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Alamo Colleges District Strengthens Culture of Care through Districtwide Alignment

After becoming the nation’s first Caring Campus District, the Alamo Colleges District, a community college system serving the Greater San Antonio region, is strengthening its culture of care through districtwide alignment, employee engagement, and shared student-centered practices. Through employee recognition programs, engagement initiatives, and strategic communications, the District is embedding these practices throughout the organization, extending its culture of care beyond traditionally student-facing roles and across its District offices and five colleges: Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip’s College, and San Antonio College.

Santa Fe High School Mariachi Performers Tune Up for Independence Day Celebration

Santa Fe High School’s student-led Mariachi Los Dorados is tuning up for its biggest performance to date, when it joins with the Whittier community to celebrate Mexican Independence Day during “El Grito De Dolores,” to be held on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Whittier High School’s Vic Lopez Auditorium. Mariachi Los Dorados was created in the spring of 2025 as a club, with about a dozen students. Spurred on by the music and culture of mariachi, and learning the basics of playing such instruments as the guitarrón, vihuela, violin, and trumpet, the club evolved into an elective class during the fall of 2025, with 21 students and three mariachi coaches.

Fontana Unified Pilots Summer Language Academy for English Learners

Incoming Fontana Unified high school students are strengthening their English language skills and building a peer support system through the Summer Language Academy pilot program, designed to prepare English learners to participate in school socially and academically. Adapted from a culturally and linguistically responsive model developed by Anaheim Union High School District and in partnership with California State University, Fullerton, the four-week program is bringing together 85 ninth- through 12th-grade students, using their home languages and cultures as a foundation for learning English. Lessons center on building conversational skills needed for class, while counseling and community-building activities help develop their confidence and explore different pathways in high school and beyond.

El Monte Union Celebrates Inaugural Summer Graduation, Honors Students Who Persevered to Earn Their Diplomas

Twenty-four El Monte Union students celebrated the successful completion of their high school journey during the District's inaugural summer graduation ceremony on July 17, crossing the stage to receive diplomas they earned through determination and the completion of summer school. Held in Mountain View High School's newly renovated cafetorium on the final day of summer school, the ceremony recognized graduates from Arroyo, El Monte, Fernando R. Ledesma, Mountain View, Rosemead, and South El Monte high schools. Balloon arches in each school's colors framed the stage as families, friends, and educators applauded graduates, captured photos, and celebrated a moment many had waited weeks to experience.