Principal's Message
August 2022
Hello GGHS community,
I am thrilled to welcome you to the 2022-2023 school year! We have faced a lot of challenges in these past couple years but we’ve gotten through them all and I am so grateful for the flexibility, caring, and patience of our parents and staff who have worked together to support all of our students. The future looks bright for GGHS and for the 2022-23 school year and beyond.
The biggest story coming into this year is the change of start time across all high schools in California. California Senate Bill 328 passed in May 2019 with the provision that high schools cannot begin prior to 8:30a.m. beginning in the fall of 2022. The rationale for the change is that it will provide teenagers a little more time in the morning for extra shut-eye, a necessary component for being at our best. As such, we have pushed forward our start and end times by 30 minutes, and I invite you to take a look at our bell schedule here.
We have an amazing staff and faculty at Garden Grove High School, one that works very hard to create a supportive environment that promotes curiosity, learning, and personal growth. They bring professionalism and compassion to their jobs so that each student can comfortably explore his or her unique talents and abilities. At least one Wednesday each month our teachers collaborate by department where they engage in professional conversations, share best practices, and analyze evidence of student learning in order to best serve the needs of our students so that all students will be prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
As the new year begins, rest assured that your student will be presented with a wide variety of opportunities and experiences while at GGHS. They will be presented with rigorous and relevant curriculum each class period and have access to take part in a comprehensive athletic program, exceptional visual and performing arts program, a robust activities program, and a variety of engaging college and career pathways in a supportive environment. We hope all of our students find a sport, club, activity, or program that they can enjoy.
Parental involvement is a vital component in increasing student achievement and I invite all parents and family members to be involved participants in our learning community. There are many opportunities for you to take an active role including Site Council, ELAC, DELAC, Alumni Association, Parent Education classes, etc. We look forward to working collaboratively with you with the goal always to make our school even better for our students.
Established in 1921, GGHS is a school rich in tradition and as we celebrated our centennial anniversary with a fabulous year in 2021-22 including a CIF boys basketball championship, we’ll continue to honor the great traditions that all past Argonauts have created.
It all starts on August 15 when we welcome back our returners as well as the Class of 2026. I look forward to continuing this journey of learning together!
Todd Nirk
Principal
Garden Grove High School