Thousands of Fontana Unified students across all age groups weighed numerous possibilities for their futures as they researched different college and career opportunities at the Regional College and Career Fair on Sept. 20 and the United College Action Network, Inc. (U-CAN) Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Recruitment Fair on Sept. 21. The Regional College and Career Fair and U-CAN HBCU Recruitment Fair are collaborative educational efforts between multiple school districts and part of Fontana Unified School District’s efforts to boost college and career readiness by removing barriers and increasing access to information and financial support.
The Río Hondo College campus bustled with activity as live music, international cuisine and laughter filled the air on Sept. 15, as the community celebrated the College’s 60th anniversary and its history of service and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism. A giant inflatable archway in bright Río Hondo gold welcomed the entire community – from College students, staff, the Board of Trustees and REX the Roadrunner to local dignitaries and the general public ¬– to share in the milestone event. Many in the crowd wore commemorative 60th anniversary t-shirts with “see my color, see my identity, see all of me” on the back. Among the esteemed dignitaries who attended the 60th anniversary celebration were Pico Rivera Mayor Erik Lutz, South El Monte Mayor Gloria Olmos, South El Monte City Councilmembers Rudy Bojorquez and Manuel Acosta, Whittier Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Dutra, Whittier City Councilmember Octavio Cesar Martinez, representatives from the offices of California State Sen. Bob Archuleta, State Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco and Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis, along with a host of officials from Río Hondo College’s K-12 partner school districts.
Río Hondo College received a $20,000 donation from Janice Hahn, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, to help continue its efforts to support students experiencing housing insecurity. Hahn presented the donation to Río Hondo College and other K-12 school districts to assist in meeting the basic needs of students at a Whittier Area Schools Trustee Association mixer on Sept. 21.Hahn presented her donation to Río Hondo College and other Whittier area K-12 school districts to assist in meeting the basic needs of students at a Whittier Area Schools Trustees Association mixer on Sept. 21.
Baldwin Park Unified Promotes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Across Baldwin Park Unified, campuses are decorated with mental health and wellness posters and reminders, recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Week, held Sept. 11 to 15, students and staff reflected on the theme “Share Hope Together for Suicide Prevention” and reviewed the signs and stigmas as well as support services available to the BPUSD community.
Santa Fe High School students received an opportunity to join the democratic process during a National Voter Registration Day rally on Sept. 19, hosted in partnership with Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco. During the event, nearly three dozen Santa Fe students registered to vote or filled out paperwork to ensure they are “Vote Ready” when they turn 18 years old.
Baldwin Park Unified Students Train to Become Chess Masters
Baldwin Park Unified students are learning about the strategies and tactics of chess through Chess Masters, a 10-week program that will culminate in a final tournament at the Elwin Professional Development Center in November. The chess experience is open to students in Think Together in transitional kindergarten to eighth grade, as well as Geddes and Tracy elementary students in the District’s pilot program. Chess Masters launched at the start of the 2023-24 school year with more than 1, 700 students participating.
Río Hondo College Celebrates 60th Anniversary
The Río Hondo College campus bustled with activity as live music, international cuisine and laughter filled the air on Sept. 15, as the community celebrated the College’s 60th anniversary and its history of service and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Río Hondo welcomed its entire community – from College students, staff, the Board of Trustees and REX the Roadrunner to local dignitaries and the general public ¬– to share in the milestone event. Festivities started in the morning and stretched all the way into the evening, as guests were treated to a diverse display of live cultural performances and global fare throughout the day.
Mountain View High School’s VISTA Academy “The Art of Talking” student podcast team hosted a successful live event with two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and cartoonist, Lalo Alcaraz to discuss his new animated short, “Taking a Healthy Ride on the Green Side” on Sept. 19. In partnership with the District's Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project and the California Air Resources Board, the animation focuses on how choosing green transportation options to get to school can improve community health. The short features the voices of El Monte Union students and administrators, which Alcaraz recorded in the VISTA podcast studio. During the live event, Alcaraz spoke on his creative process, shared insights into his artistic journey, and highlighted the significance of using art as a vehicle for activism and societal change.
Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School will unveil a state-of-the-art health and biomedical science lab during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12. Attendees will receive a tour of the new facility and have an opportunity to see Lynwood Unified career technical education students in action. Firebaugh High is located at 5246 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lynwood.
Approximately 35 Fontana Unified School District high school students partnered with a local general contractor, Final Touch Construction & Design, to assist with a four-day renovation project of a historic barn located in their own backyard at the Pepper Street Agricultural Museum. Students in Fontana Unified’s Career Connections program, a career technical education pathway in general construction offered at Citrus and Fontana high schools, assisted with the project, which took place from Sept. 20 to 23.
