California School News Radio

Students from San Gabriel Unified’s Del Mar High school highlighted the discriminatory housing process known as “Redlining” as part of their History Day L.A. efforts. All seven team members advanced to the California History Day finals in Sacramento. Principal Lon Sellers, adviser Kady Kloster and the History Day students discuss the intensive research and preparation that went into their projects and the thrill of going to the state championship in May.

Powered by Baldwin Park community support, the Sierra Vista High School Dons soccer team capped an amazing season by capturing the CIF Southern Section Division 5 and CIF SoCal Regional Division 4 championships. Dons head coach Jose Rodriguez Negrete, a Sierra Vista Class of 1990 alum, and team captain Omar Jimenez discuss leadership, discipline and coming together as a team.

Through its Black College Expo, the National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) has enabled hundreds of Lynwood Unified School District students to attend college, while securing millions of dollars in scholarships from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. NCRF CEO Dr. Theresa Price and Lynwood High students Mytrece Edwards, Te’yanah Owens and Breanna Farmer discuss turning college dreams into reality.

In January, more than 300 Potrero School K-3 students in the El Monte City School District received new athletic shoes through a partnership between Kaiser Permanente and the Claremont-based nonprofit Shoes That Fit. Shoes That Fit CEO Amy Fass and Potrero School Principal Lorraine Torres discuss the socio-emotional lift students feel when they receive new shoes and how community members can support the program.

Now in its fourth year, the Monrovia FuzzFEST is a pledge-based, head-shaving event to raise funds for childhood cancer research, held on St. Patrick’s Day. St. Baldrick’s Foundation CEO Kathleen Ruddy, FuzzFEST organizer Dominque Strivings and Mayflower Elementary School office manager Tamara Morrison discuss how local schools and communities can join together to promote cures for deadly diseases.

Orangewood Elementary School in the West Covina Unified School District will launch a Mandarin Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program in the 2019-20 school year. Principal Janet Shirley discusses the value of multi-lingual skills, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years program and Orangewood’s recognition as a Capturing Kids’ Heart National Showcase School.

Canyon Crest Elementary School in the Fontana Unified School District is being celebrated as an Exemplar school by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning/Battelle for Kids network. Canyon Crest Principal Dr. Kelly Wilbert discusses growth mindset, the importance of local business partnerships, communicating with parents and staff, and a recent campus visit by students from China.

Baldwin Park Unified School District will hold its first District Showcase Saturday, March 2 from 9-noon at Morgan Park in Baldwin Park, which will highlight the signature programs, engaging academics and essential supports and services available at the District. Director of Student Services William Avila discusses what the community can expect to see at the showcase.

Gidley School in the El Monte City School District has been a leader in STEM education, fielding a Science Olympiad team for more than 25 years. Gidley School Science Olympiad head coach Pamela Dominguez and Team Captain, Gidley eighth-grader Tracy Chow, discuss how the team prepares for competitions, how a student finds their specialty and the influence of Gidley alumni who have used their Olympiad experience to ascend to elite universities.

Rio Hondo College Vice President of Student Services Henry Gee is now in his 40th year as a college administrator, and will receive the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service from the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) in March. Gee discusses what the lifetime achievement award means to him, his work as interim Executive Director for the Rio Hondo Foundation, and bringing back Homecoming at Rio Hondo.

Bobby Salcedo was a much beloved teacher and administrator in the El Monte Union High School District whose tragic death in 2009 rocked the community. El Monte Union Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga discusses the recent ribbon-cutting for the Bobby Salcedo Student Union at Mountain View High School, Salcedo’s legacy in El Monte, the soon-to-be-completed El Monte High School football stadium renovation and the recently passed Measure HS

Arroyo High School in the El Monte Union High School District is teaching its students about eco-sustainability and healthy living through participation in the Arroyo Garden Club. The Arroyo Garden’s organic produce is harvested by the school’s Culinary Arts program and used in its daily menus. Arroyo Principal Angelita Gonzales, Arroyo junior Oscar Ramos and Eco Urban Gardens Executive Director Marianne Zaugg discuss the transformation of the garden into a regenerative learning center.

Bassett Unified School District TOSA’s Tom Covington and Michael Jephcott began their “TOSAs Talking Tech” podcast in 2015 to assist BUSD educators in professional development. Since then, the program has gained devoted listeners across California, who find the TOSA’s insights to be invaluable. Covington and Jephcott discuss their 100th podcast and what tech innovations educators can look forward to in the coming year.

El Monte City School District has brought the rich tradition of mariachi music to Potrero School, where 40 students participate in an after school program that is overseen by the Jose Hernandez Mariachi Academy. Potrero School music teacher Victor Williams and eighth-grade student Stephanie Vega discuss the positive impact the program has brought to the Potrero School community.

Paramount High School Culinary Arts instructor Juliette Bell discusses her background as a chef working at Michelin-starred restaurants and what motivated her to bring her expertise into the classroom to facilitate Paramount’s culinary pathway. Joining her is Paramount High senior Osvaldo Galaz, who recently took first prize in the Marukan Vinegar Cup of Excellence high school competition. Galaz discusses his methods in the kitchen and a possible future as a restauranteur.

In his more than 20 years at the District, Baldwin Park Unified School District Director of Student Achievement Richard Noblett has taught in the classroom and served as a middle school principal. Noblett discusses the various methods he employs to engage Baldwin Park students, including bringing YouTube motivational speaker Josh Drean to speak to the students and encouraging the use of school mascots to increase school spirit.

When the 2018-19 school year began, El Monte City School District parents were welcomed with an additional resource, the Kindergarten Parent Academy, to help their children navigate their school experience. The Academy presents a series of workshops concentrating on literacy, mathematics and socio-emotional health and is available throughout the District. Rio Hondo Elementary School teachers Indra Arellano and Belinda Pinedo discuss the purpose and the benefits of the Academy.

In 2015 Roosevelt Elementary School of the San Gabriel Unified School District launched the Music Immersion Experience (MIE) academic program, which allows students to receive instruction from a music specialist every day, up to 11 hours a week. The MIE has dramatically changed the school climate at Roosevelt, with greatly improved test scores. Roosevelt MIE program coordinator Samantha Theisen discusses the origins of the program and how it is resonating with the students.

Lynwood Unified School District has undergone a tremendous academic transformation, raising graduation rates by nearly 20 percent since 2010 and being named an Advanced Placement National District of the Year in 2017 by the College Board. Lynwood Unified Superintendent Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite discusses the District commitment to career technical education, partnerships with local colleges, professional development and the high expectations for Lynwood students.

Fontana Unified School District’s Kaiser High School Catamount Pride Band and Color Guard received the honor of being the Premier Band for the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade, participating in the opening ceremony and performing with pop legend Chaka Khan. Kaiser High Instrumental Music Director Anthony Allmond and Catamount band members Erica Gonzalez and Gabriela Gutierrez discuss how they prepared for the parade and what it feels like to be a member of the Rose Parade family.