The mission of West Hills High School is to graduate critical thinkers and problem-solvers who contribute positively to society as productive, responsible citizens.
Mrs. Robin Ballarin
It is truly hard to believe we are fast approaching the end of this school year! The tremendous learning and growth in each of our students is rewarding and gratifying. As we look at our next 7 weeks of school, we want to encourage every student to stay engaged with their learning. Progress Grades are due on this Friday (minimum day) April 20! While we are in our special testing schedule, we have final exams to prepare for and culminating projects and performances to give. We look forward to a strong finish for each and every student!
If you have any questions or concerns about your student, please continue to talk with their teacher(s) first--this is the best line of communication. Please remember student grades and attendance is available online in the parent and student portal in Infinite Campus. If you have any problem with the portal, you may call West Hills at 956-0400 during normal business hours, 7:00-3:30 p.m. or our District Technology Help line 619-956-4357.
PTSA ...
The WHHS PTSA is
organizing
a SPRING
Rummage Sale...
it's a win-win-win!
Get rid of things you
don't need...
shop for bargains...
support West Hills!
Saturday April 28th - 7am - 12pm
West Hills East Parking Lots
(Senior and Teacher)
We will take your donations:
DONATION DROP OFF DATES--
In Flag Circle
Fridays: April 13th and 20th ~1pm-3pm
Saturdays: April 14th and 21st~ 9am-11am
We are accepting gently used, working, clean items. (Clothing, books, toys, games, tools, holiday-decor- household items and more.)
Tax Receipts will be available.
(acceptance of donated items is subject to review by the PTSA Board)
HAVE A QUESTION?
Have bulky items in need of pick up? Want to help?
Want to ask about specific items for donation?
"For the strength of the PACK is the Wolf and the strength of the Wolf is the PACK" - Rudyard Kipling
PTSA Board
West Hills High School
PTSABoard@WHHSPTSA.com
(619) 663-6630
Class of 2018....Grad BASH is for YOU!!
Disneyland had no dates left and is twice the price.
Disneyland had no dates left and is twice the price.
June 8th.
Tickets on sale NOW.
You can purchase on line, or during lunch on Tuesday & Thursday’s (in front of finance office).
Ticket sales END APRIL 26!!!
Hurry! You don’t want to miss out.
Questions? Visit WHHSPTSA.com under GRAD BASH tab.
The Gutierrez family and the West Hills family are very sad to note the passing of Monique Gutierrez during our Spring break. Monique was a 9th grade student in our moderate / severe individual instruction program and a member of our Best Buddies club.
Her mom woke up Saturday morning 3/28 to find Monique not breathing, CPR was attempted, but they were unable to resuscitate. The family held a Celebration of Life ceremony on April 7 where Monique's love of singing and her smiles were celebrated and remembered. Monique is survived by her sister, her parents and many family members. Her teacher, Shayla Tropiano and the Best Buddies Club, plan a memorial for her and we will let you know when those details are known.
Congratulations to Color Guard and Marching Band teacher Dominick Maldonado!
They competed in three competitions over the past two weeks earning 1st place in each show. This makes FOUR consecutive first place wins in March!
A big Wolf Pack shout-out and well wishes for another victory as you prepare to represent West Hills in the Southern California Winter Guard championships!
Third Row L-R: James Voss (Sr.), Cara Bouchonnet (Soph.), Hannah Robinson (Soph.), Grant Krafft (Fr.), Michaela Shepler (Fr.), Alex Marquardt (Fr.)
Middle Row L-R: Sydney Bunch (Sr.), Alyse Purdy (Soph.), Julianne Davidson (Fr.), Ethan Medina (Sr.), Campbell Francis (Fr.), Van Savage (Fr.)
First Row L-R: Samantha Reyes (Jr.), Melanie Pulido (Soph.), Chelsea Knowlden (Jr.), Hannah Dunn (Fr.) Kaylee Spratley (Soph., Lieutenant) Kate Rasmussen (Jr., Captain)
Congratulations Cameron Berry
2017- 2018 East County High School Basketball Player of the Year
Congratulations to the West Hills Boys Basketball team for a solid season and to Senior Cameron Berry for his selection as all CIF San Diego Section player. Coach Armstrong, his assistant coaches, parents and players all do a great job representing the Wolf Pack!
Save the Dates....
District Art Show May 4 - 6
Please plan to join us for the 32nd Annual GUHSD Student Art Show at Westfield Shopping Center-Parkway Plaza. The opening reception begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, with an awards ceremony. Student artwork will be on exhibit through Sunday afternoon, May 6.
May 23: Multi-Cultural Fair in our Gym; Students attend in their Social Science class.
Thursday, May 31, 6:30 p.m. Bob Guess Theater for the Performing Arts: Senior Awards Night: Seniors please be on the lookout for your awards sheet request and return it to Guidance ASAP so we know to celebrate YOU! We give out awards and we also rely on YOU to tell us about various scholarships and awards you have earned. All in our community are welcome to attend this wonderful night.
Final Exams are coming up:
Final exam days are minimum days and listed below:
Monday, June 4
Finals Period 1 or 7 8:14 - 10:11
Break 10:11 - 10:27
Monday, June 4
Finals Period 1 or 7 8:14 - 10:11
Break 10:11 - 10:27
Period 4 10:33 - 12:30
Tuesday, June 5
Finals Period 3 8:14 - 10:11
Tuesday, June 5
Finals Period 3 8:14 - 10:11
Break 10:11 - 10:27
Period 5 10:33 - 12:30
Wednesday, June 6 – last day of spring semester
Period 5 10:33 - 12:30
Wednesday, June 6 – last day of spring semester
(Seniors in good standing attend Senior breakfast and MANDATORY Graduation Practice in the Gym beginning at 7:30 a.m. More information given to them in English or Social Science class).
Finals Period 2 8:14 - 10:11
Break 10:11 - 10:27
Period 6 10:33 - 12:30
Thursday, June 7, GRADUATION in our Stadium, 8:30 a.m .All are welcome; Parking is very limited. No parking on MAST Boulevard; Seniors get one parking permit each; Disabled parking is available and limited in front of the tennis courts on the home side. Please car pool, consider taking Lift, Uber or other car service. Thank you!
Break 10:11 - 10:27
Period 6 10:33 - 12:30
Thursday, June 7, GRADUATION in our Stadium, 8:30 a.m .All are welcome; Parking is very limited. No parking on MAST Boulevard; Seniors get one parking permit each; Disabled parking is available and limited in front of the tennis courts on the home side. Please car pool, consider taking Lift, Uber or other car service. Thank you!
News from the Classroom.....
On March 7, 2018, students in the Manufacturing Pathway competed in the First Design Challenge. Engineers from Lifeproof (makers of the cell phone safety cases) came to judge the entries from the three classes.
The challenge was to move a ball from a cup at the bottom of a pegboard to the opposite top without touching the ball with hands. The students worked in groups using whatever they could find, make, design, imagine to complete the task. The various design solutions showed the many different ways to solve a problem. The judges enjoyed the competition and provided free cell phone case certificates to the winning teams. All teams did a great job. Stayed tuned for the next challenge.
Health Pathways Students visit the San Diego Blood Bank
Students in Mrs. McDowell's classes were able to visit the San Diego Blood Bank in February and learn about the critical and important work Blood Banks nationally, and here in San Diego , do to support and save lives. Students listened to a lecture entitled, "Blood Banking Basics / Cell Therapy / Careers" with Rob Tressler, PhD. They were then split up into small groups to tour the different parts of the facility. Finally, those who chose to, with parent permission, had their blood tested to determine their blood type. It was surprising to many students how many different jobs / careers are available at the blood bank, including many different types of research positions. We are grateful to the San Diego Blood Bank and Dr. Tressler for making this opportunity available to our students interested in careers in the Health field. 
GRADES / CREDITS / SUMMER SCHOOL: Please review GRADES online in our Parent Portal. There is still time for students and parents to talk with teaches and improve grades if needed. Any student with an "F" at the semester's end or on their transcript does need to re-take the course for credit. A student needs 220 credits to graduate. These credit requirements are on our website under "Counseling". Summer School will be offered June 11-July 29, 7:30-12:15 p.m.. Counseling has contacted students who qualify for summer school during course selection for next year. Please review with your student their final grades in courses to discuss if your student needs summer school. We also offer online credit recovery during the school year if the student has a free period to take it.
News from our Counseling Department....
Students – It’s Not Too Late
As the school year comes to an end, we would like to remind all students that there is still time to improve your grades. Many classes will have final projects, essays, presentations and tests that you need to prepare well for and not miss! Finish strong and make sure to attend our on-campus tutorials when you need assistance and communicate with your teachers regarding what it is you need to do to finish this semester well. Your grades matter so step it up now!
Course Wish Lists Due NOW!!!
9th, 10th, and 11th grade students - if you have not yet turned in your Course Wish List for next year's classes you need to turn those in to the Counseling Office ASAP!!! If you need another one, please go to the Guidance office and ask for one. Parents - please make sure to sign your student's Wish List so we can be sure you have authorized their choices.
- Free Online Test Prep Resources - As students enter the final stretch of studying for AP exams, here is a link that summarizes online test preparation resources available free for West Hills students: bit.ly/whhstestprep. These links also have study resources for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT.
- Library Now Open Period 7 - The library has been happy to welcome new staff member Meagan Davis, who also works on campus as an instructional aide. Thanks to Mrs. Davis, the library is available for students to use during Period 7.
- April “Spring into Shape” Challenge - One of our student library aides has continued to create monthly challenge calendars for the library. This month, the theme is “Spring into Shape.” Print your own copy and follow along: bit.ly/apr2018challenge
- Hear the Author, Read the Book - To help promote compelling nonfiction books available for checkout, another student library aide helped create a “Hear the Author, Read the Book” display with QR code links to video author interviews. Browse the playlist of interviews: bit.ly/heartheauthor
- Teacher of the Year Interview - To help us celebrate our West Hills Teacher of the Year, yet another library aide - who also happens to be a student and big fan of Mrs. Ruggles - conducted the following video interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=vJTQs_GqYPs
Sports Medicine CTE Pathway Field Trip
On March 8, West Hills High School sports medicine students participated in a one-day job shadow at Sharp Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy Center. The job shadow included a facility tour and interactive physical therapy activity breakout stations. Teacher, Ardy Riego, said "Students were able to see the teamwork that happens in a medical facility and the true meaning of, "It takes a village!"
CTE Students partner with US Army for real world application of skills
On Friday, March 23rd, 2018 US Army Recruiter, SSG Dawson and his team of Combat Medic Reserves (SPC Zapata, SPC Cervantes, and 68W Soldier Danielle Kirkeby) provided the Sports Medicine class with a presentation on the skills and education needed in order to become a Combat Medic. During this medical training, they demonstrated how to use a tourniquet, attach an IV, wound care, and nasotracheal intubation both in-hospital and combat setting. "We are very grateful to the US Army for their partnership and involvement with our students" said teacher Ardy Riego. "It is critical for students to see their skills applied in a variety of settings and to think about career paths right out of high school in both the private and public sectors".
A note about submissions: all content is provided by faculty, staff, students and parents within the Wolf Pack community. If you have an item you would like included, please call the Principal's office at 619-956-0412. Submit by the 7th of the month for publication by mid-month. All items must be directly related to WHHS, our students, and school. We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, content, and appropriateness of inclusion in the newsblog and will always communicate with you regarding any questions.
