The El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees will move forward three draft trustee area maps for further consideration as the District transitions from at-large elections to trustee-area elections. The Board plans to select a final map for adoption at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Following comments during the Jan. 5 public hearing, as well as feedback taken during several community open houses and previous public hearings, the Board narrowed the number of draft maps for consideration following consensus to eliminate the NDC Yellow, NDC Green and NDC Green 2 maps and requested changes to NDC Green map to create a new NDC Green 3 Map. The Board of Trustees will adopt a final map from the following three drafts: NDC Orange Map, NDC Yellow 2 Map, and a new NDC Green 3 which is being developed by professional demographers based on comments received from the Board during the recent public hearing.
Arroyo High School held an open house on Dec. 17 to showcase their one-acre on-campus garden, also known as the ‘Farm Lab,’ where students grow and harvest their own produce, learn about ecology and farming science and how to conserve water to preserve the ecosystem. The urban garden provides a flourishing and sustainable food source for hungry families with a variety of crops, including fruits such as lemon, orange and papaya, medicinal and culinary herbs, root vegetables like carrots, radishes and sweet potatoes, lemon grass, sugar cane and more. While at the open house, guests had the opportunity to enjoy garden-grown basil lemonade, win raffle prizes and make party baskets full of harvested produce.
El Monte Union Narrows Trustee Area Maps Down to Three
The El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees has narrowed the number of draft trustee area maps to three and will hold a final hearing to consider and select a final trustee area map and sequence of elections, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the District Office, 3537 Johnson Ave., El Monte. The District released an updated map, NDC Green 3, for public review. This map, along with NDC Orange and NDC Yellow 2, will be considered before a final trustee area map is selected by the Board. The public is invited to participate in-person or virtually. Visit emuhsd-by-area-trustees.com to view the maps, submit comments, and for more information.
El Monte Union High School District released an additional draft trustee area map for public review and comment. The District, like many other school districts and cities in the state, is in the process of changing how members of the Board of Trustees are elected to office. A total of seven draft maps of what trustee areas in the District could look like have been shared with the public. Beginning in November 2022, registered voters will vote for a single Board of Trustees candidate residing in their newly drawn trustee area, comprised of one-fifth of the entire school district. Registered voters will not be able to vote for Board of Trustee candidates from trustee areas in which they do not reside.
El Monte Union Spreads Holiday Spirit and Cheer with Family Posada
The El Monte Union High School District hosted its fourth annual Family Posada on Dec. 10, welcoming more than 1,000 families to the event with featured appearances from Santa Claus, folklórico dancers, school swag giveaways, snow, and food such as tamales and pan dulce. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Family Posada was transformed by staff and parent volunteers into a drive-thru parade, during which cars lined up outside the District office before touring through a snowy Christmas light tunnel.
El Monte High School teacher Joel Whisler has been named the 2021-22 recipient of the Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award, a distinction given to educators who exemplify Bobby Salcedo’s commitment to education. Whisler, who has taught music at El Monte High School for 27 years, was honored with the award during the El Monte Promise Foundation’s 18th Annual Tamalada on Dec. 9.
El Monte Union Recognizes Special Education Day Across Campuses
The El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees passed a resolution to recognize Special Education Day across campuses on Dec. 2, an initiative that celebrated students, special education programs and the dedication of teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators to ensure all students are successful. The Special Education Day celebrations will continue throughout December, as school site staff hand out bracelets, shirts, and awareness activity packets, aimed at minimizing the stigma of students with disabilities.
El Monte Union High School District has been recognized by the California School Boards Association with a Golden Bell Award for its career technical education (CTE) pathway, Zoo Crew: Engineers Gone Wild! The three-year science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pathway launched in 2018 at Mountain View High School. The goal of the Zoo Crew engineering pathway is to inspire more female and underrepresented students to enroll in STEM courses. Zoo Crew challenges students to master rigorous CTE coursework by designing and engineering products, habitats, and structures that benefit wildlife, with a curriculum that is fun and relevant.
The El Monte Union Board of Trustees will continue discussion on and narrow the number of draft trustee area maps for final consideration during a public hearing at the next Board meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5. As the District’s process to create by-trustee areas moves forward, the public is urged to participate in-person or virtually to share their feedback on the maps. Visit https://emuhsd-by-area-trustees.com/ to view the maps and submit comments.
Fernando R. Ledesma High School has received a $5,000 grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians to develop student literacy and promote a love of reading among underrepresented students. The high school began the application process for the Barona Education Grant after interviewing their Trinity Youth Services students. The feedback received expressed a high student interest in wanting to read more books that resonated with them.
