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 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 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.
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.
California Elementary School’s Youth Cinema Project (YCP) student filmmakers are celebrating a big win at the Latino Film Institute’s Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival after their movie “The World is Yours” earned the 2024 Best Film for Elementary Schools award. The film festival, held June 1, gave students from California Elementary, as well as Sparks Middle School and La Puente High School, the opportunity to showcase films made during the 2023-24 school year and walk the red carpet at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Hacienda La Puente Unified is among 109 districts included in the Educational Results Partnership’s (ERP) 2023 Honor Roll, a prestigious recognition highlighting California’s top-performing school districts for their exemplary efforts in closing achievement gaps and preparing students for success in college and their future careers. Glen A Wilson High School, Baldwin Academy, Bixby, Grazide, Los Molinos, Wedgeworth, and Mesa Robles elementary schools, and Newton Middle School were all recognized among the top-performing schools.
Fontana Unified School District’s Class of 2024 graduates marked their milestone achievement with a myriad of unique, dynamic celebrations, from business-like handshakes to fist pumps, selfies, and even dances, as they crossed the stage to accept their diplomas during their respective graduations. Over eight vibrant commencement ceremonies, FUSD honored more than 2,000 students in its Class of 2024 from seven high schools and one adult school from May 21 to 23. This year’s Fontana Unified class includes more than 580 high school seniors who will graduate with the California State Seal of Biliteracy for a high level of proficiency in bilingualism and biliteracy, marking a more than 200% increase for FUSD over the last two years.
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s School Attendance Review Board (SARB) has been honored as a Model SARB for initiatives and practices that significantly contribute to reducing chronic absenteeism rates and improving overall student attendance. Hacienda La Puente Unified is one of 23 districts recognized by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and State SARB for demonstrating outstanding efforts by placing a focus on prevention and positive measures. HLPUSD's achievements were celebrated at the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance State Conference on April 26, where the District formally accepted the award.
