Spirited Performances Highlight Río Hondo College Musical Production
Live theater returned to Río Hondo College with two rousing performances of the Broadway musical “Working,” livestreamed via Zoom on Aug. 6 and 7. The online production was highlighted by spirited and emotional performances, allowing audiences to enjoy live theater in their own home. Based on a book written by oral historian Studs Terkel, “Working” is a series of vignettes that tell the stories of everyday Americans in their own words, with songs written by Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Professions range from long-haul truckers to restaurant servers, call center workers and flight attendants.
El Monte Union Green Ribbon-Cutting Heralds New All-Electric Bus Fleet
El Monte Union High School District community members and stakeholders received a glimpse at the future of transportation in the San Gabriel Valley as the brand new all-electric school bus fleet arrived at South El Monte High School, heralding the inception of the District’s $9.8 million Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project, celebrated during a “green” ribbon-cutting ceremony held Aug. 18. South El Monte students cheered as El Monte Union administrators joined with representatives from the California Air Resources Board, project corporate partners, state and local officials, and clean air advocates to cut a ceremonial ribbon on the initiative that puts into action California’s promise to drive zero-emission technology to support air quality and combat climate change.
Lynwood Unified Opens New High School Campus, Welcomes Students
Lynwood Unified welcomed back nearly 12,000 students to campuses on Aug. 19, with a new high school facility, increased socio-emotional resources and strengthened safety measures for in-person instruction. Lynwood High School returned to its original campus, located on Bullis Road, with multiple upgrades, including updated classrooms and science labs. Each school will follow safety measures that include wearing face masks, temperature checks and COVID-19 testing.
Buena Park School District welcomed more than 4,000 students onto its eight campuses for the first day of the 2021-22 school year on Aug. 17, where teachers, staff and students celebrated the return to regular in-person learning. Following more than a year of remote and hybrid learning, many students and parents exuberantly returned to campuses for full-time, in-person instruction, while other students are continuing with online learning through the Buena Park Learning Center and Academy for Accelerated Learning.
Monrovia Unified School District students received the red-carpet treatment on Aug. 18, welcomed with colorful balloons, inspirational banners, and exuberant school mascots as they returned to in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year. Wearing big smiles behind their face masks and chatting amiably with their friends, Monrovia students from transitional kindergarten to 12th grade made their first appearances on campus for full-time instruction since March 2020. Monrovia Unified also launched Mountain Park Virtual Academy this school year, presenting students and families with an online option while still receiving a full, comprehensive curriculum.
El Monte Union High School District students reunited with friends, classmates, teachers and staff as they returned to campuses for in-person instruction and kicked off the 2021-22 school year on Aug. 17. This momentous day was commemorated at Arroyo High School with a visit from Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo and the Los Angeles Department of Public Health Director, Barbara Ferrer.
El Monte Union High School District will transition from an “at-large” elections system to a “by-trustee area” system, a change initiated by the Board of Trustees to comply with the California Voting Rights Act. The District will hold a series of public hearings and open houses to engage the community in creating these trustee areas and to provide structured input. The official mapping process begins on Wednesday, Aug. 18, and the anticipated completion timeline is March 2022. Information on public hearings, open houses, and other meetings can be found at www.emuhsd-by-area-trustees.com.
Whittier Union Hosts Orientation for Freshmen, Sophomores
Freshmen and sophomores across Whittier Union High School District got a jumpstart on the school year through the District’s Frosh/Soph First Day, held at each school site on Aug. 11. Frosh/Soph First Day aims to ease the transition into high school and help students build connections with one another. Events included meet-and-greets with teachers and administrators, a walkthrough of class schedules and campus, a series of games, activities and student performances, and photo opportunities for students and their parents.
Nearly 11,000 Whittier Union High School District students made their way onto campuses bedecked in welcome posters and balloons on Aug. 12, where they were greeted by enthusiastic administrators and staff – all eager to kick off the school year. Following a year of remote and hybrid learning, many Whittier Union students beamed with excitement as they made their way to classes for full-time, in-person instruction. Some Whittier Union students are continuing with online learning through the District’s Independent Study Program, i-Sierra. Though the 2021-22 year will more closely resemble a traditional school year, many health protocols are still in place throughout the District to help ensure the safety of students, teachers, staff and families. Such protocols include health screenings and the use of face masks, as well as continued efforts to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccines in partnership with community partners.
Monrovia Unified Students Return to Campuses for 2021-22 School Year
Monrovia Unified School District students will return to full-time, in-person instruction on Wednesday, Aug. 18. While students are returning to in-person learning, health and safety protocols – such as the use of face coverings while indoors – are still in place. Families who have chosen not to return to in-person learning were given the option to enroll in the District’s new Mountain Park Virtual Academy.
