Whittier Union High School District has been selected as one of three “Bright Spot” honorees – along with Pasadena City College and Chula Vista Elementary School – by Education Trust-West for advancing equity and strengthening the pipeline to college. Bright Spot districts and college campuses demonstrate a commitment to excellence and implement strategies and practices that have led to positive outcomes for students of color, low-income students and English learners.
El Monte Union hosted a Mad City Money event on Nov. 2 at El Monte High School, providing students with the opportunity to understand business and finance through a hands-on simulation. The event allowed students to make financial mistakes as a way of helping them learn what not to do in real life. Students had a career, salary, spouse, student loan debt, credit card debt and medical insurance premiums. Students experienced unexpected windfalls and unplanned expenses, just like real life.
Bonita Unified Announces 2018-19 Student Board Representatives
Luke Melkesian from Bonita High School, Naomi Pearson from Chaparral High School and Erik Vargas from San Dimas High School are the newly appointed student board representatives for the 2018-19 academic year. All three students were sworn in at the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 3. The three seniors are active in campus clubs and sports, including the Associated Student Body.
Lynwood Unified Parents Learn to Build Bridges to Children’s Success
Lynwood Unified will help parents build bridges for their child’s success during a Family Engagement Workshop Series. The sessions will help families define their role in the growth and success of students. The series, which launched Oct. 9, will conclude at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Lugo Elementary School, 4345 Pendleton Ave., Lynwood.
Monrovia High School Celebrated its 125th Anniversary at the Homecoming Football Game on October 12th. Students, alumni and community members cheered on the Wildcats as they faced off against La Canada. Clad in pink to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness month, the crowd enjoyed popular sing-along songs performed by the Monrovia High School band and joined in a chorus of “Happy Birthday” during half-time. The half-time festivities also featured a presentation of the Homecoming Court and the crowing of Homecoming King and Queen, seniors Anthony Tyus and Jessica Mejia, before culminating in a fireworks show. The Wildcats won 42-0.
Bonita Unified School District students improved their performance in English language arts (ELA) and math on the California Standards for ELA and math, according to state data released Oct. 2. The 2018 state test scores show that 70.99 percent of students Districtwide met or exceeded state standards in ELA, up 3 percentage points from 2017, and 56.19 percent met or exceeded standards in math, up 2 percentage points.
Lynwood Unified’s College Fair Inspires Students to Succeed
Lynwood Unified alumni joined college representatives to inspire students to pursue their college and career dreams during the District’s annual Alumni College Conference on Sept. 22. Keynote speaker and alumnus Rene Lozano discussed emigrating from Mexico City and becoming the first person in his family to attend college. Workshop topics included the admission process, the first-year college experience, choosing a major and career, and financial aid.
Baldwin Park Unified School District partnered with Bike San Gabriel Valley and the City of Baldwin Park to teach eighth-graders at Holland Middle and Jones Junior High schools about the importance of bike safety. Through bike safety classes held Sept. 24-25 and Sept. 26-27, students learned about traffic rules and the benefits of using active transportation, such as being physically active and reducing pollution.
Bassett High Teacher Earns $20,000 Grant to Provide Student Pathways
Bassett High Activities Director Christina Topjian-Covington will use a $20,000 California Teacher Association grant to fund Bassett Connects, a program that will guide students on their college and career pathways. Students will have access to Thrively, an online tool that assesses strengths and interests, and provides online courses and lessons on topics that include study skills, financial literacy and career exploration.
Bassett Unified Students Attend Assemblies on Mental Health
Bassett Unified students in grades six through 12 listened to motivational speaker Jeff Yalden share his life stories on Sept. 24 and 25 as part of a program on healthy social and online interactions. Parents also attended a workshop regarding healthy relationships with their children and the negative effects of extensive online social interactions.
