Tag Archives: Ron Hockwalt Academies

Mock Interviews are a “Win” for RHA Students and Local Businesses

By WVUSD

Photo courtesy: wvusd Ron Hockwat Academies students sharpened their business skills during mock interviews with local business representatives.

Photo courtesy: wvusd
Ron Hockwat Academies students sharpened their business skills during mock interviews with local business representatives.

Walnut –  Mock interviews with local, national, and international businesses were the much anticipated culmination of Ron Hockwalt Academies’ (RHA) first 2016-2017 School-to-Career event.

Students were “dressed to impress” when they met with representatives from Target, Spencer N. Enterprises, Schools First, Applebee’s, McDonald’s, Sysco, and PetSmart on October 11.

In an after-interview debriefing, Cindy Totten, President of Totten Consulting Group and Human Resource representative for Spencer N. Enterprises, said that RHA students “could surely teach something to our earlier millennial generation.” She added that RHA students were “enthusiastic and excellently prepared” for their interviews.

“RHA is such a small school that we can spend hours personally preparing students, much like you would find at a small private school,” commented Richard Root, English teacher and School-to-Career coach.

Students spent weeks developing and editing their resumes, practicing interview techniques, reviewing common interview questions, and researching visiting companies.

Other businesses in attendance agreed. Although these companies did not come offering jobs, the tune seemed to change throughout the course of the six rounds of interviews. Business cards and email addresses were shared with successful interviewees, while some businesses invited RHA students to proceed into a second round of interviews.

The mock interviews were the brainchild of Patricia Dimas, RHA’s Transition/Workability Specialist.

“In a nutshell, I just wanted to bring more to the table for our students at RHA,” Dimas stated.

“The best service I can offer our students is the tool of awareness to better equip them to make intelligent decisions.”

DeAnda Honored At County Teacher Of The Year Luncheon

By WVUSD

Ron Hockwalt Academies teacher Frank DeAnda was among 73 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year honored on September 16. Shown with Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, Principal Dr. Donna Hunter, and Board Member Cindy Ruiz. Photo courtesy: WVUSD

Ron Hockwalt Academies teacher Frank DeAnda was among 73 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year honored on September 16. Shown with Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, Principal Dr. Donna Hunter, and Board Member Cindy Ruiz.
Photo courtesy: WVUSD

The Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) 2016 District Teacher of the Year, Frank DeAnda from the Ron Hockwalt Academies, was among 73 top teachers from around the county celebrated during an awards luncheon on September 16. Educators took the stage at the Universal City Hilton ballroom to receive tributes, awards, and congratulations from Los Angeles County Schools Superintendent Dr. Debra Duardo. WVUSD will pay tribute to the 2015-2016 Teachers of the Year during the 19th annual Salute to Teachers slated for October 19.

 Diamond Bar, Walnut High make Newsweek’s 2016 list

Walnut Valley’s high performing schools have once again gained national recognition. Diamond Bar and Walnut High Schools are featured in Newsweek’s 2016 report of the 500 best high schools in America. The news magazine’s annual list highlights public high schools that do the best job of preparing students for college. A total of 51 California schools were recognized. Newsweek rated 15,819 high schools in the country based on factors including student scores on state tests, SAT and ACT exams and Advanced Placement tests. The rankings also consider graduation rate, the ratio of counselors to students, student participation in AP courses and the percentage of college-bound students.

 STEM Tech Trek winners

Congratulations to four WVUSD middle school students who received scholarships to attend the week-long Tech Trek camp held at UC Irvine last summer. Madeline Wang from South Pointe, and Prabhleen Kaur, Lily Rzonca, and Annie Guo from Suzanne were nominated by their 7th grade science teachers and selected by the Walnut/Diamond Bar AAUW Chapter committee. The annual STEM camp is designed to encourage young women to continue studying science and math in middle school and beyond. On September 15, the campers, who are now 8th graders, reported on their experiences at the Diamond Bar Library. “I was so happy Madeleine was selected to attend this worthwhile event since she was always inquisitive, interested, and a motivated leader in my 7th grade science class,” said South Pointe teacher Shelly Yamashiro.  “The camp provided a chance for the girls to experience all aspects of science & technology, such as developing apps, working with liquid nitrogen and dry ice and interviewing notable NASA scientists, just to name a few.  I know Madeleine (and the other girls that participated) are now seriously thinking about their amazing futures in science!”

Suzanne math teacher receives award

Suzanne Middle School math teacher Amy Erickson is among 34 teachers from around the country selected as winners of the 2016 Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Mathematics Teaching in Middle and High School. The award gives recognition of high school and middle school mathematics teachers whose teams participate in Mathematical Association of America AMC Competitions. Awardees are acknowledged for their encouragement and commitment that is making a noticeable difference in students’ problem-solving abilities and love of mathematics. In addition, winners are awarded a $500 stipend.

 Two Sisters host workshop at Quail Summit

Renowned educators/authors/professional development presenters Gail Boushey and Joan Moser, known as “The 2 Sisters”, visited Quail Summit Elementary on September 15 to provide demonstration lessons for primary level teachers. The 2 Sisters travel all over the world providing engaging, on-point workshops on literacy and math structure, targeted instruction and developing life-long learners. The pro bono workshop at Quail Summit was considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “It was an extraordinary gift to have them at our school,” said Principal Jeanette Koh.

 Collegewood ‘Grades of Green’ sparks change

Pitzil Milagro, a 4th grade student leader at Collegewood Elementary recently spoke before the Los Angeles County Public Works Board of Directors to explain the school’s Grades of Green Team accomplishments. Collegewood won 1st place in the Trash Free Lunch Challenge last year.  The school-wide efforts made a significant decrease in lunchtime trash – from a whopping 20 bags – down to just 3 bags of waste each day. Students also wrote to Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor about banning polystyrene trays at lunch which led to a districtwide ban on the trays. The Board agreed that Collegewood’s environmental efforts should be inspirational to schools everywhere!

Ron Hockwalt Academies delivers hope on a daily basis

WVUSD  

WALNUT, CA –Ron Hockwalt Academies (RHA) is creating a learning environment where students can build hope-filled lives.

Through the H.O.P.E. – Heart, Optimism, Personal Responsibility, and Excellence – values program, now in its second year, teens are experiencing the correlation between hope and achievement.

Principal Dr. Donna Hunter introduced the plan that shows how hope, engagement, and well-being are conduits for success (Lopez, 2014).

During a Hope and Freedom assembly held on September 2, students demonstrated what H.O.P.E. looks like in the classroom, break room, lunch area, school office, and community.

“If you see someone sitting alone in the lunch area, sit with them. Be friendly to everyone,” said Mira Del Rosario.

The teens are encouraged to show their H.O.P.E. by being optimistic, honest, respectful, determined, and to strive for excellence.

“Students and staff have collaborated to establish a foundation for our school’s culture,” said grade level coordinator Andrea Garcia.

Representatives from the Army National Guard encouraged students to utilize the H.O.P.E. values in their daily lives.

“Keep looking to the future,” said Sergeant First Class Bradley Logo. “If you don’t know what you want to do right now, don’t give up!”

“Achieve and build yourself up – whether it’s math, basketball, or writing,” said Army Specialist Hector Ramirez. “If you can’t write a paper, go to the writing center or get help from a teacher. And surround yourself with positive people!”

“Give 110% of yourself and you’ll reap the rewards,” added Logo. “It might not happen overnight, but you’ll see the difference.”

During the assembly, RHA celebrated students who demonstrated H.O.P.E. values during a raffle drawing.  A special lunch was donated by Chipotle Mexican Grill in Walnut.