Principal's Message

 

When I sat down to write this message, I struggled to find the right opening to capture life at Gabrielino since August. I needed the perfect quote. When I need inspiration, I turn to UCLA’s legendary coach, John Wooden. Coach once said “Be at your best, when your best is needed.” His words capture perfectly the work of the GHS community.

 

The 2020-2021 school year has been a difficult year for everyone in the Eagle community. We have all had to adjust to a new educational way of life. Administrators have to lead differently, teachers need to teach differently, and students are learning differently-and we all adjusted at break neck speed. I would like to say the shift was smooth and seamless, and for the most part it has been, but there have been bumps along the way. We are all tired, at times frustrated, and often feeling isolated from our friends and family. Despite that, we continue to turn on the computer every day to connect through a lesson and to each other. I want to thank everyone, my administrative team, teachers, staff, students, and parents for their extraordinary efforts to ensure that our students can learn in the virtual environment. At the beginning of the school year, I asked everyone to “Rise to the Challenge”- and everyone has, and still is.

 

The next few months will be a busy at GHS. With COVID numbers dropping in the County, we can now begin to bring the outdoor sports program back for practice and competition. Our athletic directors are working diligently with our coaching staff to ensure that health guidelines are understood and followed. Information on game schedules, physicals, and practice times will be shared with families through their child’s coach. We are very excited to be able to have our students out on the fields and in the pool again.

 

In March, the Administration will continue working with the Senior Parent Committee on ideas for the graduation ceremony and other activities to celebrate the Class of 2021. For our underclassmen, March is the month they pre-register for their 2021-2022 courses. Information was shared on March 11th at the 9-11th Grade Parent Preregistration Night webinar. A recording of the webinar is on the website for families who may not have been able to attend. To assist our incoming 8th grade families, a Parent Seminar webinar will be held to discuss the Transition and Health classes. Counselors will meet with 8th grade students virtually in April to help them navigate the registration process. We will end March with our virtual Open House on March 24th followed by a minimum day on March 25th to start Spring Break.

 

We come back from Spring Break ready to tackle State testing. CAASPP testing will take place the weeks of April 12th and 19th. Testing will be conducted virtually for all 11th graders. Information on daily schedules and testing logistics will be sent to families and posted on the website. The other big event that month will be the WASC Mid-Cycle Accreditation Visit on April 12th. Two educators, Ms. Nicoleta Bogart and Ms. Lori Franzen will virtually visit GHS to determine if adequate progress has been made on the recommendations from the 2018 WASC visit. The team will meet with parents, students, teachers, leadership, and observe classrooms throughout the day. A special thank you to our 2018 Self-Study Coordinators, Kathleen Monahan and Angela Gurrola for their work in writing the mid-cycle report. Many thanks also to Assistant Principal, Eva Shin, for her help in facilitating the development process for the report. Thank you to all of our stakeholder groups for providing information to help us complete the report. I am looking forward to sharing our school, even if through a virtual lens!

 

The month of May will be an exciting time for GHS as seniors commit to their college choices, final preparation is completed for AP testing, and we celebrate the Class of 2021 as they end their four years as Eagles. As we continue to adhere to public health guidelines, our end of year activities will look different, but we are determined to make them memorable.

 

GHS, I encourage you to continue to “Be at your best, when your best is needed.” Let’s finish this semester strong! Go Eagles!

 

Stay safe and well,

Sharron Heinrich
Principal