Fontana Unified students, staff and community members loaded up cars with gifts of toys, food and information on community resources during the District’s annual Fontana Santas event on Dec. 16. Fontana Santas began in 1997 when the Fontana School Police Department learned a Fontana boy ran away from home after Christmas because he did not receive any presents. Since then, the Fontana School Police Department and Fontana Unified employees have collected toys and donations from local organizations and delivered them to families in need during the holidays, creating a treasured tradition that has provided toys to thousands of Fontana Unified students over the last 26 years.
Río Hondo College Board of Trustees members held its annual organization and election of board officers on Dec. 13, as the Board continues to uphold the vision, mission and values of Río Hondo College. The Board elected Anais Medina Diaz as the new president. Oscar Valladares was selected to serve as vice president and Rosaelva Lomeli will step into the clerk position. Kristal Orozco was presented with a gift of appreciation for her leadership and service as Board president in 2023 and will continue to serve as a Board member alongside Vicky Santana.
Bonita Unified Board of Education Reorganizes Officers for 2024
Bonita Unified School District’s Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 13, voting members into new leadership roles. The Board selected Greg Palatto as president, Chris Ann Horsley as vice president and Derek Bahmanou as clerk. Members Glenn Creiman and Jim Elliot round out the Board.
Lynwood Unified Welcomes Facilities Project Manager for LHS Demolition
Lynwood High School’s Imperial Campus interior buildings are undergoing a comprehensive demolition estimated to be complete in February 2024, with new construction beginning in Summer 2024. On Nov. 27, Lynwood Unified appointed Jorge Ramirez as the new Facilities Project Manager who will oversee the reconstruction project and support the District’s long-term facilities plan. With over 20 years of experience in public education, Ramirez looks forward to making an impact in the Lynwood community.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Robotics Teams Advance to Championships
Robotics teams across Hacienda La Puente Unified are celebrating a successful season that has enhanced their confidence, expanded their knowledge and led to excellence in various FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge and Explorer events. The Challenge division, which started with nearly 1,000 Southern California teams at the FLL Qualifying Tournament, will hold its 2024 Championships on Sunday, Jan. 14, welcoming 50 teams from across the region, including three HLPUSD teams. Additionally, The Robolts is the only District Explore team to advance to the Championships.
More than 60 Fontana High School students across a variety of campus clubs and organizations made the less than one-mile walk across Citrus Avenue, with many carrying gifts or dressed ready to perform for the residents at Citrus Nursing Center (CNC) on Dec. 13. Students in FOHI’s Steelers for Christ, a religious club on campus, ballet folklórico, choir and nursing programs paused their busy schedules during Fontana Unified School District’s finals week to visit with the CNC residents, with the school’s Madrigals choir and ballet folklórico programs putting on vibrant song and dance performances, while other students delivered gifts throughout the 99-bed skilled nursing facility.
Covina-Valley Unified School District Board of Education members assumed their new roles during the Board reorganization meeting on Dec. 11, preparing for another year of exemplary leadership, uplifting and supporting students across the District to achieve their academic goals. Maria E. Cruz will take the helm as the Board President, Sue L. Maulucci will serve as Vice President, Maria M. Caceres will take on the position of Clerk, and Simon Wright and Rachael Robles will continue to positively impact the District as Board Members.
On a festive afternoon that saw Whittier High School embracing the wonder of literature, junior Julia Rae Rodriguez read selections from her recently published first book of poetry to a packed library filled with friends, classmates and teachers, the feature presentation during a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring Whittier High alumni authors on Dec. 6. Rodriguez joined Whittier High School Alumni Association Board Member Rob West and WHS history teacher Dean Myers to officially unveil a commemorative display case containing books written by Whitter High grads, including former President Richard Nixon, best-selling thriller writer John Saul and lawyer/author William C. Gordon, whom the library is dedicated to. After the ribbon-cutting, Rodriguez placed her new book, “Dried Lavender & Sage: Poems as I Grow,” inside the display case, joining the alumni authors.
Four Fontana Unified high schools were recognized by the College Board as Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Roll schools, highlighting the District’s commitment to fostering a college-going culture across its campuses, based on data compiled from the schools’ Class of 2023 graduates. Summit High School earned a Silver Award, while Fontana, A.B Miller and Henry J. Kaiser high schools were honored with Bronze Awards. Summit, Fontana and Kaiser also earned the AP Access Award, which recognizes the schools for providing underrepresented students access to advanced coursework. Of the three Honor Roll data sets, Fontana Unified schools scored the most impressive marks in college optimization, with Summit earning platinum status, Kaiser gold, A.B. Miller silver and Fontana High bronze.
Bonita Unified Students Perform in Disneyland’s Candlelight Processional
For the second year in a row, the Bonita High School Chamber Singers performed in the mass choir during the Candlelight Processional at Disneyland Resort, held Dec. 2 and 3. Following a rigorous audition process, the Chamber Singers were selected as one of just 11 school, community and college choirs to perform in the choir. The Candlelight Processional, which began in 1958, features a retelling of the story of the first Christmas, narrated this year by actress Brie Larson, along with songs performed by the Candlelight Choir.
