Whittier Elementary held a special celebration of their 140th anniversary in May. 

The birthday party featured cake, historical displays and heartfelt tributes from current students and alumni alike. Yet the most exciting moment was the unveiling of a new street sign to commemorate the monumental milestone. At a meeting April 22, the West Valley City Council approved a resolution to rename a portion of 6000 West to Whittier Way, a reference to the school’s slogan, “that’s the Whittier Way.” 

The resolution was created, proposed and advocated for by Whittier Elementary’s fifth-grade students as a gradewide social studies project. One of the core focuses of fifth-grade social studies is government and civics at a federal, state and local level. This year, Whittier’s students had an opportunity to learn about the lawmaking process through a real experience by playing a part in bringing an exciting, positive change to their community. 

Like many schools that focus on a STEAM curriculum, Whittier has taken on other ambitious school projects in recent years. In January 2024, the Whittier student body created a Rube Goldberg machine that spanned across a whole hallway and part of the school gym. But the sign is the biggest achievement by the school yet. 

Whittier principal Jen Bodell said the idea for the initiative started as a joke in 2024. “I was in a meeting with another Granite School District employee…and he said, ‘What are you gonna do next, get a street named after you?’ And I laughed and thought, ‘Yes, let’s do that!’” 

The idea tied perfectly into the fifth-grade core curriculum. After all, what better way to learn about local government than to participate in it? Bodell presented her students and teachers with the goal of passing a resolution in West Valley City Council to make the new street name official, a challenge that was met with excitement. Students were tasked with researching the necessary steps, creating the proposal, and writing public speeches to present at the March 11 council meeting. 

Core focal points of the arguments presented to the council were the rich history, enduring legacy and community impact of the school. “Today, we see Whittier Elementary as more than a timeline of events,” said Carmelita, one of the fifth-grade speakers. “We see it as a place of belonging, a place of learning, and a place of community that serves to better the lives of those who enter its doors.” 

The next fifth-grade speaker, Brooks, highlighted the school’s commitment to the betterment of the community that it prides itself upon. “Today, we are still doing all we can to be involved and include our community,” he told the council. “Because again, it’s the Whittier Way!” 

The students and their parents were invited back to the April 22 council meeting, where they anxiously waited for the final verdict. The resolution passed unanimously, and the sign was officially erected soon after, just in time for the big event. 

“The sign represents the hard work of these kids,” Bodell said. “But it also represents the importance of this school to the community.” λ