El Monte Union High School District welcomed over 8,000 new and returning students to its campuses on Aug. 20 for the 2019-20 school year, with nearly 2,000 freshmen among the first to experience the District’s rollout of a new 1:1 device initiative, increased dual enrollment and innovative career pathway programs and new facility upgrades. Rosemead High School kicked off the year on Aug. 13 with its fourth annual LINK Crew Orientation Program, which provided over 400 members of the Class of 2023 the opportunity to acclimate to the Panther culture, learn campus rules and expectations, meet classmates and “link” up with upperclassmen who will serve as their mentors for the entire school year.
Baldwin Park Unified students from Margaret Heath Elementary, Pleasant View Elementary, Jones Junior High School and Sierra Vista High School started the 2019-20 school year with new backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies thanks to a long-standing partnership with Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Baldwin Park. For the 10-year anniversary of Kaiser’s annual Backpack and School Supply Donation campaign, doctors, surgeons, nurses and other hospital employees donated more than 900 backpacks – with 630 bags going to the elementary schools, 150 to the junior high and 135 for Sierra Vista High School.
Paramount Unified School District students will return to the classroom with expanded technology and strengthened curriculum offerings when the doors open for the new school year. The District has reached 1:1 technology for students in grades three through 12, with each student receiving a Chromebook laptop for use at school or home.Paramount Unified will continue to implement computer coding into Algebra lessons while additional teachers throughout the District have become Google Certified, allowing them to incorporate new technological practices to enhance learning. In addition, Paramount Unified has launched an Entrepreneurship and App Development course that teaches young scholars coding while helping them develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Lynwood Unified to Serve Breakfast and Lunch to All Students at No Cost
Lynwood Unified School District announced an amendment to its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Programs for the 2019-2020 school year that will allow all K-12 students to be served breakfast and lunch at no charge. The new service will not require household applications.
West Covina Unified Early College Academy Welcomes 2nd Freshman Class
West Covina Unified’s Mt. SAC Early College Academy welcomed its second class of freshmen for the 2019-20 year on Aug. 15, introducing a new group of students to the rigors of the dual enrollment high school. The Academy, which opened in fall 2018, provides an accelerated academic experience that allows students to earn up to two years of transferable college credit as they pursue their high school diploma.
Fontana Unified Swears In 2019-20 Student Board Member
Jurupa Hills High School senior Juleny Ortiz-Contreras took the oath of office on Aug. 14 to serve as Fontana Unified’s 2019-20 Board of Education student representative. Ortiz-Contreras is an avid volunteer, accomplished student-athlete and International Baccalaureate diploma candidate who hopes to inspire others to become involved in the District.
Inglewood Unified Launches District Attendance Campaign
Inglewood Unified has launched a District attendance campaign – “Every Student. Every Day.” Its goal is for all students to have fewer than seven absences per year. Staff members, parents and students will be encouraged to share their attendance successes and celebrations via social media using the hashtag #EveryStudentEveryDay.
Buena Park School District Kicks Off School Year with New Goals, Focus
Buena Park School District’s campuses were humming with excited greetings from reunited classmates and tearful sendoffs from new parents as they dropped off their children on Aug. 13 for the first day of school. The District welcomed more than 4,520 students across seven campuses, each adorned with colorful banners and chalk messages welcoming students and encouraging responsible behavior.
Fontana Unified High School to Pilot Parent Link Crew Program
Fontana Unified’s Summit High School has been selected as one of two schools nationwide to pilot the Parent Link Crew program. Summit High’s Link Crew program, awarded the 2016 Golden Bell Award by the California School Boards Association, provides freshmen with mentorship and guidance from upperclassmen.
West Covina Unified Launches 2019-20 School Year with New Programs
West Covina Unified celebrated the start of the 2019-20 year on Aug. 15 with a new Mandarin Dual Language Immersion program, steady progress on Measure ES-funded facility upgrades and projects that include career tech buildings and performing arts centers, and the first full year of TK-12 International Baccalaureate instruction through the recently named International World Schools of West Covina.
