More than 30 Buena Park Middle School teachers have recently earned the Apple Teacher certification, recognizing their Apple applications mastery that is used to teach students about video and audio editing, giving presentations, organizing spreadsheets and more. To receive certification, teachers must gain digital badges to show their proficiency in a variety of Apple programs, which include Keynote, Pages, Numbers, Garageband and iMovie. To assist with application learning, Apple Professional Learning Coaches visit Buena Park Middle School weekly to give training to students and teachers.
Río Hondo College Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff, business leaders and elected officials welcomed Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores to the College and the community with an installation ceremony on Oct. 14, which heralded a new era of prosperity and achievement under her leadership. Nearly 200 guests attended the event to see Flores take the oath of office. Guests were also introduced to Flores’ goals for improving student success, boosting support programs and encouraging a college culture of inclusivity and anti-racism.
Buena Park School District students and parents haunted the halls of Gilbert Elementary School dressed as princesses, police officers and pop culture icons while enjoying delectable foods, games and entertainment during the school’s Fall Festival, held on Oct. 27. Welcoming community members onto campus for an evening of fun, which raised money that will help fund future Gilbert Elementary School field trips to aquariums, local colleges and museums to boost student learning and a college-going culture.
Baldwin Park Unified Dual Language program students and teachers transformed campuses with elaborately decorated altars, strings of marigold flowers and colorful papel picado to channel the energy of the season for Día de los Muertos festivals, held from Oct. 20 to Nov. 3. Baldwin Park High School’s 11th annual Día de los Muertos celebration, hosted on Oct. 20, featured live music and dance performances from Geddes and Walnut elementary school students, as well as face painting, food vendors and an art gallery. The school’s altar competition included submissions from BPHS student clubs and elementary schools, with Margaret Heath Elementary’s altar taking the first-place win.
Twenty-seven students from Henry J. Kaiser and Fontana high schools have received the National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA) from the College Board, recognizing their academic achievement and strong performance on college-preparatory exams among underrepresented students. Each Fontana Unified student received the award – which can be included on college and scholarship applications to help them stand out in the admissions process – for placing in the top 10 percent of students taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test or placing in the top 10 percent of Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores among California Hispanic students.
Nearly 40 Bonita Unified elementary, middle and high school teachers were presented with mini-grants from the La Verne/San Dimas Educational Foundation (LVSDEF), which will fund projects that enrich students’ education and bolster classroom instruction, during the Nov. 2 Board of Education meeting. Nearly $13,000 was awarded to teachers to fund 39 separate special projects at 11 Bonita Unified schools. The grants, which ranged in amounts from $100 to $500, are provided to teachers to encourage projects that benefit students and address a classroom need. LVSDEF works year-round to raise funds through individual donations and special events.
Fontana Unified High School Students Relax with Wellness Wednesdays
Summit High School students looking to relieve their stress and anxiety rise early on Wednesdays, meet with faculty and staff at the administration tower and take a brisk walk around the school, a routine born from a schoolwide mental health and wellness initiative that includes physical and virtual activities for students and staff. The most popular feature of the initiative is Wellness Wednesdays, when Summit students and staff are invited to participate in activities designed to calm nerves and bring an air of positivity to the school day. On Wellness Wednesdays, students work on puzzles and play games, meditate, create chalk art and origami figures, and work on building healthy relationships.
Whittier Union Volleyball Team Has Breakthrough Year, Advances to CIF
Santa Fe High School girls volleyball team had a breakthrough competition year, returning to the CIF playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 school year and making it all the way to the semifinals after finishing the season with a 20-12 overall record and tying for second place in the Del Rio League. The team credits their successful season to their willingness to work hard and put in the extra effort needed during practices.
Fontana Unified Launches 25th Annual ‘Fontana Santas’ Toy Drive
Fontana Unified School District is celebrating 25 years of bringing holiday cheer to local families in need with the kickoff of the annual Fontana Santas Toy Drive. Donations of unwrapped toys and gift cards can be dropped off at the Fontana School Police Department, 9680 Citrus Ave., Building 9, Fontana. The Fontana Santas Toy Drive will culminate with a drive-thru distribution event, to be held on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the District Office. There, families in need identified by school sites will enjoy the sights and sounds of cheerful holiday decorations, festively dressed volunteers and classic holiday music as they receive age-appropriate gifts.
Baldwin Park Unified, in collaboration with the City of Baldwin Park and community partners, is seeking donations for its 25th annual Santa Clothes Project to provide 375 students in need with new cold-weather clothes and shoes. Anyone wishing to make the holiday season brighter for BPUSD students can make a check donation or apply to be a volunteer or personal shopper. Students will be provided an $80 shopping trip on Tuesday, Dec. 6 to Walmart, located at 3250 Big Dalton Ave., Baldwin Park. For more information, contact District Community Liaison Maria Guevara in the Baldwin Park Unified Student Support Services Office at 626.962.3311, ext. 86025.
