Two Jurupa Hills High School student leaders have been named QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship finalists, putting them one step closer to being awarded a four-year full-ride scholarship to an elite university. John Nino Requieron and Jesus Rivera-Zamudio are among nearly 7,000 students across the United States chosen as finalists from a pool of over 18,000 QuestBridge applicants, who receive the scholarship when matched with a participating university.
Whittier Union Alternative, Adult Schools Celebrate Student Awards
Whittier Union’s Frontier High School, Sierra Vista High School and Whittier Union Adult School are launching a new tradition to recognize student achievement during remote learning and support their efforts to unify the district’s alternative education sites. Beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, all three schools will acknowledge their Student of the Term during a virtual award ceremony.
Fontana Unified to Host Session on Social-emotional Support
Fontana Unified will discuss methods of providing social/emotional support to students during a Parent University virtual session from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17. 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-area families in need will receive Thanksgiving dinner fixings and a $25 gift card to help purchase a turkey at 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 during a drive-thru donation coordinated by local nonprofit Helping Homeless Vets - LA at the Pioneer High School student parking lot, 10800 Benavon St., Whittier. The donation event will continue while supplies last. The nonprofit hopes to supply up to 100 families with Thanksgiving meals. All COVID-19 protocols will be observed during the donation. Media contact: Andrea Garcia, (909) 279-9840 (cell)
Career Technical Educator Shelley Andros’ unending drive to encourage her students to excel in coding, engineering, robotics and horticulture has earned her recognition as a California’s Teacher of the Year finalist. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond presented the award during a virtual ceremony, lauding Andros and her fellow winners for empowering their students and communities.
Buena Park School District will resume in-class learning on Monday, Nov. 9, a decision reached after review of the latest health data and positive community feedback. The decision was made during an Oct. 26 Board of Education meeting after Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Yvette Cantu outlined safety protocols.
Three-year-old Bruce Naranjo safely exited his vehicle for a temperature check on Oct. 27 before excitedly walking through the Lindbergh Elementary School entrance to begin his Early Childhood Education program. Bruce isn’t old enough to understand the significance of attending school during a pandemic, but as Lynwood Unified has reopened its doors to small groups of high-needs students and families, he shares in the renewed optimism felt in the community.
Río Hondo College’s Board of Trustees adopted a 2020-21 budget on Oct. 29 that avoids the loss of staff and increases general fund reserves to $31.3 million despite state budget shortfalls created by the pandemic. The College has anticipated no increases from the state in funding over 2019-20 levels and will receive no cost-of-living adjustment. The unrestricted general fund budget estimates $92.2 million in revenue and $91.4 million in expenditures.
For their longtime support of the District and Monrovia High School (MHS) Athletics, Fred and Diane Bowden were honored during an Oct. 27 dedication ceremony that named MHS’s weight room the ‘Fred and Diane Bowden Weight Room.’ Fred, who passed away in 2018, and Diane, graduated from Monrovia High School in 1959 and 1961, respectively. The two always looked for ways to give back to the District and with Fred’s passing, Diane and the Bowden family made a commitment to continue that support.
West Covina Unified’s Board of Education ceremonially broke ground on a 650-seat Performing Arts Center on Oct. 27, launching construction on a flagship facility where students can showcase their artistic talent. Housed at West Covina High School, the West Covina Unified Performing Arts Center will offer dedicated performance and practice spaces for the high school’s visual and performing arts programs, as well as a venue for all West Covina Unified schools to stage visual and performing arts events. The $31 million Performing Arts Center, funded by the voter-approved Measure ES, is expected to open in fall 2022.
