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Covina-Valley Unified School District

  • Covina-Valley Unified to Host State of the District Event Highlighting Innovation and Student Success

    Covina-Valley Unified will host its annual State of the District event, showcasing the District’s innovative programs and opportunities that prepare students for college, careers, and life. The event, emceed by Interim Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Blackmore, will feature a complimentary breakfast and the premiere of a showcase video celebrating the spirit, excellence, and dynamic offerings of Covina-Valley Unified.

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  • Traweek Middle School Revives Cheer Program with First Pep Squad in 20 Years

    When eighth-grader Lily Morales set her sights on reviving the cheer program at Traweek Middle School, she sparked a movement that led to the school’s first Pep Squad in 20 years, giving students new opportunities to lead, connect, and build school pride. When new teacher Heaven Velasquez introduced herself to her classes last school year and mentioned her lifelong cheer experience, Morales, a seventh-grader at the time, saw an opportunity.

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  • Covina-Valley Unified AVID Coordinator Named National Finalist for AVID Staff Developer of the Year

    Las Palmas Middle School teacher and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Coordinator Christy Thiel has been named one of only four finalists nationwide for the AVID Staff Developer of the Year Award, which honors educators for outstanding contributions to professional learning, student success, and the advancement of the AVID program. In 2008, Thiel became the school’s first AVID elective teacher and coordinator when the program offered only one section for seventh-graders. Seventeen years later, more than 330 students make up the 10 sections of AVID at Las Palmas, spanning sixth through eighth grade, including three AVID Excel sections for students in need of additional language support.

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Covina-Valley Unified Launches Summer Pilot Program to Bring CTE to Middle Schoolers

Covina-Valley Unified is opening new doors for middle school students through a pilot career technical education (CTE) summer program, giving incoming seventh- and eighth-graders early exposure to hands-on, real-world learning. The program, open to Las Palmas, Traweek, and Sierra Vista middle school students, quickly reached full capacity after its launch. Organized into three sessions, the program offers students the chance to explore two CTE programs per session, including studio art and business entrepreneurship, sports patient care and medical patient care, aviation/aerospace, and theater production.

Covina-Valley Unified Appoints Dr. Jonathan Blackmore as Interim Superintendent for 2025-26 School Year

The Covina-Valley Unified School District Board of Education has appointed longtime educator and District leader Dr. Jonathan Blackmore as interim superintendent for the 2025-26 school year, following a Board meeting held on July 10. Blackmore will lead the District while the Board conducts a comprehensive search for a permanent superintendent, which is expected to begin later this year. With more than 31 years of experience in education and over a decade of service to C-VUSD, Blackmore brings expertise and a strong commitment to student achievement, family engagement, and organizational excellence. Since joining the District, Blackmore has served in various roles, including Director of Communications, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Director of 21st Century Learning and Special Projects, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to his tenure in Covina-Valley Unified, he served as a high school principal, assistant principal, counselor, and English teacher.

Covina-Valley Unified Celebrates Class of 2025 with Five Inspiring Graduation Ceremonies

Covina-Valley Unified School District honored the Class of 2025 with five uplifting commencement ceremonies held June 2-5, celebrating the accomplishments of more than 1,000 graduates as they enter the next chapter of their lives. Graduates from Northview, South Hills, and Covina high schools are headed to prestigious universities, including Harvard University; the University of Pennsylvania; the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Southern California; the University of California, Irvine; the University of Oregon; and more. Many are attending these institutions with notable scholarships in hand, including the $50,000 Southern California Edison Scholarship and the $25,000 ACE Mentor Scholarship.

Covina High Senior Takes Passion for Impact to UPENN, Extending the School’s Ivy League Legacy

Covina High School senior Titilola (Lola) Opanubi is preparing to take the next step in her academic journey this fall at the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN), paved by her deep commitment to academic excellence, social impact, and student leadership. Opanubi’s acceptance to UPENN continues a tradition of Ivy League success at Covina High School – a legacy of academic excellence that has spanned the past three years. Driven by a desire to uplift her community, Opanubi has spent her high school years leading and giving back. Through a voluntary Social Impact Project with Close the Gap Foundation, she worked to increase awareness of college access programs, such as “fly-in” opportunities and internships. Opanubi also serves as finance director for IgniteHER, a nonprofit focused on empowering the next generation of young female leaders.

Covina-Valley Unified Senior Will Bring People-Centered Mindset and Passion to USC

Northview High School senior John Rincon will bring his people-centered mindset and passion for engineering to the University of Southern California this fall, continuing a proud family tradition of academic excellence at Northview High. As a four-year basketball player and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) student, Rincon has made his mark at Northview both on and off the court. He has played varsity basketball since his sophomore year, building lifelong friendships and leadership skills that he plans to carry with him to college.

Manzanita Elementary School Named One of Nation’s Top 10, Spotlighting Academic Excellence

Manzanita Elementary School has been named one of America’s Best Schools by the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) in 2025, a prestigious honor that highlights the school’s unwavering commitment to educational excellence, equity, and strong academic and extracurricular programs that prepare the District’s young learners for lifelong success. With this award, NCUST recognizes Manzanita as one of the top 10 elementary schools in the nation, celebrating its ability to achieve high levels of academic proficiency for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, or income level.

Covina High School to Unveil New Aviation and Aerospace CTE Classroom

Covina-Valley Unified School District will celebrate the opening of Covina High School’s cutting-edge aviation and aerospace career technical education (CTE) classroom, which is designed to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and real-world experience. The CTE pathway introduces students to the fundamentals of aviation and aerospace while preparing them for future careers in the field.

South Hills High Senior Dedicated to Academics, Athletics, and Arts Earns Prestigious Edison Scholarship

South Hills High School senior Michael Yuan has devoted his high school years to academic excellence, athletic achievement, and musical passion. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma candidate, varsity swimmer, and dedicated band member, Yuan exemplifies what it means to be a well-rounded student – an achievement that earned him the prestigious Edison Scholarship. Each year, Edison International awards 30 high school seniors a $50,000 scholarship to support their pursuit of higher education in science, technology, engineering, or math. This marks the third consecutive year a South Hills student has received the distinguished award.