Monrovia Unified’s Early College Program (ECP), a dual-enrollment partnership with Citrus College that allows students to graduate from high school with up to two years of college coursework, has been recognized with a Golden Bell Award by the California School Boards Association (CSBA). Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian and Director of Counseling, College and Careers Dr. Catherine Real accepted the award on behalf of the District during the CSBA annual conference, held in San Diego on Dec. 5.
Bonita Unified’s Oak Mesa Named California Distinguished School
Oak Mesa Elementary School has been named a 2020 California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education. The School received this award thanks to superb state test scores and parent outreach initiatives. Oak Mesa will be honored by the state on Monday, February 10 during an awards ceremony at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
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.
West Covina Unified Elementary Named a California Distinguished School
Merced Elementary School has been recognized as a 2020 California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education, praised for taking an innovative approach to bolstering English language arts, reading and math skills. This is Merced’s second designation as a Distinguished School; it was previously honored in 2010. Merced will be among 323 schools honored by the state on Monday, Feb. 10 during an awards ceremony at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
Baldwin Park Unified Early Head Start Students Receive Holiday Toys, Gifts
Santa Claus and Baldwin Park Unified administrators surprised students in its Early Head Start program with bags full of toys, ranging from puzzles and coloring books to stuffed animals and doctor kits. Baldwin Park’s Organization of Supervisors and Administrators and the District’s Early Childhood Education program organized the collection.
Paramount Unified Boosts Graduation Rate through College Focus
Paramount Unified has increased its District graduation rate to more than 87 percent, according to recently released California data, through a strategic plan that focuses on college and career success. The District inspires students to strive for success beyond high school through annual college fairs, college prep curriculum and by waiving the cost of PSAT/SAT tests.
Burning Calories and Crime Volunteer Group Helps Keep Schools Safe
Parent volunteers are helping keep Lynwood Unified schools safe through the Burning Calories and Crime program. Volunteers walk campuses in groups to ensure safety while promoting health and fitness. For more information, or to volunteer, contact the District’s Student Services department.
El Monte City School District Teacher Collaboration Drives Achievement
State test scores at two El Monte City School District campuses have soared by as much as 20 percentage points after educators devised innovative ways to share student performance data and refine lesson plans. Cherrylee and Wright School administrators attribute the four-year growth in standardized math and English language arts scores to Professional Learning Communities, which bring teachers together to track the academic and social-emotional progress of students.
Fontana Unified Senior Earns 4-year Scholarship to Ivy League University
Jurupa Hills High School senior Maya Martinez will pursue her dream of attending an elite Ivy League college thanks to a four-year QuestBridge National College Match scholarship to Brown University, where she will study mathematics. Martinez, who has a 4.4 GPA, was one of 1,127 students nationwide to receive a full-ride QuestBridge scholarship. She is the first Jurupa Hills student in four years to be selected for the honor.
Lynwood Unified Gives Away Books at Childhood Literacy Event
Early Childhood Education hosted a literacy event on Dec. 20 in all ECE classrooms that sent each child home for the holiday break with a new book. Parents and students made crafts and sang seasonal songs before each child selected a book of their choice to develop their home library.
