Each elementary school across Lynwood Unified has selected their top math wizzes to compete on behalf of their campus for the District’s annual ‘Mathathon’ contest. Third- and fourth-graders at all 12 elementary schools this week competed in teams, computing standards-based math problems to best represent their schools, to qualify for the "Mathathon'. Held at Firebaugh High School, hundreds of parents and community members came out to support their children, holding banners, flags and wearing T-shirts to show their school spirit. The media is invited to the fifth- and sixth-grade ‘Mathathon’ at Firebaugh High School from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Photos of both competitions and winners will be available. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
New solar panel projects at 11 Lynwood Unified campuses are expected to result in $1.5 million in energy savings for the District, while generating 2.9 million kilowatt hours per year, which is equivalent to the annual energy consumed by 284 households in the United States. Construction of the projects, which are privately funded and come at no cost to the District, began in November and are expected to be complete by mid-April. Photos of the projects are available. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
Lynwood Unified will host its final meeting to inform parents and the community about the implementation of the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 27 at Lynwood High School, 4050 Imperial Highway. In addition to an overview of the standards and what they mean for students, attendees will have the opportunity to hear about how Lynwood Unified is making a successful transition, hear presentations from classroom teachers, view the new standardized testing and receive information about the Local Control Funding Formula, a new formula that transfers the budget decision-making to the local level. Contact: Juliette Funes, 909-445-1001 (office)
Lynwood Unified will host the second in a series of meetings to inform parents and the community about the implementation of the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, at Lynwood Middle School. In addition to an overview of the standards and what they mean for students, attendees will have the opportunity to hear about how Lynwood Unified is making a successful transition, hear presentations from classroom teachers, view the new standardized testing and receive information about the Local Control Funding Formula, a new formula that transfers the budget decision-making to the local level. The final meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 27 at Lynwood High School, 4050 Imperial Highway. Contact: Juliette Funes, 909-447-2404 (office)
Lynwood Unified will host the first in a series of meetings to inform parents and the community about the implementation of the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12. In addition to an overview of the standards and what they mean for students, attendees will have the opportunity to hear about how Lynwood Unified is making a successful transition, hear presentations from classroom teachers, view the new standardized testing and receive information about the Local Control Funding Formula, a new formula that transfers the budget decision-making to the local level. Each of the following meetings will personalize information to instruction at each level of students’ K-12 education: Common Core at the Elementary School Level – 5 p.m. on March 12 at Abbott Elementary; Common Core at the Middle School Level – 5 p.m. on March 19 at Lynwood Middle School; and Common Core at the High School Level – 5 p.m. on March 27 at Lynwood High School. Contact: Maritza Fairfield, 909-445-1001 (office) or 909-816-7722 (cell)
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)