Temple College has seen a dramatic increase in student engagement in part by integrating tools and strategies that staff and faculty learned through Caring Campus, which helps educational institutions create welcoming and supportive campuses to promote success of all students. The Institute for Evidence-Based Change created Caring Campus to provide higher education institutions with the knowledge and tactics to increase students’ feelings of connectedness on campus, thereby improving overall persistence, retention, and graduation rates. Texas-based Temple College credits Caring Campus as a contributing force in their student population reaching a full-time majority, with 52% of students enrolled full-time in 2022, compared to 46% in 2020
El Monte Union Prom Fashion Show Electrifies Campus
In celebration of prom season, Mountain View High School’s Class of 2025 hosted a “Prom Fashion Show” on April 12, where students walked the red carpet and showcased different looks to increase excitement about prom, promote inclusivity, and electrify school spirit throughout the campus. As a grand gesture, Friar Tux provided male student models with complimentary suits and Windsor Store provided female student-models with dresses, shoes, and accessories.
Bonita Unified students are getting a head start on their careers in barbering and cosmetology – and preparing to enter the workforce after graduation – through a partnership with the San Antonio Regional Occupational Program (ROP), which provides after-school courses in the two subjects at no cost to students. Bonita High School seniors Alexis Miranda, Bianca Estrella, and Selina Heng became the first BUSD students to complete the cosmetology class at San Antonio ROP in more than 20 years, each putting in 1,000 hours to learn skills in hair cutting, styling, and coloring, manicuring/pedicuring, and skin care services. Since Miranda, Estrella, and Heng completed the program, seven students from Chaparral-Vista, Bonita and San Dimas high schools have enrolled and are working toward their certification in barbering or cosmetology.
Whittier Union Student Advisory Council Tours California State Capitol
Whittier Union High School District’s Student Advisory Council members toured California’s State Capitol on April 3 and met with local lawmakers to learn about the legislative process. Students had the opportunity to step onto the Senate floor and meet with Senator Bob Archuleta and took part in meet and greet sessions with Assemblypersons Blanca Pacheco and Lisa Calderon. The Student Advisory Council consists of students from each of the District’s high schools and is tasked with discussing school events and activities, attending Board meetings, and meeting with the Superintendent to discuss school issues.
La Puente High School students and staff strengthened their dedication to real-world civic action by participating in the National Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) program, a hybrid course developed to educate and train individuals in disaster preparedness, held on April 13. The program was set in motion by the school’s Public Safety Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway instructor Antonia Ramirez. After extensive research, Ramirez introduced 29 CTE students and six staff members, including Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez, to the hybrid CERT program – a nine-unit online course packed with rigorous curricula provided by the University of Utah and completed with a hands-on practical portion led by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Lynwood Unified Embarks on New Strategic Plan to Reform Education
Lynwood Unified School District students will benefit from the District’s newly launched Strategic Plan, a dynamic roadmap that aims to guide the District in its mission to provide a world-class education for all students, fostering a culture of excellence, equity, and empowerment. The comprehensive Strategic Plan was developed over 18 months through rigorous research and collaboration with 10 groups of stakeholders, including students, staff, community members, labor unions, and local businesses. To be formally presented during the April 25 Board meeting, the plan outlines four key pillars aimed at driving student and District success: Unlocking Brilliance, Cultivating Talent, Uplifting Community, and Modeling Excellence.
Santa Fe High School's Student Leadership Class has earned the school its 24th Outstanding Leadership Program Award (OLPA) from the California Association of Student Leaders (CASL), which recognized the class for continuing to spearhead engaging activities and events, and fostering inclusivity and school spirit among students. OLPA is a distinguished award that is presented to schools in California that display strong student leadership programs that allow students to grow as ethical, responsible, and servant-minded individuals. Through Santa Fe’s Student Leadership Class, students are empowered to explore leadership roles and gain invaluable hands-on experience.
El Monte Union showcased its unwavering commitment to student advocacy through active participation in the 2024 Coast2Coast Federal Advocacy Trip to Washington, D.C., held April 8 to 10. Trustees and superintendents joined forces with approximately 260 other dedicated members to champion the needs of California students on Capitol Hill. During the trip, representatives from El Monte Union engaged in crucial discussions with notable figures such as Senators Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Pete Aguilar, and many more. The focus was on addressing pressing issues such as increasing special education funding, enhancing teacher recruitment and retention efforts, reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools Act, expanding broadband access, and safeguarding student data with cybersecurity resources.
Bonita Unified Middle School Band, Choir Win Gold at Heritage Festival
Lone Hill Middle School’s music program continued Bonita Unified’s winning streak at the latest WorldStrides San Diego Heritage Festival, held April 11 to 14. Lone Hill is the third Bonita Unified school to win major awards at festivals in the last month, taking home Gold ratings for Choralairs, Jazz Band and Advanced Band, Best Overall Choral Group, and the Sweepstakes Award for the best overall scores combined in band and choir, as well as Maestro Awards given to four soloists. Bonita Unified offers a robust visual and performing arts program that begins in elementary school and empowers students to develop their musical talents.
Three budding Summit High School historians, senior Alyha “Gabe” Madrigal and freshmen Nayleen Pulver and Angel Garay, competed at the National History Day California State Finals at Sacramento State from April 19 to 21. Madrigal finished runner-up as a senior individual exhibitor for his project on the Manhattan Project, while Pulver and Garay took runner-up for their senior group exhibit on the Spanish Influenza. The trio advanced to the state competition after taking first place at the San Bernardino County History Day Regionals in March.
