Hacienda La Puente Unified School District has partnered with Scholastic Inc. to provide free, carefully curated book packs to students before winter break, supporting the District’s inaugural Holiday Reading Campaign beginning Dec. 17. Hacienda La Puente Unified’s new District Librarian, Lesley Jarrett, has played an integral part in the campaign, selecting and distributing the reading material for every HLPUSD student in transitional kindergarten through grade 12. The Holiday Reading Campaign aims to foster a reading culture in the home and promote the skills and knowledge that lead to longtime academic advantages.
El Monte Union Recognizes Special Education Day Across Campuses
The El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees passed a resolution to recognize Special Education Day across campuses on Dec. 2, an initiative that celebrated students, special education programs and the dedication of teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators to ensure all students are successful. The Special Education Day celebrations will continue throughout December, as school site staff hand out bracelets, shirts, and awareness activity packets, aimed at minimizing the stigma of students with disabilities.
Bonita Unified Auto Shop Students Hone Technical Skills, Restore Truck
Bonita High School advanced auto shop students are getting a glimpse of La Verne’s past as they learn skills for the future, working in partnership with the La Verne Historical Society to restore a 1938 International D-35 pickup truck in time for the city’s 2022 Fourth of July parade. Under the guidance of Bonita High auto shop teacher Rob Zamboni, students are working toward a full restoration of the truck throughout the school year, rebuilding the engine and transmission, adding new tires and brakes, and refurbishing the interior and flatbed. The truck’s rustic exterior will be preserved to retain its authenticity. The restoration is a full one-year project.
Río Hondo College Hosts Assemblymember Lisa Calderon for Visit
Río Hondo College welcomed Assemblymember Lisa Calderon onto campus, acknowledging her ongoing efforts to boost funding for education and her work to improve surrounding communities. Calderon, who represents the 57th State Assembly District, has been a key figure for allocating additional state funds to schools and community colleges, which Río Hondo College plans to use for capital construction projects. During her visit, Calderon delivered a check for $6.6 million.
Fontana Unified Expands COVID-19 Testing Clinics to Community
Fontana Unified School District is expanding its ongoing COVID-19 testing clinics to be available to the greater community at no cost. Testing clinics are available at all high school sites from 12:15 to 6:15 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 12:35 to 4:15 p.m. on Fridays; at middle school sites from 7:35 to 11:15 a.m. on Fridays; and at District office from 7 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 12:35 to 4:15 p.m. on Fridays. Appointments are available, but not required. Community members who are not Fontana Unified students or employees may register for testing at https://www.covidclinic.org/fusd/.
When Whittier Union Adult School electrician student Ruben Alaniz was a child, he kept busy with building and fixing things around the house, loving the feeling he got after a job well done. As a general maintenance worker specializing in logistics for Tri-West Flooring in Santa Fe Springs, Alaniz has proven to be an indispensable employee looking to expand his skill set. When Tri-West offered to pay for training to become a certified electrician, Alaniz leapt at the chance, enrolling in Whittier Union Adult School’s Electrician I and Math/Electrician classes with the goal of passing his apprenticeship application and pursuing a career as an electrician.
Buena Park Middle School band and choir students dazzled some 200 family and community members with lively renditions of traditional holiday songs, modern family favorites and even classical music during its Winter Wonderland concert. The concert, held Dec. 7 at Thanksgiving Church, was the first in-person winter concert held by the Buena Park School District since 2019. Dylan Locke, Buena Park Middle School’s band and choir director, said he was thrilled to showcase his students' talent to the community.
Fontana Unified will offer Spanish dual-language immersion (DLI) instruction at Sequoia Middle School in 2022-23, providing a continuum of learning that fosters bilingualism, biliteracy and sociocultural competency while preparing students for success in college and career. Sequoia Middle School will be the District’s third DLI school, building on the foundational instruction provided to students in kindergarten through sixth grade at Dolores Huerta International Academy and Redwood Elementary School. The DLI program will serve seventh-grade students in 2022-23 and will expand to serve eighth-grade students in 2023-24.
Bonita Unified School District special education students are acquiring the tools for future success through Bonita’s WorkAbility I/Transition program, which provides comprehensive pre-employment training, paid work experience and job placement, while promoting self-advocacy and life skills exploration. More than 400 Bonita Unified students in grades eight to 12 have access to the program, which helps them find the right fit for them in the community and provides assistance with job applications and resumes. Working with the La Verne and San Dimas Chambers of Commerce, the District has established partnerships with local businesses to provide students with short-term and long-term job assignments.
Northview High School’s girls varsity tennis team was named CIF Southern Section Division 5 champions for the first time in school history after defeating Apple Valley High School 10-8 on Nov. 12. The Vikings entered the playoffs unseeded, but their unranked status did not stop them from making the most of the opportunity. Throughout the playoffs, they reminded themselves of their mantra – refuse to lose.
