Orange Coast College is enhancing its commitment to student well-being and success by embracing the principles of Caring Campus, empowering staff to foster a student-centric environment grounded in intentionality and care. The Institute for Evidence-Based Change created Caring Campus as a way to increase college students’ sense of belonging and connectedness with their institution, resulting in greater retention, persistence, and success rates for students of all demographics.
Covina-Valley Unified School District students, families, and community members received complimentary health screenings, wellness tips, and valuable demonstrations during the District’s third annual Health and Wellness Fair on April 18, spotlighting the District’s commitment to nurturing the holistic well-being of every individual within their community. The Health and Wellness Fair has seen significant growth over its three-year history, expanding from 40 community partners to nearly 100 this year.
Whittier Union’s Prom Pop-Up Empowers Students Across Counties
High school students from across Los Angeles and Orange counties gathered at La Serna High School on April 13 for an innovative prom pop-up event, taking away luxurious dresses, breathtaking accessories, and fashionable suits to ensure they were impeccably outfitted for their upcoming proms. For the past two years, La Serna counselor Michelle Ortiz has hosted a “Swag Store,” allowing all La Serna students access to prom clothes and accessories at no cost. This year, Whittier Union alumna and charitable community member Marissa Gayton contacted Ortiz to partner with and host a similar event on a larger scale, opening the event to neighboring counties and districts. Community members and local businesses donated countless dresses, shoes, suits, and jewelry pieces, empowering Ortiz and Gayton to give out more than 70 outfits to student shoppers.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Students Hit Dance Floor for Conga Kids
Fifth-grade students from 22 Hacienda La Puente Unified elementary schools put their costumes on, grabbed their partners and headed to the dance floor to compete in the second annual Conga Kids semifinals on April 17. The gymnasium was at maximum capacity as families gathered to watch the largest semi-finals in Conga Kids history, featuring students showcasing their determination, communication skills, and dancing abilities with a variety of ballroom dances and battling for a spot in the finals, to be held at L.A. Live in May.
El Monte Union’s Student Leaders Shine Bright at ASB Leadership Day
El Monte Union's Associated Student Body members celebrated leadership and community engagement at the District's annual ASB Leadership Day on April 19, where they gathered to hone skills, share experiences, and inspire positive impacts in their schools and communities. With a theme of “Cars,” inspired by the Pixar film, the event helped to cultivate leadership skills, foster teamwork, and inspire innovation among the El Monte Union’s future leaders. Students engaged in interactive workshops, participated in team-building activities, and heard from guest speakers renowned for their expertise in leadership development.
Bonita Unified’s commitment to fostering student excellence, bolstered by robust academic support and college and career readiness efforts, has once again earned Bonita and San Dimas high schools recognition as top-performing public high schools, according to the 2024 Best High Schools rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. Bonita and San Dimas high schools maintained their strong rankings from the previous year; in 2024, the schools rank in the top nine percent and 15 percent, respectively, of public high schools nationwide. Both schools achieved graduation rates of 97% or higher.
ACSA Bestows Whittier Union Administrators with Top Honors
Three longtime Whittier Union administrators have been honored for their roles in providing equitable public education and promoting a positive message of inclusivity and diversity throughout the District, receiving top honors at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) 2024 Region 15 Spring Awards Banquet, held April 19 in Burbank. Dr. Monica Oviedo was named ACSA Superintendent of the Year, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services Ann Fitzgerald was named ACSA Personnel Administrator of the Year, and United Sierra Education Center (USEC) Principal Dr. Margie Moriarty was named ACSA Adult School Administrator of the Year.
Five El Monte Union High School District seniors have been selected as recipients of the prestigious QuestBridge National Match Scholarship, earning admission and a full four-year scholarship worth more than $200,000 to the nation's most selective colleges. The QuestBridge scholars are South El Month High School seniors Mariana Ortega Ubeda and Karla Ixchop; Rosemead High School senior Wesley (Junaho) Huang; Arroyo High School senior Chris Tu; and Mountain View High School senior Jason Flores. QuestBridge’s rigorous selection process honored finalists who have demonstrated qualities necessary for success in college and beyond, including excellence and diligence in their studies, and active engagement in their school communities.
LACOE Cites HLPUSD School as California Democracy School
The Los Angeles County Office of Education will recognize La Puente High School as a 2024 California Democracy School at the California Civic Learning Student Showcase and Award Ceremony, to be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library Museum. The ceremony will honor California Democracy School awardees and highlight the various ways students are addressing real-world issues as responsible, civically engaged citizens. The Nixon Library is located at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Highlight Gains During Spring Showcase
Hacienda La Puente Unified schools are preparing lavish, interactive exhibits and posterboards to share with the community at the District’s New Pedagogies for Deep Learning Spring Showcase, to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 at the Willow Adult Center. The exhibits will feature the unique and creative ways scholars have been developing innovative, real-life learning experiences and applying this year’s District theme, “Engage, Experience, Connect: Deep Learning Every Day,” into their classrooms. Willow Adult Center is located at 14101 E. Nelson Ave., La Puente.
