Emery School families from around the globe celebrated the hard work, compassion and positive behavior of 135 students across seven grade levels during a series of Dec. 16 virtual student of the trimester award ceremonies. The ceremony took place via Zoom, with each grade level showcasing students who went above and beyond in being respectful, responsible, ready to learn and safe during distance learning and in-person lessons.
Baldwin Park Unified returning Board of Education members Christina Lucero and Santos Hernandez Jr., and newly elected member Diana E. Miranda-Dzib took their oaths of office during the Board’s organizational meeting on Dec. 15. Miranda-Dzib was sworn in by State Sen. Susan Rubio, Hernandez was sworn in by City of Baldwin Park Councilmember Alejandra Avila and Lucero was sworn in by City of Baldwin Park Councilmember Danny Damian. Assemblymember Blanca Rubio also joined the virtual board meeting.
Río Hondo College is creating a program to guide community college and K-12 students through an education pathway focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and back to local communities in much needed teaching roles. Called the Community Partnerships for Teacher Pipeline (CPTP), the program is made possible by a three-year, $2.9 million U.S. Department of Education Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant that Río Hondo College will share with El Camino College, Cerritos College and the Center for Collaborative Education. Each college partner will receive about $900,000 over the life of the grant.
Lynwood Unified families in need are receiving restaurant vouchers worth up to $100 this December after the Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation (LPEF) received an $80,000 grant from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) for Food program. The LPEF is partnering with the District at LUSD events to distribute the vouchers, which allow families to purchase meals this holiday season. The effort also supports local Lynwood businesses during challenging times.
Whittier Union High School District’s Board of Trustees presented outgoing member Tim Schneider with flowers and a plaque of recognition at its November meeting, honoring the longtime Whittier resident for helping to create and maintain a unique educational culture during his 13 years of service. Schneider focused on strengthening the bond between parents, teachers and students, and pushed for diversity and equity.
Newly elected Río Hondo College Trustee Kristal Orozco says she will focus on strengthening the K-12 college pathway, enhancing job training and certification programs and driving improved student success during her first term. Orozco, who was elected Nov. 3, will take the Oath of Office at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 along with re-elected Trustee Vicky Santana. Orozco represents Trustee Area 4, which spans Los Nietos, Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier and North Norwalk.
Bonita Unified’s Board of Education administered the Oath of Office on Dec. 9 to new member Greg Palatto and returning members Krista Chakmak and Glenn Creiman, as well as honoring retiring member Diane Koach with the Bonita Unified Purpose Award. Palatto works as a school psychologist at Charter Oak Unified School District and is a member of the La Verne Rotary Club. Palatto is dedicated to strengthening mental health services and special education. His two children attend Grace Miller Elementary and Ramona Middle School.
On her first day of computer coding class, Pendleton School kindergartner Fiona B. excitedly reported to her parents that she made an animated character jump up and down. In the following weeks, Fiona has learned techniques that allow her to create backgrounds and animals that dance and talk. At an age when many students are still learning to read, Fiona is taking advantage of Pendleton’s commitment to providing computer science and coding instruction for all of its TK-5 students through a partnership with CodeCampus, which provides curriculum and teachers for daily lessons.
Río Hondo College administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Trustee Kristal Orozco and re-elected Trustee Vicky Santana during the Board of Trustees’ annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 16. Orozco is a substitute teacher and Santana, who was elected to her third term, works for the L.A. County Parks and Recreation Department. During the same meeting, Trustee Rosaelva Lomeli was named board president, Santana was named vice president and Orozco was named clerk for the coming year.
Fontana Middle School math teacher Yesenia Escobar was recently named a UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM) 2020 Teacher of the Year, joining Fontana Unified Coordinator of Secondary Mathematics Kristen Sandler, who was named a UC Davis C-STEM 2020 Administrator of the Year. The awards recognize contributions by educators, schools and districts for providing excellent integrated computing and STEM education for K-12 students throughout the year and inspiring students to pursue careers and post-secondary study in C-STEM fields. Sandler and Escobar received their awards during the 10th annual UC Davis/C-STEM Conference, held Dec. 7-10, where they also served as a moderator and panelist, respectively.
