The Bonita Unified Board of Education appointed Jim Elliot to fill an open seat on the Board during a special meeting on Sept. 15. After a lengthy interview process with seven candidates, Elliot – a former BUSD board member – was selected to fill the seat vacated by Krista Chakmak when she resigned in August. Immediately after the selection, Board President Chuck Coyne administered the Oath of Office. Elliot’s appointment will run until the general election to be held in Nov. 2022. Elliot previously served 14 years on the Board, from 2003 to 2017, and has two children who are Bonita Unified graduates.
Students from Mountain View High School enjoyed a lunchtime concert on Aug. 20, when The Red Pears – an indie rock band formed by two alumni in 2013 – made their triumphant return to the school. Mountain View Class of 2012 graduate Henry Vargas and Class of 2013 graduate Jose Corona met while competing in a school-sponsored Battle of the Bands in 2012. Though Corona’s band emerged the winner that night, the two eventually joined forces as the Red Pears, beginning a musical journey that has led them to sold-out shows at the Glass House in Pomona and a performance at Coachella in 2019.
The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees adopted a balanced 2021-22 budget during a board meeting on Sept. 8, setting aside ample funding for student financial aid while avoiding the loss of staff and increasing reserves to $34.8 million in the general fund. The adopted budget allocates about $23.4 million for student financial aid from the Restricted General Fund and approximately $27.5 million from the Financial Aid Fund, which includes $47.9 million from COVID-19 federal emergency revenue.
The clinics will be followed by a weekly vaccine clinic, to be held every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the WUHSD board room, 9401 Painter Ave., Whittier. The weekly clinics will run through December.
To register, visit myturn.ca.gov. Those interested in receiving the vaccine may also email covid19vaccine@wuhsd.org with questions or to make a reservation.
Río Hondo College Accepts Grant to Boost CalFresh Outreach Program
The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees has approved acceptance of a grant to boost public awareness for the CalFresh Outreach Program, which helps low-income households increase their food-buying power to meet their nutritional needs. Río Hondo College was one of 54 colleges selected for the grant as part of California State University, Chico’s CalFresh grant expansion. The grant will provide Río Hondo College with $432,726 to promote CalFresh to students starting on Oct. 1, 2021 and ending on Sept. 30, 2024.
Lynwood Unified Adds Three Electric School Buses
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 High School Celebrates 60 Years of Excellence
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 to Host Free Community Vaccine Clinics
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 Offers COVID-19 Testing at Ramona Middle 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.
