Covina-Valley Unified School District will distribute free backpacks stuffed with school supplies on a first-come, first-served basis and provide complimentary access to essential services during its “Back to School Extravaganza” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10. The event will take place at the C-VUSD Health and Wellness Center, 4555 N. Lark Ellen Ave. Families will receive access to a free pancake breakfast and professional haircuts, as well as free health screenings, mental health resources, and more from the District’s Student Services team of counselors, social workers, and nurses.
C-VUSD Energy Conservation Program Earns EPA ENERGY STAR Honors
Covina-Valley Unified School District has been honored with ENERGY STAR certifications from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its dedication to sustainable and fiscally responsible practices through its comprehensive energy conservation program. Twelve District buildings, including 10 school sites, earned ENERGY STAR certifications for meeting ventilation standards set by the EPA and rating in the top 25 percent nationwide for energy efficiency.
Covina-Valley Unified Prepares for First Day of 2023-24 School Year
Covina-Valley Unified School District will start its new school year on Monday, Aug. 21. The District serves the communities of Covina, West Covina, Glendora, San Dimas, and Irwindale with 19 school sites, including an early childhood center and two adult education campuses.
Children throughout the San Gabriel Valley will have access to free, essential nutrition through Covina-Valley Unified School District’s Community Summer Meals Program. Any child 18 years or younger in the surrounding Covina-Valley community can receive one free breakfast and lunch meal every day through the Summer Meals Program, which runs at 10 different locations until Wednesday, Aug. 16.
Covina-Valley Unified School District has named Dr. Kim Braswell, a 24-year veteran in education with a breadth of experience as a teacher and school administrator, as the new principal of Rowland Avenue Elementary School. Over the last six years, Dr. Braswell served as a school administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She comes to Covina-Valley Unified from Bonita Unified School District, where she served as both the interim principal at Roynon Elementary School and the assistant principal at Ramona Middle School. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Rowland Unified School District, which included two stints as a teacher on special assignment.
Covina-Valley Unified School District celebrated the resilience and extraordinary accomplishments of its diverse Class of 2023 with five vibrant graduation ceremonies filled with powerful music, moving speeches, and festive streamer cannons. Over four days, a total of 1,064 Covina-Valley Unified graduates were individually recognized and had their names read aloud to packed, cheering crowds filled with friends and family. The District’s Class of 2023 included 38 valedictorians and 229 graduates with honors for attaining GPAs of 3.65 to 4.0.
When Brandon Calderon walked across the stage to accept his high school diploma at South Hills High School’s commencement ceremony on June 7, it capped a run of nearly perfect high school attendance – an uncommon achievement in a post-pandemic world. Calderon only missed one day of school in his four years of high school – when he took a day off after finals to attend his sister’s graduation.
Covina-Valley Unified School District Medical Pathway Teacher Nikki Rodriguez-Ahern and South Hills High School senior Karissa Ramos provided medical expertise and life-saving care when they encountered a medical emergency in the community on April 26. Just four days before the medical intervention, Rodriguez-Ahern had led her C-VUSD Medical Pathway students, including Ramos, through a CPR certification course. For her heroic actions, Covina-Valley Unified’s Board of Education honored Rodriguez-Ahern at the May 8 Board meeting.
Covina-Valley Unified School District will celebrate the Class of 2023 with energetic commencement ceremonies, honoring graduates in the District’s three comprehensive high schools, alternative high school and adult education school. All three comprehensive high school graduations for Covina, Northview and South Hills high schools will be held at the Covina District Field located at 220 W. Puente Ave., Covina. Covina High will begin the festivities at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 5, followed by Northview High at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6. Fairvalley High will host its ceremony inside the Dr. Mary Hanes Center at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, located at 220 West Puente Ave., which is followed by South Hills High at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7. Tri-Community Adult Education School will round out the ceremonies at South Hills High at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, located at 645 W. Barranca St., West Covina.
Covina-Valley Unified School District (C-VUSD) celebrated its success in fostering “Educational Excellence for Every Student, Every Day” during its first-ever State of the District event on May 16, which featured a one-of-a-kind multimedia presentation that detailed the District’s innovative programs and achievements. Board President Maria Caceres and Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer led the event, featuring heartfelt accounts by students from all three of the District’s comprehensive high schools on the impact of District programming. The multimedia presentation gave an overview of Covina-Valley Unified and highlighted the innovative programs and accomplishments that make the District a standout educational institution in the region.
