The El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees on June 20 unanimously passed a resolution opposing the separation of children and families at the U.S.-Mexico border, a federal policy being enforced by the current administration. The policy has since been reversed through an executive order signed by the president on June 20. The resolution cites examples of migrant children being separated from their parents after being detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and demands action from the government to end the practice.
More than 1,000 Baldwin Park Unified students are exploring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, as well as strengthening literacy skills and learning about healthy living during a hands-on summer school program through June 29 at seven campuses hosted by nonprofit Think Together. The program features field trips to local museums and discovery centers, and an overnight camping trip at the beach for select middle school students.
Fontana Unified Recognizes Parent and Community Volunteers
Fontana Unified School District honored nearly 30 parent and community volunteers for their service during 2017-18 at the Board of Education meeting on June 20. Volunteers from each of the district’s six parent advisory councils were recognized for advocacy on behalf of students, including those with special needs, English learners and African American students. Fifteen parents and community members were also celebrated for completing the district’s six Parent University sessions, which help parents support and continue their children’s education at home.
Gabrielino High School to Add Mandarin Courses
San Gabriel Unified’s Gabrielino High School will add two new semester-long Mandarin classes to its course offerings. The introductory Mandarin course will help students learn about Chinese culture, acquire Chinese conversational skills and have the opportunity to interact with people in Chinese-speaking communities. The second course aims to help enhance the overall education of Chinese heritage students who are native speakers, and will focus on boosting Chinese literacy, intercultural knowledge and social development.
Four students from Paramount High School were honored for heroic actions by Mayor Diane Martinez during a June 19 Paramount City Council meeting. Fernando Melgar, Gabriel Orozco, Juan Garza and Anthony Farias were commended with certificates of recognition from the mayor for assisting injured students during a car accident in March. The injured students were treated and released from a local hospital.
Monrovia Unified Students to Stage ‘Technicolor Dreamcoat’
Monrovia Unified students will perform in the District’s 11th annual community production, starring alongside professional actors, singers and dancers in the classic retelling of Tim Rice’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The family-friendly musical will be staged at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 12 and Friday, July 13, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 14, and 5 p.m. Sunday, July 15 at Monrovia High School’s Taylor Performing Arts Center, 845 W. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia
Twenty five-year transportation veteran Rafael Delgado has been selected to lead the Whittier Union High School District’s new transportation department, which is set to launch service to area students on July 1. Delgado recently served as the director of transportation for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. He previously worked at the Los Angeles County Office of Education coordinating special education routing in the San Gabriel Valley and South Bay/Lennox areas. The District will host meetings from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, Thursday, July 12, Tuesday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 18 so parents meet can Delgado, learn about the improved services and receive information on transportation. Meetings will be held in the District office, 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier. Juliette Funes, 909-447-2404 (office)
More than 250 Lynwood Unified students and their families engaged in reading activities during the District’s second annual Scholastic Literacy Event on June 27. Clifford the Big Red Dog encouraged children to bolster their literacy skills during the event, held in the District Board Room. Students took home up to three free books.
A Bassett Unified elementary school teacher who inspires her students to reach for their potential and a data analyst who innovated the District’s student information system have been honored for their dedication to education and empowerment. Bassett Unified named Sunkist Elementary School Special Day Class teacher Ryann Mora as its 2017-18 Teacher of the Year and Information and Educational Technology (IET) Department Data Analyst Damaris Sarmiento as its Classified Employee of the Year.
Don Julian outgoing fifth-grader Cassandra Sam blended and shaped clay into the hues and textures of her favorite animal, a penguin, during an after-school art program. The program ran on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year for students in grades two through five. Students learned about famous artists’ techniques and works from different time periods to create personal art using the same medium and style.
