Welcome!

Semester classes for 2025-26 school year:

Exploring Industrial Tech

In this introductory Industrial Tech course students will explore the development of skills in communication, construction, manufacturing and power/ energy transportation by completing teacher-selected projects such as drafting, drawings, and introduction to wood projects. Alternate semester students take Health. 

Art

Students are introduced to drawing, design, and sculpture, and complete a series of short projects emphasizing the elements in art: line, form, space, texture, value, and color, using a variety of materials. Alternate semester students take health. 

Instrumental Music

Students learn how to play a band instrument, how to read music, and how to read rhythm in this entry-level class. Students may choose a brass instrument (trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, tuba) or a woodwind instrument (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone). Alternate semester students take Health

Theatre

Theatre classes are year-long and include Health for 7th graders. A performance-based class for 7th graders with a keen interest in singing, acting, and dance. 7th graders learn through acting games, scene work, musical and dance instruction, and 2 full-scale performances. See "Theatre, Musical Theatre & Chorus" under the "Academics" drop-down for more information. 

Electives Staff:

Joshua Stutzman
jstutzman@sbunified.org

Ian Moore
imoore@sbunified.org

Diana Hemsley
dhemsley@sbunified.org

Devon Nelson
devonnelson@sbunified.org

Carolyn Ross
Theatre / Musical Theatre / Chorus 
cross@sbunified.org

Welcome!

Exploration Art (7th grade only)

In this semester-long class, students are introduced to drawing, design, and sculpture, and complete a series of short projects emphasizing the elements in art: line, form, space, texture, value, and color, using a variety of materials. In the alternate semester, students take Health. 

Visual Art (7-8th grades)

 Instruction is based on the understanding and use of the elements and principles of design to create finished products that reflect creative problem-solving, visual literacy, and personal expression. Materials include graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink, wood, cardboard, wire, clay, tempera, watercolor, acrylic paint, and more. Along with projects, there will be the introduction of various artists and art movements from cultures around the world to help students understand the history and intention of making art to tell stories, express ideas, and to create beautiful and meaningful artworks. Staff:

Diana Hemsley
Art
dhemsley@sbunified.org

Welcome!

AVID 7/8

AVID stands for Advancement via Individual Determination. The focus of this class is on the development of the study and academic skills necessary to take college preparatory coursework in high school. Students will explore short and long-term goals as they relate to planning to attend college. Students will be taught how to take notes, test-taking skills, organizational skills, as well as improving their self esteem through the teaching of communication skills. Field trips and guest speakers are arranged for this class. In addition, students will have access to in-class tutoring. Application process is required.

Staff:

Shawn Rocha
AVID 7 Teacher
SRocha@sbsdk12.org

Bridget Sandoval
bgsandoval@sbunified.org
AVID 8 Teacher

Coding is a fun!
7th period class here at GVJH!
Using the programming language Scratch, we learn computational thinking and explore the creative process. Students animate stories, create interactive artwork and games, and work collaboratively to solve problems and spark new ideas.

Staff:
Ian Moore
Science Teacher
imoore@sbunified.org

Welcome!

English 7 and 8

Students will meet the California Common Core Standards in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students read and analyze various genres of literature including novels, poetry, essays, and plays along with non-fiction and informational texts.

Technology is integrated into the curriculum including word-processing, library research projects using online databases along with internet research, the use if iPads, and multi-media presentations.


English Department

Ana Silva
arsilva@sbunified.org

Jenny Jimenez
jennyjimenez@sbunified.org

Justina Weinbender
juweinbender@sbunified.org

Jessica Herdrich
jherdrich@sbunified.org

Jan Ferrer
jferrer@sbunified.org

GVJH has a chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. 

Students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding or satisfactory citizenship qualify for membership. 

Staff:
Carolyn Ross
NJHS Coordinator

cross@sbunified.org

Staff:

Joshua Stutzman 
jstutzman@sbunified.org

Beginning Band 7/8

An entry level class open to students interested in playing a brass instrument (trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone horn, tuba) or woodwind instrument (oboe, flute, clarinet, alto or tenor saxophone).

Advanced Band 7/8

One or more years of group or private lessons required. Students continue to study elements of music through music theory, music history, daily class lessons and performances at local or countywide cultural and civic activities.

Orchestra 7/8

This class is for students with a minimum of one year experience playing violin, viola, cello or string bass. Students will continue to learn the elements of music and music history. The orchestra will perform each quarter in events such as the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association spring music festival and other community events.

Teacher: Devon Nelson
devonnelson@sbunified.org

GVJHS Library Portal: gvjhslibrary.org

Staff:

Rachel Hatcher-Day
Librarian
rhatcher@sbunified.org

Ryan Radujko
Library Technician
rradujko@sbunified.org
 

Click HERE to open Destiny Discover: Click HERE to open the library catalog: 

Click HERE to open the GVJHS Library Portal: Class Projects 

Databases for Research eReference for Research 

Makerspace Sign In Form After School Sign In Form 

Students will be scheduled into math classes according to their individual needs and abilities.

Math 7
Math 7 Compaction

7th grade will cover: Ratios and proportional relationships, The Number System, Expressions and Equations, Geometry, Statistics and Probability

Math 8
Math 8 Compaction

8th grade will cover: The Number System, Expressions and Equations, Functions, Geometry, Statistics and Probability

Lindsay Coakley
lcoakley@sbunified.org

Emily Cutrell
ecutrell@sbunified.org

Christine McLain
cmclain@sbunified.org

Janette Peinado
jpeinado@sbunified.org

Nate Thompson
nthompson@sbunified.org

Jenae Slater
jslater@sbsunified.org

Welcome!

Physical Education

The physical education program is a California standards-based program that emphasizes complete physical fitness development. Students are graded on improvement rather than on skill. Classes are co-ed and the curriculum is based on small group and individual skills, games, problem solving, character and social development.

Seventh Grade units include cooperative games, sports skills, medieval times, self defense, multicultural dance, paddle tennis, orienteering, golf, track and field.

Eight Grade units include healthy heart, volleyball, football, soccer, lacrosse, team handball, hockey, square dance, track and field.

Independent Studies P.E.

For students who are at an advanced level in their sport. Applications and a list of enrollment and insurance requirements are available in the Counseling Office. Completed applications must be turned in by March 1, 2019.  No late applications will be accepted.

Chris Hughes

Amy McConnell

Lee Speshyock

Jessica Escalante

Visit School Counseling here.

Welcome!

Both 7th and 8th grade courses are based on the 3 Dimensions (see below) of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for middle school as aligned with the preferred integrated learning pathway developed and outlined by the California Department of Education. For more information see the https://thewonderofscience.com/standards

7th grade specific topics:  structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions and energy flow in living and non-living systems, conservation of mass and energy, plate tectonics, ecosystems, and human impact on the environment.

8th grade specific topics:  Genetics, changes in living systems through time, non contact forces such as gravity to explain motion in space, forces, energy transfer, and study of waves to understand communication systems.  

Mr. Tamayo
ctamayo@sbunified.org

Mr. Moore
imoore@sbunified.org

Mr. Peñate
rpenate@sbunified.org

Mr. Penkala
bpenkala@sbunified.org

Mr. Helsel
rhelsel@sbunified.org

Mr. Malis
 

Welcome!

Social Studies (7th)*: Students in the 7th grade study the social, political, economic, cultural, and religious changes that occurred throughout the world during the period between 27 B.C.E. and C.E. 1780. After reviewing the ancient world and the ways in which archaeologists and historians uncover the past, students study the history and geography of the great civilizations of Rome, China, Japan, Africa, The Middle East, Medieval / Early Modern Europe, as well as the Latin American empires of the Maya, Aztec and Inca. Throughout the year, students will develop geographic literacy, reading, and writing skills, with an emphasis on understanding cause and effect relationships, trends, and repetitive themes in history. The program is closely aligned to the 8th grade history curricula so that students will also examine the development of democratic ideas from tyranny/absolutism to representational forms of government.

Social Studies (8th)*: The course follows the development of the United States political system by tracing the growth of its governmental institutions, historical problems, conflicts, and current issues. Beginning with an overview of American history from the arrival of the first Americans to the end of the Revolutionary War, students will begin an in depth study of the American Constitution, Manifest Destiny, Slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the rise of Industrialism, and Progressivism. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on the contributions of many minority groups which make up the American people.

Teachers

Tami Gunton
tgunton@sbunified.org

Shannon Hamilton
shamilton@sbunified.org

Alena Nelson
alnelson@sbunified.org

Shawn Rocha
srocha@sbunified.org

Jeff Weinbender
jweinbender@sbunified.org

Sean Malis
smalis@sbunified.org

Staff:

Amy Kroes 
akroes@sbunified.org

Alex Haggerty 
ahaggerty@sbunified.org

Brittany Soundara 
bsoundara@sbunified.org

Pablo Miranda 
pmiranda@sbunified.org

Theater Arts: Click Here

Welcome!

Spanish 1

The course is designed to introduce a world language through the development of skills in basic conversation, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Students also learn about the culture of countries where Spanish is spoken. The class provides a foundation for high school Spanish. If Spanish 1-2 is taken in 7th grade, Spanish 3-4 should be taken in 8th grade, and Spanish 5-6 in 9th grade.
photo 2

Spanish 2

Prerequisite is Spanish 1-2, or native speaker, grade of “C” is recommended. The ability to understand and speak Spanish is further developed through the introduction of additional vocabulary and grammar. Students who successfully complete Spanish 1-2 and this class will earn one year of high school credit.

Spanish 2 for Native Speakers

Staff: Juliet Clark-Ruiz
 jclark-ruiz@sbunified.org 

LEADERSHIP* (7-8): This course offers the student an opportunity to develop project planning skills, and student council meeting procedures; to improve in mentoring, integrity, problem solving, working with students from diverse backgrounds, attitude, individual and group responsibility, and working with adults. Students will help plan and implement school wide activities to promote a strong school culture. 

*requires teacher/office/counselor approval