Bonita Unified, Soroptimists Partner for Student Shopping Day
Bonita Unified elementary school students descended on the Target in La Verne on Sept. 15, eager to pick out new clothes and shoes with the help of volunteers during the Bonita Children’s Shopping Day. A collaboration between Bonita Unified School District and the Soroptimist of San Dimas/La Verne, the shopping experience provides students who are selected by their schools with a budget to purchase school clothing basics. The shopping day is funded through a combination of donations, fundraisers and grants garnered by the Soroptimist organization.
El Monte Union High School District Unveils New Education Center
El Monte Union High School District brought together dignitaries, elected officials and community members to celebrate the opening of the District’s new Community Education Center (CEC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, held Sept. 15 at the District office. The CEC will provide a central hub for distance learning, collaboration, and community events. Currently staffed by six teachers and serving more than 250 students, the CEC features state-of-the-art technology allowing students and teachers to connect through formal lessons, as well as tutoring and informal instructional support.
Monrovia High School senior Alexia Holt will serve as Monrovia Unified’s Board of Education student representative in 2021-22, a role that will enable her to expand on her passion for learning and act as a spokesperson for her peers. Holt was administered the Oath of Office by Board President Maritza Travanti during the Sept. 10 Board meeting. In addition to serving as ASB President, Holt is a four-year varsity softball player and captain of the team. Holt’s academic and athletic performances have earned her recognition as a Scholar Athlete, an honor awarded to athletes who maintain a GPA of 3.5 and above. Holt hopes to attend UCLA, where she plans to earn a degree in economics or business administration.
Southridge Tech Middle School has been redesignated as a Microsoft Showcase School, reaffirming the school’s commitment to providing its students with access to digital platforms and bridging the technology gap. Southridge Tech was first designated in 2018. The middle school is one of just three schools in California and 30 schools across the United States to receive the designation in 2023, joining a global network of schools from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Australia.
Whittier Union High School District to Host Weekly Vaccine Clinics
Whittier Union High School District, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, will host weekly vaccine clinics for the community. The clinics will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday until December at the District Board Room, 9401 Painter Ave., Whittier, on the Mulberry Drive side. The next scheduled clinic is Wednesday, Oct. 6. Parent consent is required for students under 18 years of age, and those under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The Bonita Unified Board of Education appointed Jim Elliot to fill an open seat on the Board during a special meeting on Sept. 15. After a lengthy interview process with seven candidates, Elliot – a former BUSD board member – was selected to fill the seat vacated by Krista Chakmak when she resigned in August. Immediately after the selection, Board President Chuck Coyne administered the Oath of Office. Elliot’s appointment will run until the general election to be held in Nov. 2022. Elliot previously served 14 years on the Board, from 2003 to 2017, and has two children who are Bonita Unified graduates.
Students from Mountain View High School enjoyed a lunchtime concert on Aug. 20, when The Red Pears – an indie rock band formed by two alumni in 2013 – made their triumphant return to the school. Mountain View Class of 2012 graduate Henry Vargas and Class of 2013 graduate Jose Corona met while competing in a school-sponsored Battle of the Bands in 2012. Though Corona’s band emerged the winner that night, the two eventually joined forces as the Red Pears, beginning a musical journey that has led them to sold-out shows at the Glass House in Pomona and a performance at Coachella in 2019.
The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees adopted a balanced 2021-22 budget during a board meeting on Sept. 8, setting aside ample funding for student financial aid while avoiding the loss of staff and increasing reserves to $34.8 million in the general fund. The adopted budget allocates about $23.4 million for student financial aid from the Restricted General Fund and approximately $27.5 million from the Financial Aid Fund, which includes $47.9 million from COVID-19 federal emergency revenue.
The clinics will be followed by a weekly vaccine clinic, to be held every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the WUHSD board room, 9401 Painter Ave., Whittier. The weekly clinics will run through December.
To register, visit myturn.ca.gov. Those interested in receiving the vaccine may also email covid19vaccine@wuhsd.org with questions or to make a reservation.
Río Hondo College Accepts Grant to Boost CalFresh Outreach Program
The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees has approved acceptance of a grant to boost public awareness for the CalFresh Outreach Program, which helps low-income households increase their food-buying power to meet their nutritional needs. Río Hondo College was one of 54 colleges selected for the grant as part of California State University, Chico’s CalFresh grant expansion. The grant will provide Río Hondo College with $432,726 to promote CalFresh to students starting on Oct. 1, 2021 and ending on Sept. 30, 2024.
