Orange Grove Middle School and Cedarlane Academy math teachers Samantha Higbee and Marissa Blessum have been named Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (C-STEM) Teachers of the Year by the UC Davis C-STEM Center for 2021. Higbee and Blessum are joined by Rosalie Sinapi, principal at Los Altos Elementary School and Joanne Chan, District coordinator of instruction at Hacienda La Puente Unified School District who were recognized as C-STEM Administrators of the Year. The UC Davis C-STEM Center's Educator Awards recognize C-STEM instructors, county administrators, volunteers and superintendents from K-12 schools for their success in teaching and integrating computing into STEM subjects.
Los Altos Elementary School Principal Rosalie Sinapi was recognized as a 2022 Distinguished Woman of the Year Honoree, one of 14 women selected by California State Assemblymember Lisa Calderon. The recipients were celebrated during a Woman of the Year Awards ceremony on April 11, honoring Women’s History Month. Calderon recognizes women for exhibiting strength, courage and vision within their community while living, working or volunteering in the 57th Assembly District.
Orange Grove Middle School science teacher Terri Serey has developed a knack for delivering a collaborative and hands-on experience for students and creating a deeper understanding and excitement around science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) learning. For her unique teaching methods and strategies, leadership and lifelong learning in STEAM education, Serey has been named one of six finalists from California for the 2022 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Glen A. Wilson High School robotics team "AlphaGenesis" will advance to the 2022 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) World Championships after ranking first in robot performance and earning strong overall scores at the Southern California FTC Regional Championship on March 12. More than 150 Southern California high schools participated in the FTC program this season, which included six qualifying tournaments, with 36 teams advancing to regionals and the top three teams progressing to the World Championships. The program is run by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), an international science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) non-profit organization.
Newton Middle School and Orange Grove Middle School have been named 2022 California Schools to Watch by the California Department of Education, recognizing their continued success in boosting student achievement, social equity and robust student support programs for all students. Newton and Orange Grove middle school are among 16 schools to be newly designated as Schools to Watch this year and were honored alongside 31 redesignated model schools at the California League of Schools Conference held May 3-5 in Monterey.
The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District community gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking at Wedgeworth Elementary School on Feb. 22, supporting the launch of construction for the school’s new campus. The project will provide a mix of modern single- and two-story buildings that will foster high-quality learning environments to support academic achievement for Wedgeworth students. The school is expected to unveil the new campus in fall 2024.
The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District community celebrated the installation of solar panels throughout the District with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Los Altos High School on Feb. 16, which featured a performance from the school’s jazz band and solar panel information and displays.The Board of Education approved the 4 MW Solar Project and the Solar Energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in October 2019, which funded the design, installation, operation and maintenance of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems at the District Office, Willow Adult Education Center and the District’s four comprehensive high schools.
Hacienda La Puente Unified School District’s Valley Alternative High School has been named a 2022 Model Continuation High School by the California Department of Education, one of 36 schools to receive the recognition. The model schools will retain their designation for three years and will be recognized at the California Continuation Education Association Plus 2022 State Conference in Long Beach in May.
The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Board of Education adopted map scenario two during its Board meeting on Feb. 10, a process that included extensive community input and demographic analysis of the proposed map scenarios. The District will provide this executed resolution, approved scenario map and electronic files to the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization and the Los Angeles County Registrar to implement the authorized trustee area boundary adjustments not later than Feb. 28.
Hacienda La Puente Unified School District delivered its 2022 State of the District, held virtually on Jan. 20, with a detailed presentation showcasing the District’s success implementing its 2021-22 theme of “Learning Forward – Building Better.” Due to the recent COVID-19 surge, the scheduled in-person event was replaced by an in-depth video presentation led by Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez and shared on its YouTube channel. The State of the District highlighted student, staff and District successes, facilities and budget updates, expansion of socio-emotional growth systems, and provided an overview on school programs.
