El Monte Union Retiring Employees Recognized for Years of Service
El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) recognized ten certificated employees and 16 classified employees who retired at the end of the 2022-23 school year after many outstanding years of service with the District. The District held a retirement celebration at El Sombrero Restaurant in May, where those in attendance were recognized for their dedication to students and the District. The event featured food, speeches and the presentation of special honoree clock awards, symbolizing their impactful service to the District. The EMUHSD Board of Trustees also recognized all retiring employees and thanked them for their contributions during a Board meeting on June 14.
Baldwin Park Think Together Students to Attend Angel-White Sox Game
Baldwin Park Unified students in Think Together’s elementary and middle school summer program will enjoy a day at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Thursday, June 29 to cheer on the Angels as they play against the Chicago White Sox, while a lucky BPUSD student will be selected to announce the start of the game. More than 700 Baldwin Park Unified students will attend the baseball game as part of the Think Together summer program, which aims to keep students engaged and having fun.
The Río Hondo College Foundation’s signature fundraising gala, “A Taste of Río,” dazzled guests with an impressive array of artisan cuisine, craft beer and wines, exquisite gift baskets and lively entertainment. This year’s event, held June 9, brought in the highest amount in the history of the fundraiser, raising more than $107,603 for scholarships and student support services. “A Taste of Río” hosted more than 350 patrons, who noshed on freshly prepared culinary delights and curated spirits provided by nearly two dozen local vendors.
Lynwood Unified School District brought another year of success to a close during ceremonies that recognized nearly 900 high school students for their perseverance and academic excellence as they crossed the graduation stage to receive their diplomas. The District, which live-streamed the ceremonies, celebrated 186 graduates from Vista High School and Pathway Independent Study on June 12, 302 seniors from Firebaugh High School on June 13 and 389 scholars from Lynwood High School on June 14. Graduates plan on attending such colleges and universities as Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Long Beach City College, Cerritos College and more, with others attending private universities, trade schools or enlisting in the armed forces.
Whittier Union Adult School English as a Second Language (ESL) students are enhancing their technological skills and advancing their workforce literacy through the integration of career technical education (CTE) curriculum into the ESL program. The successful integration has earned the Adult School the Promising Practice Award in Adult Education from the California Department of Education and the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS). Schools can self-nominate for the Promising Practice Award through CASAS by showcasing their innovative programs, practices or ideas that support students in achieving their goals and preparing them for the workforce. By integrating CTE curriculum into the ESL program, the Adult School has successfully achieved its goal of enhancing literacy among ESL students and equipping them with the skills necessary to pursue successful careers upon graduation.
San Dimas High School Tech Innovation students can not only take a computer apart, identify what needs to be repaired, replace the worn parts and put it back together as good as new; they can look inside the operating system, find vulnerabilities that enable hackers to access the hard drive, and patch up the holes so that users can feel confident that their computer files are safe and secure. In an international cybersecurity “Capture the Flag” challenge hosted by Carnegie Mellon University this spring, San Dimas cyber-sleuths displayed their considerable skills, with three teams finishing in the top 10%, including a team of all freshmen, and one team of senior girls that finished in the top 8%. The competition is open to a large range of participants, from middle and high school to college students.
Baldwin Park Unified, City Host Collaborative Committee Meeting
Baldwin Park Unified and the City of Baldwin Park held its first Community Collaborative Committee meeting on June 12 to present partnership goals and opportunities that are available to students and residents, including the NextGen Youth Workforce Development that connects students with industry jobs. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Los Angeles joined to review potential opportunities for students in the city, and the evening’s discussion focused on the District’s School Closures, Consolidation and Revitalization plan as well as the District’s Asset Management Committee, which will propose future uses for the closed campuses.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Dr. Judy Fancher was stunned and overwhelmed with joy as colleagues and supporters from every stage of her career greeted her with a standing ovation during a surprise retirement party held June 14 to thank Fancher for her vast contributions over the past 10 years and wish her well as she transitions into a new phase of her life. The Hacienda La Puente Board room was transformed into a Parisian paradise to honor Fancher, who was moved to see so many current and former colleagues come together to celebrate and honor her time at the District, which was highlighted by innovative practices and strong gains in student achievement.
LPEF – a nonprofit organization established in 2015 to support and enhance educational opportunities for Lynwood Unified School District students – will give $87,000 in scholarships to students from Firebaugh, Lynwood and Vista high schools as they pursue trade schools, community colleges or four-year colleges/universities, including Stanford University, Mount Holyoke College, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Fullerton and Cerritos College. LPEF has secured approximately $1 million in funding for students in Pre-K through grade 12 in the form of college scholarships, STEM programs and other resources that are crucial to students’ success. LPEF also supports teacher grants, school grants, arts education and wellness initiatives.
The idea for a fast-casual restaurant that invites customers to satisfy their guilty pleasures by indulging in artisan-crafted comfort food brought national attention to the San Dimas High School ProStart culinary arts program, when judges bestowed the creators of the fictitious “Cheat Day” business proposal a third-place finish at the 2023 National ProStart Invitational, held in Washington D.C. this spring. This is the first year that a Bonita Unified school has participated in the ProStart Nationals, and the highest finish for a California team in 10 years. Of more than 1,800 ProStart schools located in 50 states, San Dimas High ranks third in the country in restaurant management.
