Lynwood Unified added three new all-electric school buses to its fleet, reducing air pollution and overall costs while boosting child safety. The new eLion Type C buses can travel 75 miles when fully charged, while reducing costs for fuel, oil, and transmission fluid. The buses feature 18-inch aisles, which allow for more comfortable student mobility than standard 12-inch aisles. A charging station will be installed at the District’s bus barn.
Whittier Union’s La Serna High School was vibrantly decorated in red and gold during the school’s 60th anniversary celebration on Sept. 7, which highlighted 60 years of La Serna’s dedication to providing a high-quality education and empowering students to reach their full potential. During the celebration, students and staff received sweet treats and party hats. The festivities will continue during the school’s homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 15.
El Monte Union High School District has partnered with Fulgent to provide a series of free community vaccination clinics in conjunction with back-to-school nights at each of their respective high schools. The clinics are open to students, staff, and the community. Upcoming clinics will be held 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Rosemead High School, 9063 E. Mission Dr., Rosemead; and Friday, Sept. 16, at El Monte High School, 3048 Tyler Ave., El Monte, and Fernando R. Ledesma High School, 12347 Ramona Blvd, El Monte. To book appointments: https://www.emuhsd.org/Page/1.
Bedecked in Bearcat green and Saints blue, Bonita Unified community members filled the stands of Covina District Field for the annual Smudge Pot game on Sept. 11, enjoying an energetic display of athletics, arts and activities from Bonita and San Dimas high schools. The battle for the iconic silver Smudge Pot trophy – an oil-burning tool used to shield fruit trees from frost and a symbol of the two cities’ roots in the regional citrus industry – was accompanied by demonstrations of artistic skill and athletic prowess on the sidelines from the schools’ marching bands, dance teams, and spirit squads. Bonita High School retained the Smudge Pot for another year after a 28-14 win over San Dimas High School.
Bonita Unified School District is offering a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic to students, parents, employees, and community members, held 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at Ramona Middle School, 3490 Ramona Ave., La Verne. The next scheduled clinic is Saturday, Oct. 16. The clinic will run through Saturday, Oct. 30. Appointments are not necessary to receive the PCR test, but every participant must complete a patient test request form.
A.B. Miller High School students are exploring careers in the aerospace industry and learning what it will take to be part of the next generation of astronauts and space explorers through the school’s new Aviation & Space career technical education (CTE) pathway. Students are engaging in two new CTE classes, held on Saturdays at Ontario International Airport and developed in tandem by Barboza Space Center and Shades of Blue Aviation. The weekend courses, which run through December, are teaching students the basics of aviation while training to successfully complete the FAA’s Private Pilot Certificate written exam, as well as building Tiger Teams of junior astronauts, engineers, scientists, and drone pilots while developing life forms that could survive on Mars and support human exploration in space.
Hacienda La Puente Unified has named Manoj Roychowdhury as its new Associate Superintendent of Business Services. Roychowdhury brings more than 20 years of fiscal leadership experience in K-12 education to the District, with a proven track record of strong business and financial acumen, overseeing implementation of academic programs and initiatives to boost student achievement at school districts throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. Roychowdhury will provide districtwide leadership and assume oversight of administration services, focusing on District budget, services, and facilities.
El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) students will benefit from $300,000 in one-time funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund to support student achievement and District goals outlined in the 2021 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). The EMUHSD LCAP focuses on increasing mental health support services and bolstering the social-emotional well-being of students, which includes access to counselors and a continuation of awareness campaigns and sessions, such as online initiatives, that provide students with access to online workshops and activities that aid in reducing stress. The LCAP also outlines efforts to enhance student engagement on campus, as well as plans to increase access to credit recovery courses online to assist students in making up coursework.
A.B. Miller High School students who wish to explore careers in the aerospace industry and learn what it takes to be part of the next generation of astronauts and space explorers will meet at Ontario International Airport (ONT) on Saturday, Sept. 11, when the school launches its new Aviation & Space career technical education (CTE) pathway. Students will receive an overview of two new CTE classes, developed in tandem by Barboza Space Center CEO Bob Barboza and Shades of Blue Aviation founder Capt. Willie Daniels; discuss career opportunities with ONT Chief Operating Officer Bruce Atlas, as well as representatives of the FBI and TSA; meet the Ontario Police Department K-9 corps; and receive a tour of Ontario International Airport.
Parents were treated to a cavalcade of lively videos, presentations, and teacher interviews, detailing a wealth of programs and events available this year in Buena Park School District, during a series of virtual back-to-school nights. The District hosted its middle school events on Aug. 31, while grades TK to 2 were held on Sept. 1, grades 3 to 5 on Sept. 2, and the Buena Park Learning Center on Sept. 7.
