admin offices will move to the Library so every building can get heating and air conditioning units replaced under Prop U and Measure BB.

Project #5: The GYM will be CLOSED July 3-28, 2017 so the entire gym floor can be sanded down to bare wood and resurfaced. This is done once every 10 years to maintain the playing surface.

Thank you to all who support our schools through our Prop U and Measure BB funding.


News from the Classroom....

Using our Title I funds for educational enrichment, all of our Freshmen enjoyed "Romeo and Juliet" a complete telling from professional actors of the Intrepid Theatre group. Riveted for one hour, students marvelled as the play they read came to life before them when the tragic teens Romeo and Juliet meet with family strife, political machinations, and ultimately, horrible communication and death in this Shakespearean tragedy.   



Speaking of acting....join us for....



Science students in Mrs. Lines classes on PACK Day had a challenge to create a Cartesian Diver....can you tell what that is from these pictures? Great job parents and students!



Congratulations to Junior Alina Leholm for participating in the recent Miss. Santee pageant and scholarship opportunity! Alina won "Best Essay" and enjoyed her experience very much. 



Class of 2018...this REMIND App is for you....



Share instructions for joining PackYrbk18

Or, share this link with your participants:
https://remind.com/join/packyrbk18


Congratulations to Senior Connor Olszanowski  ...his parents and he are thrilled as he was  named a California Merit Scholar for San Diego State University! From over 83,000 applicant's this year and with less than 50 Merit Scholars chosen from local schools in San Diego County, Connor was selected.    As a Merit Scholar, all of his tuition, fees, and acceptance to Webers Honor's College (smaller class sizes), with  specialized counseling and residence to Zura hall are all paid in full for all FOUR YEARS! Way to go Connor! 


SENIORS...it is not too late to apply for scholarships and grants for your continuing education. Check out our Scholarship tab under our Guidance link on our website at wolfpack.guhsd.net. Note: This is a spreadsheet--look at the tabs at the bottom to see which scholarships are due now and in the coming months!



Mrs. Cooper took her West Hills CTE photography classes on a field trip to Channel 8 News where they had a tour of the newsroom and studio.  The students learned about available careers that not only involve photography and Photoshop skills, but also require math, engineering, communications and journalism. 




Nonfiction Book Gallery: Book recommendation trailers from WHHS students - Ms. Liddell's 11th grade AP English Language students had the option to create a book "trailer" after reading a nonfiction book of their choice. These trailers are intended to entice others to read the book, and links to the products are being used to help promote books in the school library. Check out the gallery link to see some of the standout projects.

Secret Agent Time - To help bring history to life, Mr. Reyes tasked his 10th grade World History students with gathering information, both official state propaganda and secret intelligence. Watch this linked video of their recent historical simulation activity.  


Way to go J.V. Academic League! 



Thank you VARSITY ACADEMIC LEAGUE...you were Third place behind two undefeated teams--we are so proud of YOU too! 



And, from the world of SPORTS....

Congratulations to our Wolf Pack Girls Soccer team making it all the way to CIF Finals! Coach Robert Romero and the girls had a great season! Looking forward to next year!


(photo taken earlier in the season, not at CIF Finals). 


Congratulations Girls Basketball for playing hard all season and making the Semi-Finals of CIF! They had a tough loss to Mater Dei but we are proud of your season! Thanks ENS Teacher/ Coach Ryan Kinser for amazing dedication and focus!!


Congratulations to Girls Water Polo and Coach / Math Teacher James Searls for their wonderful run in CIF this year! Although they finished second in CIF, this was the first time for the Wolf Pack Girls in many years for going to the Finals! Thank you to all who have supported them over the years--looking forward to next year!

Photos: Thom Vollenweider/CIF

Congratulations and THANK YOU to ALL SPORTS this WINTER SEASON--Coaches, Teachers, Faculty and Staff who support these student-athletes provide a crucial role for healthy, active and positive connections to school and life! SPRING SPORTS is underway...looking forward to all that brings the Wolf Pack!! 


And from the Alumni Front...
This past week, the San Diego Union featured WHHS twins, Julia Toronczak and Michael Toronczak. While at WHHS, Julia was a standout swimmer, wonderful student, and our Best Buddies Club President in the 2013-14 school year. Michael was a determined and wonderful student on campus as well. Check out their inspirational story here....we are so proud of our alumni! 

Image result for PTSA  Image result for west hills high school logo
PARENT and COMMUNITY SUPPORT: A huge THANK YOU to all parents, grandparents, guardians, and wonderful West Hills Wolf Pack families for all of your support through the years. We have two wonderful organizations that work TIRELESSLY on behalf of our school and our current students: PTSA and the West Hills High School Foundation. PTSA focuses on the current school year and the current students. The Foundation reaches out to Alumni and current parents to support school wide needs and activities. We hope you will JOIN them and continue the great tradition of exemplary parent and community involvement in our school! 

Image result for escripeSCRIP--If you aren't signed up for another school,  please sign up for WHHS! Go to this link to sign up..it's FREE! Vendors donate a portion of your shopping back to WHHS (it costs you nothing). We use the supplemental funds for things like saving towards our WEIGHT ROOM, beautifying the campus with benches, T-Shirts for School Spirit like our "We are one, We are the Pack" West Hills Wednesday Shirts, and much more! 

Go Wolf Pack! 

No comments:

Post a Comment