The Lynwood Unified School District community gathered to celebrate the new school year and receive insight on the District’s goals for the future, during the 2022 State of the District address on Oct. 14. Speakers reflected on the many successes and accomplishments of the past year, including receiving $250 million of financial support from the State of California to rebuild Lynwood High School after a structural failure in 2020. The address included performances by the Firebaugh High School cheer squad and the Lynwood High School marching band, as well as a full breakfast prepared by Lynwood High culinary students.
Lynwood Unified to Provide Free Metro Student Passes
Lynwood Unified School District has partnered with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to implement the Fareless System Initiative (FSI) K-12 program, which will provide free transportation access for all students in the District. LACMTA developed the program to create a new generation of independent transit riders. The FSI is a two-year pilot program funded by the state and will enable wider access to academic and career opportunities for students. Additionally, Lynwood Unified plans to launch the GoPass program this fall, which will allow students to use over a dozen transit systems.
Lynwood Unified to Provide Community with Mental Health Resources
Lynwood Unified School District is expanding its mental health initiatives through the Mind and Body Awareness Program, with the goal of informing educators and students on the foundations of trauma, mindfulness and self-care practices. The program provides specialized resources for teachers who might be struggling with wellness issues, so that they can better teach students who are having similar experiences. The District will host sessions where participants learn a wide spectrum of techniques that can be used in the classroom or at home, as well as during office hours and coaching sessions. As part of Lynwood Unified’s Youth Leadership Program, the Mind and Body Awareness program is set to begin during spring 2023.
Lynwood Unified marked the start of Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month on Sept. 15 with special visits from author Reyna Grande and radio personality Aregelia Atilano. Grande, author of the memoirs “The Distance Between Us” and “A Dream Called Home,” visited with students at both Lynwood and Firebaugh high schools. Atilano, a popular morning radio host and author, visited Will Rogers Elementary School to discuss her book “Grandes Dreamers: Twelve Fierce Latina Trailblazers Who Paved the Way in the United States.”
All Lynwood Unified schools will observe Latino Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 as LUSD honors rich traditions and heritage through special events and celebrations.
Representatives of Lynwood Unified School District’s Board of Education, Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, and elected officials will gather to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new state-of-the-art STEM lab at Firebaugh High School. Firebaugh High School students and key leaders will grab their hard hats and shovels to commemorate the new facility, made possible by a grant of $225,000 from the W. M. Keck Foundation, which will inspire young learners to pursue success in the District’s College and Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway program. The lab will allow Firebaugh to double enrollment in its biomedical science and nursing program, along with its advanced manufacturing and engineering program. Those programs currently share a space that limits activities and projects.
Lynwood Unified School District welcomed back some 12,000 students to campuses on Aug. 17 for the first day of the 2022-23 school year, which saw campuses decorated in colorful welcome posters, cheer teams performing and band groups playing celebratory tunes across the District. This school year, the District is launching increased socio-emotional resources for students and celebrating recently being awarded $250 million in financial support from the state to restore the Lynwood High School Imperial Campus. Firebaugh High School students were greeted by the school’s cheer squad as they entered the campus to reunite with their mentors and peers.
Lynwood Unified School District welcomed back nearly 12,000 students to campuses on Aug. 17 for the first day of the 2022-23 school year, which saw campuses decorated in colorful welcome posters, cheer teams performing and marching bands playing celebratory tunes across the District. Lynwood Unified is launching increased socio-emotional resources for students this year and look forward to the restoration of the Lynwood High School Imperial campus after being awarded $250 million in financial support from the state of California.
After months of advocating for the academic success of current and future Lynwood students, Lynwood Unified School District leaders confirmed $250 million in financial support to restore the fallen Lynwood High School Imperial Campus and make Lynwood Unified School District whole again, all thanks to the attention and advocacy of local state legislators. At today’s press conference, organized by Lynwood Representatives and including the presence of California’s Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Legislators, and Congressmembers, the community of Lynwood celebrated this victory that will bring back an essential high school campus that is desperately needed by Lynwood’s youth. These approved funds will help rebuild and fully restore a high-quality campus for the Lynwood community, as well as address the consequential damages to the district. Over the past few months, school district leadership led by Mr. Alfonso Morales, School Board President; Ms.Maria Lopez, Lynwood Unified School Board Member; Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite, Superintendent, and Gregory Fromm, Assistant Superintendent Business Services, have held multiple meetings with the offices of three senators and seven assembly members in Sacramento to champion action following construction failures that led to a building collapse back in June 2020.
Lynwood Unified Schools Honored with Pivotal Practice Award
Thurgood Marshall and Abbott elementary schools were recognized with the 2022 California Pivotal Practice (CAPP) Award, which celebrates schools and districts who demonstrated excellence and implemented innovative practices during distance learning in the 2020-21 school year. Thurgood Marshall Elementary teachers and staff were recognized for creating a “culture of service,” providing families with information and tools needed to help students excel academically. Abbott Elementary was celebrated for its efforts to enrich student learning and integrate creativity and arts into the learning process.
