Sierra Vista High School Class of 2019 graduate Diana Aguilar-Cruz came to the U.S. as an English learner in 2015, and since then she has embraced a new language and become an advocate for equity in education. Currently a biology major California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Aguilar-Cruz is using her voice to speak for nearly 500,000 collegegoers statewide as a Cal State University Student Trustee. Aguilar-Cruz was appointed to the position by Gov. Gavin Newsom in June and will serve a two-year term.
Two Bonita Unified elementary schools began the 2022-23 school year with new principals, one of a series of administrative promotions and new hires that include two new assistant principals at Bonita High School, a new assistant superintendent of business services, and new senior directors of fiscal services and educational services. The promotions include Nicole Grant as La Verne Heights Elementary School principal, Joshua Richards as Bonita High assistant principal, Sonia Eckley as the assistant superintendent of business services and Dr. Jaymi Abusham as senior director of educational services. New to Bonita Unified are Gerard Granade as Ekstrand Elementary School principal, Rene Gonzalez as Bonita High assistant principal and Jazmin Ortega as senior director of fiscal services.
The Bonita Unified Board of Education unanimously appointed longtime educator and proven leader Matthew Wien to serve as the District’s interim superintendent during a Board meeting on Sept. 7. Wien, who brings more than 20 years of education experience to his new role, will also continue to serve in his current position as assistant superintendent of educational services. During his tenure as assistant superintendent, Wien has overseen the development of a comprehensive academic program that has resulted in high levels of achievement on state assessments and placed Bonita Unified in the top 10 percent of unified districts in California.
Hacienda La Puente Unified will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at La Puente High School to celebrate the completion of a newly built pool capable of holding CIF-sanctioned events, a 4,350 square foot kitchen and renovated locker rooms. The event will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 15615 Nelson Ave., La Puente.
Río Hondo College Board of Trustees Member Oscar Valladares has been appointed to fill a vacated term on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors as a means to further advocate for the equity, support and opportunities of community college students. Valladares said this appointment is just one of the many ways that Río Hondo College leaders are working to support and inspire students on the legislative level. In this role, he aims to champion Río Hondo College’s educational goals, which include providing affordable education, ensuring student success, increasing graduation rates and creating more career pathways for high-paying jobs.
Whittier Union High School District students are receiving expanded Social Emotional Learning (SEL) services during the 2022-23 school year, an initiative that aligns with Whittier Union’s commitment to supporting the development and well-being of students. Guided by the District’s multi-tiered SEL Pyramid, Whittier Union aims to have services available for all students, whether they need someone to talk to or need crisis intervention and referral services. Students are supported by an SEL Collaborative of student well-being liaisons, student well-being interns, counselors, psychologists and school social workers. Every Whittier Union school has one full-time social worker on staff to assist with the day-to-day concerns of students. At the District office, two full-time social workers are available to work with students who have more pressing social emotional needs and offer a lifeline of support to keep them in school. Calming rooms with comfortable furniture and amenities have also been created at every school, providing students a safe space where they can ease their stress and anxiety.
Fontana Unified School District will partner with Chaffey Joint Union High School District and Rialto Unified School District to host the Inland Empire College and Career Fair from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Ontario Convention Center. The free event will feature representatives from more than 50 colleges and universities from across the country, including USC, UCLA, UC Berkeley, California State University, Los Angeles, Scripps College, University of La Verne, University of Arizona, Maryville University, New Mexico State University, and Loma Linda University. The Ontario Convention Center is located at 2000 E. Convention Center Way, Ontario.
Fontana Unified School District has named Monica E. Young as Sequoia Middle School’s new principal, promoting the veteran administrator from her current position as Henry J. Kaiser High School assistant principal, where she has worked since 2017. During her time at Kaiser High, Young led the professional development for teachers, supervised and evaluated the science, math and world languages departments, worked with stakeholders to identify school needs, and conferred with students, parents and teachers to resolve academic and behavioral issues and concerns.
Río Hondo College and the Board of Trustees will host an installation and welcome reception for Dr. Marilyn Flores, the 11th Superintendent/President of the Río Hondo Community College District. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14 at the upper quad and breezeway at Río Hondo College, 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier. Please RSVP by Oct. 7 at https://www.riohondo.edu/president/reception/.
Banning Unified Senior Completes Summer Student Leader Internship
Banning High School senior Abraham Sanchez was one of four Inland Empire students who recently completed the 2022 Bank of America Student Leaders summer internship program. The internship opportunity recognized Sanchez’s passion and commitment to improving growth and stability in local neighborhoods. The eight-week paid internship connects students to a nonprofit organization in their community, providing them with firsthand leadership experiences and collaborative teaching methods that will prepare them for the workforce.
