Lynwood and Firebaugh high school graduating seniors hit a milestone in their academic journeys as they celebrated all the opportunities that await them during annual Decision Day events in April that highlighted students’ achievements and postsecondary plans. Over 90% of graduating seniors submitted their financial aid FAFSA applications this year, with plans to attend such colleges and universities as UCLA, UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, Cerritos College, University of La Verne and more. Lynwood High School cheerleaders and staff welcomed students with applause as they walked down a purple carpet to join the April 27 celebration.
Fontana Unified students and their families donned virtual reality masks, made robotic arms out of popsicle sticks and pneumatic syringes, rolled marbles into a gravity well and used a charcoal burner to measure the calories in snack foods during the District’s annual STEM Showcase, held April 29 at Summit High School. Displaying the District’s wide range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum, the STEM Showcase included numerous interactive and hands-on activities for all grade levels, with students, teachers and District partner vendors at the ready to answer questions, exhibit their work or offer up a family-friendly STEM challenge. Shadow Hills Elementary School touted their raingutter regatta race, where families made their own regattas out of plastic containers, wooden sticks and paper, then competed to see which breath-powered boat made it to the finish line without tipping over. Dolores Huerta International Academy displayed student-made space exploration projects conceived using coding skills and circuit boards.
Fontana Students Achieve High Pass Rate on State Nursing Exam
Fontana High School’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students are certified to join the workforce and gain experience – all while working toward degrees and career opportunities in the medical field – after achieving 91 percent pass rates on the state board exam during the 2022-23 school year. This is the second year in a row FOHI CNA students’ exam pass rate has exceeded 90 percent. The program provides hands-on training at nursing facilities, offers the opportunity to earn credit at Chaffey College, and prepares students to earn state certification.
Grace Miller Elementary School students donned safari hats and embarked on an exploration of inclusivity during the school’s Ability Fair on April 28, which immersed students in fun-filled demonstrations of the resources and accommodations that can help their peers with special needs or different learning abilities succeed in the classroom. Students from transitional kindergarten to fifth grade rotated through a variety of stations and engaged in hands-on activities and games – from creating a visual schedule of their school day to practicing augmentative and alternative communication and requesting a treat using only a communication board – that demonstrated what it means to provide an equitable and accessible education.
Baldwin Park Senior Awarded $1,000 Water District Scholarship
Baldwin Park High School senior Jayden Than was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for his essay on water conservation through the Valley County Water District’s (VCWD) scholarship program Scholar Dollar, and sponsored by Conservation Education Team. Than was recognized during a VCWD board meeting on April 24.
Hacienda La Puente Recognizes Education Specialist as Top Teacher
Hacienda La Puente Unified has named Cedarlane Academy Special Education Specialist Perla Granados-Ordaz the 2023 District Teacher of the Year, recognizing her success in creating innovative learning experiences and providing a positive impact on students and family. District administrators, Principal Kim Lee and colleagues surprised Granados-Ordaz in her classroom with flowers, kudos and praise to announce the news on April 21, celebrating her customized lesson plans and numerous accomplishments, including coaching the school's top-ranked robotics and speech and debate teams.
Buena Park School District to Celebrate Eighth-Grade Promotions
Buena Park School District will celebrate its two eighth-grade classes as they transition to local area high schools for the 2023-24 school year during a pair of promotion ceremonies on Wednesday, May 31 at Buena Park High School Stadium. Gordon H. Beatty Middle School will host its promotion from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., and Buena Park Middle School will host its ceremony from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Buena Park High School is located at 8833 Academy Dr., Buena Park.
Baldwin Park Unified to Join City’s Mental Health Awareness Event
Baldwin Park Unified to Join City’s Mental Health Awareness Event
Baldwin Park Unified School District is partnering with the City of Baldwin Park for its third annual Mental Health Awareness event, on Saturday, May 13, which will begin with a one-mile walk at 9 a.m. from City Hall to Morgan Park. Following the walk, the event will feature a vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a kid’s zone, and free lunch and t-shirts while supplies last. Live entertainment will be provided at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Morgan Park’s Cesar E. Chavez Amphitheater. City Hall is located at 14403 Pacific Ave. and Morgan Park is located at 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd.
Río Hondo College Dance Concert Promises Expressive Spring Concert
Río Hondo College’s Dance Program students and staff are preparing to captivate the community with a series of vibrant and breathtaking solo and ensemble dances during “Emergence” – the Spring 2023 Dance Concert. The concert, co-directed by Kristina Urteaga and Carol McDowell, will be held 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 11 and 6 p.m. on Friday, May 12 at the Kinesiology, Dance and Athletics Complex at Río Hondo College, located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
South Hills High School’s Nicole Lee stands to become a first-generation college student in her family after receiving a combined $90,000 in college scholarships from the Edison Scholarship and Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship and Internship. Lee’s story of strength, both personal and academically, helped her standout in the scholarship application process. She was born deaf in her left ear and hard of hearing in her right ear to a family that emigrated from China in 2002. Lee learned to speak and hear in Covina-Valley Unified School District’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program. She plans to study electrical engineering and computer science in college.
