The 2022-23 school year has seen the long-awaited rollout of Whittier High School’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT), a four-year engineering pathway that provides students with a comprehensive overview of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) concepts and sets them on course for careers in STEAM-related fields. CAT combines the best of two programs offered in previous years at Whittier High – the Cardinal Computer Academy and the STEM Academy, which centered on computer information technology and engineering – and is updated to provide students with the tools they need to navigate the rapidly expanding STEM job market. CAT has proven to be very popular in its first year, with 80 freshmen enrolled in the first-year intro class. The pathway was created by Whittier High teachers Daniel Oliver and Steve Swanson, who developed the program and curriculum after seeking student input on what they wanted from a tech-based engineering pathway.
Three Covina-Valley Unified School District sites will have dynamic new principals as Terry Abernathy leads South Hills High School, Nick Garcia steps in at Sierra Vista Middle School, and Dr. Leo Magallón takes over at Northview High School for the 2023-24 school year. All three principals were unanimously approved during a Board of Education meeting on April 10. They will start their new positions on July 1, 2023.
The Fontana Unified School District and the City of Fontana are partnering with community stakeholders to host a Community Roundtable from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 at the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center. Parents and residents are invited to join FUSD Superintendent Miki Inbody and Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren as they work together to foster a more cohesive, respectful sense of community. The Community Roundtable will encourage dialogue, acknowledge and address biases, and collaborate on creating a more inclusive learning environment and community.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Unveils High School Dream Resource Center
Hacienda La Puente Unified officials, Dream Resource partners and dignitaries celebrated the launch of the La Puente High School’s Dream Resource Center with an opening ceremony on April 12, unveiling a welcoming, safe space where students can create, relax and collaborate. During the event, guests heard student testimonials and toured the center, which included vibrantly decorated walls full of inspirational quotes, vision boards and tabletops bedecked with resources, games and calming activities.
Buena Park Middle School Percussion Team Ends Successful First Year
Buena Park Middle School’s Percussion Program ended its inaugural year with a trip to the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) Finals, garnering praise from friends, family, audience members and industry professionals. The Percussion Program, which consists of 26 Buena Park Middle School students, competed against five different area schools at the SCPA Finals at Azusa Pacific University on April 8 after competing in two previous events this year. Buena Park Middle School earned a first-place distinction at the SCPA Regional Show on Feb. 11.
Summit High School’s instrumental and vocal music programs blew the judges away with their melodious sounds at the Heritage Festival hosted by WorldStrides on March 24, earning them multiple awards and placements. Summit’s Madrigal Choir earned a silver medal in the chamber choir category, putting on a strong performance in their first year of participating in the festival. The Wind Ensemble and Advanced Orchestra groups won 3A division national titles, both earning the Adjudicator award for scoring above 95%. Additionally, the Advanced Orchestra took home the sweepstakes title in the orchestral division for the second year in a row, indicating they received the highest score of any competing orchestra.
Bonita Unified Sports Medicine Team Advances to Nationals
San Dimas High School’s sports medicine competition team placed sixth in the state and ninth overall in the small schools division of the American Academic Competition Institute (AACI) Sports Medicine Competition, held in March at Cal State Northridge. The competition tests students’ knowledge and practical skill in anatomy and physiology, CPR/AED, first aid, orthopedic assessment and general medical conditions through an extensive written exam, a practical exam and an interactive anatomy challenge. The team’s strong performance will advance them to the AACI National Sports Medicine Competition in May.
Santa Fe High School senior and student leader Christian Sanchez has become a prominent figure on campus for his tenacity and commitment to fostering a sense of community amongst his peers, as well as his unwavering dedication to creating unforgettable experiences for those around him. As a member of Santa Fe High School’s Associated Student Body (ASB), Sanchez's contributions to the school's social and academic life are undeniable, as he sometimes spends his weekends tirelessly preparing for student activities and assemblies. While juggling his ASB responsibilities, Sanchez has managed to complete 25 honors and Advanced Placement credits in the span of three semesters. For his motivation to be a student leader and his numerous academic achievements, Sanchez was recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit during its April 11 Board meeting.
Covina High Senior Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Covina High School senior Heidi Alhannat dreams of breaking down barriers and showing others that they can do anything they set their minds to. This passion has driven Alhannat to outstanding achievement in her academic and personal pursuits, earning her recognition as a National Merit Scholarship finalist. Alhannat has been accepted to several prestigious schools, including Harvard University and Stanford University. Both schools boasted incredibly low acceptance rates for the 2022-23 applying class, with Harvard maintaining a 3.4% acceptance rate according to Crimson Education, and Stanford holding a 3.7% acceptance rate according to the Stanford Daily.
Bonita Unified School District continued to outpace school districts across the state in reading competency, ranking No. 1 in the state on the California Reading Coalition’s (CRC) California Reading Report Card, based on California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress English language arts test scores from 2021-22. Among districts with at least 100 economically disadvantaged Latino third-grade students, Bonita Unified led the way with 53% of the subgroup meeting or exceeding California grade-level standards. Bonita Unified’s No. 1 ranking is the result of a years-long District commitment to boost reading comprehension across all grade levels, embracing a data-driven method that reflects teaching practices proven by extensive research to effectively teach children how to read.
