MONTEBELLO – As Montebello Unified forges ahead with its goal to enroll at least half of its students in cutting-edge pathways, the District will kick off its Superintendent’s Pathway Week beginning Tuesday, Feb. 9. The inaugural event, hosted in partnership with East Los Angeles College (ELAC), launches the District’s week-long focus on college and career readiness.

Pathways Week also features the District’s sixth annual Pathways Choice Fair to be held at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). The fair showcases MUSD’s 11 pathways that combine rigorous instruction with real-world practice — ranging from engineering and environmental awareness to health sciences and culinary and creative arts.

“An example of our collaborative partnerships and ongoing commitment, this event helps us reach our District’s goal of 50 percent enrollment in our 21st century pathway programs that make our students competitive,” Montebello Unified Board President Benjamin Cárdenas said. “Thank you to our teachers, administrators, students and industry partners for their insight, innovation and dedication to these thriving programs and opportunities.”

MUSD Superintendent Susanna Contreras Smith and ELAC President Marvin Martinez will be featured speakers at the Feb. 9 event at ELAC’s Ingalls Auditorium. The educational leaders will be followed by pathway students who will give testimonials describing their experiences and the benefits of the program.

“Together with our educational, community and industry partners, we continue to target more students – consistently illustrating the impact and success of college and career programs at Montebello Unified,” Contreras Smith said. “I am very grateful to ELAC, Cal State LA and our devoted partners for their generous contributions this week and throughout the school year.”

Throughout the week, students – from kindergarten to high school seniors – will participate in grade-appropriate activities and lessons that encourage pathway awareness and college and career readiness. Representatives from CSULA and ELAC will also set up information tables for students at the fair.

On Feb. 9, students will engage in pertinent lessons at their schools that prompt contemplation and consideration of college and career options. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, students will wear gear from their favorite college; eighth-graders will wear pathways T-shirts at the Choice Fair at CSULA. On Thursday, Feb. 11, students are encouraged to dress in the attire of their future careers.

For Pathway Innovation Day, to be held Friday, Feb. 12, kindergartners and fifth-graders will decorate the doors of their classrooms with the theme “College and Career Readiness.” Students in grades six through 12 will design pathway T-shirts, posters and personal business cards.

“This event not only highlights our pathways, which offer early college credit, industry certification, internship and employment opportunities while satisfying college-admission requirements, it also exposes all students to college and career options within our District and beyond,” MUSD Director of Secondary Education Ayele Dodoo said.

Currently, there are 11 pathways at four MUSD high schools organized around eight industry sectors:

The Applied Technology Center (ATC):

  • Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE)
  • Culinary, Hospitality Education Fundamentals (CHEF)
  • Health Sciences and Medical Technology
  • Public and Legal Services (PALS)

Bell Gardens High School (BGHS):

  • Culinary Hospitality Opportunities Pathway (CHOP)
  • Globally Responsible Environmental Education Network (GREEN)
  • Innovation, Child Development, Academia, Resources for Family education (iCARE)

Montebello High School:

  • Creative Arts Technology Schools (CATS)
  • Development Resourceful Individuals who Value Education Now (DRIVEN)

Schurr High School:

  • Engineering and Design
  • Global Business and Logistics (GBL)

Each pathway delivers a comprehensive program of academic and technical resources that meet A-G requirements while providing rigorous academics, real-world technical skills, work-based learning and personalized support.

Pathways were implemented at MUSD in 2009 with a grant from the James Irvine Foundation through ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career Linked Learning.