CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified educators and leadership team showcased the District’s innovative work in Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) during a plenary panel at the University of California, Davis’s 14th Annual C-STEM Conference on Oct. 4.

HLPUSD was recognized with numerous awards at the conference, including Los Altos Elementary School being named a 2024 C-STEM Distinguished School, Sparks Elementary School principal Gilbert Barraza being awarded C-STEM Administrator of the Year, and Sierra Vista Middle School math teacher Kien To being named a C-STEM Teacher of the Year. These achievements underscore the District’s dedication to fostering excellence in STEM education and its commitment to providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to excel in a rapidly advancing technological world.

“Congratulations to Los Altos Elementary and our incredible Gilbert Barraza and Kien To on these well-deserved honors,” said Dr. Rosa Isiah, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services. “Their dedication and hard work reflect the heart of Hacienda La Puente Unified’s commitment to excellence in C-STEM education.”

The panelists, including Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, Dr. Isiah, Board President Christine H. Salazar, Board Vice President Nancy Loera, Education Services Coordinator Joanne Chan, and teachers Imelda Rodriguez and To, highlighted the District’s C-STEM journey and successes. They particularly emphasized the significant transformation in student outcomes the District has seen, a clear demonstration of the impact of the district’s C-STEM initiatives.

“We owe a great deal of our success to our partners at the UC Davis C-STEM Center,” Salazar said. “Their support has been instrumental in our journey to enhance learning and build confidence for our students and teachers. It’s truly inspiring to witness how our programs are empowering students to become the next generation of leaders in C-STEM.”

To saw a 344% increase in his sixth-grade math students meeting or exceeding standards on the SBAC state test. As Sierra Vista Middle School fifth graders in the 2022-23 school year, only 16% of his students met or exceeded the state’s standards. Of those same students in the 2023-24 school year, 71% met or exceeded state standards.

“I am overwhelmingly proud of my students for their great accomplishments in the classroom,” To said. “For most students, this was the first time their math performance met or exceeded standards, and their success is a true testament to their hard work and dedication.”

Launched in 2019, Hacienda La Puente Unified’s C-STEM program is designed to transform math education by using innovative, hands-on approaches that foster critical thinking and creative problem-solving, while also addressing the math achievement gap for at-risk students and English language learners.

“Our District’s commitment to C-STEM education runs deep, encompassing our administrators, staff, teachers, and schools,” Dr. Jiménez said. “By fostering a strong foundation in C-STEM, we are preparing our students not only for academic success, but to truly excel in the 21st-century workforce.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_CSTEM1: Representatives from Hacienda La Puente Unified School District showcased the District’s innovative work in Computing and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) during a plenary panel at the University of California, Davis’s 14th Annual C-STEM Conference on Oct. 4.

HLPUSD_CSTEM2: Los Altos Elementary School was named a 2024 C-STEM Distinguished School at the University of California, Davis’s 14th Annual C-STEM Conference. Hacienda La Puente Unified’s C-STEM program is designed to transform math education by using innovative, hands-on approaches that foster critical thinking and creative problem-solving.