La Serna High School senior Diana Gonzalez received an Award of Merit for her determination and leadership from the Whittier Union Board of Trustees during a board meeting on March 9. Gonzalez, who immigrated to California from Mexico with her mother and brother as a fifth grader, spoke no English when she arrived. Determined, positive and resourceful, Gonzalez sought to learn a new language and new culture. Her skills developed so rapidly that she now serves as a peer mentor and role model for English Language Development students.
Chaparral-Vista High School is one of 27 schools recognized as a 2021 Model Continuation School by the California Department of Education and the California Continuation Education Association Plus, recognizing its innovative approach to addressing the academic, social and emotional needs of students as they pursue their paths toward graduation. Chaparral is focused on providing a nurturing environment that guides its students toward realizing their potential. This is Chaparral’s first designation as a Model Continuation School.
Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA), as part of its 2021 All-Southern California High School Honor Symphonic Band. As band president and section leader of the Arroyo Knights Band and Color Guard, Luutuyen leads the group in performances and competitions, greatly enjoying the bonding and togetherness that comes with the band experience. Luutuyen will attend a SCSBOA professional development master class on March 13.
Lynwood Unified School District Board of Education members and District leaders joined together to unveil Lincoln Elementary School’s modernized security entrance during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 11. Following all health and safety protocols, Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite and Lincoln Principal George Guerrero welcomed more than 15 District employees to participate, marking the first in-person event in almost a year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whittier Union Announces Reopening of Campuses for Hybrid Instruction
Whittier Union High School District has received the green light by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to begin its phased approach in bringing students back for in-person instruction. The District will launch its Hybrid Instructional Schedule on Tuesday, April 6, bringing students back in cohorts, one day a week. Distance learning remains an option for students and families. Each high school will hold a townhall for families, detailing the hybrid model and how it will be implemented, as well as provide instructional videos showing students what to expect on their return to campus. Media
Monrovia Unified Board of Education Approves Secondary Hybrid Model
Monrovia Unified’s Board of Education approved the District’s Secondary Hybrid Instructional Model during a board meeting on March 24. The approved schedule will divide students into Cohort A, B and C, with Cohort A and B attending school Monday and Tuesday, and Thursday and Friday, respectively. Cohort C will continue with 100% distance learning. Monrovia Unified secondary students will have a staggered return to school beginning the week of April 19.
Río Hondo College students are creating character models, gaining insight from professionals and developing skills that will help them break into the gaming industry – all thanks to the College’s Animation Internship Program. Over the last year, the animation program has paired Río Hondo College students with FarSight Studios, an independent developer and publisher of multi-platform video games. Several students worked on aspects of a new puzzle game called “Orbals,” providing them a hands-on opportunity to hone their skills and gain industry experience.
Fontana Unified School District administrators were honored for excellence in leadership by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 12 Board of Directors, earning 2021 ACSA Administrator Awards. The FUSD honorees are Almeria Middle School Principal Kim Bente, Middle Grades Principal of the Year; Director of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Ayesha Brooks, Student Services Administrator of the Year; Director of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Michael Garcia, Valuing Diversity Administrator of the Year; Fontana High School Assistant Principal Marissa Quintero, Secondary Co-administrator of the Year; and Dolores Huerta International Academy Assistant Principal Janet Rivera, Elementary Co-administrator of the Year.
Bonita Unified School District will welcome elementary school students back to campus for in-person instruction on April 5, following the continued decrease of COVID-19 case numbers and rising vaccination rates among District staff. Elementary students will be taught in a hybrid model, designed to meet state and county health and safety protocols. The District also set an April 12 target date to reopen its middle and high schools – grades six to 12 – using a similar hybrid model. Bonita Unified students will also have the option to remain in distance learning for the remainder of the year.
Fontana Unified School District has approved a phased return to in-person instruction for elementary school students, with plans to welcome transitional kindergarteners through second-grade students back to campus on April 5 and grades three to five on April 12. The target return date was approved alongside a modified hybrid instructional model, which would consist of three cohorts of students, by the Board of Education during a March 3 special meeting.
