Erin Gruwell, the educator whose transformative teaching was featured in the 2007 movie “Freedom Writers,” inspired an assembly of over 600 students, teachers, and district staff at Clifton Middle School on Feb. 14. The presentation about the power of education garnered a standing ovation, as educators wiped away tears and students gathered to hug and thank the Freedom Writers founder for encouraging them to find their voice.
Families from across the San Gabriel Valley are invited to Orangewood Elementary’s Parent Information Night at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11 to learn about the school’s new Mandarin Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, now enrolling for its 2019-20 kindergarten class. Parents can meet Orangewood’s principal and learn how the school provides a global education pathway through dual language immersion and International Baccalaureate programs. Orangewood Elementary is at 1440 S. Orange Ave., West Covina.
Seventh-graders at Paramount Unified’s Hollydale K-8 School visited dorm rooms, classrooms and facilities during a Feb. 13 trip to the University of California, Irvine to learn about the college experience. Hollydale emphasizes college awareness with a weekly College Day that encourages students to wear the gear of their favorite universities and provides monthly reports on colleges around the country.
Dr. Thomas Parham, president of California State University, Dominguez Hills, discussed college opportunities on Feb. 12 with students at Morningside and Inglewood high schools. Parham dropped in on several classrooms to discuss the acceptance process, scholarships and tuition as the District prepares students to pursue their college dreams.
Baldwin Park and Sierra Vista high school students celebrated cinematic arts on Feb. 8 at Baldwin Park High School’s eighth annual Youth Film Festival, where seven short films and five experimental films were screened to students, family and community members. Baldwin Park High School’s Kayla Nguyen earned first place for her short film “Last Words of a Fisherman.”
Students at Baldwin Park Unified’s Foster Elementary School were joined by Michael Funk, director of the state Department of Education Expanded Learning Division, and Think Together Founder and CEO Randy Barth on Feb. 7 as they explored the many options available to students through the school’s Think Together program. Student leaders in the after-school program led a tour through transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classes, and culinary arts and physical education courses.
Canyon Crest Elementary School will celebrate its status as a 21st Century Learning Exemplar School – recognizing its commitment to prepare students to meet the challenges of the future – with a ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16. Canyon Crest is at 11851 Cherry Ave., Fontana.
Two Monrovia Unified teams from Monrovia High School and Clifton Middle School are advancing to the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) World Championships in Houston, Texas after dominating head-to-head challenges that included simulating space rover actions at the Regional Championships at Monrovia High School on March 9. The Kings and Queens from Monrovia High and the Hippie Bots from Clifton Middle School landed the win after forming an alliance with a third team. Photos are available.
Rio Hondo School will host its third annual Leadership Day to showcase its Leader in Me program, classroom tours and student-led performances to parents from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27. Rio Hondo School is at 11425 Wildflower Road, Arcadia.
Lynwood Unified will host its fifth annual Parent University to celebrate community engagement at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30 at Marshall Elementary School, 3593 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lynwood. The event will provide parents and families with workshops to empower them to become academic partners with their children.