Verdugo Hills High School WASC Self-Study Page 1

Verdugo Hills High School WASC/CDE Self-Study Reportand use simulations, debates, and mock trials as classroom learningresources. These strategies encourage students to experience history,government, civics, and social responsibility first-hand.In addition, there are a variety of clubs, which further support the SocialScience Curriculum; for example, the Verdugo Hills Key Club, affiliated withthe Kiwanis International, fosters community service in the surroundingarea. Social Studies Department students and teachers are leaders andcoordinator of Key Club events and activities. The Verdugo Hills HumanRights Club is designed to help Verdugo students develop an understandingof world events and cultures and human rights issues in societies outside ofour own.In each of the last two years, in coordination with the Human Rights Club,Verdugo has hosted a presentation by the Invisible Children Foundation inorder to foster understanding of political events in Eastern Africa, includingthe plight of child soldiers in Uganda and Congo. These presentations havehelped connect Social Studies curriculum to world events.Over the past seven years the Social Studies Department has organized anannual fieldtrip to the Museum of Tolerance, developing connectionsbetween students and the curriculum on genocide and tolerance of otherpeoples and cultures. The museum presents a history of genocide, theHolocaust, and brings historical events up to date with connections tocontemporary examples of prejudice and intolerance.Physical Education DepartmentAll students have access to co-educational general physical education classesand/or classes that receive P.E. credit that fulfill the LAUSD two-yearrequirements for high school graduation. All courses meet the LAUSDStudent Learning Standards for Physical Education. Course offerings includegeneral Physical Education 1 and 2, Marching Band, and JROTC. Studentswith IEPs and special physical needs have access to Adaptive PE. TheAdaptive P.E. instructor is an itinerant teacher who is available to VHHS oneperiod a day; 15 special needs students are enrolled in his class. Theinstructor has the assistance of a number of paraprofessionals.Verdugo Hills High School WASC Self-Study Page 78