Fontana Unified School District’s work to increase student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism culminated in the District’s School Attendance Review Board (SARB) being recognized as one of California’s 23 model SARBs for 2024. FUSD posted a 94% attendance rate while dropping its chronic absenteeism rate from 30% to 20% for 2023-24. Throughout the year, the District hosts campaigns to help boost its attendance and also organizes its annual Perfect Attendance Spells Success event, which celebrates and rewards students for their exceptional attendance and academic achievements.
El Monte Union Teacher Honored for Excellence in Education
Sonia Ayala, a dedicated science teacher and athletic director at South El Monte High School, has been recognized by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon as one of the 56th District's 2024 Educators of Distinction. This prestigious award, presented in tandem with Teacher Appreciation Month, highlights Ayala's exceptional dedication for advancing excellence in education and her unwavering commitment to student success.
Pioneer High School junior Karen Marin is gearing up for a summer like no other after being accepted into UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential program, where she will have the opportunity to learn from university professors and get a taste of campus life. The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential program offers high school students the opportunity to live on campus, earn college credit from two courses, and participate in extracurricular activities, local excursions, and exploratory workshops. The six-week course runs from July 1 to Aug. 9. Marin said she has been interested in studying law since her freshmen year at Pioneer High and has enrolled in two legal studies courses as part of the program.
California Elementary School’s Youth Cinema Project (YCP) student filmmakers are celebrating a big win at the Latino Film Institute’s Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival after their movie “The World is Yours” earned the 2024 Best Film for Elementary Schools award. The film festival, held June 1, gave students from California Elementary, as well as Sparks Middle School and La Puente High School, the opportunity to showcase films made during the 2023-24 school year and walk the red carpet at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Lynwood Unified School District celebrated nearly 800 graduates from Lynwood, Firebaugh, and Vista high schools as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas during moving ceremonies from June 10 to 12, honoring the hard work, dedication and achievements of Lynwood Unified scholars. Following inspiring speeches from graduates and principals, students took to the stage to receive their diplomas and close the final chapter of their high school journeys.
Bonita High School’s ProStart culinary team wrapped up their most successful year in spectacular fashion, earning a 10th-place finish in their first-ever appearance as Team California during the National ProStart Invitational, held this spring at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront Hotel. The five-student team, led by captain Charli Padilla, team manager Laura Mangiafreno, and team members Nicolas Caballero, Cameron Turoci and Michael Vera, wowed the judges with a three-course gourmet meal consisting of raviolo doppio, pan-seared elk tenderloin and a slice of entremet layer cake, propelling the team to a top-10 finish, the highest placement for a California team in many years.
The Institute for Evidence-Based Change’s (IEBC) Caring Campus and its role in boosting student retention and success were highlighted during the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) conference. Held May 28, the conference gathered higher education staff, faculty, and administrators from across the country to examine data showing that many college students fail to reach their educational goals, and learn how IEBC and Caring Campus helps to keep college students engaged and enrolled until they successfully complete their studies.
Virginia Primrose Elementary School Kitchen Operator Nailly Salib has been recognized for her dedication to fighting child hunger and commitment to supporting school meals, earning a 2024 Hunger Hero Award from the No Kid Hungry national campaign. City of Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren and No Kid Hungry School Meals Access Manager Robin Hernandez presented the award, along with a certificate, a trophy, and goodie bags, to Salib during Primrose Elementary’s fifth-grade promotion ceremony. Warren honored Salib’s dedication to ending hunger with a speech during the event, which was also attended by Fontana Unified Superintendent Miki R. Inbody and Board of Education President Marcelino “Mars” Serna, on May 24. Every May, No Kid Hungry – a campaign of Share Our Strength, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger – celebrates school employees and programs that ensure every child has the nutrition they need to reach their full potential.
Bonita Unified Elementary Students Bury Time Capsule for 2044
La Verne Heights Elementary School’s fifth-grade class and Associated Student Body celebrated the end of a memorable school year together by creating a time capsule, which was buried on campus on May 31. The time capsule included letters to future students, a yearbook, an aerial photograph of the school, and student-suggested items that are representative of 2024, such as a pair of Crocs, Stanley beverage cups, and Takis. La Verne Heights Elementary will invites its current families to return in 20 years to open the time capsule.
Whittier Union Unveils New Logo and Refreshed Branding
Whittier Union High School District officially unveiled its new logo, which reflects the District’s roots in tradition and educational excellence, as well as its mission “To Achieve and Maintain Excellence.” The new logo, which provides Whittier Union with a fresh look, encapsulates the themes of honoring tradition while staying modern, being approachable and engaging, and helping students achieve by creating educational pathways toward the future. The new branding will begin rolling out over the next couple of months.
