El Monte City School District’s LeGore School staged three performances of “Peter Pan Jr.” on May 24 to the delight of parents, community members and teachers. Student performers filled the school’s multipurpose room with colorful characters, including mermaids, pirates and pixies.
Eleven Henry J. Kaiser High School students who spent the school year learning the intricacies of operating unmanned aerial vehicles – commonly known as drones – have received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to become drone pilots. The Kaiser students passed the FAA’s Small UAS (Part 107) test and received Remote Pilot Certificates to fly their craft. Kaiser is the only high school in Southern California with an introductory drone class that leads to an FAA certification.
Close to 2,800 students from Whittier Union High School District’s five comprehensive high schools, two alternative high schools, adult school and transition program will celebrate the conclusion of their high school careers at commencement ceremonies taking place June 3-5.
Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson and Wesley Gaines elementary schools and Hollydale K-8 School were recognized May 4 for improving English language arts (ELA) and math proficiency for underserved students during the Top Schools LA: Leading the Way for Educational Equity conference.
After completing a series of challenges to win first place in the high school division of the 2019 Los Angeles Regional SeaPerch competition in March, the South El Monte High School Scuba Squad will showcase its underwater robotics skills at a national competition June 1-2 at the University of Maryland.
Former Baldwin Park Unified School District Board of Education member Jack B. White, who dedicated his life to serving his community, passed away May 23 at the age of 85 of natural causes. White served on the school board for 22 years, championing the expansion of the Early Childhood Education program and construction of a three-story science and engineering building, modern athletic stadiums and fields at two comprehensive high schools.
Fifth-graders at West Covina Unified’s Cameron School presented their International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) projects – which explored and offered solutions to real-world issues – during the school’s PYP Exhibition on May 23. The exhibition – a transdisciplinary inquiry process – was the culminating project of the PYP, which provides service-minded, globally focused instruction.
More than 200 seniors were honored on May 22 during Paramount High School’s first-ever celebration of first-generation students who are heading to college. Students packed the school’s gymnasium and were cheered as they received congratulatory certificates and messages of empowerment from District staff members who are first-generation college graduates.
Officer Thomas Montes, who has served the city of Monrovia since 2006, has been appointed as Monrovia Unified’s school resource officer for the 2019-20 school year. Montes is well known at Monrovia Unified, having worked closely with many of the District’s site administrators to ensure schools provide a safe and nurturing learning environment.
Anne Battle, a photography teacher at Monrovia High school, was honored for her 50 years of service to the District and students during the District’s regular board meeting on May 22. Battle was celebrated by the Board of Education, Superintendent Katherine Thorossian, and current and past students of hers. Students told stories about Battle and shared that their love of photography grew the moment they enrolled in Battle’s photography class.