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.
Lynwood Unified celebrated the Class of 2022 from Firebaugh, Lynwood, and Vista and Pathway high schools during commencement ceremonies from June 13 to 15, honoring nearly 900 seniors for their years of hard work and perseverance. Vista and Pathway students earned several scholarships and awards for their achievements, including four Dr. Madison Memorial Science Award winners. This year, Lynwood High graduates earned more than $600,000 in scholarships during the 2021-22 school year, as well as Advanced Placement Scholar Awards and the Golden State Seal of Merit. Firebaugh High’s top 10 seniors earned more than $145,000 in scholarships this year and are matriculating to prestigious educational institutions including UCLA, New York University, Stanford University and USC.
Lynwood Unified School District will celebrate the graduating Class of 2022 with commencement ceremonies for Vista High School on Monday, June 13, Lynwood High School on Tuesday, June 14, and Firebaugh High School on Wednesday, June 15. All three ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. and be held at Lynwood Unified Stadium, 12124 Bullis Rd., Lynwood. The Lynwood Community Adult School will hold its commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 10, at the Lynwood High School Gym, also located at 12124 Bullis Rd., Lynwood.
Lynwood Unified Elementary Students Showcase Dancing Skills
Lynwood Unified elementary school students showed off their dancing skills during the Conga Kids Spring Celebration event at L.A. Live on May 18. Latin, African, tap and hip-hop inspired dances were among the many performances that took place during the celebration. Student groups from Washington Elementary showcased their new routines after having been finalists in the Conga Kids dance competition in 2019, joined by students at Abbott, Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, and other Lynwood Unified elementary schools. Conga Kids is a non-profit program that provides young students across Southern California with social and emotional learning opportunities, focusing on self-awareness, responsible decision making, self-management, relationship skills and social awareness.
Nearly 500 Lynwood community members are expected to hit the streets for a 5K Run/Walk that will raise money for students through the Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation. The Foundation, a partner of the Lynwood Unified School District, is collaborating with the City of Lynwood and Aztlan Athletics for the city’s first 5K event in nearly a decade. The 3.1-mile route will start and finish at City Hall. All proceeds will benefit the Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation. Access to vendor and resource booths, and a raffle drawing for a new Mazda Mitsubishi are scheduled for the awards ceremony following the race.
Lynwood Unified Student Named 2022 Edison Scholar
Luis Sanchez, a Firebaugh High School senior with a passion for science and technology, has been named a 2022 Edison Scholar, receiving a $40,000 scholarship from Edison International to support his college education. Sanchez honed his engineering skills as a member of Firebaugh’s Project Lead The Way program, maintaining a 4.6 GPA while also serving as Firebaugh’s volleyball team captain and participating in numerous extracurricular activities. Sanchez will attend Stanford University, where he plans to major in electrical engineering technology. Sanchez hopes to develop innovative renewable technologies to help fight climate change in his future career.
Lynwood Unified Celebrates Student Talent at Annual Festival of the Arts
Hundreds of students, families and community members gathered to enjoy show-stopping performances, arts and crafts activities, and art displays from schools across the District during Lynwood Unified’s eighth annual Festival of the Arts and District Showcase, held April 30. The festival showcased the creative talents of LUSD students through dance, drama, painting and other artistic mediums, presenting their work and demonstrating how creativity can blossom when provided with a robust visual and performing arts curriculum. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in raffles and giveaways.
Lynwood Unified Partners with City to Provide Broadband to Families
Lynwood Unified and the City of Lynwood are partnering with SiFi Networks to bring free and low-cost broadband to the community in an effort to reduce digital inequity. All Lynwood residents, businesses and government buildings will be included in the plan. Lynwood Unified will also provide students with devices and technical support. The City Council and Lynwood Unified’s Board of Education approved the resolution in February and hope to make the broadband services available within six months to a year.
