Whitter Union High School District is putting the finishing touches on the design phase of a new Performing Arts Center (PAC) that will become the cornerstone of the District’s visual and performing arts programs, providing a state-of-the-art venue that will be available for all schools within the District to stage theatrical play, live music shows and other special events. The 450-seat dual-level PAC, which is poised to become a jewel of the community, will be located at the District’s United Sierra Education Center. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024 with an estimated December 2025 completion date. A second phase of renovations will transform the remaining green space into recreation areas that can by used for youth sports programs and serve more than 2,000 people.
Generations of Fontana Unified students have pursued higher education with the technical and life skills gained through the District’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, and eight more AVID seniors will continue this legacy with support from the Riverside Inyo Mono San Bernardino (RIMS) AVID Scholarship Program. Eight seniors from the District’s five comprehensive high schools were awarded 2023 RIMS AVID scholarships to help them pursue their academic goals after graduation. RIMS AVID supports more than 220 AVID programs in Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties. The RIMS AVID Scholarship Program began in 2003 as a way to provide more financial assistance to graduating AVID seniors, especially for undocumented students who were not eligible for financial aid.
Hundreds of Lynwood Unified students showcased their mesmerizing dance routines and artistic talents to the Lynwood community during the Ninth Annual Arts Festival and District Showcase on April 22 at Firebaugh High School. The festival – which featured music, hands-on activities and art displays from every Lynwood Unified school – provided families and the community with a firsthand look at Lynwood Unified’s unique offerings through its Visual and Performing Arts programs. Among the vibrant musical performances were the Firebaugh High School Marching Band and the Hosler Middle School Beginning and Advanced Bands. Firebaugh High School Folklorico senior Mariantonia Pantoja also stunned the crowd with a traditional dance.
As Buena Park School District’s Student and Community Services Director, Dr. Elsie Briseño Simonovski is guided by the motto “There’s always more to accomplish,” and is seen regularly visiting various schools in the District, engaging with parents, and fostering relationships with community partners to enhance support for all students. For these efforts, Simonovski was named Region 17 Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). She will receive the award on May 8 during the ACSA Region 17 Orange County Award Recognition at the Irvine Marriott.
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 at 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. The concert will feature “Where I Left Off,” an ensemble dance work created by guest choreographer and College alumna Rivka Villanueva.
Summit High School junior Julieta Gutierrez Martin will serve as Fontana’s Unified’s Board of Education student representative in 2023-24, a role in which she will aspire to motivate other students to strive for success and make the most of their educational opportunities. Gutierrez Martin, now a high-achieving student actively involved in campus activities, came to the District as an English learner in preschool. Through her aptitude and passion for mathematics, she was able to bridge the language gap and develop her English language arts and writing skills.
Cesar Chavez Middle School’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) team put its creative and technical skills to the test during a regional contest in April, sweeping the competition with first-place rankings that have secured them a spot at the MESA State Competition on May 20. The CCMS team will compete against students from across California who will show off their winning projects focused on community equity for the 2023 State Championship title. This marks the third time CCMS will be represented at the state level.
Cypress Elementary School fourth and fifth grade students are developing valuable life skills in the school’s newest afterschool learning opportunity: the sewing club. The club, which meets once a week for two hours, will teach students the basics of sewing, including how to use a sewing machine, load thread, fix torn clothes, sew on buttons and more. Students also learn how to follow directions and work in a team environment. The sewing club was formed when Cypress Elementary School Assistant Principal Michael Rodriguez heard that the City of Fontana had additional funds available to provide after-school programs for students. Rodriguez reached out to Fontana Adult School sewing teacher Mr. Hayes, who expressed his interest and excitement in teaching elementary students how to sew.
El Monte Union High School District students and community members explored the latest in clean air initiatives and cutting-edge clean energy transportation options during the District's Clean Mobility Info Fair, held in partnership with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), on April 20, 2023. During the event, attendees were treated to information booths on environmental sustainability and tours of the District's new electric school buses and ride-share vehicles. Longo Toyota-Lexus also wowed the crowd with a display of electric and hydrogen-powered cars.
Covina High School senior Heidi Alhannat dreams of breaking down barriers and showing others that they can do anything they set their minds to. This passion has driven Alhannat to outstanding achievement in her academic and personal pursuits, earning her recognition as a National Merit Scholarship finalist. National Merit Scholarship semifinalists are made up of students that score in the top 1% of the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), which equates to roughly 16,000 students nationwide. That pool of students is then narrowed down to roughly 15,000 finalists based on their transcripts, extracurricular activities, a personal statement essay, and a personal recommendation. About 7,250 National Merit Scholarships are then given out after further evaluating students’ abilities, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
