Michael McGinnis dedicated his life to protecting others as a firefighter and then empowering the next generation of public servants to do the same, playing an instrumental role in developing Fontana High School’s Fire, Medical and Emergency Response pathway as its fire technology and career technical education (CTE) instructor. The Fontana Unified School District Board of Education ensured the legacy of McGinnis, who died in 2021, will not be forgotten when they unanimously voted at a recent meeting to rename Fontana High’s Fire Technology and Emergency Services classroom to McGinnis Station 815.
Over the last four years, La Puente High School student-athlete Josiah Hernandez has emerged as a leader, scholar and advocate for his school and District community, participating in various extracurricular activities, clubs and sports, earning him the Hispanic & Latino Excellence in Youth Football Award by the National Football League (NFL). Hernandez was recognized for his exceptional football abilities, academic achievements and dedication to civics. During the selection process, each of the 32 teams in the league selected one male and one female student to be recognized during game day on Oct. 15. The Los Angeles Rams selected Hernandez, leading to his inclusion as one of eight finalists in California eligible to receive a college scholarship.
La Puente High School senior Josiah Hernandez has emerged as a scholar and advocate for his school and District community, participating in various extracurricular activities, clubs and sports, earning him the National Football League’s Hispanic & Latino Excellence in Youth Football Award. Hernandez was recognized for his exceptional football abilities and dedication to civics. During the selection process, each of the 32 teams in the league selected one male and one female student to be recognized during game day on Oct. 15. The Los Angeles Rams selected Hernandez, leading to his inclusion as one of eight finalists in California eligible to receive a college scholarship.
Continuing what has become an annual tradition for the District’s top vocal talent, 10 Bonita Unified students have been selected to perform with the prestigious Southern California Vocal Association (SCVA) Honor Choirs, with multiple performers chosen from both Bonita and San Dimas high schools. San Dimas High School senior Steve Moreno, junior Soft Washburn and freshman Leanne Flores joined Bonita High School seniors Eric Romero, Audrey Granger, Gage Dowdle and Nathan Kwan, juniors Christian Weber and Ksenia Freeborn, and sophomore Valeria Geren to be among the 270 top choir members from Southern California selected to perform Saturday, Nov. 18 at the University of Redlands.
A Fontana Unified School District banner reading “New Foundations, Endless Possibilities” served as a fitting backdrop as District staff, community members and dignitaries gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on a new 150,000-square-foot middle school in the north end of Fontana on Nov. 14. Construction of the new middle school, which will accommodate up to 1,200 students, is set to begin in January 2024 with an expected completion date of August 2026. Fontana Unified’s new middle school will help prevent overcrowding and ensure all students have access to small class sizes and high-quality academic instruction as the District strives to meet the growing needs of Fontana.
A group of El Monte Union students with a strong interest in environmental science and sustainability received an inside look at the important work being done by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) at their newly built state-of-the-art Riverside Headquarters on Nov. 8. While the students enjoyed the tour, the District’s newest all-electric school bus used for travel, was able to plug-in to the facility’s charging station and recharge. The field trip began with an overview of CARB, providing students with valuable insights into the organization's mission and the pivotal role it plays in safeguarding air quality and promoting clean energy solutions in California. The experience also gave students the opportunity to see themselves conducting work to help these efforts and be a part of the solution.
Whittier Union Students Display Talents During Annual Band Jamboree
Whittier Union High School District students from all five comprehensive high schools lit up the stage at California High School’s stadium during the District’s annual Band Jamboree on Nov. 6. The Band Jamboree saw band groups, entertainment units, color guard, dance, drill and song teams perform their best routines in front of a crowd of enthusiastic and proud parents, friends and community members
Lynwood Unified Hosts Demolition Ceremony for LHS Reconstruction
Lynwood Unified’s flagship high school reached a significant milestone during a demolition ceremony on Nov. 6, marking the commencement of a new phase in the LHS reconstruction journey. The event was a pivotal moment for the Lynwood Unified community following the 2020 collapse of a classroom building at the Lynwood High School Imperial Campus that led to the Knights being relocated. Notable speakers and staunch advocates of the Lynwood community included Assemblymember Mike Gipson, Assembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon and Sen. Lena Gonzales, who all played a critical role in securing $250 million from the State Legislature to fund the project.
Covina High School students in the Engineering Design Career Technical Education Pathway dive headfirst into a curriculum rich with hands-on coding and programming experience, granting them vital skills to help them succeed in the industry. The four-year pathway covers various topics, including engineering principles, robotics, computer design, 3D printing, coding and more. The program culminates in a capstone class that challenges students with an eight-month project in which they create an invention of their own, including choosing a solvable problem, gathering data, building surveys, exploring the U.S. Patent Office and manufacturing a working prototype to present to the class at the end of the school year.
El Monte Union Students Visit California Air Resources Board
A group of El Monte Union students with a strong interest in environmental science and sustainability received an inside look at the important work being done by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) at their newly built Riverside Headquarters on Nov. 8. The field trip began with an overview of CARB, providing students with valuable insights into the organization's mission and the pivotal role it plays in safeguarding air quality and promoting clean energy solutions in California. The experience also gave students the opportunity to see themselves conducting work to help these efforts and be a part of the solution.
