Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Workman High School students are accelerating their college and career paths with the Workman Early College Academy Network (WECAN), a program offering free college classes on the high school campus through a partnership with Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). Now in its third year, the program allows students to earn college credits alongside their high school requirements, enabling them to participate fully in sports, extracurriculars, and their high school experience while progressing toward a college degree.
San Dimas High School senior Emily Moore was on a cross-country trip, driving through Utah with her grandmother, when suddenly the music stopped. The pair’s meticulously curated playlist mysteriously disappeared into a data cloud, starting a conversation between the two about the hit-and-miss nature of modern technology, and how most senior citizens are at a loss to understand it. The conversation had an immediate impact. After returning home, Moore began laying the groundwork for a student community service club that would connect with local senior citizens and try to resolve their tech issues. With the assistance of several of her classmates, Moore created the Silver Surfers Tech Club, which debuted during the 2023-24 school year.
Grovecenter Elementary School kindergarten teacher Jennifer Ritter is building a more inclusive learning environment for students by writing and publishing two children’s books about food allergies, using her own personal experience with gluten intolerance to educate students and families about dietary restrictions. Ritter’s diagnosis of gluten intolerance came two and a half years ago. Her daughter and grandson were also both recently diagnosed with celiac disease, an illness caused by an immune reaction to consuming gluten. This experience, she said, fueled her passion to educate others on the importance of understanding and accommodating food allergies in schools.
Shull Elementary students and families embarked on a literary voyage, diving into an ocean of stories and imagination on Sept. 11 during the school’s Family Reading Night, an event designed to inspire a love for literacy. More than 150 Shull students, parents, and teachers soaked up this month’s aquatic theme of “Dive into Reading” at the first reading night of the school year, with many snacking on gummy sharks as teachers read aquatic-themed books that led families on an adventure across the seven seas.
When Santa Fe High School Class of 2004 graduate Ryan Bateman played for the legendary Chieftain varsity football squads of the early 2000s, he rarely felt the agony of defeat. During Bateman’s three years on varsity, the team went undefeated in league play. Now, Bateman is back at Santa Fe and continuing his legacy of excellence on and off the field. Bateman returned to Santa Fe in 2023 as its new head football coach, tasked with turning around a team that had won just five games in its previous five years. The impact was immediate. One year after the Chieftains completed their season with a 0-10 record, Santa Fe High reemerged as a Del Rio League contender, finishing the year with a 9-4 record and making it to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division 12 playoffs.
The SoCal Honda Dealers’ Helpful People in Blue spread Random Acts of Helpfulness by bringing a special surprise on Sept. 13 to over 340 Lugo Elementary School students, who received their very own book to ignite a love for reading and support their academic success. The excited students, ranging from transitional kindergarten to sixth grade, were greeted by Helpful Honda People who distributed books by grade level, allowing the Lions to personalize their books during the special experience. The books were carefully selected in partnership with the school, ensuring they align with students' reading levels and interests.
Patrick & Henry Community College in Martinsville, Va. is enhancing its campus culture and promoting student success through the adoption of Caring Campus, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. Patrick & Henry Community College first heard about Caring Campus during a kickoff event for the Rural Pathways Initiative with the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement (NCII) in 2022.
Thousands of students and families from Fontana Unified will map their futures for college and career at the Regional College and Career Fair, a one-stop-shop opportunity for students to gather the resources and tools to achieve their goals. Fontana Unified hosts the event annually in partnership with the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. An estimated 65,000 students across both districts will be in attendance to explore the endless possibilities waiting for them after graduation. Students will have the chance to connect with potential employers and network with colleges and universities to gain insight into numerous academic institutions and career fields. The event is part of Fontana Unified’s commitment to boosting college and career readiness by removing barriers and increasing access to information and financial support.
The El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of South El Monte High School’s (SEMHS) Modernization Project, which features renovations to the entire campus including redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, upgraded classrooms, library, and administration building, and state-of-the-art technology. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will feature speeches from SEMHS principal Dr. Jorge Morales, Associated Student Body President Gabriela Garcia, EMUHSD Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, and Board of Trustees President Ricardo Padilla, and a taco celebration, with local dignitaries, school officials, students, and community members in attendance.
