Whittier Union High School District, in addition to distributing free breakfast and lunch, launched its Afterschool Supper Meal Service on Sept. 7, providing students the opportunity to pick up free supper meals at each of the District’s five comprehensive high schools Monday through Thursday.
Whittier Union’s La Serna High School was vibrantly decorated in red and gold during the school’s 60th anniversary celebration on Sept. 7, which highlighted 60 years of La Serna’s dedication to providing a high-quality education and empowering students to reach their full potential. During the celebration, students and staff received sweet treats and party hats. The festivities will continue during the school’s homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 15.
A.B. Miller High School students who wish to explore careers in the aerospace industry and learn what it takes to be part of the next generation of astronauts and space explorers will meet at Ontario International Airport (ONT) on Saturday, Sept. 11, when the school launches its new Aviation & Space career technical education (CTE) pathway. Students will receive an overview of two new CTE classes, developed in tandem by Barboza Space Center CEO Bob Barboza and Shades of Blue Aviation founder Capt. Willie Daniels; discuss career opportunities with ONT Chief Operating Officer Bruce Atlas, as well as representatives of the FBI and TSA; meet the Ontario Police Department K-9 corps; and receive a tour of Ontario International Airport.
The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees adopted a balanced 2021-22 budget during a board meeting on Sept. 8, setting aside ample funding for student financial aid while avoiding the loss of staff and increasing reserves to $34.8 million in general fund. The adopted budget allocates about $23.4 million for student financial aid from the Restricted General Fund and approximately $27.5 million from the Financial Aid Fund, which includes $47.9 million from COVID-19 federal emergency revenue. The unrestricted and restricted general fund revenues combined is $173.3 million, while expenses total $172 million. For the 2020-21 budget, the College’s unrestricted and restricted combined revenue was more than $115.9 million, while expenses totaled roughly $114 million.
Lynwood Unified added three new all-electric school buses to its fleet, reducing air pollution and overall costs while boosting child safety. The new eLion Type C buses can travel 75 miles when fully charged, while reducing costs for fuel, oil, and transmission fluid. The buses feature 18-inch aisles, which allow for more comfortable student mobility than standard 12-inch aisles. A charging station will be installed at the District’s bus barn.
El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) students will benefit from $300,000 in one-time funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund to support student achievement and District goals outlined in the 2021 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). The EMUHSD LCAP focuses on increasing mental health support services and bolstering the social-emotional well-being of students, which includes access to counselors and a continuation of awareness campaigns and sessions, such as online initiatives, that provide students with access to online workshops and activities that aid in reducing stress. The LCAP also outlines efforts to enhance student engagement on campus, as well as plans to increase access to credit recovery courses online to assist students in making up coursework.
California High School students walked onto campus for the start of the 2021-22 school year on Aug. 12, surprised with a new Condor mural painted by Mark Quintero, a Cal High English and art teacher. Quintero painted the mural as a symbol of Cal High’s strength and endurance, with details throughout the vibrant mural representing a path toward enlightenment and growth. Photos are available.
Manoj Roychowdhury will serve as Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Associate Superintendent of Business Services in 2021-22, bringing more than 20 years of fiscal leadership experience in K-12 education to the role. Roychowdhury, whose contract was approved by the Board of Education during its Sept. 9 meeting, comes to Hacienda La Puente Unified with a proven track record of strong business and financial acumen.
Students from Mountain View High School enjoyed a lunchtime concert on Aug. 20, when The Red Pears – an indie rock band formed by two alumni in 2013 – made their triumphant return to the school. Mountain View Class of 2012 graduate Henry Vargas and Class of 2013 graduate Jose Corona met while competing in a school-sponsored Battle of the Bands in 2012. Though Corona’s band emerged the winner that night, the two eventually joined forces as the Red Pears, beginning a musical journey that has led them to sold-out shows at the Glass House in Pomona and a performance at Coachella in 2019.
The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees has approved acceptance of a grant to boost public awareness for the CalFresh Outreach Program, which helps low-income households increase their food-buying power to meet their nutritional needs. Río Hondo College was one of 54 colleges selected for the grant as part of California State University, Chico’s CalFresh grant expansion. The grant will provide Río Hondo College with $432,726 to promote CalFresh to students starting on Oct. 1, 2021 and ending on Sept. 30, 2024.
The Bonita Unified Board of Education appointed Jim Elliot to fill an open seat on the Board during a special meeting on Sept. 15. After a lengthy interview process, Elliot – a former BUSD board member – was selected to fill the seat vacated by Krista Chakmak when she resigned in August. Immediately after the selection, Board President Chuck Coyne administered the Oath of Office. Elliot’s appointment will run until the general election to be held in Nov. 2022.
