El Monte High School art teacher Patrice Cooley has a flair for connecting with her students, encouraging beginning and experienced artists alike to bring a unique voice and passion to their art. For her exceptional ability to empower students, set standards for quality education and achieve the highest level of professionalism in art education, Cooley has been recognized as the California Art Education Association (CAEA) 2020 Outstanding Visual Art Educator of the Year. She will be honored at CAEA’s virtual state conference in November and will represent California at the 2021 National Art Education Association convention.
Fernando R. Ledesma High School Opportunity teacher Patty Autran’s love for teaching began as a third-grade student when she – the only Spanish-speaking student in class – was asked by her teacher to help an English learner who had just joined the class. Autran, however, put her teaching dreams on hold after high school to serve in the United States Air Force, an experience that has greatly shaped her teaching philosophy. There, she learned the importance of structure and discipline, how strength comes through unity, and to never leave anyone behind – values that Autran brings to her classroom every day.
Construction of a new multipurpose building and gymnasium at Fernando R. Ledesma High School is moving forward as El Monte Union plans a host of new Measure HS-funded projects, including a new Community Education Center and synthetic track and fields. Approved by voters in November 2018, Measure HS authorized $190 million in facilities bonds that are funding enhancements of learning facilities at each high school. The first series of bonds was sold in June 2019 for $56.7 million. It is anticipated that the next series will be sold in 2021 or 2022.
El Monte Union Measure HS Facilities Bond Fuels New Construction
Construction of a new multipurpose building and gymnasium at Fernando R. Ledesma High School is moving forward as El Monte Union plans a host of new Measure HS-funded projects, including a new Community Education Center and synthetic track and field. Approved by voters in November 2018, Measure HS authorized $190 million in facilities bonds that are funding enhancements of learning facilities at each high school. The District has been able to move swiftly to push certain projects forward, including the installation of HVAC units, while students are off campus.
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.
