Follow-up Story: Nearly 100 Lynwood Unified students and family members took advantage of health, legal and higher education services at Firebaugh High School’s inaugural AB540 Dreamers Conference, which empowers immigrant students and family members with valuable support and resources. Workshops, speakers and activities educated the public on issues such as the California Dream Act, AB540, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), immigration legislation, driver licenses for the undocumented and other resources. Passed in 2001, Assembly Bill 540 was authored by the late Marco Antonio Firebaugh, for whom the high school was named, and grants in-state college tuition rates for undocumented California high school graduates who meet specific criteria.
Follow-up Story: About 120 fifth-graders from lynwood Unified's Will Rogers Elementary displayed works of art and watched dance performances with special needs peers on Oct. 21 at the 38th annual Very Special Arts Festival, an event celebrating the talents of all students, especially those with disabilities. The festival, themed “Heroes,” was held at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles, with students from across Los Angeles County participating. A grant from the Los Angeles County Office of Education funded specialized visual arts instruction for fifth-graders prior to the festival. Photos are available.
Lynwood Elementary Kindergarten Class Chosen for J.B. Hunt Adopt-A-Class
Follow-up Story: A class of kindergarteners from Lynwood Unified’s Lugo Elementary School received $1,000 in school supplies on Oct. 13 through freight shipping services company J.B. Hunt’s Adopt-A-Class program. The class is one of 10 across the nation chosen by the company. As part of the experience, a J.B. Hunt freight truck filled with supplies parked in front of the elementary school, welcoming members of Onehiome Francis’ kindergarten class for a special tour as it delivered a load of magnetic letters, books, crayons and colorful paper.
Photos are available.
The Lynwood Unified School District has been awarded two 2016 Golden Bell Awards for an initiative that promotes career exploration and college preparation and one that supports the emotional and mental well-being of students for a brighter future. Of the almost 300 entries submitted for the award, now in its 37th year, Lynwood Unified’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways program and Health Collaborative initiative were selected to win the most prestigious honor awarded to California school districts by the California School Boards Association (CSBA).
Follow-up Story: More than 1,000 Lynwood High School students chanted slogans, waved signs and campaigned for candidates and propositions on Oct. 11 during a mock election designed to spark civic engagement. The event is part of the California Mock Student Election program. Students in social studies classes hosted booths to back candidates and explain California propositions. After visiting the booths and hearing the arguments, classmates voted. Photos are available.
The Lynwood Unified School District community will vote in November on a $65 million bond measure that would fund upgrades, repairs and modernization of the District’s 12 elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools. Bond measures, which must be supported by 55 percent of voters living within the school district, are the primary mechanism used by California schools to fund major capital improvements and construct new buildings. Taxpayers would pay up to $55 annually per $100,000 in assessed property value.
State Superintendent Torlakson and Southland Districts Unite Behind Prop. 51
California State Superintendent Tom Torkalson will join representatives from Lynwood Unified, Montebello Unified, Los Angeles Unified and Lennox Elementary school districts at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5 to highlight local school facilities needs and why Proposition 51 funds are vital. The event will take place at Lynwood Unified’s Washington Elementary, 4225 Sanborn Ave., Lynwood. If passed on the November ballot, Prop 51 would provide state funds to help school districts boost health and safety standards, renovate aging facilities, including seismic retrofits, upgrade classrooms and build new schools. California last passed a state school facilities bond measure in 2006, but that funding is effectively depleted. Attendees include Torlakson, superintendents of Lynwood, Montebello and Lennox school districts, LAUSD officials and Jesus Holguin, the past president of the California School Boards Association. For more information, contact Erin Shaw at 916-685-7067.
Three- and 4-year-olds in Lindbergh Elementary teacher Maria Ledezma’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) class gathered around her room in eight groups as dads took charge of lesson plans on Oct. 4, leading students in excited recitations of “The Three Bears” and the coloring of “Thank you for being my super hero” pictures. Dads attended ECE classes across the Lynwood Unified School District as part of the second annual Be a Hero Day, where more than 80 fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and other male role models read to children, helped with arts and crafts, and took part in other classroom activities.
Follow-up Story: About 30 Firebaugh High School students gathered Sept. 21 to share knowledge on financial education they have received through a new Master Your Card online course, a community empowerment program sponsored by Mastercard. Students engaged in roundtable discussions with Master Your Card team members during the event, asking and answering financial questions that may impact them in years to come. Firebaugh High is one of two schools in Los Angeles County offering the program to students. Photos are available.
Follow-up Story: Lynwood Unified held a grand opening on Sept. 21 for a Wesley Health Center medical clinic at Lynwood Middle School with local officials, health clinic operators and Superintendent Paul Gothold. Lynwood Unified students, their families and members of the Lynwood community can access the Wesley Health Center for free medical checkups and screenings from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. Hours will be expanded as demand rises. Photos are available.
