Our Mission: To maximize each student’s potential to achieve educational excellence
A Year Like No Other
When I became a teacher in the Hawthorne School District thirty-nine years ago, I could have never imagined a situation that would require our students to be at home learning on computers for months and months. At that time computers were not part of almost every household. We had one computer in each classroom that was the size of a small refrigerator and didn’t have many abilities. They were called Apple IIEs. They were usually used to play games like Oregon Trails or some math quizzes. This certainly isn’t the case today.
Our teachers, students, and parents have had to learn a whole new definition of, “going to school”. There are not very many of us who prefer this new normal to our traditional school. I know that I am anxiously awaiting the time we can have students return to campus. I want to see the joy in our students when they see friends, their teachers, and their principal. Unfortunately, we aren’t ready to do that just yet.
We have applied for waivers to allow our youngest learners back to school. With the current surges in COVID-19 cases, we don’t know when we will see approval. I want to assure our stakeholders that when we do return, we have many protocols in place to ensure the safety of all students and staff. We are doing everything we can to ensure an environment that allows students, staff, and families to feel safe and secure at school. We have purchased plexiglass shields, masks, additional cleaning materials, signage, and improved technology to assist in our transition back to school. I want to assure our school community that there will be options available to remain in a distance learning model through the end of this school year if you do not feel it is the right time to return to in-person instruction.
I want to thank all of the members of our Hawthorne School District community for your support, understanding and patience during this unprecedented time. I know it has not been easy. You are all the reason I am so happy I have spent my career in the Hawthorne School District!
In the Hawthorne School District, we are committed to ensuring that our students are equipped with the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary for success in both college and career. To this end, we joined with California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) last year to submit a Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) partnership grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Education. We were recently delighted to learn that our GEAR UP partnership was one of only twenty-four in the country to be funded this year. The approval of this partnership means that our current sixth grade students will be provided with access to seven years of targeted academic support, college-focused counseling, college campus visitations, and family workshops focused on topics such as the college admissions process and financial aid options. This type of long-term commitment is rarely seen with federal grants, and its impact on our students will be significant. Projects associated with the GEAR UP grant are already underway, with the creation of College and Career Centers at each of our middle school campuses, the recruitment of CSUDH students to serve as tutors in a number of our classrooms, and the coordination of a trip for almost 800 sixth graders to the CSUDH campus this June. We are so pleased to be able to offer these and many more services to our students as we work to support them on their path to postsecondary education.
para español haz clic aquí
Superintendent's Message
Dr. Helen E. Morgan
Mission Statement
To maximize each student’s potential to achieve educational excellence.
Vision Statement
A diverse community of lifelong learners who excel and positively contribute to an advancing global society.
Core Values
We believe:
- Students are the focus of all decisions.
- All students, parents, staff and community members are empowered, supported and held accountable for their role in the educational process.
- A personal commitment to excellence is expected of all students, parents, staff and community members.
- A safe, innovative and supportive learning environment is maintained where resources are allocated to support social-emotional well-being, student learning, technology and collaboration.
- Local businesses, private and public agencies and the entire community are integral partners in the educational process.
- All individuals are valued and treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.
