Students at Paramount Unified’s Hollydale K-8 School will hold a Battle of the Books to boost literacy and foster a team spirit at 1 p.m. Friday, March 30 at the school, 5511 Century Blvd., South Gate. Student teams will be quizzed on their understanding of books selected for review. The winning team will advance to a districtwide battle among 12 schools in June.
Two Lynwood High School students traveled to South Korea as part of the Project Bridge intercultural youth leadership program, which aims to cultivate community leaders with an increased awareness of diverse cultures. Lynwood High School junior Andrea Gonzalez and senior Litzy Santoyo met with students and visited historical sites during the trip, which ran from March 28 through April 8.
Lynwood Unified School District is launching a partnership with Compton College that will provide graduates with priority registration, guaranteed admission, financial aid assistance and programs to help with college readiness starting with the class of 2019. The College Promise Partnership between Lynwood Unified and Compton College, which was approved in August 2017, will be solidified at a signing ceremony in April, with representatives from the college and the District pledging their efforts to ensure student success.
Nearly 150 students from Lindbergh and Wilson elementary schools will enjoy clearer outlooks when they receive new eyeglasses from Vision To Learn, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating vision issues as a barrier to education. Vision To Learn will visit Lindbergh, 3300 Cedar Ave., Lynwood at 9 a.m. Monday, March 26. The service will move to Wilson, 11700 School St., Lynwood at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 27.
Washington Elementary School students will perform a surprise original work at 6 p.m. Friday, March 23 as part of the District’s Building Relationships and Inspiring Dialogue through Global Exchange (BRIDGE) Theatre Project. BRIDGE inspires youths to explore global solutions through theater productions written and performed by students. The school is at 4225 Sanborn Ave., Lynwood.
Banda Nueva Dinastia de Zoochila, a second-generation Oaxacan brass band from Lynwood, is teaching its young members that the discipline required to master a musical instrument also provides a pathway to higher education. The internationally-acclaimed philharmonic band composed primarily of Lynwood Unified students, is sending nearly 90 percent of its student-musicians to college. Banda Nueva Dinastia debuted in 2001, with 36 first- and second-generation Oaxacan members attending Lindbergh Elementary School. Though dropout rates at that time were high throughout the community, all 36 original Banda Nueva Dinastia members graduated high school, with many of them becoming the first in their family to attend college.
Lugo Elementary School students will explore the wonders of dinosaurs and the moon landing through a presentation of the Google Expeditions Augmented Reality Pioneer Program at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 21 at the school, 4345 Pendleton Ave., Lynwood. A Google representative will train teachers in the program, allowing them to share with their classrooms. The program also will be showcased at Abbott Elementary on Monday, March 26.
Follow-up Story: Roosevelt Elementary School first-graders oohed and aahed in amazement, pointing in disbelief as the Cat in The Hat entered their classroom and proceeded to read “Green Eggs and Ham.” The fairytale character joined community leaders and parents who took turns reading classic tales on March 1 in celebration of Read Across America Week, the annual reading awareness program. Literary rhymes from Dr. Seuss classics like “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” and “There’s a Wocket in My Pocket” filled K-6 classrooms across the District as guest readers encouraged children to explore books and imparted important lessons. Lynwood Mayor Jose Luis Solache recited the words of “Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack” alongside young students, while Lynwood Unified Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite shared the impact that reading has had on his success.
Follow-up Story: Fifty Lynwood High School Ethnic Studies students spent a day acquainting themselves with college life, receiving advice and encouragement from professors and undergraduates during College Bridge: An Ethnic Studies Exchange, held Feb. 27 at Cal State Long Beach. Lynwood High ethnic studies teacher Ana Orozco, a CSULB graduate, co-founded the Exchange with her former professor, Emily Berquist. Orozco accompanied Lynwood students as they attended workshops, sat in on a class and toured the campus.
Nearly 250 Lynwood Middle School students received new eyeglasses on Feb. 26 from Vision To Learn, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating vision issues. Students were examined earlier this year, and those in need were fitted and given the glasses at no cost to families.