Hacienda La Puente Unified Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Dr. Judy Fancher was stunned and overwhelmed with joy as colleagues and supporters from every stage of her career greeted her with a standing ovation during a surprise retirement party held June 14 to thank Fancher for her vast contributions over the past 10 years and wish her well as she transitions into a new phase of her life. The Hacienda La Puente Board room was transformed into a Parisian paradise to honor Fancher, who was moved to see so many current and former colleagues come together to celebrate and honor her time at the District, which was highlighted by innovative practices and strong gains in student achievement.
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s first cohort of Youth Cinema Project (YCP) students from California Elementary School and Sparks Middle School walked the red carpet, mingled with industry professionals and watched screenings of their short films during the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival on June 3 and 4. Program instructors and YCP mentors selected a fifth-grade class from California Elementary School and a seventh-grade class from Sparks Middle School to attend the annual two-day festival, where students shared three of their student-produced films, engaged in workshops and live reads and reflected on their creative process during student-led panel discussions.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Recognized for Excellence
Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez has been named one of four District leaders presented with the 2023 “Honoring Our Own” award by the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA), recognizing his exceptional dedication to promoting educational equity and diversity across the District. Award recipients were celebrated during a winner’s reception on May 17 and will be formally recognized during the 22nd annual CALSA Summer Institute, held in San Diego this July.
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Class of 2023 graduates paraded across the stadium stages bedecked in school colors, exchanging handshakes with distinguished guests and receiving their diplomas amidst enthusiastic cheers from their families during high-energy commencement ceremonies on May 16 and 18. The District honored nearly 1,300 graduates from its four comprehensive high schools and alternative high school. Valley, William Workman and La Puente high schools held their ceremonies on May 16, followed by Glen A. Wilson and Los Altos high schools on May 18. The festivities included stirring solo vocal and instrumental performances, motivational speeches from valedictorians, salutatorians and leadership students and closing remarks from Board President Christine H. Salazar.
Hacienda La Puente Recognizes Education Specialist as Top Teacher
Hacienda La Puente Unified has named Cedarlane Academy Special Education Specialist Perla Granados-Ordaz the 2023 District Teacher of the Year, recognizing her success in creating innovative learning experiences and providing a positive impact on students and family. District administrators, Principal Kim Lee and colleagues surprised Granados-Ordaz in her classroom with flowers, kudos and praise to announce the news on April 21, celebrating her customized lesson plans and numerous accomplishments, including coaching the school's top-ranked robotics and speech and debate teams.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Unveils High School Dream Resource Center
Hacienda La Puente Unified officials, Dream Resource partners and dignitaries celebrated the launch of the La Puente High School’s Dream Resource Center with an opening ceremony on April 12, unveiling a welcoming, safe space where students can create, relax and collaborate. During the event, guests heard student testimonials and toured the center, which included vibrantly decorated walls full of inspirational quotes, vision boards and tabletops bedecked with resources, games and calming activities.
Hacienda La Puente Unified is holding an opening ceremony for La Puente High School's new Dream Resource Center, one of eight centers located at schools throughout Los Angeles County that aim to provide a safe, welcoming space for students experiencing bullying and exclusion. The ceremony will celebrate the completion of a newly renovated classroom designed to cultivate social-emotional wellness and community and civic engagement through peer tutoring, social justice programming and much more.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Fosters Learning with Family Workshops
Hacienda La Puente Unified invited families to participate in the Padres University and Meta Code Remix student and parent workshops, sponsored by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, on March 25. During the event, guest speakers provided parents with resources regarding science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) college and career pathways. The Meta Code Remix student participants received a lively introduction to music production, engineering and coding, designed to foster an interest in STEM careers.
Hacienda La Puente Science Champions Defend Title, Advance to State
Glen A. Wilson High School’s Science Olympiad team competed in 23 science, technology, engineering and math events and ranked first overall against more than 55 Los Angeles County schools during the 2023 Southern California Science Olympiad Regionals, held at Río Hondo College on March 4. Wilson now advances to the state championship, to be held Saturday, April 8 at the California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, and Polytechnic School, 1030 E. California Blvd., Pasadena.
Glen A. Wilson High School’s Science Olympiad team competed in 23 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) events and ranked first overall against more than 55 Los Angeles County schools during the 2023 Southern California Science Olympiad Regionals at Rio Hondo College on March 4. Students were eager to return to the tournament for their seventh consecutive year, hopeful of defending their 2022 standings. This day-long event is designed to improve the quality of K-12 science education, increase student interest in STEM and celebrate outstanding student achievements.
