El Monte Union served 67,960 breakfast and lunch meals from three schools – Arroyo, El Monte and South El Monte – during the first three weeks of the school dismissal period¬, with officials committed to continuing the District’s successful nutrition program through the end of the 2019-20 school year. Acting on recommendation from state, county and public health officials, El Monte Union on March 13 initiated its dismissal period starting March 16 to limit the spread of COVID-19 and promote social distancing. The District has since extended the dismissal period for the remainder of the school year.
Tzu Chi, a local humanitarian organization and private school, donated 2,000 surgical masks and 1,000 portable hand sanitizers to the City of Monrovia on March 31, with a portion of the donation going to Monrovia Unified School District to ensure the continued safety of staff, students, and families. In addition to the masks and sanitizer, Tzu Chi also donated gloves and bottles of surface disinfectant.
West Covina Unified School District is aiding efforts to protect public health officials and curb the COVID-19 pandemic by donating 21,600 masks to Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center. The District delivered 20,000 medical face masks and 1,600 N-95 respirator masks to Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center on March 31.
Buena Park School District is continuing to boost positive behaviors and motivate students to achieve their dreams while building a welcoming community during at-home learning sessions with its new Virtual Spirit Days. The District’s first Virtual Spirit Day was started by Emery School’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team to bring the school’s community together amid the temporary dismissal of in-person classes. The school challenged its students to dress in their favorite sports team’s jerseys or athletic gear and share their photos with the District.
Firebaugh High School English and IB Theatre teacher Kate Thomas Butiu has gone from camera shy to YouTube personality. Accompanied by her two teaching assistants, a pair of pit bulls, she leaves her students motivational messages, assignments and personal anecdotes. Thomas is among the Lynwood Unified educators who are embracing technology and channeling new ways to inspire learners amidst school closures that will extend to at least May 5 as the District works to protect the community from COVID-19.
Río Hondo College is providing a full menu of online services to ensure students – especially those most vulnerable and marginalized – receive the support they need while completing spring classes via online instruction. Services include remote counseling, online tutoring, financial aid assistance, psychological services, food pantry distribution, Chromebook loans, access to free Office 365 and internet, guidance for undocumented students, and access to local, community-based support.
The Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation (LPEF) has launched an emergency fund in response to the COVID-19 global coronavirus pandemic that will meet the immediate and emerging needs of Lynwood Unified School District (LUSD) students and families. LPEF is working together with LUSD and its staff to identify the immediate needs of students and families, and has set a target to raise $100,0000 to cover costs associated with expanding services for families in need.
Río Hondo College has extended all teaching and student services through Saturday, May 9 to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Faculty and staff will continue provide robust online instruction, counseling and student services for six more weeks.
Amid school closures and concerns over COVID-19, Fontana Unified is tackling the challenge of keeping students well-fed through its “Grab and Go” meal distribution program, which provides breakfast and lunch meals for children ages 18 and under. Meal distribution began on March 16; each weekday, Food Services staff and District employees prepare and deliver meals curbside to families at 10 FUSD schools. To date, the District has served up to 8,600 meals on a single day.
