Three Hacienda La Puente Unified leadership students have been selected for California State Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio’s 2023 Young Legislators Program (YLP), which enables 32 high school scholars to become acquainted with the state legislative process, enhance leadership skills and participate in various public service projects. La Puente High School junior students Josiah Hernandez and Cayden Olvera will join returning YLP fellow Glen A. Wilson High School junior Jonathan Chan and other participants in the six-month program, which runs through June 2023. The program consists of monthly in-person learning sessions where participants collaborate with Rubio’s staff, observe the offices of various community services, and travel to Sacramento to better understand potential careers in politics and public service. Chan is an active volunteer on campus and in the community, serving as School Site Council vice-chairperson, a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health student ambassador, Volunteer in Defense of Animals member and more.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Selected for Nutrition Program
Hacienda La Puente Unified Nutrition Services Supervisor Brittney Rodriguez is one of 24 District leaders nationwide selected to participate in the Chef Ann Foundation Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship program, aiming to empower food leaders to bring more delicious, nutritious and locally-sourced meals to students. The inaugural year-long program, which began Jan. 9, is designed to develop the next generation of school nutrition professionals in scratch-cooking school food operations. Through weekly live-learning sessions, and various networking opportunities, fellows will learn successful ways to serve fresh, healthy and cost-effective meals.
Hacienda La Puente Unified High School Cheer Crowned Champions
La Puente High School's cheerleading and dance squads clinched first place in several categories and outscored roughly 20 teams at the World Class Cheerleading Hollywood Crown Competition on Jan. 28. La Puente High cheer took home two division awards for their dynamic show routine, including division winners and Level 2 champions. The dance company also took first-place in the hip-hop category.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Students Celebrate Lunar New Year
Hacienda La Puente Unified students performed lion and dragon dances, created handmade lanterns and engaged in fun-filled Asian American and Pacific Islander lesson plans as they heralded the Year of the Rabbit with Lunar New Year celebrations and exhibits across the District. Hacienda La Puente Unified will conclude its festivities with a Districtwide Lunar New Year celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 at the Hacienda Heights Community Center, located at 1234 Valencia Ave, Hacienda Heights.
Hacienda La Puente Unified showcased student, staff and District accomplishments and highlighted the various ways it is embracing this year’s theme, “Explore, Learn, Grow: Inspire Deep Learning,”
during the eighth annual State of the District event on Jan. 19. Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez led the presentation in front of a high-spirited audience of distinguished guests, HLPUSD Board members, administrators, staff and community members after two years of hosting the event virtually.
Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Honored for Leadership
Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez has been selected as a 2022 Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association, emphasizing his leadership and dedication to students, staff and the District. The annual award is presented to 25 school district leaders who have demonstrated dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. Dr. Jiménez, who is in his third year as Superintendent for Hacienda La Puente Unified, brings nearly 27 years of expertise in the field to the District.
Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez has been selected as a 2022 Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), emphasizing his great leadership and dedication to students, parents, staff and the District. The annual award is presented to 25 school district leaders with less than five years of experience as a superintendent who has demonstrated dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. Dr. Jiménez, who is in his third year as Superintendent for Hacienda La Puente Unified, brings nearly 27 years of expertise in the field to the District. According to the NSPRA, Dr. Jiménez was chosen to receive this honor from a record number of nomination submissions that they received this year.
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s new Board of Education members, Gino Kwok and Nancy Loera, as well as returning Board member Jeffrey De La Torre, took the Oath of Office during the Board meeting on Dec. 13. State Senator Bob Archuleta swore in Kwok and Loera, while De La Torre was sworn in by daughter Anna Maria De La Torre, mother Maria De La Torre and wife Elena De La Torre. During the meeting, the Board reorganized for one-year terms, electing Christine H. Salazar as Board president, Stephanie Serrano as vice president and Jeffrey De La Torre as clerk, with Leora and Kwok serving the community as Board members.
Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Board of Education celebrated two of its longest-standing Board members, honoring the contributions of clerk Dr. Joseph K. Chang and member Anthony Duarte during a ceremony on Dec. 7. During the ceremony, the retiring members were recognized with Certificates of Recognition from La Puente Mayor Charlie Klinakis, words of appreciation from dignitaries and community applause.
Hacienda La Puente School Celebrates Tradition, Sportsmanship
The holiday spirit was in high gear as Hemmerling Elementary School continued its decades-old tradition of celebrating its fastest students during the 73rd annual Turkey Trot race, held Nov. 18. Nearly 150 Hemmerling K-5 students participated in the Turkey Trot, with the first-place winners receiving a gift certificate for a free turkey, while the runners-up received grocery store gift cards. After the main races had concluded, members of the Hemmerling faculty surprised students by donning turkey costumes for their competition, inspiring many students to join in.
