Baldwin Park Unified has received a 2017 Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association (CSBA) for hands-on lessons that teach students about horticulture and the importance of healthy eating. District leaders learned of the award on Nov. 1, just days after a CSBA team inspected the Nutrition in the Garden program. District leaders will formally receive the award at a 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 ceremony during CSBA’s Annual Education Conference in San Diego.
Follow-up Story: Fifth-graders in Jose Rangel’s Walnut Elementary School class delivered a passionate message supporting STEAM instruction during a series of TED-style talks on Oct. 30 that included supporting research and presentation boards. Called KIDS Talks, the speeches were given to an audience of administrators, teachers and 90 fifth-grade classmates. Each emphasized the benefits of project-based learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as lessons that incorporate art (STEAM).
Baldwin Park Unified Names 10 Red Ribbon Week Poster Winners
Follow-up Story: Ten Baldwin Park Unified students received certificates and teddy bears at the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 24 for winning the District’s 2017 Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest. The winners are Edwin Vega from Bursch Elementary; Julian Quintero from Central Elementary; Yuon Sison from Santa Fe Elementary; and Olive Middle School students Gabriela Arzate, Ruby Contreras, Israel Goytia, Martin Kullmann V, Jocilyn Sanchez, Demetrius Selvey and Jaeden Torres from the group artist division. Photos are available
Tracy Elementary School’s dual-language immersion program will celebrate Mexican culture with a Día de Los Muertos event from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2. The event, which focuses on multiculturalism learned in the school’s English-Spanish program, will feature 13 altars honoring historical figures and pop culture icons, including Frida Kahlo, Juan Gabriel, Diego Rivera and Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Tracy Elementary is at 13350 Tracy St., Baldwin Park.
Follow-up Story: Baldwin Park Unified school police officers are displaying pink police patches this month as a reminder of their commitment to help treat and find a cure for breast cancer. The officers raised $1,000 for City of Hope through the 2017 Pink Patch Project, a nationwide awareness effort. Pink police patches can be bought for $10 from the Baldwin Park Unified School Police Department or a uniformed officer, or at the District Office.
Follow-up Story: Baldwin Park Unified School District Board of Education member Carlos Lopez, citing health reasons, has resigned his seat effective Oct. 25. Lopez, a computer technician and 1989 Sierra Vista High School graduate, was elected in November 2013. His term was to end in December 2017, but was extended for a year when the District aligned elections with state elections. The District will meet Tuesday, Nov. 14 to decide whether to hold a special election or appoint a member to complete the term.
Follow-up Story: Sierra Vista High School students oohed and aahed during a visit on Oct. 23 from a therapy dog to a club focused on mental health awareness, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Club. Students include those who’ve dealt with mental health issues and those considering a career in the field. The Oct. 23 visit included a presentation by a child psychologist on ways to ease hospital anxiety.
Follow-up Story: Alberto Garcia from Baldwin Park High School, Miguel Angel Gutierrez from North Park Continuation High School and Samantha Sandoval from Sierra Vista High School are the newly appointed student board members for the 2017-18 academic year. Garcia presented the first student board report Oct. 10 at Baldwin Park Unified’s Board of Education meeting. All three students are seniors who are active in campus clubs and activities, including the Associated Student Body.
A student club at Baldwin Park Unified’s Sierra Vista High School that battles the stigma of mental illness will host a program on child psychology and animal therapy featuring Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center therapy dog “Gunny” at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 at the high school, 3600 Frazier St., Baldwin Park. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Club – started as a pilot effort in 2016-17 – is the region's first high school NAMI club and includes more than 150 members.
Follow-up Story: Baldwin Park Unified School District is committed to the success of all students regardless of their immigration status, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability, sex and gender identity, socio-economic status or beliefs by declaring all school sites and facilities as safe zones. The Board of Education on Oct. 10 unanimously adopted a District resolution that pledges to ensure a safe educational environment for all students by reminding families about laws that protect them and their students’ records from questions about immigration status.
