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.
Río Hondo College Board of Trustees is seeking applicants to serve the remaining term of trustee Norma Edith García, who stepped down from the governing board in July. The board expects to conduct interviews next month and appoint a new member in late September. The member will serve until García’s term ends in December 2022.
Río Hondo College launched the fall 2020 semester on Aug. 17 with an enhanced distance learning model, centering the academic and personal needs of students and supporting educators as they take on the new year. After intense planning over the summer, Río Hondo College developed a plan that focuses on student feedback and supports learners through an increase in technology resources, academic and mental health counseling, and specialized assistance for student groups.
West Covina Unified’s signature academic offerings – including Mandarin and Spanish Dual Language Immersion programs, TK-12 IB continuum and its dual enrollment high school, Mt. SAC Early College Academy – have shifted to distance learning, ensuring students can continue to customize their learning experiences in 2020-21. The District’s robust programs afford students the opportunity to develop bilingualism and biliteracy, receive a globally focused education or gain college credit while they earn their high school diploma. Students interested in Dual Language Immersion or Mt. SAC Early College Academy may still apply for 2020-21 enrollment.
Baldwin Park Unified Schools, Partners Recognized for Community Service
Baldwin Park Unified schools and community partners were recognized by the California PBIS Coalition for services and support provided to students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Foster Elementary, Margaret Heath Elementary, Olive Middle School and Baldwin Park High School were celebrated alongside District partners Care Solace, Kaiser Permanente and Teachers Pay Teachers.
Fontana Unified School Lauded for Financial Aid Application Completion Rates
For the second consecutive year, Jurupa Hills High School has been recognized by the California Department of Education’s Student Aid Commission Race to Submit campaign as one of the top 24 schools in the state with the highest financial aid application completion rates. According to the 2020-21 Race to Submit Dashboard, Jurupa Hills scored a completion rate of 90.41%, with 424 of 469 students in the Class of 2020 completing either a FAFSA or California Dream Act application and submitting a GPA verification form. Additionally, more than half of Jurupa Hills grads have been awarded a Cal Grant.
West Covina Unified’s Class of 2020 Receives Socially Distanced Send-Off
West Covina Unified School District’s Class of 2020 graduates embarked from cheerfully decorated vehicles, clad in face masks and regalia, to accept their diplomas during drive-thru ceremonies on Aug. 13. The socially distanced send-off provided graduates from West Covina, Edgewood and Coronado high schools the opportunity to bid farewell to teachers and staff, walk across a stage and take photos before beginning their higher education at institutions such as UCLA, UC Irvine, UC San Diego and more.
