Whittier Union High School District held a special Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 15, administering the Oath of Office to returning Trustee Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco and newly elected Trustee Jaime Lopez. During the meeting, Pacheco was named president, Dr. Russell Castaneda-Calleros was named vice president and Jeff Baird was named clerk.
Lynwood High School Class of 2007 graduate Lidia Garcia addressed LHS AP Art Studio students during a video conference in December, sharing her journey as she worked her way from first-generation college goer to a career as a professional storyboard artist. Garcia described the thrill of her college years, meeting fellow animators, honing her craft, receiving her first internship, and getting hired by a major animation studio.
Two Whittier Union Adult School class sections successfully completed the Electrician 1 course in December. The course, held in-person with COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place, is designed to prepare students to enter the Union Apprenticeship program at the Electrical Institute in the City of Commerce and provide interview preparation for the required Math and Mechanical Reasoning Entry Test.
Lynwood Unified Data Analyst Diana Hawkins has always lit up the District with her smile and energy, and on Dec. 15 she introduced it to a nationally televised audience with an unforgettable performance on Wheel of Fortune. Hawkins laughed, shouted, and cheered her way to a winning total of $57,850 and a trip to Puerto Rico while stealing the spotlight and being hailed a “super contestant” by media and social network observers.
Emery School families from around the globe celebrated the hard work, compassion and positive behavior of 135 students across seven grade levels during a series of Dec. 16 virtual student of the trimester award ceremonies. The ceremony took place via Zoom, with each grade level showcasing students who went above and beyond in being respectful, responsible, ready to learn and safe during distance learning and in-person lessons.
Baldwin Park Unified returning Board of Education members Christina Lucero and Santos Hernandez Jr., and newly elected member Diana E. Miranda-Dzib took their oaths of office during the Board’s organizational meeting on Dec. 15. Miranda-Dzib was sworn in by State Sen. Susan Rubio, Hernandez was sworn in by City of Baldwin Park Councilmember Alejandra Avila and Lucero was sworn in by City of Baldwin Park Councilmember Danny Damian. Assemblymember Blanca Rubio also joined the virtual board meeting.
Río Hondo College is creating a program to guide community college and K-12 students through an education pathway focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and back to local communities in much needed teaching roles. Called the Community Partnerships for Teacher Pipeline (CPTP), the program is made possible by a three-year, $2.9 million U.S. Department of Education Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant that Río Hondo College will share with El Camino College, Cerritos College and the Center for Collaborative Education. Each college partner will receive about $900,000 over the life of the grant.
Lynwood Unified families in need are receiving restaurant vouchers worth up to $100 this December after the Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation (LPEF) received an $80,000 grant from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) for Food program. The LPEF is partnering with the District at LUSD events to distribute the vouchers, which allow families to purchase meals this holiday season. The effort also supports local Lynwood businesses during challenging times.
Whittier Union High School District’s Board of Trustees presented outgoing member Tim Schneider with flowers and a plaque of recognition at its November meeting, honoring the longtime Whittier resident for helping to create and maintain a unique educational culture during his 13 years of service. Schneider focused on strengthening the bond between parents, teachers and students, and pushed for diversity and equity.
Newly elected Río Hondo College Trustee Kristal Orozco says she will focus on strengthening the K-12 college pathway, enhancing job training and certification programs and driving improved student success during her first term. Orozco, who was elected Nov. 3, will take the Oath of Office at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 along with re-elected Trustee Vicky Santana. Orozco represents Trustee Area 4, which spans Los Nietos, Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier and North Norwalk.
