Bonita Unified Middle School to Stage ‘Little Mermaid’ Musical
Ramona Middle School’s Drama Society will stage a production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” as its annual musical at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1 and Thursday, March 2 at the Bonita Center for the Arts. Ramona offers drama as a sixth- and seventh-grade elective – as well as in an afterschool club open to all grade levels – as part of the District’s robust visual and performing arts program. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.bonitacenterforthearts.com/. The Bonita Center for the Arts is located at 822 W. Covina Blvd., San Dimas.
Buena Park School District students dressed as homemade superheroes while vividly describing tales of action, horror and comedy at the inaugural Comic Creator Fair, held on Feb. 18 at Buena Park Middle School. Held in Buena Park Middle School’s band room, the Comic Creator Fair welcomed scores of parents and family members onto campus to hear and see the creative writing and artistic skills of some 50 third- through fifth-graders from the District’s elementary schools.
Baldwin Park Unified middle school students discovered ways to expand their creativity through performing arts, build strong community relations and plan careers during the inaugural Braves on Tour, a student-led initiative which gives eighth-graders an opportunity to learn about programs available to them when they become Baldwin Park High School freshmen in 2023-24. Current Braves students visited Olive and Jones middle schools on Jan. 23 and Sierra Vista Middle School and Baldwin Park STEM Academy on Jan. 24 before concluding the tour with a joint pep rally on Feb. 2 at BPHS’ Ted K. Gorrell football stadium.
Lynwood Unified’s Chief of Security Paul Garcia has been named a K-12 Campus Safety Director of the Year finalist by Campus Safety Magazine for his efforts to foster safe school communities for students, families and staff. Garcia, who was first hired as a substitute security officer 20 years ago, has risen through the ranks and is now one of seven nominees in the nation to be selected for the honor. Under Garcia’s leadership, the District has upgraded campus video surveillance and access control systems and implemented an anonymous reporting tool, resulting in a 5% reduction in student suspensions, and connected 1,500 students to mental health services.
Buena Park School District’s new Percussion Program wowed audience members and judges at Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) Regional Show on Feb. 11 with their “Left Brain/Right Brain” themed performance – earning them first place and a chance to qualify for the SCPA Championships. The Percussion Program, which consists of 26 Buena Park Middle School students, competed against 33 other schools and independent drum groups at La Quinta High School in Westminster. After taking home first place, the team is set to compete in one more show to qualify for the SCPA Championship.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Selected for Nutrition Program
Hacienda La Puente Unified Nutrition Services Supervisor Brittney Rodriguez is one of 24 District leaders nationwide selected to participate in the Chef Ann Foundation Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship program, aiming to empower food leaders to bring more delicious, nutritious and locally-sourced meals to students. The inaugural year-long program, which began Jan. 9, is designed to develop the next generation of school nutrition professionals in scratch-cooking school food operations. Through weekly live-learning sessions, and various networking opportunities, fellows will learn successful ways to serve fresh, healthy and cost-effective meals.
Lynwood Unified Middle School Named School to Watch
Hosler Middle School has been recognized as a School to Watch by the California League of Educators (CLE), celebrating its success in creating an environment that empowers student achievement. Hosler has increased elective opportunities for students, providing them with additional social-emotional learning resources through its Crossroad and Movement programs, made upgrades to the campus and increased the number of pathways available for students. Hosler has been able to achieve these goals while at the same time merging with Lynwood Middle School during the 2021-22 school year, as part of the relocation of Lynwood High School to the Bullis campus.
Hacienda La Puente Unified High School Cheer Crowned Champions
La Puente High School's cheerleading and dance squads clinched first place in several categories and outscored roughly 20 teams at the World Class Cheerleading Hollywood Crown Competition on Jan. 28. La Puente High cheer took home two division awards for their dynamic show routine, including division winners and Level 2 champions. The dance company also took first-place in the hip-hop category.
Fontana Unified’s Citrus High Named Model Continuation School
Citrus High School has been named a 2023 Model Continuation High School by the California Department of Education, recognizing its holistic approach to supporting student success and social-emotional wellness on the path to graduation. Citrus High is among just 37 continuation schools to receive the award this year, which were celebrated for providing exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services to “at-promise” students through an alternative educational program. This is Citrus High School’s first Model Continuation High School designation, which it will retain for three years.
Baldwin Park Unified’s North Park High School has been redesignated as a Model Continuation School by the California Department of Education, recognizing the school for creating and nurturing strong teacher and student mentorships, as well as ensuring students succeed academically and personally in a supportive school environment. North Park was last honored as a Model Continuation School in 2020. It will retain its model school status for the next three years.
