A.B. Miller High School Spanish teacher Dr. Sybil Acevedo’s teaching career began as a junior in high school when she founded the Culver City High Spanish Club to tutor fellow students, one of several public service projects Acevedo initiated before attending college. More than 30 years later, Acevedo’s leadership and passion for education is being recognized by Assemblymember Eloise Reyes, who has selected Acevedo as a finalist for the 2020-21 District 47 Woman of the Year.
Construction of a new multipurpose building and gymnasium at Fernando R. Ledesma High School is moving forward as El Monte Union plans a host of new Measure HS-funded projects, including a new Community Education Center and synthetic track and fields. Approved by voters in November 2018, Measure HS authorized $190 million in facilities bonds that are funding enhancements of learning facilities at each high school. The first series of bonds was sold in June 2019 for $56.7 million. It is anticipated that the next series will be sold in 2021 or 2022.
Whittier Union launched the 2020-21 school year on Aug. 12, welcoming 10,500 new and returning scholars virtually and providing support to students and families as they transition to the remote learning instructional model – which has seen nearly 100% of students actively participating. District leaders have spent the last several months developing an extensive four-phase strategic learning plan to educate students in a virtual learning environment, providing teachers, staff, parents and students with the trainings, tools and resources to ensure a successful start to the school year.
Seasoned Buena Park School District educator Stephanie Williamson thrives on challenging herself, whether that means learning a new skill or finding more ways to connect and encourage her colleagues and students. After 22 years of service in the Buena Park School District, she was recently named principal of Whitaker School.
Río Hondo College Recognized for COVID-19 Response, Collaboration
Río Hondo College has been recognized by The RP Group Impact & Insights publication for responding in a time of crisis and expertly modeling collaboration that unites a large cross-section of educators. Led by Río Hondo’s student success team, educators identified three main areas of support: academic, basic and community (the ABCs). The ABCs resource plan initiated an increase in technology resources, including an expanded capacity for Zoom and Canvas lectures. Students can access Chromebooks, calculators and hotspots from the library check-out service during the first three weeks of the semester and by appointment after Saturday, Sept. 5. Río Hondo has also launched a virtual welcome center, complete with Zoom rooms and live chats to support students.
Baldwin Park Unified Creates Community Virtual Wellness Center
Baldwin Park Unified launched a virtual Wellness Center for students, staff and parents to provide easy access to a number of mental health and socio-emotional resources for the community, including a Virtual Calming Room. Inspired and adapted from the Sacramento City Unified School District, the Virtual Calming Room is a space for the BPUSD community to learn strategies for processing and managing emotions, as well as activities to de-stress such as yoga, guided meditation and journaling.
El Monte City Students, Teachers Share Joy on First Day of School
El Monte City School District welcomed new and returning students to its 14 campuses for the first day of its 2020-21 school year on Aug. 20. Students and teachers shared their joy in returning to class as they adjusted to distance learning and virtual classrooms. With an emphasis on tech, new programs, health and safety – including its first Mandarin dual-language immersion class at New Lexington School – the District has provided every student with a tech device for home use, will stay connected with parents through the ParentSquare mobile app and has adopted a meal plan that ensures every student will receive five days of meals throughout the distance learning period.
Baldwin Park Launches Fall 2020 with Enhanced Learning, Support Services
Baldwin Park Unified kicked off the 2020-21 academic year on Aug. 17 with the District’s enhanced distance learning program, ensuring students receive engaging and supportive instruction through state-mandated remote learning. BPUSD students from elementary to high school received devices and, for families in need of internet, applications to hot spots were provided. Students and families also have access to an array of health and wellness resources, including connections to community mental health agencies.
Monrovia Unified Welcomes Students for 2020-21 Academic Year
Monrovia Unified School District welcomed students on Aug. 19, launching a new, more rigorous approach to its distance learning platform. The first day of school began with the distribution of technology and instructional materials. Students signed onto their virtual classrooms, hosted on Zoom or Google Classroom, met classmates and received an overview of the instructional schedule and expectations. Click here to watch a video highlighting the District’s first day of distance learning.
Fontana Unified’s ‘Every Day Counts’ Campaign Prepares Families for 2020-21
Fontana Unified families and students will begin the 2020-21 year on Monday, Aug. 24 equipped with helpful tips and resources from the District, thanks to its 10-day Every Day Counts campaign. The campaign highlighted a different topic on preparing for the school year each day, delivered through videos posted on the District website and social media pages. Topics included digital citizenship, taking care of one’s physical and mental health, setting up a home education space for distance learning, and more.
