over Fontana Unified’s Division of Teaching and Learning on Nov. 23. Fontana Unified’s Board of Education on Nov. 4 hired Dr. Monica Makiewicz to head the division as the new associate superintendent of teaching and learning. In her new role, Makiewicz will oversee the planning, organization and administration of curriculum development to ensure a comprehensive, articulated curriculum and instructional program.
An engineering review of Lynwood High School buildings launched after a collapse of exterior soffit ceiling panels in June has yielded preliminary findings that indicate more extensive construction issues may exist at the 22-year-old facility, Lynwood Unified officials announced Monday. The review, which is still in progress, was launched out of an abundance of caution after the unexpected failure of a section of the exterior panels, called soffits, in one of the high school’s buildings during summer break. LUSD’s Board of Education initiated an independent engineering review by Peter Sarkis-Petra Structural Engineers of all campus structures.
Río Hondo Police Academy celebrated the graduation of 49 cadets in Class No. 210 during a special drive-through ceremony held Nov. 5 at the College’s Whittier campus. The event featured the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drums Corps, a presentation of colors by the Pasadena Police Department Honor Guard and an invocation by Covina Police Chaplain Ron Butler. The class, which had been paused because of the pandemic, was trained in constitutional law, criminal law, domestic violence, traffic enforcement, emergency vehicle operations, tactical first aid and CPR, mental health, lifetime fitness, firearms, among other subjects mandated by Peace Officer Standards and Training.
West Covina Unified is accepting 2021-22 enrollment applications for the West Covina High School Performing Arts Academy, which offers an exclusive fine arts education in a free, public school setting. Highly motivated students with a passion for the performing arts will receive valuable industry insight from teaching artists, gain internships and prepare for advanced educational and career opportunities at the Academy. Spaces are limited; interested students may apply through www.wchspaa.org.
The Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees approved new curriculum for the 2020-21 school year that will help seniors assess their post-secondary education opportunities as well as add rigor to its career technical education (CTE) pathways. The new courses include a College and Career Seminar for seniors, a Project Lead The Way Honors course in digital electronics, an advanced architectural design and graphics course for its Industrial Technology pathway, and a college prep English course, Rhetoric and E-Sports, for its Marketing pathway. All the new courses are one-year in length and will fulfill UC and Cal State admission requirements.
Baldwin Park Unified voters on Nov. 4 re-elected Board of Education President Christina Lucero and board member Santos Hernandez Jr., as well as returning 2017-18 board member Diana E. Dzib. New and returning board members will be sworn in during a virtual board meeting in December.
West Covina Unified is accepting enrollment applications for the 2021-22 year through the state-certified District of Choice program. As a District of Choice, West Covina Unified is eligible to accept families from throughout Southern California in its engaging, highly competitive academic programs. The District’s signature programs include Mandarin and Spanish dual language immersion, California’s only TK-12 International Baccalaureate Continuum, dual enrollment through the Mt. SAC Early College Academy and more. Visit the WCUSD website for enrollment information
Two Jurupa Hills High School student leaders have been named QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship finalists, putting them one step closer to being awarded a four-year full-ride scholarship to an elite university. John Nino Requieron and Jesus Rivera-Zamudio are among nearly 7,000 students across the United States chosen as finalists from a pool of over 18,000 QuestBridge applicants, who receive the scholarship when matched with a participating university.
Whittier Union’s Frontier High School, Sierra Vista High School and Whittier Union Adult School are launching a new tradition to recognize student achievement during remote learning and support their efforts to unify the district’s alternative education sites. Beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, all three schools will acknowledge their Student of the Term during a virtual award ceremony.
Fontana Unified will discuss methods of providing social/emotional support to students during a Parent University virtual session from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17. FUSD’s Parent University aims to build capacity for parents and empower them as vital partners in the education process. Families may register for the virtual session on the Fontana Unified website.