As the illustrations, narratives and poems were submitted, club members were amazed at the volume of submissions, but the project was becoming cost-prohibitive.
Then the Envision Computer Design Company in Industry stepped forward to generously print 150 copies of the magazine at no cost to the club. T
The Creative Writing Club wants to thank Envision for its generosity. The magazines were sold at school as a club fundraiser.
Jarzomb)
Nearly all school districts in the San Gabriel Valley made gains in English and math scores on state tests, according to data released Tuesday by the California Department of Education.
ONLINE EXTRA:Find your school's results
Valley students in grades two through 11 posted scores slightly above the state average in the 2009 Standardized Testing and Reporting Program.
Just under 51 percent of students across 14 school districts were at least proficient in English-language arts, up from about 46 percent last year. About 48 percent of Valley students were proficient in math, an increase from 45.5 percent last year.
Statewide, 50 percent scored proficient or advanced in English-language arts, an increase from 46 percent last year.
In math, 46 percent of students scored at the proficient or advanced level, up from 43 percent in 2008.
"I am pleased and encouraged to see that for the seventh year in a row, California public school students continue to improve," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell in a written statement.
Walnut Valley Unified had the highest scores in the region. Just under 77 percent of students were proficient or above in English and about 73 were proficient or above in math.
The region's largest school district, Hacienda La Puente, had increases in English, 50.2 percent, and math, 43.4 percent.
The rest of the school districts posted modest gains, although a few were still below the state average.
Read the whole story in the Hacienda, Rowland and Walnut Highlanders.The grand event was held at the Industry Hills Expo Center on Tuesday morning. Rowland students presented the program with the presidents of the Rowland and Nogales ASBs as masters of ceremony.
The teachers were also entertained by Rowland's comedy team, as well as the choir and band. Cheerleaders were there to cheer the teachers on.
The keynote was a recitation by the Nogales Poetry Club titled "You Are the Ones We've Been Waiting For."
The event was sponsored local businesses.
Rowland teacher Kelli Baumunk and Parent-Teacher-Student Association President Susan Shaver also got Golden Apple Awards. The awards are given to those who have made significant contributions to students and schools.
Teacher Sandi Wong received a $1,460 ECOLAB grant to purchase books for the READ 180 program. Her grant was titled "Adventurous Readers Who Reach for the Wong Sky."
In the challenge, each team was given a paper plate that had to become an integral part of the project.
Qin and Tsai's project was a coin sorter that offered 98 percent accuracy.
Their project went on to the national Science Olympiad in Washington, D.C., where it placed third.
The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District is spending $12 million of Measure A Bond money to build the new science laboratories at Los Altos and renovate the labs at Wilson, Workman and La Puente High Schools.
The labs feature state-of-the-art work areas with sinks, fume hoods and preparation rooms. Board members say the new labs show the district's commitment to enhancing its science curriculum.
Read about the new labs in an upcoming story in the Hacienda Heights Highlander.
Karen Magana is the new learning director at Alvarado Intermediate School. She is an experienced teacher in primary and upper grades and is fluent in Spanish.
She was most recently the assistant principal at Lakeside Middle School. Magana earned her bachelor's and her master's degrees in educational administration from Cal State Los Angeles.
Glenda Lisette Marin is the new learning director for Killian Elementary School and Ybarra Academy of the Arts and Technology. Her experience includes adjunct professor at Loyola Marymount University, assistant principal at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary in Los Angeles Unified School District, and coordinator of English language and academic intervention programs.
Marin earned her bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and her master of science in educational administration from Pepperdine University.
She has taught in a low income / high risk preschool, and has experience in curriculum, parent workshops, music programs and special needs activities.
Holmes began her new position on July 22.
Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Jim Cleamons talks with players during the Edge Basketball Summer Camp in Walnut on Tuesday. Cleamons spoke to nearly 60 campers during the second session of the camp. (Staff Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Trapezoid prisons? That sort of makes sense, but it's certainly a novel way to learn about geometry.
Welcome to the College 4 Kidz at Mt. San Antonio College, where learning is a fun way to spend part of the summer vacation.
The students in Laura Johnson's geometry class were busy laying out imaginary cities. The sixth to eighth graders were using different geometric shapes for their buildings.
"Physically working with the shapes helps them remember them," said Johnson, a former teacher's aide at Rowland High School.
They joined 686 other fourth- to eighth-graders at the Walnut campus. Students could choose from many classes, ranging from physics and math to forensic investigator and computer animation.
"These enrichment programs help Mt. SAC meet the needs of the community. Many parents are interested in these summer courses," explained Donna Burns, the dean of continuing education.
Read all about the fascinating classes in the Walnut Highlander.
Christina Dobson's Gold Award project was a three-day camp for children. She used her experience in performing arts at Walnut High School to teach the children about drama and improvisation skills.
Kelley Lu's Gold Award Project, titled "Cooking Crafts," became a program at Westhoff Elementary School in Walnut. Lu taught nutrition, food preparation and kitchen safety. She was the president and founder of the Culinary Arts Club at Walnut High School.
Stephanie Lui made Christmas decorations and displayed them for the Walnut Senior Center in a project titled "Movement Through Music." She sang songs and performed for the First Chinese Baptist Church congregation with three other girls.
Queenie Ma's Gold Award project "Learning Literacy" helped children learn about environmental awareness and helped their reading comprehension. She taught at Vejar Elementary School in Walnut, making origami creations from recycled newspapers and playing bingo about the reuse-reduce-recycle way of living.
Laura Wong's project was "Best Friends Pet Care," a program to teach 5- to 12-year-olds and their parents about pet care. She introduced them to a wide range of animals that would make good pets.
The Board of Education appoints seven members of the community to the committee. The committee is responsible for overseeing the expenditure of funds raised by the $118 million Measure R Bond that was approved by voters for the continued modernization of classrooms and schools in the district.
The committee reviews expenditures of bond proceeds, including district personnel construction management costs. They also make sure that no bond proceeds are used for any teacher or administrative salaries or other operating expenses.
The panel will serve for one or two-year terms and by law, members must be representative of the community in specific areas: (business community, senior citizen's organization, parent/guardian of child enrolled in the District, taxpayers association, parent/guardian of a child in the District and active in a parent-teacher organization, and two community members appointed by Board). The committee meets quarterly.
The application deadline is Aug.12. Download an application at the <a href="http://www.rowlandschools.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=27769&rn=1385639">Rowland Unified Web site. </a>
Formerly the assistant principal at Laguna Hills High School, Sam Oramas joins Rowland Unified from Saddleback Valley Unified. Oramas was responsible for discipline and attendance in Laguna Hills. He is now a new vice principal at Nogales High School.
Earlier in his career, Oramas served as dean of students at Temple City High School, where he handled discipline.
Oramas also taught math and social science at Downey High School for seven years. There he worked with at-risk students, as well as English language learners.
Fluent in Spanish, Oramas received his doctorate in law from Brigham Young University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
Doi Johnson is glad to be returning to his alma mater, Nogales High School, as a new vice principal. He looks forward to working with Principal Nancy Padilla at his old school.
Johnson had been an assistant principal at Lynwood High School, where he was responsible for discipline, attendance and security.
For 16 years, Johnson taught physical education at Jordan and Jefferson High Schools in Los Angeles. He had also been a special education math teacher at Gardena High School. Johnson also taught history and language arts at Eliot Middle School in Pasadena.
Rowland's newest administrator received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Whittier College. He earned a masters in administration from Pepperdine University.
Johnson also has had many years of coaching experience. He served as president of the Los Angeles Football Coaches Association from 1997 to 2007. The popular coach has won many coaching awards, including Coach of the Year from the "Los Angeles Times."
Thousands and hundreds of thousands of votes were cast in one month's time early this summer in Big Lots Lots2Give video contest.
And though Miramonte Elementary School in South El Monte didn't get the top prize, they still won big with a $2,500 cash prize for second place. Miramonte's video, created and starring seven sixth-graders, showed viewers the school's trouble with their sound system. Read the story here.
Hopefully when students return in the fall, they will be able to update their old sound system that made it difficult to hear anyone at assemblies or school productions. Miramonte is part of the Mountain View School District.
Along with Miramonte, twenty-five other schools across the United States will have some extra cash for class this year as part of the Lots2Give contest and winners of the 2009 Lots2Give video contest. Out of 46 schools that took part in the contest, only 26 schools were chosen by online viewers to share $80,000 in cash prizes.
Big Lots asked participating schools to submit a short video and brief essay explaining why their school is in need of financial support. From mid-June to mid-July, the public voted for their favorite video at www.lots2give.com. More than 300,000 votes were cast.
In addition to the video contest, Big Lots established an in-store donation program to help the 103 schools participating in the Lots2Give program. From May 2 through July 12, Big Lots customers were invited to make $1 or $5 donations at participating Big Lots stores, with 100 percent of donations going directly to participating schools. This initiative raised more than $74,000 to help participating schools.
Miramonte Elementary School will also receive $1,590.83 from their share of the donations collected in-store throughout the Los Angeles market. Other local schools also participated in the Lots2Give program and will be receiving $1,590.83 for each of their schools:
- Baker Elementary School in El Monte
- La Primaria Elementary School in El Monte
- Maxson Elementary School in El Monte
To continue to give back, Big Lots stores across the country will host an in-store Teacher Appreciation Day on Saturday, Aug. 1. ll educators with a valid school identification card will receive 10 percent off their total purchase.
Miramonte Elementary school will be presented with a check for their second place prize on Monday, Aug. 3 at 1 p.m. at the Big Lots store at 11130 Washington Blvd. in Whittier.
For more information and a complete list of winners, visit www.lots2give.com for a complete list of winners.
Rowland High School's new principal, Mitch Brunyer, meets with ASB students, from left, Secretary Lillian Tao, President Alyssa Catinding and Treasurer Benson Chen.
Mitchell Brunyer used to wrestle at Rowland High School. Now the former Raider will be wrestling with budgets and schedules at the local high school.
Brunyer is the new Rowland principal, one of a handful of administrators to lead the Rowland Heights school. He is one of the new administrators named by the Rowland Unified School District, including two new vice principals at Nogales High School.
The 1989 Rowland grad replaces Robbie Robinson, who retired to spend more time with family after 40 years of service to Rowland Unified.
The new principal looks forward to many years at his alma mater. The 38-year-old is glad to be back.
"I always had a positive experience at Rowland High," Brunyer said. "I've stayed in touch with teachers and classmates."
Find out about Brunyer's trip back to Rowland in Thursday's Rowland Heights Highlander
Music Specialist Judy Brunelle introduced her students as they received Certificates of Award and color copies of their artwork. The winning entries appeared in the June issue of the Music K-8 magazine. There were several categories of winners.
The top winners were: Samantha Yang of Quail Summit Elementary, who was first runner-up and won $125; Eunice Chung of Maple Hill, also a first runner-up and winner of $125; and Serris Lew of Westhoff, who was a second runner-up and winner of $100.
The top finalists were Sarah Wang, Jessie Wang and Nadine Linn of Westhoff; Victoria Shen, Betty Kim and James Park of Maple Hill; and Eric Chen of Quail Summit.
The finalists were Stephanie Yang, Nicholas Huang, and Sandy Pan of Evergreen; Sejin Park of Walnut Elementary; Jessica Lai of Collegewood; Derek Wan of Westhoff; Mark Shin of Castle Rock; and Nicolas Zhou, Asaan Barlas, Luis Choa, Angela Hou, Brandon Chen and Emily Su of Quail Summit.
The final group of winners received Honorable Mention: Amber Min of Castle Rock; Jedidiah Hu of Walnut Elementary; Eric Liu of Quail Summit; and Gabrielle Thornock and Justin Kim of Evergreen.
The summit is provided by the California Department of Education. Only 80 students statewide received invitations to the program, titled "We the People...The Sacramento Leadership Experience."
During their five-day visit to Sacramento, Cruz and Lim learned about the government and the importance of being an informed citizen. They met many state officials and used the actual Senate Chamber to debate and vote on mock legislative-based issues.
Maureen Scanlon retires after serving the District for 40 and one half years. Her most recent position was associate superintendent of Human Resources. She began as a teacher at Bixby then at Mesa Robles, and advanced into administrative positions at Mesa Robles and Nelson.
Scanlon moved to District positions in 1993, serving as director of Personnel Services and assistant superintendent for Pre-Kindergarten and Child Development.
Her final position began in 2000.
Tom Scanlon has served HLPUSD for 40 years, with most of those years in a district position. He began as a Social Sciences teacher at Los Altos High School, then moved to positions as resource teacher, general consultant and finally as director of Instructional Support/Curriculum.
The district will honor the Scanlons on Aug. 14. They will be officially retired on Aug. 28. We wish them well and thank them for their service.
The Rowland Unified School District will become the first in the state to operate an online high school through iQ Academy.
The School Board Tuesday night approved the virtual charter high school where students will take courses online.
While iQ Academy will operate out of Rowland Heights, it will be open to any student in Los Angeles County and surrounding counties, including Ventura, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside.
Each student who enrolls in the academy fulltime is provided with a laptop and can take all their high school courses online.
There will be centers available where students can come to get extra tutoring, officials said.
The academy currently operates virtual schools in Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Wisconsin, Texas, Washington and Kansas.
Through this federally funded program, the center serves nutritious breakfasts, lunches and snacks to approximately 200 children from birth through age 5.
Income eligibility guidelines are listed below:
INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
Effective from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010
|
Household Size
|
Annual
|
Monthly
|
Twice Per Month
|
Every Two Weeks
|
Weekly
|
|
1
|
$20,036
|
$1,670
|
$835
|
$771
|
$386
|
|
2
|
$26,955
|
$2,247
|
$1,124
|
$1,037
|
$519
|
|
3
|
$33,874
|
$2,823
|
$1,412
|
$1,303
|
$652
|
|
4
|
$40,793
|
$3,400
|
$1,700
|
$1,569
|
$785
|
|
5
|
$47,712
|
$3,976
|
$1,988
|
$1,836
|
$918
|
|
6
|
$54,631
|
$4,553
|
$2,277
|
$2,102
|
$1,051
|
|
7
|
$61,550
|
$5,130
|
$2,565
|
$2,368
|
$1,184
|
|
8
|
$68,469
|
$5,706
|
$2,853
|
$2,634
|
$1,317
|
|
For each additional
family member, add:
|
+ $6,919
|
+ $577
|
+ $289
|
+$267
|
+ $134 |
Students must register for classes online at my.mtsac.edu. Before registering, new students are required to activate their new Mt. SAC accounts at https://my.mtsac.edu/claim.html.
This site provides detailed instructions on establishing the student online accounts. Students will receive a permit for their assigned registration date and time. They will not be allowed to register before their assigned time.
For students who do not have computer access, computers and assistance will be available in the Student Services Center, building 9B, during business hours. Telephone registration is no longer available.
New students must submit an admission application online at www.mtsac.edu.
They may also apply in person at the Admissions & Records Office on campus, located in the Student Services Center. The Admissions Office is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
New students must also contact the Counseling Office to sign up for the required orientation session before registering for classes.
Mt. SAC's fall semester credit classes begin on Monday, Aug. 24.
For more registration information, call the Mt. SAC Admissions & Records Office at (909) 594-5611, ext. 4415, or visit www.mtsac.edu.
Welcome to Mitch Brunyer, the new principal at Rowland High School. Here's a photo of Mitch yesterday, when he met with ASB students, from left, Secretary Lillian Tao, President Alyssa Catinding and Treasurer Benson Chen.
Mitch is actually an alumni of Rowland High, so a Raider will be heading up our high school. If the Rowland Unified administrator looks familiar, that because he last served as vice principal at Nogales High School just down the road.
Find out more about Mitch in an upcoming story in the Rowland Heights Highlander. Go Raiders!
The school was packed with kids learning all kinds of science, from chemistry for first graders to Web design for older kids.
The place was really hopping. It's good to see that the busy center has maintained its courses over the recent recession.
Read more in an upcoming story in the Hacienda Heights Highlander.
John Nixon, president and CEO of Mt. San
Antonio College in Walnut, chairs the San Gabriel/Foothill Association
of Community Colleges. Nixon makes some valid point in this guest column.
LIKE all families across California, the family of community colleges in the San Gabriel Valley is tightening its belt more than ever as it braces for severe economic challenges stemming from the state's budget crisis.
The family, known as the San Gabriel/Foothill Association of Community Colleges (SanFACC), is a regional caucus composed of Chaffey College, Citrus College, Glendale Community College, Mt. San Antonio College, Pasadena City College and Rio Hondo College.
Nearly 250,000 students attend SanFACC colleges, but those numbers are likely to drop with the projected budget cuts these six colleges are facing. Collectively, they could lose 21,200 students as well as an estimated net funding reduction of $55 million from the state in 2009-10. It is not a stretch to say that this is the worst economic crisis most of us in education have seen.
Read Nixon's entire column in the Walnut Highlander.
One could say that Natalie Jimenez bowled over the competition. That's why the Hacienda Heights bowler is going to the University of Central Missouri on athletic and academic scholarships.
"We are very excited to be adding Natalie to our program," said head coach Ron Holmes. "Natalie is a tremendous addition to our team and will make an immediate impact."
Which is saying something for a team that regularly places first or second nationally in intercollegiate athletics.
"This year, they ranked second in the country. Nebraska was number one," explained the recent Rowland High graduate.
Jimenez should boost Missouri's chances for returning to the top slot. The 17-year-old is currently ranked first in the nation among young women competing in USBC Sport Bowling.
The local bowler was selected to the 2009 California All-Star Team. The 10-pin powerhouse was also named as one of the nation's top 50 high school prospects by "Bowler's Journal."
Read the rest of her story in the Rowland Heights Highlander.
Summertime and the singing is pretty. So are the dancing and the artwork - at least at the Summer Arts Academy in the Rowland Unified School District.
The students were out in force this fine summer's day, rehearsing for their big finale performance on July 1. They pranced and danced across the make-shift stage on the school playground.
Read all about their talents in this week's Rowland Heights Highlander.
Students at the Rowland Heights school have been taking cooking classes this summer as part of the nutrition program.
On Wednesday and Thursday they'll show off their culinary skills in their own "Iron Chef" competition.
19501 Shadow Oak Drive in Walnut
The students have been rehearsing for the past month.
Deputy Superintendent Bob Wertz will present an update on the state budget and financial implications for Rowland Unified.
The failure of Measure E last week will force the board to revise its budget for next year.
"We had created a restoration list in the event that it passed so we could restore our programs cherished by parents and community members," School Board President Robert Hidalgo said. "We also created a deeper cut list in the event that it did not. All it means is we will revisit that deeper cut list and make some more difficult decisions."
The board will also take action on iQ Academy charter petition.
The Family Day Camp combines movement, language, song, social interaction, deductive and inductive thought.
the Measure E Parcel Tax tjat would have provided $2.5 million annually to prevent cuts and restore programs.
"We had created a restoration list in the event that it passed so we could restore our programs cherished by parents and community members," School Board President Robert Hidalgo said. "We also created a deeper cut list in the event that it did not. All it means is we will revisit that deeper cut list and make some more difficult decisions."
Election returns show 52 percent of residents voted in favor of the tax, while 48 percent voted against it, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar- Recorder/County Clerk.
It required two-thirds to pass.
The School Board will now reassess its budget at a special meeting scheduled for July 7.
If approved the measure would have assessed an annual parcel tax of $120 per home in district boundaries for the next five years.
"The support of our voters reflects their understanding of the impact of the State's devastating reductions to education, especially to the schools in Rowland Unified. We will continue to stay focused on the important work of teaching and learning while implementing unprecedented cuts to our staff and programs.
"Public education is the hope for a better future in California and our nation, and it will take the efforts of everyone in Rowland Unified to stay focused on our mission to realize the potential of each and every child during this fiscal crisis."
As of 8 p.m. last night, 4,193 residents voted in favor of the parcel tax, while 3,938 voted against it. That's 51.57 percent yes and 48.43 percent No. The ballot measure needed 66 percent of the voters in favor of the new tax for the measure to pass.
Meanwhile, the education parcel tax passed easily in La Canada Unified School District. The registrar reported that 4,732 voted Yes, while 1,606 voted No. That's 74.66 percent in favor the tax that will raise money for the district.
The Rowland Unified students have spent their summer days honing their singing, dancing and painting. Now they're going to show off a little.
The election is being conducted as an all vote by mail election. For voters who haven't mailed their ballots, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk will have a special satellite ballot drop-off location in the lobby of the Rowland Heights Library at 1850 Nogales St. on Tuesday, June 30 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The ballot drop-off location is exclusively for voters who did not mail their voted ballots in time. It will be staffed by registrar personnel.
Rowland Unified School District is facing more than $13 million in cuts because of the state budget deficit. The district says this will have a devastating impact on every school as well as the educational programs.
Measure E is a local parcel tax that would help raise an estimated $2.5 million annually for five years only. These funds could not be taken away by the state and would provide stable funds to be used to maintain college preparation classes and high school counselors.
Rowland Unified would also use the money to preserve student health/safety/security services, provide adequate instructional materials and classroom technology, keep school libraries open, protect small class sizes, maintain music and art programs and retain qualified, experienced teachers
If approved, Measure E will cost property owners $10 per month, for a total of $120 per year, for five years only. Property owners age 65 and over can apply for an exemption.
If passed, the deadline to fill out the senior exemption form is July 30. An independent Community Oversight Committee will be appointed by the school board to make sure that school parcel tax funds are properly spent.
To pass, Measure E must receive at least 66.7% support from those who vote on the measure. For further information, please visit www.RowlandSchools.org or call (626) 854-8352.
Several students received special awards. Student speakers were Carmen Flores and Natalie De La Paz.
A special GED award was presented to Richard Maldonado for the highest English GED score. He achieved a score of 3,120 out of a possible 4,000.
Director Rocky Bettar presented the Director's Award to Lily Tran for superior achievement and demonstration of a strong desire for learning. Tod Hua got special recognition for his determination in earning a high school diploma.
District PTA President Connie Miranda presented the Ada Mae Warner scholarship to Sarah Mallari.
These classes allow adult students to work at their own pace with one-on-one instruction to finish their diploma. Both morning and evening classes are offered.
For information, call (626) 965-5975 or visit http://race.rowland.k12.ca.us.<WC>
The retirees and their years of service are: John Anderson, 27; Jennifer Chisholm, 28; Ranay Collins, 27; Alex De Lone, 28; Mike Dunphy, 20; Linda Frost, 30; Wesley Garrett, 26; Jackie Hassell, 24; Nina Harvey, 20; Aileen Maruki, 20; Marilyn McMahon, 16; Lupe Reyes, 30; and Diane Tobar, 30.
"As public school district board members, we would like to share additional information that was not included in your "Choice for Public Schools" editorial (Our View, May 26).
"Educators also believe in choices for parents and students. That is why there are already numerous options for parental choice that exist including interdistrict permit programs, charter schools, choice among district of residence schools, and federal No Child Left Behind and related state laws. The District of Choice legislation that is due to sunset in July is an outdated policy that is no longer relevant.
"The California Department of Education conducted an evaluation of the Districts of Choice Program and concluded that given that only 3.9 percent of the 100 surveyed districts indicated an active participation in the District of Choice program, "it seems to be a small program with very limited impact. The CDE sees no significant negative consequences to the program's lapse as scheduled for July 1, 2009."
"In fact, the District of Choice provisions offer little state oversight, no financial relief for districts impacted by the program, lack of access for all families and would have unintentional consequences to schools across the state. Although the provisions in the law are designed to ensure that special education, bilingual, or other students with special needs are not discriminated against because of the costs associated with educating these students, there is not oversight to ensure that students are selected through a random and unbiased process as specified in the law. Record-keeping obligations for the district of choice are surprisingly minimal and entirely discretionary.
"The District of Choice statutes were scheduled to sunset in July. It is time to allow this poorly monitored legislation to come off the books."
Robert F. Hidalgo
President
Rowland Unified School District
Tom Selinske
President
Pasadena Unified School District
Sometimes, we need to be our own heroes. We have to save ourselves before we can help others.
Along the way, we find inspiration in the stories of those who have overcome overwhelming odds to accomplish their dreams. Some students graduating from Mt. San Antonio College on June 12 shared their personal stories.
Candice Porras lost seven years of her life and the father of her youngest child to meth. The Nogales High graduate became caught up in the world of methamphetamine, a psychostimulant that induces intense euphoria.
But the La Puente woman turned her life around. Find out how in the Rowland Heights Highlander.The move would allow the administration to rehire all the probationary and permanent teachers who were given layoff notices in March, said Board of Education President Joann Steinmeier in an e-mail.
Shawn said some teachers may be reassigned to different schools.
"In light of horrible economic times, and equally horrible resource cuts by the state, the Arcadia Unified School District family has done everything possible to protect the programs we provide for our students," he said.
Schools are slashing their summer school programs to save money. Officials say ballooning budget deficits are forcing them to make hard choices, beginning immediately.
Some are cutting summer school all together, others are halving their programs. Here's a list of local schools and their summer schedules.
Read more about the changes in the Highlander newspapers.
It's not your grandmother's quilt.
Third-graders at Vejar Elementary School in Walnut decided to contribute to the city's 50th anniversary by creating a historical quilt.
No, the quilt isn't 100 years old, but it does cover the city's history through colorful panels designed by the youngsters.
To do so, the 9-year-olds had to research the past to create the quilt in the present for future generations to enjoy.
"This is so touching, it's wonderful. You put so much effort in this and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your work," Mayor Mary Su told the students on June 2. The students had been bused in to City Hall for the big presentation.
The mayor said the beautiful quilt will be hung in a prominent place in city hall.Read the whole story in the Walnut Highlander.
Director of Public Affairs Jill Dolan said the Walnut campus has been forced to make the cuts to help balance the budget deficit.
Area students will find the number of sections offered for each course slashed approximately in half.
"The onset of massive budget cuts to the California State University has forced Cal Poly Pomona to cancel state funding for the 2009 summer quarter. All classes that had been scheduled for Summer 2009 are now cancelled.
As an alternative, the university will offer a fee-based summer schedule through the College of the Extended University beginning July 13. These fully transferrable accredited courses meet Cal Poly Pomona degree requirements.
The university will hold a special student forum on Thursday, June 11, at noon in the Bronco Student Center's Ursa Major Suite. For more information, visit www.csupomona.edu/~summer09."
They say it's a double whammy, colleges are raising their tuition while the state is cutting their grants. Many don't know how they'll be able to afford college.
Read some of their stories and fears in our story in today's Walnut Highlander.
Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 6.
Admission is free. For more information, call (909) 594-5611, Ext. 4328.
