EL MONTE – Mountain View High School (MVHS) students and staff celebrated the school’s innovative learning environments that integrate cutting-edge technology and sustainable design during an event on Sept. 7, which featured a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school’s Modernization Project and the completion of the Zoo Crew Engineering Classroom Project.

The celebration included a welcome reception, lively performances by MVHS band and choir groups, and a showing of the District’s Clean Mobility in Schools animated short, “Taking a Healthy Ride on the Green Side.” Speeches were also given by MVHS Associated Student Body President DeAdalene Olmedo, MVHS Principal Jose Relson L. Bañas, El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees President Ricardo Padilla and Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga.

“I am so excited to have all the newest upgrades and additions to our campus, especially the Zoo Crew Engineering Classroom where we will get the chance to enhance our design skills and work with the latest machines,” Olmedo said. “I am also waiting in anticipation for our new beautiful quad to be built so students can continue to have a space to interact with friends and make long lasting memories.”

These projects are part of the latest facilities improvements in El Monte Union, supported by funding from Measure D, Measure HS, General Fund S & C and state matching funds. The Board approved the funds to support a sweeping modernization program that ensures every District campus receives facilities improvements.

The MVHS Modernization Project will feature enhancements to the entire campus, including redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, softball/baseball field improvements, infrastructure upgrades and renovations to the science and laboratory facilities to promote science, technology, engineering, arts and math education.

The Zoo Crew engineering pathway aims to inspire and challenge students to master rigorous career technical education coursework by designing and engineering products, habitats and structures that benefit wildlife. The renovations to the classroom – which include the addition of computer labs, and 3-D modeling and workshop areas – will help continue to create a curriculum and learning environment that is engaging for all students.

“As a District, we are committed to providing our students with the tools and resources they need to succeed in college and careers,” Zuniga said. “The Modernization and Zoo Crew Engineering Classroom projects at Mountain View High School align perfectly with this commitment and are a testament to the District’s dedication to academic excellence. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the El Monte Union community, our staff and all the partners who have supported these important initiatives for our students.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EMUHSD MVHS PROJECTS_1: From left to right: Mountain View High School (MVHS) Principal Jose Relson L. Bañas, El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, MVHS Associated Student Body President DeAdalene Olmedo and MVHS Assistant Principals Anh Ligutom, Allende Palma-Saracho and Oscar Gomez celebrate the completion of the school’s Zoo Crew Engineering Classroom with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 7.

EMUHSD MVHS PROJECTS_2: From left to right: Mountain View High School (MVHS) Assistant Principals Oscar Gomez and Allende Palma Saracho, MVHS Associated Student Body President DeAdalene Olmedo, MVHS Principal Jose Relson L. Bañas, MVHS Assistant Principal Anh Ligutom and El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga celebrate the start of construction for the school’s Modernization Project with a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 7.

EMUHSD MVHS PROJECTS_3: Mountain View High School students look inside the school’s newly completed Zoo Crew Engineering Classroom, which features computer labs, and 3-D modeling and workshop areas, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 7.