Category Archives: Local School News

Diamond Bar: The Skin Of Our Teeth

Thorton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play Makes Its Way to DBHS Stage

 

Courtesy of Diamond Bar High School Drama Department
DIAMOND BAR –The Diamond Bar High School Theatre Company begins its fall season with a performance of Thornton Wilder’s play The Skin of Our Teeth in the DBHS Theatre, with show times at November 6, 7, 13 & 14 at 7 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for students; at the door adult tickets are $14 and students are $12. Tickets are available online at seatyourself.biz/dbhsdrama.

Written immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, The Skin of Our Teeth is an allegory dealing with themes of human nature, human struggle, and humanity’s search for higher purpose and meaning in times of turbulence. The story follows the trials and tribulations faced by the Antrobuses, a sort of “Everyman Family,” whose members are archetypes found throughout human societies. Though the story is imbued with the concerns of America at the inception of its involvement in WWII and allusions to biblical characters, its themes of recurring violence and the effects of hedonistic lack of concern with the consequences of humanity’s actions speak to the current concerns of modern audiences in the turbulent beginnings of the 21st century.   The audience’s glimpse into the lives of the Antrobus family and their struggle for survival in a world on the precipice of ending, gives insight into the boldness and resilience of the human spirit.  Wilder’s play sees humanity as Phoenix-like ever rising from the ashes and never giving up hope for a better future.  Though the play deals with heavy themes, its anachronistic self-referential, theatrical approach is still fresh and packed with very funny moments.

Advanced Theatre Arts students at Diamond Bar High School work in a company structure to create and produce all aspects of their shows from design, to set construction, to publicity and performance.  Students are working hard to achieve high production values since this is the first time that a DBHS production has been submitted for adjudication by the California Educational Theatre Association.  The production will highlight the play’s theatricality by featuring several elements of audience participation that seek to immerse the audience into the drama and make them part of the creative process.

Celebrated playwright, Paula Vogel, has written, “For an American dramatist, all roads lead back to Thornton Wilder…The Skin of Our Teeth was a remarkable gift to an America entrenched in catastrophe, a tribute to the trait of human endurance.”

Walnut Valley Students Join Global Shakeout Earthquake Drill

Drop, Cover, and Hold On!

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD
Diamond Bar High drama students took part in today’s Great Shakeout earthquake drill, playing victims in triage units around the campus.

 

Diamond Bar – On Oct. 15 at 10:15 a.m., the alarm sounded at Diamond Bar High School.

It was time for the annual Great California Shakeout earthquake drill and students and staff prepared to take action.

On cue, they immediately dropped and took cover under their desks and tables, and held on to something sturdy for one-minute.

Then the classes went to three designated areas around the campus to take roll call.

The school also practiced their emergency response plans with search and rescue and medical evaluation drills.

Beginning drama students were on hand in staged triage areas to help act out roles as earthquake victims. They took their parts seriously, researching and practicing prior to the earthquake drill.

Photo: Courtesy of WVUSD

Photo: Courtesy of WVUSD
Coleen Gee’s art history class students dropped under their desks and took cover during the minute-long drill on October 15.

“It’s always necessary to have these types of drills because it helps the site prepare for disasters – especially here in earthquake-prone California,” said Assistant Principal John Terry. “So the more we can practice, the safer and more prepared we’ll be.”

A special thanks to Chase Paulson, Terry Guest, Lorraine Gomes, Doug Medford, Beatrice Casagran, USB and Drama students, and all the staff and volunteers who made the school-wide event a success.

“Practicing these drills supports and reinforces the importance of emergency care in a disaster until medical assistance is available,” said school nurse Terry Guest, who led one of the triage units.

The drill began as the Great California ShakeOut in 2008, but now the annual earthquake drill has gone global.

More than 22 million people worldwide, including 10.5 million Californians signed up to simultaneously practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” this year, the safety protocol recommended by experts during an earthquake.

All 15 Walnut Valley Unified School District campuses and the District Office took part in the Great Shakeout.

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD
Freshman Zoe Marquez gets in character with an arm injury. School nurse Terri Guest, teachers Stephanie Green, and Beatrice Casagran access the situation.

Walnut: Collegewood Kids Learn About Traffic Safety

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile
Collegewood Elementary students learned about traffic safety with parents driving in cardboard cars on September 25.

By Kelli Gile

Walnut— Collegewood Elementary students got a lesson in traffic safety last month.

A crew of Community Club volunteers used cardboard cars to demonstrate the rules.

Principal Joan Perez announced the lesson for transitional-kindergarten (TK) through 2nd grade students on the front lawn of the school.

“We want to keep all of you safe when you come to school and go home each day,” she said.

In the first skit, parents Betsy Castellanos and Loi Ay demonstrated the no stopping in the red zone rule.

The misguided driver, Ay, swung his tiny convertible around traffic to the red crosswalk curb.

Castellanos, playing the backpack-carrying student, exited the car with a worried look on her face.

After each entertaining skit, Perez quizzed youngsters about the rules.

“What did they do wrong?” she asked.

“They stopped in the red zone!” the student answered.

“There is NO stopping in the red zone! If it’s red, move ahead!” Perez exclaimed.

“If it’s red, move ahead!” the 200 students repeated.  The parents then modeled how to use the correct white-zone area for dropping off and picking up students.

“We just want to educate the kids on the right way to make our school safer,” Castellanos shared.

“And we want to be funny enough for them to remember it!”

Next, parents showed the wrong way to get out of the car.

A bright blue car pulled up to the white curb on Collegewood Drive and the student stepped out onto the street.

“No feet on the street!” corrected Perez.

The principal explained the dangers of double parking – when one car is on the white curb and another car parked in the street.

“And that is not OK!” Perez urged. “Do we ever get out in the middle of the street? No!”

“If you double, it means trouble,” the children and their principal rhymed.

“He could have gotten run over,” said one youngster.

Another volunteer duo in a black-flamed cutout showed students the need to be “quick as light” when exiting the car.

When they pulled up the white curb, the mother took unnecessary time brushing her daughter’s hair and taking a photo while cars waited behind them. The children howled watching the silly adults.

Volunteers demonstrated crosswalk safety when one parent got in trouble making a U-turn in the middle of the street.

The crossing guard scolded the driver when he endangered two mothers with children inside the bright yellow lines.

“I think this safety lesson is important because we often have a lot of congestion in front of Collegewood,” said third grade parent Xochitl Syrett.

“All our parents need to read the signs, pay attention, and drive cautiously,” Rebecca Durani, a fifth grade parent, said.

Huff Supports National Bullying Prevention Month

Senator Alarmed by Reports That Many Students Face Daily Harassment, Especially Those with Life Threatening Food Allergies

 

Photo Courtesy: Twitter

Photo Courtesy: Twitter
Senator Bob Huff

Courtesy of Senator Bob Huff

San Dimas: Senator Bob Huff (R-San Dimas) announced his support earlier this month for National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, aimed at reducing or even preventing bullying on school campuses, playgrounds and elsewhere. The effort, created by the organization STOMP Out Bullying, observes October as a time to raise awareness and education.

“I am greatly concerned by statistics that show one out of every four students in America deal with the threat of bullying every single day of their lives,” said Senator Huff. “Being the target of a bully is a scary fact of life for far too many children and teenagers. The good news is we can take action to prevent harm done to our children. One of those steps is to raise awareness to the issue and then confront it.”

According to statistics:

  • 1 out of 4 kids are bullied
  • 9 out of 10 LGBT students experience harassment at school
  • Depending on their ages, up to 43% of kids and teens report being cyberbullied
  • 8% of kids stay home from school each day due to the fear of being bullied
  • 1/3 of children with life threatening food allergies are bullied

One particular form of bullying concerning Huff is that which is aimed at children who suffer from life threatening food allergies. A recent study from the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics discovered the following: “31.5 percent of the children and 24.7 percent of the parents reported bullying specifically due to food allergies, including threats with foods, primarily by classmates.”

“Children who suffer from food allergies face serious consequences, which could include grave outcomes, if they are bullied with the very food that can kill them,” said Senator Huff. “This is a serious threat that has recently come to my attention through my previous legislative work on this issue.  School should be safe for all students and hearing stories from children who have been spit at in an attempt to get them sick is heartbreaking.  I am looking at possible legislation to address this particular form of bullying before it gets worse.”

Senator Huff represents the 29th Senate District covering portions of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties.

Pomona Unified Cosmetology Program Expands to IE Schools

Photo Courtesy: PUSD

Photo Courtesy: PUSD
Students in the Pomona Unified Adult and Career Education’s Barbering and Cosmetology program gain experience in the field and work with clients to prepare for the State Board exam and receive a Certificate of Completion in Cosmetology.

Courtesy of Pomona Unified School District

POMONA – The Pomona Unified Adult and Career Education’s Barbering and Cosmetology program has expanded partnerships to include eligible high school students from nearby school districts who are interested in taking advantage of the innovative and popular course offering, which launched last year.

The PUSD Adult and Career Education Program is articulating with the San Antonio Regional Occupational Program – which serves students from Bonita Unified and Pomona Unified – and Baldy View Regional Occupational Program – serving students from Chino Valley, Claremont, Upland and Chaffey school districts – to provide the articulated course.

This is the first time that two regional occupation programs have collaborated to meet the needs of high school students in Pomona and surrounding districts.

“This innovative model supports Pomona Unified students who wish to pursue a career after high school, while also extending admission to local high school students who desire the same high-quality level of training but don’t have access to it in their areas,” Board of Education President Andrew Wong said. “This speaks volumes of the caliber programs PUSD offers and how the partnerships we forge are able to benefit all students.”

Under the collaboration, high school students from these districts will have the opportunity to pursue Barbering and Cosmetology State Board licensure requirements, complete the two-year course and become workforce-ready by the end of the senior year.

“This offers students an incredible opportunity to pursue their careers and receive hands-on training while in high school,” said Enrique Medina, director of Career Readiness at PUSD. “We welcome all additional applicants to our program and appreciate Baldy View and San Antonio’s collaborative approach to provide real-world education and mentorship for our students.”

In order to receive a Certificate of Completion in Cosmetology, students must enroll in their junior year of high school and complete the 1,600-hour course over the next two years. Upon graduation from high school, students will begin accepting clients in preparation for the State Board exam.

Client operation hours will run from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. All work will be performed by students in training.

“We are thrilled to expand program enrollment and look forward to its continued success,” Pomona Unified Superintendent Richard Martinez said. “The increasing popularity of this program speaks volumes of the high-quality education and vocational training available to our students. We hope they will take advantage of this opportunity to develop 21st century skills.”

The San Antonio and Baldy View ROP programs are currently accepting applications.

For more information about the program, call San Antonio ROP at (909) 397-4711, ext. 6785, or Baldy View ROP at (909) 980-6490.

Diamond Bar: Teaching Kindness

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD Chaparral Middle School teacher, Sherry Robertson, with students Noah Macalino and Ashley Jong, completed 40 random acts of kindness.

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD
Chaparral Middle School teacher, Sherry Robertson, with students Noah Macalino and Ashley Jong, completed 40 random acts of kindness.

By Kelli Gile

Diamond Bar – When Chaparral Middle School teacher Sherry Robertson turned 40 this year, she didn’t want gifts or a party. Instead, she decided to complete 40 random acts of kindness to mark the day.

“I wanted to do something original and when I mentioned it to my students they thought it was a great idea and wanted to join in.”

The educator made a spreadsheet to share her ideas with the 6th Graders. Her goal was for volunteers to complete acts individually and then meet at a local shopping mall for the remaining gifts of kindness.

Three students joined the compassion day in honor of Robertson’s 40th birthday on Aug. 8.

7th Grader Ashley Jong, 12, baked chocolate chip cookies and delivered to staff members at the Diamond Bar Library and Kaiser Emergency Room.

“I’ve watched my mom bake cookies, but this was my first time. They were good!” she recalled.

Classmate Noah Macalino, 12, chose to open doors for strangers.

“I really like helping people and it’s fun to do!“ he said.

Student Ethan Yee was on vacation with his family in Las Vegas and also completed two acts of kindness.  He presented a surprise gift card to a hard-working waitress and made a charity donation.

Jong also left a shovel and pail and bottles of bubbles at a local park with a note that read, “Please enjoy this random act of kindness and pass it on!”

The do-gooders took photos of their kindness acts to document the day.

“Every act included a note with the social media hashtag, “RAKbirthday2015, so people could check out the pictures,” Robertson said.

In total, completing 40 Random Acts of Kindness birthday took over eight hours. Robertson and her family covered the community with kindness.  She had the help of her husband, Mario, and son Riley, a Quail Summit kindergartner.

“It has always been a priority for me to help my son grow up in an environment where he learns helping others is the norm,” Robertson said.

They handed out crayons and coloring books to children in a hospital emergency waiting room.  The family brought thank you photos to a caring fire chief, and left laundry soap, fabric softener and quarters at a local Laundromat.

“Enough for a few loads,” she said.

At Toys R Us, the Robertson’s put quarters in all the toy vending machines at the front of the store.

“I wanted to wait to see all the kids come!” the bubbly teacher said.

The educator purposely asked her students to choose acts that were low in cost or free.

One approved random act was sending a thank you letter.

“The note had to be handwritten – no emails or text messages,” Robertson said. “It takes effort and it’s the effort that makes people feel special.”

One of her favorite acts was leaving sticky notes with affirmations in women’s dressing rooms at Kohl’s.

“As I was leaving I heard one lady say, ‘Yes, I do look fabulous today!’ when she saw the note.”

“The cool thing is if you get to see or hear someone receive it,” she commented.

In the afternoon, the group met up at the Shoppes in Chino Hills.

“We taped little bags of quarters to parking meters,” Jung proudly reported.

The trio randomly passed out gift cards to customers in Barnes and Noble bookstore. They even hid a few inside books.

Recipients were surprised at the caring gifts throughout the day.

“At first they thought we were joking,” Jong recalled.

“Some were suspicious, but most were appreciative and excited when we explained it.” Robertson shared.

“I had to tell one lady that there were no strings attached. These are my students and it’s my birthday. I just wanted to include them on what it feels like to do nice things for other people,” she added.

Robertson is happy that she offered a lesson in kindness to mark her milestone birthday.

“I’ll always remember that these kids went out of their comfort zone to help spread kindness. I’m so proud of them.”

“It was an awesome day!” Macalino said.

Declining Enrollment at Chino Valley Public Schools

Budget issues loom as district closes books on 2014/2015 school year

 

Courtesy of Chino Valley School District

Chino – Declining enrollment, the possibility of charter schools moving into the area, increased contributions to employee benefits and pensions, and the probability that special taxes will expire within three years could adversely affect Chino Valley Unified School District’s long range budget, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Sandra Chen told the Board of Education at its Sept. 17 meeting.

Chen made her comments during a presentation on closing the financial books for the 2014/2015 school year, prior to an annual audit.

The loss of more students than expected is particularly troublesome, Chen said. The district has experienced a steady decrease in student enrollment by about 500 students annually for several years. The district is down 745 students from the same time last year, Chen reported at the Sept. 17 board meeting. Current enrollment is coming in at approximately 100 students lower than what was projected at budget development, Chen said. “We will have to make adjustments to revenue at the First Interim Report (in December),” she said.

The district receives money from the state, based on student enrollment.

Declining enrollment can also be an open invitation to charter schools, Chen said. The district’s enrollment decreased from about 32,000 in 2009 to below 31,000 in 2010 when Oxford Preparatory Academy public charter school opened its doors that fall.

The district, along with others in the state, is responsible for contributing more money to employee pension programs. “We will need to continue to address that in our multi-year budgets,” Chen said.

Proposition 30, which provided additional funding to education beginning in 2012, is set to end in the next three years. The 0.25% sales tax portion of the proposition ends in 2016, and the personal income tax in 2018. An initiative, backed by the California Teachers Association, is underway to extend the proposition to 2030, Chen said.

The district is also watching other developments that could affect its finances, including AB 1522 which provides up to three days paid sick leave a year to employees, including those that are temporary and part-time; compliance penalties regarding the Affordable Health Care Act; and a cap on how much districts can keep as reserve for emergencies.

The district’s 2014/2015 expenses increased $14.3 million when compared to the 2007/2008 school year, but revenue has only increased by $2.1 million, or 1% when compared to the same period, Chen said. The District’s expenditures are outpacing the incoming revenues. Chen expects the district will continue its deficit spending trend if no action is taken to adjust its expenditures.

Chen said it is very costly to run a district as large as Chino Valley Unified because employee costs account for $9 out of every $10 in unrestricted dollars that the district spends. Costs for employee salaries and benefits average about $900,000 a day, and about $19 million a month.

The district does expect to get some one-time funding from Governor Jerry Brown this school year, amounting to about $600 per student based on 2014/2015 attendance. The funding is part of the Governor’s plan to pay back school districts what they were owed by the state for previous mandate

claims. The district has budgeted this funding for use in its continuous effort to implement Common Core state standards.

The district began the 2014/2015 school year with a $50.7 million balance. It had $209.8 million in revenue, but nearly $217.9 million in expenditures, an $8 million deficit. It ended the year with a $42.7 million balance. Of that, approximately $23.1 million is reserved for revolving cash, equity distribution to employees, economic uncertainties, and other costs, leaving an unappropriated amount of $19,560,793.

The district began the 2015/2016 fiscal year on July 1 with $42.7 million. Chen expects the district to take in $249.2 million in revenues, and spend $241.2 million. Included in the $249 million revenue is the one-time funds provided by the Governor for mandate claims settlements and implementation of Common Core state standards.

Following an independent audit this fall, the district will file its First Interim financial report with San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in December.

Walnut Valley Board Honors Exemplary Students

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD Vejar 5th Graders, Siarra Huang and Sunny Liu, were honored as Super Star Students during the Sept. 16 Board Meeting (shown with Board President Larry Redinger and Principal Jennifer De Anda).

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD
Vejar 5th Graders, Siarra Huang and Sunny Liu, were honored as Super Star Students during the Sept. 16 Board Meeting (shown with Board President Larry Redinger and Principal Jennifer De Anda).

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees honored stellar students and community members during the Sept. 16 meeting.

Evergreen Elementary 2nd Grader Brian Huang was lauded with the Super Star Student Award.  Last year, he won the 4th Place award in the 2015 National Elementary Chess Championship sponsored by the U.S. Chess Federation. Over 2,000 players representing 40 states vied in the contest held in Nashville, TN.

During a tourney exhibition, chess grand master, Irina Krush, the nation’s top female player, conducted 30 simultaneous games against the chess prodigies. She won 29 games and had one draw.

“And that was to Brian!” announced Principal Caroline Wills.

King’s Land Chess owners, Kiki and Leo Liu, were honored as Partners in Education for Evergreen Elementary.

“They are the company behind Brian’s achievement,” Wills added.

King’s Land Chess offers school programs and hosted a one-week chess camp during the summer. The couple also made a generous donation in support of the school.

Vejar Elementary parent, Lorena Trujillo, was recognized as a Partner in Education. The mother of three boys has been a dedicated volunteer at the school for over nine years.

“She is an active member of the community club and is always available to our support teachers,” said Principal Jennifer De Anda. “She has just been great at drawing the community together!”

Trujillo has also started a walking group with other moms in the mornings.

Vejar 5th Graders, Siarra Huang and Sunny Liu, were honored as Super Star Students.

Last year, the girls saw a need for recycling at the school. They felt the environment and animals had been impacted by all the trash. On their own, they researched, secured recycling bins, and promoted the program to students. This year, they have connected with student leaders and advisors for the Grades of Green trash-free program.

“Thank you for your service to Vejar and to our environment!” De Anda said.

Classified employee, Dori Valdez, a student data program specialist, received a special recognition during the meeting for outstanding support to the District.

“We can’t thank Dori enough for all that she does for our school district,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

The State of California requires detailed data for about 15,000 students and employees.

“Dori is the person that makes it all happen,” Dr. Taylor added.

The District has received numerous accolades for exceptional data management.

Valdez was also lauded by the state with the CALPADS Data Management Recognition.

State Leaders Encourage PUSD Seniors To Vote

Photo Courtesy: PUSD Pomona Unified high school students proudly display their voter registration pledges during a Sept. 18 session in which California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and state Senator Connie Leyva, spoke about the importance of civic engagement.

Photo Courtesy: PUSD
Pomona Unified high school students proudly display their voter registration pledges during a Sept. 18 session in which California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and state Senator Connie Leyva, spoke about the importance of civic engagement.

By Juliette Funes

Pomona – Nearly 300 Pomona Unified high school seniors recently got a lesson on the importance of civic engagement and making their voices heard at the polls from the state’s top public official in charge of encouraging voter participation: California Secretary of State, Alex Padilla.

Padilla, who was joined by state Senator Connie Leyva, discussed with students the importance of being engaged citizens and how the right to vote is the essence of democracy during a Sept. 18 session at the Village Academy High School Conference Center.

“This event presented our students with a powerful opportunity to learn the importance of having an engaged electorate and the role and responsibility every generation has in shaping this country’s future,” Board of Education President Andrew Wong said. “Voting is a powerful tool, and I am grateful that we had two of our state’s top leaders visit one of our campuses to demonstrate its significance.”

The event was organized in conjunction with the District’s Service Learning Program, which supports and encourages students and teachers to engage in community service learning projects.

During the program, Padilla advised students to recognize the importance of politics and its relation to a strong community.

“The greatest potential for registering more eligible voters to vote is engaging young people,” said Padilla, who was sworn in as Secretary of State in January, and has committed to modernizing the office, increasing voter registration and participation, and strengthening voting rights. “There is no substitute for personally inviting someone to participate in the voting process.”

Prior to addressing the full assembly, Padilla and Leyva met separately with Associated Student Body leaders and challenged them to reach out to their peers to become more aware of the civic benefits of voter registration and participation.

One student ready to accept the challenge is Fremont Academy ASB President, Elena Guzman, who also serves as the student liaison on the Pomona Unified Board of Education.

“Both my parents are Hispanic and do not vote. I grew up not wanting to vote,” Guzman said. “My brothers convinced me voting will help my future as well as the future of my peers and friends.”

Leyva, whose district includes Pomona, encouraged students to be active in the political process and to practice due diligence when assessing candidates and elected officials.

“Whom you vote for matters,” said Leyva, who is serving her first term in the State Senate. “The worst thing you can do is nothing.”

Pomona Unified’s Service Learning Program, which helped organize the event, is an instructional strategy in which community service opportunities are integrated into the curriculum, with the goal of enhancing the core curriculum and helping students meet academic standards and develop a sense of civic responsibility.

At the event, eligible students also got the chance to register to vote.

“Civic engagement is a key component to a complete and well-rounded education and the Service Learning Program is one tool we use to encourage our students to be active and productive members of our community,” Superintendent Richard Martinez said. “We care about involving all of our communities, especially our young adults, in the process of making policy.”

 

Chino Valley Unified Students Become Fair Heroes

Courtesy of CVUSD

Chino Valley – Two Chino Valley Unified School District students have been named Young Adult Community Heroes for the Los Angeles County Fair, currently underway through Sept. 27, in Pomona.

Kayla Jones of Chino Hills High is the Chino Hills Young Adult Hero.  She was honored with Adult Community Hero, Laura Montegue, on Chino Hills Day at the Fair, Fri., Sept. 18.  Montegue is known for reuniting lost pets with their owners and finds homes for stray dogs.

Brianna Cabrera of Don Lugo High is the Chino Young Adult Hero.  She will be recognized with Adult Community Hero, Augustine Tapia, on Chino Day at the Fair on Wed., Sept. 23. Tapia served on the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education in from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s. He is currently president of the Chino Valley Historical Society.

Jones is a junior at Chino Hills High School, an honors student, and a participant in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) college preparation program. She is active in the Black Student Union, and competes in track and field at Chino Hills High. She is a member of the high school ministry at Inland Hills Church in Chino, and works with preschoolers as a children’s church volunteer leader. Jones also assists in the weekly bingo games at Chino American Legion Post 299, and has worked on fundraisers for the Chino Hills Dog Park Committee. She has adopted a trail for litter removal at Soquel Canyon Parkway and Pipeline Avenue, and participates in the Walk Against Human Trafficking and Relay for Life fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society.   Jones plans to earn a master’s degree in gerontology and pursue a degree in law.

Cabrera attends Don Lugo High in Chino. She started a Best Buddies program chapter for Don Lugo during the 2014-15 school year. Best Buddies was founded in 1989 to help create friendships for students with intellectual disabilities. Cabrera is also a member of Don Lugo’s Associated Student Body leadership, and on the school’s varsity track team. She is raising a black Labrador Retriever puppy for Guide Dogs for the Blind. The dog, Quinn, is a regular at Don Lugo, where he is learning socialization skills. For the last ten years, Cabrera has been involved in gymnastics. She is in her third year as a cheerleader with CheerForce Orange County, where she is a member of the Level 4 team, Kryptonite, which won USA Nationals in March.

Photo Courtesy: CVUSD

Photo Courtesy: CVUSD
Kayla Jones and Brianna Cabrera

Photo Courtesy: CVUSD

Photo Courtesy: CVUSD

Walnut: A Day Of Remembrance

Walnut High Students Mark 9/11 Tragedy

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD Walnut High School students marked the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy with a display of nearly 3,000 American flags.

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD
Walnut High School students marked the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy with a display of nearly 3,000 American flags.

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – Walnut High School students placed nearly 3,000 American flags on the front lawn of the campus to mark the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Volunteers gathered after school on September 10 for the remembrance project. They created the 12-foot tall 9/11 and pentagon shaped display with thick layers of red, white, and blue patriotic markers.

The Teen Republicans club has organized the tribute for the past five years. This year, they were joined by members of United Medicine, UNICEF, Young Democrats, and the National Honor Society.

“I just want to be part of this because I think we should commemorate this tragedy. And it’s important to remember,” commented senior Gabriel Alfaro, the Young Democrats president.

The teens respectfully pushed the tiny flags into the grass to honor each life lost during the September 11, 2001 attacks.

“We need to memorialize this,” said senior Kai Lin.

English teacher Marissa Beemer quietly watched from the sidewalk during the hour-long project. When the 25 volunteers were finished working, she gathered the group to share her memories of 9/11.

At the time, Beemer was a senior at Fairfield University, a campus that sat on the Long Island Sound just across from the World Trade Center.

“You could see the smoke and rubble from my house.” the tearful educator described. “When the buildings fell, my school lost 14 alumni. Two of those people were my friends.

“So for me, this is very personal and I really appreciate that our students take the time to put the flags up every year,” she said.

The 9/11 flags were on display through Sun., Sept. 13.

 

Chino Valley: Smooth Start To New School Year

Courtesy CVUSD

Chino Valley – Chino Valley Unified School District had one of its smoothest openings to the new school year, according to several people attending the Sept. 3 Board of Education meeting.

“He wanted to thank everyone for what he felt is the best start of the school year in a long time,” said Mary Hancock, speaking for her husband, Todd Hancock, president of the Associated Chino Teachers (ACT) union. “He also wanted to thank the director of special education for one of the best years for special education students.”

Hancock said her husband wanted to thank Superintendent Wayne M. Joseph for giving teachers additional preparation time for classes. Superintendent Joseph concurred with the ACT president’s assessment, saying the first week of school was smooth everywhere he went that week.

Denise Arroyo, president of the Classified School Employees Association, which represents bus drivers, secretaries and other school support staff, also said the school year opening “went quite smoothly.”

“There were some hiccups, phones and Internet not working on the first day,” she said, but overall praising staff for an easy beginning to the new school year.

Hidden Trails Elementary School Principal, Yvette Farley, president of CHAMP, the group that represents management employees in the District, said the start of school was very smooth. The principal said she was “pleasantly surprised to have an intervention counselor show up on the first day of school to see how students were doing.”

Identifying student behavior issues early is important, Farley said, so principals and teachers have time to discuss how they will deal with any problems.

“It has been a great start of school,” board trustee Sylvia Orozco told members of the school board audience. “I’m so happy to hear great things. As always, there were some bumps in the road, but have patience, they will be worked out.”

Board President Irene Hernandez-Blair said she did receive some emails about traffic problems and student dress code issues, but she said parents need to take responsibility for driving carefully and politely in school zones and making sure their children dress appropriately for school.

“The board revised the dress code and principals are doing all that they can,” she said.

Board of Education member Pamela Feix complimented all school district staff members for the smooth school opening. Just after the Aug. 24 opening of the school year, local educators and staff members reported a very quiet beginning. During that first day, students and parents were introduced to several new administrators and approximately 100 additional teachers.

Canyon Hills Junior High offered its new breakfast program, making it the latest of 24 schools in the Chino Valley Unified School District offering before-school nutrition. Kindergarten through 3rd Grade students returned to smaller class sizes as the District reduced its student to teacher ratio to 26 to 1. Several school facilities underwent construction improvements this summer, including roofing, exterior paint, energy-saving LED lighting, asphalt, and installation of drought-resistant landscaping.

Link Crews, composed of junior and senior high students, welcomed freshmen and pledged to be their buddies throughout the new school year. Chino High’s cheerleaders, waving pompoms and cheering, formed a welcome path for students as they entered the campus. The school’s student leaders held up welcome signs along the street as students arrived.

Ayala High senior, Shweta Shah, student representative to the school board, said a team of students at her school made “everyone feel welcome on campus.”

“Wow, what a positive beginning of the school year,” Chino Hills City Councilman Art Bennett exclaimed as he began his City report for the school board audience.

Pomona Unified Welcomes New Administrators

Photo Courtesy: PUSD

Photo Courtesy: PUSD
Leading the Longhorns as Principal of Lorbeer Middle School is former Diamond Ranch High School Assistant Principal, Angelique Butler, who has been with the District in a variety of teaching capacities for 20 years.

By Juliette Funes

Pomona – To welcome in the new school year, the Pomona Unified School District is introducing new administrators – including a new principal at Lorbeer Middle School ­– and celebrating promotions of staff members who will helm their respective departments and carry on PUSD’s tradition of success.

“The passion these educators have will ensure that our students are academically challenged through engaging curriculum and will gain the skills needed for post-secondary success,” Board of Education President Andrew Wong said. “Congratulations to our staff members on their new roles. I wish them all the best.”

Leading the Longhorns as principal of Lorbeer Middle School is 20-year educator and former Diamond Ranch High School Assistant Principal, Angelique Butler. She replaces longtime principal Krystana Walks-Harper, a 26-year educator who is now the District’s Associate Director of Pupil and Community Services.

Walks-Harper graduated from Garey High School and holds a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Maryland, a master’s in education from Claremont Graduate University (CGU) and an administrative credential from Cal State San Bernardino. She is a doctoral candidate in education at CGU and oversees a variety of services at PUSD, including peer resources, National Academy Foundation schools, and parent support and involvement programs.

“I am proud to follow in Mrs. Walks-Harper’s footsteps and am looking forward to building on the tradition of providing a rigorous and engaging curriculum, as well as honoring the history of strengths and successes of Lorbeer,” Butler said. “I firmly believe in the importance of developing a solid, collaborative partnership with our parents, so that we may meet all the needs of our developing students and offer them the highest quality of education.”

Butler, a graduate of Pomona High School, holds master’s degrees in economics and school counseling. She began her service with the District as a 6th Grade teacher at Emerson Middle School before moving to Diamond Ranch High School.

Other new appointments include:

Tamatha Williams, Assistant Principal at Diamond Ranch High School – In the District since 1995, Williams has served as a teacher, teacher specialist and academic coach. She holds a bachelor’s in behavioral science from Cal Poly Pomona, a master’s in education from Claremont Graduate School and a doctorate in education from Cal Poly Pomona.

Anthony Rice, Assistant Principal at Garey High School – The former dean of students at Pomona High School, Rice is leading as assistant principal at his alma mater. He joined the District in 1999 as a secondary teacher, and is a former football coach with a master’s in Education.

Dr. Bryan Stoops, Dean of students at Garey High School – Stoops is a new hire from the Chino Valley Unified School District and holds a bachelor’s in drama from UCLA, a master’s in educational multimedia and a doctorate of education in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne.

Behrad Hosseinzadeh, Dean of students at Pomona High School – New to Pomona Unified, Hosseinzadeh comes from the Glendale Unified School District. He holds a bachelor’s in criminal justice, a master’s in history from Cal State Fullerton, and a master’s in educational leadership and administration from Concordia University.

Jennifer Wagner, Director of Educational Technology – With the District since 1995, Wagner previously served as program administrator of Educational Services/Instructional Technology, bolstering technology programs, increasing tech resources for students and making tech devices more accessible.

Zoila Savaglio, Director of State and Federal Programs – Savaglio will oversee the office that ensures that state and federal programs are aligned to district initiatives, with a focus on increasing student achievement. She will coordinate such programs as Title 1, Gifted and Talented Education, English Language Learner program, Migrant Education program and the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) process. She has been with the District since 1990.

Maryann Gonzalez, Coordinator of Child Development – Previously the child development program assistant, Gonzalez has been with the District since 1991 and holds a master’s degree in human development.

Vicki Vazquez, Program Assistant of Child Development – Working at such locations as Long Beach Community College and Disney’ Children Center, Vazquez holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and a master’s degree in human development leadership.

“I am confident that each of these amazing leaders and their expertise will continue to positively shape our students through high-quality instruction,” Superintendent Richard Martinez said. “The Pomona Unified family welcomes all of these educators and we look forward to a successful 2015-16 school year.”

 

Walnut Valley High School Seniors Recognized

Diamond Bar, Walnut High Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists

 

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – 38 Diamond Bar and Walnut High School seniors have been named Semifinalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. The nationwide pool of about 16,000 Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors in each state.

The following students have been recognized for demonstrating exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies:

Diamond Bar High: Crystal Chang, Eric T. Chen, Janet Du, Ran Gu, Melody C. Guo, Charlene L. Hsu, Renee L. Kau, Jung Hyun Kim, Prince S. Kim, Gloria Lee, Felix Lien, Letitia So, Angela Song, Frances T. Song, Hsuan-Te Sun, Jonathan Sun, Kyle Wang, Margaret Wang, Ava Y. Wu, Frances Wu, Jennifer Wu, Claire Yang, Adele Zhang, Jeremy Tran.

Walnut High:  Alison Chang, Michelle Chang, Benjamin P Hang, Jane Kim, Brian Y. Ko, Alvin Li, Doris Li, Dardrin Qin, Dalton Trinh, Derek Wan, Angel T. Wong, Daniel Yoon, Freya Zhu, Maxwell L. Zhu.

About 1.5 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

These academically talented high school seniors will now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,400 scholarships worth about $32 million that will be offered next spring by National Merit Scholarship Corporation, private companies, colleges, and foundations. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements including detailed applications, recommendations, essays, and SAT scores, to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

Congratulations students, parents, and teachers on these outstanding accomplishments!

Pomona: Bright Prospects At PUSD

Photo Courtesy: PUSD Garey High 2015 graduate, Juan Ledesma

Photo Courtesy: PUSD Garey High 2015 graduate, Juan Ledesma

Staff Reports

Pomona – On Fri., Sept. 4, Garey High School hosted a special program highlighting one of their college programs.

According to the Pomona Unified School District, Garey High Class of 2015 graduate, Juan Ledesma, shared his inspiring story of how Bright Prospect helped him realize his dream of pursuing a degree in political science at UCLA.

Now in its 13th year, Bright Prospect empowers high potential, low-income students to gain admission to, succeed in and graduate from four-year colleges and universities by providing a comprehensive support system that begins in high school and continues throughout college, resulting in a 91 percent college graduation rate.

Every student receives college readiness programming, one-on-one coaching, application assistance, and ongoing mentoring from peers and professionals from 10th Grade through college graduation. The program serves students ages 14 to 26, from all seven high schools in Pomona Unified, as well as high schools in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. The program currently serves more than 1,200 Pomona Unified students.

In addition, the ceremony included a $7,500 donation to the college-readiness program from Los Angeles County Supervisor, Hilda Solis, and speeches from Garey High Principal, Stacey Wilkins and PUSD Superintendent, Richard Martinez.

Walnut Valley Middle Schools Are Golden

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Walnut Valley middle schools set the Gold standard – Chaparral, South Pointe, and Suzanne have been named 2015 California Gold Ribbon Schools for having exemplary standards and practices.

“This is an honor that we at Chaparral are very proud of,” Principal Ron Thibodeaux stated. “We’ve put a lot into making our school a 21st century learning environment, and the Gold Ribbon validates the hard work of our learning community. Our teachers and staff, parents and students are wonderful!”

According to the Walnut Valley Unified School District, the state’s highest recognition went to only 373 of the 10,366 public schools. In addition, all three schools were distinguished for having Exemplary Programs in Arts Education.

Gold ribbon schools were cited for best practices that can be replicated by other schools. WVUSD programs include the 21st Century Classroom Initiative at Chaparral, STEAM Program at South Pointe, and Global Citizenship at Suzanne.

This was the first year the state issued gold ribbon awards that temporarily replace the California Distinguished Schools Program while officials create new assessment and accountability systems.

“South Pointe is proud to be recognized by the state for its innovative approach to implementing 21st century Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math programs,” said Principal Susan Arzola. “We believe that by putting the “A” (the Arts) in STEM, we provide all students a well-balanced, joyful learning experience. Come watch them STEAM ahead!”

Kelly Services 2016 Future Engineers Scholarship

By Brian Smith

Troy, MI – Kelly Services is accepting applications for its annual, “Future Engineers Scholarship,” a $5,000 award that will be presented to one eligible undergraduate student in December 2015. The scholarship award – which can be used for tuition, fees, books, and room and board expenses for the 2016 calendar year – is awarded to one student based on a written essay, documented acceptance into a school of engineering, demonstrated academic success and an intention to pursue a career in the field of engineering.

The scholarship is designed to support and encourage engineering students in the United States and Canada, while increasing awareness of engineering as a career path with unlimited potential.

Applications will be reviewed with consideration given to the candidate’s field of study and career objectives, as well as the extent to which the individual demonstrates the commitment and potential to make a significant contribution in his or her field.

To be considered for the Future Engineers Scholarship, a student must:

  • Be a full-time student at the time of application submittal, pursuing a degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or Canada during the 2016 calendar year, and be accepted into a school of engineering.
  • Have a college cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (or 3.5 or higher on a 4.5 scale, and so forth).
  • Hold second- or third-year undergraduate status during the 2016 calendar year. Undergraduate students in their first or fourth years of study and those graduating on or before June 2016 are not eligible.
  • Be a United States or Canadian citizen or a resident alien/landed immigrant; be in good legal standing with their university if on a student visa, or in the case of candidates from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, a United States national.

Submission Materials:

  • Candidate background information
  • Candidate essay (800-1,200 words)
  • Two independent evaluations of the candidate
  • College transcripts

Applications and additional information on the Future Engineers Scholarship are available at: www.kelleyengineering.com/scholarships. The submission deadline is Oct. 15, 2015.

 

As a global leader in providing workforce solutions, Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) and its subsidiaries, offer a comprehensive array of outsourcing and consulting services as well as world-class staffing on a temporary, temporary-to-hire and direct-hire basis. Kelly® has a role in managing employment opportunities for more than one million workers around the globe by employing 550,000 of these individuals directly with the remaining workers engaged through its talent supply chain network of supplier partners. Revenue in 2014 was $5.6 billion. Visit kellyservices.com and connect with us on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. Kelly is celebrating its 50th anniversary of providing engineering talent to clients. Since 1965, Kelly’s engineering specialty has grown to be recognized as a leading provider of engineering resource to customers in industries such as aerospace, automotive, chemical, defense, electronics, energy, medical device, and pharmaceutical.

Walnut Student Awarded Scholarship

Staff Reports

Walnut – Shawn Wu, of Walnut, has been awarded a 2015-16 Stater Bros. Markets Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 through the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF).

Wu graduated from Walnut High School in 2014.  He will attend UC Riverside this fall and major in Business Informatics.  Wu’s accomplishments include winning 3rd Place for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) 2013 Sectionals; 1st Place for FBLA 2014 Sectionals; AP Scholar with Honor award; National Financial Literary Challenge; AP Scholar with Distinction Award; and UCR’s Chancellor’s Scholarship.

Foundation scholarships are awarded annually to college students who are either employees or dependents of employees of California Grocers Association member companies, such as State Bros. Markets.

College scholarships are awarded on academic merit, evidence of outstanding character and leadership potential.  Applicants must enroll at an accredited, nonprofit college or university in the United States in the fall of 2015.

This year, the CGAEF awarded 327 scholarships totaling a record $552,500.  Since the program’s inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $4 million in scholarships.

“We are proud to award college scholarships to these deserving students,” said CGAEF President, Ronald Fong. “We are encouraged by their desire, drive and determination to obtain a higher education and are grateful to assist in that cause.”

For more information regarding the Foundation and its programs, visit ccgaef.org.

Baldwin Park Unified Students Praised For AP Success

Photo Courtesy: BP Unified

Photo Courtesy: BP Unified
Sierra Vista High senior, Anel Castellanos, earned Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction honors for passing six AP exams with scores of 4 and 5 during her sophomore and junior year. She is taking additional AP classes this year.

By William Diepenbrock

Baldwin Park – 104 students at Baldwin Park Unified’s two comprehensive high schools are being honored as AP Scholars by the College Board for their stellar success on Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

The exams are the culmination of the College Board’s AP program, that is designed to give high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses. Students who succeed on AP exams show they are ready for the rigors of college, may be allowed to skip some college courses and are more likely to graduate college on time.

AP exams are graded from 1 to 5 points. To be an AP Scholar, a student must earn a minimum score of 3 – the lowest passing grade – on three or more exams. To be an AP Scholar with Honor, a student must average 3.25 with a minimum score of 3 on four or more exams. To be an AP Scholar with Distinction, a student must average 3.5, with a minimum score of 3 on five or more exams.

Of the 104 students honored at Sierra Vista and Baldwin Park high schools, 68 were recognized as AP Scholars, 17 as AP Scholars with Honor, and 19 as AP Scholars with Distinction.

“We are proud of all our students who take on the challenge of these AP classes. These are extraordinarily demanding programs, but they deliver equally rewarding benefits,” said Baldwin Park Unified Superintendent, Dr. Paul Sevillano.

In 2014-15, 1,579 Baldwin Park Unified students took AP exams, including some who took more than ten. Subjects included art history, studio art, English language, European history, U.S. government, U.S. history, calculus, biology, chemistry, physics and Spanish.

Sierra Vista senior, Anel Castellanos, achieved one of the District’s highest average scores, earning three 4s and three 5s on six AP exams. That success earned her the status of AP Scholar with Distinction, the College Board’s second-highest honor.

Castellanos said the AP program helped inspire her passion for science and medicine.

“It helped me pick the career I wanted,” said Castellanos, who is also a forward on the Don’s varsity girls basketball team. “I want to become a biomedical engineer, perhaps specializing in helping create better artificial limbs.”

Castellanos began kindergarten at De Anza Elementary as an English learner. In 2008, after passing exams, she was designated as fluent English proficient. She is a graduate of Sierra Vista Junior High, where she participated in an accelerated math program, passing geometry as an 8th Grader.

Castellanos took her first AP exams as a sophomore, scoring a 5 on AP Calculus AB, and a 4 in AP World History. As a junior, she scored 5s in AP Calculus BC, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and 4s in AP U.S. History and AP English Language.

Sierra Vista High calculus teacher, Daniel G. Toohey, said he could tell in the first two weeks of Castellanos’ sophomore year that she was something special.

“She excels because she shows great attention to detail, a commitment to do her work exactly as I demonstrate it, and a level of maturity that I rarely see from someone her age,” Toohey said.

Castellanos’ perfect grades in AP and regular classes elevated her 4.0 GPA to a weighted GPA of 4.5, matching her 4.5 average on AP exams. This year, she will take AP Biology and AP Computer Science. If she earns at least 4s in those subjects, she will qualify as a National AP Scholar – the College Board’s highest honor.

 

 

Walnut Valley Makes Newsweek’s Top HS List

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD Diamond Bar High School has been named No. 77 in Newsweek's “America’s Top High Schools 2015” list.

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD
Diamond Bar High School has been named No. 77 in Newsweek’s “America’s Top High Schools 2015” list.

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – Two Walnut Valley schools made the list of “America’s Top High Schools 2015,” released by Newsweek on Aug. 19.

The newsmagazine ranked Diamond Bar and Walnut high schools in its list of the top 500 public high schools nationwide.  The rankings are intended to identify high schools that have the highest performance on state tests and best prepare students for college, according to Newsweek.

Diamond Bar High School (DBHS) scored in the top 100, ranking the 77th best high school in the nation and 8th in California.

Walnut High School (WHS) also ranked an impressive 148th in America and 20th in California.

In addition, both schools received gold stars in an equity analysis that indicates economically disadvantaged students performed at or above average on state assessments.

“We are always proud of our high schools and the work that is done to provide our students with exceptional learning opportunities,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor. “Our success is a team effort that includes exceptional teachers and staff, strong commitments from our students, and outstanding parent support.”

The Newsweek list identifies the top 500 schools by measuring several factors, including graduation rate, college enrollment rate, SAT and ACT scores, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, ratio of counselors to students, and state test scores.

DBHS received a college readiness score of 85.4 on Newsweek’s ranking criteria. The school has a graduation rate of 100% and a college enrollment rate of 97.2%. The average SAT exam score at the school is 1742 and the average AP exam score is 3.7.

WHS has a college readiness score of 82.6, a graduation rate of 100%, and a college enrollment rate of 94.0%. The average SAT exam score at the school is 1696.  Additionally, the average AP exam score is 3.8.

“Our college readiness index reflects our philosophy of providing access to rigorous academic courses to more and more students, whether that’s in the form of AP and IB courses or access to career tech ed courses, for which students receive college credit while still in high school,” states DBHS Principal, Catherine Real.

See the full report at: http://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-high-schools-2015.