Rosemead High School junior Xitlalic Palacios was such a talkative child growing up that her parents nicknamed her “perquito,” the Spanish word for parrot. Spurred on by her parent’s encouragement, Palacios has emerged as a strong public speaker, campus leader and engaged students. Palacios, a first-generation college-goer, will use her leadership qualities to advocate for El Monte Union students after being sworn in as Student Trustee by the District Board of Trustees during a virtual board meeting on Aug. 5. Palacios is the first junior to ever serve on the Board.
Palacios, a first-generation college-goer, will use her leadership qualities to advocate for El Monte Union students after being sworn in as Student Trustee by the District Board of Trustees during a virtual board meeting on Aug. 5. Palacios is the first junior to ever serve on the Board.
El Monte Union High School District has promoted four administrators, who have nearly 90 years of combined experience in the District, to new positions for the 2020-21 school year. Robin Torres has spent the last seven years as principal of El Monte High School, where she began her education career at El Monte Union in 1985 as a physical education and life science teacher. A credentialed Adapted Physical Education Specialist, Torres coached multiple sports at El Monte High before stepping into administrative posts at Mountain View, Rosemead and El Monte-Rosemead Adult schools. She succeeds Felipe Ibarra, who retired in June.
Longtime El Monte Union Educator Named Principal of Arroyo High School
Longtime El Monte Union educator Gabriel Flores, an El Monte High School Class of 1992 graduate, has been selected to serve as Arroyo High School’s principal. Flores, who has spent his 22-year education career in El Monte Union, succeeds Angelita Gonzales, who retired in June.
New El Monte High School Principal Channels His Inner Lion’s Roar
Eddie Cuevas first learned the significance of the El Monte High School Lion’s Roar when he arrived on campus as a freshman. As a Class of 1989 graduate, Cuevas began a successful career as a project manager in the private sector, but always felt his community calling him back. Today, Cuevas, a first-generation college-goer who came to the U.S. when he was 2 years old, is preparing for his first year as El Monte High School’s principal, determined to give back to the school that provided him the vehicle for educational opportunities and the path in which to prosper.
El Monte Union High School District will begin the 2020-21 school year on a 100% distance learning schedule, with the option of transitioning to a hybrid model later in fall semester should health conditions improve. Under the District’s Reopening of Schools Plan – approved by the Board of Trustees during its July 15 virtual board meeting – students will take three classes from Aug. 18 to Oct. 16 (Fall 1 term) and three classes from Oct. 19 to Dec. 17 (Fall 2 term).
The El Monte Union Board of Trustees will consider adopting a blended learning model – in which students receive a combination of virtual and in-classroom instruction – for the 2020-21 academic year, which begins Aug. 18. The Board of Trustees will review the District’s Reopening of Schools Plan – which includes the proposed instructional program, specific plans for distancing of students, cleaning of classrooms and equipment, safety and health protocols, student transportation, preparation of meals, student and family engagement, and social-emotional support – during its virtual board meeting on July 15, which may be viewed live here.
El Monte Union to Discuss Learning Options for Fall at Virtual Forum
Community members, parents, and students will learn about El Monte Union High School District’s Reopening of Schools planning, safety measures and the learning options it is exploring for students and staff once the 2020-21 academic year launches on Tuesday, Aug. 18 during a Virtual Community Forum at 4 p.m. Monday, June 29. Parents, students and staff are also being asked to fill out a survey to discuss their preferences.
South El Monte High School has been named to the 2020 Top Los Angeles County Public Schools for Underserved Students list for helping to close the opportunity gap for low-income Latino students in Los Angeles County and helping them flourish despite the obstacles. The Innovate Public Schools list, developed in partnership with USC, features 278 schools that are beating the statewide average for low-income Latino or African American students in one or more factors, including math and reading scores and college eligibility rates, while maintaining low suspension rates.
El Monte Union Confers Diplomas to 1,800 Graduates During Car Parades
On June 4, El Monte Union recognized more than 1,800 members of the Class of 2020 during Car Parade celebrations, during which seniors – clad in caps and gowns and other graduation regalia – received their diplomas with family members cheering from their vehicles. Each school also live-streamed virtual celebrations as a tribute to the six graduating classes.
Mountain View High School senior Cindy Lee, this year’s top valedictorian for the Class of 2020, has been named a 2020 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Scholar, one of only 300 students across the nation to receive the full-tuition scholarship. Lee will attend her dream university, UC Irvine, where she will major in data science and pursue a graduate degree.
