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.
California High Students Foster Spirit with Virtual Homecoming
Whittier Union’s California High School kept spirits high during distance learning by transforming its homecoming festivities into virtual celebrations throughout October. Cal High’s ASB announced a virtual spirit week – held Oct. 5 to 9 – that encouraged students to dress up for theme days, take pictures and share on social media. Students embraced the idea, sharing photos of themselves in sports attire, monochromatic outfits, wacky pajamas and more. ASB students also honored the tradition of naming a homecoming court, designed to recognize the students who best represent the Class of 2021. Cal High seniors voted for their picks using Google Forms and winners will be announced at the end of the month. Visit Cal High’s Instagram for more.
West Covina Unified Offers Online Learning Academy
West Covina Unified has launched the West Covina Online Learning Academy (WCOLA), a 100% virtual program that allows families to design their own learning schedules. WCOLA allows students to learn at their own pace and provides families the opportunity to create customized schedules similar to independent study. Students receive regular access to a WCUSD credentialed teacher while learning through a rigorous, standards-based online curriculum. The breadth of course offerings is similar to those students would receive at their home school. Families interested in enrolling in WCOLA may do so through the West Covina Unified website.
Santa Fe High School senior Isabella Padilla was recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit for academic, excellence and leadership during an Oct. 13 board meeting. Padilla maintains a 4.30 GPA, has completed 32 semesters of AP and Honors classes and competes on the Santa Fe soccer and track teams. Padilla serves as a Link Crew mentor, Academic Affairs ASB commissioner and is a member of film club and Black and Gold Nation. She is a semi-finalist for a Posse Foundation scholarship to Tulane University.
Fontana Unified Teacher Selected As 2021 Teacher Ambassador
Mango Elementary School teacher Janet Nasir was selected as a 2021 Epic Master Teacher Ambassador, one of just 32 California educators to receive the honor. As an ambassador she will instill a love of reading and learning in students, share best practices and influence the future development of Epic – described as the world’s largest digital library for children – by providing their expertise and insight through surveys, interviews, and advisory groups.
Baldwin Park Unified to Host Kindness Advocate for Parent Presentation
Baldwin Park Unified is inviting District parents to virtually attend a special presentation featuring author and kindness advocate Houston Kraft at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.28. Co-founder of Character Strong, Kraft will share his trainings that help teach social and emotional skills. For more information, contact Director of Student Achievement Dr. Richard Noblett or Karisa Cuenca at the District Office at 626-962-3311.
West Covina Unified to Recognize Red Ribbon Week with Virtual Activities
West Covina Unified schools will recognize Red Ribbon Week on Friday, Oct. 30 with virtual activities designed to engage students and inspire them to live drug-, alcohol- and tobacco-free lives. Several sites, including Orangewood, Merlinda and Monte Vista elementary schools, will hold spirit activities and dress-up days centered around the 2020 Red Ribbon Campaign theme, “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.”
Students Gain Experience via Micro-Internships
Six Summit High School students have sharpened their online technological marketing skills and learned what businesses are seeking in employees during micro-internships with manufacturing company Tekton Hospitality. Part of a pilot program, the micro-internships teach a few specific skills in a short time. Summit High senior Aaron Vera and juniors Yasmeen Abu-Awad, Mohamad Awad, Leilani Calzada Gonzalez, Harsh Patel and Steven Zaragoza engaged in 90-minute sessions on Zoom, learning how to take and edit job-site and product photos, create websites to highlight the products and promote the products via social media.
Gordon H. Beatty Middle School students will learn to fly the virtual skies and pilot drones through a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Pilot program. The school has received 10 flight simulators and 20 drones for the program, which will teach concepts such as geometry, the degrees of freedom in flight, and physics. Science and STEM Pilot program teacher John Kopaczewski is preparing the simulators and drones for use when in-person instruction resumes.
