Verdugo Hills High School WASC Self-Study Page 1

Verdugo Hills High School WASC/CDE Self-Study Reportby a parent and/or guardian. A current school identification card mustaccompany each student during Internet use. All students are offered aschool-based/password protected email address. Parents can access theirson’s or daughter’s current attendance and performance through the MyDatawebsite. The school website offers an abundance of information regardingpolicy and procedure. Parents can access individual teachers through thesite, as well.VHHS utilizes many resources to maintain a safe and orderly campus. Theschool benefits from a team of full-time campus aides who patrol thecampus communicating with main office personnel, administrators, two staffappointed deans, and faculty. They are visible throughout the day,maintaining contact through long-range walkie-talkies. VHHS employs a fulltimepolice officer from the LAUSD Police Department. A school nurse iscentrally located and equipped with an Emergency Responder System. Allcoaches are trained to use CPR and first aid. Every teacher has anemergency folder prepared annually in the classroom outlining proceduresand accountability. Students are closely monitored, and if they need to leavethe classroom they must do so with an identifiable hall pass.The Peer Mentoring program offers students the opportunity to learn peermediation and to support other students as they struggle to generaterelevant resolutions to conflicts. The IMPACT program supports students incrises; the groups address issues of addiction, abuse, grief, and stressrelatedemotions. Students frequently attend these groups to addressconcerns of safety, trust, and emotional repair. VHHS has an on-site schoolpsychologist. Teachers and staff are encouraged to refer students in need.The counseling office also organizes breakout groups for students who aredealing with common personal issues. The school psychologist is on campusfour days a week to help students in crisis.The VHHS maintenance staff maintains school grounds and classrooms,encouraging students to take responsibility for a clean campus. Theirdiligence ensures that the campus remains safe, neat, and orderly forstudents and staff, and helps promote a sense of well-being for allstakeholders at VHHS. The crew is available to make necessary repairs,maintain general housekeeping, and keep the school free of potentialhazards. Constant efforts are made to maintain the infrastructure. A cleanVerdugo Hills High School WASC Self-Study Page 166