2023-24 HOS Welcome
I am thrilled to welcome everyone back to our tight-knit, inclusive, and diverse community for 2023-2024. We know that students learn best when they experience a genuine sense of belonging, and we strive to create a strong school community that values students for precisely who they are. Looking ahead, one of my hopes and goals for this year is to ensure that every member of the WHPS community, whether a student or an adult, enjoys the complete WHPS experience, where every member of this community ends the year feeling that we made the most of this precious time together.
Belonging - Beyond the Classroom
For most families, WHPS is not just where you drop your child off every day; it’s your community, too. It was heartening and rather inspiring to hear our commitment to diversity, belonging, and valuing individual strengths reflected through the eyes of parents and fellow educators who were part of last spring’s accreditation visit. As we enter this new school year, we hope to foster even more belonging and connection for all students, families, and staff. You can read about some ways we have been working to promote belonging and cultural proficiency in school on our blog. Below are just a few of the opportunities coming up for belonging and engagement this school year.
Community Coffee - Friday, September 1 (8-9:30 am)
PAWS is sponsoring an informal coffee and nosh with the school leadership team at the Oxnard Street campus tomorrow morning. Please join us to let us know how things are going, share any feedback you may have, and ask any questions. We can also share more about the new WHPS Security Officer starting next week.
Private School Village (PSV) - Affinity Spaces for Black & Latinae Families
With co-sponsorship by PAWS, I am excited to announce that WHPS has joined Private School Village, a unique community program designed to foster an equitable and healthy school experience for Black and Hispanic/Latinae families—often underrepresented—in Los Angeles independent schools. As part of PSV, our families will have access to a range of programming, and our school will participate in professional learning opportunities, encompassing subjects ranging from enhancing racial literacy to implementing equitable policies, exploring new research, and nurturing the mental health and well-being of both students and families.
Become a Parent Ambassador - Please contact me for more information.
PSV (for families that identify as Black or are raising a child who identifies as Black)
SOMOS (for families that identify as Latinae/Hispanic or are raising a child who identifies as Latine/Hispanic)
Upcoming Events - Included in the WHPS calendar and newsletter.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) - Monthly Meeting
I hope even more families will join our monthly DEI Committee Meetings with members of PAWS and school leadership. Parent support and input help us continue to grow and expand this dynamic programming. The first meeting is September 6, and then every first Wednesday from 1-2 pm. Email info@whpspaws.com if you are interested in joining.
Family & Parent Education Series
We are putting together this year’s workshops and programming and would love your feedback to make these the most applicable and meaningful for our families.
Parents of Neurodivergent Children (parent group begins 9/13)
As a school that attracts many gifted and neurodiverse students, this workshop can apply to many of our families (it does have a cost).
Cultural Proficiency
Our program is ever-evolving to prepare students for the world of tomorrow continually. Part of that holistic focus includes blending cultural proficiency into our curriculum. In addition, here are a few topics we have delved into in recent years.
Cultural Joy (the most critical aspect of multicultural education)!
Celebrating with a broad and ever-expanding range of cultural events, holidays, and programs.
Helping Children Learn to Confront Stereotypes and Racism
Student Conducted Library Bias Audit (leading to more diverse representation being added)
Teaching About Racism, Anti-Racism, and Other Sensitive Topics
The Power of Language
Confronting Taboo Topics (when they come up)
Examining historical events through the lens of Black history, women’s herstory, and the history of other historically marginalized persons.
