Following a nationwide search and a lengthy process of gathering input from District employees and community members, which included the review of 21 applicants recruited by Leadership Associates, the Fontana Unified District Board of Education has selected Miki Inbody as the finalist to replace outgoing Superintendent Randal Bassett. Ms. Inbody has deep ties to Fontana Unified, having attended schools in the District and previously worked for the District. The Fontana Unified Board of Education will consider an offer of employment and contract at its regularly scheduled Board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
The El Monte Union High School District will host a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction and upgrades to Mountain View High School’s athletic field. The project will feature a new rubberized track and field, bleachers, concession stands and restrooms, upgraded parking and a grand stadium entrance.
Río Hondo College will host an Oath of Office ceremony for its re-elected Board of Trustees members Anais Medina Diaz, representing Area 1 for El Monte, and Oscar Valladares, representing Area 5 for East Whittier. The date of the Oath Office for Rosaelva Lomeli, representing Area 3, will be determined at a later date. The event will include an introduction of the Board of Trustees members, a few words from Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores and oaths administered by the Honorable Janice Hahn, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Fourth District and the Honorable Hilda Solis, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor, First District.
Fontana Unified School District students and families were treated to the sights, sounds and spirit of the holiday season as they received gifts and goodies from cheerful volunteers during the District’s 25th annual Fontana Santas event on Dec. 17. Almond Elementary principal Tim McCaffrey served as emcee for the event, playing upbeat holiday music and hyping up families from Fontana Unified’s elementary schools as they drove through the District office parking lot, receiving stuffed stockings, backpacks, books and school kits, a variety of non-perishable food items, stuffed animals and more. The final stop on the families’ journey was a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who greeted students as volunteer elves hand-selected toys from a sleigh full of gifts.
Río Hondo College honored its re-elected Board of Trustees members Oscar Valladares, Anais Medina Diaz and Rosaelva Lomeli with an Oath of Office ceremony at the Río Café on Dec. 14. Valladares and Medina Diaz took the Oath of Office during the event, affirming that they will continue to fulfill the duties of Board of Trustees members and uphold the vision, mission and values of Río Hondo College. Lomeli, who was unable to attend the event, will have her oath administered at a later date. The ceremony included an introduction of the elected officials by Director of Government and Community Relations Dr. Russell Castañeda-Calleros and a few words by Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores.
Baldwin Park Unified School Shares Holiday Cheer with Winter Fair
Baldwin Park High School’s quad was aglow from strings of Christmas lights, students and families laughing over hot pozole and music from the Braves orchestra during the school’s Multicultural Winter Festival on Dec. 8. Open to the public, the BPHS quad was filled with community members enjoying the evening festivities, including photos with Santa Claus and special student and club performances.
Lynwood Unified Hosts Wellness Fair, Provides Health Services
Lynwood Unified held a “Health for the Holidays” Community Wellness Fair on Dec. 7 and provided students and families with a variety of resources, health services and complimentary meals. Attendees had the opportunity to receive free flu and COVID-19 vaccines, health exams, eye exams and glasses, as well as other essential health services during the event. They also enjoyed free snacks, meals and giveaways. State Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Zimmer also attended the community event.
Río Hondo College has received a $3 million Title V grant to create an invention education and social entrepreneurship program, which aims to encourage students’ social, emotional, academic and career development. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to create a program known as Communities Uniting to Model and Build Regional Entrepreneurial Success (CUMBRES). CUMBRES will create a new degree pathway at Río Hondo College to inspire anyone regardless of age, race, geography, and professional status to be an inventor and/or social entrepreneur with a focus on LatinX students and adult learners.
Buena Park Middle School Students Enchant During Winter Concert
Buena Park Middle School’s band and choir students filled the halls of Thanksgiving Church and thrilled family and community members with the sounds of classical music standards and holiday favorites during its “Let it Snow” Winter Concert on Dec. 8. The concert was directed by Buena Park Middle School band and choir Director Dylan Locke with help from California State University, Long Beach student-teachers Alix Aber and Kelsey Lih, who served as co-conductors for the evening. Some 250 guests were in attendance for the event.
Bonita Unified School District welcomed one new and two returning Board of Education members during its Dec. 14 Board meeting, ushering in a new era on a night that also saw longtime Board member Chuck Coyne retire after serving 17 years on the Board. Returning Board members Derek Bahmanou and Jim Elliot joined newly elected member Chris Ann Horsley to take the oath of office; Horsley was also selected to serve as Board clerk. Bahmanou and Elliot were elected to four-year terms, while Horsley was elected to serve a two-year term. Board president Glenn Creiman, who was elected in 2003 and Board vice president Greg Palatto, elected in 2020, complete the Board of Education.
