Norwalk-La Mirada Unified boosted its graduation rates in 2014-15 to 94 percent through initiatives that integrated digital tools into classrooms, enhanced curriculum to improve critical thinking and teamwork, and personalized learning to meet the needs of each student. The boost represents a nearly 10 percent climb in graduation rates over five years.
For three distinguished La Mirada High School Class of 2016 graduates, years of dedicated study have earned them acceptance to some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Vittorio Reynoso-Avila will attend Princeton, Meghan Miller will attend Vanderbilt and Dante Gonzales will head to UC Berkeley.
From the moment she started following her mom around the kitchen at 2 years old, Bella Coonis has aspired to be a chef, and now the Hutchinson Middle School seventh-grader has been crowned champion on an episode of the Food Network’s popular “Chopped Junior” competition. Coonis said the experience has made her even more determined to maximize her educational opportunities, get a college degree in hospitality and eventually open her own family-style café.
John Glenn High School science teacher Mitch L’Angelle was honored with the We Honor Ours (WHO) Award as one of the top teachers across the state on May 11 by the California Teachers Association. L’Angelle began working in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District as a P.E. teacher 25 years ago. He has since moved into the classroom as a science teacher, and continues to coach varsity basketball and track.
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified's Escalona Elementary School was honored with a California PTA 2016 Spotlight Award for engaging students through its 2015 Red Ribbon Week celebration. The week consisted of five spirit days centered on the “Just Say No” campaign and community service efforts that featured staff, parents and students donating 10 ponytails to Wigs for Kids, writing more than 400 letters to soldiers and donating 578 pairs of socks.
Best friends since their freshman year at Norwalk High School, seniors Celeste Larios and Kethzia Higuera will be two of only 1,000 high school students across the nation who will have the entire cost of their undergraduate studies covered through the coveted Gates Millennium Scholarship. Larios and Higuera have pushed each other academically, earning a 4.99 and 4.6 grade point average respectively. Larios will attend Stanford to study environmental engineering and Higuera, co-valedictorian for Norwalk’s Class of 2016, will attend UC Irvine and study nursing. The pair can also request funding as Gates Millennium Scholars if they continue to a graduate degree program.
Nearly 250 Norwalk High School seniors raised $10,000 in three weeks by selling granola bars during the school’s fourth annual Charity for Charities event. Students will donate $1,000 each to 10 charities chosen in social studies classes. Students researched the groups, pitched them to classmates and voted on the top choices. Norwalk High seniors have donated over $45,000 to more than 40 charities in the last four years. Photos are available.
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified’s Southeast Academy is celebrating two of its highest-achieving cadets as they head to prestigious national universities, taking their first steps toward careers as officers in the U.S. Armed Forces. Marissa Gutierrez has been accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, while Jose Barajas received a $180,000 Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship to attend Oregon State University. Photos are available.
Eastwood and Dulles elementary schools have been named California Gold Ribbon Schools for promoting high literacy standards, creating a culture that emphasizes positive behaviors and engaging parents as partners in their children’s education. The Gold Ribbon is California’s highest academic honor, created in 2015 as a substitute to the Distinguished School Program to honor schools for model programs during rollout of the new California Standards.
Thirty Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District middle school students showcased their musical talents April 19 when they performed with the La Mirada Symphony at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. The annual music program highlights the District’s stellar visual and performing arts program. Two NLMUSD music teachers – Vanessa Trevino and David Yamamoto – served as guest conductors. The 1,000-student audience included the entire fifth-grade class and advanced band, orchestra and guitar students from District middle schools. Photos are available.
