At just 5 years old, Plymouth Elementary kindergarten student Addison Iylah MacLellan has inspired her family, friends, and doctors with her remarkable resilience and bravery through more than 20 surgeries, and recently celebrated with a family trip to Disneyland sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. At birth, Addison was diagnosed with a number of illnesses including hydrocephalus, caudal regression syndrome, hydronephrosis, seizures, tethered cord, mild autism, and more. Her parents were told she would be in a vegetative state for life, but Addison repeatedly surprised her doctors by keeping a positive mindset and quickly adapting after procedures. Addison was presented with her wish during an instructional day at school. It came as a surprise to her and her classmates, who cheered her on.
Fontana Unified to Provide Parents with Tips on Health and Wellness
Fontana Unified will offer its fourth Parent University workshop of the year, continuing its efforts to boost family engagement in the educational process. The first free session on health and wellness will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at Fontana Adult School, 10755 Oleander Ave.; and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John D. Piazza Center, 9680 Citrus Ave. Translation services will be available.
Baldwin Park Unified’s Holland Middle School composed its first competitive robotics team, consisting of eight students, a little over a year ago. Since this time, student interest has significantly increased with the school now supporting three competitive teams – totaling 18 students, including one all-female team. Baldwin Park High School, catching the robotics rush, expanded to two competitive teams to accommodate eight veterans of Holland’s 2018 team.
La Serna High School teacher and 2012 California State Teacher of the Year Ken LaVigne has been recognized for his compassion and integrity, touching the hearts of hundreds of students, teachers and administrators he has worked with over his 30 years as a teacher and football coach. LaVigne, who \ created the school's revered Organized Academic Support in School (OASIS) program, has worked to help at-risk students regain their joy for learning and set them on the path toward graduation. He has documented his experiences in an inspirational new book, "Coach the Soul," telling heartwarming and occasionally heartbreaking stories of his students' struggles and triumphs.
Four Lynwood High School students received all-expenses-paid Global Navigator Scholarships to study abroad this summer. Junior Melanie Pacheco will venture to Spain, juniors Crystal Cervantes and Daniel Perez will visit Germany and freshman Alicia Norberto will spend time in Japan during four-week trips in June and July that immerse the students in language and culture. The students wrote essays, demonstrated leadership and competence in their country’s language to enter the program.
Paramount High School students are learning to program robots and build their own apps in a computer science pathway launched this fall. The District added computer science to its career technical education (CTE) pathway programs, which prepare students for success in college and career in specific areas of study. About 40 students are enrolled in the beginning course. The District will add advanced courses each of the next three years to complete the four-year program.
Fontana Unified School Nurse Honored by Azusa Pacific, Hot 103.9
Fontana Unified school nurse Catherine Jauregui-Husung received a Tender Loving Care Award on Jan. 10 from Azusa Pacific University’s Inland Empire Regional Campus and Hot 103.9, which honor one local school nurse each month. Jauregui-Husung, who was selected for her compassion and dedication to ensuring student well-being, also received a certificate for a spa day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs.
Monrovia Unified Elementary to Hold Grandparents Day
Students from Monrovia Unified’s Monroe Elementary School will celebrate 100 days of school with Grandparents Day activities from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 402 W. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia. Students will dress as if they are 100 years old and grandparents will participate in classroom activities.
Fontana Unified’s Summit High Cheer Team Triumphs at Nationals
Summit High School’s coed cheer team scored third place among coed teams in the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship, held Feb. 8-10. Summit’s Nationals triumph is the latest success this season, following the team’s first-ever CIF Southern-Section Championship.
More than 200 Lynwood Unified African American students connected with successful leaders at the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Conference on Jan. 29 at Firebaugh High School. Young Black Achievers Student Union (YBASU) members from Firebaugh, Lynwood and Vista high schools were joined by guest panelists as the group explored how students can make positive impacts.
