As cheerleaders chanted “We are Southridge Tech,” Fontana Unified board members, administrators, educators and students celebrated Southridge Tech Middle School’s honor as one of 16 California schools newly chosen for the 2019 Schools to Watch list. The Schools to Watch list, created by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, identifies schools across the U.S. that share three features: academic excellence, developmentally responsive to early adolescence and social equity.
Fontana Unified School District on April 17 renamed Dorothy Grant Elementary School and Southridge Middle School to reflect the schools’ efforts to prepare students for the academic and professional challenges of the future. Grant becomes the Dorothy Grant Innovations Academy, paying homage to the school’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) academies. Grant is also home to one of Fontana Unified’s two Code to the Future programs, which engages students in technology-based lessons and develops block coding, robotics and scripted coding skills.
As Gabrielino High School students arrived at campus on April 18, they were faced with a decision: walk through a gate adorned with the word “Beautiful” or one that read “Average.” The exercise kicked off Gabrielino’s final Mental Health Day of the year – focused on body image issues – and encouraged students to reflect on how everyone struggles with self-esteem at times.
Six Whittier Union High School District seniors have been named 2019 Dell Scholars by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, an honor that provides each with a $20,000 scholarship toward their college education. Chosen for the coveted award were Santa Fe High School students Jazmyn Gonzales, Armando Elias and Nicole Lopez-Urrutia and Pioneer High School students Litzy Martinez, Ana Cortez and Angel Landeros.
Sierra Vista High School Program Shows Perils of Impaired Driving
Sierra Vista High School juniors and seniors were presented the lethal and unforgiving consequences of operating a vehicle while impaired during “Every 15 Minutes,” a two-day program that uses a series of scenarios. Sierra Vista hosted the event with Baldwin Park Unified’s School Police Department, City of Baldwin Park Police Department, California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Fire and Coroner’s departments.
Baldwin Park High School Health Fair Offers Glimpse into Medical Industry
Baldwin Park High School students dissected sheep brains and practiced bandaging wrists and ankles for classmates during the school’s Vital Medical Academy’s eighth annual Health Fair on April 3. The Vital Medical Academy is a career technical education (CTE) pathway at Baldwin Park High School that provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in the medical field through courses such as sports medicine and mental health.
Hundreds of college-bound students from across the Whittier Union High School District will take their first steps toward their academic futures during College Signing Day ceremonies. Santa Fe High School will celebrate at noon Wednesday, May 1; La Serna and Pioneer high schools will celebrate Thursday, May 2; and California and Whittier high schools will hold their events on Friday, May 3. In addition, top students from La Serna, California and Whittier high schools will attend UCLA’s National Signing Day with Michelle Obama on Wednesday, May 1.
Baldwin Park Bands Take Center Stage at Knott’s Berry Farm
Bands from Sierra Vista Junior High School, De Anza, Elwin, Kenmore and Tracy elementary schools wowed guests, families and staff with upbeat and dramatic performances at Knott’s Berry Farm on April 12. Students in all band levels delivered passionate pieces that included music from “Centurion” to “Afterburn.”
Monrovia Unified School District will host a Superstars of Music Concert from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Monrovia High School’s Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center, 845 W. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia. More than 600 students from second through 12th grades will showcase their instrumental and vocal talents.
San Gabriel Unified Elementary to Hold Carnival for Families, Community
San Gabriel Unified’s Coolidge Elementary will hold its annual Coolidge Carnival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4, providing a day of family-friendly activities that raising funds for school programs. The event will feature carnival games, a chill zone, rocket launches, face painting, refreshments for purchase, a rummage sale and a silent auction for teacher-led experiences. Coolidge is at 421 N. Mission Drive, San Gabriel.
