Río Hondo College Police Academy is a leader in progressive police training, following a teaching philosophy known as Principled Policing that encourages strong community relationships, respect for diversity and an understanding of constitutional rights. College leaders are providing insight into the police training program in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers and subsequent demonstrations over treatment of African Americans by law enforcement.
El Monte City School District to Provide Summer Meals Starting on June 8
El Monte City School District will continue to provide four daily grab-and-go meals every weekday throughout the summer to community children ages 18 and younger. Meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack. They will be distributed from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, June 8 to Monday, Aug. 17 at Durfee, Gidley, Potrero and Shirpser schools.
Over 300 Monrovia High School seniors stepped out of vehicles, walked a green and white decorated stage, received their diplomas and turned their tassels during a drive-thru commencement ceremony at Monrovia High School on June 3. The very first graduate of the day was Vivian Fisher, who received an honorary diploma as she was unable to receive her diploma from the Class of 1938. Afterward, students lined up 6 feet apart and walked the stage as their names were announced through the speakers. Families drove next to the stage, taking photos and cheering for their graduate before making their way to a pick-up zone.
Emotional and heartfelt responses to the recent events of injustice poured out of Lynwood Unified students during a student forum on June 1. The District organized the virtual forum to give students the opportunity to discuss their feelings and suggest a plan of action for combatting racial injustice. The group of nearly 70 participants included the board president, superintendent, principals, and members of the District’s Equity, Access, and Instructional Services.
Emery School was alive with cheers, dancing and applause during its drive-thru promotion ceremonies, which congratulated fifth- and sixth-grade students on completing a milestone in their educational journeys. The school held a morning ceremony for 92 fifth-graders and an evening ceremony for 86 sixth-graders on May 28, giving students one more chance to see their friends and thank their teachers. Sixth-grader Noelani Canotal gave her teachers a friendly “hang 10” hand sign during the ceremony and thanked them for preparing her classmates and her for middle school. Canotal said she is looking forward to attending Beatty Middle School in 2020-21.
Mountain View High School senior Cindy Lee, this year’s top valedictorian for the Class of 2020, has been named a 2020 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Scholar, one of only 300 students across the nation to receive the full-tuition scholarship. Lee will attend her dream university, UC Irvine, where she will major in data science and pursue a graduate degree.
Four schools in the El Monte City School District are being touted as 2020 Top Los Angeles County Public Schools for ensuring high rates of success in math and English language arts for low-income Latino students. LeGore School was honored for achieving high rates of success for elementary students in both areas and Cleminson for success in English for elementary students. Gidley and Durfee schools were praised for their success for middle school English.
Highlighting the achievements and successes of each student, Canyon Oaks High School and Mountain Park Independent Study School will celebrate the graduating Class of 2020 with a drive-thru commencement ceremony at Monrovia High School on June 2. The ceremony will follow all social distancing requirements and public health guidelines established for Los Angeles County.
El Monte Union, Partners Launch Class of 2020 Banner Fundraiser
The El Monte Promise Foundation, in collaboration with El Monte Union High School District, has launched a donation campaign to raise $10,000 for graduation banners and signs recognizing El Monte Union’s Class of 2020. EMPF and EMUHSD are working in partnership with local cities – including Rosemead, El Monte and South El Monte – to support the display of banners throughout the El Monte Union community that will recognize approximately 1,800 individual graduates from six high schools. The deadline to donate is Wednesday, June 10.
El Monte Union to Distribute Diplomas to 1,800 Seniors During Car Parades
El Monte Union’s six high schools will host Car Parade Diploma Celebrations for approximately 1,800 graduates on Thursday, June 4, during which families will drive up at their designated appointment time, students will exit their decorated vehicles, take photos and collect their diplomas. To ensure social distancing and face masks requirements are followed across all schools during the individual diploma ceremonies, the District has released specific guidelines that are in line with county rules. Distribution times will vary across schools but may take up to seven hours. The streaming of a virtual celebration program for each school will follow at 7:30 p.m. The District plans to hold traditional commencement ceremonies in November, or as soon as it is safe to do so.
