Graves Middle School introduced the enrichment programs for the 2018 through 2019 school year to the South Whittier school board and administration on Tuesday, June 19, at the district board meeting.
Principal of Graves, Dr. Fraijo, shared a presentation that included all enrichment programs, electives, activities, and clubs that will be brought back as well as new programs that will be implemented. He also shared Graves’ desire to always continue improving and developing programs as well as success stories that have stemmed from returning programs.
One program that will be brought back is Project Lead the Way, or PLTW. This program focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math. This includes electives like coding classes, and CAD 3D design. This program is also especially valuable because if students continue this program after Graves through their high school years, they are granted unconditional acceptance to Cal Poly Pomona’s engineering program.
Another STEM related program Graves will be bringing back is the robotics class through East Los Angeles College. This is a concurrent enrollment program that allows students to receive college credit.
A program that was brand new this past year and saw great success is the Chinese language program. This was taught by graduate students from Pepperdine University and was a 5 week program that consisted of 10 classes. Many students that participated in this program were already bilingual, and this program helped them become trilingual.
A new program that will be implemented this next school year is Culinary Arts. Graves has put in great effort to create this program. They met with Cal High regarding their culinary program and designed Graves Middle School to be in line with their curriculum.
There are many other enrichment programs that will be brought back like drama, band, giving campaigns, student trips, sports, the TLC dog training program, and much more. Graves is dedicated to providing enrichment programs that meet the needs of every student.
Dr. Fraijo closed his presentation by stating, “We want to thank you as the board for giving us an opportunity to give our kids hope and let them know that we believe in them.”