By David N. Young
The long and storied history of Los Alamitos High School was not lost on incoming principal Christopher Vlasic as he welcomed more than 3,200 students back to the campus this week.
“The first day went really well,” said Vlasic, who said he spent most of the first few days between the phone and his portable radio to make decisions and keep things running smoothly.
Making things even more complicated for Vlasic was the fact that much of the campus is under construction, as he said modifications are being made to the campus to prepare for extension renovations and new infrastructure.
“Things are really positive,” he said, admitting however that the construction equipment was seriously impacting the “flow of traffic.”
Vlasic said he brought in extra campus supervisors and relied heavily on the School Resource Officer but said both the students and the teachers seemed excited to be back on campus.
In making the announcement, Los Al Unified Superintendent Dr. Andrew Pulver said Vlasic started his educational career in Santa Ana Unified as a secondary math teacher and boys basketball coach at both Valley High School and Godinez Fundamental High School.
In 2010, he joined the Griffin family serving students and staff in a multitude of roles: math teacher, girls varsity basketball coach, athletic director, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), and assistant principal.
For the past five years, Mr. Vlasic has served as a Director supporting a variety of areas including safety, student services, educational services and human resources.
“Mr. Vlasic is a collaborative leader with an immense amount of Griffin pride. He cares deeply about LAHS, the staff, families, and students and is committed to the success of every Griffin,” said Pulver.
Vlasic grew up in Garden Grove, graduating from Pacifica High School and earning All-State honors as a high school basketball player. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis and helped the university win a National Championship as a member of their basketball team. He later received his master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Education from National University.
School safety is always a consideration, said Vlasic, but having developed extensive school safety plans for the entire system in his previous role, he said protection of the students will remain paramount.
“I walked into a place that is not broken,” said Vlasic, understanding fully the amount of success the school has enjoyed in the past.
His role now, says Vlasic, is to pay careful attention to the staff and administration to “get them what they need to be successful” and retain the excellence.
With more than 300 teachers and administrative staff, Vlasic said more than half of them are former graduates or live nearby. “This is their community,” he said, adding that he would always keep “everyone’s best interest” in mind.
To the students, Vlasic said he will establish programs to ensure that students know they will all have equal chances to succeed. “Regardless of their background, ethnicity or interests, we are going to provide opportunities for them,” said Vlasic.
With more than 100 clubs already on campus, Vlasic said he will keep an eye out within the community for even more. Also, he said the school offers 27 sports and a very diverse offerings of other activities.
According to Vlasic, the largest single change and evolution in education is the continued integration of technology in learning. He said new data connections will be part of the school’s upgrade.
While it was great to see more than 3,200 fill the halls and classes of the school on the first day, said Vlasic, but added that, only then, “did the magnitude of his new assignment” really sink in.
But, after a very chaotic but successful first day, he was content and now ready to make his mark. “I am very humbled and gratified,” said Vlasic, and “I slept very good last night.”
