Baldwin Park Unified’s Holland Middle School composed its first competitive robotics team, consisting of eight students, a little over a year ago. Since this time, student interest has significantly increased with the school now supporting three competitive teams – totaling 18 students, including one all-female team. Baldwin Park High School, catching the robotics rush, expanded to two competitive teams to accommodate eight veterans of Holland’s 2018 team.
Baldwin Park Unified’s Continuation High School to Launch PBIS Program
Baldwin Park Unified’s North Park Continuation High School will officially launch the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) System to boost academic success, bolster student morale and decrease behavioral issues. The PBIS program emphasizes that students learn acceptable behavioral expectations and reinforces lessons with praise and positive incentives. During the kick-off event, students will participate in group-building activities and reflect on the importance of integrity. The event will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23 at North Park, 4600 N. Bogart Ave., Baldwin Park.
Baldwin Park Unified’s Central, Elwin and Pleasant View elementary schools were granted $50,000 by the Masons of California to implement Raising a Reader, an early reading intervention program for Southern California schools to develop home literacy routines. Pleasant View hosted the Public School’s Raising a Reader event kick-off on April 9, featuring a performance by Pleasant View transitional kindergarteners and kindergarteners.
Baldwin Park Unified School District saw growth in multiple areas on the California School Dashboard, a tool that gives parents, students and educators access to important school and district data. Released on Dec. 6, the updated Dashboard shows that BPUSD students improved their performance on California’s English language arts (ELA) and mathematics tests, continuing an upward trend. ELA scores increased by 7.8 points from 2017-18 and math scores strengthened by 4.6 points from 2017-18.
Baldwin Park Unified held an Oath of Office Ceremony on Dec. 10. for returning Board of Education member Betsabel Lara and newly elected members Deanna Coronado Robles and Robert Guzman Varela. During the organizational meeting, Board of Education member Christina Lucero was nominated as board president and Lara was selected to serve as vice president and clerk.
Baldwin Park High School senior Karmen Lance and her two partners scanned the computer network of a small company for cyber-attacks while maintaining critical services on Dec. 8 as they competed in a virtual computer competition. Lance and her team were acting as IT professionals in the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, created by the Air Force Association to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
Baldwin Park Unified Vocal Ensemble to Perform during Toy Drive
Vocal ensemble students from Sierra Vista High School’s choral music department will deliver a foot-tapping holiday performance for the California Highway Patrol’s annual CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive. The event will be broadcast on CBS 2 and KCAL 9 at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19 at the West Covina Mall. The mall is at Plaza West Covina, 428 Plaza Drive, West Covina.
Sierra Vista High School Students to Relieve Finals Stress with Puppy Party
Sierra Vista High School students will alleviate finals week stress with a puppy party at lunchtime on Monday, Dec. 17. The event is organized by the school’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) club, a student-led organization that raises awareness of mental health. Sierra Vista High School is at 3600 Frazier St., Baldwin Park.
Baldwin Park High School Sophomore Earns Volunteer of the Year Award
Baldwin Park High School sophomore Gabriel Olvera earned the Brian Velez Memorial Award-Volunteer of the Year for dedicating his time over the past year to repair bicycles at Bike San Gabriel Valley (SGV) – an organization that promotes a bicycle- and transit-friendly environment. Olvera, an avid cyclist, has spent his weekends fixing bikes and teaching others about the hobby at the Bike SGV Education Center, located at the Jeff Seymour Family Center. The award is named for Brian Velez, a volunteer who became Bike SGV’s outreach coordinator.
Baldwin Park Unified and the city of Baldwin Park are preparing for the 22nd annual Santa Clothes project, in which 350 Baldwin Park Unified students will receive a shopping spree at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Walmart, 3250 Big Dalton Ave., Baldwin Park. For more information, contact Maria Guevara at 626-962-3311, ext. 6177.