A savvy and enterprising group of Glen A. Wilson High School computer science students combined their knowledge and talent to create an AI-powered app designed to let users detect the possibility of skin cancer from their mobile phones. The app, named FOCAL, was recently recognized as a U.S. House of Representatives Congressional App Challenge winner by Linda Sánchez, California’s 38th District Representative. The FOCAL team, led by Wilson senior Julina Liu (database administrator), juniors Ethan De la Cruz (AI developer) and Alvin Cheng (back-end developer), and sophomore Nolan Huang (front-end developer), as well as their faculty advisor, Wilson computer science teacher Courtney Bushyeager, will be recognized by Sánchez during a special ceremony at Glen A. Wilson High’s Media Center on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
A Hacienda La Puente Unified restorative justice youth court program that promotes an innovative, proactive approach to reducing out-of-school suspensions has been recognized by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) with its prestigious Golden Bell Award. The Youth Court Program offers students in grades 6-12 a peer-driven alternative to suspension. By encouraging accountability, reflection, and understanding of their actions' impact, along with support from Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) resources, the program has contributed to a 40% decrease in out-of-school suspensions for grades 6-12 during the 2023-24 school year.
Various school clubs will collaborate to create a warm, festive atmosphere for all attendees. Families will be welcomed as they enjoy the holiday spirit and receive thoughtfully chosen gifts, including skateboards, board games, toys, headphones, and much more. Guests are encouraged to open their gifts during the event. The event is funded by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and donations from the school community are organized by active-duty USMC member and Workman High School English teacher Travis Bui. District officials and administrators are invited to attend and celebrate the season of giving.
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.
