Follow-up Story: Lynwood Unified took an active role in raising awareness for the benefits of health care coverage and other preventative care measures by hosting a health fair in partnership with the City of Lynwood and St. Francis Medical Center on Nov. 15. Free immunizations were provided for kids ages 5-18. Free adult screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, height/weight, and body fat analysis, were offered, along with free healthy eating demonstrations, team sports sign-ups and giveaways. Care 1st, California Health Collaborative, Los Angeles County Office of Education and St. Francis provided information on health insurance and helped local families enroll in health care coverage.
The Lynwood Unified School District is being recognized with the prestigious Golden Bell Award for helping to close the achievement gap. The District’s Data Reflection Model, sparked by goals outlined in its Achieving Greatness strategic plan, earned acclaim for enabling educators to analyze student performance throughout the year, identify barriers to achievement and develop tools so students could succeed. In the last three years, the effort has boosted Academic Performance Index (API) scores by 34 points and generated significant growth in achievement within specific subgroups, such as socioeconomically disadvantaged students and English language learners.
Follow-up Story: Chavez Middle School students in Lynwood Unified are taking on a challenge to reduce their lunchtime trash through the fourth annual Trash-Free Lunch Competition. Students will learn about recycling and composting, and will be encouraged to use reusable lunch containers, water bottles, utensils and cloth napkins. The program is sponsored by environmental education nonprofit Grades of Green in partnership with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. An assembly on Oct. 24 kicked off the contest.
Lynwood High Marks Second Year of Significant Safety Gains
Lynwood High School is again standing out for making among the largest gains in the state for improving campus safety and school-connectedness for parents and students, according to data released this fall. The California Safe and Supportive Schools Program provides grant funding to at-risk schools to support statewide efforts to promote safe and drug-free learning environments with a goal of improving student academic success.
To align its mission, objectives and image with the work taking place to prepare students for higher education and careers, Lynwood Unified has embarked on a rebranding process. The District unveiled its new mission statement during the Oct. 15 Board of Education meeting, representing weeks of collaboration between Lynwood Unified staff, teachers, administrators, students, parents and community members. A new committee of individuals representing the District stakeholder groups is beginning to meet to discuss the design of a logo that reflects the District’s new mission, students and community. Media contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
Lynwood High School is again standing out for improving campus safety and school-connectedness for parents and students, according to new data from the California Safe and Supportive Schools Program. The school’s School Climate Report Card scores have risen 99 points since 2011, when it began receiving grant funding through the program, which promotes safe and drug-free learning environments as an avenue to improving academic success. Every year, participating schools are graded on truancy rates and parent and student surveys. Students report a decrease in conflicts and a rise in clubs, programs and activities that promote school spirit, and a cleaner campus environment.
Photos are available.
Bringing together native English speakers and English learners, Lynwood Unified School District this school year launched a Dual Language Immersion program, starting with a kindergarten class. The program at Will Rogers Elementary follows the 90:10 model in which 90 percent of instruction is taught in Spanish and 10 percent is delivered in English.
Photos are available.
The new Gateway Program at Lynwood Unified’s middle schools – Hosler, Lynwood and Chavez – is building on the District’s efforts to create an engineering pathway that leads students through a coordinated pipeline of coursework and experience to prepare them for high school, higher education and, eventually, jobs. Using Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum, Firebaugh and Lynwood high schools already offer medical and engineering pathways and agreements with local colleges that allow students to take courses for college credit. The new program gives eighth-graders the opportunity to take PLTW engineering classes before reaching high school.
Lynwood Unified School District is inviting its eighth-graders to “Future Freshmen Spirit Night” on Friday, Oct. 3, when students will take rooter buses from their middle schools to the second annual Wood Bowl featuring cross-town competitors the Firebaugh High Falcons and the Lynwood High Knights. Students will take part in fun pre-game activities and receive free admission to the football game. Media contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
Utilizing funding from the Measure K facilities bond, Lynwood Unified is continuing to repair, renovate and improve schools. This summer, the District completed several roofing, painting and replacement of heating and air conditioning systems. In addition, Lynwood Unified is continuing to plan future projects, including the field renovation at Lynwood High School and a proposed project that would improve school drop-off zones.
