Good Afternoon EHS and YLHS Communities,
This is Esperanza High School (EHS) Principal Jeff Giles and Yorba Linda High School (YLHS) Principal Richard Dinh with an important joint message for students, staff, families, and community members.
As you may be aware, our school communities were recently impacted by an inappropriate poster and subsequent social media post that has had a profoundly negative impact on our campuses. The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District has posted a statement on the matter if you wish to read it; however, today’s joint communication is for another purpose—to discuss unity between our two schools.
When incidents of this nature take place, they have the tendency to divide. We want to let you know that your two administrative teams at Esperanza High School and Yorba Linda High School are completely united and committed to addressing and remedying the divisive topic of “us versus them.”
Please know how much we deeply regret this incident. As a part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, we have a mutual understanding that a safe and respectful environment is absolutely essential to student success. We foster a culture that promotes the health, safety, and well-being of students, staff, and families. Both of our schools pride ourselves on creating a respectful, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where all students feel safe. In fact, Esperanza High School and Yorba Linda High School embrace diversity and strongly condemn all forms of intolerance and discrimination. Our students and entire community—one unified community—deserve better.
Effective immediately, the relationship between our schools, including “rivalry week,” will look different as we work together to repair the harm that has been done. We are committed to growing from this situation and will strive to promote increased collaboration, sportsmanship, and respect between our two student bodies and campuses. Be assured that we have already begun and will continue to take the appropriate steps to accomplish this goal, which we believe will have a lasting, positive impact.
With that being said, both of our schools look forward to an exciting football game and friendly community gathering this Friday. As always, we aim to have a safe and fun event for students, staff, families, and community members. While we will both compete to the best of our abilities on the field, off the field we are united in our desire to see our students coexist as kind, caring, and responsible citizens in our community.
In closing, we thank you for your continued support of all students at Esperanza and Yorba Linda high schools.
Sincerely,
