Fontana Unified School District commemorated the grand opening of its one-of-a-kind Innovation Empire with a pair of celebrations that included a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the creative learning environment, which is equipped with tools and technology to inspire curiosity, experimentation and entrepreneurship for District students of all ages. Elected officials and distinguished guests attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 7, which was followed by the center’s official grand opening for the public on Nov. 9. The Innovation Empire’s two-building complex includes a Makerspace and collaborative space that are designed to serve as a hub for students to get hands-on experience and training in machine and design software, robotics, programming and entrepreneurship.
Lynwood Unified to Expand Dual Language Immersion in 2024
Lynwood Unified is expanding its Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program to Mark Twain Elementary School, starting with a Transitional Kindergarten class in the 2024-25 school year. The District will hold two separate informational meetings about the program is and how to enroll their child at 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The DLI program has been available at Will Rogers Elementary School since 2014. Mark Twain Elementary is located at 12315 Thorson Ave., Lynwood.
Fontana Unified School District will host a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction on a new District middle school from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The new school, located in the north end of Fontana, will span more than 150,000 square feet and accommodate up to 1,200 students. The school is scheduled to open in August 2026. The construction site is located at Citrus Ave. and Casa Grande Ave.
The La Verne/San Dimas Educational Foundation (LVSDEF) continued its annual tradition of supporting education in the classroom as it announced its 2023-24 Teacher Mini-Grant award recipients during the Bonita Unified Board of Education meeting on Nov. 1. LVSDEF President Anthony Porter and LVSDEF member Michelle Riddell presented more than $14,000 in mini-grants to teachers from 11 Bonita Unified schools, money that will help fund a variety of small classroom projects. The grants, which range from $100 to $500, are provided to teachers to encourage projects that benefit students and address a classroom need. The Foundation received 78 applications this year and was able to award 35 mini-grants, which will support projects focused on mental health and wellness, the arts, field trips and more.
Lynwood Unified’s flagship high school reached a significant milestone on Nov. 6, when District leaders held a demolition ceremony to mark the commencement of a new phase in the 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, all of whom played a critical role in securing $250 million from the State Legislature to fund the construction of a new 175,000-square-foot classroom building, expected to open in Fall 2027.
Lynwood Unified and Lynwood Alumni Host College Conference
Lynwood Unified high school students preparing to embark on their postsecondary academic journeys got an in-depth look into the higher education system during the District’s 24th annual Alumni College Conference, held in October. Students received wisdom and advice from LUSD alumni, and met with representatives from such colleges as Cal State Fullerton, Compton College and Los Angeles Trade Tech College while participating in workshops in which they learned the difference between community colleges, private universities, and universities in the Cal State and UC systems; how to choose the right major; and the first-year college experience.
Hacienda La Puente High School Highlights Culture During Celebration
William Workman High School celebrated its rich and diverse campus culture during its annual Día de los Lobos Community Celebration on Nov. 2, honoring a traditional Mexican holiday and introducing elementary and middle schools located in the Workman community to the various extracurricular activities, friendly staff and great vitality that thrives at the school. The event included the highly anticipated haunted house led by the school’s theater department, traditional Día De Los Muertos ofrenda altars, poetry, crafts, homemade food and recreational games.
Whittier Union Celebrates Día De Los Muertos with Community Event
Whittier Union High School District students, teachers, staff and families took part in a day of remembrance during La Serna High School’s Día De Los Muertos Community Event on Nov. 1. The event saw attendees dressed as La Catrina – a female skeleton commonly depicted wearing a fancy dress. Students and families also enjoyed live entertainment, food vendors, painting stations, crafts and activities such as flower making.
Baldwin Park Unified students grades one through eight will go head-to-head in a District hosted Chess Tournament from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at the Elwin Professional Development Center. Over the last 10 weeks, students have studied and practiced the strategies and tactics of chess through Chess Masters, a program available to students in Think Together and available as pilot programs at Geddes and Tracy elementary schools. Trophies will be awarded to the top winners in the following grade levels: first to second; third to fourth; fifth to sixth; and seventh to eighth. Elwin Professional Development Center is located at 13010 Waco St., Baldwin Park.
Retired Fontana Unified School District coaching legend Dick Bruich stepped out under Friday night lights once again, as Fontana High School hosted a dedication ceremony to name its newly renovated sports field to Dick Bruich Field before Fontana High’s final regular-season football game on Oct. 27. Bruich was overcome with emotion as he took the microphone at the 50-yard line to address the fans, who showered him and his wife Cathy with a series of enthusiastic cheers during his acceptance speech. He was also presented with a ceremonial plaque by Fontana Unified Superintendent Miki R. Inbody, Board of Education President Marcelino “Mars” Serna and Board member Mary Sandoval.
