Monrovia Unified High School Students Win Congressional App Challenge

Red Dungeon, a video game app created by Monrovia High School digital studies students, won top honors in the 2020 Congressional App Challenge, a national contest that challenges computer science students to create software programs for original apps. U.S. Rep. Judy Chu recognized the app, designed by the school’s Forge Interactive Team, as a regional winner in California’s 27th Congressional District for excellence in presentation.

Lynwood Unified Graduate’s Story of Becoming Animator Inspires Students

Lynwood High School Class of 2007 graduate Lidia Garcia knew from an early age that she wanted to be an animator. Now a professional storyboard artist on the Hulu animation series “Solar Opposites,” Garcia made a virtual return to the school’s Advanced Placement Art Studio class when she hosted a video conference for current students, using personal animation to share her journey as a first-generation college graduate.

Whittier High School Senior Receives Award of Merit for Perseverance, Work Ethic

Whittier High School senior Ashley Perdomo came to the United States from El Salvador when she was 10, after her parents had been granted political asylum. Arriving at Whittier High as a freshman, Perdomo found a sense of direction, eventually becoming a student leader with a 4.4 GPA and earning the respect of her teachers and classmates for her work ethic and mentoring ability. Perdomo was recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit for her perseverance during its Jan. 12 board meeting.

Buena Park Elementary School Delights, Inspires Students with Virtual Music Program

Emery School students are banging on drums, learning about cultures and enhancing distance learning lessons through a new virtual music program that teaches students musical appreciation in the comfort of their homes. The program, which offers six weekly music lessons to students, is part of a partnership between the school and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Each lesson pairs a Segerstrom musician with a class to mesh music with lessons on world cultures, folklore and history.

Fontana Unified Opens 2021-22 TK/Kindergarten Enrollment

Fontana Unified School District will conclude 2021-22 open enrollment for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten on Friday, April 2. Fontana Unified offers comprehensive early learning opportunities that include coding and robotics, dual language immersion and leadership development. Families may begin the enrollment process online; for more information, visit www.fusd.net/enrollment.

Fontana Unified to Open Applications for Dual-Language Program

Fontana Unified School District will begin accepting applications for 2021-22 enrollment in its Spanish Dual-Language Immersion (DLI) program on Monday, Feb. 1. The program begins in kindergarten and is offered at Redwood Elementary School and Dolores Huerta International Academy. The DLI program fosters bilingualism and biliteracy, sociocultural competency and high levels of academic achievement. For more information, visit www.fusd.net/enrollment.

Fontana Unified to Host Virtual Session on Parenting in the Digital World

Fontana Unified will host a virtual Parent University session from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, led by “Cyber Safety Cop” Clay Cranford, highlighting tips for keeping children safer online and how to manage students’ screen time. 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.

Whittier Union Business Academy Seniors Join in National Trade Show

Seniors from La Serna High School’s Green and Clean Business Academy participated in an online National Trade Show, where they had the opportunity to present their business and product, Cart Care. From the ground up, and completely through Zoom, students created a business, a product and consumer packages, a website and employee handbook, business plan, and even a radio commercial and sales pitch. Cart Care, a sanitation service, uses three models for effective sanitation: UVC-Sanitation Stations, Cart Tracks and a Canopy Tent. To learn more about Cart Care, visit their website or Instagram account.

Monrovia Unified Anti-Vaping Video Recognized by Los Angeles Dodgers

An anti-vaping video created by Clifton Middle School Tech and Publicity students was recognized by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, which selected it as one of three finalists in an online video contest held in partnership with the L.A. County Department of Public Health. The vape-free campaign, “Let the Smoke Clear,” encourages teenagers to make educated choices. Clifton students were rewarded for their high achievement by winning a Zoom session with Dodgers catcher and World Series hero Will Smith. Photos are available.

Whittier Union Food and Nutrition Services Expand Meal Distribution

Whittier Union High School District’s Food and Nutrition Services has added a new meal distribution site for drive-through service. St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 11345 Miller Road, Whittier, will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for students ages 18 and younger to pick up meals. As of December 2020, Whittier Union has distributed more than 277,000 meals to students in the community.