January 2009 Archives

When the bell rings tomorrow at Azusa High School, there won't be any teenage students rushing to class -- just their parents.

That's because Azusa Unified School District is hosting the annual Parent University on Saturday at the Cerritos Avenue campus.

Instead of classes in reading, writing and arithmetic, the parents will participate in workshops on parenting with love and logic; healthy living for families; and tips to help students succeed in school.

Parent University runs from 9 a.m. to noon, and bilingual classes are available. For more information, call (626) 967-6211.

Check out the Feb. 5 edition of the Azusa-Herald Highlander for more coverage on the event.

Photo: Participants in last year's Parent University listen to a speaker in the Azusa High School library. (File / Staff)

Mt. SAC will offer free one-on-one financial aid assistance to high school seniors at its annual Cash for College workshop on Saturday, Feb. 7. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Learning Technology Center, Building 6 on the Walnut campus.
Assemblymember Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) is a co-sponsor of the event.
"I firmly believe that no matter where you start in life, a quality education can help people open doors to a world of possibilities. I am the first person in my family to go to college, and I started at Mt. SAC," Hernandez said.
"That is why I came back to help other students and their families gain access to every available resource that could make higher education more affordable. My hope is that this Cash for College event will help students open that first door, and make their dream of college a reality," he added.
The workshop is open to all area high school seniors regardless of the college they plan on attending. Personalized consultations will be offered in English, Spanish and Mandarin.
During these difficult economic times, more families are concerned about paying for college, making it critical that they apply for assistance.
"Students who want to pursue higher education should not feel that they can't because of a lack of money. There are so many programs available, and we can steer them to those resources," said Susan Jones, Mt. SAC's Financial Aid Director.
Cash for College helps students and their parents complete and file Federal Student Aid and Cal Grant financial aid forms for the 2009-10 academic year. Reservations are required for the individualized assistance.
The event also helps students maximize their financial aid prospects by meeting the early financial aid deadlines. The state financial aid deadline is March 2.
Parents and students must bring a copy of their Social Security cards or permanent resident cards, and a 2008 federal 1040 tax return and W-2. If 2008 information is not available, a 2007 tax return may be used.
A free continental breakfast or lunch will be provided. Mt. SAC admission applications also will be available, as well as information about the college's Extended Opportunity Programs and the Summer Bridge Program, designed for first-time college students.
For more information and to make an appointment, call (909) 594-5611, Ext. 4458.

Bixby Elementary  in Hacienda Heights will hold a kickoff assembly for its Jump-for-Heart event in the cafeteria at 1 p.m. Friday.

 Fairgrove Academy  in La Puente will hold a Move-A-Thon in the center of its camput from 9 a.m. to noon.

 Glenelder Elementary in Hacienda Heights hosts its 2008 CST STAR Awards Assembly, in the cafeteria at 9:15 a.m. A "Friday Night Live" Family Read-In will follow from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

 Kwis Elementary - in Hacienda Heights honors its Students-of-the-Month with an awards ceremony in the cafeteria from 8:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 Lassalette School in La Puente shows its pride with Pride Assemblies in the Cafeteria. , Grades K-2 meet at 1 p.m.; followed by Grades 3-5 at 1:40 p.m.; and Grades 6-8 at 2:10 p.m.

Nelson Elementary in La Puente presents an Awards Assembly in the Cafeteria for Grades 5&6 at 1:15 p.m.

 Palm Elementary in Hacienda Heights holds an Oratorical Program in its cafeteria at 8:30 and 9:15 a.m.

It pays to be kinder at Nelson Elementary in La Puente. The school will hand out its Kinder Awards  in an assembly on Thursday at noon.

 Meanwhile, students at Wedgeworth Elementary in Hacienda Heights can enjoy a Family Math Day in the Multipurpose Room at 1:30 p.m.

The Hacienda La Puente School Board Rwill hold its regular Board of Education Meeting, in the Board Room on Thursday night. The closed session begins at 7 p.m., followed by the public meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wow, two board meetings in one week! Something's up.

Mesa Robles Middle School student Brandon Chung, 7th grader, has his
nose pinched by a robot named HERO1 during "World of Robots" assembly
at the Hacienda Heights school on Wednesday. Robots did pushups, measured distance and chased balls at the fascinating assembly sponsored by the PTA. Special thanks to Vice Principal Lilia Picado and ASB students Junoesque Hsiao and Jeffrey Huang for taking time to talk to us. Read our upcoming story in the Hacienda Heights Highlander. (Staff Photo by Raul Roa)

"Klaatu barada nikto"

Mesa Robles  will hold a "World of Robots" assembly in the school cafeteria at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Hopefully, the students won't have to use the phrase from the famous movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still." This handy phrase kept the robot from destroying the Earth when the Army kills Michael Rennie.

Nelson Elementary  holds its Awards Assembly in the cafeteria for Grades 3 and 4 at 1:15 p.m.

The economic downturn has led one private elementary school in Azusa to lower its tuition costs for the upcoming school year.

The board of Light and Life Christian School recently made the decision to drop tuition rates from $4,700 to $3,700 for the academic year, officials said.

The school will also make available more need-based scholarships.

Board Chairman Hank C. Bode said the move is an effort to help area families afford the option of private education.

CLICK HERE to read the full story in the Azusa Herald Highlander.

Pictured: Light and Life Christian School principal Rachel McClune holds a financial aid application. (Photo by Raul Roa / Staff)

Kindergarten students perform the Lion Dance during a Lunar New Year celebration at Wedgeworth Elementary School in Hacienda Heights on Jan. 26. Find more photos in Hacienda Heights Highlander. 

Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights will hold a Wildcat Family Network Night for parents of juniors in the Den at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The Hacienda La Puente Board of Education will hold a special meeting and study session beginning at 6 p.m. in the board room at district offices on Gale Avenue. The meeting is open to the public. The board will discuss safety and security issues.

The Azusa Unified Board of Education will recognize Maggie Boltz, a lunch supervisor and parent volunteer at Dalton Elementary School in Azusa, at its Feb. 3 meeting.

Boltz recently came to the aid of a student who was choking on a corn dog, district officials said. When Boltz saw that third-grader Raquel Arias was having difficulty breathing, she immediately performed the Heimlich maneuver.

Dalton Principal Roberta Monaghan said this is the second time Boltz has used the Heimlich to help a student in distress.

"We are so proud of her," Monaghan said. "Her quick thinking and knowing exactly what to do really made a difference."

Pictured are Boltz and student Raquel Arias. (Photo courtesy of the Azusa Unified School District)

Wedgeworth Elementary School in Hacienda Heights will celebrate Chinese New Year today.

Principal Ellen Park says students will perform a dragon dance in the multipurpose room at 12:45 p.m. Welcome to the Year of the Ox!

Find photos of the grand event in an upcoming edition of the Hacienda Heights Highlander.

Nothing brings families together like mathematics! The fractions and decimal points all add to the family fun and multiply the satisfaction of knowing your kids get long division.

Del Valle Elementary School in La Puente will host a Family Math Night in their cafeteria from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight. What could be more fun on a cold, rainy day.

Fairgrove Academy held Citizenship Awards earlier in the day in the cafeteria. The kinder kids were honored at 10 a.m., while the seventh-graders met at 9 a.m.

Don't know what Quadrant Math Articulation is, but Mesa Robles in Hacienda Heights is having one at 1:45 p.m. this afternoon in the cafeteria. Perhaps someone could comment on this interesting event.

Workman High School is stretching its dramatic skills with it's production of William Shakespeare's play, "A Couch." The play will be presented in the Little Theater from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. So come out and support our local thespians as they present an interesting drama. 

A free College Preparation Seminar will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Diamond Bar High School, 21400 E. Pathfinder Road, Diamond Bar. The seminar is preceded by a college fair at noon.

The  main speaker will be Linnea B. McCord, an associate professor of  business law at The Graziado School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. She will discuss "What You Must Know About Your Future."

Space is limited, so call for information at (951) 341-5510, or email info@collegeprepseminar.org.

Fairgrove Academy in La Puente will hold a folklorico performance in the cafeteria tonight at 6:30 p.m. Come out for some great entertainment.

The Hacienda La Puente Board of Education will meet tonight in the district offices on Gale Avenue.  The closed session is at 7 p.m., with the public meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The new Chief of Police and Safety, Tony Argott, will be sworn in at tonight's meeting.

The Asia Pacific Family Center in Industry is helping the Rowland Unified students set some goals. In a new program "ID for Success" the center is encouraging them to set goals. The ID stands for Important Decisions.

Over the next three months, the fourth-graders will refine their goals, as well as their ability to make important decisions. The ID for Success program will also study other issues, including peer influence and bullies, as well as the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

"We want to prepare them to make good decisions," explained Simon Wai, program director for the Asian Pacific Family Center.

Wai said the center worked with students at Blandford, Shelyn and Rowland elementary schools in the first semester. The group is teaching Ybarra, Farjardo and Jellick fourth-graders this semester.

The program is funded through Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe's office. Read about the program and see photos in an upcoming edition of the Rowland Heights Highlander.

Twenty-five bilingual students from Shanghai are visiting Cedarlane Middle School in Hacienda Heights. The Chinese students will observe several classes in the local school to see how the American education system works.

Principal Janine Ezaki said the students will be the guests of honor at a pep rally later in the day. They want to welcome the Shanghai students to the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District.

Read our story and see photos from their visit in an upcoming edition of the Hacienda Heights Highlander.

The Rowland Unified Board of Education will meet tonight from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the board room at district offices.

• 01-13-09 - Board Mtg Agenda.pdf (146 KB)

Students in the Rowland Unified School District felt the call of the wild recently. Sixth graders from Killian and Rorimer Elementary Schools braved the elements to attend science camp in Big Bear.

They were astonished by the brightness of the stars at night. While they studied ecology and earth science, they also had many fun adventures.

Find out their trip in the Rowland Heights Highlander.

You have winners and loosas in every competition. But every student's a winner at the annual Mathapalooza contest held at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights.

Mathletes from around the area will converge on the local campus for the big contest on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The fun event is sponsored by the Chinese American Parents Advisory Council, Hacienda Heights.

Looks like a full day of activities on Friday in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District.

Sunset Elementary will hold its Trimester Awards Assembly in the cafeteria at 8:30, 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Palm Elementary will hold an awards assembly Friday afternoon at 1 and 1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Families can enjoy a family movie at California Elementary's west cafeteria from 6 to 8 p.m.

Can you hear me now? If you can, you might want to attend a Parent Education Academy at Wedgeworth Elementary in Hacienda Heights.The subject for discussion is "Can You Hear Me Now?" from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday in the multipurpose room.

Yesterday, the local school had an awards ceremony for the students. Today Sparks Elementary in La Puente will hand out its CST Awards. The ceremony takes place at 8:30 a.m. on the playground.