Dear Parents & Students:

 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back from the winter break and to wish you a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year. Like 2008, 2009 was an extremely challenging year in most sectors of our economy. Fortunately, there are many indicators that the country and state are slowly climbing out of the recession.

 

Unfortunately, public education in California seems to always be twelve to eighteen months behind any economic recovery. All indications point to mid-year budgetary reductions that will continue into 2010-2011. The challenge facing us will be to maintain quality academic, athletic, and performing arts programs with fewer resources. As always, maintaining academic programs will be the top priority as we implement cuts. Unprecedented budgetary reductions will be the reality. Creativity and frugality will be the solution.

 

I continue to receive numerous inquiries regarding Measure A improvements at Valencia. Because the State has yet to approve the proposed new bleachers at Bradford Stadium, this project has been postponed until after commencement ceremonies in mid-June. The goal is to have this project completed prior to the start of football season in September.

 

Work on the new two-story 600 Building should begin soon. This building will encompass 17 classrooms, teacher restrooms, and a teacher workroom. It will house the social science department and home economics. We are hopeful that it will be completed for the start of the 2010-2011 school year. Upon the end of this school year, modernization of the Administration and the 500 Building will begin. The modernization of the 500 Building is slated for completion in September of 2010 while the renovation of the Administration Building is a one-year project.

 

In October, we were notified by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) that Valencia’s H.O.P.E. (House and Opportunities Program Endeavor) Program was the recipient of the prestigious Golden Bell Award which recognizes innovative educational programs throughout California. This particular program provides support to at-risk freshmen and sophomores. For our efforts, Valencia was listed in the California School News, recognized on the floor of the State Legislature, and honored at the CSBA Awards Luncheon in San Diego on December 5.

 

During the fall season, successes were numerous for Valencia’s athletic teams. Five of six varsity teams advanced to the CIF playoffs and three of six captured Empire League Championships. Football, boys’ water polo, boys’ cross country, girls’ tennis, and girls’ volleyball advanced to the playoffs and water polo, cross country, and tennis captured league championships. Girls’ tennis, under the direction of Coach Mike McCall, reached the quarterfinals. Boys’ water polo, under the guidance of Coach Bernard Ma, were CIF runners-up for the second consecutive year. Boys’ cross country, under Coach Pat Hadley’s leadership, were CIF runners-up in Division II and third in the State.

 

Accolades this fall were equally impressive in the performing arts. The band and color guard had an outstanding field show season capturing first place in every field completion they entered including the Roosevelt, Loara, and Savanna High School Tournaments. Kudos to first-year band director, Richard King, and his dedicated staff.

 

Valencia’s Jazz Vocal Choir, under the direction of Megan Arthurton, performed the National Anthem at the Western Conference Final Game at the Home Depot Center between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo. Their exceptional performance was broadcasted on ESPN 2. In November, the Valencia Drama Program, under the tutelage of Grace Stanton, opened their theater season with four performances of “The Foreigner.” The Girls’ and Boys’ Dance Team, under the direction of Courtney Fenstermaker, performed to a near sell-out audience during their annual Winter Dance Show on December 11.

 

The PSAT results, which determine National Merit honorees, for the class of 2011 (our current juniors) arrived in December. Based upon current calibration (minimum of 203 for Commended Scholar and 218 for Semifinalist), next year we will have 15 Commended Scholars and 6 Semifinalists. Those are the exact same numbers as this year. The Class of 2009, which was the top class in VHS history, had 14 Commended Scholars and 9 Semifinalists. It is important to note that Semifinalists are typically named Finalists at some point during their senior year. Last year, this year, and next year are the top three years in VHS history for National Merit recognition.

 

On a final note, Valencia High School has been conducting a self-study during the past year in order to be reaccredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). A team from WASC will be visiting Valencia for four days from Sunday, February 28 through Wednesday, March 3 to confirm the findings from our self-study. We are confident that we will receive the maximum accreditation of six years.