Sunday, October 6, 2019

October 2019

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The mission of West Hills High School is to graduate critical thinkers and problem-solvers who contribute positively to society as productive, responsible citizens.

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Mrs. Robin Ballarin

What a September! Start with Hello week Sept. 23-27 was an incredible week of kindness, reaching out, and being aware of how little it takes to include others so they know they matter. HUGE THANK YOUs to ALL Faculty and Staff, Students and Community Partners who participated, wore buttons, and supported students in Clubs and activities to demonstrate and lead our school community in saying HELLO! Take a look at ALL THE KIDS who came out on Monday to kick off the week! Big thank yous to teachers and staff members Jamie Gwyn, Ardy Riego, Suzanne Sannwald, Elise Reinert, Krystal Kammeyer, and all the other adults who rallied their clubs, athletes, cheerleaders,  ASB, HOWL Leaders and many more to be leaders on campus this week! 

Please remember to check into your students' grades and contact teachers if needed. We also have our tutorial schedule posted and encourage all students to talk with teachers and get help as needed. 





I can't think of a better photo embodying our school that THIS one above...We are One, We are the Pack! is not only our culture, it is our guiding HOPE that each of us makes a reality in the work we do each day with each other, our students, faculty, staff,  and community members. Each year after Unity Days with Sophomores, we invite the school community to join together to make a visual pledge to ourselves and our neighbors. Look carefully...you might see your student!


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To Mr. Riego, ASB and everyone who supported our "Start With Hello Week"! We had quite a few folks dressing up each day and reaching out to others. Part of the national Sandy Hook Promise, the goal of this week was to encourage connections and friendliness to all on campus and within our community. With kindness, we take away feelings of isolation and build trust to have a safe and kind environment! Go Wolf Pack!

Science Teachers Savannah Addy and Corrie Biggerstaff get into
the Dress Up Days 


He's for sure a "hero in a half shell" as he greets others
during "Start with Hello" week. 


Tiffany Jokerst one of our "Incredibles" in teaching  Math and
 Engineering!


One of many "Super Hero" students in the
Wolf Pack!



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Thank you to our Guidance staff and to all who attended our terrific UC / CSU parent night on September 25! This outreach to Seniors as they get ready to complete college applications in November is invaluable! We will host another night in the Spring for Juniors and others interested. 




Speaking of our Guidance office, please take a moment to read through our "Counselor's Corner" newsletter sent to all parents and students earlier in the month via email. Every year, each grade level has specific information and activities shared with students in a variety of ways on campus, in classes, and via email / bulletin notices. Please also look on our Counseling link on our website for much more information and SCHOLARSHIP opportunities for students. 



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Homecoming Week (Spirit Days, Class Competitions, Football Game etc). 
We had a great week led by ASB and various clubs and students on campus culminating in our Assembly on Friday, Football game vs. El Cajon Valley Friday night (a WIN!) and our dance on Saturday night. With almost 900 students in our Gym, this was a fun night at West Hills!   Congratulations to all for a great week!








Blue and Black Brigade performed
GREAT at half-time!


The Royals: Brodie Snyder and Natalie Reiderer




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Seniors: If you are a member of PTSA, keep an eye on the Counseling Scholarship page. PTSA sponsors scholarships each year for deserving Seniors but you have to be a PTSA member to apply AND you have to complete the application and turn it in. PTSA membership forms are in the main Admin building in reception.



Did you know that if you shop at smile.amazon.com and choose "whhs PTSA", Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase (at no cost to yourself) to WHHS? smile.amazon.com is the same exact pricing and website as the traditional Amazon url but it allows you to select a non-profit organization for Amazon to support. 

Please "share" with family and friends and help WHHS!




Yearbook News
Example of the custom name stamp option

The 2020 book is underway and ready for distribution this June.  Distribution Day is the last day of school at 12:30 in Pack Den 2, but students who have cleared their invoices can get their books starting at lunch on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.  

Order your book through our Finance Office for $85.  The price will not change again this year.  We SELL OUT every year, so order early to reserve a copy for your student.  

Seniors can create their MEMORY ADS at yearbookforever.com.  Please remember not to use copyright-protected photos (portrait studios, AYSO, etc.) without written permission from the photographer.  Deadline is March 10 or whenever we sell out of space.  Ads are $225 (full), $120 (half), $80 (1/4), $30 (1/8).


Anyone can add a beautiful, color-coordinated name stamp to the front of the book.  Print this order form or get one in Pack Den 2, Finance, or the front desk.  Deadline is Jan 22.   Or, anyone can order an iTag, a nameplate that adheres to the front of the book, until March 11.  Prices are $7 for one line of text and $5 each for up to four icons.  


We would love you to share your photos with us via the YEARBOOK SNAP app, online at yearbookforever.com, or by sending them to westhillsyearbook@guhsd.net

Look for the Yearbook Snap app in your app store to
 share your photos with WH Yearbook staff. 





WEST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES NATIONAL TEACH GERMAN DAY


Students in German classes celebrated National TEACH GERMAN Day on Friday, October 4 with their teacher, Herr Holzhausen

The third annual National TEACH GERMAN Day is a nationwide celebration of German learners in classrooms and communities.

National TEACH GERMAN Day aims to promote the message that teaching German is a viable and highly rewarding career choice and to celebrate learners. 


National TEACH GERMAN Day is a part of the National German Week and the TEACH GERMAN campaign, an initiative of the American Association of Teachers of German, made possible through the generous sponsorship of the German government's Netzwerk Deutsch program.

Health Pathways Students attended Health Occupations Fair 
Students in Mrs. McDowell's Physiology classes attended the SHARP Metro Campus Nursing Career Development Fair field trip Friday, September 29.  
The students got to visit many booths from different nursing schools to hear about their programs and the "Focus Areas" offered:
- University Representatives from California and other States
- Learn about Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate Nursing Degrees along
with other Allied Health Programs (Online and In Person Programs)
- Information about earning Certifications in your Clinical Specialty
- Professional Organization Information and How to Join
- Advice and Coaching from Nurses
- Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
- Student Loan Forgiveness Information (up to $11,000)
- Medical Library Services Information




Wolf Pack Theatre program SHINES at East County Theatre Tech Fest!
Six Honors/Advanced Wolf Pack Theatre students participated in the county-wide Technical Theatre Festival through the San Diego Theatre Educators Alliance (SDTEA)  on Saturday September 21st at Grossmont College.  They had hands-on experience in Lighting, Sound, Stage Management, Publicity, Set Design, and Costume events and workshops.  It was an incredible experience for all involved!






Connect with the library: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

“Online Resources” October 2019” Calendar (bit.ly/oct2019cal) - There are so many online resources out there - it can get overwhelming! Take it a day at a time by following along with this October calendar that features helpful online resources for WHHS students.

“You mean I can check out these books?” - Yes, that’s why we have them! Students are sometimes surprised that they can check out library books anytime on their own. Here’s some basic info on how book checkout works at our school library: bit.ly/whbookout

Student Reading Habits - When 9th grade students recently visited the library for orientation, many completed a quick 5-question survey about their reading habits. Below are a couple of interesting results, particularly in light of data shared by the Pew Research Center that mirrors similar findings with adults.
Forms response chart. Question title: How often do you read for fun?. Number of responses: 352 responses.Forms response chart. Question title: Select all of the ways that you choose to read books.. Number of responses: 351 responses.

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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 school nurse A  friendly reminder from our school nurse,Mrs. Lori Farra...please drop off  any medications that your student needs during the school day in the Nurses' office. Students are not allowed to carry medications of any kind unless cleared with her and Administration. This includes over the counter medications of ALL kinds. At no time may students "share" medications with other students. 
We thank the parents and students who have already done so for this school year. 



Student Learning Outcomes Poster -text with representative images of students

Go Wolf Pack! 

The "Wolf Call" is a monthly news blog for students, parents and community partners. 



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