CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified School District has been recognized by the California Department of Education with the 2022 California Pivotal Practice (CAPP) Award for implementing innovative strategies to support students and keep them connected with their studies during state-mandated distance learning in 2020-21.

Hacienda La Puente Unified was among 121 school districts in California to receive the CAPP award on April 26. Twenty-eight individual HLPUSD schools, including all four of the District’s comprehensive high schools, also received the award.

“Thank you to our amazing teachers, staff, administrators and families for your efficiency and constant collaboration to ensure our students stayed healthy and connected during our period with distance learning,” Board President Jeffrey De La Torre said. “This honor is a win for our entire District community as it recognizes our flexibility, creativity, consistency and determination at Hacienda La Puente Unified.”

Hacienda La Puente Unified equipped students with devices and hotspots as needed, provided Lakeshore summer learning kits, greenlighted access to the Sora digital library and partnered with Tutor.com to connect students with online assistance. The District created a number of virtual extracurricular activities, including virtual speech and debate tournaments, coding camps and performing arts showcases.

Hacienda La Puente Unfiied’s Equity & Access and Parent and Family Engagement Departments remained focused on the social-emotional health of students, providing 24/7 online resources, including Care Solace and Wellness Series Workshops, and sending community check-in surveys to families.

“Our District proudly prioritizes our students’ safety and well-being by implementing effective practices that address social, emotional and mental health combined with access to a high-quality and rigorous curriculum,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “This award symbolizes Hacienda La Puente Unified’s passion and perseverance in overcoming the challenges of the past few years and returning to in-person learning united and stronger than ever.”