Hacienda La Puente Unified celebrated the grand opening of Lassalette Elementary School’s new inclusive playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 18, bringing together HLPUSD administrators and the Trojan community to mark this space where Lassalette students of all abilities can play together. The project, financed by the District’s general fund, was designed to enrich the playground experience for all students with the new space featuring a range of accessible equipment tailored to individuals with physical disabilities. The welcoming outdoor space—designed by the District’s Executive Director of Special Education, Dr. Mayra Helguera—offers a variety of play options, including traditional and wheelchair-accessible swings, slides, sensory play areas, and an inclusive merry-go-round.
Hacienda La Puente Unified educators and leadership team showcased the District's innovative work in Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) during a plenary panel at the University of California, Davis's 14th Annual C-STEM Conference on Oct. 4. HLPUSD was recognized with numerous awards at the conference, including Los Altos Elementary School being named a 2024 C-STEM Distinguished School, Sparks Elementary School principal Gilbert Barraza being awarded C-STEM Administrator of the Year, and Sierra Vista Middle School math teacher Kien To being named a C-STEM Teacher of the Year. These achievements underscore the District’s dedication to fostering excellence in STEM education and its commitment to providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to excel in a rapidly advancing technological world.
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Workman High School students are accelerating their college and career paths with the Workman Early College Academy Network (WECAN), a program offering free college classes on the high school campus through a partnership with Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). Now in its third year, the program allows students to earn college credits alongside their high school requirements, enabling them to participate fully in sports, extracurriculars, and their high school experience while progressing toward a college degree.
Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD), in partnership with Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, hosted the Annual 56th Assembly District College and Career Fair on Sept. 14, drawing hundreds of high school and middle school students eager to explore future academic path and career options. Held at La Puente High School, the event featured more than 60 college and career booths designed to provide valuable resources and guidance for students planning their next steps. Among the highlights was a dedicated room showcasing career technical education (CTE) pathways, where high school CTE student volunteers from all four HLPUSD comprehensive high schools, HLPLUSD CTE Coordinator Dr. Lawrence Fitz, and HLPUSD CTE educators, offered middle school families interactive demonstrations, engaging displays, and detailed information about the exciting career options available through CTE programs.
Glen A. Wilson High School science teacher Jungsoo Han has a knack for getting the best out of his students. As coach of the school’s successful Science Olympiad and Future Health Professionals (HOSA) teams, Han has established each unit as perennial tournament favorites, while inspiring his students to challenge themselves and work towards careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
In front of an audience of more than 100 students, staff, alums, and distinguished guests, Hacienda La Puente Unified and Hacienda La Puente Adult Education (HLPAE) celebrated the unveiling of HLPAE’s modernized state-of-the-art Medical Career Building with commemorative speeches to honor HLPAE's legacy and success before cutting the ceremonial ribbon on Aug. 23. As the second-largest adult education institute in California, serving more than 13,000 adult education and high school students annually, HLPAE's two-story building modernization project is a significant step toward supporting its seven growing healthcare programs, including the longstanding Psychiatric Technician and Licensed Vocational Nursing Programs. The building, equipped with four new classrooms, labs, and state-of-the-art equipment, is strategically designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, thereby preparing students to thrive in the ever-changing healthcare landscape.
acienda La Puente Unified students of all ages were welcomed back to campuses for the first day of school on Aug. 7, with red carpets, balloon arches, hand-painted signs, staff welcome tunnels, and lively rallies setting the tone for a successful school year filled with innovative educational opportunities and a supportive environment for growth and achievement. Many schools embraced themes designed to engage students and foster a welcoming and creative environment on the first day of the 2024-25 school year. Fairgrove Academy greeted its K-8 students at “Camp Fairgrove” with t-shirts, signs, photo opportunities, and decorations to prepare them for “s’more learning.” Workman Elementary School staff embraced a “TEAM” theme, with students and staff sporting their favorite athletic gear, while Newton Middle School’s “Make your Mark” theme provided welcoming spaces for parents to write encouraging letters to their children.
Hacienda La Puente Students Find Inspiration Through Football Camp
Hacienda La Puente Unified students across the District laced up their cleats for an action-packed football camp filled with speed, agility, plyometrics, and nutrition training on July 27 at William Workman High School. The football camp was hosted by the nonprofit Take Back the Neighborhood and led by former National Football League (NFL) players. Fifty-five boys and girls, ages seven to 18, were welcomed to the free football camp, regardless of their skill level. NFL veterans led the students through various football drills and conditioning sessions emphasizing the importance of mindset, body care, perseverance, and the dedication required to excel in athletics.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Educators Shine at Adobe Creativity Institute
Hacienda La Puente Unified educators received an opportunity to enhance their tech skills, while discovering new digital tools and apps that will help them to initiate creativity in their classrooms during an all-day Adobe Creativity Institute professional development seminar, held on July 29. Nearly 200 HLPUSD teachers attended the seminar, making it the biggest cohort to ever attend an Adobe Creativity Institute event. Participants who completed the seminar received a certificate of achievement for completing six hours of accredited professional learning and earned Adobe Creative Educator Level 1 and Level 2 badges.
Hacienda La Puente Summer Program Students Explore New Horizons
The summer months in Hacienda La Puente Unified saw students flourishing in comprehensive academic and enrichment opportunities that supported their needs and interests, from Speech and Debate – offered for the first time to high school students – and the Youth Cinema Project summer programs to annual sports and C-STEM robotics summer camps. More than 150 middle and high school students performed for their families, peers, and HLPUSD employees during the summer camp showcase on July 18 at Orange Grove Middle School.
