Baldwin Park Unified students grades one through eight will go head-to-head in a District hosted Chess Tournament from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at the Elwin Professional Development Center. Over the last 10 weeks, students have studied and practiced the strategies and tactics of chess through Chess Masters, a program available to students in Think Together and available as pilot programs at Geddes and Tracy elementary schools. Trophies will be awarded to the top winners in the following grade levels: first to second; third to fourth; fifth to sixth; and seventh to eighth. Elwin Professional Development Center is located at 13010 Waco St., Baldwin Park.
Baldwin Park Unified Schools Recognized for Positive Campus Culture
Baldwin Park Unified honored seven District schools during a regular Board of Education meeting on Oct. 24 for earning Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) Awards for creating and nurturing positive campus cultures. This is the first time a Baldwin Park Unified school has earned a Platinum Award. Two schools also ranked up, with De Anza advancing from Gold to Platinum and North Park moving from Silver to Gold. Charles Bursch, Margaret Heath, Tracy and Vineland elementary schools earned Gold Awards, and Sierra Vista Middle School earned Silver.
Kenmore Elementary School students in Baldwin Park Unified’s Think Together program crafted giant piñatas, three-dimensional stars and picture frames with puzzle pieces during the annual Lights On Afterschool event on Oct. 25. Kenmore administrators and Think Together teachers incorporated Halloween festivities, with students dressing up as characters from their favorite movies, TV shows and video games. Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide celebration that highlights the importance of afterschool programs in students’ personal and academic development.
Sierra Vista High School’s Jack B. White Stadium was filled with Dons and Braves supporters, dressed in Sierra Vista High School red and black and Baldwin Park High School blue and white, for Baldwin Park Unified’s annual Crosstown Showdown Game on Oct. 20. The night was packed with energetic performances from both high school’s football, cheer, band, and color guard teams. Baldwin Park High ended the game with a strong 26-6 finish, ensuring the Braves will keep the historic community bell for another year.
Baldwin Park Unified Honors Namesake Tradition at Elementary School
Baldwin Park Unified students and staff from Margaret Heath Elementary gathered on Oct. 6 to celebrate Margaret Heath Day and recognize the educational pioneer as well as name a Margaret Heath Scholarship winner. Abigail Gil, a 2023 graduate of Baldwin Park High School, was awarded this year’s scholarship to put toward her academic pursuits at Cal State Los Angeles. Every year, Heath students collect coin donations for the scholarship, which goes to a Margaret Heath alumnus and Baldwin Park Unified graduate.
Baldwin Park and Sierra Vista high school varsity football teams will battle for the community bell and District bragging rights during Baldwin Park Unified’s annual Crosstown Showdown at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20 at Sierra Vista High’s Jack B. White Stadium, located at 3600 N. Frazier St., Baldwin Park. BPHS and SVHS cheer teams, band and color guard teams will perform during the game and at halftime to showcase the talent in the District’s visual and performing arts programs.
Baldwin Park Unified orchestra director Paul Grant has a special place in his heart for the teachers who brought the joy of music to his life, helping mold an energetic and mischievous student into a world-class musician and inspiring him to pursue a career as a music instructor. For more than 10 years at BPUSD, Grant has channeled his former mentors, ensuring student success through equitable access to instruments and tailoring classroom lessons to ensure key foundational skills are learned each week. For his passion and dedication, Grant was recently named the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), Los Angeles Chapter’s 2023 Outstanding Teacher of the Year.For more than 10 years at BPUSD, Grant has channeled his former mentors, ensuring student success through equitable access to instruments and tailoring classroom lessons to ensure key foundational skills are learned each week. For his passion and dedication, Grant was recently named the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), Los Angeles Chapter’s 2023 Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
Baldwin Park Unified Educator Named LACOE 2023 Teacher of the Year
Alejandra Covarrubias, an Olive Middle School teacher in Baldwin Park Unified’s Dual Language Program, was honored as one of 16 Los Angeles County Office of Education’s 2023 Teachers of the Year at the LACOE Banquet on Sept. 22. Covarrubias was joined by Baldwin Park Unified Board of Education President Diana E. Miranda-Dzib, Board Clerk/Vice President Christina Lucero, Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Angela A. Salazar, Olive Middle Principal Pamela Cruz and Baldwin Park Education Association President Andrea Grimm. Along with Dual Language, Covarrubias teaches English language arts, a study skills class, and the school’s Associated Student Body leadership class.
Baldwin Park Unified School District will host its 14th annual College and Career Fair for students, parents and families to learn about an abundance of academic resources and support services, including local job opportunities, informational sessions by college and university recruiters and healthcare options available at mental health agencies. The fair will start with a special welcome and introduction from keynote speaker Salvador Arias, followed by a variety of workshops at 10:30 a.m. The event will conclude with a walk-through of college and career booths at noon.
Baldwin Park Unified Promotes Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Across Baldwin Park Unified, campuses are decorated with mental health and wellness posters and reminders, recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Week, held Sept. 11 to 15, students and staff reflected on the theme “Share Hope Together for Suicide Prevention” and reviewed the signs and stigmas as well as support services available to the BPUSD community.
