Throughout her childhood, South El Monte High School Class of 2021 graduate Heather Gomez discovered a joy for playing soccer and a love of children. Gomez, who helped lead the SEMHS Eagles girls soccer team to a state championship in 2019, is taking her athletic prowess and dream of a career as a pediatrician to Montevallo College in Alabama. Gomez graduated with a 3.8 GPA, completed eight AP classes and holds the school record for most goals scored, totaling 29 -- one of the scholar-athlete’s many accomplishments on the field.
In keeping with California’s emphasis on zero-emissions technology to support improved air quality and combat climate change, students from the El Monte Union High School District, community members and California Air Resources (CARB) representatives will greet the first of a brand new, all-electric school bus fleet – part of a $9.8 million Clean Mobility in Schools pilot project.
One hundred and fifty Bonita Unified School District students are equipped with backpacks full of school supplies for the upcoming 2021-22 year, thanks to the efforts of Project Boon and the La Verne/San Dimas Educational Foundation. The donated backpacks and school supplies were distributed to Bonita Unified students during a free meals drive-thru event on Aug. 11.
Fontana Unified celebrated the first day of the 2021-22 school year and the return to full-time, in-person instruction on Aug. 6, welcoming students to campuses bedecked with balloons, banners, and inspirational messages. Fontana High School students reconnecting with their friends were greeted with maroon and white balloons, the sounds of a DJ playing music a chalk art mural and messages across campus that said “welcome back” and “we missed you.” At Truman Middle School, students arrived in waves, receiving their class assignments and having their temperature checked before gathering in the main quad.
Baldwin Park Unified’s Margaret Heath Elementary and Olive Middle School were recognized with gold-level awards by the California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coalition for outstanding implementation of the PBIS program. Both schools will have their names displayed at the Sixth Annual California PBIS Conference in Sacramento from Monday, Sept. 13 to Wednesday, Sept. 15, in honor of their accomplishment.
Almost immediately after Ruben Lopez enrolled in Whittier Union Adult School’s first-ever Electrician 1 and Math/Electrician classes, the global pandemic shifted the program to distance learning. Undeterred, Lopez participated enthusiastically in online classes, absorbing as much electrical theory as he could until he was able to put his knowledge to the test when in-person workshops resumed. For his final project, Lopez successfully demonstrated his mastery of electric circuitry and graduated at the top of his class. Since graduation, Lopez has transitioned into a career as an industrial electrician.
Baldwin Park Unified’s Margaret Heath Elementary and Olive Middle School were recognized with gold-level awards by the California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coalition for outstanding implementation of the PBIS program. The California PBIS Coalition aims to create a positive and efficient learning environment for all students, their families, and the community through a focus on academic and behavioral support.
Henry J. Kaiser High School and Sierra Lakes Elementary launched the 2021-22 year under the leadership of recently appointed principals Jose A. Espinoza and Maria Talamantes, who bring nearly 38 years of collective experience to Fontana Unified. In their new roles, Espinoza and Talamantes will oversee the administration of all facets of their school’s educational program and focus on the optimal educational development of each student.
Baldwin Park Unified, in partnership with the City of Baldwin Park and Oath to Country Foundation, is hosting an inaugural Mental Health Awareness Fair and Walk from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 7. The event will kick off at City Hall, located at 14403 E. Pacific Ave., and attendees are encouraged to walk, cycle or run to the Performing Arts Center, located at 4640 Maine Ave., where they will be greeted by informational vendors, food, beverages and a car show.The event will begin at City Hall – located at 14403 E. Pacific Ave., Baldwin Park 91706 – and attendees are encouraged to walk, cycle or run to the Performing Arts Center (PAC), where informational vendors, food, beverages and a car show will await.
Buena Park School District Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes was named a 2021 Superintendent of the Year by the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, honoring efforts to improve the lives of students and eliminate the achievement gap. Miramontes was chosen as the “Honoring Our Own” awardee for region 6 – which includes San Diego, Orange, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties – for demonstrating exceptional leadership in advancing equity and success for Latino students and their families during the 2020-21 school year.
