Hacienda La Puente Unified launches new website

The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District’s website has a new look.
The twin-cities school district, the largest in the San Gabriel Valley, debuted its new website (www.hlpusd.k12.ca.us).

The first phase of the project included new and updated pages for the district home page, schools, departments, and heavily used or needed pages.
The website is a “living” information center, with updates happening daily.

Users will notice a more user-friendly design, focused less on the organization’s structure and more on the audiences’ needs.
Other important changes based on user feedback include easy to find links to popular sites and informations.

The site also features a scrolling photo gallery on the home page that features the biggest news, events and issues happening in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District.

The new website is a cloud-based solution that takes advantages of new technologies, such as Twitter news feeds.

1,000 classes still available at Mt. SAC in Walnut

There were still 1,000 classes still available to students of Mt. San Antonio College for the spring semester, which begins Feb. 24. Seats are still open in many classes, from English to political science to mass communication, CIS and mathematics.

Students can sign up for college and enroll in classes online at my.mtsac.edu.

A new student first must submit an application for admission to the college. New students must also contact the Counseling Department to sign up for a required orientation session before enrolling in classes. For more information, contact Counseling at 909-274-4380.

Continuing students should activate their Mt. SAC portal account at the same website. Follow the set-up instructions. Students can then view a registration date and a time in their portal account for registering for spring semester classes.

 

The cost per unit is $46. All fees are due upon registration.

For general registration information, call the Mt. SAC Admissions & Records Office at 909-274-4415. The Admissions Office is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Goya Foods offers $5,000 scholarships to college freshmen

Goya Foods, America’s largest Hispanic food company, announces  their annual nationwide Culinary Arts and Food Sciences Scholarship Program offered to four students entering their freshman year of college.

As the leader in Latin American food, Goya’s Culinary Arts and Food Sciences Scholarship Program is one of the company’s educational pillars and part of its mission to preserve Goya’s diverse culinary heritage. For more information and to apply, please log onto www.goya.com/scholarships.  Applications are due no later than Feb. 15, 2014.

 Administered by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation’s largest leading Hispanic scholarship organization, Goya’s Culinary Arts and Food Sciences Scholarship is available on a competitive basis to students entering a four-year institution as freshmen who are Culinary Arts and/or Food Sciences majors.
Scholarships of $5,000 are awarded each academic year and are renewable for up to three more years provided the student remains eligible to receive funding.
Applicants of the Goya Culinary Arts & Food Sciences Scholarship will be selected based on the standard requirements established by Goya and HSF including academic achievement, leadership and financial need, as well as an evaluation of an essay explaining how Goya has enriched their family traditions.
Among the criteria for consideration, the student
(1) Must plan to be enrolled in college full time starting in 2012-2013 in a degree seeking program within the U.S. as a Freshman at a four-year U.S. accredited institution to obtain their 1st undergraduate degree;
(2) Must be majoring in Culinary Arts and/or Food Sciences;
(3) Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale;
(4) Must complete 10 hours per month of community service while in progress;
(5) Must be a U.S. Citizen or a legal permanent resident of the United States with a valid Social Security Number at the time of application. All legal permanent residents must submit a copy of their valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551;
(6) Must have a permanent address in a participating state (see website for details) and;
(7) Must apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Rowland students attend AAUW’s conference for eighth graders

Rowland Unified is sending students from Alvarado, Giano, Oswalt Academy and Telesis Academy  to the American Association of University Women’s Math/Science Conference for Eighth Grade Girls on Wednesday at Whittier College.

Students will attend three different sessions to learn about six varied careers such as Chemical Engineer, Physician/Epidemiologist, FBI Agent, Veterinarian, Engineers, Nurse Midwife, Accountant, Physical Therapist, Horticultural Curator, Construction Contractor, audiologist, Dentist/Oral surgeon, and others.

Brahma DeSoto-Rivera named Super Star Student in Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar High School junior Josh was honored as a Super Star Student.  Shown with family members, Board President Cindy Ruiz, Principal Catherine Real and GLC Julie Salas.

Diamond Bar High School junior Josh was honored as a Super Star Student. Shown with family members, Board President Cindy Ruiz, Principal Catherine Real and GLC Julie Salas.

Diamond Bar High School junior Josh DeSoto-Rivera was honored with the Super Star Student Award.

“I want to recognize Josh for the growth he has shown through the past years. He really didn’t have any goals and didn’t see the intrinsic reward of a good education. As a sophomore, he entered the Pathways Communications Academy,” Principal Catherine Real said.

“It is a great program, now 17 years-old, that offers our kids a school within a school opportunity. It incorporates concepts of multiple intelligences, career guidance, interactive instruction and applied learning – all while focusing on interpersonal relationships,” Real explained.

The curriculum includes a broad spectrum of college prep and career tech electives as well as a steering committee of local businessmen and educational institutions who work closely with students.

“The program offers an opportunity for real life experiences and it makes students aware and competitive in today’s job force. Because of this program, I think Josh saw the light,” Real explained.

Josh’s teachers and Grade Level Coordinator (GLC) also formed a partnership to ensure is success.

“His behavior, attendance and grades have improved. And I’m sure we’ll see more growth during the next year and a half. And his career goal is to become a chef,” Real said.

P.E. Teacher Mr. John Martin confirmed that Josh has become more motivated in class. “He is great!” he added.

“Josh is a really a neat kid with a quiet confident spirit,” said GLC Mrs. Julie Salas. “There is a place on campus affectionately called Joshua Park. Somehow his presence there has transformed it into a place of calmness and serenity,” she described.

George Ganesh gets Partner in Education Award at Diamond Bar High

Diamond Bar High School parent volunteer George Ganesh was recognized with the Partner in Education Award. Shown with Board President Cindy Ruiz and Principal Catherine Real.

Diamond Bar High School parent volunteer George Ganesh was recognized with the Partner in Education Award. Shown with Board President Cindy Ruiz and Principal Catherine Real.

Diamond Bar High School Principal Catherine Real introduced parent George Ganesh as the recipient of the Partner in Education Award.

“I’d like to recognize Mr. Ganesh’s contribution to our school. He is a member of our Boosters, he is on the District Steering Coming Committee and an advisor to our Robotics Club” Principal Real said.

This summer, he took on summer registration for the Boosters Club. Mr. Ganesh’s job was to organize and get the Booster parents enthusiastic to work at the booth during four weeks of registration appointments, Real explained.

“And of course, the process went a lot like him: it was organized, it was pleasant and it was productive. I can’t say enough about the contributions that he made because at the end of registration, the Boosters had reached a new level of unity, sign-ups and participation,” Real said.

“When I think about Mr. Ganesh, I also think of his children, Namesha and Niraj. They are a lot like him. They are equally enthusiastic, well-rounded, intelligent, kind, compassionate and humble. I think its true what they say about apple not falling very far from the tree!” Real said.

 

Walnut parent Ceping Chao wins Partner in Education Award

Walnut Elementary parent volunteer Ceping Chao was honored with the Partner in Education Award with Board President Cindy Ruiz. (5305) Shown family members, Board President Cindy Ruiz, Principal Janet Green and staff members.

Walnut Elementary parent volunteer Ceping Chao was honored with the Partner in Education Award with Board President Cindy Ruiz. (5305) Shown family members, Board President Cindy Ruiz, Principal Janet Green and staff members.

Walnut Elementary parent volunteer Ceping Chao was introduced as the school’s Partner in Education.

“She is a founding parent of our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Mandarin program and her two daughters are currently in DLI Kindergarten and Grade 2,” said Principal Janet Green.

“Ceping is a behind-the-scenes motivating force in our Dual Language Immersion Program. Four years ago, she trusted us enough to enroll her daughter Jianlan in Walnut Valley’s first pre-kindergarten Mandarin DLI class,” Green added.

She liked the program enough to continue enrolling her younger daughter Meilan in DLI Kindergarten class this year.

“Ceping volunteers her time in the classrooms and the teachers say that she is always ready to lend a helping hand.  They love her because she is so patient with students.  She attends parent education meetings and convinces more parents to become involved.  She has even taken on the task of revamping and revising our school website – I believe there were 5 pages of changes to be made!” said Green.

“On a personal note, I can depend on Ceping to give me honest feedback and ask probing questions about the future of our entire school, not just DLI.  She is a true partner and I have learned a lot from her.  Thank you, Ceping, for your dedication to our school,” Principal Green said.

“Her dedication to the DLI program and Walnut Elementary is evident in the amount of hours she spends here as a volunteer, researcher, website overseer, and parent workshop attendee.  What I appreciate the most about her are the quietly probing questions she asks about the structure and future of dual language in our district.  She is a constant reminder for us to do what is best not just for her children but for ALL Walnut Elementary students,” said Green.

Walnut Elementary’s Andrew Zambrano a Super Star Student

Walnut Elementary 5th grader Andrew Zambrano with Walnut Valley Board President Cindy Ruiz.

Walnut Elementary 5th grader Andrew Zambrano with Walnut Valley Board President Cindy Ruiz.

Walnut Elementary School 5th grader Andrew Zambrano has been honored as a Super Star Student.

“Since kindergarten, he has taken advantage of several opportunities to become involved in school. He plays saxophone in our school band, sings in the Showcase Choir, won awards in chess and is an assembly greeter which highlights his terrific interpersonal skills,” Principal Janet Green said.

Andrew’s past and present teachers include Jana Young, Karen Breitkreitz, Jill Igarashi-Takayama, Jeff Almberg and Dan Park.  They describe him as “ambitious,” “mature,” and “one of the best when it comes to work hard, play harder.”  He has earned straight A’s in 3rd and 4th grades.

Andrew has been able to do all this with the loving support of his parents who make sure he is enrolled in after-school wrestling, jujitsu and basketball.

“Andrew is also the creative force behind our new Coding Connection Club that is scheduled to launch next week,” Principal Green said.

“He discovered that it’s ‘cool to learn how to code’ during a three-week Summer Institute for the Gifted at UCLA. And he wants to share ways to help design and build apps,” she added.

Evergreen’s Michelle Xu wins greeting card art contest

Evergreen Elementary student Michelle Xu joins family members, Board President Cindy Ruiz, Principal Carolyn Wills and teacher Cathy Patterson.

Evergreen Elementary student Michelle Xu joins family members, Board President Cindy Ruiz, Principal Carolyn Wills and teacher Cathy Patterson.

Evergreen Elementary fifth grader Michelle Xu won the 2013 Holiday Greeting Card Art Contest.

The talented young artist was recognized with a certificate and framed copy of her original artwork by Board President Cindy Ruiz.

She also received a gift certificate to Chick-fil-A restaurant courtesy of owners Bob and Michelle Sun.

Crystal Chang earns top score on ACT test at Diamond Bar High

Crystal Chang, daughter of  Patrick Chang and a sophomore at Diamond Bar High School, earned a top composite score of 36 on a recent ACT test.

Less than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT earns the top score. Among test takers in the high school graduating class of 2013, only 1,162 of 1.8 million students earned a composite score of 36.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores.

Some students also take ACT’s optional Writing Test, but the score for that test is reported separately and is not included within the ACT composite score.

In a letter recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT CEO Jon Whitmore said, “While test scores are just one of the many criteria that most colleges consider when making admission decisions, your exceptional ACT composite score should prove helpful as you pursue your education and career goals.”

ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges, and exceptional scores of 36 provide colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.