Hacienda La Puente High School Receives Grant for Media Center
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Glen A. Wilson High School was presented with a $850,000 Community Project check to upgrade the school’s media center during the 22nd Annual 38th Congressional District Student Art Competition by Assemblywoman Lisa Sanchez. Students, families, and Wilson staff were elated as Sanchez praised the school for its superlative year and gave a brief rundown of the upcoming modernizations, which are estimated to be completed by December 2026.
Annual Lynwood Run Raises $68K to Support Student Scholarships
Lynwood Unified students, families, staff, and community partners came together to support the education and ongoing success of Lynwood scholars, raising nearly $68,000 during the third annual Lynwood Run 5K/10K, held May 11. Hosted by the Lynwood Partners Education Foundation in partnership with the District, the City of Lynwood and Aztlan Athletics, the fundraising event saw nearly 900 participants who ran or walked through the city. The Foundation has secured over $1 million in funding for students since 2015.
Río Hondo College Set to Honor More than 1,660 Graduates
Río Hondo College will host its 61st annual Commencement Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 24 in Student Parking Lot A. The event will celebrate 1,664 graduates and candidates for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. A total of 951 students will receive an Associate Degree of Transfer and eight will receive Bachelors of Science. Orange County Superior Court Judge Bryan Clavecilla, a RHC alumnus, will deliver the keynote speech, while Mary Becerril, who has given 38 years of dedicated service to Río Hondo College, will be honored as the 2024 Fellow of the College during the ceremony. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
Fontana Unified School District will celebrate the Class of 2024 with vibrant commencement ceremonies for more than 2,000 students set to graduate from the District’s seven high schools and adult school. The District will host eight ceremonies at two locations over three days starting with Fontana Adult School, Eric Birch, and Citrus high schools at the Ontario Convention Center at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m., respectively, on Tuesday, May 21. FUSD’s remaining graduations will be hosted at Toyota Arena with A.B. Miller, Jurupa Hills, and Fontana high schools at 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8 p.m., respectively, on Wednesday, May 22, and Henry J. Kaiser and Summit high schools concluding the week at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively, on Thursday, May 23. Ontario Convention Center is located at 2000 E. Convention Center Way, Ontario. Toyota Center is located at 4000 Ontario Center, Ontario.
As a child, Marcus Tolentino kept his parents on their toes with his boundless energy. They introduced him to wrestling in seventh grade to help channel his energy, igniting an instant passion for the sport in the process. Now a senior at Northview High School, Tolentino’s passion and hard work have earned him a full-ride wrestling scholarship to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). USMMA is one of the five United States service academies and trains future officers for the Merchant Marine, branches of the military, and the transportation industry. Out of 2,000 qualified applicants, only 200 were granted an appointment to the school.Now a senior at Northview High School, Tolentino’s passion and hard work have earned him a full-ride wrestling scholarship to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). USMMA is one of the five United States service academies and trains future officers for the Merchant Marine, branches of the military, and the transportation industry. Out of 2,000 qualified applicants, only 200 were granted an appointment to the school.
Henry J. Kaiser High School's Catamount Pride Band will showcase their skills before a national audience after being selected to represent Congresswoman Norma Torres at the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. on May 27. The appearance checks off a milestone goal for Kaiser High Band Director Robert Ronquillo and adds to the group’s rich history of excellence and performing on a national stage. Kaiser’s full band played at the annual Rose Parade® in 2019, while two band members were also selected to march with the Pasadena City College’s Tournament of Roses Honor Band this January.
California High School Health Academy students are engaging in hands-on learning and gaining real-world experience in a variety of health fields, granting them advanced knowledge and certifications that prepare them for college and careers. The Health Academy begins in sophomore year, where students are introduced to medical terminology and explore the potential career options open to them. During their junior year, students shift to emergency medicine, where they learn life-saving procedures and how to respond to medical emergencies. By senior year, students choose to specialize in sports medicine, dental assisting, or nurse assisting, allowing them to dive deeper into their chosen field and gain practical skills that set them up for future success.
La Puente High School is one of only four schools recognized as a 2024 California Democracy School by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), receiving the honor for its high-quality civic learning, commitment to strengthening democracy, and pursuit of happiness for future generations across the District community. The award-winning schools were honored during LACOE’s 2024 California Civic Learning Student Showcase and Award Ceremony at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library Museum on May 11, where students, families, and District representatives gathered to learn more about the students’ initiatives throughout the 2023-24 school year.
Almond Elementary School students and community members are benefitting from a donation of more than 400 books on behalf of the National Charity League (NCL), Foothill Chapter in recognition of the school’s dedication to fostering literacy among students. The NCL Foothill Chapter, with roots in the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley, chose Almond Elementary School for the donation to boost its Little Library initiative.
Hacienda La Puente Unified has been chosen as a recipient of the California Community Schools Partnership Program's (CCSPP) third cohort, an esteemed honor that includes $21.3 million in state board-approved community school implementation grants, highlighting the District's commitment to advancing innovative student learning initiatives and developing mental health and community engagement solutions. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the expansion of the CCSPP and its recipients on May 8, with 17 schools from Hacienda La Puente Unified among those celebrated.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and the California State Board of Education (SBE) announced the expansion of the CCSPP and its recipients on May 8, with 17 schools from Hacienda La Puente Unified among those celebrated. The District plans to follow the community schools model to strengthen enrichment programs, increase student academic support, and improve resources for students and families.
