West Covina High School – which was named to the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Roll in February – produced 128 AP Scholars in 2018-19, underscoring the school’s college-readiness efforts and commitment to academic excellence. The list of scholars includes two Class of 2019 WCHS graduates – Narine Setian and Katie Dihn – who were recognized as National AP Scholars for completing eight or more AP exams with a score of 4 or higher and an average score of 4 or better. West Covina High is the District’s flagship AP school, offering 27 AP courses.
The Whittier Union Adult School hosted its first-ever Career and Job Fair on Oct. 23, attracting over 500 community members and students from the Adult School, Frontier High School and Sierra Vista High School. The event featured nearly two dozen local employers, including Whittier Union High School District, the Census Bureau, Starbucks, Fed Ex and Defense International, among others, who conducted on-site interviews. Many employers have committed to hiring Whittier Union students. The Census Bureau, for instance, plans to hire 80 students at $20 an hour. Fifteen students were hired on the spot and 50 students scored second interviews.
Baldwin Park High School students wore baseball jerseys, treated themselves to hot dogs and popcorn, and met former L.A. Dodgers pitcher Dennis Powell for autographs and photos during the school’s second annual Dodger Day on Oct. 18. The event, held to celebrate Baldwin Park High’s designation as a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) bronze medal recipient, also featured entertainment by the Braves marching band.
The District’s mission – to provide world-class schools for world-class students – was emphasized throughout the event while Board of Education members highlighted the many community partnerships, programs, and enrichment opportunities that support student academic success.
Thousands of students across El Monte City School District sported vibrant red outfits, rushed to greet visiting police officers and cheered as they pledged to live drug-, alcohol- and tobacco-free lives during Red Ribbon Week. El Monte City School District students celebrated the week by participating in dress-up days, wearing boots to “give drugs the boot,” styling their hair in outlandish ways to show they’re “drug-free from head to toe” and donning their favorite team jerseys to “team up against drugs.”
8 Whittier Union Musicians to Perform in Tournament of Roses Parade
Eight Whittier Union students have been selected to perform in the 2020 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade Honor Band on New Year’s Day. The students won coveted spots in the nearly 250-member Honor Band after a rigorous audition process that included hundreds of high school musicians from throughout Southern California. From California High School, they are Kaelee Chavez (clarinet), Seth Diaz (tenor sax), Mark Gonzalez (trombone), Roberto Haro (trumpet), Myriam Hernandez (color guard/tall flag), Erica Leal (color guard/banner) and Chloe Martin (color guard/banner). Trumpet player Hector Torres will represent Santa Fe High School.
Monrovia’s Clifton Middle School Participates in Great California Shakeout
Students from Clifton Middle School took part in the annual Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill on Oct. 17. As students made their way to the school’s field for an attendance check, a search and rescue team conducted a mock search for injured students and staff. The drill helps schools prepare for a potential major earthquake.
City of Lynwood Appoints ‘Kid Mayors’ at 12 Lynwood Unified Schools
Twelve students at Lynwood Unified schools were honored by the Lynwood City Council on Oct. 15 with appointments as “Kid Mayor.” The “Kid Mayor” program was created by Lynwood Mayor Jose Solache to inspire more young people to get involved in public service. All 12 will get the opportunity to ride on the Lynwood city float during the Candy Cane Lane Parade on Dec. 6.
Fontana Unified Recognized for Workplace Wellness Program
Fontana Unified School District was honored with a Bronze Workplace Health Solutions Award by the American Heart Association (AHA) for promoting wellness in the workplace in 2018-19. The District held its annual Wellness Fair on Oct. 16, providing teachers, staff and administrators with health and wellness information, free medical, dental and vision screenings, massages and information about the open enrollment period. Twice a year, the District also provides its employees with a voluntary wellness challenge.
West Covina Unified Student Wins Prize at ‘Hacking Medicine’ Event
Edgewood High School senior Vanessa Li captured the third-place UCSF Rosenman Institute Prize in the category of medicine at the MIT Hacking Medicine Grand Hack event on Oct. 13. Li and her team were celebrated for designing a simple, discreet and efficient way of testing for HIV. She was the only high school student in the event and competed alongside college students and working professionals. The UCSF Rosenman Institute Prize provides winners with legal support, intellectual property consultation and pitch desk coaching.
