Covina-Valley Unified School District has been honored with ENERGY STAR certifications from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its dedication to sustainable and fiscally responsible practices through its comprehensive energy conservation program.
Twelve C-VUSD school sites earned ENERGY STAR certifications for meeting ventilation standards set by the EPA and rating in the top 25 percent nationwide for energy efficiency. The District’s ENERGY STAR-certified facilities are proven to save energy and money, and help protect the environment by generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings. Through its partnership with Cenergistic, an energy conservation company, the District created a comprehensive conservation program to protect the environment and save taxpayer dollars. The District has saved more than $1 million since the launch of the program two years ago.
The sky is the limit for Fontana Unified K-12 students looking to push their creative boundaries and channel their entrepreneurial spirit, as the District’s much-anticipated Innovation Empire debuts in the 2023-24 school year, which began Aug. 3. Fueled by the imagination of young scholars, and buoyed by a Makerspace stocked with a fleet of state-of-the-art 3D, laser and ultra-violet printers, high-powered industrial drills, water cutters and CNC mills, the Innovation Empire is poised to be the nucleus for a new generation of STEM learners desiring to be engineers, coders and business owners.
Covina-Valley Unified School District will distribute free backpacks stuffed with school supplies on a first-come, first-served basis and provide complimentary access to essential services during its “Back to School Extravaganza” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10. The event will take place at the C-VUSD Health and Wellness Center, 4555 N. Lark Ellen Ave. Families will receive access to a free pancake breakfast and professional haircuts, as well as free health screenings, mental health resources, and more from the District’s Student Services team of counselors, social workers, and nurses.
Whittier Union High School District is kicking off the 2023-24 school year with the renewal of the GoPass program, offering students consistent and reliable transportation to school by providing unlimited rides at no cost on the Metro bus and rail. The program began its pilot year in Whittier Union in October 2021 after the District was approached by City of Whittier Mayor Pro Tem and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board member Fernando Dutra. The Fareless System Initiative aims to increase student ridership, student success, and improve student health. According to Metro, students with access to public transportation have a higher rate of graduation and are also shown to be healthier due to a more active lifestyle.
Río Hondo College will hold a healing circle and grief counseling to support the community as we grieve the loss of Julius B. Thomas, who passed away on July 9, 2023. This event will provide students, faculty, staff, and alumni the space to share thoughts and feelings on the loss of Professor Thomas.
El Monte Union has selected Dr. Laura Rivas as its new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, bringing an esteemed administrator and strong communicator dedicated to student success to the District. Rivas replaces Larry Cecil, who retired in June after 36 years with El Monte Union. Rivas, who has more than 25 years of experience in education, has served as a teacher, categorical programs advisor, assistant principal, principal and director of secondary education. An accomplished bilingual educator and relationship-builder, Rivas said she is committed to equity and meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of students and families in the District community.
Whittier Union Renews Free Public Transportation to Students
Whittier Union High School District is kicking off the 2023-24 school year with the renewal of the GoPass program, offering students consistent and reliable transportation to school by providing unlimited rides at no cost on the Metro bus and rail. The program began its pilot year in Whittier Union in October 2021 after the District was approached by City of Whittier Mayor Pro Tem and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board member Fernando Dutra. The Fareless System Initiative aims to increase student ridership, student success, and improve student health. The pass allows each student unlimited rides on Metro bus and rail, as well as bus lines including Norwalk Transit, Montebello Bus, City of Commerce, LADOT Dash, Culver City Bus and the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus.
Baldwin Park Unified Welcomes New and Veteran Administrators
Long-time educators in Baldwin Park Unified and new hires will start the 2023-24 school year in administrative roles for the District, including leadership positions at BPUSD elementary, middle and high schools. Dr. Maria D. Alonso, former Margaret Heath Elementary Principal, will serve as Coordinator of Expanded Learning Opportunities in the District’s support services department, and Nancy Rodriguez was promoted to Director of Risk Management and Safety Response. Ofelia Romero will serve as principal at Bursch Elementary, Pamela Cruz will lead as principal at Olive Middle School, Julio C. Nunez will lead Sierra Vista Middle School, Raquel Gonzalez will serve as assistant principal at Kenmore Elementary, Vanessa Rivas will helm Jones Middle as assistant principal and Alyflor B. Navalta will be assistant principal at Baldwin Park High School.
Baldwin Park Unified Graduates Earn Business Association Scholarships
Baldwin Park Unified Class of 2023 graduates earned Baldwin Park Business Association (BPBA) Scholarship Awards and were recognized during the BPBA meeting on July 19. North Park graduate Serenity Martinez, Baldwin Park High School Class of 2023 valedictorian Jayden Than and Sierra Vista High School grad Jeffrey D. Torres were celebrated for their achievements in education.
EMUHSD Alumna Represents Philippines at 2023 Women’s World Cup
Quinley Quezada, a talented soccer star and alumna of Rosemead High School (RHS), achieved a monumental milestone as she proudly represented the Philippines in their first-ever Women's World Cup game on July 20. Quezada's soccer journey began at RHS, where her skills and unwavering dedication earned her a reputation as a standout player. She was named part of the First Team All-League for the 2011 to 2015 seasons. She was also recognized as the All-Mission Valley League Offensive Player of the Year in 2011 and 2015 and earned Female Athlete of the Year as a senior student.
