Lynwood Unified School District is inviting the community to celebrate Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School’s 10th anniversary with a program of activities showcasing the great work of the students from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1 at the school, 5246 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lynwood. The school will honor top students with scholarships during the event. The evening will feature music performed by student bands, a student art show, a resource fair and speakers. The school, named for the former state assemblyman from the 30th District who was a great advocate of education, pushes students with a rigorous curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate Programme, Advanced Placement and Honors courses.
Community Partnership, Lynwood High Feed 4,000 Students After School
Two Lynwood High School coaches have sparked creation of a community partnership that is providing daily afternoon meals to more than 300 students who remain on campus into the evenings for extra classes or activities such as band, athletics and clubs. More than 4,000 students have been fed so far in April through the program, which grew from outreach by baseball coach James Bishop and football coach Kendrick Knox to 180 Degrees and Still Standing, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that combats malnutrition and homelessness.
Lynwood Unified School District, in partnership with the City of Lynwood and St. Francis Medical Center, are seeking donations for the upcoming Young Parents and Pregnancy Fair, to be held at Bateman Hall in Lynwood on Thursday, May 14. Gift cards and larger gifts from baby-specific merchants such as Target, Babies R Us and Toys R Us will serve as raffle prizes for teens, while coupons, discounts and other small gift items will be graciously accepted for inclusion into gift bags distributed to all attendees. Close to 200 teens from inside and outside the District are expected to attend the fair. The fair will focus on preparing expectant mothers for what they face before, during and after childbirth. Workshops, motivational speakers, college and career guidance, nutritional advice and discussions on the father’s role in child rearing will be presented during the day-long event.
LUSD Students Reduce Footprint, Named Finalist in Environmental Contest
Over the course of the 2014-15 school year, Lynwood Unified’s Cesar Chavez Middle School students have reduced their carbon footprint by cutting down the number of trash bags they fill at lunchtime from 16 to 4. They have emerged as one of three Los Angeles County finalists in the Grades of Green Trash-Free Lunch Challenge. A panel of environmental experts will visit the middle school at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, when students will present their waste reduction program and how they compelled their peers to make a difference in their school and in their community.
Lynwood Unified Honors Dedicated Volunteers during Annual Luncheon
Lynwood Unified will highlight the countless hours that dozens of parent volunteers contribute to enhance their children’s education during a special western-themed luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 17 at the District Office, 11321 Bullis Road, Lynwood. Parents assist teachers in the classroom, help plan field trips, do administrative office work, help with special projects and serve as decision-makers on District and school councils and policy committees and more.
Track and field upgrades at Lynwood High School are expected to be completed this summer, rounding out the first phase of Lynwood Unified’s Measure K construction plan. Also taking place this summer, the District will launch the next phase of school construction projects. Phase two projects include the renovation of the Pathways Independent Study campus and chain-link fencing upgrades, water main replacement and reconfiguration of drop-off zones at several elementary schools.
Lynwood Unified Unveils New District Logo as Part of Rebranding Effort
Lynwood Unified is rebranding itself to reflect the District’s current values, mission and community. Over the last few months, LUSD launched a collaborative process with community members, teachers, staff, administrators and students to re-design its logo. The Board of Education recently signed off on the final product, which will be incorporated into all District materials, including newsletters, letterhead and business cards. The District’s former logo will remain the seal that adorns high school diplomas.
Lynwood Students to Perform ‘Day of Service’ in Honor of Cesar Chavez
The students of Cesar Chavez Middle School will brighten their neighborhood while bringing cheer to local seniors during a “Day of Service” in honor of the late Cesar Chavez, a Mexican-American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist, whose birthday falls on March 31. On Thursday, March 26, students will spruce up Lynwood Park, while a group of students visit with seniors at the Lynwood Senior Citizens Center, where they will serve lunch to the seniors and share T-shirts designed by the school’s Sewing Club. Students will arrive at 9:45 a.m. and stay through the lunch hour.
Follow-up Story: When it came to putting their math skills to the test, the students of Lynwood proved they were up to the challenge. On March 18, teams of students from elementary schools across Lynwood Unified competed head to head in the District’s annual Mathathon, a contest that tests problem-solving skills. The event had two rounds – one in which students solved equations surrounded by their competitors and family and friends, who cheered them on with posters, pom-poms and other school spirit fare; in the other round, they found solutions in the quiet of a nearby classroom. Photos are available.
Lynwood Unified School District is welcoming two new administrators who are filling key leadership positions in finance and technology. Effective Feb. 23, Marlene P. Dunn joined the District as its Chief Business Official. She was introduced at the Feb. 24 LUSD Board of Education meeting. In April, Dr. Patrick Gittisriboongul will join the District as its first Chief Technology Officer.
