Bonita Unified School District has been recognized as the Best School District in the San Gabriel Valley, receiving a 2022 Readers Choice Award, which reflects the District’s commitment to fostering a nurturing environment full of learning opportunities that empower students to achieve their full potential. Such opportunities include an array of Advanced Placement courses, 21 career technical education pathways, and award-winning athletic and arts programs. The Readers Choice Awards – released on June 26 – is an annual readers poll conducted by the Southern California News Group.
Whittier Union Teachers Receive $25,000 National Board Grants
Six Whittier Union High School District teachers have been awarded $25,000 grants by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as part of an incentive program to retain and train National Board Certified Teachers to teach at high-priority schools throughout California. The recipients are Lindsey Garcia, Julie Tonkovich, Laura Mejia Torres, Virginia Glasscock and Rebecca Doran from California High School and Robin Hernandez from Whittier High School. The grants will be spread out over five years, with the recipients receiving $5,000 annually, beginning July 1, 2022.
Fontana Unified Offers Robust Early Learning Program for 2022-23
Families looking to jumpstart their children’s education can enroll in Fontana Unified School District’s Early Learning program – which includes preschool, pre-kindergarten and transitional kindergarten classes – for the 2022-23 school year, which begins Wednesday, Aug. 3. The classes, designed for children ages three to five who are not currently enrolled in the District, introduce students to the concept of daily schooling and prepare them socially, emotionally and academically for kindergarten. To learn how to enroll an incoming student into one of FUSD’s Early Learning programs, visit www.fusd.net/enrollment. For more information regarding the Early Learning programs, visit www.fusd.net/preschool.
Covina High School (CHS) students are working together to support their peers and community by creating Colt Outfitters. This on-campus thrift store aims to provide an accessible, low-cost clothing option for all students and work opportunities for special education students. Located in a formerly empty classroom at Covina High, the trendy thrift shop is decorated with lights and fashionable knick-knacks and filled with merchandise that students donate to students. Everything at the store costs a mere two dollars, making the shop an affordable option for students experiencing financial difficulties. The store also benefits students from the District’s Life-Skills Education Advancement Program (LEAP). Students with cognitive and developmental challenges can work at Colt Outfitters to earn money, learn work and life skills, and increase their independence. This innovative model allows the store to benefit a large cross-section of CHS students and have a lasting positive impact on the community.
Banning High School incoming sophomore Trinity Scholer is one of 18 high school students honored in the Riverside County Office of Education’s Fine Arts Spectacular Showcase, where her original artwork is on display as part of a virtual exhibit that debuted in May. Scholer was honored with the Expressive Use of Color Award for her drawing, “Art of Her,” a piece inspired by Black History Month that features more than 72 vivid colors blended to emphasize the beauty of African-American women.
Hacienda La Puente Unified students learned the fundamentals of filmmaking in the Youth Cinema Project (YCP), a summer pilot program hosted at Lassalette School. The program, which concluded on June 30, taught young filmmakers graduate-level concepts under the guidance of industry professionals, with the goal of producing short student-created videos based on real-world social and community issues to be shared on YouTube. The District held a YCP summer video showcase on June 29 at Lassalette School to celebrate the success of the student films. The program, which runs through June 30, teaches young filmmakers graduate-level concepts under the guidance of industry professionals, with the goal of producing short student-created videos based on real-world social and community issues that will be shared on YouTube. Two YCP morning classes are offered at Lassalette, one for fifth-grade through sixth-grade students and one for seventh-grade through eighth-grade, where students are learning the basics of scriptwriting, cinematography, sound mixing and post-production editing.
A Taste of Río,” the signature event of the Río Hondo College Foundation, welcomed guests with an evening of fine foods and drinks on June 17, bringing in nearly $70,000 for student scholarships and other support services. Foundation officials hosted a crowd of approximately 400 guests at the outdoor event, where they enjoyed lively music and bright decorations while sampling a wide variety of tastings including Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards, Gondola Pizza, Mi Burrito Mexican Grill, Eastaza Coffee and Angry Horse Brewing.
Buena Park School District students displayed their public speaking skills by transforming their voices, reciting notable accomplishments of historical figures and expounding on the importance of space exploration during a showcase event that celebrated the end of a two-week summer speech camp. The summer program prepared 50 students – from grades four to eight – for success in the District’s speech and debate program, as well as tournaments, during the upcoming school year. Students presented their speeches to their family and friends during the event, held June 23 at Gordon H. Beatty Middle School.
Families looking to jumpstart their children’s education can enroll in Fontana Unified School District’s Early Learning program – which includes preschool, pre-kindergarten and transitional kindergarten classes – for the 2022-23 school year, which begins Wednesday, Aug. 3. The classes, designed for children ages three to five who are not currently enrolled in the District, introduce students to the concept of daily schooling and prepare them socially, emotionally and academically for kindergarten.
Baldwin Park Unified is saying goodbye to more than 40 employees this school year, including teachers, speech and language pathologists, library technicians, instructional aides, custodians and staff in transportation and nutrition services. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Randy Gray is among those retiring, concluding a 34-year career in education with six of those years spent at BPUSD. In 2016, Gray served as Assistant Superintendent in Student Achievement before transitioning to his current position.
