Whittier Union’s five comprehensive high schools have been listed among the top-performing public high schools in the state and the nation, according to the 2020 Best High Schools rankings by U.S. News and World Report. California, La Serna, Pioneer, Santa Fe and Whittier high schools ranked in the top 25% or higher of high schools in the nation, in addition to earning high rankings among approximately 2,600 high schools in the state.
Whittier High School engineering teacher Steve Swanson is bringing a little comfort to the medical workers at PIH Health Whittier as they support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using 3D printers, Swanson, who is in his fifth year teaching at Whittier High, created over 300 ear guards for surgical masks and donated them to the hospital’s health care professionals this month.
Emery School third-grade teacher Amy Biesiada is using her love of technology to not only boost excellence in her students during at-home learning sessions, but also to assist her Buena Park School District colleagues. Biesiada said her expertise in apps like ParentSquare and Seesaw create a smooth transition to online learning – picking up right where she left off in her classroom. Both programs are online communication tools. ParentSquare is used for parent communication and Seesaw is a digital portfolio of students work, which can be shared with teachers.
The Río Hondo College Foundation is seeking immediate community support to help Río Hondo students during this unprecedented health crisis. The Foundation is seeking donations for the Río Cares Student Relief Fund, established to assist students facing extraordinary challenges with housing, food scarcity, digital connections and stress as they juggle family, work and school during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
West Covina Unified’s IB Schools Hold Virtual Shakespeare Festival
Amid school closures prompted by COVID-19, Edgewood International Baccalaureate Schools’ National English Honor Society is transforming its annual Shakespeare Festival into a virtual event. The event, which aims to immerse students in Shakespeare’s world, typically features theatrical performances, and Renaissance attire. Students are sharing Shakespearean performances daily on the page’s Instagram stories.
Inglewood Unified School District Distributes Laptops to Students in Need
Inglewood Unified School District has started distributing laptops to students who are in need, ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to continue their studies while participating in distance learning. To date, the District has distributed over 2,000 laptops to students.
West Covina Unified High Schools Honor Class of 2020 via Social Media
Edgewood and West Covina high schools are ensuring senior accomplishments do not go unnoticed by sharing Class of 2020 profiles on their Instagram pages. Each profile highlights the student’s college acceptances and/or decision, as well as their intended major. West Covina High School, the District’s Advanced Placement flagship school, and Edgewood High School, an International Baccalaureate World School, inspire a strong college-bound culture, even amid school dismissals caused by COVID-19 concerns.
Fontana Unified Invites Community to ‘Be The Light’ for Class of 2020
Fontana Unified high schools are lighting up their stadiums at 8:20 p.m. every Friday for 20 minutes to honor the Class of 2020 as part of the nationwide “Be The Light” campaign. The District is challenging its community to join in by turning on their lights at home each week at 8:20 p.m. to show support for Fontana Unified’s seniors.
Inglewood Unified Students Participate in Virtual Spirit Week
Students from Inglewood Unified School District took part in a virtual spirit week from April 13 to April 17. The spirit week, which consisted of pajama day, hat day, crazy sock day, favorite shirt day and school spirit day, was held in an effort to bring the school community together while on dismissal.
El Monte Union Principal to Retire after 35 Years at the District
Arroyo High School Principal Angelita Gonzales, who has been the top administrator at the school since 2013, will retire from the District at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Gonzales began her career at El Monte Union in 1984, when she was hired as an English language development teacher at Rosemead High. Gonzales filled many roles at the District over the years before coming to Arroyo, where she has overseen numerous praiseworthy instructional programs. Arroyo received a Gold Ribbon from the California Department of Education in 2017 for its visual and performing arts program.
