Río Hondo College’s Reaching Institutionalized Students through Education (RISE) Scholars program will receive significant additional funding to provide counseling, peer tutoring, mentoring and other services, thanks to a Rising Scholars Network grant from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO). The CCCCO grant will provide more than $460,000 – spread over three years – to the RISE Scholars program, an award-winning Río Hondo College academic initiative that seeks to educate and empower formerly incarcerated students or those impacted by the criminal justice system. This is the first year the RISE Scholar program has received the CCCCO grant.
Fontana Unified has selected Dr. Douglas F. Staine, an established leader with more than 30 years of experience in education, to serve as its new associate superintendent of people services. Staine’s contract was approved by the Fontana Unified Board of Education during an April 20 meeting. Staine has served in a variety of roles in school districts across California, from teacher, counselor and school psychologist to overseeing special education, student services and human resources.
El Monte Union High School District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the completion of Rosemead High School’s track and field renovation, which includes a synthetic football field, resurfaced track and newly designed concession stands. Local dignitaries, school officials, students and community members gathered for the May 12 ceremony and were welcomed with performances by the school’s band and spirit squad, honorary speeches, refreshments and tours of the new area.
Baldwin Park Unified Educators Present at TELA Leadership Meeting
Administrators and educators from Baldwin Park Unified’s Geddes and Margaret Heath elementary schools shared their experiences in helping pilot a federally funded education program for English Learners during a Teaching English Learners Through the Arts (TELA) end-of-the-year celebration on May 12. Both elementary schools participated in the TELA program over the last five years, and their presentation highlighted the students and educators’ educational journeys, which included dance, fine arts and theater. The information shared will be part of the final report sent to Washington, D.C. and Congress for review and potential implementation in K-12 education across the country.
Henry J. Kaiser High School theater students are enjoying their time in the spotlight after taking top honors in two recent drama competitions and, in a separate competition, qualifying to participate in a national thespian festival. Kaiser High seniors Caitlin Porter and Giselle Albavera Burgette were recognized as superior monologists at the California Educational Theater Association Thespian Festival in early April, and will advance to the International Thespian Festival in June. Burgette was also named a state finalist at the English-Speaking Union High School Shakespeare Monologue Competition, held virtually in February. Additionally, seven Kaiser teams advanced to the semifinals at the recent Drama Teachers Association of Southern California Shakespeare Festival, with five Kaiser teams ultimately ranking in the top 10 and winning honorable mentions.
San Dimas High School culinary arts students found the recipe for success at the 2022 California ProStart Cup, where they matched their culinary and entrepreneurial skills against the top high school programs in the state, taking home more awards than any other school during the competition. San Dimas High finished in the top three in the ProStart Cup’s two signature team competitions, the Culinary Cup and the Management Cup, and earned numerous accolades during the fast-paced individual condiment topping competitions. San Dimas High was the only school to place in every contest, held at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Lynwood Unified Student Named 2022 Edison Scholar
Luis Sanchez, a Firebaugh High School senior with a passion for science and technology, has been named a 2022 Edison Scholar, receiving a $40,000 scholarship from Edison International to support his college education. Sanchez honed his engineering skills as a member of Firebaugh’s Project Lead The Way program, maintaining a 4.6 GPA while also serving as Firebaugh’s volleyball team captain and participating in numerous extracurricular activities. Sanchez will attend Stanford University, where he plans to major in electrical engineering technology. Sanchez hopes to develop innovative renewable technologies to help fight climate change in his future career.
Hacienda La Puente Unified will host commencement ceremonies to honor approximately 1,310 students from the District’s four comprehensive high schools and alternative high school. Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Class of 2022 graduates have been accepted to 122 colleges and universities in 29 states and five countries.
The Whittier Union High School District has selected Mary Chapman, Pioneer High School’s current assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, to take the helm as the school’s new principal. Chapman, who has more than 15 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, came to Pioneer in 2016 as the assistant principal of guidance and counseling. Chapman will succeed current Pioneer Principal Lilia Bozigian, who will join Whittier Union’s executive cabinet as assistant superintendent of educational services. Photo
Frontier High School was recognized for its commitment to providing students with a caring and supportive alternative education environment, receiving multiple honors from the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA+) during its Professional Awards Luncheon, held May 7 at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel. Frontier High Principal Dr. Margie Moriarty was named CCEA+ Administrator of the Year, Frontier High counselor Roberto Tamayo was named CCEA+ 2022 Counselor or Support Person of the Year and Frontier High junior James Martinez was recognized as the CCEA+ Student Essay Contest second-place winner. Frontier High is an eight-time CCEA+ Model Continuation School recipient.
