Whittier Union to Host Socially Distanced Drive-thru Graduations
Over 2,800 members of Whittier Union’s Class of 2020 will have the opportunity to walk across a stage set up on the campuses they’ve called home for the last four years while being cheered on by families who will have a front-stage view during socially distanced drive-thru graduation ceremonies. California High will hold its ceremony from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 20; La Serna will hold its ceremony from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 21; Santa Fe High will hold its ceremony from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22; Whittier High will hold its ceremony from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 23; and Pioneer High will hold its event from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 24. On Wednesday, July 22, the Transition program will honor students from 4 to 5 p.m.; Sierra Vista will celebrate students from 5 to 7 p.m.; Frontier will honor grads from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; and Whittier Union Adult School will celebrate graduates from 8:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sierra Education Center campus.
El Monte Union High School District will begin the 2020-21 school year on a 100% distance learning schedule, with the option of transitioning to a hybrid model later in fall semester should health conditions improve. Under the District’s Reopening of Schools Plan – approved by the Board of Trustees during its July 15 virtual board meeting – students will take three classes from Aug. 18 to Oct. 16 (Fall 1 term) and three classes from Oct. 19 to Dec. 17 (Fall 2 term).
Whittier Union High School District is exploring adopting a quarter system for the fall semester of the 2020-21 school year, which begins Wednesday, Aug. 12. The instructional model is part of a four-stage teaching and learning plan that is adaptable to the continuously changing environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the surge of positive coronavirus cases across the state and Los Angeles County, school districts are developing flexible back-to-school learning plans that ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff and provide robust instruction to students – whether delivered online or in-person.
Over 2,800 members of Whittier Union’s Class of 2020 will have the opportunity to walk across a stage set up on the campuses they’ve called home for the last four years while being cheered on by families who will have a front-stage view during socially distanced drive-thru graduation ceremonies taking place the week of July 20. Due to strict public health restrictions related to COVID-19, the District postponed in-person graduation ceremonies that were originally scheduled in June. Drive-thru ceremonies are now permitted in Los Angeles County under recently updated public health guidelines.
Lynwood Unified will provide Rosa Parks Elementary students with brand new iPads, laptops, robotic kits, and other learning tools after receiving a $25,000 grant from the American Honda Foundation to enhance technology education. The new technology will allow students to continue reaching success both inside the classroom and out. The District’s students and educators relied heavily on technology to stay connected during school closures. The new devices provided by the Honda grant can equip young learners to continue thriving through distance learning if necessary.
The El Monte Union Board of Trustees will consider adopting a blended learning model – in which students receive a combination of virtual and in-classroom instruction – for the 2020-21 academic year, which begins Aug. 18. The Board of Trustees will review the District’s Reopening of Schools Plan – which includes the proposed instructional program, specific plans for distancing of students, cleaning of classrooms and equipment, safety and health protocols, student transportation, preparation of meals, student and family engagement, and social-emotional support – during its virtual board meeting on July 15, which may be viewed live here.
Baldwin Park Unified Graduates Awarded Waste Management Scholarships
Ten Baldwin Park Unified graduates were awarded with $500 scholarships each from the Waste Management Internship and Scholarship Program for their resilience, determination and commitment to bettering themselves and their community. Baldwin Park High School scholarship recipients include valedictorian Kendra Nguyen, salutatorian Zaia Rodriguez and Herman Cortez. Sierra Vista High School scholarship winners include Fernando Castillo, Jadriel Delim, Ashanti Gamez, Baldwin Ma, Alina Mercado, Adriana Roscala and Varuni Vittayavongvanich.
Lynwood Unified Partners with City to Serve 8,000 Meals to Families
Lynwood Unified School District’s food pantry has served an estimated 8,000 meals to families in need through a partnership with the City of Lynwood and local leaders to support the Lynwood community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lynwood’s Greater Emmanuel Temple Church currently hosts the service, allowing families to make appointments to pick up groceries at the church 3740 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood. Families can request the service by contacting the Student Services hotline at 310-635-8837.
Buena Park School District Teacher Promotes Literacy through Reading Program
For more than 20 years, Gilbert School kindergarten teacher Leslee Milch has connected with underserved Buena Park School District students and promoted literacy through her summer reading program, Read With Me! Partnering with the City of Buena Park, Milch is leading a scaled-down, socially distanced program each week this summer at Bellis Park that is limited to 10 students who must reserve a spot online. Healthy snacks and parenting classes are provided free of charge, and the Buena Park Library bookmobile provides bags of books to students. Readings are held Wednesdays throughout July.
El Monte City School District Summer Camp Engages 1,000-plus Students
El Monte City School is engaging more than 1,000 students through a trio of summer school programs, meshing virtual classroom experiences with hands-on activities in subjects such as musical theater, art, robotics, American Sign Language and cooking. In addition to the District’s Virtual Summer Learning Academy, students are taking advanced math classes through Río Hondo College and exploring robotics through a grant-funded Lego machines program. Classes started in late June and early July. Photos and video available.
