Verdugo Videos Honored by the
National Network of Partnership Schools

Verdugo Hills High School’s own video series “Taking School Home” was chosen by the National Network of Partnership Schools to be included in its 7th annual edition of “Promising Partnership Practices”. This annual publication draws submis-sions from schools, districts, and state departments of education in the National Network which is headquartered at Johns Hopkins University. The 85 chosen “Promising Practices” came from 22 states, as well as two Canadian provinces.
Jean Hoelscher, Parent Center Director, and Prinicpal Cheryl Dellepiane show the "Promising Partnership Practices" book for 2004 published by Johns Hopkins University and Verdugo's "Taking School Home" videos.

Verdugo’s series of six 25-minute videos was produced over two years and are being sent homewith students to their parents by teachers and by the Parent Center. The videos cover each major area of academics in addition to the electives. “Navigating Verdugo”, the last video produced, shows parents how the school is organized and run.

Over 1,000 copies of the videos have gone home in both English and Spanish versions. Surveys accompany the video-tapes, and 85% of respondents have noted that they “know much more or some more” about the school after viewing the program. Numerous positive comments have been received from parents such as, “I think this is a great idea because it keeps the parents filled in with what goes on in the classes.”

Parent Pat Arndt (at right) checks out the Electives video of the "Taking School Home" series in Verdugo's Parent Center from Jean Hoelscher, Parent Center Director.

Another parent wrote, “I have now seen three of the videos, and I feel I know so much more about the school and the class experience. I have also been able to put teacher names with how they teach. I recommend the videos to other parents.”
The video series was produced by Jean Hoelscher, the Parent Center Director at Verdugo Hills High School, with funds from the parent involvement monies of Title 1 and the school’s Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Grant.