MY VISION FOR GARDENA HIGH SCHOOL – “HOME OF THE PANTHERS”

Since coming to Gardena High School on Monday, October 12, 2009, my welcome from everyone has been warm and friendly. I am pleased to have this opportunity to work with you. I can tell from meeting with students, parents, teachers, and staff that Gardena is committed to challenges at hand.

As one of the most expansive campuses in the District, I am struck by our green and landscaped grounds. It is evident that we are committed to having a clean, safe, and civil campus. Together, as teachers, classified staff, administrators, students, and parents we can achieve more!

In speaking with teachers from our small learning communities, and the Foreign Language Magnet, it is clear that the Gardena school community wants to be part of the progress. We have the capacity to collectively transform the “Home of the Panthers.”

My vision is to grow and transform GHS into the best high school in the nation by decreasing the drop-out rate, increasing the graduation rate, and steadily moving towards an 800 Academic Performance Index while addressing the needs of English Language and Standard English Language Learners.

In the meantime, some issues I will address personally and immediately include:

• Focusing on the Public School Choice Process so that we develop and implement a plan that meets the needs of our students. We will work with the entire school community to identify strategies that can help Gardena High to overcome the challenge that it is facing. It will take all of us working together to help students reach their potential. Parents and families must be at the center of all conversations regarding our schools. Parents and guardians are critical partners in the Public School Choice Process. We value parent feedback, and we will provide answers to your questions regarding the Focus School plan. Please visit the Public School Choice web site
• Ensuring all students are college-prepared and career-ready, and ensuring that standards-based instruction is implemented in all classes;
• Preparing for the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Accrediting Commission visit on April 19-20th, 2010. During that two-day visit, Gardena High will be required to demonstrate progress toward meeting identified growth targets and areas that will strengthen student achievement and the overall school program. Presently, we are an accredited high school, and we invite you to get additional information online. Once again, we invite all parents and guardians to contact Ms. Lakisha Clark, WASC Coordinator, at (310) 354-4931, to inquire about exciting opportunities for you to consider.
• Building the capacity of our school to train, educate, and support parents as partners in their children’s education; every second Tuesday of the month at 7:15 am, you are invited to an event we implemented this semester: Coffee with the Principal. Come and enjoy light refreshments, great conversation, and Gardena High School spirit. Please telephone (310) 354-5057 to check on the upcoming dates for “Coffee with Mr. Mendoza.”
• Establishing an active Discipline Committee to effectively implement a progressive school wide discipline plan that begins in the classroom.
• Working collaboratively with all stakeholder groups to build morale and collegiality.
• Administer all school budgets and finances including the Student Body Budget in a transparent manner.
• Increase positive and meaningful dialogues to establish shared goals and benchmarks.

Please join me in making GHS a model for our nation and the world to admire by instilling high expectations in our Panthers, implementing proven reforms related to teaching and learning, and agreeing on what all students should know and be able to do as future graduates of Gardena High School.

I look forward to a wonderful year. Go Panthers!