Banning High School students dressed up in college gear, completed college and career interest surveys and questionnaires and participated in a College and Career Fair during the annual Riverside County Office of Education College Kickoff Week. The campaign, held Oct. 10 to Oct. 14, was designed by the county to prepare and motivate students for the future. During the event, students had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with university representatives, military branches, law enforcement and various career technical education program advisors.
Hacienda La Puente Unified is embedding augmented reality (AR) technology into its curriculum, which allows smartphone and tablet users to combine the real world with computer-generated content to bring C-STEM lessons to life. The District’s technology teachers on special assignment have been providing professional development and induction training in AR and virtual reality to teachers and administrators throughout the District and are greatly encouraged by the excitement generated by the demonstrations.
Lynwood Unified School District students received an introduction to financial literacy through hands-on financial simulations during the first of two Mad City Money events hosted by the Center for Financial Empowerment, giving students a taste of adulthood through a series of timed, fast-paced exercises that focused on financial and time management skills. The first event was held on Oct. 27 at Firebaugh High School. Lynwood High School will host the event on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Bonita High School senior Owen Ryan’s hard work both on the soccer field and in the classroom has earned him recognition from the Spectrum News 1 Scholar Athlete Program, an honor that comes with a $1,000 scholarship and a feature story on Spectrum News. Ryan, who was one of Spectrum’s Student Athlete honorees for October, has maintained straight A’s since his freshman year while balancing a full workload with high school and club soccer. Ryan scored six goals and had four assists in 2021-22, which led to him being named the Bearcats’ Most Valuable Attacker as well as earning a slot on the All-Palomares League First Team. His grades also secured him an all-academic award from the Palomares League. Ryan hopes to combine his creative passions and play soccer in college next year while pursuing a degree and career in engineering.
Baldwin Park Unified Partners with City, Baby2Baby for Pilot Program
Baldwin Park Unified families will have access to free diapers, baby wipes and menstrual products as part of a hygiene product pilot program, launched by the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. The City of Baldwin Park and Baby2Baby are partners in the project to ensure products are available to community members at the Baldwin Park County Library, located at 4181 Baldwin Park Blvd.
Banning Unified Tests Artificial Intelligence System in Classrooms
Banning Unified Tests Artificial Intelligence System in Classrooms
Cabazon Elementary School has been selected as the pilot campus for Merlyn Mind, an artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to help streamline classroom interaction with technology and make lessons more engaging for students. First-grade teacher Krista Bautista and second-grade teacher Anita Thao began using the Merlyn Mind equipment in their classrooms in early October. The equipment is designed to empower teachers to leave their desks and navigate through apps, tabs and tools on their computers seamlessly through voice commands or with an intelligent remote.
Buena Park School District ‘Principal for a Day’ Welcomes Local Leaders
Buena Park School District welcomed more than a dozen city, business and community leaders onto its campuses for its “Principal for a Day” event on Oct. 18 to learn about District operations, explore academic programs and support services, and connect with students on their favorite subjects, the skills they have learned and their future goals. Among the local professionals participating in the event were Buena Park Mayor Sunny Park, Buena Park High School Counselor Maggie Gallego, and Biola University Associate Professor and English Learner Specialist Dr. Jenna Canillas.
When Yubleni Cazares came to the Fontana Unified After School Education and Safety (ASES) program as project director in 2018, she immediately realized the potential of the program to provide crucial academic and socio-emotional support to more than 2,000 students across the District. Under the guidance of Cazares, ASES has developed into a model program that continues to grow. For her success in developing activities and lesson plans that resonate with students, the California Department of Education (CDE) has honored Cazares with its Expanded Learning Innovative Leadership Award. Cazares was recognized during the California Afterschool Network’s annual Lights On Afterschool ceremony, held Oct. 17. Cazares represents CDE Region 10, which includes San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono counties.
Covina-Valley Unified School District students and families will benefit from a new Health and Wellness Center, which will provide a full-service location where they can access resources that best fit the needs of each family and situation. Located at what was formerly the Lark Ellen Elementary School campus, the Health and Wellness Center was created to expand the District’s emphasis on serving the whole student and will provide students and families with medical and mental health screenings, counseling services, and more.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez has been named UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (C-STEM) 2022 Superintendent of the Year for the District’s excellence in integrating hands-on coding and robotics into math education. Jiménez was honored during the 12th Annual UC Davis C-STEM Conference on Oct. 21 alongside Orange Grove Middle School Principal Dr. David Nieto, who was named a UC Davis C-STEM 2022 Administrator of the Year.
