El Monte Union High School District will continue its distance learning program for the remainder of the fall 2020 semester, but is exploring the possibility of developing learning groups (pods) on campus for students most in need, including those in special education programs and English learners. Under the learning pod program – which could begin as early as October – El Monte Union plans to establish small cohorts of no more than 12 students with two supervising adults per group. The District is also working on providing day care and academic support via its After School and Safety Program (ASES) program, LEARN.
Monrovia Unified Closes School Sites in Response to Bobcat Fire
Monrovia Unified School District closed its schools and dismissed students from online-learning on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18 due to growing concerns regarding the Bobcat fire and air quality. The dismissal of students is meant to give families some relief, as the dense smoke has caused disruption even inside homes. During this time, Monrovia Unified had to cancel its food distribution, but its local Flame Broiler stepped up to provide grab-and-go meals to students on Friday. Distance learning is set to resume Monday, Sept. 21.
Buena Park School District to Provide Meal Distribution Program
Buena Park School District will continue to provide daily drive-thru meals to parents and students of the community. Meals will be distributed from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Emery, Whitaker, Corey, Gilbert and Pendleton schools. The District will be strictly adhering to social distancing rules and all guests must wear masks when picking up their food.
Jowah Scott enrolled in Kathy Binks Elementary School as a third grader with a big goal: to learn how to read, despite not having attended school consistently and not knowing his letters and sounds. Scott, now a fourth grader, has grown from not knowing how to read to confidently reading at his grade level. For his perseverance and dedication to learning, Scott has been selected as one of 15 students in the country to receive 2020 180 Student Awards from learning company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The 180 Student Awards celebrate students who have overcome challenges to achieve remarkable reading and math gains.
Río Hondo College has received $2.68 million in federal grants to expand coaching services that encourage persistence and retention of low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities who face significant barriers to higher-education success. The grants are provided by the Department of Education’s TRIO programs, a collection of eight programs that serve student groups with high needs. Río Hondo received two grants: A TRIO-Regular grant that will provide $1.42 million over five years to serve 165 students and a TRIO-STEM grant that will provide $1.26 million over five years for 124 students.
Baldwin Park Unified elementary school students received backpacks and school supplies from State Sen. Rubio during a drive-through distribution event at Sierra Vista High School on Sept. 16. Sen. Rubio partnered with Meruelo Enterprises Inc. to provide 250 backpacks and supplies to students.
Baldwin Park Unified served 16,500 breakfasts, lunches and dinners during the start of the 2020-21 school year, with the District’s Nutrition Services expanding its capabilities to ensure all Baldwin Park children under the age of 18 are fed. Meals are served from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at designated schools where families can pick up meals for all students in the household at one site. Meal service is “Grab & Go” drive-through style, ensuring parents can remain in their cars and limit contact with others. Families receive five days’ worth of breakfasts, lunches and dinners, including a half-gallon of milk and juice.
Lynwood High School student-athlete Rayah Marshall is used to garnering national attention and drawing crowds, but even she was a bit surprised by the swarm of people that showed up to her Labor Day weekend celebration. Marshall had decided to reveal her much anticipated college destination amongst a small group during a cookout, but it quickly turned into a blowout.
Whittier Union High School District Class of 2020 graduates who overcame adversity to become campus leaders and enroll in college or trade school received $11,500 in combined scholarships from the Whittier Host Lions Club and the Credit Union of Southern California, which celebrated the 23 awardees during socially distanced ceremonies at their homes and schools. The scholarships – worth $500 each – are given to graduating seniors who demonstrate distinguished commitment, determination and unselfish service to others while balancing schoolwork with personal challenges to ensure a successful path toward college and career.
Baldwin Park Unified Marks September as Attendance Awareness Month
Baldwin Park Unified’s Board of Education has designated September as Attendance Awareness Month for the second consecutive year. To ensure high achievement for all learners, it is imperative that students attend their classes every day. Any families or students in need of assistance related to distance learning, including District devices, technology or personal support, are encouraged to reach out to their respective schools.
