By Kiara Amaya

During last Tuesday’s gap period, teachers and staff celebrated GHC’s Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation after their hard work and dedication to demonstrate their capacity and commitment to high-quality education. Organized by administrators, teachers, and staff enjoyed an assortment of games, activities, and the company of therapy dogs. 

WASC is a program for schools to perform self-studies and reflect on their practices to improve. The school undergoes this self-study to identify strengths and weaknesses. After compiling and analyzing data, interviews, surveys, and meetings, this study is presented to an outside group which later comes to GHC’s campus to verify these findings. Additionally, they offer insight into their observations through scores or recommendations. 

All educational partners including students, parents, teachers, administrators, and classified staff had the opportunity to participate in the WASC accreditation process. Students engaged in focus groups where the goal was to create student learning objectives (SLOs). Teachers and staff also took part in monthly meetings while parents participated by taking surveys. Therefore, the Granada Hills Charter (GHC) community at large came together and took part in the school’s commitment to excellence.

“WASC accreditation allows us to show that we are student-focused and value education and growth,” English teacher Maureen Grandchamp, who wrote our self-study, said. 

Due to this hard work, administrators felt that recognizing the dedication of teachers and staff was vital. There were a variety of games and activities with friendly competition. The staff held a staff-wide rock, paper, scissors competition which was won by English teacher Crystal Fernandez. Administrators gave each staff member a green necklace as they entered Highlander Hall. Throughout the celebration, staff would challenge each other to a rock, paper, scissors competition. The winner received their opponent’s necklace(s). This allowed everyone to get involved and talk to each other in a lively setting. 

Administrators also put together a table where people could write thank you and appreciation notes to each other, with hundreds of notes being the product. Teachers and staff overwhelmingly wanted to write uplifting and positive messages to thank each other for their hard work. The Associated Student Body (ASB) also spent time creating photo props where staff could take pictures with each other. 

A teacher and staff favorite, therapy dogs spent time on campus. The inspiration for having the dogs came from finals week when therapy dogs came in and spent time with students. A dozen dogs were attending the celebration. There was a big dog section and a little dog section. 

“We feel that it’s important to say thank you and acknowledge the added responsibility that WASC places on everyone,” Administrative Director Nicholas Weber said. “In work and in life, it’s important to take time to take deep breaths and recognize what you have accomplished. To have that separation and closure before moving onto new journeys is incredibly important.”

 At its core, the WASC process pursues success for all students as GHC continues to implement beneficial improvements. Through this celebration, the administration recognized the hard work and dedication it takes to support the high-quality education that was evident to the WASC team.