Students in Buena Park School District’s Early Learning Programs gathered on campus for the return of in-person instruction, providing them with a renewed opportunity to meet new friends, build relationships with their teachers, and continue their educational growth. The District’s phased reopening has begun with its youngest students in state preschool and special education early learning classrooms at Buena Park Learning Center, Gilbert, Pendleton and Whitaker schools.
Sequoia Middle School eighth-grader Matthew Barrera was recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 12 Board of Directors with the 2021 Every Student Succeeding Award, celebrating his academic achievement and leadership in the classroom. Barrera has risen to the challenges posed by the death of his mother when he was 11 years old and a relocation from Idaho to California to live with relatives, becoming a straight-A student and distance learning mentor. Barrera will receive a $1,000 scholarship and be recognized in the ACSA Region 12 online award ceremony in May.
Lynwood High School senior Alexa Escamilla is preparing for higher education by doing what she loves most - helping others. For Alexa, serving the community she loves has given her purpose amid the uncertainty of the world around her over the past year. Alexa, who is among the top of her LHS class with a 4.6 GPA, is targeting Columbia University and UCLA as two prospective schools to attend this fall. One would keep her closer to her family, the other would allow her to venture to the East Coast and join the Ivy League as LHS 2020 graduate Jaren Johnson (Dartmouth) did before her.
El Monte Union High School District will expand its dual enrollment program through new partnerships with Pasadena City College (PCC) and Los Angeles Trade Tech College (LATTC), providing students with more opportunities to get a head start on their post-secondary education by earning college credits while concurrently enrolled in high school.
Beginning in 2021-22, Rosemead High School will offer a Professional Theater and Stagecraft pathway through PCC, with all courses to be taught at the Rosemead High Auditorium. El Monte, South El Monte and Fernando R. Ledesma high schools will offer a Construction and Carpentry pathway through LATTC. These pathways will be taught at the school sites by PCC and LATTC professors.
Whittier Union Junior Honored as Boys & Girls Club 2021 Youth of the Year
La Serna High School junior Keyaira Bascus was honored as the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier’s 2021 Youth of the Year for her outstanding bravery, resilience, and courage. Bascus was one of three Whittier Union finalists, including La Serna High junior Norberto Reyes and Whittier High School senior Isaac Guerrero, with each finalist receiving a $3,333 scholarship to support their post-secondary academic goals. Pioneer High School senior Jeremiah Parra received the Whittier Union Outstanding Member Award for his character and citizenship.
As a sophomore at Baldwin Park High School, Veronica Sanchez always pushed herself to succeed, taking AP and college prep courses and serving her community as a member of the BPHS Leo Club. To honor Sanchez’s memory after her sudden death in March 2020, the BPHS Leo Club created the Veronica Sanchez Memorial Scholarship and organized an online fundraiser to support seniors continuing their post-secondary education.
El Monte Union High School District will host its 2021 Lunar New Year Celebration from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 26, at the District Office, 3537 Johnson Ave., El Monte. The festive event, celebrating the Year of the Ox, will feature traditional décor, dancing, and cuisine, with families receiving red envelopes filled with chocolate coins in a socially distanced drive-thru ceremony.
Monrovia Unified Community Webinar Details Hybrid Instruction Model
Monrovia Unified School District will present its finalized Hybrid Instructional Model for grades TK-5, 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25. The presentation will include an in-depth overview of the schedule, as well as a discussion on the next steps moving forward in the reopening of elementary schools.
Redwood Elementary School counselor Eduardo Valencia has seen firsthand the socio-emotional toll that COVID-19 has taken on his students and their families, hearing countless stories of personal and financial loss that are causing students to disengage from their studies. To assist in providing comfort to Redwood families and to reestablish much-needed personal connections, Valencia and Redwood Elementary distributed teddy bears and care packages to every student, teacher, and staff member – 600 in all – during a weeklong, after-school event from Feb. 22-26.
Río Hondo College will boost interest in choral music and the performing arts through a virtual workshop with acclaimed composer/conductor Eric Whitacre. Whitacre is a Grammy Award-winning composer, known for his ground-breaking virtual choirs. Guests are welcome to register by visiting here: https://bit.ly/3dnrIEo.
