Editor’s Note: Below is the letter that Los Alamitos High School Principal Grant Litfin sent out, announcing his plans to leave the district to serve as director of secondary education in the Tustin Unified School District. A complete story on his announcement and tenure will be posted on Patch later today.
Dear Los Al Students and Families,
I write you today to share some information about next year. In the upcoming year, LAHS will encounter many changes. These changes will range from exciting new course offerings like AP Psychology to the grand opening of our freshly remodeled gym and cutting edge locker room facility. LAHS will also pilot new technologies, like online registration and two iPad based classrooms or "Tab Labs." These things are extremely exciting to me, and they are just a snapshot into the great things planned for our returning students and our school.
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that, while I have been a part of getting these things started, I will not be here to see them through to completion. I, too, am a part of the changes LAHS will encounter next year. I have accepted the position of Director of Secondary Education in the Tustin Unified School District, beginning July 1. It is a great opportunity for me and my family for many reasons, and I look forward to the challenge of helping to guide several sites and even more students at the secondary level.
The past three years at LAHS have been some of the most challenging and rewarding of my career, and I've made memories and friends that I will always cherish. I truly believe this is one of the finest high schools and districts in the country, and it may be the most balanced high school in existence. No one does all five A's like Los Al. Few teaching staffs are as academically solid; few classified staffs take more pride in their jobs; few kids have better drive or ability to succeed; and few have community support like our school does. I'm so proud to work here, and I take tremendous pride in saying I'm a Griffin. I know that will never change.
Lastly, I assure you that the District will conduct a comprehensive and thorough process that includes input from stakeholder representatives to ensure that we get an outstanding Griffin leader as the new LAHS principal. The position was recently posted so that the new principal will be on board prior to the end of the school year. I'll make myself available to the new principal to ensure a smooth transition as I will remain the LAHS principal through the month of June.
I'm sad to leave at the end of this year, but I am excited about the future of Los Alamitos High School and the great people involved with it.
Best of luck to all of you in the future.
Go Griffins!
Dr. Grant Litfin
Principal, LAHS
