Nearly 300 kindergarten- through sixth-grade students at Mark Twain Elementary are participating in a 10-week series of after-school piano, drumline and art classes after the school community raised $14,000 through a candy sale fundraiser. During a media open house from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, students will be available to speak about their experience in the program, and school and district leaders will also be on hand to discuss how state budgets have limited the ability of public schools to offer arts programs to students. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
The Board of Education on Thursday, Jan. 30 appointed Gary Hardie Jr., an alumnus of Lynwood Unified schools, as the newest member of the governing body. Hardie fills a vacancy created by the election of former member Jose Luis Solache, who was elected to the Lynwood City Council. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
An independent auditing firm reported that Lynwood Unified is expending Measure K general obligation bond funding on specific projects approved by voters. The annual performance audit is required by state law to ensure accountability of bond funding, and that the monies are not used for administrator or staff salaries or other purposes prohibited by law. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
The Lynwood Unified School District is offering new afterschool enrichment activities to its menu of educational programs in order to enhance instruction for elementary school students in the district’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program. Starting in February, all 12 LUSD elementary schools will present “STEP UP TO S.T.E.A.M,” a program featuring workshops in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. During two, four-week sessions, students will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops focusing on NASA’s newest rockets and robots, engineering, GREEN technology and more. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
Lynwood Unified graduates are returning to their hometown to help current students navigate their way to higher education. The 14th annual Alumni College Conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Lynwood High School. Francisco “Franky” Carrillo, who was wrongly accused of murder and released from prison in 2011 after spending two decades behind bars, will serve as the guest speaker. Carrillo now attends Loyola Marymount University and serves as an inspirational speaker and advocate for justice and equality. Photos of the event will be available. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
Lynwood Unified Superintendent Paul Gothold is kicking off the New Year by taking over the District’s Twitter account, where he will provide updates, important information and news to the community and district stakeholders. Currently, Lynwood Unified is available on both Facebook and Twitter, where followers can see pictures of District events, receive regular updates on Measure K construction progress and learn about other programs, news and events taking place districtwide. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
The public is invited to view the progress of Lynwood Unified’s new classroom facility project at Lincoln and Washington elementary schools, which include the removal of dozens of outdated portable classrooms that will be replaced with state-of-the-art permanent buildings. Construction is expected to be completed next fall. The tour at Washington is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17. A tour at Lincoln is taking place at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. The projects are funded under the District’s Measure K facilities bond. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
The Lynwood High School Dance Ensemble will perform in its second annual Christmas Dance Concert on Saturday, Dec. 7. Performances take place at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Lynwood High School Performing Arts Center. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
The Lynwood Unified School District will host its annual reorganization meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Board of Education will swear in newly-elected board member Alma Delia-Renteria and re-elected board member Alfonso Morales. The District will also recognize the dedication and efforts of retiring board member Rachel Chavez and outgoing Vice President José Luis Solache, who was recently elected to the Lynwood City Council. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
ESPN Radio Reporter Beto Duran will meet with Firebaugh High School journalism students to share his experience and tips on how they can achieve their own dreams on Monday, Dec. 2. This is just one of the ways the Lynwood Unified School District is achieving its goal to form partnerships with the community that benefit its students. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)