CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified students of all ages were welcomed back to campuses for the first day of school on Aug. 7, with red carpets, balloon arches, hand-painted signs, staff welcome tunnels, and lively rallies setting the tone for a successful school year filled with innovative educational opportunities and a supportive environment for growth and achievement.

Many schools embraced themes designed to engage students and foster a welcoming and creative environment on the first day of the 2024-25 school year. Fairgrove Academy greeted its K-8 students at “Camp Fairgrove” with t-shirts, signs, photo opportunities, and decorations to prepare them for “s’more learning.” Workman Elementary School staff embraced a “TEAM” theme, with students and staff sporting their favorite athletic gear, while Newton Middle School’s “Make your Mark” theme provided welcoming spaces for parents to write encouraging letters to their children.

District administrators and Board of Education members visited campuses throughout the District, personally welcoming students back, reconnecting with teachers and staff, and showing their support for the year ahead.

“It’s going to be a great year; I can feel it,” Kwis Elementary School fourth-grader Brian Casillas said. “I’m happy I get to be with my friends again and meet my teacher.”

HLPUSD’s 2024-25 school year theme, “Transformative Learning: Pathways for Student Success,” underscores the District’s commitment to providing students with diverse opportunities to explore their interests and develop skills that will benefit their future. This theme is exemplified by the launch of a new Aviation career technical education (CTE) pathway at Los Altos High School, which starts with a specialized class at Newton Middle School, expanding the District’s total CTE offerings to 16 pathways across 11 industries.

“Our 2024-25 school year theme reflects our commitment to equipping students with the tools and experiences they need to succeed in an ever-changing world,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “We are excited to see the impact of our new CTE pathway and innovative teaching methods our educators have learned as we continue to inspire and empower our students in this new year.”

Educators across the District returned to campuses motivated and prepared for a transformative year, thanks to professional development training opportunities held throughout the summer. Nearly 200 educators participated in the Adobe Creativity Institute, a full day of training focused on innovative ways to infuse creativity into every learning environment. Teachers also learned how to use artificial intelligence to create content, equipping them with cutting-edge tools to enhance classroom experiences for students.

HLPUSD’s leadership team also hosted a day of specialized training for all District staff and administrators. The event was filled with informational presentations, updates, and learning exercises designed to empower and excite staff for the year ahead.

“The first day at La Puente High School is always exciting,” said Wesley Perez, a La Puente High School Advanced Placement United States History and Ethnic Studies teacher. “I love welcoming students and setting goals for another extraordinary year. Over the summer, more than 50 classrooms were refreshed with new paint and flooring, which ensures all students have welcoming and modernized spaces to learn.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_FIRSTDAYOFSCHOOL1: Elementary school teachers from Cedarlane Academy welcome families back to campus with music and a staff tunnel during the first day of the 2024-25 school year on Aug. 7.

HLPUSD_FIRSTDAYOFSCHOOL2: Newton Middle School parent writes daughter a “Make your Mark” letter during the Knight’s first day of school celebration on Aug.7.

HLPUSD_FIRSTDAYOFSCHOOL3: From left to right: Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Dr. Rosa Isiah, Workman Elementary School Acting Principal Collin Miller, and Hacienda La Puente Unified Board President Christine H. Salazar help new Workman Wolverines familiarize themselves with the campus on Aug.7.