New U.S. Soccer Field, Playgrounds Installed as District Improves Campuses for Future Reopening

When Hosler Middle School students are safely reinstated in school they will return to a new state-of-the-art U.S. Soccer pitch, one of the many new facilities the District has recently unveiled as it utilizes the period of distance learning to improve facilities across campuses. The soccer field was awarded through a grant program from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, which installs a mini-pitch that comes complete with fencing and built-in goals. The hard-court space is perfectly suited for organized soccer programs or pick-up games between students.

Buena Park School District Receives Thousands of Face Shields for Teachers, Students

Buena Park School District recently received a donation of 37,000 see-through face shields to protect students, teachers and staff, providing an additional barrier to slow the spread of COVID-19. The District received the face shields from Westminster-based company Tru-Form Plastics. Tru-Form Plastics Engineer Ed Hentges, a Buena Park resident and friend of Beatty Middle School Principal Erik Bagger, recommended that his company donate face shields to protect students and staff during the pandemic.

Baldwin Park Unified High Schools Receive ACS-WASC Accreditations

Two Baldwin Park Unified high schools – Sierra Vista High and North Park Continuation High – have received three-year accreditations from the Accrediting Commission of Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS-WASC) for their commitment to equity and high-quality education. ACS-WASC accreditations indicate to the community that the schools are trustworthy institutions for student learning and dedicated to ongoing improvement.

Lynwood Unified Staff Prepares For School Year Through District Forum

Nearly 300 Lynwood Unified staff members convened in an online forum on July 29 as the District shared questions and concerns of the community and finalized distance learning plans for the upcoming school year. The District organized the forum to provide clarity to staff and empower them to address questions from parents and community members in anticipation of the first day of online instruction later this month. In preparation for the meeting, parent and teacher surveys were distributed to gauge the greatest areas of concern.

Fontana Unified Prepares for 2020-21 Year, Continues to Distribute Devices to Students

Fontana Unified is preparing students for a successful start to the 2020-21 year, which begins Aug. 24 in online distance learning, with the continued distribution of laptops to students from transitional kindergarten to 12th grade. During a video interview between Mayor Acquanetta Warren and FUSD Superintendent Randal Bassett, Fontana Unified received a $25,000 donation from the National Real Estate Development Association's Inland Empire chapter (NAIOP). The donation will help offset the costs of providing the District’s 36,000 students with laptops.

El Monte Union Promotes New Administrators for 2020-21 School Year

El Monte Union High School District has promoted four administrators, who have nearly 90 years of combined experience in the District, to new positions for the 2020-21 school year. Robin Torres has spent the last seven years as principal of El Monte High School, where she began her education career at El Monte Union in 1985 as a physical education and life science teacher. A credentialed Adapted Physical Education Specialist, Torres coached multiple sports at El Monte High before stepping into administrative posts at Mountain View, Rosemead and El Monte-Rosemead Adult schools. She succeeds Felipe Ibarra, who retired in June.

Whitter Union Wellness Collaborative Supports Students, Families, Staff

Whittier Union High School District has created a Social/Emotional Collaborative team to develop class lessons, tools and videos to support students, staff and parents who have experienced stress, difficulties and trauma due to the COVID-19 pandemic and help ease their transition to the 2020-21 school year. The social/emotional supports address a plethora of issues confronting students and families, including the effects of trauma on student learning, time management strategies, practicing mindfulness, the benefits of taking breaks from social media, coping strategies and the benefits of optimism, gratitude and resilience.

Bonita Unified Commits to a Distance Learning Model for Fall 2020

The Bonita Unified School District Board of Education decided July 15 to continue with a distance learning model for the fall 2020 semester, after reviewing guidance from state and county public health and education authorities. The District’s first priority is the health and safety of students, their staff and the community. More information can be found on the District’s website.

Lynwood Unified to Continue Distance Learning in Fall 2020

Lynwood Unified School District plans to begin the fall 2020 semester with a distance learning model, following state and local guidance from public health officials. The District’s top priority is the health and wellness of students, staff and their community. More information can be found on the Lynwood Unified website.

Río Hondo College Taps Former President as Acting Chief Administrator

Former Río Hondo College Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss has stepped in to lead the College as its acting chief administrator starting July 30. Dreyfuss started at the College as a part-time faculty member in 1987 and rose through the ranks to become interim superintendent/president in 2012. She assumed the job permanently the following year. She is credited with overseeing $300 million in construction projects, opening three regional campuses and leading the College through the Great Recession. She also started a program that gave students free tuition for their first two years. She retired in June 2019.