As the 2024-25 school year begins, Woodbridge High welcomes principal Linzi Gorzycki and the new assistant principal Calvin McDonald.

By fostering student voices by making each student feel welcome and having more school spirit, Gorzycki and McDonald plan to make Woodbridge High a more enjoyable educational experience for everyone. They both encourage involvement in the student body and emphasize their desire for every student to leave Woodbridge High with memorable experiences.

At Woodbridge High, a big part of the school community are trustworthy staff because of their essential role in creating a welcoming environment for students.   

Gorzycki, who was the assistant principal last year, is now the principal at Woodbridge High. Gorzycki got her bachelor’s degree in math and secondary education, then got her master’s degree in educational leadership, showing her competence and experience as an educator. 

Gorzycki describes her leadership style as empowering and supportive. She believes that supporting the students here at Woodbridge High and the staff is crucial to creating a comfortable and safe environment where everyone can feel welcome. 

“I am really focused on students and what our students need, while also supporting our teachers and helping them feel reinvigorated as educators” Gorzycki said. 

School spirit is vital at Woodbridge High. Whether that is spirit weeks, football season, homecoming or any other events. Involving all students in school events and activities is a core priority. This year, Gorzyzcki’s goal is to increase school spirit and pride. She believes that every student should feel pride in the experiences they have had during their time at Woodbridge High.

“I believe that there is something for every student here at Woodbridge High, and I want them to walk away with their four year high school experience proud that they attended Woodbridge High and that they graduated as a Warrior,” Gorzycki said.

Woodbridge High also values the student voice because the best way to create an open, comfortable environment at a school is to convey to students that their voices and opinions matter. Another goal that Gorzycki has this year is to ensure the ability for students to express their voices.

“This year, I really am focusing on student voice, and we started the school year with a student panel for teachers that allowed students to share their opinions on what’s working in classrooms, what they like and how they feel seen and have a sense of belonging,” Gorzycki said. 

This proves how she believes how important a student’s opinion is here. A crucial part of achieving a healthy learning environment is letting students know that their opinions matter and that they can make change in this community.

The new assistant principal, McDonald graduated from Jordan High in Long Beach and went to Long Beach City College. Afterwards, he transferred to California State University of Fullerton to get his associates in art. Then, he decided to major in education and he transferred again to California State University of Long Beach which is where he got his bachelor’s degree.

McDonald discusses how his goal here for the time being is to make everyone feel welcome. He thinks it is very important in a high school for people to walk onto campus feeling their best and knowing that they belong here. 

“If you don’t feel welcome in a space, you can’t thrive. In a school setting, if you don’t feel welcome here, how are you going to be a contributor in your classes?” McDonald said. 

He believes creating a safe space where each student feels welcome and knows they belong is a very important part of having a good educational experience. McDonald highlights that his leadership style is showing students that he is a trusting adult on campus that they can come and speak to if they need anything.

“My leadership style is really giving the people who fall under me, giving them that confidence that I have trust and faith in what they do. And I also want them to feel comfortable coming to me if they need something,” McDonald said. 

This type of leadership could benefit students at Woodbridge High. Every student with this leadership could be confident that they can always rely on someone without having the fear that no one understands them.

As the school year progresses, administration staff are hard at work ensuring that the school spirit here is just as amazing as the educational experiences. The new administration staff hopes each student can feel welcome and included throughout their entire journey to graduate as a proud Warrior.