San Juan College faculty and staff in Farmington, N.M., are inspiring students like Esmeralda Garcia to celebrate their unique identities and heritage, fostering success through the transformative principles of Caring Campus. Caring Campus is a framework that coaches staff and faculty in commitments and strategies that boost student success across all demographics. Garcia, a criminal justice major, said the culture of care brought about by Caring Campus is evident across San Juan College, from staff and faculty to fellow students.
A Hacienda La Puente Unified restorative justice youth court program that promotes an innovative, proactive approach to reducing out-of-school suspensions has been recognized by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) with its prestigious Golden Bell Award. The Youth Court Program offers students in grades 6-12 a peer-driven alternative to suspension. By encouraging accountability, reflection, and understanding of their actions' impact, along with support from Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) resources, the program has contributed to a 40% decrease in out-of-school suspensions for grades 6-12 during the 2023-24 school year.
Río Hondo College (RHC) staff and community donors brought holiday joy to 140 student parents and 385 children through the Basic Needs Center’s annual Holiday Toy Distribution on Dec. 16, offering toys, food and festive activities on campus. Student parents and their children strolled through a festive celebration during the Holiday Toy Distribution. Families paused along the way for a series of activities, including holiday crafts, movies, games and food. Parents had the opportunity to browse a “shopping area” of toys arranged by age group at the event, where they could pick the perfect toy for their child before heading to a gift-wrapping station.
Río Hondo College (RHC) welcomed new Board of Trustees member Yarisma Rocha and re-elected Trustee Kristal Orozco during an oath of office ceremony that preceded the Río Hondo Community College District (RHCCD) Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 13. Rocha and Orozco were each elected to four-year terms on the RHCCD Board to represent Trustee Areas 2 and 4, respectively, during the November general election. The Board also elected Oscar Valladares as the new president, while Rosaelva Lomeli was selected to serve as vice president and Yarisma Rocha assumed the clerk position during its annual reorganization meeting.
Bonita Unified School District’s choir program has found the secret ingredient to success: cultivating a community of singers from elementary to high school, supported by passionate educators who nurture talent, and preparing students for professional opportunities on elite stages. This year, a record-breaking 24 choir students from Bonita Unified’s two comprehensive high schools were chosen for the Southern California Vocal Association’s (SCVA) Honor Choirs. Bonita High School choir students made history with 21 individuals named to the prestigious group – the most students selected from a single campus across eight counties.
Vanessa Salazar has become a cornerstone of Rosemead High School’s (RHS) community, known for her steadfast commitment to ensuring every student has access to essential resources and support while leveraging her skills as a mentor to foster a supportive environment where students are encouraged to be their true selves. In recognition of her dedication and impact on student success, Salazar was honored with the prestigious Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award by the El Monte Promise Foundation. She received the award during the organization’s annual Tamalada Gala on Dec. 12, highlighting her exceptional contributions to the school community and the well-being of her students. Each year, the award is given to a staff member from neighboring districts who best exemplifies Salcedo’s commitment to education.
Summit High School’s Summer Bridge Program prepares incoming freshmen for the rigors of high school by reducing the anxiety that comes with attending a new school, which led to it winning the prestigious California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award. Five Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) programs have now won six CSBA Golden Bell Awards, which promote excellence in education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding school programs throughout California. District leaders received the award at CSBA’s 2024 Education Conference and Trade Show, which was held Dec. 5-7 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Amid a festive backdrop of Hawaiian shirts and colorful leis, the Bonita Unified School District community said a final aloha and farewell to longtime Board of Education member Glenn Creiman during a retirement ceremony on Dec. 11 at Lone Hill Middle School. Creiman’s 21-year tenure on the Board was defined by his unwavering desire to do what was right for Bonita Unified students. Creiman made a lasting impression on the District, which saw the four-time Board President as honest, kind, humble, and devoted, with a homespun civility that put people at ease. During Creiman’s years on the Board, he oversaw two bond measures that helped finance three new gymnasiums, the Bonita Center for the Arts, a new District office, and many other modernization projects. In his tenure, the District also improved its relationships with the cities of San Dimas and La Verne; achieved its highest-ever scores on state assessments and mitigated learning loss from the pandemic; expanded its career technical education offerings; and more.
Lynwood Unified School District celebrated a new chapter for the Lynwood High School Imperial Campus with the Dec. 12 groundbreaking for a state-of-the-art 175,000-square-foot classroom building. Set to open in fall 2027, the facility will offer modern resources, opportunities and enriching educational experiences for future Knights for generations to come. Donning hard hats and safety vests, future Lynwood High students and District officials grabbed their shovels and made the first dig into a mound of dirt at the construction site, marking the official start of the transformative project. The event – which included performances by the César Chávez Middle School Advanced Band and the Hosler Middle School Cheer team – featured inspiring remarks from District officials, honored guests and students who will be among the first to enter the renovated campus as freshmen.
Covina-Valley Unified School District has earned exceptional recognition in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings, reaffirming the District’s reputation as a standout educational leader across the San Gabriel Valley. Barranca, Grovecenter, Manzanita, Mesa, Merwin, Rowland Avenue, and Workman Avenue elementary schools, and Las Palmas and Traweek middle schools were all ranked highly in California, gaining eligibility to display a U.S. News & World Report badge to highlight this achievement. This recognition reflects the District’s dedication to providing a high-quality education that prepares young learners to thrive in high school and beyond.
