More than 150 El Monte Union business and finance students took on the role of adults and were hit with a dose of reality when they had to learn to be responsible for their own financial planning, oversee monthly expenditures and tackle credit card debt during Mad City Money, a realistic simulation held Oct. 24 at El Monte High School. Paired with a partner and assigned personal profiles with an occupation, a young child and a monthly salary, students had to deduct taxes, student loan payments, medical insurance and credit card debt from their income and visit merchants to purchase housing, transportation, food, clothing and childcare necessities. Every once in a while, students were hit with unexpected expenses and windfalls that they had to factor in.
Five Whittier Union High School District students have been recognized as National Merit Commended Scholars for being among the top 34,000 students in the nation to receive high scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The nationally recognized students are seniors Cole Aedo, Ian Brennan, Kelvin Chong and Katelyn Nye from La Serna High School and senior Julia Casas from Whittier High School.
Paramount High School senior Rebecca Mejia has been recognized as a National Merit Commended Scholar and seniors Edward Quezada and Jocelyn Ureña have received certificates from the National Hispanic Recognition Program for outstanding scholastic achievement. Mejia was recognized for finishing near the top 34,000 in the U.S. in the 2018 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. A four-year varsity cross country athlete, she maintains a 4.41 GPA and hopes to pursue environmental studies at UC Davis. She also created a green club among her cross country team members that picks up trash at Paramount High School’s West Campus.
El Monte Union shined a spotlight on its creative student artists during the 20th annual District Art Show, which featured more than 150 works that earned accolades at the 2019 Los Angeles County Fair “America’s Kids” Arts Competition. More than 200 students from El Monte Union’s five comprehensive high schools, who contributed art for the Oct. 22 event, received corsages and certificates of recognition from the District for their artistry.
Paramount Unified Students Studies Careers through Internship Program
Students at Paramount Unified’s Odyssey STEM Academy are learning from successful professionals in a variety of careers through the school’s eight-week Living to Learn internship programs. Students spend two days per week in their fields of study with mentors who immerse them in real-world careers.
West Covina High School Welcomes Local Student Leaders
West Covina High School hosted a Student Link Crew Conference on Oct. 22, welcoming Link Crews from nine different high schools to connect with one another and increase leadership skills. Link Crew employs juniors and seniors to serve as tutors, positive role models, motivators and coaches to freshmen, facilitating academic success and easing their transition to high school.
Will Rogers Elementary School has expanded its Spanish-English dual immersion program to include fifth grade. Fifth-graders, who had been taught in earlier grades on a 90:10 model – with most instruction in Spanish – are transitioning to a focus on their first language, bridging the gap between what they have been learning and what they know to produce a 50:50 competency rate in both languages.
Coronado High School Principal Shavon Roberts has dedicated her career in education to ensuring equity for every student and helping teachers receive the support they need in the classroom. Roberts has just completed her first month as top administrator at the District’s continuation school and finds herself inspired by the commitment and diligence of the Coronado faculty and staff.
Fontana Unified Elementary College Day Connects Students, Alumni
Redwood Elementary School challenged students to begin thinking about their academic futures during the eighth annual College Day on Oct. 18. This year, Redwood expanded on its traditional activities by inviting Fontana Unified alumni from a variety of colleges and universities back to campus to give presentations on higher education and answer student questions.
Fontana Unified Educators, Alumnus Honored by State Sen. Connie Leyva
Henry J. Kaiser High School Principal Terry Abernathy, Redwood Elementary counselor Eduardo Valencia and Fontana Unified alumnus Jashandeep Lobana were recognized by state Sen. Connie Leyva on Oct. 21 at the third annual Terrific 20 of Senate District 20 event. Each year, local residents are recognized for their commitment and contributions in fields like education, community activism, business, law enforcement and hospitality.
