Baldwin Park Unified Observes Mental Health Awareness Month

Green ribbons can be spotted across Baldwin Park Unified, as students, educators, administrators and staff recognize May as Mental Health Awareness month. Baldwin Park Unified’s Board of Education designated May as Mental Health Awareness month to increase the discussion and understanding surrounding mental health. Baldwin Park High School’s and Sierra Vista High School’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) clubs will be hosting activities and events to promote self-care.

Lynwood Unified Marks Teacher Appreciation Week with Surprise Visits

A handful of Lynwood High School students returned to their former elementary and middle schools to thank teachers for the impact they have had on their success. The surprise visits were in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week and came with invitations to next month’s graduation ceremony.

WCUSD Fifth-graders Present International Baccalaureate Projects

Orangewood Elementary showcased student achievement in its IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) during the 2018-19 PYP Exhibition on May 28. Fifth-graders presented their culminating projects – focused on the theme “Sharing the Planet: Passion Inspires Action” – demonstrating the program’s transdisciplinary, collaborative inquiry process. Orangewood is part of the International World Schools of West Covina, which offer a TK-12 continuum of IB instruction. Photos and video are available.

State Grant to Bolster El Monte Union Student College Savings Accounts

The El Monte Promise Foundation has won a $448,000 Every Kid Counts state grant that will enable the nonprofit to expand its college savings program for K-12 students, including those enrolled in El Monte Union High School District schools. The California Student Aid Commission awarded $2.9 million in grants to nine nonprofit organizations and agencies across the state that sponsor or administer programs that incentivize families with children to open and maintain college savings accounts. The El Monte Promise Foundation, a partner of El Monte Union, launched its savings program in 2015 to help cultivate a college-going culture in El Monte.

Bassett Unified Students Receive Anti-bullying Tips from Major Leaguer

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill and X-Games gold medalist Jordyn Barrat helped Edgewood Academy students stand up against bullying during a “Shred Hate” assembly on May 8 celebrating the school’s “No Bully” initiative.

Whittier Union Director Honored with HOT Positive Image Award

Pioneer High School Horizons Director Victoria Cuevas has received a Positive Image Award from the Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOT) for providing Whittier Union students with academic and social-emotional support to succeed in their classes, graduate from high school and compete in college and careers. Cuevas was one of eight community leaders to be honored at the Positive Image Awards fundraiser on April 28. The annual event recognizes the exceptional contributions of individuals who enhance the quality of life within the Hispanic community.

Fontana Unified Family STEM Showcase Highlights Innovative Curriculum

Programming drones and getting behind the wheel of a forklift simulator, Fontana Unified parents and students explored new aspects of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during the District’s inaugural Family STEM Showcase, held May 4 at Citrus High School. Among the new technology available for students in the fall are Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented reality headsets, HTC Vive virtual reality headsets, heavy equipment simulators, an inflatable planetarium and a Makerspace collaborative work lab.

Whittier Union Student Wins $20,000 Scholarship from Local Chamber

Santa Fe High School senior Miranda Diaz-Infante will pursue her dream of finding cures for cancer and other diseases at UCLA with the help of a $20,000 Destiny Scholarship awarded annually by the City of Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce. Diaz-Infante – recognized as an exceptional graduating senior by the chamber – has a 4.5 GPA and is co-captain of the color guard team. She advocates for civic engagement and raises awareness of the costs of human trafficking.

El Monte Union Student Wins 32nd Congressional District Art Competition

For the next year, Mountain View High School student Nancy Hoang’s artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol Building after she won first place in the 2019 art competition for the 32nd Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Grace F. Napolitano. Napolitano’s office received 76 art pieces from 13 high schools across the San Gabriel Valley. Hoang won first place with her colored pencil drawing, “Orange Fish.”