Cesar Chavez Middle School has earned the coveted distinction of being named a 2024 School to Watch by the California Department of Education and California League of Educators (CLE) for its exemplary performance in fostering a positive campus culture and providing an enriching curriculum that boosts student engagement and success. Cesar Chavez Middle School (CCMS) is the second Lynwood Unified School District campus to become a School to Watch, joining Hosler Middle School, which earned the distinction in 2023. District and CCMS leaders will accept the award at the CLE 2024 Annual Conference on Friday, March 8.
Firebaugh High School’s boys’ basketball team has had a record-breaking season, earning the most wins in Falcon history and, after its 76-31 victory over Big Bear High School on Feb. 24, the team added another monumental title to their belt – CIF Southern Section Division 5A Champions. The team now advances to the State Championships – which consists of five games – with the first round of the Division 5 State Championships against Coalinga High School taking place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Firebaugh High School.
Over 300 Lynwood Unified School District students from Lynwood, Firebaugh and Vista high schools celebrated Black excellence, participated in workshops and heard from inspiring speakers during the District’s Teen Summit on February 22. The annual event – organized by the District’s Equity, Access and Instructional Services Department – is one of Lynwood Unified’s many efforts to bring together the rich cultures within the school community and encourages students to embrace their passions, break through barriers and become high achievers.
Lynwood Community Adult School Graduates Newest Vocational Nurses
More than a dozen aspiring nurses lit candles, symbolizing their devotion and commitment to the care of others, and catapulted their career aspirations in the medical profession during the Lynwood Community Adult School’s vocational nursing graduation and pinning ceremony on Feb. 1. Sixteen students in the 2023-24 cohort graduated from the intensive 13-month vocational nursing program, which equips students with the principles and skills necessary to succeed as nurses in a hospital setting.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) traveled to Lynwood and Firebaugh high schools during the annual Black College Expo Caravan event on Feb. 5, providing nearly $4.6 million in scholarships and granting 298 on-the-spot acceptances to some of the top HBCUs in the country. Hosted in partnership with the National College Resources Foundation, the event featured more than 20 college representatives who shared various career exploration opportunities with juniors and seniors and reassured students that their dreams of attending college are possible.
Demolition of Lynwood High School Expected to be Complete in February
Demolition crews charged with taking down the primary classroom building at the Lynwood High School Imperial Campus are moving swiftly and on time, with the structure expected to be fully demolished by mid-February. The structural demolition of Building G began in Nov. 2023. The work to prepare the soil for the building’s foundation is scheduled to begin later this summer. Once the foundation work is complete, construction of the new 175,000-square-foot building will begin. The restored campus – which has been shuttered since June 2020 when a portion of ceiling soffits collapsed due to major structural failures – is expected to welcome back students and staff in fall 2027.
Lynwood Unified Students Receive Free Prescription Glasses
Dozens of young learners at Roosevelt Elementary School received free prescription glasses through the District’s partnership with Vision to Learn, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating vision issues as a barrier to education, during an exuberant ceremony on Jan. 25. The students previously went through free screenings at Vision to Learn’s mobile eye clinic, where optometrists conducted full exams, wrote prescriptions and fitted students for glasses with frames of their choice. The collaboration between Vision to Learn and Lynwood Unified underscores the power of championing accessible and quality eye care and creating a brighter future for Lynwood’s youth.
Lynwood Unified School District students will benefit from a unique and immersive learning experience through the District’s recently expanded Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, which fosters bilingualism and biliteracy among students using a two-way learning model. The program aims to help students achieve excellence through cross-cultural understanding, and will introduce one transitional kindergarten and two kindergarten classes to Mark Twain Elementary School beginning in the 2024-25 school year.
LUSD Board Reorganizes, Celebrates School Board Recognition Month
Lynwood Unified School District welcomed Board of Education members to new leadership positions at its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 14, setting the stage for another year of exemplary leadership. Maria G. Lopez was selected to serve as Board president, succeeding Alfonso Morales; Alma Carina Castro was selected as vice president and Julian Del Real-Calleros as clerk. Morales and Gary Hardie, Jr. will continue as Board members. Throughout January, the District will continue to celebrate Board members for their dedicated service and commitment as part of School Board Recognition Month.
Lynwood Unified Welcomes Facilities Project Manager for LHS Demolition
Lynwood High School’s Imperial Campus interior buildings are undergoing a comprehensive demolition estimated to be complete in February 2024, with new construction beginning in Summer 2024. On Nov. 27, Lynwood Unified appointed Jorge Ramirez as the new Facilities Project Manager who will oversee the reconstruction project and support the District’s long-term facilities plan. With over 20 years of experience in public education, Ramirez looks forward to making an impact in the Lynwood community.
