Whittier Union exemplary and retired employees, along with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, were celebrated for their hard work and commitment to the District on May 11. Six students and 35 employees were honored during the socially distanced event. Superintendent Martin Plourde and Board President Ralph Pacheco gave congratulatory speeches, recognizing the success of each individual.
Twenty-three Fontana Unified students were honored for their excellence and commitment to furthering their education during the annual Upward Bound banquet, held virtually this year on May 7. Fontana Unified offers the Upward Bound program in partnership with Chaffey College, aiming to increase the rate of students who complete high school and enroll in and graduate from college. When enrolled in Upward Bound, students from A.B. Miller and Fontana high schools benefit from resources and services that include: one-on-one advising and support in academics, college and career planning; weekly tutoring from current Chaffey College students; detailed guidance during their senior year on college applications, financial aid, scholarships and college housing; and more.
Lynwood Unified School District Board members, alongside leaders of St. Anne’s Family Services, grabbed hard hats and shovels on May 12 to celebrate the start of renovations for a new Early Learning Center at Lugo Elementary School. Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite joined Lorna Little, President and CEO of St. Anne’s, to address an outdoor group of nearly 75 guests who gathered to commemorate the groundbreaking of a project that will provide Early Head Start programs for children ages 1-3 and their families. Scheduled to open this fall, the Early Learning Center is the result of a partnership between the District, St. Anne’s, and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Ultimately, a total of five classrooms will be added at Lugo and Abbott elementary schools, serving a total of 164 children.
Whittier Union’s five comprehensive high schools have been listed among the top performing public schools in the state and nation – ranking in the top 25% – according to the 2021 Best High Schools rankings by U.S. News and World Report. California, La Serna, Pioneer, Santa Fe and Whittier high schools have earned high rankings among approximately 1,675 high schools in California. Additionally, Santa Fe placed among the top 12% in the country.
Baldwin Park Unified’s Margaret Heath Elementary School celebrated the conclusion of the 2020-21 Latino Family Literacy Workshop with family stories on May 12, highlighting the importance of storytelling and family history. Heath Elementary parents, students, teachers, and Principal Maria Alonso shared stories and reminisced on the strengths gained during the virtual workshop. The Latino Family Literacy Project provides research-based programs for parents to engage with their children through literature and to promote biliteracy.