Looking to draw on their success at the recent California Educational Theater Association (CETA) High School Festival, the award-winning Jurupa Hills High School Players of the Palace theater group is preparing to set sail on a wondrous and fraught journey across the high seas during their spring production of the musical, “Moana JR.,” to be staged in March. Based on the 2016 Disney animated classic “Moana,” the musical will highlight the full range of talents of the Players as they sing and dance their way through an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie, fresh off a production of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful World of Oz” that was named the No. 1 fall production at the CETA festival in January.
Recognizing a need to increase mental health awareness throughout the school district and community, Fontana Unified will begin a comprehensive mental health and wellness training initiative after being awarded a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services worth more than $400,000. The SAMSHA grant, which will be split over four years, will go to the District’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) department to fund specialized training in detecting the signs of mental illness so that District staff can respond in a timely manner to avert a mental health crisis. Training will also be provided to the community so that families can better identify early warning signs of mental illness. Fontana Unified is one of just two California school districts to receive a SAMSHA grant in 2022. The grant will be supplemented by a California Department of Education Antibias Education grant worth nearly $200,000. The grants further bolster the District commitment to mental wellness, which includes the hiring of three additional full-time District social emotional support specialists and seven mental health therapists in the last year.
Three Hacienda La Puente Unified leadership students have been selected for California State Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio’s 2023 Young Legislators Program (YLP), which enables 32 high school scholars to become acquainted with the state legislative process, enhance leadership skills and participate in various public service projects. La Puente High School junior students Josiah Hernandez and Cayden Olvera will join returning YLP fellow Glen A. Wilson High School junior Jonathan Chan and other participants in the six-month program, which runs through June 2023. The program consists of monthly in-person learning sessions where participants collaborate with Rubio’s staff, observe the offices of various community services, and travel to Sacramento to better understand potential careers in politics and public service. Chan is an active volunteer on campus and in the community, serving as School Site Council vice-chairperson, a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health student ambassador, Volunteer in Defense of Animals member and more.
Bonita Unified Honors Students for Helping Community Member in Need
The Bonita Unified Board of Education honored San Dimas High School students Steven Moran, Sergio Robles, Robert Smith and Steven Rosales during its March 1 Board meeting, recognizing the students for their recent act of service in assisting a man who was in medical distress while they were having lunch off-campus. The students called 911 and assisted the man in moving to a safe space while waiting for first responders to arrive.
Whittier Union Students Receive Insight into Healthy Relationships
United Sierra Education Center (USEC) and Project Sister Family Services partnered to recognize Teen Dating and Awareness Month in February, providing USEC students with a series of educational workshops that provided valuable resources on building healthy relationships. A longtime partner of the USEC, Project Sister provides crisis intervention services, prevention education programs, professional counseling and support groups. This month’s workshops educated students on the importance of consent, boundaries and healthy relationships.
Bonita Unified Adult Transition Program students are entering a new phase in their lives, splitting time between the San Dimas High School campus and the University of La Verne (ULV) through a partnership that allows students ages 18 to 22 with moderate to severe disabilities to connect with students their own age as they work toward transitioning into adult life with full functionality. The program, which debuted in mid-January, places the students at ULV for two days a week, then switches back to San Dimas High for the remainder of the school week. Bonita Unified Adult Transition students receive full access to ULV facilities, including the library, gym, campus center and dining hall.
Whittier Union Cheer Team Takes First Place at USA Nationals
California High School’s junior varsity (JV) and varsity Show Cheer Non-Tumbling teams, along with the Song/Pom Novice JV and varsity teams, advanced to the United Spirit Association (USA) Nationals competition at the end of February, showcasing their vast talent, dedication and prowess. Varsity Show Cheer and JV Song put on thrilling performances and both teams clinched first place during the competition. The teams also took home first place during USA Regionals in January, giving the athletes the confidence to bring their routines to the next level.
Lynwood Unified Students Celebrate Black History Month
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School students, teachers and families paid tribute to Black History Month on Feb. 27 as part of a Districtwide celebration of African American history and culture. Thurgood Marshall students from each grade level staged a series of musical performances and dances, recited poetry and performed short plays. Additionally, the District hosted its annual Teen Summit, themed “Strength Behind Us, Greatness Ahead of Us,” where high school students engaged in social-emotional learning workshops and heard from keynote speakers.
Whittier Union Basketball Team Makes First Appearance in CIF Finals
The La Serna High School Lancer boys basketball team completed a whirlwind season which saw them go undefeated in Del Rio League play, then battle their way to their first-ever CIF Southern Section Division 3AA championship game on Feb. 25. Though the Lancers came up just short of winning the CIF title, they established a new team record with 27 wins and thrilled their fans with their hard-fought triumphs, including an exhilarating 77-75 overtime quarterfinal win over Hillcrest High School, which was followed by a 41-38 victory over Camarillo High School in the semifinals.
Fernando R. Ledesma High School is one of 37 schools in the state to be recognized as a 2023 Model Continuation High School, a designation awarded by the California Department of Education to schools that provide exemplary programs to at-risk youth through innovative instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services. Fernando R. Ledesma High has successfully provided education to students through modern and innovative practices. The school will retain its Model Continuation High School designation for three years.
