El Monte City School District students created dragons and lanterns from colorful paper mâché, stuffed their written wishes into red envelopes and learned about Chinese legends and traditions during a Jan. 23 Lunar New Year celebration. Some 200 students and their families attended the event at the Jeff Seymour Family Center, which featured arts and crafts, a family photo booth, opportunity drawings, a special Lunar New Year read along and a student performance of a traditional ribbon dance.
Fontana Unified School District announced the promotion of Lee J. Powell to Fontana School Police Department chief. Powell has served as a lieutenant in the school police department since 2017 and has 33 years of experience in law enforcement. Powell succeeds Martin Sissac, who retired as chief in November 2019 after four years in the post.
West Covina Unified Student Receives Spoken Word Poetry Scholarship
Edgewood High School senior Yuriko Chavez’s poetic perspective on social justice won her the 2019-20 Romero Scholarship for Excellence in Spoken Word. Chavez’s poem submission “Mission First, Mission Always” was ranked No. 1 on four out of the five judges’ score cards. The scholarship is funded by David A. Romero, a Mexican-American spoken word artist, and is given to one high school senior in the United States each year. The $500 prize will help fund Chavez’s pursuit of a journalism and ethnic studies degree at either Occidental College or UC Irvine.
West Covina Unified Launches High School Performing Arts Academy
West Covina Unified will establish the next premier performing arts academy in Southern California, empowering students to delve into their creative potential, gain insight from industry professionals and prepare for a future in the arts. The West Covina High School Performing Arts Academy will welcome its first freshman cohort – capped at 50 students – in fall 2020, providing an exclusive fine arts education in a free, public school setting. Incoming freshmen from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties are eligible to apply to the WCHS Performing Arts Academy. The District is now accepting applications; students can begin the application process online.
Paramount Unified Elementary to Renovate Beloved Student Garden
Raymond Collins Elementary School’s beloved student garden, which has provided healthy greens and educational opportunities for almost a decade, will receive much-needed renovations and new garden beds thanks to donations worth more than $5,000 from members of the Paramount Chamber of Commerce. The garden supplies the school with greens, herbs, fruits and vegetables while introducing students to agriculture and the concept of locally sourced food.
La Serna High School senior Jocelyn Jimenez is a born leader with extraordinary academic achievements under her belt, a passion for knowledge and determination to succeed – skills that will help her fulfill her dream of being a lawyer. Whether she is volunteering as an Explorer for the Whittier Police Department or interning with Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Jimenez is dedicated to empowering people and communities through service work and education. Jimenez – who is pursuing an associate degree at Rio Hondo College – was recently awarded a full-ride scholarship to Claremont McKenna College.
Fontana Unified, Lewis Library Delight Students with Epic STEAM Takeover
Fontana Unified School District, in partnership with the Lewis Library and Technology Center, held an Epic STEAM Takeover event for middle school students on Jan. 29. Middle school students engaged in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics activities, including a STEAM escape room, coding with Ozobots, building pulleys, creating slime and more.
‘Rhythm + Flow’ Champion and Alumnus D Smoke Visits Inglewood High
Inglewood High School Class of 2003 graduate Daniel Farris – known as D Smoke – returned to his alma mater on Jan. 30 to meet with students and share his story of triumph as the champion and breakout star of the Netflix hip hop competition “Rhythm + Flow.” Farris spoke to students about the importance of staying in school and following their dreams.
El Monte Unified High School School to Launch AP Capstone Program
Rosemead High School is one of approximately 1,800 schools worldwide to implement the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma program, which will allow students to develop skills critical to college success, such as research, collaboration and communication. The program consists of two courses taken in sequence: AP Seminar and AP Research. Rosemead will launch the AP Seminar course in fall 2020 and AP Research in fall 2021.
Lynwood Unified Students Receive College Acceptances at HBCU event
Lynwood Unified High School students received nearly 400 college acceptances and more than $5.8 million in scholarships at the Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) Caravan Tour on Jan. 30. Hundreds of Lynwood students filled the gymnasiums at Lynwood and Firebaugh high schools to meet HBCU recruiters, who presented them with on-the-spot acceptances and, for some, full scholarships.
