The Coalition for Clean Air met with El Monte Union school leaders and air quality experts at the District’s Bus Depot to speak with the press while spotlighting a fleet of vehicles that are among the first electric school buses in Los Angeles County, celebrating California Clean Air Day on Sept. 28. Attendees received the opportunity to take a ride on the all-electric buses following the event, which also introduced a student-driven campaign to address air quality issues, including the creation of an El Monte Union Clean Mobility in Schools animation which encourages students to use clean energy to get to school.
Mountain View High School’s VISTA Academy “The Art of Talking” student podcast team hosted a successful live event with two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and cartoonist, Lalo Alcaraz to discuss his new animated short, “Taking a Healthy Ride on the Green Side” on Sept. 19. In partnership with the District's Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project and the California Air Resources Board, the animation focuses on how choosing green transportation options to get to school can improve community health. The short features the voices of El Monte Union students and administrators, which Alcaraz recorded in the VISTA podcast studio. During the live event, Alcaraz spoke on his creative process, shared insights into his artistic journey, and highlighted the significance of using art as a vehicle for activism and societal change.
Mountain View High School’s VISTA student podcast team will host a live event with two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and nationally syndicated cartoonist, Lalo Alcaraz to discuss his new animated short, “Taking a Healthy Ride on the Green Side.” The project focuses on how choosing green transportation options to get to school can improve community health and was produced for the El Monte Union High School District’s (EMUHSD) Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project with funding from the California Air Resources Board. It features the voices of EMUHSD students and administrators, which Alcaraz recorded in Mountain View High School’s podcast studio. Alcaraz will discuss the project as well as his work as an artist and illustrator, giving students valuable insight into careers in the creative industries.
Arroyo High School senior Degas Peters, who has an unwavering love for his community, displayed leadership and advocacy for animal rights while creating Project Abbie, a community beneficiary project focusing on building waterproof and insulated cat shelters and housing for stray cats. Peters created the project as part of his community service while working towards the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievable ranking in the Boy Scouts of America. Peters is heavily involved in his campus community, including track and field and cross country, and has forged long-lasting connections with the District staff and teachers who have encouraged and supported him in his journey as a boy scout.
Mountain View High School students and staff celebrated the school’s innovative learning environments that integrate cutting-edge technology and sustainable design during a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school's Modernization Project and the completion of the Zoo Crew Engineering Classroom Project on Sept. 7. The celebration included a welcome reception, lively performances by the Mountain View High band and choir groups, and a showing of the District’s Clean Mobility in Schools animated short, “Taking a Healthy Ride on the Green Side.”
When El Monte Union High School District applied to be part of the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project, their goals were twofold: begin to build clean transportation infrastructure for the District and help the greater El Monte community understand the benefits that clean mobility brings to everyone. The District’s second goal unexpectedly connected the Clean Mobility team with two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Lalo Alcaraz and his team at Pocho Villa Productions, resulting in the creation of the animated short "Taking a Healthy Ride on the Green Side." The 90-second animation and companion 30-second PSAs in English and Spanish focus on green mobility options and benefits and will be available on the El Monte Union High School District’s Clean Mobility website, as well as their social media channels. The PSAs will be offered for broadcast statewide, amplifying the clean mobility message to communities across the state.
The El Monte Union High School District will host a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the start of construction for Mountain View High School’s (MVHS) Modernization Project and the completion of the school’s Zoo Crew Engineering Classroom Project at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7 at MVHS. The projects feature enhancements to the entire campus, including redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, softball/baseball field improvements, infrastructure upgrades, computer labs, 3-D modeling and workshop areas. Mountain View High School is located at 2900 Parkway Dr., El Monte.
El Monte Union Introduces and Welcomes Newest Educators
El Monte Union welcomed its newest educators during its annual New Employee Seminar, held on Aug. 8 at the District Board room. District administration greeted the new teachers, joined by the principals of its five comprehensive high schools, as well as its continuation school, adult school and adult transition center who officially welcomed them to the District. The new educators shared their academic highlights and some personal details, then heard from District service department representatives such as risk management and safety, nutrition services, purchasing department and facilities and maintenance.
El Monte Union High School District welcomed more than 7,000 students to campuses for the first day of school on Aug. 17, where they were greeted by peers, cheer teams, marching bands, campus leaders, mascots and school staff who helped create an inviting atmosphere and excite students for the 2023-24 school year. Each El Monte Union campus held its own special celebration, with brightly decorated balloons and posters, as new and returning students connected over summer happenings and compared schedules for their classes.
El Monte Union has selected Dr. Laura Rivas as its new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, bringing an esteemed administrator and strong communicator dedicated to student success to the District. Rivas replaces Larry Cecil, who retired in June after 36 years with El Monte Union. Rivas, who has more than 25 years of experience in education, has served as a teacher, categorical programs advisor, assistant principal, principal and director of secondary education. An accomplished bilingual educator and relationship-builder, Rivas said she is committed to equity and meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of students and families in the District community.
