Baldwin Park Unified School District welcomed more than 13,000 students for the 2018-19 school year on Aug. 16, launching with an expanded Dual Immersion program, increased science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEM) opportunities and new leadership at three schools.
Disney Channel and ABC Family stars delighted students on Aug. 20 at Baldwin Park Unified’s Tracy Elementary with more than 700 backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies thanks to a partnership with the nonprofit Baby2Baby. Baby2Baby provided a backpack to every student and transitional kindergarteners, kindergarteners and first-graders participated in a dance warmup. Baby2Baby provides basic essentials for newborns and children up to 12.
Baldwin Park Unified is set to participate in the city’s 35th annual National Night Out, a community-building event that promotes police and community partnerships with a 1.5-mile march from Baldwin Park City Hall to the Target Center. The event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Baldwin Park City Hall, 14403 Pacific Ave., Baldwin Park.
Baldwin Park Unified will expand college-readiness efforts and train a new cohort of teachers in the use of classroom technology to personalize learning, promote critical thinking and enhance collaboration in 2018-19. In addition, the District will continue to develop and support exemplary 21st century classrooms, infusing blended learning and multilingual environments.
More than 1,000 Baldwin Park Unified students are exploring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, as well as strengthening literacy skills and learning about healthy living during a hands-on summer school program through June 29 at seven campuses hosted by nonprofit Think Together. The program features field trips to local museums and discovery centers, and an overnight camping trip at the beach for select middle school students.
Baldwin Park High School valedictorian Camella Audrey Tieu encouraged her graduating classmates to be open to every opportunity and to not fear feeling lost because together they can reach their paths to happiness during the Class of 2018’s commencement ceremony on May 31. The event honored 400 graduating seniors who accepted long-anticipated diplomas in front of families, friends and educators. Salutatorian Melissa Lepe highlighted the ups and downs of high school and challenged her peers to push their boundaries of success. Lepe earned a 4.52 GPA and will attend UC Irvine to study aerospace engineering. Of the 400 graduates, 110 were accepted to one or more four-year universities, including USC, UCLA, Pepperdine and the University of La Verne. Students will also attend community colleges, trade and technical schools and enlist in the U.S. armed forces.
More than 130 graduating seniors received diplomas during a memorable commencement ceremony at North Park Continuation High School on May 30, which featured an interlude with students bestowing orchid leis on parents, teachers and mentors who helped them on their educational journey. Associated Student Body treasurer Mariana Rojo Hernandez and classmate Wilmer Antonio Sanchez encouraged their fellow graduates to never give up and to recognize their resiliency and strength. Hernandez received a scholarship from Schools First Credit Union. Sanchez earned scholarships from the Baldwin Park Education Association and the California School Employee Association.
Baldwin Park Unified will host a free summer learning program for 1,120 students at seven schools from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 4 through Friday, June 29. The program, offered through a partnership with nonprofit Think Together, will include enrichment activities that mix academic instruction with hands-on activities and field trips. In past years, selected seventh- and eighth-grade students have camped at San Clemente State Beach while others explored a planetary research station and enjoyed a simulated helicopter ride at the Discovery Cube Los Angeles.
Amid cheering from parents, the blaring of horns and even the occasional firework blast, Sierra Vista High School celebrated the commencement of 429 graduates during an evening ceremony on May 31. Of the 429 graduates, more than 350 will pursue higher education at seven University of California campuses, 12 California State University campuses, California community colleges and such nationally known private schools as USC, Mount St. Mary’s, University of La Verne, Carnegie Mellon and Azusa Pacific University.
Baldwin Park High School will celebrate the graduation of 400 students – including 110 who were accepted to one or more four-year universities – during a commencement ceremony set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 31. Students will matriculate to such world-class institutions as USC, Pomona College, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount. Students will also attend area community colleges, trade colleges and technical schools, and enlist in all branches of the U.S. armed forces. Thirty-two students will receive the state Seal of Biliteracy. The ceremony will be held at the school’s Ted K. Gorrell Stadium, 3900 N. Puente Ave., Baldwin Park.