Follow-up Story: Michael Tidwell, the newly installed president of the University of Texas at Tyler, still muses on the lessons he learned as a Lynwood Knight, especially from Donald Jones, the school’s former accounting teacher. Tidwell considers Jones a mentor since even though he was never enrolled in his classes, Jones still took the time to provide him with guidance about his future. “Mr. Jones was always so intentional about helping us students think about our future and helping us understand that where we are today is not necessarily where we would be tomorrow,” Tidwell said. “He never let us rest on our laurels and he constantly pushed us to think bigger and better.”
Lynwood Unified Forum Offers Immigration Policy Advice for Legislators
Follow-up Story: More than 50 students and community members on Dec. 7 discussed ways to strengthen communication and trust between government agencies and the Lynwood community, during Lynwood Unified’s inaugural Immigration Discussion forum. Firebaugh junior Ricardo Ortega, a foster child of immigrants, organized the forum.
Lynwood Unified Serves Homeless and Foster Youth at Holiday Event
Follow-up Story: More than 40 families gathered at Lynwood Middle School on Dec. 12 for an annual holiday event where District staff served food and delivered gifts to homeless and foster youth. The Lynwood Rotary Club donated toys and gift cards while Firebaugh High School students were among the volunteers Photos are available
Follow-up Story: Firebaugh High School senior Kimberly Wenceslao still remembers her first college visit to an East Coast campus three years ago when the unfamiliarity of a new environment left her in tears. Wenceslao, who had rarely journeyed beyond her Lynwood community, said she was overwhelmed by culture shock. But she was also determined to see what the world had to offer, and would soon visit new colleges each summer as a part of the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program, including Princeton, Skidmore College and Dartmouth College.
Follow-up Story: Lindbergh Elementary sixth-grade teacher Myrna Vergara had heard that educators at fellow District school Roosevelt Elementary were using the Conga Line technique to inspire students, but she wanted clarification on how it worked. Vergara would soon learn that the Conga Line combines music and dance to help children actively learn new concepts. She had the opportunity to seek direct answers when she joined more than 360 Lynwood Unified K-6 teachers for the first ever districtwide collaborative guided planning which was held from Nov. 29-Dec. 8 at the District office.
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
