Diamond Bar couple engaged where it all began, Quail Summit

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Sometimes, you know from the first dance, the first kiss, that she is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. Sometimes, it takes 17 years.

Michael Siacunco and Sarah Lin of Diamond Bar became engaged Friday night at Quail Summit Elementary. Not something you see every day in a public school.

Siacunco, an airman who works in systems engineering at Buckley Air Force Base outside of Denver, recently returned home for leave. He thought it was time for the next step in their relationship. His younger brother, Cody, pushed Michael to ask Sarah, now a cardiac unit nurse at UCLA Medical Center, to marry him.

“I thought it was time for all or nothing, the title of our first dance,” Michael said.

So the young man began his campaign to win over Sarah’s heart. Gathering his friends, Michael planned a special night that would remind her of their time together.

He recruited her friend to “hang out” with Sarah last Friday. The friend took her on some “errands.” They stopped at Chaparral, where friends held up a sign reminding her of the first kiss.

They stopped at Diamond Bar High, where other friends reminded them of their shared past, then the Diamond Bar Center, where the couple had spent so many hours talking about life.

Arriving at Quail Summit, Sarah started crying when she saw rose petals on the sidewalks lit by candlelight, with strings of lights on the railings. A movie screen showed a special video made by Michael.

Friends led her to the amphitheater, where Sarah had chased a little boy 17 years ago. “It was kind of blurred because I was crying so hard,” she said.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story ENGAGED.

Music teachers at Walnut and Diamond Bar highs named quarter finalists by Grammy Foundation

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Four Inland Valley educators were among 222 music teachers from 208 cities in 41 states who were selected as quarter finalists for the Music Educator Award presented by The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation.

They were selected from more than 7,000 nominations from all 50 states.

The local honorees are Steven Acciani of Diamond Bar High, Anthony Allmond of Kaiser High in Fontana, Buddy Clements of Walnut High and Eufemio Escalante of Vina Danks Middle School in Ontario.

In September, a list of semi-finalists will be announced after which 10 finalists will be selected. One recipient will be selected from the 10 finalists and will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the Grammy Awards ceremony, and receive a $10,000 honorarium.

The other nine finalists will each receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists also will receive matching grants.

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten to college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.

Link: http://www.dailybulletin.com/social-affairs/20140605/four-area-educators-nominated-for-national-award

Walnut Valley honors 26 retirees with 584 years of service

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Walnut Valley Unified honored 2014 retirees during a reception on May 21.

Walnut Valley Unified School District gathered to celebrate the 2014 retiring staff members during a reception on May 21. Twenty-six employees were lauded for providing a total of 584 years of outstanding service to students.

Each retiree received personal tributes, retirement watch, and certificates of special recognition. “Thank you on behalf of the Board of Trustees,” said President Cindy Ruiz. “We appreciate every one of you and you will be missed!”

Congratulations to the following retiring staff members:

Diana Thorneycroft – Senior Administrative Assistant, Business Services

Bonnie Lee, Instructional Aide, Castle Rock Elementary

Brad Chapman, Teacher, Chaparral Middle School

Sharon Mocho, Food Service Worker III, Chaparral Middle School

Marian Nelson, Attendance Clerk, Chaparral Middle School

Kerry Volkov, Instructional Aide II, Chaparral Middle School

Linda Gandana, Food Service Worker II, Collegewood Elementary

Edith Yu, Food Service Worker I, Collegewood Elementary

Jon Goode, Grade Level Coordinator, Diamond Bar High

Dennis Thomsen, Teacher, Educational Services

Gayle Douglas, Teacher, Maple Hill Elementary

Marsha Dickerson, Teacher, South Pointe Middle School

Jean Fujihara, Teacher, South Pointe Middle School

Claudia Huff, Teacher, South Pointe Middle School

Nadine Aquinaga, Food Service Worker I, Suzanne Middle School

Susan Gilbert, Administrative Secretary, Transportation

Lorraine Meier, Bus Driver, Transportation

Nea Tyler, Bus Driver, Transportation

Sandra Harutunian, Teacher, Vejar Elementary

Patricia Ackman, Food Service Worker II, Walnut Elementary

Tricia Aragon, Secretary II, Walnut High

Scott Cassells, Grade Level Coordinator, Walnut High

Lily Jacquot, Teacher, Walnut High

Christine Nagashima, Office Assistant, Walnut High

Patricia Finn, Teacher, Westhoff elementary

Diamond Ranch coach resigns amid hacking accusations in Diamond Bar

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Roddy Layton resigned late last week as Diamond Ranch High School varsity football head coach as accusations swirl that the Panthers coaching staff hacked into rival Diamond Bar’s Hudl account to obtain important scouting information during the week of their game on Oct. 18, 2013.

Layton said his resignation is not related to a letter obtained by this publication and sent to the CIF-Southern Section last week by Diamond Bar that alleges Diamond Ranch coaches obtained Diamond Bar’s account information on Hudl and used video archives and notes to help prepare for the game.

Diamond Ranch won the game 34-20, but the night was marred by a benches-clearing brawl that led to the suspensions of several players from both teams. Diamond Bar forfeited its following game because it could not field a team. Diamond Ranch went on to win the league with a 6-0 record.

CIF-SS informed Diamond Bar the hacking accusations are a league matter. Hacienda League principals are expected to discuss the situation in a regularly scheduled meeting this week.

In the letter, Diamond Bar documents a steep rise in clicks or hits on its Hudl page the week of the game. Hudl.com has become a popular resource for coaches who can store game video, practice video and notes for game preparation. According to the letter, a former Diamond Ranch coach came forward to Ryan Maine, Diamond Bar’s head coach at the time, about the hacking.

Read more in Aram Tolegian’s story RESIGN.

Diamond Bar freshman selected for Math Olympiad program.

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Diamond Bar Freshman Benjamin Chen is among a very small group of about 53 students (from the original pool of over 210,000 American Mathematics Competition participants) invited to take part in the 2014 Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program. This year’s program will be held on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The purpose of the program is to broaden the participants’ view of mathematics and foster their excitement toward further study. It will better prepares students for possible future participation on our International Mathematical Olympiad team as well as for possible careers involving mathematics.

South Pointe band performs at Heritage Festival in Chicago

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Richard Irwin

The South Pointe Middle School Band performed at Chicago Symphony Hall during the Festival of Gold.

the South Pointe Middle School Band recently performed in the Heritage Festival of Gold at the renowned Chicago Symphony Hall. South Pointe was the only middle school ensemble among 22 high schools at the “Windy City” concert.

“We were the only band out of eight there to receive a standing ovation!” said Director Susan Willmering.

The 116-member group qualified to perform by submitting a recording and from consistent high scores during past Heritage Festivals. During their Chicago experience, March 28-April1, the musicians participated in three clinics and three master classes at Northwestern University.

Students received extensive one-on-one time with internationally known musicians. The French horns sections worked with Gail Williams and the percussionists worked with She-e Wu.

South Pointe students also toured the city. They trekked to the top of Willis Tower, walked out onto the glass, and gazed out at the 103-story city view

They took in the Cloud Gate sculpture, unofficially dubbed The Bean, at Millennium Park; visited the Museum of Science and Industry where students controlled a three-story high tornado; saw an exciting Blue Man Group concert, and more!

“It was an amazing experience for everyone involved,” Willmering said.

Evergreen Elementary celebrates Earth Day in Diamond Bar

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Recycled art was on display at Evergreen Elementary during the Earth Day celebration held on April 25. (Photo by Kelli Gile, Courtesy of Walnut Valley.)

Recycled art was on display at Evergreen Elementary during Earth Day celebration. (Photo by Kelli Gile of Walnut Valley)

By Kelli Gile, Walnut Valley Unified

Evergreen Elementary kindergarten students celebrated Earth Day during a spring program held April 25. Families gathered in the amphitheater as the children sang about the land and sea and springtime blossoms.

They performed This Land is Your Land, Magic Penny, Baby Beluga, Everything Grows, Springtime Magic, and We All Live Together. Teacher Mona Warren happily strummed her guitar behind the children during the Octopus song.

“Kindergarteners, you did an awesome job today,” said Principal Carolyn Wills.

“Parents you will be hearing a lot more about S.T.E.A.M – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. And here at Evergreen, it starts with our kindergarteners!”

After the music, several Common Core activities were held in the kindergarten play yard. Families posed for a “ Jaws” keepsake photo and estimated the length of a blue whale with yarn, rulers, and wrapping paper tubes.

The head of the giant 100’ mammal was drawn on the playground with chalk, and families with their kindergarten students had to use assorted tools provided to solve the challenge of “How far would this 100 foot whale reach? How could we measure it with the tools we have?”

Austin Teng, age 6, promised to recycle and pick up trash to help the Earth. Teacher Sam Li gave a science lesson during the Float or Sink Jellyfish demonstration. The children placed plastic jellyfish into liter-sized water bottles and learned they floated because oxygen is lighter than the water!

Inside classrooms, families worked together to fill in an attribute chart of student created artwork in categories such as vertebrates, invertebrates, and many other terms that showed how much they had learned. They also worked together on an ABC Earth Day word search and make pledges to take care of Mother Earth. Sophia Tian said she would ride bicycle to take care of the Earth.

Earth Day was also celebrated with creative artwork. Recycled art pieces were on display outside classrooms and recycling pledges framed the playground. Students created a replica of themself as an Earth Kid, holding the planet and creating a personal pledge of how they can take care of our Earth.

“Our dedicated kindergarten teachers, Mona Warren, Kathy Riddle, Melody Fernandez, Julie Jeon, and Sam Li completely revamped the kindergarten spring program to create experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

This is an excellent example of the new Common Core State Standards and STEAM instruction that our students need to be successful in college, career and beyond!” said Principal Carolyn Wills.

Walnut Valley artists win awards in magazine contest

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Walnut Valley’s top winner is Quail Summit Elementary fifth grader Willow Huang with the 1st Runner-Up award.

By Walnut Valley Unified

Twenty-six elementary students in the Walnut Valley Unified School District have been named award winners in the 2014 “Draw a Cover for the Music K-8 Magazine” contest. The Board of Trustees recognized the young artists during the April 16 meeting.

Music Specialist Judy Brunelle introduced the young artists and presented them with keepsake copies of their original artwork. Winners came from Collegewood, Evergreen, Maple Hill, Quail Summit, Walnut, and Westhoff elementary schools.

1^st Runner-Up – Willow Huang and 5^th Runner-Up Claire Kung.

Top Finalists: Kathryn Song, Emily Chen, Michael Wu, James Wu, Ricky Lambert, Hailey Lim, and Vencionas Kosasih.

Promising Young Artist Finalist: James Wu.

Finalists: Emma Hsieh, Nathan Lee, Jennifer Lai, Matthew Kao, Michelle Xu, Christa Tang, Olivia Hwang, Katie Kim, and Nikki Yip.

Honorable Mention: Jessie Ji, Clarie Wang, Michelle, Wang, Erin Zhou, Srijani Krishman, Kellie Lam, and Arushi Verma.

The results were published in the June/July issue and the artwork can be seen on the magazine website at www.musick8.com.

GATE students building bridges at Chaparral School in Diamond Bar

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Chaparral GATE students Esther Tarng, Donna Chao, Michelle Chao, Summer Wang show their toothpick bridge. (Photo courtesy of Walnut Valley Unified)

Chaparral Middle School GATE students raced to build toothpick bridges during a competition held on March 6. The group of gifted 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders is part of the after-school Bridge Design and Engineering class.

Chaparral 7^th grade Language arts teacher Heather Finch serves as the GATE coordinator. “The class worked very hard in preparation for the challenge during the past 12 weeks,” Finch said.

The four-member teams managed their own budgets to buy supplies, including land (cardboard), lumber (toothpicks), welding equipment (glue), and paint.

It took 15-20 hours to complete the detailed structures. Students had to communicate as a team in order to overcome strict time constraints. Prizes were awarded for strongest truss bridge and for creative design.

“It was an overall fun and exciting experience building and breaking our bridges. I was surprised to see how much weight a toothpick bridge could hold,” said 7^th grader Virginia Wang,

“Our goal was for the bridges to hold 150 lbs., and our winning bridge ended up holding over 250 lbs.,” Finch said.

Quail Summit school gets eight new trees in Diamond Bar

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Richard Irwin

Students took shovels to help plant a new tree at Quail Summit Elementary School. (Photo courtesy of Walnut Valley Unified)

The front landscaping at Quail Summit Elementary School now includes eight new trees planted this week. The lush green Japanese Maples, Camphor trees, and Australian Willows were made possible through a donation from the Great Enlightenment Lotus Society.

On March 11, the school held a ceremony attended by district and local officials to thank the non-profit organization.

“It is a great opportunity for the Quail Summit Elementary and the District to receive this generous tree donation from the Great Enlightenment Lotus Society and at the same time to educate our kids about the importance and meaning of tree planting for our future,” said Walnut Valley Unified School District Board Member Dr. Y. Tony Torng.

Quail Summit 4^th and 5^th grade student representatives joined the planting celebration. They drew pictures and wrote thank you cards for the event.

“It’s very important when someone gives you a gift that we say thank you,” said Principal Dr. Alysia Hobbs-Odipo.

Student Body President 5^th grader Brianna Hernandez presented a poster and some fun facts about trees.

“With all the electronics we have in this era, sometimes it’s just nice to sit under a tree and read a book. I’m a proud to represent my fellow Quails to show that we care and love our trees. We appreciate your help and sponsorship in planting these trees and beautifying our school,” she said

Another Quail Summit student, 4^th grader Kenzie Wilson, accompanied by 5^th grader Mara Firtat, sang an original song about beautiful trees. Then all the students gathered around the last new tree and took planting with rich soil.

Lead Grounds Maintenance Worker Gene Kennebrew shared information about the species including it will grow to a towering 75’tall.

“This is a Camphor tree and these were originally from Eastern Asia. They were brought to Florida in about 1875. They are excellent for shade and have a nice aroma,” he said.

“We are very happy here today to have Quail Summit Elementary students join us for this great event. When we realize the benefit of the forest, the tree-planting ceremony is very important and meaningful for our society and work,” said William Shen, treasurer of the Bliss and Wisdom Foundation of North America, the organization that founded the Great Enlightenment Lotus Society.

Shen was presented with certificates from the Offices of Senator Bob Huff and Assemblyman Curt Hagman.

“We want to make sure you give us treats, but you walk away with your hands full too!” Dr. Hobbs said.

“I’m not sure if you know it or not, but Diamond Bar is a designated Tree City,” said Jody Roberto, Senior Field Representative for Senator Huff.

“And your school is contributing to that. You’re lucky to be at this beautiful school,” she said.

Class Notes

Education and school news, observations and gossip from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Whittier Daily News

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