BALDWIN PARK – Baldwin Park Unified celebrated the return of more than 10,100 students to schools across the District for the 2022-23 school year on Aug. 18, with sites decorated with balloon arches, colorful posters and photography backdrops enveloped in school spirit.

Upbeat music radiated from campuses as students were greeted by administrators, teachers and staff before walking into another academic year, filled with new learning opportunities and expanded mental health support.

The District bolstered mental health services at Baldwin Park and Sierra Vista high schools with a new social worker who will help students further develop coping strategies as well as provide immediate school support.

Two elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school are guided by new leaders: Ofelia Romero is Bursch Elementary’s interim principal; Vineland Elementary is led by Alejandra Cervantes as principal; Yesenia Valerio is the interim assistant principal at Jones Middle School; Sierra Vista Middle School is led by Julio Nuñez as interim principal and Gabriela Espinoza as the assistant principal; and Anna L. Serrano is the assistant principal at Baldwin Park High School.

Before the start of the new academic year, Baldwin Park Unified schools hosted registration and material distribution days, as well as special orientation events for incoming sixth-graders and high school freshmen.

At Olive Middle School, a select group of eighth-graders in the school’s Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program held a full-day orientation on Aug. 17 for more than 100 sixth grade students. WEB is an elective that helps students transition from elementary to middle school, ensuring they acclimate to the new environment and meet new people before the official start of the year.

“We are starting the school year in perfect stride, with student and staff celebrations, and new leadership across the District,” Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza said. “At Baldwin Park Unified, our mission is to ensure high achievement for all learners, and this is made possible with the support and dedication of our administrators, educators, staff, families and community.”

This year, BPUSD will focus on its theme of opening doors for all individuals to ensure equity, access and inclusion for every learner in the community.

PHOTOS

BPUSD_Geddes_1: Geddes Elementary School students and families line up for their first day of the 2022-23 school year on Aug. 18.

BPUSD_Olive_1: Olive Middle School eighth-graders in the school’s Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program prepare for a full-day orientation to welcome more than 100 incoming sixth-graders on Aug. 17.