El Monte Union students celebrated the academic fun of Pi Day on March 14, going head-to-head in answering a series of math equations during the inaugural Districtwide Math Bee at Mountain View High School. Each El Monte Union campus nominated its top two math students from each grade level to compete. Winning students received gift cards, a customized District Math pin and a certificate of recognition. The school that accumulated the most points was named the overall champion. The event gave families, faculty, administration and the school community an opportunity to engage in math discourse, culture and competition.
Fontana Unified High School Theater Troupe Sets Sail with ‘Moana’
Looking to draw on their success at the recent California Educational Theater Association High School Festival, the award-winning Jurupa Hills High School “Players of the Palace” theater group will set sail on a wondrous journey across the high seas during its spring production of the Disney musical “Moana JR.” Performances are set for Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 11 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 17 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday March 18 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $15 and can be purchased online. Jurupa Hills High is located at 10700 Oleander Ave., Fontana.
Looking to draw on their success at the recent California Educational Theater Association (CETA) High School Festival, the award-winning Jurupa Hills High School Players of the Palace theater group is preparing to set sail on a wondrous and fraught journey across the high seas during their spring production of the musical, “Moana JR.,” to be staged in March. Based on the 2016 Disney animated classic “Moana,” the musical will highlight the full range of talents of the Players as they sing and dance their way through an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie, fresh off a production of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful World of Oz” that was named the No. 1 fall production at the CETA festival in January.
Recognizing a need to increase mental health awareness throughout the school district and community, Fontana Unified will begin a comprehensive mental health and wellness training initiative after being awarded a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services worth more than $400,000. The SAMSHA grant, which will be split over four years, will go to the District’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) department to fund specialized training in detecting the signs of mental illness so that District staff can respond in a timely manner to avert a mental health crisis. Training will also be provided to the community so that families can better identify early warning signs of mental illness. Fontana Unified is one of just two California school districts to receive a SAMSHA grant in 2022. The grant will be supplemented by a California Department of Education Antibias Education grant worth nearly $200,000. The grants further bolster the District commitment to mental wellness, which includes the hiring of three additional full-time District social emotional support specialists and seven mental health therapists in the last year.
Three Hacienda La Puente Unified leadership students have been selected for California State Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio’s 2023 Young Legislators Program (YLP), which enables 32 high school scholars to become acquainted with the state legislative process, enhance leadership skills and participate in various public service projects. La Puente High School junior students Josiah Hernandez and Cayden Olvera will join returning YLP fellow Glen A. Wilson High School junior Jonathan Chan and other participants in the six-month program, which runs through June 2023. The program consists of monthly in-person learning sessions where participants collaborate with Rubio’s staff, observe the offices of various community services, and travel to Sacramento to better understand potential careers in politics and public service. Chan is an active volunteer on campus and in the community, serving as School Site Council vice-chairperson, a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health student ambassador, Volunteer in Defense of Animals member and more.
Bonita Unified Honors Students for Helping Community Member in Need
The Bonita Unified Board of Education honored San Dimas High School students Steven Moran, Sergio Robles, Robert Smith and Steven Rosales during its March 1 Board meeting, recognizing the students for their recent act of service in assisting a man who was in medical distress while they were having lunch off-campus. The students called 911 and assisted the man in moving to a safe space while waiting for first responders to arrive.
Whittier Union Students Receive Insight into Healthy Relationships
United Sierra Education Center (USEC) and Project Sister Family Services partnered to recognize Teen Dating and Awareness Month in February, providing USEC students with a series of educational workshops that provided valuable resources on building healthy relationships. A longtime partner of the USEC, Project Sister provides crisis intervention services, prevention education programs, professional counseling and support groups. This month’s workshops educated students on the importance of consent, boundaries and healthy relationships.
Bonita Unified Adult Transition Program students are entering a new phase in their lives, splitting time between the San Dimas High School campus and the University of La Verne (ULV) through a partnership that allows students ages 18 to 22 with moderate to severe disabilities to connect with students their own age as they work toward transitioning into adult life with full functionality. The program, which debuted in mid-January, places the students at ULV for two days a week, then switches back to San Dimas High for the remainder of the school week. Bonita Unified Adult Transition students receive full access to ULV facilities, including the library, gym, campus center and dining hall.
Whittier Union Cheer Team Takes First Place at USA Nationals
California High School’s junior varsity (JV) and varsity Show Cheer Non-Tumbling teams, along with the Song/Pom Novice JV and varsity teams, advanced to the United Spirit Association (USA) Nationals competition at the end of February, showcasing their vast talent, dedication and prowess. Varsity Show Cheer and JV Song put on thrilling performances and both teams clinched first place during the competition. The teams also took home first place during USA Regionals in January, giving the athletes the confidence to bring their routines to the next level.
Lynwood Unified Students Celebrate Black History Month
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School students, teachers and families paid tribute to Black History Month on Feb. 27 as part of a Districtwide celebration of African American history and culture. Thurgood Marshall students from each grade level staged a series of musical performances and dances, recited poetry and performed short plays. Additionally, the District hosted its annual Teen Summit, themed “Strength Behind Us, Greatness Ahead of Us,” where high school students engaged in social-emotional learning workshops and heard from keynote speakers.
