Class Notes

Diamond Bar High offers Wheel Food Fest

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:57:42 -0800

Bring your appetite on Saturday, February 11, to Diamond Bar High School's first Wheel Food Fest! The event will take place from 11 am to 3 pm in the school's parking lot.

Gourmet food trucks will include Don Chow's Taco's, the NomNom Truck, Sweet E's Bake Shop, the Jogasaki Sushi Burrito Truck, and more.

The admission donation is $2 for adults, $1 for students, and children under 5 years old are admitted free. No outside food or beverages are permitted. For more information follow the event on twitter @DBHSFoodFest.

More students taking advanced placement courses

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:13:55 -0800

In the midst of economic woes that have public universities cutting enrollment and many institutions upping their standards, students are finding ways to make themselves more marketable to college admissions officials.

One of the ways they are getting a leg up on their competition is taking rigorous Advanced Placement courses, which also prepare students for college coursework and earn college credit.

According to the eighth annual Advanced Placement Report to the Nation, nationally more than 540,000 seniors in the class of 2011 successfully completed AP classes, representing a 1percent increase over the previous year and nearly doubling the number of students who successfully completed the classes compared with a decade ago.

Read more in Maritza Velasquez's story TESTS.

Hacienda La Puente parent's appeal rejected by county office of education

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:12:14 -0800

Parents fighting the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District's early start had a setback last week when an appeal was rejected by a county education agency.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education turned down their request to review the school board's recent decision to start the 2012-13 school year on Aug. 8, three weeks earlier, and end in May instead of June.

"It is our conclusion that the county office has no legitimate rationale to intervene," wrote Arturo Delgado, superintendent of the county office in a Jan. 27 letter addressed to Concerned Parents of Hacienda La Puente USD.

Read more in Steve Scauzillo's story REJECTED.

St. Mark's Lutheran School cleans up in Clorox contest

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:30:41 -0800

St. Mark's Lutheran School cleaned up in Clorox's Power a Bright Future contest. The Hacienda Heights students won $25,000 in the create division.

"We won for our weekly news show with students producing video segments announcing the events taking place on campus," explained teacher Julie Evangelista, who co-produces the show with teacher Mala Williams.

The students couldn't have won without the support of their parents and families. By the end of the contest, 88,686 people had voted for St. Marks between Oct. 24 and Dec. 9.

"It was a close contest with another school in Missouri. One day we were ahead in votes, then the next day they would push ahead of us," Evangelista noted

Diamond Ranch players sign with Ivy League, Navy and Oregon

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:47:45 -0800

Diamond Ranch saw four members of its football team sign on Feb. 1 and their destinations were quite impressive. Receiver Andrew Fischer (Harvard) and linebacker Jacob Ardron (Columbia) will play in the Ivy League.

Offensive tackle Blake Benjamin will play for the Navy and aim for medical school. Defensive back Chris Miller will make it easy for local fans to follow his career by playing in the Pac-12 at Oregon State.

"It's a college town and everybody in the town is friendly," Miller said of Corvallis, Ore. where Oregon State is located. "Being in the PAC-12, that's a competitive conference. Any school that would've given me an offer, I would've taken it. Oregon State gave me the offer and I hopped on it."

Mt. SAC may ban smoking on campus in Walnut

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:34:02 -0800

As part of an effort to improve the health of its students, Mt. San Antonio College may soon outlaw smoking on campus except in certain designated areas.

The stricter smoking policy is being developed by a special task force and the President's Advisory Committee. It could come to the board of trustees for approval sometime this year. If the board approves the new policy, it could take effect as early as June, school president Bill Scroggins said.

Students, staff or faculty caught violating the policy would be subject to a $35 fine for the first offense and $70 for a second offense, according to the committee meeting minutes of Dec. 7.

Read more in Steve Scauzillo's story SMOKING.

Rowland's Nick Rivera signs with Texas Tech

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:38:43 -0800

Athletics Vice Principal Bob Withers and Principal Mitch Brunyer congratulate Rowland High's Nick Rivera after getting a scholarship to Texas Tech.

Yesterday was National Signing Day and Rowland High School students, staff and the family of senior Nick Rivera gathered to celebrate with a signing ceremony of their own. Rivera received a scholarship in track and field from Texas Tech University.

Athletics Vice Principal Bob Withers said, "Getting a scholarship is an extremely difficult process - not everyone gets one and a lot goes into it. You have to work hard, get good grades, a good SAT score, be athletically gifted and more important, good character. Nick represents all of these traits."

Rivera made a heartwarming speech to the crowd, thanking in length his family and his coaches.

"I want to thank the coaches - Coach Luna has helped me so much with the recruiting process. Even though he's tough - at the end of the day, he is a really good guy, a good teacher and good coach and I'm glad I had him," said Rivera.

"I also want to give a shout out to my team mates - the cross country team - the journey has been even better with them. I want to thank all of you and the teachers for keeping me in check and making sure I am doing what I am supposed to do and helping me every day. Everyone at Rowland High School - the support you have shown me, I'll never forget it."

Rowland students move back to remodeled schools

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:58:06 -0800

If you think moving is hard, try moving an entire school. Rowland Unified accomplished this monstrous task twice over the winter break.

Northam and Jellick elementaries moved back into their newly renovated campuses. And everyone is excited to see their sparkling new facilities.

"I love my new classroom," said Northam teacher Araceli Gamboa. "They're very comfortable."

As well they should be with new insulated walls and windows. There's also energy efficient lighting and heating.

Gamboa's kindergarten students scampered across the new carpeting. Brightly colored posters decorated the tackable walls at the La Puente campus.

"The move back went pretty smoothly," said Northam Principal Gerardo Yepez. "This is one of the reasons I took this job, because of the significant support the district gives our schools."

Cedarlane Academy celebrates API success

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:19:49 -0800

Just got back from Cedarlane Academy in Hacienda Heights, which is celebrating its API score of 800. The elementary element of the K-8 school raised its API scores by more than 50 points in one year.

So we thought we'd go out and see what's changing at the new academy that has absorbed the students and staff from the closed Glenelder Elementary School. Read our report in an upcoming story.

Mathapalooza set for Saturday in Hacienda La Puente Unified

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0800

Los Altos High School and the Chinese American Parents Advisory Council will hold the Sixth Annual Mathapalooza Competition on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Last year's event had 350 participants. They expect the same amount of participants this year.

Hacienda La Puente Unified schools competing will be Baldwin Academy, Cedarlane, Fairgrove, Lassalette, Mesa Robles, Newton, Orange Grove, Sierra Vista, Sparks Elementary, Sparks Middle, Sunset Elementary, Valinda, Torrance Chinese School, and Workman Elementary.

Parents appeal early school year in Hacienda La Puente Unified

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:06:29 -0800

A group of parents has appealed a recent decision by the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District that radically changes the start and end dates of the school year to a county agency that oversees public education.

The parental group, long opposed to the "early start calendar," has asked the Los Angeles County Office of Education to review the program. The parents say the new calendar will negatively impact the district's budget and student academic performance.

But the appeal could be to no avail.

Although the county education office does have regulatory authority over 93 school districts, it mainly adjudicates disputes over inter-district transfers and expulsions.

"I can say our office would have no authority to override a school district's action on a calendar situation," said Margo Menecki, a spokesperson for the County Office of Education.

Read more in Steve Scauzillo's story Calendar.

Seadevils Youth Water Polo offers free training

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:25:39 -0800

To tackle childhood obesity by offering San Gabriel at-risk youth the chance to participate in team sports with no fee, the successful Seadevils Youth Water Polo program will hold registration for the winter session on Monday, January 23 at 6 p.m. at the Nogales High School Pool (returning athletes must arrive at 5:45 p.m.)
The program is open to the first 50 boy and girl athletes in grades 5^th - 8^th. Students must be able to swim 25 yards. It is free with 3 volunteer hours to the program. Parents must attend registration. Session Dates: January 23 - March 14, Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:45 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

C.A.S.A. Athletics is also seeking community sponsorship and encourages everyone to come see the program in action.

The Nogales High School Pool is located at 401. S. Nogales Street in La Puente. For more information, please contact Coach Timothy Tobin at (626) 965-3437 or at seadevilswaterpolo@yahoo.com.

Hacienda Heights author follows "Crossroads" to Fullerton

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:30:28 -0800

Do you believe in angels? Mary Ting of Hacienda Heights does. In fact, the kindergarten teacher has written two books about the heavenly creatures. The Los Molinos Elementary instructor has become something of a celebrity among her young students.

"I wrote the book as an outlet of grief over the death of my grandmother," Ting explained. "She was always an angel to me, she was a great role model."

Her first book "Crossroads" is the story about a forbidden love between a young woman and her guardian angel, who half mortal. They meet at a place between heaven and Earth called the crossroads.

Her teen novel has ranked as a top seller on Amazon.com. The romance can also be downloaded in Kindle and Nook formats.

On Saturday, the budding author will hold a book signing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Fullerton. The former PTA president will donate a portion of her sales to Los Molinos school.

"We're all going to be there to support our teacher," said Principal Angela Lin. "We've planned a breakfast as well as activities for families to enjoy."

Community meeting on Rowland High pool set Monday

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0800

Rowland High Principal Mitch Brunyer stands in the closed pool at Rowland High School.

Rowland High School is looking for your input. It wants to build a new $2.5 million swimming pool. Rowland Unified will present the plans for the aquatic center on Monday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hideout at Rowland High.

The school board previewed the project at a recent meeting. Families will find a design for a striking center to replace the old pool that had to be closed for health and safety reasons.

"Last May, we discovered the pool was leaking 6,000 gallons of water a day," explained Vice Principal Bob Withers. "There was also seepage that lowered the water quality."

The district decided to close the aging pool immediately. It later learned the leakage had undermined the decking around the pool.

Spring session starting for Rowland Adult and Community Education

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:05:47 -0800

The spring session of the Rowland Adult and Community Education begins Jan. 23. Registration for the community education fee-based classes has begun.

Registration for English as a Second Language or Citizenship classes takes place in the classroom on the first day.

Asian cooking workshops will include: Thai Cooking Made Easy, Sushi Made Easy, Chinese Dim Sum Made Easy Japanese Cooking Made Easy and Fancy Sushi Made Easy.

Other classes are Basic Drawing for Beginners, Line Dancing, International Folkdance, How to Become a Mystery Shopper and Other Fun Ways to Earn Extra Money, and Public Speaking.

Also returning are classes on Accent Improvement, Conquering Your Computer Phobia, Conversation Spanish for Adults and Children, Notary Public, Traffic Violator School, First Aid/CPR, Floral Design and Zumba.

In partnership with Boston Reed College, Rowland is offering Clinical Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Veterinary Assistant, Electronic Health Records System Technologist and Billing and Coding Specialist.

For more information, call 626-965-5975 or visit the office at 2100 Lerona Ave., Rowland Heights.