Lynwood Unified School District Board members, alongside leaders of St. Anne’s Family Services, grabbed hard hats and shovels on May 12 to celebrate the start of renovations for a new Early Learning Center at Lugo Elementary School. Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite joined Lorna Little, President and CEO of St. Anne’s, to address an outdoor group of nearly 75 guests who gathered to commemorate the groundbreaking of a project that will provide Early Head Start programs for children ages 1-3 and their families. Scheduled to open this fall, the Early Learning Center is the result of a partnership between the District, St. Anne’s, and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Ultimately, a total of five classrooms will be added at Lugo and Abbott elementary schools, serving a total of 164 children.
Lynwood Unified Celebrates Arts Education at 7th Annual Arts Festival
The Lynwood Unified School District community gathered virtually on April 24 for a day filled with art activities and lively band, dance and drama performances during the District’s seventh annual Arts Festival and District Showcase. Students, families, teachers, and faculty across the District were welcomed by Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, following messages from Assemblymember Anthony Rendon, Lynwood Mayor Marisela Santana, and Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Mariana Astorga-Almanza. Sponsored by Assemblymember Rendon, Conga Kids, P.S. Arts, and the Music Center, the event featured student artwork and performances by the Pacifico Dance Company and Conga Kids.
Dr. Robert Gilchick, of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, joined a livestream discussion with Lynwood Unified to share his positive outlook on students returning for in-person instruction and give the District his blessing ahead of its secondary school reopening on May 3. Gilchick and LUSD Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite convened on April 22 for a Facebook Live audience where they talked about safety protocols, the improving health outlook of LA County, and the District’s strong work in welcoming back children to campuses.
Lynwood Unified Adult Education Student Wins SkillsUSA State Competition
Lynwood Community Adult School student Nicholas Castellanos placed first place in the technical drafting category at the SkillsUSA California State skills competition. Castellanos will be advancing to the national finals representing Lynwood Community Adult School and Region 3 of SkillsUSA.
Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation to Host Virtual Magic Show
The Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation (LPEF) will host a virtual magic show at 7 p.m., Friday, May 7 to support the educational opportunities of Lynwood Unified students and schools. The family friendly show will feature world-class magicians from The Academy of Magical Arts and The Magic Castle. Tickets and VIP packages are available for purchase. For more information, please contact LPEF Executive Director Elsa Chagolla at elsa@lynwoodedfoundation.org or at 310-985-9713.
Further investigation of Lynwood High School buildings revealed extensive construction issues that extend beyond those initially discovered, with egregious construction defects that threaten the basic structural integrity of the buildings, and the Board of Education is reviewing their options to litigate and recuperate construction costs associated with fixing Lynwood High School’s classroom building. The review was launched out of an abundance of caution after the unexpected failure of exterior ceiling panels, called soffits, in one of the high school’s buildings in June 2020. LUSD’s Board of Education immediately initiated an independent engineering review of all campus structures in June to ensure the integrity of the buildings.
Eddie Gonzalez, the creator of the Netflix show “On My Block” and Lynwood High School alumnus, will make a virtual return to Lynwood High School to share his journey to becoming a screenwriter and producer with students during the school’s Virtual Career Day. Gonzalez will serve as the event’s keynote speaker and inspire students to embrace their creativity and follow their own paths to success. “On My Block” is a successful coming of age story that explores life in South Central Los Angeles for four teenagers – particularly its Afro-Latina female lead. Gonzalez’s writing credits also include the hit show “Empire” and the film “All Eyez on Me.”
Lynwood Unified administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Board member Julian Del Real-Calleros who was selected during a special meeting on April 8 to review applicants for the open Board seat. Del Real-Calleros was one of seven applicants who appeared before the District’s Board of Education, and the Lynwood community watching via livestream, and was voted in to replace recently retired Board member Alma-Delia Renteria.
Helen Keller and Washington elementary school staff greeted more than 60 total K-2 students at the front entrance on March 22, a day when even face coverings could not mask the excitement of Lynwood Unified School District reopening its doors for in-person instruction. The District welcomed back students on a limited basis, beginning with grades K-2 for just two schools, and will continue with a staggered restart of all elementary grades on April 15 following spring break.
Lynwood Unified will partner with St. John’s Well Child and Family Center for a collaboration that will expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine to employees of the District and the City of Lynwood, with the goal of ultimately providing vaccinations to community residents at Lynwood Unified facilities. On March 15, Firebaugh High School began serving as a vaccination site to serve District employees.
