West Covina Unified Educators Prepare for Success with Distance Learning
West Covina Unified educators are preparing for a strong start to the 2020-21 year on Monday, Aug. 17 through a series of teacher trainings meant to enhance instructional strategies and ensure rigorous educational opportunities during state-mandated distance learning. Offered throughout the summer and in the week prior to the start of the school year, the trainings provide in-depth exploration of digital tools like Google Classroom and discuss instructional shifts that benefit students during distance learning, such as additional hands-on activities and student-led discussions.
Whittier Union to Begin 2020-21 with 100% Distance Learning
Whittier Union High School District will begin the 2020-21 school year with a 100% distance learning schedule, converting the fall semester into a quarter system in which students will take three online classes in each of two nine-week periods starting Wednesday, Aug. 12. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 3x9 instructional model and launching the school year in Stage 1 of the District’s four-stage reopening plan during a July 28 virtual board meeting.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
