Baldwin Park Unified to Host Virtual Wellness Fair

Baldwin Park Unified will host a virtual wellness fair beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 1 for District families and community members, in partnership with Care Solace, Foothill Family, Kaiser Permanente, Project Cal-Well, the Center for Integrated Family and Health Services and TeenLine. Students, parents and staff will explore a variety of break-out sessions, where attendees can learn about self-care strategies and mental health resources. Visit www.bpusd.net for more details, including meeting links.

Fontana High Class of 2021 Celebrates Nearly 70 Acceptances to UC Riverside

Nearly 70 Fontana High School seniors have earned acceptances to UC Riverside, an achievement supported by the school’s robust academic support programs and a campus-wide effort to bolster college and career readiness. UC Riverside honored the admitted students in a FOHI-exclusive live virtual event on April 14, where students had the opportunity to connect with current UC Riverside students and an admissions counselor, ask questions and receive guidance as they weigh their college options. Fontana High School fosters a strong college-going culture through its robust Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program and an annual College Application Day; this year, FOHI seniors submitted more than 2,100 college applications.

Bonita Unified Honors Food Services Department for Dedication to School Community

Bonita Unified School District presented members of its Food Services Department with the Purpose Award during an April 7 Board of Education meeting, celebrating their exemplary commitment to students and families throughout the pandemic. The Bonita Unified Food Services team has provided its community with more than 750,000 free meals via curbside pick-up since the closure of schools in March 2020. On average, the District serves more than 1,700 breakfast and lunch meals daily.

El Monte Union Nutrition Services Recognized by Tyson Foods for Ramen Recipe

El Monte Union’s Nutrition Services Department has been recognized by Tyson Foods for its chicken ramen noodle soup recipe, one of five winning recipes in a national contest to highlight innovative K-12 menu items shared by school district employees across the United States. The recipe, submitted by Nutrition Coordinator Toni Fu, is a grab-and-go item prepared for the District’s meal distribution and is featured on the Tyson website.

Creator of Netflix Show ‘On My Block’ Eddie Gonzalez Virtually Returns to Lynwood High to Inspire Students

Eddie Gonzalez, the creator of the Netflix show “On My Block” and Lynwood High School alumnus, will make a virtual return to Lynwood High School to share his journey to becoming a screenwriter and producer with students during the school’s Virtual Career Day. Gonzalez will serve as the event’s keynote speaker and inspire students to embrace their creativity and follow their own paths to success. “On My Block” is a successful coming of age story that explores life in South Central Los Angeles for four teenagers – particularly its Afro-Latina female lead. Gonzalez’s writing credits also include the hit show “Empire” and the film “All Eyez on Me.”

Stanford-bound Whittier Union Senior Awarded $40,000 College Board Opportunity Scholarship

California High School senior Bryant Mendez Melchor is one step closer to fulfilling his dream of attending an elite university after receiving a $40,000 College Board Opportunity Scholarship, awarded to just 25 students from across the country. Bryant Mendez, a high-achieving scholar with a 4.55 GPA, will attend Stanford University and major in computer science. As a first-generation American, Mendez’s determination to succeed is inspired by his family and a deep compassion for helping others.

Lynwood Unified Appoints New Board Member at Special Meeting

Lynwood Unified administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Board member Julian Del Real-Calleros who was selected during a special meeting on April 8 to review applicants for the open Board seat. Del Real-Calleros was one of seven applicants who appeared before the District’s Board of Education, and the Lynwood community watching via livestream, and was voted in to replace recently retired Board member Alma-Delia Renteria.

Monrovia Unified Partners with Nonprofit for NASA Nutrition Program

Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy is participating in NASA’s “Plant the Moon” challenge, through a partnership with the nonprofit Food ED. Bradoaks students will assist Food ED associates in an experiment to grow vegetables in artificial moon dust. The experiment aims to help NASA scientists learn the best lunar conditions for growing crops. The challenge, sparked by NASA’s new initiative to return to the moon, will explore ways to feed those who will one day visit the moon.

Whittier Union Reopens, Welcomes Students Back in Cohorts

Whittier Union High School District students, carrying colorful posters with messages of encouragement, returned to campus beginning on April 6 and continuing throughout the week, marking the beginning of the District’s reopening for in-person instruction. Students, lined up six feet apart, were excitedly greeted by teachers, administrators, and staff, many of whom were meeting their students for the first time. Students underwent health screenings and temperature checks prior to entering campus.