Río Hondo College has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant to fund the Hope Scholars Program, a basic needs assistance project that provides holistic support services for unhoused and transitionally unhoused students. The College was one of five schools nationally to be recognized with the Basic Needs in Postsecondary Education award by the Federal Department of Education. On Dec. 29, Río Hondo College received notification of the award, which will be used for the continued support of unhoused and transitionally unhoused students. The total funds, amounting $989,798, will increase staffing for the Hope Scholars Program.
El Monte Union High School District released an eighth draft trustee area map for public review ahead of its next Board of Trustees meeting and final public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 2. The maps were created to support the District’s transition from at-large to by-trustee area elections. The newly released map – NDC Green 3 – was developed by professional demographers, National Demographics Corporation (NDC), based on comments received from the Board during the Jan. 5 public hearing. This map, includes a small revision to ensure the area bordered by Santa Anita Ave. on the west, Bryant Rd. on the north, Tyler Ave. on the east, and Valley Blvd. on the south is united in the proposed Trustee Area 3.
Buena Park School District students experienced learning in a way that captured their minds and imaginations as they interacted with flora and fauna, grasped rigorous scientific concepts and acquired wilderness skills during a weeklong science camp in the woods at the Pali Institute. The Pali Institute, located in the San Bernardino National Forest, gives students the opportunity to see the wilderness and combine science techniques with first-hand experience. Some 300 sixth-graders from Gordon H. Beatty Middle School and Buena Park Middle School attended the camp from Jan. 18 to 21.
Rosemead High School senior Madison Loterina has received a full-ride Posse Foundation Scholarship to attend Bucknell University, where she will continue to explore her passion for learning and pursue her dream of becoming a history teacher. Madison, a first-generation college student with a 4.15 GPA, discovered her passion for helping others to learn at an early age while volunteering with younger students at her elementary school. Madison credits her Advanced Placement (AP) history teachers at EMUHSD for nurturing her love of the subject and inspiring her career goals.
Rio Hondo College students will soon have the opportunity to earn $10,000 toward their college education by participating in the recently launched Californians For All College Corps.
Río Hondo College is one of 45 institutions selected for the program, which provides students with financial support if they participate in community service opportunities such as climate action, K-12 education, COVID-19 recovery and food distribution.
Californians For All College Corps was created to alleviate the rising student debt challenges faced by California students, which is estimated at $147 billion according to EdSource. The program was announced Jan. 18 by California Chief Service Officer and the head of California Volunteers Josh Fryday, California Governor Gavin Newsom and the leaders of California’s college and university systems.
Covina-Valley Unified Delivers Over $6 Million in Taxpayer Savings
Covina-Valley Unified School District recently refinanced some of its General Obligation bonds, resulting in decreased interest rates and saving taxpayers $6.1 million. Under the leadership of the Board of Education, Covina-Valley Unified sought to refinance the bonds to take advantage of historically low interest rates in 2021. The refinancing reduced the interest rate on the prior bonds from 4.67% to 2.91%. This move will result in more than $6 million in savings to local taxpayers from 2023 to 2044 and lower the repayment ratio on these bonds.
Río Hondo College Students Receive Financial Support for Volunteerism
Río Hondo College students will soon have the opportunity to earn $10,000 toward their college education by participating in the recently launched Californians For All College Corps. Río Hondo College is one of 45 institutions selected for the program, which provides students with financial support if they participate in community service opportunities such as climate action, K-12 education, COVID-19 recovery and food distribution. The program was announced Jan. 18 by California Chief Service Officer and the head of California Volunteers Josh Fryday, California Governor Gavin Newsom and the leaders of California’s college and university systems.
Baldwin Park Unified Inspires Futures in STEM Through National Program
Fifth-grade students at Tracy Elementary School are receiving letters from archeologists and aerospace engineers through Letters to a Pre-Scientist, a national program that gives students the opportunity to become pen pals with scientists. Tracy Elementary fifth-grade teacher Annette Licata introduced Letters to a Pre-Scientist to encourage her students to interact with scientists and to see themselves as future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals.
Lynwood High School Student Wins CIF State Esports Championship
Lynwood High School sophomore Henry Armenta has played video games his entire life, but he never dreamed it would earn him a CIF state championship title. After outlasting tough competition throughout the state, Armenta won the crown in EA Sports’ FIFA. Armenta joined the LHS Esports team as a freshman.
Santa Fe High School senior Geneveve Castañeda joined the Chieftain Tribe Marching Band as a freshman and the camaraderie she experienced, along with love from her parents, inspired her to become a campus leader and eventually rise to the position of drum major in her senior year. For her academic and leadership skills, Castañeda was recognized with an Award of Merit from the Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees. Castañeda, who has a 4.26 GPA, has thrived by pursuing challenging courses, is vice president of the Santa Fe’s Filipino culture club, Barkada, and is a member of the Associated Student Body (ASB).
