Santa Fe School sixth-grader Jonathan Han will represent Baldwin Park Unified at the 11th annual Los Angeles County Elementary Spelling Bee on March 30 after besting 29 competitors in the District spelling contest. Jonathan, a previous contender in the District Spelling Bee, was among the top two spellers from 13 elementary schools and two middle schools chosen to participate. The spellers competed fiercely for seven rounds Feb. 18 at the Performing Arts Center of Baldwin Park, with students eliminated after missing a single word. School staff, family members and friends cheered on the students as they competed. In the end, it came down to Jonathan and Holland Middle School sixth-grader Julian Estrella. The two went head to head for three rounds before Jonathan emerged victorious. The hardest words of the day: apparatus and the winning word, orthodox. To prepare for the contest, Jonathan said he worked hard, practiced with classmates and accessed online spelling bee resources. He plans to study daily until the county contest.
Baldwin Park Unified School District’s Board of Education on Feb. 9 named 16-year District administrator Froilan N. Mendoza as its new superintendent. Mendoza, who has served as interim superintendent since September 2015, previously held posts as the District’s associate superintendent, senior director of student achievement, director of extended educational programs and coordinator of early childhood education. Mendoza holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, and is studying for his doctorate at USC. Mendoza said he looks forward to collaborating with community members, students, teachers and staff in developing the District’s new Local Control and Accountability Plan, establishing additional career education paths with the aid of a $1.8 million, three-year grant; as well as setting goals for school technology.
Baldwin Park Unified has begun granting diplomas to former students who could not receive diplomas because they did not pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). The exam was suspended this school year via Senate Bill 172, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in October. The law allows students who were not granted diplomas from 2003-04 through 2013-14 solely because of the CAHSEE to receive diplomas. A separate legislative action removed the requirement for 2014-15 graduates. Former students seeking diplomas may contact the District.
Baldwin Park Unified officials have announced 20 openings in an innovative independent study program launched this fall that personalizes instruction for students who seek alternative educational approaches or who face challenges in a traditional school setting. The Independent Learning Center (ILC) at Baldwin Park High School provides a rigorous, blended online learning program with flexible hours to ensure students meet graduation requirements. The ILC provides career exploration and preparation as well as social-emotional support. For information, call (626) 960-5431, x3205.
Area School Districts Remain Open on Dec. 15, 2015
While there has been an action taken by Los Angeles Unified School District leaders to close schools out of an abundance of caution based on a threat made specifically to LAUSD schools, the following school districts are in session and are urging parents to send their students to school to maintain instructional continuity: Azusa Unified; Baldwin Park Unified; Bassett Unified; Bellflower Unified; Little Lake City; Lynwood Unified; Montebello Unified; Norwalk-La Mirada Unified; Pomona Unified; Santa Monica-Malibu Unified; Whittier Union High. As always, student safety is the first priority and all standard safety measures will be employed by school personnel.
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center of Baldwin Park is collaborating with the Baldwin Park Unified School District for its annual holiday season Adopt-a-Family program.
This year, the Medical Center’s Leadership Administration team and 11 departments will adopt 13 families from Baldwin Park and Sierra Vista high schools. Each family will receive personalized gifts, including clothing, shoes, toys and educational items from a wish list. Each family will be invited to the respective department at the Kaiser Medical Center in Baldwin Park for a breakfast where they will be presented with their holiday gifts. Kaiser Leadership Administration has planned its breakfast for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15 in the Kaiser Administration Conference Room.
Baldwin Park Unified School District will promote holiday-time mental health and wellness during a special event called "Keeping the Happy in Holidays!" on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Sierra Vista High School. The event, held in collaboration with the World Boxing Council, will feature world champion boxers, referees, announcers, radio show hosts, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and special guest U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano. Pre-event activities begin at 3:30 p.m. and include health awareness vendors and food booths. The main event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Sierra Vista gymnasium, 3600 N. Frazier St., Baldwin Park Tickets, which are free, must be picked up in advance at the school.
Baldwin Park Unified Board Honors Retiring Board Member Jack White
Baldwin Park Unified will host a reception from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8 to honor Board of Education member Jack White, who is retiring after 22 years. Community members are invited to join the Board of Education and District faculty and staff at the BPUSD Administration Center Board Room, 3699 N. Holly Ave., Baldwin Park. White is credited with helping to guide the District through the Great Recession without compromising on class-size reduction goals and boosting student achievement. During his stewardship, the District obtained more than $145 million in state and federal funds.
Central Elementary School’s 508 students will join the largest learning event in history on Monday, Dec. 7 when the Baldwin Park Unified campus hosts an Hour of Code – a computer science campaign that has been sweeping the globe. Central Elementary has been preparing for the event for months, holding a special training in October and inviting teachers from across Baldwin Park Unified School District to learn how to host the event. Central Elementary – at 14741 Central Ave, Baldwin Park – will launch its Hour of Code with two school assemblies, followed by coding in classrooms.
Baldwin Park Adult School Hosts Day of Pampering for Shelter Residents
Follow-up Story: Twenty women from area shelters have been treated to a Day of Pampering courtesy of the Baldwin Park Unified School District Adult and Community Education Cosmetology Department as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities sponsored by Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center and U.S. Reps. Grace Napolitano and Judy Chu. The guests started the day with breakfast before receiving complimentary facials, haircuts and style, facials, pedicures and manicures and a finishing touch with makeup. The day concluded with a buffet lunch at the Baldwin Park Performing Arts Center.
