Karina Cortes Garcia walked through a crowded Paramount High School gymnasium on May 24, proudly holding a certificate that displayed her college destination of the University of California, Berkeley. Garcia was one of nearly 370 college-bound seniors who gathered for University Celebration Day, which honored students for their acceptance to four-year universities. The group shared lunch and memories as PHS staff recognized each by name and awarded them with congratulatory certificates.
Southern California Edison and El Monte Union High School District held a “1,000 Station Celebration” at South El Monte High School on May 30 to mark the installation of the 1,000th EV charging station under SCE’s Charge Ready program. Charge Ready is SCE’s pilot program to get more electric vehicle charging stations installed in locations where drivers park their cars for extended periods of time. El Monte Union, the first public school district in the program, has installed 44 stations at six District sites.
Gabrielino High School senior Hugo M. So will pursue his passion for engineering at Harvey Mudd College after being named a 2018 National Merit Scholar, a distinction earned by just 7,500 of 1.6 million students who apply by taking the PSAT. So, a varsity pole vaulter with a 4.84 GPA, will receive a $2,500 scholarship for scoring 1500 out of 1520 on the PSAT, achieving academically and participating in a variety of community service opportunities.
Rio Hondo College will hold its third annual Camp Rio summer program for up to 45 students from the Whittier Boys and Girls Club from Monday, July 16 through Thursday, July 19. The program features hands-on activities designed to inspire interest in college attendance. This year’s program includes a coding track, a design/printmaking track and an electronic music track.
Rio Hondo College will hold three, two-week Summer Bridge sessions to support incoming first-year students: July 2 to 12, July 16 to 26 and July 30 to Aug. 9. The programs include a math academy, English preparation and guided registration for fall classes. Students will also tour the campus, learn about programs and resources and engage in enrichment activities. The free program is limited to 450 students.
San Gabriel Unified Elementary Principal to Retire After 21 Years
Wilson Elementary Principal Jeannine McGuigan will retire in June after leading the San Gabriel Unified school for 21 years. Under her guidance, Wilson Elementary has built a strong community of volunteers, embraced design-based learning instruction and launched a robotics team.
Lynwood Unified held graduation ceremonies in for its comprehensive high schools and alternative high school; all ceremonies were held at Lynwood High School. Vista High School held its ceremony on June 13 in the gym; Firebaugh High School held its ceremony on June 14 on the field; Lynwood High School celebrated on June 15 on the field.
Jefferson Middle School eighth-grader Melanie Hsiang, a budding cellist, will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, June 23 as part of the Honors Junior Orchestra, which brings together exceptional young musicians from across the world to perform as an ensemble under a master conductor.
Baldwin Park Unified to Host 1,120 Students for Summer Program
Baldwin Park Unified will host a free summer learning program for 1,120 students at seven schools from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 4 through Friday, June 29. The program, offered through a partnership with nonprofit Think Together, will include enrichment activities that mix academic instruction with hands-on activities and field trips. In past years, selected seventh- and eighth-grade students have camped at San Clemente State Beach while others explored a planetary research station and enjoyed a simulated helicopter ride at the Discovery Cube Los Angeles.
Wielding smart phones on selfie sticks, McKinley Elementary students jumped and screamed in delight on May 24 as they tracked 3D tornadoes and dinosaurs that appeared on-screen and in the classroom as part of a Google Expeditions Augmented Reality Pioneer Program. The program – an unreleased feature of the Google Expeditions app – uses Google’s AR technology to map the classroom and place 3D objects, which the students can walk around, examine closely to view details and step back for a fuller picture.
