Sierra Vista High School Class of 2001 graduate Silvia Cervantes-Juarez addressed more than 100 students at her alma mater about mental wellness issues on Jan. 22, advising students that self-awareness, positive messaging, regular exercise and setting a schedule are the keys to staying mentally fit during COVID-19. Cervantes-Juarez, who works as a high school psychologist, dispensed words of wisdom and support to students during a Flex Friday intervention class presentation, held in coordination with Sierra Vista’s National Alliance of Mental Health Club.
The College Board has honored A.B. Miller High School for expanding young women’s access to Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science classes, recognizing the school with its 2020 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. A.B. Miller received the award for achieving 50% or greater female exam taker participation in its AP Computer Science (CS) Principles class.
For the second year in a row, the Inland Valley News Group has named Bonita Unified one of 2020’s Top Workplaces in the Inland Empire. The Inland News Group’s list is based on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage. The surveys were distributed to all 13 Bonita Unified schools and the District office, asking employees about workplace culture, if their jobs exceeded expectations, if they would recommend their workplace to potential employees, why they love their jobs and how their employer could improve the workplace environment.
Whittier Union High School Creates E-Sports Team
Pioneer High School has launched an E-Sports team that will meet virtually as it prepares for competitions organized by Play Versus, Inc., a national platform for high school, youth and college E-Sports leagues. Students will compete with schools from across the country in games such as FIFA, Madden, League of Legends, Smite, Smash Ultimate and Rocket League. Initially participating from home, Pioneer hopes to provide an E-Sports room for students when health guidelines allow.
Monrovia Unified Elementary School Celebrates 100 Days of Learning
Monroe Elementary School held a virtual pep rally for students on Jan. 27, in celebration of 100 Days of Learning. Activities included dancing, trivia questions and a scavenger hunt. Students were asked to share one word that reflected their experience during the first 100 days of school. Monroe teachers put the words together to create the number 100 in a word cloud. Due to high student participation, Principal Lily Jarvis kept a promise to pie herself in the face. Photos are available.
Whittier Union Senior Receives QuestBridge National Match Scholarship
Santa Fe High School senior Lyn Guinto has received a QuestBridge National Match Scholarship to Grinnell College in Iowa. Guinto is one of nearly 1,500 students across the United States to receive the full-ride four-year scholarship, which connects underrepresented students to the nation’s top universities. Though currently undecided on a major, Guinto has expressed a strong interest in social science.
El Monte Union High School Earns College Board Female Diversity Award
Arroyo High School was recognized by the College Board with the 2020 Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Female Diversity Award, one of 831 schools across the United States honored for expanding access to young women in AP Computer Science Principles classes. The award is given to schools that show 50% or higher female exam taker representation in AP computer science courses or have a percentage of female computer science exam takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population.
Baldwin Park Unified High School Serves as COVID-19 Testing Site
Sierra Vista High School will continue to serve as a COVID-19 testing site through the end of February, through a partnership between Baldwin Park Unified, the City of Baldwin Park and Transcend Health. Testing will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, at Sierra Vista, 3600 Frazier St., Baldwin Park.
Dorothy Grant Innovations Academy and Wayne Ruble Middle School have been named to the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) Honor Roll in recognition of their overall performance and narrowing of the achievement gap on California standardized tests. The Fontana Unified schools were named Star Schools, a category for high-performing schools that have significant populations of students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. This is the ninth time the Dorothy Grant Innovations Academy has been named to the ERP Honor Roll and the first time for Wayne Ruble Middle School.
Lynwood Unified has partnered with PAPER Educational Support system to provide more than 4,000 high school students with real-time distance learning support beginning in February as the District works to prevent learning loss. LUSD high school students will now receive 24/7 live help and essay review from PAPER expert tutors, while teachers will get feedback and intervention tools to inspire learners. Students will be able to access the service by logging on to the Clever platform using their Gmail accounts.
