Follow-up Story: Lynwood Unified Board of Education President Alma-Delia Renteria has been appointed to the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC), a group of educators who advise the State Board of Education on matters related to curriculum and instruction. Renteria was appointed by our Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon of the 63rd District. She has spent more than six years filling various roles in several school districts, including spending time as a math and science teacher, English instructor, and a digital learning coach. She currently writes for an education blog, La Comadre, and has served on the Lynwood Unified Board of Education since 2013.
California Assemblyman Mike Gipson will team with Firebaugh High School junior Ricardo Ortega to host the school’s first-ever Immigration Dialogue forum on Thursday, Dec. 7, an open discussion and workshops addressing immigration safety, support and legislation. Ortega, who is a foster youth, spearheaded the event through his work as a member of Gipson’s immigration commission and his passion for the rights of immigrant and foster children.
Lynwood Unified School District is set to hold its annual Board of Education special reorganization meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7, , at which Board members will choose a new president, vice president and clerk. The District will also recognize the dedication and efforts of outgoing Board President Alma-Delia Renteria.
Follow-up Story: Around 35 Firebaugh High School students joined community members in delivering more than 200 care packages to homeless shelters on Thanksgiving Day. The students worked to put together the packages, which included food and personal hygiene items. The participating students are members of the school’s Helping Hand club, which does charitable work throughout the year. Photos are available
20 Lynwood Unified Fifth-Graders to Compete in Conga Kids Finals
Twenty Lynwood Unified elementary students will don their dancing shoes for the Conga Kids final competition from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13 at Esteban Torres High School, 4211 Dozier St., Los Angeles. Conga Kids is a nonprofit arts-in-education charitable foundation that features partner dancing in merengue, swing, salsa, tango and foxtrot. About 60 students competed in the program’s semi-final contest on Nov. 30 at the Lynwood High School Performing Arts Center. Photos are available
Will Rogers Elementary School sixth-grade teacher Stephanie Aguon will be honored at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30 as part of the Los Angeles Clippers Teacher Appreciation Program, which recognizes stand-out educators for their exceptional work. Aguon, who has taught at Will Rogers for eight out of 13 years with Lynwood Unified, will receive a commemorative plaque during an on-court presentation prior to the Clippers’ home game against the Utah Jazz.
Lynwood Film Students Attend Film Screening at TLC Chinese Theatre
Follow-up Story: About 30 fourth-graders from Helen Keller Elementary and 29 sixth-graders at Rosa Parks Elementary trekked to the TLC Chinese Theatre in Hollywood to screen “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” on Nov. 13 as a part of the District’s Latino Film Institute Youth Cinema Project. Through the program, students learn filmmaking and meet industry professionals as they prepare to produce a film of their own.
Follow-up Story: Lynwood Middle School students performed a play written by Rwandan students on Nov. 16 as the District continues to forge international bonds through its Global Exchange (BRIDGE) theater program. “Arthur’s Diary” is a story about forgiveness and reconciliation amid the 1994 genocide. BRIDGE inspires youths to explore global solutions through theater productions written and performed by students. Rwandan students performed a Lynwood play, “The Wall,” last year. Photos are available
Follow-up Story: Lynwood Unified is channeling its commitment to the arts and a community spirit by launching a Districtwide art contest open to students from grades one to 12 that will reward the winner with a $1,000 scholarship. The art contest, which will have no restrictions on style or size, is accepting submissions from now until April 1. The scholarship money will be drawn from donations provided by local Lynwood businesses.
Follow-up Story: Lynwood High School’s Dance Ensemble showcases their talents during a performance at Disney’s California Adventure theme park on Nov. 1. The 44-member team delivered an original routine that entertained audiences for more than 20 minutes. Lynwood High was chosen after an audition that included a filmed performance submission. Photos are available