header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


| Wednesday, Sep 4, 2019
Students and parents walk through campus at the first Castaic High School Back to School Night Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.
Students and parents walk through campus at the first Castaic High School Back to School Night Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.

 

For high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District, except Bowman, Tuesday night marked Back-to-School Night.

And for Castaic High School, it was another first for the new school.

Walking around during the event were parents, siblings and district staff being guided by Castaic High’s associated student body members, taking each tour group to meet teachers and tour classrooms.

Imudiase Aimiuwu II and his twin sister, Isiuwa Aimiwu, both transferred from the Saugus area to attend Castaic High, join the school’s ASB and participate in iCAN Academy — a program that provides dual enrollment in both Castaic High and College of the Canyons classes.

“It’s been really nice, and the teachers are amazing, too,” said Imudiase, adding his classes have about 15-20 students in each.

 Castaic High School students sell drinks and school spirit gear at the Student Store during the school’s first Back-to-School Night on Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.


Castaic High School students sell drinks and school spirit gear at the Student Store during the school’s first Back-to-School Night on Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.

“I just didn’t want to leave my friends, but I ended up meeting a whole new group of friends, and I enjoy coming here every day now,” Isiuwa said. “I love my health science class because my teachers are sweet, and they take it really slow with us.”

Both their parents said they loved seeing the turnaround in Isiuwa, who had at first been resistant to coming to school. Once she and her brother got enrolled in their programs at the new high school with new classmates, they shared an excitement going forward.

Students and parents walk through campus at the first Castaic High School Back to School Night Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.

Students and parents walk through campus at the first Castaic High School Back to School Night Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.

“We heard about the school and the programs that were being offered, and it didn’t seem like something to miss,” said Tawanna Aimiuwu. “And so we made the switch.”

Hart District Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht, who’s been a part of the effort to build and open the high school since she became superintendent in 2015, discussed the evening itself as a career highlight.

“It’s terrifically exciting, and the reality even surpasses what the vision was,” Engbrecht said. “This event is even more special to me than the ribbon-cutting ceremony a couple of weeks ago because now we see the kids. It is one of the proudest moments of my professional career.”

Hart District superintendent Vicki Engbrecht and Castaic High School Principal Melanie Hagman talk to parents at Castaic High School’s first Back-to-School Night on Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.

Hart District superintendent Vicki Engbrecht and Castaic High School Principal Melanie Hagman talk to parents at Castaic High School’s first Back-to-School Night on Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.

Teachers at the high school acknowledged that with a new school comes new challenges, such as new teacher training programs, new technology instruction, or an unforeseen shortage of printer paper on the first day.

However, several teachers discussed how going through the experiences together brought them closer as a campus community.

“It’s been really exciting actually (because) the kids have been amazing, and everyone is excited to be here,” said Sarah Avanessian, an English teacher at the school. “The kids know that we’re all doing this together, so we’re all learning together — and I think they’ve all risen up to doing this as almost a little family.”

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


LOCAL SCHOOL LINKS
Related Content
LATEST SCHOOL NEWS
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board will take place Tuesday, March 26, with closed session beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed immediately by public session at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Mar 22, 2024
The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District’s Governing Board will be held Wednesday, March 27, beginning with closed session at 5:30 p.m., followed immediately by open session at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Mike Kuhlman, superintendent of the William S. Hart Union High School District, will be leaving his post effective June 30, 2024, he announced in a district-wide email Wednesday night. 

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com