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.
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 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’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’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 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.
Baldwin Park Unified students from Pleasant View Elementary, Margaret Heath Elementary, Jones Junior High School and Sierra Vista High School searched through a multitude of backpacks on Aug. 14 to find their favorite one. Through a partnership with Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Baldwin Park, more than 900 BPUSD students received backpacks filled with school supplies during Kaiser’s 10th annual Backpack Giveaway.
Monrovia Unified School District students bid farewell to summer and hello to a new school year on Aug. 14, as they participated in orientations, toured campuses, picked up class schedules and committed to a successful 2019-20 academic year. Monrovia Unified offers a slate of innovative instructional and enrichment programs, including Code to the Future, dual-language immersion, robotics, music, theater and arts – giving all students an opportunity to explore their passions and develop new skills.
Monrovia High School’s Wildcats will face Alta Loma High School during a home game at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 at Wildcat Stadium, 845 W. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia. The event will feature a celebration of an upgraded field and track, renovated over summer. Work included re-leveling the field, new turf installation, upgrades to a cool-fill product and relocation of communication boxes to outer parts of the field.
Bassett Unified will hold its three final Back to School Nights beginning with Bassett High School from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28 followed by Torch Middle School from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sunkist Elementary School from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. Each event invites parents and members of the community to connect with teachers and staff on academic goals for the 2019-20 school year and tour classrooms.