When Chaparral-Vista High School culinary students began the semester, they thought they would simply be taking notes and honing their basic skills before moving on to preparing restaurant-quality dishes as the year progressed. What they did not know was that they would immediately be assigned to create a pot of chili that could compete with the best recipes in the District. The students were up to the task and the Chaparral-Vista culinary program once again shocked judges, contestants, and chili lovers alike by winning first-place in the third annual Bonita PTA Council Chili Cook-Off, held in September. Chaparral-Vista students also won the inaugural cook-off in 2022, and have now earned their second “golden ladle” to place on their culinary Wall of Champions.
Hacienda La Puente Unified celebrated the grand opening of Lassalette Elementary School’s new inclusive playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 18, bringing together HLPUSD administrators and the Trojan community to mark this space where Lassalette students of all abilities can play together. The project, financed by the District’s general fund, was designed to enrich the playground experience for all students with the new space featuring a range of accessible equipment tailored to individuals with physical disabilities. The welcoming outdoor space—designed by the District’s Executive Director of Special Education, Dr. Mayra Helguera—offers a variety of play options, including traditional and wheelchair-accessible swings, slides, sensory play areas, and an inclusive merry-go-round.
Bonita Unified School District students achieved record-setting scores on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) in 2023-24, reflecting the District’s success in fully overcoming the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance. According to recently released CAASPP results for spring 2024, 72.5% of Bonita Unified students met or exceeded standards in English language arts (ELA) and 60.5% met or exceeded standards in math, marking an all-time high in both subjects for the District. The results indicate a slight increase over 2022-23 scores, which already marked significant progress in mitigating learning loss related to the pandemic.
Whittier Union High School District students reached new academic heights on the 2023-24 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test, reflecting the District’s commitment to student success and college and career readiness. The CAASPP is a statewide test that evaluates student proficiency in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. Whittier Union 11th graders achieved record-high District scores across the board, with 65% meeting or exceeding standards in ELA, 37% in math, and 39% in science. These results significantly surpassed state averages of 56%, 28%, and 32%, respectively. Additionally, the scores represent continued growth from 2022-23, when the District achieved 62% in ELA and 31% in math.
The California Reading Coalition (CRC) has ranked Covina-Valley Unified School District sixth in California and fourth in Los Angeles County in its California Reading Report Card, underscoring the District’s commitment to fostering early literacy for long-term academic success. The CRC’s Reading Report Card identifies and highlights California school districts that successfully teach reading to third graders, particularly to economically disadvantaged Hispanic/Latino students. Districts are ranked by the percent of these students who meet or exceed grade level for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) third-grade English Language Arts test.
The Fontana School Police Department (FSPD) has received a $34,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to launch an initiative that will help improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the Fontana Unified School District. The FSPD will use the grant to bolster community-focused programming designed to reduce road accidents. By focusing on education and prevention, the Department will promote best practices and encourage community members to take extra precautions on the road to ensure everyone’s safety.
Hacienda La Puente Unified educators and leadership team showcased the District's innovative work in Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) during a plenary panel at the University of California, Davis's 14th Annual C-STEM Conference on Oct. 4. HLPUSD was recognized with numerous awards at the conference, including Los Altos Elementary School being named a 2024 C-STEM Distinguished School, Sparks Elementary School principal Gilbert Barraza being awarded C-STEM Administrator of the Year, and Sierra Vista Middle School math teacher Kien To being named a C-STEM Teacher of the Year. These achievements underscore the District’s dedication to fostering excellence in STEM education and its commitment to providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to excel in a rapidly advancing technological world.
Rosemead Adult School (EMRAS) united its community to encourage public health awareness and civic participation in October through events aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer research and funding and registering voters for the upcoming elections. EMRAS continued its legacy of community engagement through a Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, marked by visual reminders on campus, including vibrant signs and a remembrance wall. The school launched the month of personal and collective awareness with a four-day voter registration drive, which ended on Oct. 3.
Forty-one students spread across all five Fontana Unified comprehensive high schools earned awards from the College Board National Recognition Program for their demonstrated academic achievement and strong performance on college-preparatory exams, including 32 students set to become first-generation college students. Fontana Unified students were honored by four of the College Board’s five programs, including the National First-Generation Recognition Program Award (NFGRPA), which debuted this year. National College Board recognition helps distinguish students during the application process for college scholarships or admissions.
Cyrus Sapien, a Fontana High School senior, boarded a bus to make the 10-mile trek to the 2024 Regional College and Career Fair, cohosted by Fontana Unified and Chaffey Joint Union High School districts at the Ontario Convention Center on Oct. 9. Sapien was on a fact-finding mission, looking to narrow down his short list of colleges and decide if he would attend college in or out of state. He knew he wanted to study industrial engineering and pursue a career in a blue-collar trade but was uncertain about which college was right for him.
