After evaluating the viability of what has quickly become a costly after-school enrichment program, La Puente city officials have decided to slash the club from a second area location.

The City Council in December eliminated its STARS after-school program at one of its three active sites, the La Puente Community Center, because of its dismal participation rates and increasing operational costs.

In an effort to further reduce expenses, city officials recently voted to cut the program at its Hurley Elementary in Rowland Unified site once the school semester is over.

Officials said the move will allow for the money the city spends to run the program to be used elsewhere in the community.

The money that “we’re spending is for a very small population,” Mayor Dan Holloway said. “We can use that money for (recreational) programs to serve for the entire community, whether through the community center or special events we have for youth. ”

The program’s third and largest site, Fairgrove Academy in Hacienda La Puente Unified, will remain open until other cost-effective options are available.

Read more in Juliette Funes story STAR.

Want to explore if the ACT or SAT is right for you? Kaplan Test Prep will hold an ACT/SAT practice test on Saturday, April 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Rowland Heights Library.

The test will have a sample of both tests. The results of the tests will be explained by a representative from KAPLAN on Tuesday, April 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Bring two No. 2 pencils and a calculator to the program. Sign-up at the information desk.
The library is at 1850 Nogales St. For information, call 626-912-5348.

Being stranded at the Los Angeles International Airport wasn’t a part of the educational trip to Washington that 27 local eighth-graders spent weeks talking about.

The 12-year-olds planned to lift off for Dulles International Airport at 9:02 a.m. Monday, but American Airlines overbooked the flight. Frank Loya, principal of St. Benedict School in Montebello, said he and the students were disappointed.

“When we got to the gate, they overbooked the plane, and they wanted me to split some of my students,” Loya told KTLA 5.

But Loya said he refused to leave six students behind, especially since the group would have to pay full price for six more tickets, reported KTLA 5.

Mary Frances Fagan, a spokeswoman for American Airlines, said the airline is working with the group leader to figure out how to get everyone to northern Virginia.

“Unfortunately we were unable to accommodate a group of passengers flying from L.A. to Washington, Dulles, this morning,” Fagan said. “We have worked with the group leader and determined the best way to transport the group to Northern Virginia. ”

Flight 76 left without any of St. Benedict School’s students or staff. Preliminary plans said the students might fly to Dallas Monday night and get to D.C. by Tuesday afternoon, reported KTLA 5.

Rowland High is cooking with gas, propane gas that is. The Raiders’ restaurant management team earned a third place competing against 27 other high schools in the California ProStart Cup competition.

Culinary students celebrated their victories at an awards ceremony on March 18 in the Pasadena Convention Center. The event was presented by the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

Management students from Rowland High took the third place in BJ’s Restaurants Management Cup. The team consists of Daniella De La Fuente, Emmanuel Hernandez, Abigail Peranil and Vanessa Gorgonia. They each won a $1,000 scholarship.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story WIN.

Finalists Madeleine Salem, a fifth grader from Rhodes Elementary School, Jonathan Sun, a seventh grader from South Pointe Middle School, and Hannah Silvestro, a sixth grader from St. Margaret Mary School.

Local students competed in a Saturday contest at Mt. San Antonio College’s Clarke Theater. The winner will represent the Inland region at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in May.

Hannah Silvestro, a sixth-grader from St. Margaret Mary School won. Madeline Salem, a fifth-grader from Rhodes Elementary came in second. And a seventh-grader from South Pointe Middle School in Diamond Bar, Jonathan Sun, came in third.

More than 100 local schools enrolled in the Scripps National Spelling Bee program last fall. Eligible spellers must be enrolled in a state-approved education system in eighth grade or below and are 14 years old or younger.

A special class for the novice iPad or iPad2 users will be held on Saturday, March 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rowland Heights Library.

Jason Galeener will show how to connect to Wi-Fi, use applications, take pictures and download apps.

He will also offer general tips and tricks for using your iPad more effectively. Bring your charged-up iPad and Library card. Registration is required.

The library is at 1850 Nogales St. For information, call 626-912-5348.