Azusa Unified parents to swap places with students for a day

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

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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)

Cash for College at Mt. SAC

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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.

Busy day in Hacienda La Puente Unified

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.

Kinder Awards at Nelson in La Puente

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.

Robots invade Mesa Robles School

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)

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World of Robots at Mesa Robles in Hacienda Heights

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.

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Azusa private school lowers tuition in response to economy

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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)

Hacienda board has special meeting

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.

Azusa Unified to honor parent volunteer who aided choking student

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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)