South Whittier School District held their monthly board meeting Tuesday, September 10, at the district office. The district announced it’s 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year, 2019-2020 Classified Employee of the Year, had a special Graves Middle School recognition, and heard presentations about CAASPP results and plans for English Learners, and 2018-2019 unaudited actuals.
2019-2020 Teacher of the Year
Dr. Ayala, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, named South Whittier School District’s Teacher of the Year Loma Vista’s second grade teacher, Helia Adanto.
Loma Vista’s principal, Kristine Carreon, shared kind words about Mrs. Adanto and how her class is known as the “Happiest Place On Earth”. She shared her about her wonderful character, teaching methods, and how impactful she has been on her students both present and past. Mrs. Adanto then shared a few words of gratitude regarding the recognition.
Congratulations Mrs. Adanto!
2019-2020 Classified Employee of the Year
Dr. Ayala, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, named South Whittier School District’s Classified Employee of the Year from Lake Marie’s food services, Alberta Yaun.
Lisa Palomino, Lake Marie’s principal, shared about the years of hard work Alberta has done and how impactful she has been on students. She shared students even call her grandma. Alberta also spoke great gratitude toward all of her colleagues at Lake Marie and thanked them for all the support they have given her through out the years.
Congratulations Mrs. Yaun!
Graves Middle School Special Recognition
Graves Middle School principal, Dr. Trena Salcedo-Gonzalez, gave a special recognition to GMS Assistant Principal, Jamie Martinez.
Mr. Martinez was recognized for his many years of hard work and for his vital and impactful role in the GMS community with both students and staff. Two other GMS colleagues spoke about the impact Mr. Martinez has had on them and students.
Thank you Mr. Martinez for all of your hard work!
CAASPP Results and the English Learner Journey
Director of Assessments, Accountability, and Parent Engagement, Dr. Stacy Ayers, and Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, Martha Rojas, gave a presentation regarding early results of the CAASPP test as well as a plan for English Learners.
Though CAASPP results have not been officially released Dr. Ayers shared preliminary results of students scores in both English Language Arts and Math. She shared results by grade as well as each school and shared about schools who have seen growth. Dr. Ayers also shared with the school board instructional agreements that are district wide. These agreements include rigorous instruction, differentiated instruction, integrated strategies and ELD, Technology Think Central components, and having students explain their thinking process step by step, justify, and problem solving.
Martha Rojas then shared with the school board the Master Plan for English Language Learners. The purpose of the plan is to provide a framework of instruction for English Learners and to acquaint their teachers, administrators, and parents with federal, state, and district policies as well as programs, resources, and staff/parent development opportunities. She shared that SWSD personnel at the district and school level: teachers, counselors, classified personnel, and administrators, are expected to follow the procedures specified in the English Learner Master Plan.
Rojas shared about each chapter of the plan which includes: Initial Identification, Assessment, Parent Notification, Program Placement and Transfer Students, Instructional Programs, Providing a Quality Core Program for Opted Out English Learners, Monitoring Student Progress and Reclassification, Parent and Community Engagement, Evaluation and Accountability, Staffing and Professional Development, and Funding.
Presentation of 2018-2019 Unaudited Actuals
Associate Superintendent of Business Services, Mark Keriakous, presented the financial data reflecting the district’s fiscal status as of the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
The presentation included information regarding the district’s general fund it’s revenues and expenditures. This report must be approved and sent to LACOE and will be audited by an independent auditor which is expected to be completed in December.
The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, at 6 PM at the district office.