Laker legend, UCLA dean celebrate tea at Newton Middle School in Hacienda Heights

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By Newton Middle School

On April 10, Newton Middle School, in Hacienda Heights, hosted their annual “Tea of celebration” that honored their GATE (Gifted and Talented) students for all of their hard work and dedication as they strive to give their best, academically, each day.

The school has 183 sixth through eighth grade students in the GATE program. This year’s tea included AC Green, former Los Angeles Lakers legend and Luz Herrera, Assistant Dean at UCLA’s School of Law.

As Green entered the school’s cafeteria, he was greeted by the students, staff,and parents who were all very eager to hear his message for the day. The students and staff sprung to life with excitement, cheering, and genuinely star-struck as he made his way to the front of the room.

Green spoke about building character, strong bodies, strong minds, winning and losing with dignity, teamwork and sacrifice. He concluded his motivational speech by giving a high five to a student, answering questions, and making sure he reiterated that the “decisions you make today, directly impact your tomorrow.”

Herrera, the event’s second keynote speaker, also shared with the students two powerful messages of how important it is to excel in both academics as well to develop social relationships with others. She also stressed the importance of selecting a peer group that will be a supportive and positive influence in one’s life.

Overall, it was a very fun, engaging, and educational event enjoyed by all, followed by an array of light refreshments, served by the staff.

L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis joins Principal for the Day program

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis

By Richard Irwin, Staff Writer

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis joined business and community leaders Wednesday in the Principal for the Day program in the Bassett, Rowland and Hacienda La Puente school districts.

“My home is actually about 10 minutes from here, where my mother still lives,” Solis said. “I’m a proud (La Puente High) Warrior,”

Growing up, Solis never expected to have the opportunities she has had.

“All I can tell you is that at a tender age I was once told not to dream, not to dream too big, to go along, get along,” Solis said. “Maybe just be a secretary … but I never thought I would receive a call from the White House to become the Secretary of Labor.”

PHOTOS: Hilda Solis joins Principal for the Day program

She credited local schools with giving her a good start.

“There were people in the school system that helped to direct me, to motivate me but also to give me the inspiration to go on,” Solis said.

After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, Solis earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from USC. Solis worked for President Jimmy Carter in the White House Office of Hispanic Affairs. Later, she became a management analyst in the Civil Rights Division.

“I know there are students we are honoring here,” Solis said. “Follow your dreams, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be or do what you want to do, because I know you can.”

Ten high school and two adult education students received scholarships for their outstanding achievements.

Solis called adult education and Regional Occupational Programs very important to the economy.

“It’s about the economic development, about education and continuing to open up a career path for all of us,” Solis said.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story PRINCIPAL

Orange Grove Middle School on lockdown in Hacienda Heights

Orange Grove Middle School is in lockdown Monday while deputies continue searching for a third man suspected of breaking into a gentleman’s club Monday.

Deputies caught two of the suspects and recovered a safe stolen from the business, according to Sgt. Rick Thurlo of the sheriff’s Industry Station.

He said someone called the station around 7 a.m. and reported four men in a black Audi were possibly burglarizing a gentleman’s club in the 15300 block of Gale Avenue in Industry.

As deputies arrived, the car took off. Thurlo said there was a short pursuit which ended at 7th and Orange Grove avenues in Hacienda Heights. Three men got out of the car and ran into the canyon area, the sergeant said.  Deputies found two suspects hiding in the brush.

A K9 unit, a helicopter and deputies are still searching for a third suspect who was only described as a black man.

While the caller mentioned four men, Thurlo said it’s not confirmed yet that there was a fourth suspect. Three men were seen getting in and out of the car, he added. The school is located at 14505 Orange Grove Avenue in Hacienda Heights. The principal couldn’t be reached for comment.

Sierra Vista students in La Puente create in MakerSpace lab

 Luis Ruiz, 17, demonstrates robotic car at Sierra Vista Middle School in La Puente

Luis Ruiz, 17, demonstrates robotic car at Sierra Vista Middle School in La Puente

By Richard Irwin, Staff Writer

Robots roamed the room, optical and ultrasonic sensors silently guiding them around obstacles. Sierra Vista students continued to work on electronic circuit boards, building security alarms, cooling fans and other whirligigs.

Others displayed the video games and computer coding they had constructed themselves. All were proud of the engineering accomplishments the seventh and eighth graders have achieved thanks to the Makerspace lab sponsored by the Alcoa Foundation.

“We’ve seen significant increases in attendance and math scores, as well a rising interest in careers in science and engineering,” said Principal Terry Ceja .

The La Puente middle school was celebrating the second anniversary of the innovative program. Sierra Vista is one of only two Makerspace labs in Southern California.

“We couldn’t have done it without close to $40,000 in grants from the Alcoa Foundation,” Ceja said.

“We want to get our students interested in science and math. These are the aerospace workers of the future,” agreed Gwen Moore, human resources director for Alcoa’s plant in Industry.

The Alcoa official said the company has been impressed with the growth of the program over the past year. It now offers two classes for seventh graders as well as an advanced class for eighth graders.

“We need more engineers. Anything we can do to get the students interested in a technical career is good for everyone,” said Jeff Railton, engineering manager at Alcoa Fastening Systems.

The local company makes a variety of aerospace fasteners. The local plant employs about 350 workers, but it’s always looking for more highly skilled workers.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story MAKERSPACE.

Immersion programs hold showcase in Hacienda Heights

The Dual Immersion programs in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District at Wedgeworth and Los Altos Elementaries as well as  Valinda School of Academics present their first showcase and silent auction.

On Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m., students from Mandarin and Spanish programs will perform at the Hacienda Heights Community Center at 1234 Valencia Avenue.

The silent auction includes:
• La Libreria Books, an independent book seller that features English language children’s books along with authentic Spanish language text.
• Conmigo, Affinity Insurance – Family literacy outreach program.
• Chinese book and education vendors.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Rosalie Sinapi, Principal at Los Altos Elementary School at (626) 933-2302.

Los Altos High celebrates opening day for baseball

Los Altos High School will celebrate the opening day for baseball on Saturday. It has planned a full day of fun activities, including an alumni vs. varsity game at 9:30 a.m. and JV game at 11 a.m.
The biggest event, the annual COW POOP DEEED BINGO begins at noon. Cows will roam a large painted coordinate grid out on the field. The three first poops made where people have purchased those deed spots, win cash prizes.
There will also be food booths, games and a dunk tank

Speakers shares stories of Iraq with Sierra Vista students

Photo courtesy of Sierra Vista Middle School

Photo courtesy of Sierra Vista Middle School

By Sierra Vista Middle School

Guest speaker Lynn Matthews brought stories of her travels to Afghanistan and Iraq to the students at Sierra Vista Middle School in La Puente on Wednesday.

Many of the students are part of  TLC, the school’s Letter Club.  Students recently wrote letters and sent artistic drawings to students in schools in Jalalabad.

They received letters and pictures in return, which were drawn by their counterparts in the middle eastern countries.  The club will be teaming up with Matthews again to draw pictures and write letters of encouragement to Syrian refugees in camps in Northern Iran.

Matthews will send them along digitally, or perhaps she will hand deliver them on her next trip.  The students had the opportunity to learn about schools in these war-torn regions and ask questions about traveling in an area where terrorism has a daily impact on the lives of children.

Los Altos High choirs plan cabaret night in Hacienda Heights

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The Choirs of Los Altos High School will present their annual “Cabaret Night” – a fabulous evening of music, dance, food, and fun.
The performance will be on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 8 pm and Friday Feb. 27 with two shows at 6 & 8 pm. It will be held at the new Hacienda Heights Community Center at 1234 Valencia Ave. in Hacienda Heights.
There are only 160 seats for each of the performances. Tickets are $15.00 per person which includes a reserved seat, appetizers, drinks, and a dessert.
To purchase tickets contact Jeffrey Fahey, Director of Choirs, atjfahey@hlpusd.k12.ca.us or 626-934-5446.

 

Language programs to entertain families on Feb. 24

By Hacienda La Puente Unified

The Dual Immersion programs in the HaciendaLa Puente Unified School District at Wedgeworth Elementary, Los Altos Elementary and Valinda School of Academics will present the first Dual Immersion Showcase and Silent Auction.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, students from our Mandarin and Spanish programs will perform for the community. In addition, local vendors and literacy groups will be on hand to celebrate the success of our students and present materials to the community.

The event will take place at the Hacienda Heights Community Center at 1234 Valencia Ave. in Hacienda Heights from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Vendors/Silent Auction includes: • La Libreria Books, an independent book seller that features English Language children’s books along with authentic Spanish language text. • Conmigo, Affinity Insurance – Family literacy outreach program. • Chinese Book and Education vendors.

Silent Auctions items include movie tickets, vendor baskets, and special school auctions. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Rosalie Sinapi, Principal at Los Altos Elementary School at (626) 933-2302.