Cal Accepts CTE and Distinguished Nomination

By Leo Postovoit
Editor In Chief

Cal-Hi Administrators are expecting a March 29 visit from the California Department of Education to decide if Cal-Hi will be awarded the Distinguished School Award, after receiving an official nomination two weeks ago.
"This year was the first time we’ve met and exceeded the requirements," said Assistant Principal Mickie Yuchno. "Our API score [of 721] exceeded the minimum 595."
If awarded, Cal-Hi will be just the second high school in the Whittier Union High School District (WUHSD) to win this award. La Serna High School has won the award three times in the past.
According to Yuchno, the award does not bring any money, rather, it is just a commendation of the school’s "excellence."
"It’s a really big deal," said Yuchno. "Only 94 high schools [of all California high schools] were eligible, and of the 48 that applied, only 13 won last year."
Cal-Hi has chosen Government Teacher Pat Hodges’ classroom, E101, as the central organization room for the visitation. In addition to the various Americana including a 48 star flag and old presidential pins, the classroom has ten years of Girls League Board memorabilia, a board dedicated to Cal-Hi in the news, and a banner above her white board with the words "This is Condor Territory."
"My classroom is what Cal’s all about," said Hodges. "It has history, it has energy. We want the committee to see the best Cal-Hi has to offer."
Hodges also mentioned that Cal-Hi has four out of five schools receiving special State Academy grants.
"It’s a true honor," said Principal Rich Boline. "I’ll be disappointed if we don’t win it."
Cal-Hi also qualified for a secondary award, the Exemplary Career Technical Education Award (CTE), which would laud the academies and praise the ROP programs. According to Boline, it may streamline the path to even more success. The visiting committee visited the campus yesterday.
"We have five academies here at Cal, and according to [State Superintendent Jack] O’Connell, we may be getting additional academies, perhaps a construction academy," said Boline.
"They will get to see students’ learning skills that will help them succeed in college as well as in the career of their choice," said Health Academy Chairperson Shellie Jones.
Hospitality House Chairperson Susan Sones is excited about the visit.
"They’ll see the culinary team in action," said Sones. "They’ll see a wonderful room set up for them and get to taste a lot of good food."
According to Boline, Cal-Hi’s program and style of technical education is unique, and the CTE would fit Cal’s "strive for excellence."
"I sure hope we get it," said Senior Brittany Torres.
A team of teachers and administrators including Government Teacher Lora Yorch and English Teacher John Hochadel spent more than "two solid weeks" writing the reports, according to Yorch.